Arrival

The spacecraft landed at the Flushing Interstellar Port of Imperial Capital Star. Guo Hao, like Grandma Liu visiting a grand mansion, observed the surrounding scene, his eyes filled with awe.

Too prosperous! Beyond Guo Hao's imagination of prosperity. Spaceships were everywhere, crowds were everywhere. There were also flying vehicles coming and going, and cargo spacecraft, with alien races moving about.
"This is the Flushing Interstellar Port of Imperial Capital Star. Most spaceships entering Imperial Capital Star will dock here. This place is over one hundred thousand square kilometers, and it's divided into thirty-three levels. We are currently on the second level, where all sorts of people gather; many spaceships dock here, there are people, cargo spacecraft, and passenger spacecraft. All kinds of people come and go; you'll need to be a little careful when you come here in the future, there are quite a few scammers."
Shi Ming whispered to Guo Hao.

"Why don't we directly dock the spaceship inside the Imperial Academy of Sciences? Doesn't the Imperial Academy of Sciences have a place to dock spaceships?"
Guo Hao was a little curious. Shi Ming's spaceship wasn't a large one. Logically, it should be able to dock.
"My spaceship usually docks here. That spaceship is maintained and handled by dedicated personnel here. Within the planet, I usually don't drive that interstellar spaceship; I drive this."
Just then, a flying shuttle suddenly appeared in front of Guo Hao and Shi Ming.
"Let's get on the flying shuttle!"
Shi Ming smiled, looking at Guo Hao.
Guo Hao was slightly startled, then followed Shi Ming and got onto the flying shuttle.
"Welcome, Master. Where would Master like to go?"
"To the Academy of Sciences."
Shi Ming said with a smile.
"Alright, destination locked. Proceeding directly to the Imperial Academy of Sciences!"
With that, the flying shuttle quickly sped forward, almost vanishing in an instant.

"Unlike spaceships that need to adapt to all environments in the universe, flying shuttles only need to fly within the planet itself, so flying shuttles are built according to the planetary environment. Artificial intelligence is familiar with all environments and all places within the planet, so the flight speed is extremely fast! Spaceships are very slow in this regard, why would I drive a spaceship to get there?"
Shi Ming smiled, looking at Guo Hao.
Guo Hao nodded. From this perspective, flying shuttles were indeed more practical.
The two talked for only a little over ten minutes.
"We have arrived at the Imperial Academy of Sciences!"
The intelligent entity's voice sounded.
"Look, we're here!" Shi Ming said with a smile to Guo Hao.
"If it were a spaceship, it would probably take another half hour to arrive. This is called, 'each profession has its own specialty'! Let's go, let's get off the flying shuttle!"
With that, the two got off the flying shuttle.

"I'll first take you to meet the Dean, register your information with the Imperial Academy of Sciences, then collect some onboarding items, and also arrange your residence."
Shi Ming quickly outlined Guo Hao's urgent tasks in a few sentences, confirming about seventy to eighty percent of them. Very reliable! Guo Hao was very satisfied.

After getting off the flying shuttle, Shi Ming led Guo Hao directly into the Imperial Academy of Sciences through the main entrance. There were many researchers coming and going at the entrance; they all greeted Shi Ming. While greeting, they couldn't help but glance at Guo Hao. Guo Hao's expression was calm. Shi Ming simply smiled and continued to lead Guo Hao through the Imperial Academy of Sciences.

Researchers were everywhere. Beside them were some gleaming metal walls, reflecting metallic light, and slightly transparent glass. Intelligent entities were responsible for controlling everything. Guo Hao curiously observed the scene before him.
"How is the research project on the Star Beast captured in Star Abyss 324 progressing?"
"It's still hard to say, but I heard the lab over there has made some progress."
"Regarding the anti-matter oxidation effect, we need more material investment, but anti-matter materials are expensive. I don't know if the higher-ups will approve it."
Scientific researchers passing by were discussing these matters. Guo Hao's thoughts stirred. These research topics sounded interesting!

Just as Guo Hao was listening to these interesting research topics. At this moment, Guo Hao had arrived at the Dean's office. Shi Ming led Guo Hao into the Dean's office.
"Shi Ming, you've brought him back?"
The Dean was not a Hao Si Tribesman; in Guo Hao's eyes, he clearly resembled an Earthling in appearance, except for the vertical eye on his forehead. What race was this Dean of the Imperial Academy of Sciences? Guo Hao was a little curious, as he looked very similar to Erlang Shen in the mythological legends of the Dragon Nation.
"Is this that Guo Hao?"
The Dean looked at Guo Hao with a faint smile in his eyes.
"Yes, Dean, this is Guo Hao."
Shi Ming smiled.
"Guo Hao, I've read your paper. I must say, your mathematical talent is the highest among all the people I've seen, second to none."
The Dean looked at Guo Hao.
"An excellent line of thought, an exceptionally solid foundation; such talents are rare. I have high hopes for you!" The Dean of the Imperial Academy of Sciences smiled at Guo Hao.
"You flatter me."
Guo Hao said modestly.

"Alright, I won't say much else for now. Let's get you onboard first. At the Academy of Sciences, rank is only tied to authority and access to resources. Resource allocation is purely based on rank; there isn't really a concept of superior or subordinate ranks. The key is resources. Also, if you want to join someone else's laboratory, you'll need to negotiate with them, sign contracts, and so on; that will be according to the contract's regulations. Other than that, there's mandatory reassignment, which happens when there are major research projects or when the empire needs special individuals to tackle research topics. This type of reassignment is usually mandatory, but when reassigned, you enjoy extremely high benefits, and once the research project is completed, you usually receive different levels of authority increases based on your contribution to the project."
The Dean briefly explained the situation of the Imperial Academy of Sciences to Guo Hao, including some key points to note.
"Alright, that's all. I've already transferred all your information, and the Academy of Sciences' intelligent entity can identify you. Shi Ming, take him to get settled."
The Dean said to Shi Ming with a normal expression.
"Understood, Dean."
Shi Ming was not surprised; he saluted the Dean and then led Guo Hao out of the office.

Outside the office.
"Normally, something like this would be handled directly by the intelligent entity, but to show respect for you, and also because the Dean himself wanted to see you. That's why this meeting happened, mainly because of your paper. The Academy of Sciences is not like other places. Here, reputation, or anything else, is not important; the most important thing is talent and achievements."
Shi Ming smiled, looking at Guo Hao.