Chapter 23: Undercurrents Surge, A Desperate Counterattack

Looking back at the first chapter, Zhou Dan was merely a fresh-faced college student, brimming with design dreams yet constantly hitting walls. His journey from that initial struggle to his current standing has been anything but easy. Now, however, success has brought not only glory but also turbulent crises lurking in the shadows.

A figure known as "Mushroom Boss," a terrifying name in the underground design scene, had been wreaking havoc in the industry, relying on connections built over the years and various illicit tactics. Upon hearing of Zhou Dan’s rise from a nobody to a design star, he was consumed by a malignant jealousy. After Zhou Dan secured several key projects, Mushroom Boss began orchestrating a conspiracy. He secretly teamed up with other unscrupulous small factions to spread rumors that Zhou Dan’s work was nothing but plagiarism and lacked any originality. He even paid handsomely for internet trolls to flood major social media platforms and design forums with negative reviews; a suffocating wave of public opinion began to loom over Zhou Dan’s studio like dark clouds.

In league with Mushroom Boss was a tech fanatic who dubbed himself "God Chuan." Eccentric and reclusive, he possessed unique expertise in certain niche areas of rendering technology, yet he was extremely narrow-minded. Believing that Zhou Dan’s rise had stolen his spotlight, he approached Mushroom Boss and proposed a public technical duel, hoping to crush Zhou Dan underfoot and cement his own status as the sole hegemon of the design world.

Then there was "Brother Protector," a slippery operator who navigated between various factions. On the surface, he played the part of a friendly, amiable brother to everyone, but he harbored dark intentions. He colluded with Mushroom Boss, exchanging information and favors. Whenever Zhou Dan sought new opportunities or tried to solve a difficult problem, Brother Protector would interfere, intercepting key information and misleading Zhou Dan into making poor decisions, trapping him in predicament after predicament.

Initially, Zhou Dan paid little mind to these petty maneuvers, as hardships had been constant companions on his journey. Yet, as the situation worsened—with new clients turning away due to rumors and old clients adopting a wait-and-see attitude—the studio’s business expansion hit a stalemate. The team, watching their performance metrics plummet, grew anxious and demoralized.

Zhou Dan knew he could no longer sit idly by; he had to take the initiative and face these challenges head-on. While preparing for the technical duel against God Chuan, Zhou Dan and his team worked day and night, neglecting food and sleep. God Chuan had boasted that he would crush Zhou Dan in every aspect—from the complexity of virtual scene construction and rendering speed to creative novelty—and had publicized it widely in the industry, putting immense pressure on Zhou Dan.

Zhou Dan carefully studied God Chuan’s previously published works, analyzing his technical traits and stylistic preferences in search of a breakthrough. However, on the eve of the duel, his assistant, Xiao Wang, rushed into the office, pale with fear: "Boss, something terrible has happened! The core materials we prepared for the duel have been leaked. Sketches appearing to plagiarize our concepts are already circulating online. This is definitely sabotage!" Zhou Dan’s face darkened; he knew this was the "masterpiece" of Mushroom Boss and Brother Protector. Yet, he took a deep breath and calmly reassured Xiao Wang: "Don't be afraid. We still have time to adjust. Let’s brainstorm together; we can surely turn this around."

The team held an emergency meeting, huddled together in gloom. Then, Xiao Li—the old classmate who had stayed up late drawing and encouraging Zhou Dan back in the first chapter—spoke up with a firm gaze: "Boss, remember when we studied the ancient building restoration project in our hometown? The mortise and tenon structures in those traditional buildings are unique, embodying the wisdom of the ancients. If we integrate that into this virtual scene—showcasing the intricate construction of the joints from a micro perspective, combined with a macro view of the architecture—we can create a unique, ingenious scene that blends the ancient and the modern. God Chuan will never see it coming!" A spark ignited in Zhou Dan’s eyes as he nodded heavily: "Good! Let’s do it!"

On the day of the duel, the atmosphere was electric. God Chuan went first, showcasing his meticulously crafted work—a hyper-realistic future metropolis with towering skyscrapers, bustling traffic, and dazzling light effects. The details were breathtaking, drawing waves of applause from the audience. Then, Zhou Dan stepped onto the stage, cool and collected, and initiated his presentation.

In an instant, the entire room was mesmerized. A virtual world unfolded, possessing both an ancient Eastern charm and a futuristic sci-fi aesthetic. Macroscopically, it was a magnificent ancient city, with flying eaves, bucket arches, and weathered city walls that spoke of the passage of time. Switching to a micro perspective, the mortise and tenon structures were visualized in a stunning, intricate display, with the fit and movement of the components echoing the wisdom of history. It was exquisite. The hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, and even some industry insiders who had favored God Chuan were compelled to bow to Zhou Dan’s creativity and technique.

Standing off to the side, God Chuan turned deathly pale; he could not fathom that he had lost so thoroughly. Meanwhile, Mushroom Boss and Brother Protector, hiding in the back, saw the tide turn and tried to slip away, only to be surrounded by sharp-eyed fans and supporters of Zhou Dan. Zhou Dan walked over with a firm stride, his gaze icy as he looked them in the eye: "Did you think you could stop me with these despicable tactics? True strength can withstand any test. Today’s duel is a warning to you both—stop your petty games, or I will make you pay a painful price!"

Through this battle, Zhou Dan not only successfully defended the reputation of himself and his studio, but also showed more people his resilient spirit and extraordinary strength. The previously hesitant clients regained their confidence and renewed their close cooperation with the studio. The team members shook off the gloom, their morale soaring. They gathered around Zhou Dan, much like the dreamers they were in the first chapter, their eyes filled with longing for the future as they climbed toward greater heights, continuing to write their own legend.