Chapter 581: Chapter 522: Head-to-Head Competition
Ever since Jin Jun advanced the “Grand Void Artifact Strategy” to Level 20, he has been tirelessly preparing for the crafting of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine.
In order to successfully obtain the related military certificate for the Heavenly Sun Divine, Jin Jun had already spread the word among students of all grades in the Artifact Refining field, showing his determination to acquire the Heavenly Sun Divine in the next academic year.
At this moment, he stepped to the laboratory table, starting a simulation experiment to hone his artifact refining skills.
To achieve the best simulation results, he not only adjusted his Spirit Realm image to match reality but also replicated his entire Cave Mansion as a one-to-one copy of his real-world laboratory.
“As long as I successfully complete the Heavenly Sun Divine, I will have a place in the future top ten leagues.”
After completing a set of simulation experiments, a series of resumes appeared before Jin Jun, and he began to review them one by one.
To smoothly complete the crafting of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine, Jin Jun began recruiting assistants three months ago to support him.
However, as the project progressed, there were constant personnel changes, and he did not stop collecting resumes.
After reviewing for a while, Jin Jun was not very satisfied, so he began to use his connections to find people.
He wanted to find a talent skilled in true fire processing and adept at repairing the metal shells of Magic Treasures.
Soon someone told him that Zhang Yu, a junior, had good skills in this area, having mastered the Level 20 Fire Control Divine Mirrors, and specialized in taking jobs to repair Magic Treasure shells.
Moreover, Zhang Yu is about to start preparing for the crafting of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine, making him even more suitable for the project.
“Zhang Yu?” Jin Jun was somewhat surprised: “That student who transferred from the Civil Engineering Department?”
Jin Jun specifically looked at the data on the Magic Treasures Zhang Yu had repaired, showing a satisfied expression.
“Not bad, the technique is up to scratch, and the fees are reasonable, he’s the one.”
In contrast, many senior students who met the technical requirements were also excellent, but they were involved in various different projects, making the cost of recruiting them too high for Jin Jun.
He opened the resumes he received and picked out all the juniors.
“Zi Yunzhen, Su Yuni…”
“Zhang Yu didn’t submit a resume to me?”
Jin Jun thought: “Does he think I won’t hire him?”
After learning that Ye Xingli frequently recommended work to Zhang Yu, Jin Jun directly contacted the other party.
Jin Jun: Xingli, do you know Zhang Yu? Can you pass a message for me?
Ye Xingli: What message?
Jin Jun: I want to invite him to join my project, the one crafting the Heavenly Sun Divine.
…
In the laboratory.
Seeing these words, Ye Xingli’s eyes flickered.
She forwarded Jin Jun’s message to Zhang Yu and then asked: I didn’t expect Jin Jun wanted to recruit you to help out.
Ye Xingli: Studying while working, this is a great opportunity.
However, while practicing Artifact Refining Techniques in the laboratory, Zhang Yu replied: No need, I prefer to move at my own pace.
Ye Xingli: You can practice at Jin Jun’s place earlier, and learn from his experience; it might save you a lot of detours in the future.
Zhang Yu: Really no need, could you please decline for me, Senior?
Reading the message from Zhang Yu, Ye Xingli was somewhat surprised: “Such a great opportunity, yet he refused?”
“Could Zhang Yu have already decided to give up on continuing crafting the Heavenly Sun Divine, planning to participate in a design competition instead?”
The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Ye Xingli no longer persuaded and simply sent Zhang Yu’s reply to Jin Jun.
…
Seeing Ye Xingli’s reply, Jin Jun frowned.
“Refuse?”
Jin Jun had already investigated and knew that Zhang Yu had publicly stated he wanted to craft the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine himself.
“This project of mine should be an enormous opportunity for him.”
“By joining, not only does he get a chance to practice for free, but he can also go through the entire Heavenly Sun Divine process, which is nothing but beneficial for him. Why would he refuse?”
Jin Jun thought for a moment and then had a realization: “Is he retreating in order to advance, trying to negotiate terms?”
Thus, Jin Jun began to consider the gains and losses in his mind.
“During the crafting process of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine, there is a lot of metal shell crafting work.”
“If Zhang Yu assists, not only could the efficiency be improved, but he could also perform repair work, reducing the failure losses and lowering the overall project costs.”
With this in mind, Jin Jun contacted Ye Xingli again, and this time he planned to speak directly with Zhang Yu.
…
Entering Ye Xingli’s laboratory, Jin Jun first greeted her, then looked towards Zhang Yu.
He walked up with a smile: “Junior Brother Zhang, I came specifically to invite you this time.”
“If you’re willing to join my project, I can offer you twice the salary of the other assistants.”
On the other side, Zi Yunzhen and the other assistants who were cleaning materials were surprised to see Jin Jun arrive.
Zi Yunzhen had also signed up for Jin Jun’s project in the past, as the creation involved the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine, dealing with military-level power, which could enhance her resume significantly.
Seeing Jin Jun personally inviting Zhang Yu and offering double the salary made Zi Yunzhen feel both envious and jealous.
But faced with Jin Jun’s invitation, after a moment of silence, Zhang Yu regretfully replied, “Sorry, I don’t want to participate in this project.”
However, Jin Jun smiled and continued, “Zhang Yu, don’t rush to refuse.”
“I’m determined to succeed in refining the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine and need excellent assistants to support this.”
“Besides, it seems you’re planning to take the path of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine in the future too?”
“You have certain skills, but you lack experience and reputation.”
“Joining this project, learning while working, will help you accumulate experience in refining the Heavenly Sun Divine.”
“I know you may be worried about being hindered on the artifact refining path due to your identity from the Civil Engineering Department.”
“But participating in a military-level project can definitely make others look at you with newfound respect.”
“If you join, besides the part you’re responsible for, I can also share the entire project’s data with you for your learning.”
“This should be greatly beneficial to your future work on the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine.”
Zi Yunzhen and the other two assistants watched this scene with envious faces, realizing that Zhang Yu’s treatment was far better than theirs despite all being assistants.
Glancing at the evil qi material she was cleaning, Zi Yunzhen felt that she was more like a student who had transferred from the Civil Engineering Department compared to Zhang Yu.
For Jin Jun, doubling the assistants’ salary was not much money.
Sharing data was equally beneficial without extra costs but was absolutely enticing for the students in front of him.
Jin Jun confidently looked at Zhang Yu, convinced that the student who transferred from the Civil Engineering Department would certainly agree to his offer.
But Zhang Yu, feeling Jin Jun’s gaze, shook his head and said, “Sorry, I really don’t intend to join this project.”
Jin Jun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then looked deeply at Zhang Yu, thinking he probably wanted to negotiate for a higher price, prompting Jin Jun to remind him, “Zhang Yu, this is already the best offer I can give, it’s beneficial for both of us.”
Meanwhile, Jin Jun internally noted, “I originally wanted to get him onboard quickly; could it be that my sincerity made Zhang Yu feel he could ask for more?”
Ye Xingli, standing nearby to prevent any conflict between the two, spoke up, “Zhang Yu, don’t you plan to continue along the path of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine?”
“Jin Jun, if Zhang Yu plans to participate in the design competition first, then he truly has no time for your project.”
Jin Jun was slightly stunned upon hearing this, internally realizing that participating in the design competition first and mastering military-level techniques before refining a military-level magic treasure prototype is indeed the normal artifact refining path.
However, upon hearing Ye Xingli’s words, Zhang Yu understood he needed to clarify the situation.
After excelling in artifact refining, he was about to prepare for the study of the Heavenly Sun Divine.
According to Zhang Yu’s planning, he might complete the prototype machine’s refinement by next academic year, directly competing with Jin Jun.
If he allowed Jin Jun and others to misunderstand today, once he completed the prototype machine, his actions today would be seen as deceit towards Jin Jun, falsely claiming to abandon the Heavenly Sun Divine.
Being accused in the future or facing hostility from Jin Jun wouldn’t be a big concern.
But if it affected the prototype machine’s testing and review, it would be unsatisfactory.
After all, creating a military-level artifact prototype and passing the refining skills test and evaluation is necessary to be granted military certification.
To pass the evaluation, leaving traces and evidence of refining the prototype machine throughout the project is inevitable.
If Zhang Yu acknowledged the “abandonment of the Heavenly Sun Divine” today, would he have to secretly refine artifacts without letting others know? That would complicate passing the evaluation in the future.
If he acknowledged the “abandonment of the Heavenly Sun Divine” today and then openly pursued artifact refining, what would be the point?
Today, openly acknowledging the situation and leaving traces everywhere, completing the refinement of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine step by step without giving anyone a reason to question him—this is Zhang Yu’s plan.
So, Zhang Yu resolutely stated, “Senior Jin Jun, I’m not joining your project not because I’m giving up, but because I’ve decided to start refining the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine soon, and then we’re bound to compete directly.”
With Zhang Yu’s words, the entire laboratory fell silent suddenly.
Zi Yunzhen looked at Zhang Yu’s serious expression and thought the man was crazy—compete directly with Jin Jun? What right did he have?
Ye Xingli’s face flashed a trace of astonishment, entirely not anticipating Zhang Yu would say such a thing.
Her mind quickly processed, “Although Zhang Yu is from the Civil Engineering Department, he’s no fool. Why would he say this? Could it be…”
Standing before Zhang Yu, Jin Jun was amused He chuckled, “Junior Brother Zhang, if you want to refuse my request, just refuse directly. There’s no need to talk about something so unpredictable.”
Zhang Yu did not laugh but seriously replied once again, “I’m not kidding. I should be able to refine the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine by my senior year.”
“Since you, Senior Jin Jun, also want to pursue this, I didn’t want to hide it from you as you’ll find out eventually.”
Feeling the seriousness in Zhang Yu’s tone, Jin Jun gradually realized the other party did not seem to be joking.
Consequently, Jin Jun’s smile grew as he only found this scene to be so amusing and interesting that he couldn’t help but laugh lightly.