Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 627: Doing it on purpose, huh? Truck Hero’s on it!_1

"...This technology can extend life by at least a decade," Wang Linchi concluded confidently.

After entering Dragon City Academy, Wang Linchi quickly gained attention through various maneuvers. With the help of influential individuals and the financial power of New Energy Heavy Industries, he soon obtained an independent laboratory within Dragon City Academy to conduct his research. Eventually, a technology that could prolong life was developed.

Wang Linchi understood perfectly that to penetrate elite circles, one first needed the right qualifications. Longevity was something everyone desired, especially the Xing Country High Level; individuals who reached such positions were typically at least fifty years old. In today's relatively advanced modern society, although fifty might be considered merely middle-aged, physical capabilities often began to decline by then. Wang Linchi's technology extended life by making people appear ten years younger.

The Academy Reviewers on the judging panel showed no change in expression, primarily because Wang Linchi's claim seemed outrageously exaggerated. Make people ten years younger just by saying so? If a highly respected senior expert in the field had made such a claim, they might have believed it. But a brash young man like him? No one could take that seriously.

"Student Wang," an Academy Reviewer questioned, "according to the experimental period documented in your data, there doesn't seem to be enough time for adequate verification."

This was tantamount to saying Wang Linchi was merely theorizing, lacking practical application, and that his so-called technology was just wishful thinking.

Wang Linchi's eyes narrowed. This guy is up to no good, definitely trying to trap me. After all, everyone else had already been bought off. This reviewer had also received financial assistance from New Energy Heavy Industries. There should have been no hitches this time, yet he raised this objection. Wang Linchi always covered all bases in his endeavors, whether orthodox or unorthodox.

"Yes, I did conduct..." Wang Linchi began, planning to offer the reviewer a way out before settling scores with him after the matter was resolved.

"I have reviewed it, and there is no such evidence. Under these circumstances, I find it very difficult to approve your assessment," the Academy Reviewer stated without hesitation.

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than his cellphone vibrated. He casually picked it up and saw a multimedia message, which piqued his curiosity; normally, people sent text messages, not multimedia ones. When he opened it, his hand trembled involuntarily. The message contained two separate images: the top one showed a chubby little boy eating in a cafeteria, and the bottom one depicted a woman cleaning. He certainly recognized them—his son and his wife.

He couldn't help but glance towards the representative from New Energy Heavy Industries, who was seated not far away as a sponsor. The representative smiled at him and then whispered, "We're in a meeting. You shouldn't be looking at multimedia messages."

This sent a chill down my spine. It had to be New Energy Heavy Industries! Otherwise, how would they know I was looking at a multimedia message? the reviewer thought.

"Okay... I understand," he stammered.

He cursed inwardly, New Energy Heavy Industries is so ruthless! A twinge of regret formed. I shouldn't have taken that other payment. Someone had taken an interest in Wang Linchi's technology. Although they didn't know its specifics, they saw it as a way to enhance their reputation and had offered more than New Energy Heavy Industries. That was why he had turned hostile. His plan was simple: find fault, block the technology's approval by deeming it immature for submission to Dragon City, and then wait for the other party to swoop in and reap the rewards.

However, he hadn't anticipated that New Energy Heavy Industries had used its financial clout not only on the reviewers but also on Dragon City Academy itself, managing to get one of their own representatives included in the review process. This effectively checkmated his attempt to obstruct the approval. Ultimately, under duress, he had no choice but to change his tune. The money had been good, true, but the sum offered wasn't enough to make him sacrifice his wife and child.

"However, in terms of innovation, it certainly shows unique insight. I can..."

Once he changed his stance, the remainder of the proceedings went very smoothly. The other Academy Reviewers watched this unfold with detached indifference. They knew his repeated shifts in attitude meant something significant had occurred, but it was no concern of theirs. They had received their money, the technology itself wasn't problematic, so they treated it as an easy favor, unwilling to stir up trouble unnecessarily. Why should New Energy Heavy Industries backing a particular student concern them? Everyone was just trying to make a living; there was no need to offend powerful people.

It seemed the matter was thus concluded.

After stepping down from the stage, Wang Linchi's expression darkened. "Find out who's been scheming behind our backs," he said, "and use Truck Hero to send their entire family on their way. Also, use the photos from the scene to warn that double-crossing bastard. If the money isn't enough, we can negotiate and add more. But taking our money and then deliberately opposing me means they think we're easy to bully and are trying to screw us over."

"Yes, I'll have someone attend to it immediately," the representative from New Energy Heavy Industries responded.

The incident had thoroughly displeased Wang Linchi.

"That son of a bitch really set me up; he made me break my own rules," Wang Linchi cursed again. I'd initially planned to play by the rules and clean up this sort of vile behavior only after I was promoted. I didn't expect I'd have to act first. But it doesn't matter; no one will know. Even if they find out, what then? Without enough evidence, they can't bring me down.

"Furthermore," Wang Linchi added, "ensure the corresponding operations are expedited, lest someone else interferes and derails the process."

New Energy Heavy Industries was now a leading conglomerate in Xing Country, involved in numerous sectors, and considered a major power. Its primary advantage was that, unlike protagonist factions that couldn't expand beyond their region, other factions capable of inter-regional expansion couldn't 'plug in.' This was why New Energy Heavy Industries had risen so quickly.

"No problem, consider it done." For New Energy Heavy Industries, this matter was simple; Charging Money was all it took. Of course, for others, even if they wanted to resort to Charging Money, they wouldn't have the means.

The two soon parted ways. Wang Linchi naturally wouldn't continue to be seen with the representative from New Energy Heavy Industries. After all, to the outside world, he was just one of the many students they supported. New Energy Heavy Industries provided substantial support to thousands of students annually, and Wang Linchi was by no means prominent among them. Most of those supported were top academic achievers, and Wang Linchi naturally fell into this category. Who else would they support if not academic talents? They wouldn't support those already possessing power and status; such individuals didn't need their help, after all. As for selection criteria, if not academic results, what else could it be? There had to be some standard. Judging by academic performance, at least, allowed them to gauge learning ability and dedication to studies. The actual moral character of the individuals was inconsequential, as the entire support program was primarily a smokescreen for Wang Linchi; other benefits were secondary.

"Wait a moment, student," someone called out as Wang Linchi was heading towards his dormitory.

Turning around, he saw an exceptionally handsome individual dressed in understated yet luxurious attire hailing him.

"And you are?" Wang Linchi asked, unsurprised. If someone intended to intercept his project, they would inevitably appear now to try and claim it.

"Student," the man said with a kindly demeanor, cutting straight to the chase, "judging by your expression, I take it the project evaluation didn't go well? Name your price; I'll buy it."

No beating around the bush, no attempts to leverage connections—the man was direct.

"This, well, how much are you offering?" Wang Linchi inquired.

"Three thousand, as long as..." Though wealthy, the man wasn't foolish. Offering too much might arouse suspicion.

"Well, I'll have to consider it," Wang Linchi replied, not rejecting the offer outright. Even though this student I just met will soon be killed by Truck Hero, I should still show him some basic courtesy before he dies.

"No problem, student, take your time to consider. Here's my business card," the man said, producing a stack of cards from his pocket and handing one to Wang Linchi.

Accepting the card, Wang Linchi remarked, "It seems you're doing quite well for yourself in this line of work."

"Not at all, I merely run errands for others," the man admitted candidly, acknowledging an unspoken rule of their circle. "If you're interested, student, be sure to contact me."

With that, the man turned and left. In his eyes, Wang Linchi was just another unfortunate soul targeted by the Dragon City elite. What happened to such people after they surrendered their technology was of little concern to him. If they had anyone to blame, it was their misfortune in birth, for not being born as one of Dragon City's favored sons.