Chapter 524: Direct Competition

Ever since Jin Jun advanced the Void Artifact Codex to level 20, he had thrown himself nonstop into preparing for the refinement of the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype.

To secure the military license related to the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine, he had already made his intentions known to all the students in the Artifact Refinement Department, declaring his determination to complete the project within the next academic year.

At this moment, he stood before his experimental bench, conducting simulation experiments to polish his refinement skills.

To achieve the best simulation results, he not only adjusted his Spiritual Realm avatar to match his real-world appearance but even reconstructed his entire abode to perfectly mirror his real laboratory.

“As long as I can complete the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine, I’ll have my place in the Top Ten League.”

After finishing a round of simulations, a row of résumés appeared before Jin Jun’s eyes. He began scrolling through them one by one.

To ensure success in crafting the prototype, he had started recruiting assistants three months earlier. Yet, as the project progressed, staff turnover was frequent, so he continued accepting applications.

After browsing for a while, Jin Jun remained unsatisfied, so he began leveraging his personal network to find suitable candidates.

He wanted someone skilled in true-fire processing and experienced in repairing the metal shells of artifacts.

Soon, someone told him that a third-year student named Zhang Yu had excellent skills in that area. He had mastered the Fire-Taming True Qi at level 20 and often took commissions repairing artifact shells.

Moreover, Zhang Yu was also preparing to refine the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype, making him a perfect fit.

“Zhang Yu?” Jin Jun raised a brow. “The student who transferred from the Civil Engineering Department?”

He pulled up the data on the artifacts Zhang Yu had repaired and, after a glance, revealed a satisfied smile.

“Not bad—technically solid, and cheap to hire. He’ll do.”

Compared to the senior students who met his technical requirements but were already tied up with other projects, recruiting Zhang Yu was far more cost-effective.

He opened the batch of résumés he’d received and filtered out all the third-year students.

“Zi Yunzhen, Su Yunni…”

“Hmm? Zhang Yu didn’t submit an application?”

Jin Jun frowned slightly. “Does he think I wouldn’t take him?”

After learning that Ye Xingli often introduced side jobs to Zhang Yu, Jin Jun reached out to her directly.

Jin Jun: Xingli, you know Zhang Yu, right? Can you pass him a message for me?

Ye Xingli: What message?

Jin Jun: I’d like to invite him to join my project—the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype.

…

Inside the laboratory—

Upon seeing the message, Ye Xingli’s eyes flickered.

She forwarded Jin Jun’s words to Zhang Yu, adding:

Ye Xingli: Looks like Jin Jun wants to recruit you.

Ye Xingli: Working while studying could be a great opportunity.

But Zhang Yu, who was currently cultivating an artifact-refinement technique, replied,

Zhang Yu: No need. I prefer to follow my own pace.

Ye Xingli: You could get some practice under him and learn from his experience—it might save you detours later.

Zhang Yu: Really, there’s no need. Please help me decline politely, senior sister.

Reading his response, Ye Xingli was surprised. “He turned down such a good opportunity?”

“Could it be that Zhang Yu plans to give up on the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine and focus on the design competition instead?”

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. She didn’t press further and simply forwarded Zhang Yu’s answer to Jin Jun.

…

When Jin Jun saw her reply, his brows furrowed.

“He refused?”

He already knew that Zhang Yu had publicly mentioned his plan to refine the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype.

“This project should be a golden opportunity for him.”

“Joining would let him practice for free and experience the full process—nothing but benefits. Why would he refuse?”

After some thought, Jin Jun concluded, “He’s playing hard to get—trying to negotiate terms?”

He began weighing the pros and cons.

“The prototype involves a huge amount of metal shellwork.”

“If Zhang Yu helps, production efficiency would rise, repair losses would drop, and the total cost of the project would fall.”

With that, Jin Jun decided to contact Ye Xingli again—this time, to meet Zhang Yu in person.

…

Arriving at Ye Xingli’s lab, Jin Jun greeted her politely before turning toward Zhang Yu.

He smiled as he approached. “Junior Zhang Yu, I came here today to invite you personally.”

“As long as you’re willing to join, I’ll pay you double the usual assistant rate.”

Across the room, Zi Yunzhen and the other assistants were stunned.

Zi Yunzhen herself had once applied to Jin Jun’s project. After all, a military-grade artifact like the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype was highly prestigious experience to list on one’s résumé.

Now seeing Jin Jun personally offer Zhang Yu twice the pay left her both envious and bitter.

But Zhang Yu merely paused, then replied helplessly, “Sorry, I’m not interested in joining.”

Jin Jun chuckled. “Don’t be so quick to refuse.”

“I’m determined to complete the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype, and I need outstanding assistants.”

“From what I’ve heard, you also intend to pursue the same path.”

“You’ve got the skill but lack experience and reputation.”

“Joining my team lets you learn while you work, gaining firsthand knowledge of the refinement process.”

“I know your Civil Engineering background might make you worry about career limits in artifact refinement…”

“But once you’ve participated in a military-grade project, others will see you differently.”

“If you join, besides your assigned tasks, I’ll share the entire project’s data with you for personal study.”

“That should help immensely with your future prototype refinement.”

Zi Yunzhen and the other assistants watched with open envy. The treatment Zhang Yu was offered far exceeded theirs.

Glancing at the materials in her hands, Zi Yunzhen couldn’t help feeling like she was the transfer student from Civil Engineering instead.

For Jin Jun, doubling the pay cost little, and data-sharing was virtually free. Yet for Zhang Yu, it was an irresistible offer.

Jin Jun looked at him with confidence, sure that this student would accept.

But under Jin Jun’s expectant gaze, Zhang Yu merely shook his head.

“Senior, I really have too much on my plate. I can’t join.”

Jin Jun froze, then looked at him carefully. Believing Zhang Yu was trying to bargain, he reminded him, “Zhang Yu, this is already my best offer. It’s a win-win for both of us.”

Internally, he thought, Did I offer too much too soon, making him think he can demand even more?

Sensing tension, Ye Xingli interjected, “Zhang Yu, are you planning to drop the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype path?”

“Jin Jun, if Zhang Yu’s going to focus on the design competition first, then he really won’t have time for your project.”

Jin Jun blinked in realization. “Ah, that makes sense. Compete first, then refine later—that’s the usual path.”

But Zhang Yu knew he needed to clarify.

After all, once he completed the Refinement Prodigy stage, he would soon begin studying the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine.

According to his own plan, he might even complete his prototype next academic year—meaning he’d be directly competing with Jin Jun.

If he let this misunderstanding linger, people might later accuse him of deceit—pretending to give up while secretly developing his own prototype.

That wouldn’t just earn Jin Jun’s hostility; it could even complicate his military certification review.

Because to obtain a military license, one needed traceable evidence of the entire prototype process—records, logs, proof of refinement.

If he publicly “gave up” today, how would he justify his later progress? Hiding it would only hurt him.

Thus, Zhang Yu decided it was better to be upfront now—open, honest, leaving no room for doubt.

He looked up and said firmly, “Senior Jin Jun, I’m not refusing because I’m giving up. I’m refusing because I’ll soon begin refining the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype myself. By then, we’ll be direct competitors.”

The entire lab fell silent.

Zi Yunzhen stared at him, thinking he was insane. Compete head-on with Jin Jun? On what basis?

Ye Xingli was equally shocked—she never imagined Zhang Yu would say such a thing.

Her mind raced. “Zhang Yu’s not stupid. Why would he say that? Unless…”

Standing before him, Jin Jun smiled faintly, unconcerned. “Junior Zhang Yu, if you don’t want to join, just say so. No need to make up stories.”

But Zhang Yu didn’t smile. “I’m not joking, Senior. I expect to complete my prototype in my fourth year.”

“Since you’re doing the same project, I might as well tell you openly—you’ll find out sooner or later.”

Sensing the sincerity in Zhang Yu’s tone, Jin Jun’s smile deepened. He found the whole situation both ridiculous and intriguing—and couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

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