57: Chapter 57 A World-Renowned Testimony!

Lin Yuan's thumb swiped across the screen, scanning through the viral trending topics one by one.

Excellent.

The speed at which the news was fermenting had completely met his expectations.

This public opinion fire, which he had personally ignited, was spreading like a prairie fire, frantically sweeping across the entire globe.

He casually clicked on the highest-ranking topic: #Lin Yuan Claims to Build a Photolithography Machine Within Six Months#.

The comment section had already split into a clamorous battlefield.

"Six months? I'm 100% willing to believe in our country, but... is this really not a joke? That's a Photolithography Machine we're talking about!"

"To be honest, seeing the simultaneous breakthroughs in the three major components got my blood pumping! But a finished Photolithography Machine rolling off the line in half a year? Rationally, I really don't dare believe it. Scientific research isn't magic."

"I don't care! I'm choosing blind faith regardless! Where are the people who said we were picking up trash by doing Synchrotron Radiation? Get out here! Does your face hurt from being slapped?"

"Wait, brothers, don't you think this is strange? The more amateur someone is, the more fanatically they believe. On the contrary, some knowledgeable science bloggers are watching cautiously. If this boast about building a Photolithography Machine in six months falls through, it'll be an international laughingstock!"

As Lin Yuan looked at these sharply divided opinions, not only was there no trace of anger in the depths of his eyes, but a very pleasant smile flickered instead.

Argument.

Skepticism.

Defense.

These intense emotional collisions were, in themselves, the most effective fuel for expanding dissemination.

He didn't need everyone to believe completely from the very beginning.

He only needed to wedge the concept of "building a Photolithography Machine in six months" into everyone's minds like a nail,

And then, let them discuss, argue, and go wild.

As long as this fire didn't go out, his system's progress bar would have a steady stream of firewood.

His fingertips continued to slide down.

In addition to the overwhelming support and debate domestically, foreign media presented a completely different style.

Reports carrying thick arrogance and prejudice were quickly reposted, translated, and featured on domestic forums.

An overseas tech media outlet called "Federal Frontiers" wrote in a bold, bright red headline—

《Xia's Genius Scam? A Six-Month Fantasy Show Dedicated to 1.4 Billion People!》

The article's content was as mocking as possible, characterizing Lin Yuan's "six-month promise" as a total political show—a century-sized bubble forcefully blown to appease the domestic populace and shift the internal pressure of technical blockades.

The article concluded by asserting: scientific laws will not change because of a press conference. In six months, this bubble will surely burst in the most tragic way, becoming the biggest joke in Xia's history of science and technology.

Looking at these jarring words, a mocking curve instead hooked onto the corner of Lin Yuan's lips.

Science?

He leaned back slightly against the seat and chuckled in his heart.

How unfortunate.

I don't care about science; I only care about the progress bar!

And just then, a slightly unusual news push suddenly jumped into his view.

The publisher was his alma mater—Jiuzhou University.

《Warmest Congratulations to Our Outstanding Student, Lin Yuan, for Serving as the Chief Technical Engineer of the National Lithography Core Technology Breakthrough Task Force!》

The wording of the press release was enthusiastic, listing his various excellent performances since enrollment. Every line was filled with a sense of pride, and even the president had personally written a message of encouragement.

Jiuzhou University...

Seeing these words, Lin Yuan suddenly remembered that, nominally, he was still a university student who hadn't even received his graduation certificate.

And given the upcoming pace, it would be impossible for him to return to campus for classes, write a thesis, or participate in a defense.

Could he still get that graduation certificate, which was as heavy as Mount Tai for countless peers and required four years of hard study?

The thought flashed through his mind and was immediately snuffed out with a light laugh.

Graduation certificate?

It's just a piece of paper.

When a person can personally forge the future for their country and make global tech giants tremble because of him, who would dare ask him for an undergraduate graduation certificate?

His attention quickly withdrew from this interesting interlude and concentrated on what was truly important.

In the depths of his consciousness, on the semi-transparent panel that only he could see, the numbers were quietly changing.

[Current Lie: Lead a team to build a Photolithography Machine within six months.]

[Total confidence: 33.1%]

The progress bar had moved forward by more than two points from the 31% it was at when he met Elder Long.

Moreover, the upward momentum showed no sign of weakening, and the last digits were still jumping at a pleasant frequency.

The Photolithography Machine truly deserves its reputation as the jewel in the industrial crown, a top-tier technology capable of affecting every sensitive nerve globally.

Just one press conference had gathered such a terrifying level of attention.

And this was only the beginning.

Out of billions of people worldwide, those who knew about this news were, after all, only a fraction.

Next, once the state machine started moving and the news thoroughly fermented for a few days, spreading to every corner of the world, how much terrifying confidence would it bring him?

Lin Yuan felt some anticipation in his heart.

He looked forward to how crazy the world would be when this progress bar was completely filled and the lie transformed into complete blueprints and engineering technology.

"Click."

His fingertip tapped the side of the phone, and the screen went dark.

Then, Lin Yuan put down the phone, leaned against the soft leather seat, and closed his eyes to rest.

"Screech—"

After an unknown amount of time, the tires made a soft sound as they rubbed against the ground. The black official car slowed down and finally came to a steady stop in front of the entrance to Research Building No. 7 of the Xia Academy of Sciences.

The driver quickly got out and opened the rear door for him.

Lin Yuan stepped out and immediately saw Chen Jingshan, Wei Jiancheng, He Yicheng, and others waiting on the steps.

Clearly, they had received Lin Jixian's notice in advance and were specifically waiting here.

Upon seeing Lin Yuan, several people came forward in unison.

Lin Jixian, in the passenger seat, had long since gotten out. He walked a few steps to Chen Jingshan, grinned, and cupped his hands familiarly.

"Dean Chen, seniors, I've brought the person back to you intact, not a single hair missing!"

Hearing this, a rare smile appeared on Chen Jingshan's usually serious face as he made a joke:

"If even one was missing, I'd have to hold you accountable."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Jixian finished his escort mission. Having other matters to attend to, he chose to take his leave.

Chen Jingshan then led the group back toward the heavily guarded research building.

...

Meanwhile.

Not long after Lin Yuan's feet stepped through the doors of Research Building No. 7.

The highest-level official mouthpiece of Xia once again, without any warning, pushed today's front-page headline editorial across all online channels simultaneously!

There were no ambiguous words, no diplomatic double-talk.

There was only a line of bold, blood-red characters that seemed to pierce through the paper, like a heavy hammer smashing into the center of the global internet!

《Gathering the Strength of the Whole Nation to Forge the Great Instrument of the State: The Six-Month Promise, the Nation Witnesses it With You!》