The New Battlefield

Yuanlong Technology, top-floor conference room.

Lu Chenyuan, Lin Yuan, Ren Qian, and several department heads were all seated.

Lu Chenyuan glanced unintentionally at Lin Yuan and Ren Qian, noticing that their seating arrangement seemed more coordinated than usual.

However, the atmosphere in the conference room today was particularly solemn.

"This is the latest report from the Pangu Lab."

Lu Chenyuan gently pushed a document to the center of the table.

"Su Yang and Ruo Xi's team has successfully developed a new natural language processing model, which they’ve named 'Nuwa.'"

A flicker of excitement passed through the eyes of the executives present.

Pangu Lab was the company’s key investment project, and any breakthrough would benefit everyone.

"But," Lu Chenyuan’s tone shifted, "'Nuwa' has hit a bottleneck."

"Computing power."

He uttered the two words.

"It’s too massive. Our current computational architecture can’t support its commercial operation."

The brief moment of joy was instantly replaced by tension.

Everyone understood what this meant.

A technology that couldn’t be applied would lose most of its value.

"So," Lu Chenyuan’s gaze swept across the room, his voice calm yet firm, "I’ve decided to gradually shift Yuanlong Technology’s strategic focus."

"Starting today, artificial intelligence will no longer be a supplementary business."

"In the near future, it will become the core driver of all our industries—whether it’s the 'Boundless' cars or biomedical ventures."

The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was stunned by the weight of Lu Chenyuan’s words.

This meant Yuanlong Technology would transform from a hardware and systems integration company into a higher-dimensional, algorithm-driven tech empire.

It was a gamble.

Win, and the sky would be the limit.

Lose, and it would be catastrophic.

"To achieve this goal," Lu Chenyuan continued,

"I’ve decided that Yuanlong Technology will officially participate in this year’s World Artificial Intelligence Competition, WAIC."

"Boom—"

The news exploded like a bombshell in the conference room.

WAIC.

The pinnacle of global artificial intelligence.

Where all the international giants showcased their most cutting-edge technologies.

Yuanlong Technology, a company barely two years old, was going to challenge those titans?

"The team representing us will be from Pangu Lab."

"Led by Lu Ruoxi and Su Yang."

Lin Yuan’s heart tightened.

He knew better than anyone the current state of Pangu Lab.

Sending a team that hadn’t even solved their computing power bottleneck to a world-stage competition?

Wasn’t this setting them up for public humiliation?

"President Lu, isn’t this too rushed?" Lin Yuan couldn’t help but speak up. "Their model isn’t mature yet."

"That’s exactly why I’m doing it," Lu Chenyuan’s reply was unexpected.

"Great trees don’t grow in greenhouses. Only by throwing them into the fiercest battlefield can they grow at the fastest pace."

His gaze turned sharp and profound.

"This competition serves two purposes."

"First, to train the team. Let them see firsthand where the world’s top-tier technology stands and where the gaps are. Losing doesn’t matter. Finding the right direction is everything."

"Second, to elevate our brand. I want the world to remember the name 'Yuanlong.' We don’t just build cars—we define the future."

Lu Chenyuan stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city.

"Lin Yuan, Ren Qian."

"Yes," they responded immediately.

"From now on, Pangu Lab’s budget has no ceiling. They’ll get whatever personnel and equipment they need."

"Your task is to remove every obstacle in their way."

"Understood!"

...

Jingzhou University, Pangu Lab.

Su Yang stared at the WAIC official website on his computer screen, momentarily stunned.

"Director Lin, you’re not joking, are you?"

He almost doubted what he was seeing.

"President Lu’s decision," Lin Yuan placed a red-stamped document bearing Yuanlong Technology’s seal in front of him. "The company will fully support you."

"But... but our 'Nuwa' hasn’t even solved the computing power issue! Competing now would be tough!" Su Yang’s voice was agitated.

Beside him, Lu Ruoxi remained calm.

She picked up the document and read it carefully.

"Big brother must have his reasons," she said.

Her voice, as always, was cool yet carried a soothing reassurance.

She looked at Su Yang. "You’re right. Our current technical architecture is a dead end."

"But the competition is still three months away."

"That’s enough time for us to find a new path."

Su Yang stared at her blankly.

At her clear, confident eyes that never wavered.

His restless heart inexplicably calmed.

Right.

If President Lu was willing to take this gamble,

what did he have to fear?

"I understand." Su Yang took a deep breath, his eyes reigniting with determination. "Fine, computing power it is. We’ll redesign the architecture from scratch!"

"Good," Lu Ruoxi nodded.

Lin Yuan watched the two young people before him—one brimming with a techie’s stubbornness, the other possessing a composure beyond her years.

Suddenly, he understood Lu Chenyuan’s intention.

This wasn’t just a competition.

It was a trial by fire for future leaders.

Meanwhile.

Qin Corporation, top floor.

Li Jinchuan placed a thick proposal in front of Qin Ya.

Over the past year, he had vanished from the public eye.

Using Qin Ya’s funds, he had acquired a battery technology research institute in Europe, quietly transferring all patents and core engineers to an offshore shell company under his name.

He had executed it flawlessly.

"This is my plan," Li Jinchuan’s voice was steadier than a year ago. "Lu Chenyuan’s 'Boundless' cars have one major advantage—their autonomous driving system. We can’t surpass that in the short term."

"But a car is made of tens of thousands of components. His supply chain is his greatest vulnerability."

"I’ve investigated. He relies heavily on three core suppliers for batteries, motors, and chassis. All three have shaky financials."

His plan was ruthless and precise.

Through price wars, talent poaching, and hostile takeovers, he would target these three suppliers.

Taking down even one would leave Lu Chenyuan’s super factory at risk of supply chain collapse—even if it was completed.

It was a classic, old-school business tactic.

Using capital and market dominance to strike from above.

Qin Ya flipped through the proposal, her eyes gleaming with approval.

"Solid plan. Ruthless and straightforward."

Just then, a news alert popped up on her tablet.

Yuanlong Technology announces AI ambitions, will compete in WAIC with 'Nuwa' model

Qin Ya’s gaze froze.

She turned the tablet toward Li Jinchuan.

Li Jinchuan's pupils constricted sharply as he read the news headline.

Lu Chenyuan!

He had already set his sights on a higher-dimensional battlefield.

"Seems your old rival doesn’t even consider you a threat," Qin Ya remarked, her tone laced with amusement.

"He’s busy laying the groundwork for AI, while you’re still here figuring out how to change his tires."

Li Jinchuan’s expression darkened.

He knew all too well the gap between them.

But he forced himself to stay composed.

"This is our chance!" Li Jinchuan said firmly. "With his focus tied up in AI, his defenses will be weak. Now’s the perfect moment to strike!"