Chapter 150: Elimination Round First Match

The "stealing techniques" scandal was brutally crushed by Qin Feng through a public, nearly humiliating "Technology Preview Exchange Meeting," once again causing "Chuangsheng Technology" and its backer, the Prometheus Foundation, to lose face and temporarily lay low on the path of technological theft. Yet Qin Feng knew well that this hidden beast of a giant would not give up—it was merely gathering strength, waiting for a more suitable moment to launch a deadlier strike.

The storm is coming, wind fills the tower.

Indeed, not long after, a "Clean Energy Innovation Competition," jointly initiated by multiple governments and top research institutions to drive global energy transformation, sent out invitations to the world's leading tech enterprises. The prize pool reached ten billion U. S. dollars, but more importantly, the winning team's technical solution would have the chance to be included in the priority procurement lists of multiple governments, bringing immeasurable commercial benefits and industry influence.

This was undoubtedly the "Olympic" of the global energy sector, drawing the gaze of countless giants and unicorns.

And the preliminary round's official topic matched precisely with "Jingyuan Technology's" core direction—design and validate a comprehensive solution capable of achieving community-level energy self-sufficiency with near-zero carbon emissions.

It was as if this stage had been tailor-made for "Jingyuan Technology!"

"Boss Qin, this is our golden opportunity!" Chen Ming said excitedly, holding the Invitation Letter. "With the maturity of our 'Future Eco-Community' demonstration project, we are fully capable of standing out in the preliminary round! If we make a public appearance and secure a ranking in this competition, 'Jingyuan Technology' will surely stun the world and firmly establish our leading position in the global clean energy field!"

Qin Feng looked at the Invitation Letter, his gaze deep. This was indeed a tremendous opportunity to propel "Jingyuan Technology" and its underlying "Qin Feng System" to the center of the global stage.

But opportunity always comes with risk.

He was almost certain that "Chuangsheng Technology" and even the "Prometheus Foundation" would not miss this chance to confront him head-on in public. This competition was likely the opponent's carefully chosen new battlefield.

"We're entering." Qin Feng made his decision, his tone calm yet carrying undeniable resolve. "Not just entering—we're winning decisively."

"Yes!" Chen Ming replied, thrilled.

The announcement that "Qin Feng System's" "Jingyuan Technology" would participate in the "Clean Energy Innovation Competition" immediately sparked widespread global media attention. Qin Feng the Great Demon King leading his Tech Empire into such a high-profile international competition was inherently newsworthy.

And almost simultaneously, "Chuangsheng Technology" also loudly announced its participation! Its CEO, Liu Shiyin, personally led the team, declaring they would unveil a "disruptive" energy solution.

Needle against spearhead!

Everyone sensed the heavy scent of gunpowder. This competition had clearly become the first open confrontation between Qin Feng and Liu Shiyin—or rather, between the "Qin Feng System" and the "Prometheus Foundation." Like the first round of the elimination match, the winner advances, the loser… may lose all voice in the future energy landscape!

The preliminary round combined proposal evaluation with on-site validation. Each team had to submit a detailed technical proposal, reviewed by a committee of experts. Approved proposals required their core teams to travel to a designated testing base in Northern Europe, where they would spend one month in a fully sealed, tightly monitored environment building and validating their systems.

"Jingyuan Technology's" proposal centered on the "high-efficiency Photo-Hydrogen Conversion Membrane," combined with modular water recycling purification, carbon capture and solidification, and biodegradable materials, constructing a complete "Ecological Circulation Energy System." Its technological advancement and integrity were impeccable, and it passed the preliminary review without question.

But "Chuangsheng Technology's" submitted proposal seemed… strange. They promoted a technology called "high-efficiency Biomass Energy Catalysis," claiming they could use specially cultivated microorganisms to efficiently convert any organic waste—including household garbage and agricultural straw—into high-purity hydrogen and economically valuable organic fertilizer. Their claimed conversion efficiency and environmental metrics were so high as to seem unbelievable.

"Biomass Energy Catalysis? Sounds like a variant of those living experiments from the Foundation…" Qin Feng stared at the summary of "Chuangsheng Technology's" proposal, his eyes cold. He was almost certain this technology hid unknown darkness.

Soon after, the core teams of "Jingyuan Technology" and "Chuangsheng Technology" arrived almost simultaneously at the secret testing base, surrounded by Snow Mountain in Northern Europe.

The base's environment was harsh, yet its facilities were extremely advanced. Each team was assigned an independent, non-interfering testing zone, fully supervised by committee staff to ensure fairness.

Qin Feng personally led "Jingyuan Technology's" technical team into the base. He brought few people—only essential engineers, plus Lei Zhan and four "Shield" members for security.

And Liu Shiyin also appeared in person among "Chuangsheng Technology's" team. When she saw Qin Feng, her expression remained cold as ever, yet deep in her eyes lay an indescribable… resolve.

The first round of the elimination match officially began in this isolated, icy world.

"Jingyuan Technology's" setup progressed smoothly. The technology was mature, the team professional. Glowing Photo-Hydrogen Conversion Membranes were precisely laid out; water recycling units and carbon capture devices were swiftly installed. The entire system, like a precision instrument, began to hum to life, displaying astonishing coordination and efficiency.

Meanwhile, "Chuangsheng Technology's" side remained mysterious. Their testing zone was shrouded by thick curtains; only strange humming sounds and faint, almost fungal-like odors could be heard from within. Occasionally, personnel in full protective suits hurried in and out.

The committee's experts praised "Jingyuan Technology's" system, calling it the pinnacle of current clean energy technology. But they regarded "Chuangsheng Technology's" sealed zone with curiosity and suspicion.

Everything seemed to be moving in favor of "Jingyuan Technology."

Yet, just as the system entered its final debugging phase, moments before official data validation began, an unexpected change erupted!

Deep in the night, Qin Feng was reviewing final data in his temporary office when Lei Zhan burst in, face grim:

"Boss Qin! Our vibration sensors in the system's core zone were triggered! Someone infiltrated!"

Simultaneously, the base blared piercing alarms! The power system was instantly cut, plunging everything into darkness.

"Target location?" Qin Feng rose instantly, eyes sharp.

"Zone C! Near the main control unit of the Photo-Hydrogen Conversion Membrane!" Lei Zhan reported quickly. "The intruder moved fast—very professional!"

"Go!" Qin Feng didn't hesitate—he shot out of the office like a leopard, Lei Zhan right behind him.

In the darkness, aided by his 【Life Enhancement】-enhanced night vision, Qin Feng saw a blurred shadow rapidly manipulating something at the main control unit!

"Stop!" Qin Feng growled, accelerating instantly to close the distance!

The shadow sensed the approaching danger, whirled around, revealing a face obscured by night-vision goggles. In his hand, a flash of cold steel—a custom cutting tool—swung without hesitation toward the main control unit's critical wiring. His intent was clear: sabotage the system so "Jingyuan Technology" could not complete validation!

"Die!"

Qin Feng's eyes flashed with icy light. He stomped the ground, as if the earth itself trembled, launching his body like a cannonball—delivering a devastating side kick straight at the intruder's weapon-wielding wrist!

"Crack!"

The sharp sound of bone breaking pierced the silent alarms.

The shadow screamed, the cutting tool flying from his grasp. He reacted swiftly, enduring the pain, and flung a handful of white powder at Qin Feng with his other hand!

Qin Feng had anticipated this. He held his breath, closed his nostrils, and advanced instead of retreating—his hand blade struck precisely at the intruder's neck side!

The shadow's body went limp, collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Lei Zhan rushed forward and secured him.

The base's backup power finally activated, lights flickering back on.

Qin Feng walked to the main control unit, inspected it—fortunately, discovered in time. Only minor scratches marred the casing; the wiring was undamaged.

He knelt down, tore off the intruder's hood and goggles, revealing a stranger's Western face.

"Foundation personnel?" Qin Feng asked coldly.

The man kept his eyes tightly shut, silent—he was clearly a trained assassin.

At that moment, Liu Shiyin arrived with several "Chuangsheng Technology" members and Base Security Personnel. Seeing the intruder on the ground and the intact main control unit, a flicker of barely perceptible disappointment passed through her eyes, yet her face assumed an expression of concern:

"Mr. Qin, are you alright? I heard there was an intruder?"

Qin Feng stood, his gaze icy as he looked at Liu Shiyin, a mocking curve forming on his lips:

"Ms. Liu, you're well-informed."

"It seems someone is already eager to play dirty in this first elimination round."

Liu Shiyin's face twitched, but she forced calm. "Mr. Qin, what do you mean? We only came because we heard the alarm."

"You know what I mean." Qin Feng turned away from her and addressed the base director. "This man is yours to handle. I expect the competition committee to deliver a fair investigation."

He turned, gazing at his own system—now restored, shining brilliantly—and his eyes hardened with resolve.

Ambush? Sabotage?

Such low-brow tactics only strengthened his resolve to win!

In the first round of the elimination match, he won.

But this was merely the beginning.

The upcoming formal verification would be the real battle!

He wanted to see what dark secret Liu Shiyin and Chuangsheng Technology hid behind their strange Biomass Energy Catalysis technique.