Chapter 10: Compound 2611
Chapter 10: Compound 2611
“This experimental product was born after months of work involving numerous complex steps like synthesis and induction.”
“Based on when it was created, I’ll simply name it Compound 2611 for now.”
“Strictly speaking, it’s an active substance, a type of special microorganism.”
“It represents a theoretically predicted compound under the lifespan mechanism framework I’ve developed over this period.”
“Without specific analysis and research yet, I can’t be sure about its more complex properties. Only through some basic analysis conducted last night can I confirm it’s definitely what we were seeking.”
“In theory, after Compound 2611 is administered to a human, it should form a special physiological mechanism within the body. This special mechanism will exert an external influence on the previously identified human lifespan mechanism, thereby achieving an effect of extending human life.”
“According to theoretical expectations, using a sufficient amount of Compound 2611 during the appropriate age range should give a person a lifespan reaching 150 to 180 years after this special mechanism is established in their body.”
“However, one critical factor greatly affects Compound 2611’s effectiveness: the older the person is after entering their decline phase, the weaker the effect. If someone is already at death’s door, Compound 2611 can’t miraculously bring them back to life.”
“This is because, essentially, Compound 2611 doesn’t just add extra years onto the end of a human’s current lifespan measured in decades or a century. Instead, it stretches the time duration of each distinct phase in the human life cycle. Compound 2611 should be used when a person enters adolescence for the best results. On the other hand, an eighty-year-old using it might not even reach the expected 150-year lifespan.”
Qin Yu gave the simplest summary of Compound 2611’s nature and function.
When they heard Qin Yu say Compound 2611 could extend the human lifespan to 150-180 years,
the assembled people breathed heavier.
Even Qin Yu’s subsequent qualifying remarks did nothing to lessen their reaction.
One hundred and fifty years didn’t seem utterly mind-blowing on the surface.
But the problem was,
thinking carefully would make anyone realize: increasing average lifespan from the current seventy-plus years to 150 years
meant everyone could live over seventy years longer.
It was equivalent to… living an extra complete lifetime.
And if calculated by 180 years, living over a century longer… that was an entire additional century…
“Professor, I suggest reporting to the Ethics Committee and applying for direct clinical trials as soon as possible.”
Qin Yu turned to face Professor Chen Anmin.
Generally, progressing straight from a lab result to clinical application for human testing
meant skipping essential steps like animal trials
was definitely not standard procedure.
Moreover, this falls under applied science,
usually not the direct responsibility of researchers like Qin Yu who focus on fundamental research in the field of Life Sciences.
But obviously, this situation was different.
“The main reasons are twofold,”
“First, Compound 2611 is designed specifically for humans. Its effect on animals might well be negligible.”
“Moving directly to clinical trials aligns with the research requirements.”
“Secondly… synthesizing Compound 2611 is quite complicated. I doubt many people will patiently wait for it to complete all the standard procedural steps.”
“In that case, it might be better to launch clinical trials directly.”
The recent reactions of the people present clearly showed Compound 2611’s immense appeal.
Ever since Qin Yu announced its existence to the gathered researchers,
it was practically inevitable that news of this couldn’t be contained.
And among those who knew, very few would likely be willing to wait slowly.
The younger ones could manage it, they could afford to wait,
but the older ones? Could they wait?
Qin Yu also dreaded seeing potential messy situations fueled by desperate desires for Compound 2611.
Therefore, it seemed wiser to try and shorten the whole process before Compound 2611 became widely known.
Professor Chen Anmin listened to Qin Yu’s words,
then turned to glance at the expressions on his other students’ faces. Nodding at Qin Yu, he said,
“I will report this for you. The authorities will likely agree to handle matters concerning Compound 2611 on an exceptional basis. Is there anything else you need my help with?”
“Even if I can’t manage it myself, the dean of our faculty is there, and the university provost is there. If they don’t know about Compound 2611 yet, well… just wait until they find out. If you asked for a star from the sky, they’d probably try to find a way to pluck it down for you.”
Professor Chen Anmin said this with a slight smile.
“There actually is one more thing I need your help with, Professor.”
“If clinical trials for Compound 2611 start later, would you be willing to be the first volunteer to use it?”
Qin Yu couldn’t possibly step forward to be the first volunteer himself.
For an Absolute Immortal, Compound 2611 wouldn’t have any effect.
Secondly, even if he suggested it, the people around him would almost certainly object.
“Alright.”
Professor Chen Anmin agreed without much hesitation.
He understood—this wasn’t Qin Yu putting him in danger.
This was Qin Yu giving him an exclusive first chance.
Were there risks involved in being the first user of Compound 2611?
Of course there were.
But even with risks, Professor Chen Anmin himself was willing to use it. It offered the potential to extend his life expectancy by decades—who wouldn’t take that gamble?
Out there, many would likely jump at such a chance, maybe even fight for it.
Even knowing more Compound 2611 would probably be made later,
decades of extra life? For most people, securing it as soon as possible would seem best.
Qin Yu clearly saw this in him, which was why he offered the role of volunteer directly.
Beside them, Qin Yu’s senior students watched their teacher accept the role, unable to hide a flicker of disappointment.
Honestly, they too were quite willing to be volunteers for the Compound 2611 clinical trials.
Though, being younger, they could afford to be patient. If not the first group, they’d likely be in the second batch—still close enough to get an early advantage, just not the absolute first.
“When do we start? Is there anything I need to prepare?” Professor Chen Anmin asked further.
“No special preparation needed. The first clinical test should happen quite quickly, though.”
“The current batch of Compound 2611 is only enough for a single person. The effective life of the active substance isn’t very long. It must be used within about half a month for optimal effect.”
“Of course, future processes might extend that timeframe somewhat.”
“Well then, maybe I should just stay right here,” Professor Chen Anmin said, half-joking, half-serious.
“I can’t stop thinking about it—I’m going to be the first to use this ‘elixir of life’ that countless people through history have gone crazy dreaming of. My heart’s actually racing just sitting here. If I leave now, I’m worried I’ll be too excited to sleep tonight anyway.”
“There’s no need to rush so much.”
Qin Yu also smiled.
However, after this brief exchange, Professor Chen Anmin indeed did not seem in a hurry to leave.
Right in front of Qin Yu and the others, he made a call home, simply saying something had come up in the lab and he likely wouldn’t be back for the next few days.
Then, he looked towards his students, besides Qin Yu.
“Do any of you have urgent matters elsewhere recently? If not, stay in the lab for now. Don’t leave yet.”
“If you need to contact anyone at home, or anyone outside the lab, make the call in front of me, or in front of Qin Yu. You understand what I mean.”
The rest of the group quickly caught on.
The birth of Compound 2611 was bound to cause huge waves.
Even if absolute secrecy couldn’t last long, they had to maintain it as much as possible during this critical time,
especially for their own safety.
“Don’t worry, Professor. I had already planned to stay, even sleep on the floor here. We get it.”
“Hehe, exactly! We have two whole labs on the top floor of this building. Plenty of space. I’m personally ready to camp out here for a couple of months!”
Qin Yu’s senior lab mates spoke up one after another.
“Qin Yu, carry on. I’ll make a call.”
Professor Chen Anmin didn’t elaborate further, simply stating this to Qin Yu.
His gesture indicated Qin Yu should continue with his own work as he saw fit.
The senior lab mates all looked at Qin Yu with eager, expectant eyes.
No time had ever filled them with greater enthusiasm for their work.
Qin Yu pulled out a stack of papers and briefly assigned tasks to his nine seniors.
Just like before, it was mainly experimental procedures.
These nine senior colleagues probably couldn’t even fully grasp what role their specific tasks played in the overall synthesis process of Compound 2611.
As for the further analysis and research of the initial batch of synthesized Compound 2611,
that was something Qin Yu handled personally.
The quantity obtained from the first synthesis was extremely small.
Only a minuscule amount could be spared for analysis beyond the first clinical trial,
hardly requiring multiple people.
Professor Chen Anmin, although excusing himself to make a call,
stayed well within Qin Yu’s sight to avoid any impression of secrecy. He dialed right in front of Qin Yu.
Naturally, Professor Chen Anmin did not call any ethics committee.
Compound 2611 was far too special. Under current circumstances, the fewer people who knew, the better.
Being a Level One Professor himself, almost qualified to be an academician,
Professor Chen Anmin had direct channels to the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Normally, he might have contacted the Dean of the School of Life Sciences or the President of Lingchuan University first.
However, after a moment’s hesitation, Professor Chen Anmin dialed the number of a high-ranking official within the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Over the phone,
Professor Chen Anmin revealed nothing substantial.
He merely informed this official that something urgent had arisen, requesting he come to Lingchuan University as soon as possible, ideally immediately.
This senior official from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was an Academician himself and had interacted with Prof. Chen Anmin during their early careers.
Professor Chen Anmin had previously led a life sciences research institute under the CAS.
This project under Qin Yu’s team, in fact, had funding not just from the university but also state grants.
In a way, the person he contacted was exactly the right one.
Generally, though, even for project reviews, the top brass of the Academy wouldn’t need to come personally.
Professor Chen Anmin didn’t even mention Qin Yu or the research project during the call.
Essentially, he was staking his decades-long reputation and academic integrity on Qin Yu.
The CAS official, likely guessing something significant was afoot, didn’t press for details.
He simply asked Professor Chen Anmin when he was needed.
Upon hearing “the sooner, the better,”
he immediately told Professor Chen Anmin:
“I’ll take a flight from the capital today and come over.”
…
“Alright, Professor Chen. I’ll hurry there as fast as I can.”
After hanging up, Academician Shen Yaoguo, the CAS head, paused for a moment, then summoned his secretary.
“Arrange a trip to Lingchuan University for me. I want to be there before tonight.”
“Understood, Minister Shen.”
“Before you go,” Academician Shen Yaoguo rose from his desk, stopping his secretary, “didn’t the School of Life Sciences at Lingchuan University publish a very notable paper earlier?”
The secretary thought for a moment and nodded.
“Are you referring to Dr. Qin Yu’s paper at Lingchuan University on the mechanisms of human lifespan?”
Qin Yu was far from unknown in academic circles after all this time.
As a staff member of the Academy, the secretary was quite familiar with influential papers.
“I recall you took a personal interest in Dr. Qin Yu’s paper back then.”
“Following its publication, it sparked a surge of research interest in the field – intensive studies on the mechanisms influencing human lifespan, significant in both Life Science and genetic engineering.”
“Is the purpose of your trip, Minister Shen, to inspect the progress of Dr. Qin Yu’s new research?”
Normally, the secretary wouldn’t ask, but since Shen Yaoguo seemed open, he inquired politely.
“Likely so.”
Academician Shen Yaoguo smiled slightly in response, not elaborating further.
Then, his smile gradually faded. His gaze grew distant, as if lost in thought.
“Find that article for me. I want to look at it again.”
Coming from a materials science background, Academician Shen Yaoguo was rather removed from biological research.
He had known about Qin Yu’s significant paper in Life Science but hadn’t read it carefully before.
“Certainly, Minister Shen. Dr. Qin Yu published another related article on lifespan mechanisms even earlier. Should I bring that one as well?”
“Yes, bring them both. Also, notify Academician Wu Ming to accompany me to Lingchuan University.”
The name Shen Yaoguo mentioned this time belonged to an expert in the field of life sciences.
Considering Professor Chen Anmin’s urgent summons, the matter probably concerned life sciences. Going alone wouldn’t suffice; he needed a domain specialist.
“Understood, Minister Shen. Should anyone else be notified?”
“No. That’s all. Inform no one else.”
…
That same night, Shen Yaoguo arrived at the School of Life Sciences at Lingchuan University, accompanied by Academician Wu Ming, the life sciences specialist.
Declining the university’s formal reception,
they proceeded directly to the lab. Upon arrival, they experienced the same overwhelming astonishment
that had earlier struck Professor Chen Anmin and his team.
Immediately following this,
while Shen Yaoguo and others began the process of reporting further up the chain,
the security around the laboratory was significantly increased.