60: Awarded exceptionally! The youngest lifetime academician in the Xia Kingdom!

When Lu Chen's words, filled with absolute confidence and control—“Let them figure it out themselves”—reverberated clearly through the internal communication system of the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base.

Long Weiguo smiled.

He looked at the light screen, watching the CEOs of those tech giants—who usually acted arrogantly and lorded over the world—now looking utterly pathetic, like a group of the most humble beggars ruthlessly blocked outside the door.

In his heart, he felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration!

Awesome!

This is so damn satisfying!

This was the absolute... confidence that came from holding core technology!

...Three days later.

The official website of Pangu Technology officially went online.

That cooperation agreement, full of dominance and unquestionable terms, was officially announced to the whole world!

In an instant!

Public opinion across the entire world exploded!

All the mainstream media in the Western Alliance went completely insane!

They frantically attacked and smeared Pangu Technology using the most vicious and filthy language!

[Technological Hegemony! The Red Evil Dragon from the East has finally revealed its greedy fangs!]

[Shameless Extortion! Pangu Technology's Cooperation Agreement is an open provocation against all free market economies worldwide!]

[We absolutely must not bow down to the Evil Dragon! The Western Alliance must unite to impose the strictest sanctions on Pangu Technology!]

For a time!

Emotions ran high!

It seemed as if a Third World War was about to break out!

However... just as the politicians and media of the Western Alliance were still frantically clamoring to "sanction" Pangu Technology.

A piece of news that shocked everyone suddenly came from across the ocean!

Their own man, whom they regarded as the "Guru of Technology"—

Musk!

Unexpectedly was the first to jump out!

And publicly announced—

[Tesla Company will unconditionally accept all cooperation terms from Pangu Technology!]

[Furthermore, effective immediately, Tesla will gradually link its global energy settlements with Xia Nation's "Dragon Yuan"!]

BOOM!!!

This news was like a super nuclear bomb with a yield of ten million tons!

Instantly detonating the entire public opinion sphere of the Western Alliance!

Everyone was stunned!

Everyone was bewildered!

They simply couldn't believe their eyes!

This... what the hell kind of divine maneuver is this?!

Is Musk crazy?!

He was actually the first to kneel before that Evil Dragon of the East?!

However... before they could recover from this huge shock.

A second, a third, a fourth... even more devastating pieces of news followed one after another!

Samsung!

Volkswagen!

Toyota!

Even Apple Company, which had always followed the lead of the Western Alliance!

These super giants, who usually controlled the economic lifelines of the entire world!

They acted as if they had made an appointment!

Lining up!

One after another, they issued statements with nearly identical wording!

Unconditionally accepting!

Permanently abandoning!

And... gradually linking to the "Dragon Yuan"!

In an instant!

The "Anti-Pangu" alliance, painstakingly incited by countless politicians and media in the entire Western Alliance, instantly collapsed!

Turning into a complete and utter... international... joke!

"Hahahaha..."

Inside the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base.

Long Weiguo looked at Burns's face—broadcasted live by heavenly craft—which was as black as the bottom of a pot and looked ready to drip ink, and laughed so hard tears nearly came out!

He knew.

Starting today.

The world had changed.

A new order of technology and finance, led by Xia Nation!

Had quietly arrived!

And the one who ushered in this great era was precisely the youth who was currently relaxing in his suite, drinking tea and reading a book!

"Lu Chen..."

He picked up the internal communication phone, his voice filled with uncontrollable emotion!

"You kid..."

"You've achieved an immortal feat for our Xia Nation once again!"

"Tell me..."

"How should I reward you?"

...That same afternoon.

Xia Nation Capital Academy of Sciences, Hall Number One.

This was the highest... sanctuary for all scientific researchers in the entire Xia Nation!

Everyone who stood here to receive commendation was a pillar of the nation who had made outstanding contributions to the country!

But today, an unprecedented conferment... ceremony was held here for only one person!

When the youth, wearing a scaled-down version of the "National Scholar" ceremonial robe, slowly walked onto the golden chairman's stand, which symbolized the highest honor in Xia Nation's scientific community.

Below the stage!

All the white-haired, national-treasure-level Academicians spontaneously rose from their seats!

And then, facing that excessively young figure!

Paid the highest salute of attention!

There was not the slightest trace of jealousy in their eyes!

Only heartfelt admiration and... pride!

Because they knew.

This youth before them would lead them, and the entire scientific community of Xia Nation!

Towards a glorious... future they dared not even dream of!

On the chairman's stand.

He personally and solemnly placed a golden appointment certificate, signed by his own hand, into Lu Chen's hands!

His voice was loud and solemn!

Broadcast simultaneously via the highest-level encrypted channel to all the top echelons of Xia Nation worldwide!

"In view of the irreplaceable, groundbreaking, and outstanding contributions made by Comrade Lu Chen to the 'pangu'!"

"After unanimous vote by all Academicians of the Xia Nation Academy of Sciences and Academy of Engineering!"

"And finally approved by the highest leadership!"

"I hereby announce!"

"Effective immediately!"

"Comrade Lu Chen is granted an exception and awarded..."

"The dual titles of the Xia Nation Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Engineering..."

"Lifetime Academician!"

BOOM!!!

This news was like a super... nuclear bomb, enough to be recorded in history!

Instantly setting off all the highest centers of power across Xia Nation!

Eighteen years old!

An eighteen-year-old high school student!

He actually... actually ascended to heaven in one step!

Becoming the youngest... Lifetime... Academician in the history of Xia Nation?!

This... this is no longer just making history!

This is practically creating... a myth!

And, as the protagonist of this myth.

Lu Chen calmly accepted the golden... appointment certificate, which was enough to drive any researcher insane.

There was not the slightest ripple of emotion on his face.

As if all of this was completely natural.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the pairs of eyes below the stage, filled with fervent adoration.

He then glanced at the big shots beside the chairman's stand, who were watching him with "auntie smiles."

Then he asked a question that almost caused everyone present to stumble and fall.

"Um..."

"May I ask..."

"The monthly stipend for an Academician..."

"How much is it?"