45: The entire project team was ecstatic; we were about to take off!

When Long Weiguo's "victory report," filled with irrepressible excitement, clearly reached Lu Chen's ears via internal communication...

Lu Chen merely smiled calmly.

"Got it done?"

"Director Long, you underestimate heavenly craft and myself."

He put down the teacup in his hand, looked at the project progress bars on the light screen in front of him—each one already over 90% complete—and said lightly:

"We are not 'going to' get it done."

"But..."

"We already got it done."

...The next day.

Kunlun Mountain Underground Base, Multi-function Lecture Hall Number One.

This was the largest indoor venue in the entire base.

It could accommodate thousands of people!

And today, the hall was packed!

All core members, peripheral members, and even logistics staff of the pangu team had gathered here!

Everyone had changed into brand-new white work uniforms printed with the pangu totem!

Excitement and... pride, both irrepressible, shone on every face!

Because, just this morning!

An internal email, personally signed and issued by Lu Chen, the General Head of the Project Team, spread throughout the entire Kunlun Mountain Base!

The content of the email was very simple.

Only one sentence—

[Phase One of the pangu: All sub-projects have been successfully developed!]

Boom!!!

This short sentence was like a spiritual nuclear bomb with a yield of ten million tons!

It instantly detonated the entire lifeless research base!

All the scientists and engineers who had worked day and night, pushing themselves to the limit over the past few months—some even forgetting what their wives and children looked like—went wild!

They threw away the beakers in their hands!

They discarded the blueprints they held!

They rushed out of their respective laboratories like a pack of madmen!

They embraced!

They cheered!

They cried tears of joy!

Success!

They actually managed, in just a few short months!

To complete a technological... miracle... that they had estimated would take at least twenty, or even fifty, years!

And the one who led them to create this "miracle" was the excessively young man who was now slowly walking up to the chairman's stand in the lecture hall!

The moment Lu Chen's figure appeared!

The entire lecture hall, which had been somewhat noisy, instantly fell silent!

Everyone's eyes "whooshed" and focused on him!

Their gazes were filled with fanaticism, adoration, and... awe emanating from the depths of their souls!

They were not looking at an eighteen-year-old boy.

But a living... God!

Lu Chen slowly walked to the center of the chairman's stand.

He did not bring a speech draft.

He simply surveyed the room calmly, taking in the faces below the stage, flushed red with excitement.

Then, he smiled.

"Everyone."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly echoed in everyone's ears through the most advanced sound system.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Three simple words.

Yet, they instantly caused the National Treasure-Level Scientists below the stage, whose average age exceeded fifty, to tear up!

It was worth it!

Everything was worth it!

All the hard work, all the sweat, all the sacrifice!

At this moment, all of it received the best possible reward!

"I know,"

Lu Chen continued:

"Over the past few months,

"Everyone has been very tired and worked very hard."

"Many people even felt that we were attempting the impossible."

"But..."

He changed his tone!

His entire demeanor changed!

A terrifying aura of looking down on the world and being the only one capable instantly burst forth from his somewhat slender body!

Enveloping the entire venue!

"Today!"

"I stand here to tell you!"

"In this world, nothing is impossible!"

"Today, we possess the world's most advanced battery technology!"

"Tomorrow, we will be able to let the entire world use the electricity of our Xia Country!"

"Today, we possess the world's most cutting-edge artificial intelligence!"

"Tomorrow, we will be able to make 'heavenly craft' the sole... God of the Network on this planet!"

"Today, we possess the world's most realistic virtual reality!"

"Tomorrow!"

"We will be able to create an unyielding... for our entire Xia Country, for our entire nation..."

"Second... Homeland!"

With every sentence he spoke!

The applause below the stage grew louder!

With every sentence he spoke!

Everyone's breathing grew quicker!

When his final word fell!

The entire lecture hall had completely erupted!

Everyone's blood was burning!

Everyone's soul was trembling!

Takeoff!

They knew very clearly!

Starting today!

Their ancient nation, which had been silent for hundreds of years!

Would sprout the wings of technology!

In a stance that no one could ever stop!

Rushing into the sky!

Returning to the summit of the world... where they rightfully belonged!

"I announce!"

Lu Chen looked at the frenzied faces below the stage and slowly raised his right hand!

"pangu Phase One is a complete success!"

"Starting today, everyone gets three days off!"

"Three days later..."

A smile filled with confidence and pride curved at the corner of his mouth!

"I will lead you to usher in a brand new..."

"Era!"

...Three days later.

While the entire pangu team was still immersed in the joy of their massive success.

An unexpected "guest" quietly arrived at the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base.

Long Weiguo looked at the blond, blue-eyed German old man on the monitor screen, who was wearing a sharp suit and sporting a "kind" smile.

For the first time, a peculiar expression appeared on his usually steady face.

He picked up the internal communication phone and dialed the familiar number.

His voice was filled with irrepressible laughter.

"Lu Chen..."

"Guess..."

"Who's here?"