Chapter 524: Head-on Competition (Thanks to 'JiEun' for Gifting Alliance Leader)

Chapter 524: Head-to-Head Competition (Thanks to ‘JiEun’ for the alliance leader donation)

Ever since Jin Jun pushed the "Great Void Divine Artifact Strategy" to level 20, he had been working tirelessly to prepare for the forging of the prototype Heavenly Sun Radiant God.

To secure the military certification for the Heavenly Sun Radiant God, Jin Jun had made his intentions clear early on, signaling his resolve to the artifact-refining students of every grade for the coming year.

At this moment, he walked to his workbench, beginning a simulated experiment to hone his craft.

To achieve the most realistic simulation, he not only adjusted his spiritual avatar to mirror his physical self but also replicated his entire laboratory within the cave dwelling.

"Once I successfully complete the Heavenly Sun Radiant God, a seat in the Top Ten Leagues will be mine."

After finishing a set of simulations, a stack of resumes appeared before him, and he began to review them one by one.

To ensure the successful forging of the prototype, Jin Jun had started recruiting assistants three months ago.

However, as the project progressed, personnel changes were frequent, and he had not stopped accepting applications.

Finding none of the candidates satisfactory, he began leveraging his personal connections to find the right talent.

He sought someone skilled in true-fire processing and the repair of metallic artifact casings.

Soon, someone suggested Zhang Yu, a junior with excellent skills in this area, who had mastered the level 20 Fire-Controlling Divine Mirror and specialized in artifact repair commissions.

Moreover, since Zhang Yu was preparing to forge his own prototype, he was a perfect fit for the project.

"Zhang Yu?" Jin Jun was surprised. "The student who transferred from the Civil Engineering Department?"

Jin Jun specifically examined the data on the artifacts Zhang Yu had repaired, his eyes revealing a hint of satisfaction.

"Not bad, the technique is solid, and the fees are reasonable. He’s the one."

By contrast, many senior students with similar technical qualifications were already tied up in various projects, making the cost of poaching them too high.

He opened his received resumes and filtered for all junior students.

"Zi Yunzhen, Su Yunni..."

"Did Zhang Yu not submit a resume?"

Jin Jun mused, "Does he think I wouldn't accept him?"

Knowing that Ye Xingli often referred work to Zhang Yu, Jin Jun contacted her directly.

Jin Jun: Xingli, do you know Zhang Yu? Could you pass a message for me?

Ye Xingli: What message?

Jin Jun: I want to invite him to join my project—the one for forging the Heavenly Sun Radiant God.

...

Inside the laboratory.

Seeing this message, Ye Xingli’s eyes flickered.

She forwarded the message to Zhang Yu and asked: I didn't expect Jin Jun to want to recruit you for help.

Ye Xingli: Learning while working—this is a great opportunity.

Zhang Yu, who was practicing his refining techniques in the lab, replied: No, I prefer to stick to my own pace.

Ye Xingli: If you practice under Jin Jun, you can learn from his experience and save yourself a lot of detours later.

Zhang Yu: I really don't need to. Please, Senior Sister, help me decline.

Looking at the message, Ye Xingli was surprised: "He’s refusing such a good opportunity?"

"Could it be that Zhang Yu has decided to give up on the Heavenly Sun Radiant God and enter the design competition instead?"

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, so she stopped persuading him and simply relayed the refusal to Jin Jun.

...

Seeing Ye Xingli’s reply, Jin Jun frowned.

"Refused?"

Jin Jun had already inquired and knew that Zhang Yu had publicly stated his intent to forge a prototype.

"My project should be a golden opportunity for him."

"Joining would allow him to practice for free and walk through the entire process of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God. It’s all benefit and no harm; why would he refuse?"

Jin Jun pondered for a moment and felt he had the answer: "Is he playing hard to get, trying to negotiate terms?"

He began to weigh the pros and cons in his mind.

"The forging of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God prototype involves a massive amount of metal casing work."

"If Zhang Yu helps, it would not only increase efficiency but also minimize losses from failed attempts, lowering the project's overall cost."

With that, Jin Jun contacted Ye Xingli again, this time intending to speak with Zhang Yu in person.

...

Arriving at Ye Xingli’s lab, Jin Jun greeted her before turning his attention to Zhang Yu.

He walked over with a smile: "Junior Brother Zhang Yu, I’ve come here specifically to invite you."

"If you are willing to join my project, I can offer you double the salary of the other assistants."

Nearby, Zi Yunzhen and the other assistants, who were cleaning materials, were stunned by Jin Jun’s arrival. Zi Yunzhen had once applied for Jin Jun’s project; after all, it involved military-grade power, and participating would be a significant boost to her resume.

Seeing Jin Jun personally invite Zhang Yu with double the pay left Zi Yunzhen feeling both envious and jealous.

Yet, faced with the invitation, Zhang Yu remained silent for a moment before saying helplessly: "I’m sorry, I don't want to participate in this project."

Jin Jun smiled and continued: "Zhang Yu, don't be so quick to refuse."

"I am determined to succeed with this prototype, and I need excellent assistants."

"And you seem to be walking the path of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God yourself, right?"

"You have the skill, but you lack experience and reputation."

"Participating in this project allows you to learn while you work, accumulating the necessary experience."

"I know that because of your Civil Engineering background, you worry about obstacles in your path to artifact refining."

"But an experience with a military-grade project will make everyone look at you with new eyes."

"If you join, in addition to your assigned tasks, I can share the project's data with you for your personal study."

"That should be very helpful for your future work."

Zi Yunzhen and the other assistants watched with envy; compared to them, Zhang Yu’s treatment was far superior.

Glancing at the malevolent materials she was cleaning, Zi Yunzhen felt that, by comparison, she was the one who looked like a transfer student from Civil Engineering.

For Jin Jun, doubling an assistant's salary was a small price to pay.

Sharing data was even easier—it cost him nothing extra, yet it held immense appeal for a student.

Jin Jun looked at Zhang Yu with confidence, certain that the transfer student would agree.

But as Zhang Yu felt Jin Jun’s gaze, he shook his head: "Senior, I have too many things on my plate. I really don't have the time."

Jin Jun was taken aback, then gave Zhang Yu a long, deep look. Thinking the student was still holding out for a better offer, he felt compelled to warn him: "Zhang Yu, this is the best offer I can give. It is a win-win for both of us."

Meanwhile, Jin Jun mused to himself: "I intended to secure him in one go; could it be that my excessive display of sincerity has led this Zhang Yu to believe he can drive a harder bargain?"

Ye Xingli, standing nearby to prevent a confrontation, interjected: "Zhang Yu, are you planning to abandon the path of the Sun-Scorching God prototype?"

"Jin Jun, if Zhang Yu intends to enter the design competition first, he truly lacks the time for your project."

Jin Jun was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself that it made sense; indeed, participating in the design competition to master military-grade techniques before forging a military-grade artifact prototype was the standard path for an artificer.

Yet, hearing Ye Xingli’s words, Zhang Yu realized he needed to clarify his position.

After all, once he completed the Artificer Prodigy quest, he would immediately begin his studies on the Sun-Scorching God.

According to his own projections, he would likely complete the prototype within the next academic year, placing him in direct competition with Jin Jun.

If he allowed Jin Jun and Ye Xingli to remain under this misconception today, then once he finished the prototype, his actions would be perceived as a deliberate deception—a false claim of abandoning the project.

Being criticized or earning Jin Jun’s enmity in the future was one thing.

But if this were to jeopardize the testing and evaluation of his prototype, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

After all, one must produce a military-grade prototype and pass the technical evaluation to be granted military certification.

To pass such an assessment, leaving a trail of evidence—records, logs, and traces of the forging process—was an absolute necessity.

If Zhang Yu accepted the premise of "abandoning the Sun-Scorching God" today, would he then have to forge in secret? That would only complicate his future evaluation.

Or, if he failed to explain now, allowing them to believe he had quit, only to forge the prototype openly later, what purpose would today’s concession serve?

After a moment of deliberation, Zhang Yu concluded that the best course was to state his intentions clearly, leave a trail of his progress, and complete the Sun-Scorching God prototype step by step, leaving no room for anyone to question his integrity.

Thus, Zhang Yu stated firmly: "Senior Jin Jun, I am not declining your project because I intend to quit, but because I have decided to begin forging the Sun-Scorching God prototype shortly, and we will inevitably find ourselves in direct competition."

As these words left Zhang Yu’s lips, the entire laboratory fell into a sudden, heavy silence.

Zi Yunzhen looked at the earnest expression on Zhang Yu’s face, thinking the boy had surely lost his mind; direct competition with Jin Jun? On what grounds?

A flash of astonishment crossed Ye Xingli’s face; she had never expected Zhang Yu to utter such a statement.

Her mind raced: "Zhang Yu may be from the Civil Engineering department, but he is no fool. Why would he say this? Unless..."

Jin Jun, standing before Zhang Yu, merely smiled dismissively: "Junior Zhang, if you wish to refuse my offer, just say so; there is no need to invent such preposterous tales."

Zhang Yu did not smile, repeating with grave seriousness: "I am not joking. I expect to complete the Sun-Scorching God prototype by my senior year."

"Since you are also working on it, Senior Jin Jun, I see no reason to hide this from you; you would have discovered it eventually regardless."

Sensing the gravity in Zhang Yu’s tone, Jin Jun gradually realized that the young man was not joking at all.

A broader smile spread across Jin Jun’s face; he found the scene so absurd, yet so intriguing, that he could not help but laugh aloud.

(End of chapter)