Chapter 18: Thunder at the Exhibition

The atmosphere at the newly built International Exhibition Center in the provincial capital was exceptionally different today.

The security level at the entrance was ridiculously high, and the uniformed staff all had sharp eyes.

Even Feng Yan's backpack, filled with tools and spare parts, was carefully checked inside and out.

"Good heavens, with this setup, anyone who didn't know better would think we weren't exhibiting equipment, but nuclear warheads."

Feng Yan whispered his complaint to Li Yang beside him.

Li Yang didn't speak, just subconsciously touched a metal case he was carrying.

—Inside was his signature wolf-head tactical helmet, which had been optimized once again.

Today, it would make its public debut combined with the "Tie Lang" exoskeleton.

Walking into the exhibition hall, a mixed scent of heavy industry and cutting-edge technology rushed toward them.

—That was the cold chill of metal cutting, the low hum of precision instruments running, and various special materials that one had only heard of but never truly seen.

The lights illuminated every booth as clearly as an operating room.

Huge holographic projections displayed complex structural diagrams.

All kinds of robotic arms danced silently and precisely within designated areas.

Most of the attendees had serious expressions and hurried steps.

Besides the leaders from various cities and the expert review panel, Feng Yan also noticed some figures with unique temperaments.

—They were dressed in casual clothes, but their postures were upright, and their eyes carried a near-instinctive evaluation and scrutiny as they swept over the exhibits.

It seemed the news Professor Han had leaked in advance about the "military-leaning focus" was definitely not groundless.

Their booth was indeed still in a "strategic depth" position.

A corner near the large equipment exit, right next to the fire-fighting equipment.

"Same old place, same old vibe, still just as out of the way."

Feng Yan clicked his tongue; the benefit was that the space was relatively independent.

(Is it really independent if they are the only booth in the out-of-the-way area?)

The power interface was also quite sufficient;

The downside was that the main flow of visitors was at least fifty meters away from them.

Truly worthy of being called an "island in the bustling city."

Fortunately, Feng Yan had learned his lesson this time and communicated with the exhibition publicity group in advance.

Using the excuse of "documenting the participation journey of a civilian innovation team," they applied for and received a restricted live-streaming permit.

They could only live-stream from a fixed position, without involving other booths or specific personnel.

And because of the advance application, the live stream carried the exhibition's tag.

The official publicity channel would also synchronize the traffic.

Li Yang silently assembled the upgraded exoskeleton frame.

The TC21 titanium alloy joints and new composite armor shimmered with a matte black under the lights, exuding a low-key ferocity.

The biggest difference from before was that after his previous equipment upgrades.

This time, he had brought the entire complete set of equipment.

—When that wolf-head helmet, with its smooth lines and full of mechanical violence, was solemnly placed by him onto the unfolded neck armor interface.

The entire set of equipment seemed to be instantly injected with a soul, and an aura of murderous intent spread out.

Only one word could describe it: cool!

Although the exoskeleton suit wasn't a true mech yet.

But it looked so cool; it could be said that almost every boy had a fantasy of being in a crisis.

And appearing handsomely after pieces of armor transformed and covered their bodies.

Chen Guang, meanwhile, was debugging the ultimate evolution of his "mosquito-killing system" as if it were a fragile object.

A black box integrating a high-precision laser, a high-speed camera recognition module, and a liquid cooling system.

Next to it was a small server responsible for real-time computing, humming away as if accumulating energy.

Wang Hao placed his "treasure."

—The small verification missile internally nicknamed "Haoyu Precision Projection System Prototype No. 1."

Onto a launch rack with a simple guide rail.

The missile body still carried a bit of a "DIY" style.

But the high-precision MEMS gyroscope and micro-vector nozzle integrated on it showed its extraordinary inner workings.

He repeatedly checked the homemade safety ignition device, full of confidence:

"Haoyu production, must be a boutique; today I'll open the eyes of the leaders..."

The official live-streaming camera quietly aimed at their corner, and the live stream title was very official:

"Exploring the Frontier: A Live Look at the Civilian Innovation Team 'Tie Lang Gong Fang'."

The traffic on the official platform could not be underestimated; not long after it started, the bullet comments began to drift across sporadically:

【They're here, they're here! The God of the Corner has arrived, albeit late!】

【Holy crap! Wolf-Bro brought the helmet today too! So cool!】

【Is this helmet and exoskeleton one piece? I feel like I could transform if I wore it!】

【What's that new equipment on Light-Bro's side? The black box looks so high-end!】

【Is Fireworks-King going to perform a precision bombing live today? (Dog-head for self-preservation)】

【This location... the organizers really understand the traffic code (sarcasm).】

The exhibition officially began, and the main venue was instantly submerged by the crowd.

Leaders and experts from all walks of life lingered in the core exhibition area, listening to the grand blueprints reported by representatives of those flashy companies.

Feng Yan and his team were still deserted.

Occasionally, a few young people attracted by the cool helmet and exoskeleton would come over.

Looking at their badges, they were mostly students from nearby universities invited to observe.

"Classmates, can your exoskeleton... be worn and demonstrated? Just wear it for a bit!"

A boy stared at the helmet with glowing eyes.

Li Yang looked at Feng Yan, and seeing Feng Yan nod, he took a deep breath and began to put it on.

When he firmly snapped that wolf-head helmet onto his head, there was a light "click" sound from the armor at his chin.

It slid and closed smoothly, revealing only his calm eyes, and a low gasp of amazement instantly erupted from the surroundings.

【Ahhh! Transformed!】

【This startup sound effect! This texture! I'm dead!】

【Big-Bro's eyes are killing me!】

【This is a man's romance!】

System startup.

Under Li Yang's control, the exoskeleton was no longer just simple walking or squatting, but performed a set of action combinations with more combat meaning.

Rapid side-stepping followed by an emergency stop, a swift rise after a simulated low-posture crawl, and a short-range lunge using the explosive power of the hydraulic joints in a small area!

The sound of the metal feet stepping on the floor was steady and powerful.

Every movement carried a strong sense of power and convincing stability.

"This latency... is ridiculously low!"

"The movements are too fluid! And this helmet... is it integrated with a display and aiming system?"

"Are you really a civilian team? This level of completion..."

Feng Yan smiled and replied, his tone carrying a bit of "humble-bragging":

"Basic operation, mainly to verify the maneuverability and situational awareness in complex environments."

"As for this helmet, it's just a small idea we had about human-machine interaction."

On the other side, Chen Guang also began his "static" demonstration.

On the special material board in front of the laser equipment.

A clear, sharp-edged tiny pattern was instantly etched, while the rest of the material board remained unharmed.

Immediately after, he demonstrated continuous tracking and illumination of a tiny, high-speed rotating target.

The laser spot bit firmly onto the target, and basically no latency could be seen.

"This precision! The tracking ability is too strong!"

"Classmate, if you use this technology in industrial precision processing or specific security fields, it would absolutely be a killer weapon!"

Chen Guang pushed up his glasses, feeling a bit embarrassed:

"Um, at the algorithm level, we mainly optimized the prediction model for high-speed dynamic targets..."

Just as the students were surrounding Chen Guang and Li Yang for discussion.

Wang Hao looked toward the main venue, where the review panel was surrounded by a crowd.

They were moving toward the general area of their direction, but were still separated by several large booths.

He got a bit anxious.

"Brother Feng! Just displaying it isn't enough! We have to make some noise to hook the big shots over!"

Wang Hao rubbed his hands, his eyes burning, "My 'Haoyu Precision Projection' has to make a sound!"

Feng Yan was also anxious, but he remained calm on the surface.

He glanced at the huge equipment exit next to the booth.

Outside, it connected to a designated outdoor dynamic demonstration area.

He steeled his heart and lowered his voice:

"Old Wang, get ready! When the review panel walks near that open sand table in the middle, and they can see outside."

"Give that treasure of yours a flight demonstration with minimum power and shortest range!"

"The target is that abandoned tire target in the outdoor demonstration area!"

"Remember! It's a demonstration! Safety first! I don't want us to cause such a big stir at the exhibition that the fire department gets called over!"

"Understood!" Wang Hao excitedly began the final preparations, quietly adjusting the launch rack to the angle aimed at the outdoor demonstration area.

A few minutes later, when Deputy Director Chen Jiuming and several experts with tough temperaments and suspected military backgrounds.

Were listening to a report on "new composite materials," and their gazes inadvertently swept over the outdoor demonstration area.

"Whoosh—!"

A whistling sound of a tail flame, not loud but extremely penetrating, erupted from the direction of the corner booth!

They saw Wang Hao's verification missile, dragging a faint tail smoke, shoot out extremely quickly at a small angle.

It drew a weird, non-standard parabola in the air.

Midway, it even performed a small-scale lateral maneuver that defied common intuition.

Cleverly avoiding a temporarily set-up cable.

Finally, it accurately plunged into the center of that abandoned tire target in the outdoor demonstration area, dozens of meters away!

"Bang!" A dull impact sound confirmed the hit through the faintly transmitted echo.

Although there was no explosion (it was loaded with an inert counterweight).

But that clear trajectory, weird maneuverability, and final precision hit.

Made everyone who saw this scene shrink their pupils!

People in the area near the windows of the main venue were the first to react, emitting a low gasp of surprise.

On the review panel's side, the report came to an abrupt halt.

Deputy Director Chen Jiuming turned his head sharply, his gaze like electricity, instantly locking onto Wang Hao's booth.

The experts with tough auras beside him exchanged meaningful glances.

And walked directly toward the corner of "Tie Lang Gong Fang"!

【!!! It moved, it moved! The big shots have been hooked over!】

【I saw that trajectory just now! Is this really still a skyrocket monkey?! This is clearly a simplified missile!】

【Fireworks-King is awesome! (Voice cracking)】

【Official live stream camera, keep up! Historic moment!】

【Counterattacking from the corner! I love this plot!】

The crowd seemed to be attracted by a magnet, following the movement of the expert panel.

They surged toward this corner that had originally been forgotten.

People who were still watching other booths also curiously swarmed over.

In the blink of an eye, the "Tie Lang Gong Fang" booth was surrounded tightly.

"That flight demonstration just now, did you guys do it?"

A military expert whose shoulder insignia showed a high rank spoke directly.

His tone carried scrutiny and undisguised interest.

Wang Hao took a deep breath, trying hard to look less like a fireworks seller, and answered loudly:

"Report to the Chief! It's a small verification missile independently developed by our team!"

"Mainly to verify the simple guidance algorithm and autonomous attitude control capability under low-cost conditions!"

Chen Jiuming walked to Feng Yan, a complex expression on his face, containing surprise and appreciation.

And also a hint of helplessness that said, "You guys really dare to do anything."

"So it was you guys, Feng Yan. The stir you've caused this time... is far more shocking than that iron frame that could only walk and jump last time."

His gaze swept over Li Yang's complete exoskeleton with the wolf-head helmet, implying something.

Feng Yan's heart was pounding, but he knew he had to stay steady.

A smile mixed with humility and confidence appeared on his face:

"Director Chen, leaders, experts."

"Our team has always believed that innovation sometimes requires a bit of 'outrageous' courage."

He turned to the side, pointing at the fully armed Li Yang:

"This individual soldier system of ours not only enhances physical strength and power."

"It focuses more on providing users with more comprehensive situational awareness and stronger survival and maneuverability in complex environments."

He specifically pointed at Li Yang's helmet.

He pointed at Chen Guang's equipment:

"Our laser system focuses on precision control and intelligent decision-making under extreme conditions."

"Exploring the instantaneous intervention and defense capabilities of 'light' in specific scenarios."

Finally, he pointed emphatically at Wang Hao's launch rack:

"And the 'low-cost, high-precision projection' idea verified by Comrade Wang Hao, its core algorithm and control logic, might help us resolve the contradiction between 'quantity' and 'quality' in certain fields."

"Providing a brand-new, highly cost-effective path choice."

His wording remained cautious.

But every word was precisely embedded with keywords like "perception," "maneuverability," "control," "precision," "algorithm," "path," and "cost-effectiveness."

Guiding the experts to think at a strategic level.

The experts gathered around, carefully examining every piece of equipment, asking questions that were sharper and deeper.

Li Yang, through the communicator built into the helmet.

Explained sensor fusion and attitude control with a voice that had a slight metallic texture;

Chen Guang clearly expounded on recognition algorithms and energy management;

Wang Hao used his unique, firework-scented language.

To describe how he "tamed" that unstable propulsion energy.

Chen Jiuming and those military experts listened extremely attentively.

Occasionally exchanging opinions in low voices, their eyes looking at Feng Yan's team getting brighter and brighter.

Finally, Chen Jiuming looked at Feng Yan, patted his shoulder heavily, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement:

"Good! Very good! Feng Yan, this team of yours has really given me quite a surprise this time!"

He looked around at the accompanying personnel and experts, his tone decisive.

As if announcing an important decision:

"I formally propose to list the 'Yunchuan Tie Lang Gong Fang Team' and its related technical achievements as the highest priority recommended project of this exhibition."

"Requesting to be included in the 'National Frontier Technology Rapid Incubation Channel' for key demonstration and support!"

"National Rapid Incubation Channel!"

These words were like thunder, exploding in the crowded corner, causing an even greater shock.

The surrounding attendees, who had originally looked on with curiosity or scrutiny, now had nothing but shock in their eyes.

【National level! Rapid channel!】

【Directly leaped over the dragon gate!】

【From warehouse to national team, only one exhibition away!】

【Brother Feng's operation this time can be called a textbook for resource operation within the system!】

【Brothers, I'm tearing up! This is the real refreshing novel!】

Feng Yan felt a hot current rush to the top of his head; he clenched his fists hard to keep from losing his composure.

He looked at the three partners beside him; Li Yang, wearing the helmet, couldn't be seen clearly.

But his clenched fists showed his inner agitation;

Chen Guang's fingers were trembling with excitement;

Wang Hao was grinning, waving his fist silently.

Chen Jiuming leaned in a step, his voice lowered, but carrying the weight of a thousand catties:

"Feng Yan, prepare the most detailed materials immediately!"

"This time, you will be facing a higher level of review."

"Whether you can truly be listed as a 'National Frontier Technology Rapid Incubation Channel' project will depend on whether you can pass the review panel's inspection."

"I have high hopes for you; don't let me down."

Sending off the unsatisfied expert panel and the crowd, the corner returned to temporary quiet.

But the aftermath of the storm just now seemed to linger in the air.

Feng Yan let out a long breath, feeling his back soaked with sweat.

He turned his head, just about to say something to his partners.

When he saw Wang Hao rush up in a stride, grabbing his arm excitedly:

"Brother Feng! Brother Feng! Did you hear that? National level!"

"Should we change to a place where we can let go of 'big fireworks'? I think that wasteland behind my house is quite suitable!" ===== CHAPTER 19 =====