Earth Biogenome Project

T’Chaka and T’Challa had both taken the Heart-Shaped Herb and possessed the blessing of Bast, the Panther Goddess.

When their souls entered the Ancestral Land, they could assume the form of black panthers.

Exactly like Osk’s current form.

"Normally, I would adjust my appearance to that of a more common cheetah rather than a black panther."

Oaks had already changed back. Looking at the two dumbfounded Wakandans, he spread his hands.

"Because the Panther Goddess told me that there are other black panthers blessed by her in this world."

That was pure nonsense, of course. But for Oaks, who knew Wakanda’s circumstances very well, it was also a contingency plan he had prepared long ago for making contact with Wakanda.

"As expected… Bast has blessed us…"

T’Chaka’s plump face could not hide his excitement.

Although Oaks had said that the Panther Goddess he worshipped was called Ashaman, both his status as a Black Panther and Ashaman’s status as a "goddess" made T’Chaka see things in only one direction.

This Panther Goddess, Ashaman, whom he had never heard of before, was either a description of the same deity in a different faith or a deity of the same kind as Bast, who had protected his people for centuries!

"Then… have you ever sensed…"

T’Challa, unable to contain himself, added another question. Though he stopped himself in time, Oaks merely smiled as green light flashed across his hand.

"When it comes to sensitivity to life, I am a professional…

Your Majesty T’Chaka, Prince T’Challa, your life auras have long surpassed the limits of ordinary humans. They are not even much weaker than Steve Rogers, Captain America.

A special life energy, one filled with primal wildness, has caused this. And if I am not mistaken, you sensed a similar power within me as well."

"…"

T’Chaka took a deep breath. Since everything had been laid bare, he no longer concealed the truth.

"That is correct. When we first heard the stories about you, we had doubts about this matter… and when we saw you in person just now, we indeed sensed something."

He glanced at the embarrassed T’Challa, smiled, and patted his son’s shoulder.

"We came here precisely because of this. Now that we have learned that others like us exist, should that not be cause for celebration?"

"Yes, Father… this is a wonderful coincidence."

T’Challa composed himself, smiled, stepped forward, and shook Oaks’s hand.

"President Oaks, thank you for everything you have done… By the way, my girlfriend admires you very much."

"Huh?"

Oaks froze. What kind of turn was that?

"That girl Nakia…"

T’Chaka shook his head with a smile. He was exceedingly satisfied with his future daughter-in-law.

"She only returned yesterday. It seems the two of you talked quite a bit."

"Nakia has always devoted herself to helping her compatriots suffering from hunger and poverty."

A trace of pride appeared on T’Challa’s face. Nakia believed that if the advanced Wakanda helped these people, their hardships could soon be resolved.

But both she and T’Challa knew that, at least at this stage, that was impossible.

So Nakia had left Wakanda alone, traveling around the world to help her compatriots everywhere and search for ways to solve the problem.

But she was, after all, the girlfriend of Wakanda’s heir, its future queen, and deeply beloved by the people.

Therefore, when the Benevolence Society’s remarkably successful food cooperation with Wakanda began, she received the news immediately.

The day before T’Challa departed aboard the Nature Guardian, Nakia rushed back to Wakanda and had a discussion with him.

The arrival of the Benevolence Society gave Nakia’s wish a chance of being realized.

Wakanda would not need to expose itself to help compatriots suffering from hunger and poverty outside.

Oaks quickly realized this, and his expression became somewhat strange.

Come to think of it, would this leave Wakanda with too little motivation to open up, causing it to remain isolated?

"Nakia wishes to take personal charge of this project. She believes her mission is telling her that this is the closest she has ever come to success."

T’Challa’s words made King T’Chaka nod.

"Of course. Nothing could be more suitable. This wheat has already passed our inspection."

The "inspection" T’Chaka referred to was a genuine Wakandan-level inspection. That was enough to prove that there were no known issues with this food, which was why he was so decisive.

"Then, President Oaks, when do you plan to promote this miraculous cultivation technology and these seeds?"

Because of the Black Panther matter, T’Chaka’s favorable impression of Oaks had clearly risen another level.

"As you said, food is a matter tied to a nation’s lifeblood… Wakanda has accepted such a tremendous favor, yet we do not know how to repay it."

"The Benevolence Society is, by nature, a public welfare organization."

Oaks once again emphasized the nature of the Benevolence Society.

"The results of Oak Environmental Technology Company’s research are put into practice by the Benevolence Society to benefit all humanity. This is the shared principle and standard of conduct throughout our organization.

But the power of public welfare is limited, and our goal is not merely food."

Oaks pondered for a moment. His purpose in choosing Wakanda was, naturally, to build a good relationship with the wealthiest nation in the world.

But before the project had even officially begun, their relationship had progressed faster than expected…

That could not have been better.

"In fact, I plan to launch a global research initiative on Earth Day in April this year.

The food cooperation with Wakanda and Sokovia is a result of this plan’s early prototype."

T’Chaka and T’Challa exchanged a glance and grew serious.

"A global research initiative? If a food miracle of this scale is merely a result of its early prototype, then I truly look forward to seeing how astonishing the results will be once it is officially implemented."

"The Earth Biogenome Project, or EBP for short."

Oaks presented his Life Sanctuary support plan. With a wave of his hand, a holographic display descended from the air, showing the plan’s detailed contents.

"It is similar to the Human Genome Project, or HGP, but far more complex and far-reaching.

It is a global scientific collaboration to sequence the genomes of all eukaryotic organisms on Earth."

Malorne still lacked biological data from Earth. But unlike terrain and weather data, biological data could not be obtained through simple detectors and scans.

Even with Oaks’s Nature Magic, with so many species across the world, it would exhaust him to death.

So why not mobilize the strength of the entire world to benefit the world?

Watching T’Chaka and T’Challa’s eyes gradually widen, Oaks stood and explained.

"Sequencing eukaryotic organisms, including all plants, animals, and single-celled organisms, will be an unprecedented biological celebration.

This will be the largest life sciences research project in the world. It will enable humanity to gain a deeper understanding of the widespread life forms on Earth from the perspective of genetic information.

Moreover, genome data and genomic research will greatly promote the conservation and utilization of global biodiversity.

All data from this project will be published openly to the entire world, and its research findings will benefit all humanity—

Our Abundance-series wheat, Foundation-series arable-land-expanding Plant-Based products, and even Dissolution-series organic-matter-degrading moss will all be shared globally first as open projects.

I believe that the consensus of breaking through international barriers, openness, cooperation, and sharing will unprecedentedly promote coordinated development across all related fields and greatly aid the harmonious coexistence of humanity and the ecological environment!"

"This…"

T’Chaka and T’Challa were genuinely shocked. Alongside their shock was an uncontrollable sense of admiration.

After all, if these projects were operated by a commercial company, what staggering profits would they generate?

Yet he was making them public?

"As expected of you, President Oaks."

T’Chaka looked deeply at Oaks, stood up, and patted his shoulder.

"When you announce this plan, I will personally make a statement at the United Nations, supporting your decision as King!"

"Wakanda may be small, but we are still a member state of the United Nations."

T’Challa smiled.

"I did graduate from Oxford University, after all. My degree may be in physics, but that does not prevent me from foreseeing what a magnificent academic event this will be."

"Thank you for Wakanda’s support."

This was Oaks’s most important objective.

On Sokovia’s side, although Baron Zemo held great influence, he could not speak for the president at the United Nations.

Other countries could at most receive responses from their scientific communities. Only Wakanda, the most advanced nation pretending to be the least developed one, could directly lend support at the national level.

Especially now that they had this inexplicable connection through the Black Panther.

"Once we return, we will begin preparing for this immediately. We will place the Benevolence Society branch at our highest priority."

T’Chaka earnestly assured Oaks. This young man had earned his respect.

"Also, perhaps this is not appropriate right now, but I look forward to the day when I can invite you to visit Wakanda, President Oaks."

He seemed to put special emphasis on the word "Wakanda."

"…I look forward to it as well."

Mapoling, Changsha, Hunan Province, China. The sun was nearly setting when a travel-worn young man arrived at the Hybrid Rice Research Center.

"Oh? Little Zhang—ah, Secretary-General Zhang, you are back from America?"

A middle-aged researcher was pounding his shoulders as he trudged out with tired steps. When he saw the familiar figure, he froze.

He had been doing too much data research lately, and his head was a little dizzy. It made him miss the days when he conducted field research in the paddies.

But no matter how dizzy he was, he would never mistake the man before him!

"Director Xu!"

Seeing that the head of the scientific research management department had just come out, Zhang Shuren hurriedly waved his hands.

"Please, just call me Little Zhang… Is Elder Yuan here?"

"Heh, your accomplishments have far surpassed your age!"

Seeing the sweat on Zhang Shuren’s forehead, Director Xu’s expression turned serious.

"The old gentleman is in the laboratory… Is something urgent?"

"Our president wants to visit Elder Yuan, so I came ahead to see when Elder Yuan might be free!"

"Your president?!"

Director Xu’s eyes widened.