In the following days, Lin Yuan stayed inside, maximizing the effects of the Energy Potion to write this book "I, Robot".
During this process, the internet remained chaotic, and the timid trio who previously challenged Chu Kuang to a literary duel started taking action one after another!
The sci-fi writers Duanwu Ming from Qi Continent, Teng Long from Han Continent, and An Zhi from Zhao Continent had good reasons for their hesitance.
Let’s talk about Duanwu Ming from Qi Continent first.
Duanwu Ming’s creative work for this literary duel was quite decent, but the ending felt rushed, as if it was hastily put together.
Next, let’s discuss Teng Long from Han Continent.
Teng Long’s work depicts interstellar war, a very hard-core sci-fi genre, and it’s hard to find faults with it overall. It stands a bit above Duanwu Ming’s work in terms of quality. If there’s anything lacking, it’s the overly standardized method, which lacks innovation.
Finally, let’s address An Zhi from Zhao Continent.
An Zhi took a different path by writing a soft sci-fi work, seemingly trying to emulate Chu Kuang. However, because the sci-fi elements were too thin, his story felt more like it belonged in a story club rather than a sci-fi novel literary duel.
All three are top-notch sci-fi writers, and their literary duel works were certainly notable, yet the overall level was akin to the three sci-fi writers who previously lost to Chu Kuang. The only standout was Teng Long from Han Continent, whose work could barely be compared to one of Chu Kuang’s weaker sci-fi stories. But such a level of threat was clearly not enough to satisfy those hoping for Chu Kuang’s failure.
The science fiction writer community had seen enough of the timid trio’s works.
"Expectedly lacking."
"Other than the big shots from Zhong Continent and Wei Continent, sci-fi writers from other continents are essentially handing their heads to Chu Kuang on a platter."
"Teng Long’s hard sci-fi might be the only work that poses a threat to Chu Kuang, but its high degree of formulaic writing is concerning. It feels like Teng Long has been writing all his sci-fi based on similar templates in recent years."
"These three hardly pose a threat to the old rascal Chu Kuang; it’s hard to rely on them unless Chu Kuang’s creative energy falters."
"Fast forward to Fan Chong making his move!"
"I saw the announcement on Fan Chong’s blog; the novel is set to be published tomorrow, and it’s going through a publication channel since it’s a full-length work."
"Let’s make sure to support Fan Chong tomorrow. I heard there will also be a signing event. If you can, remember to attend!"
Soon, everyone lost interest in the timid trio because Chu Kuang’s real opponent, and currently the most formidable one, had arrived!
Fan Chong’s new book "Mechanical Revolution" was released!
At a major bookstore in Wei Continent.
To promote and create buzz for this new book, the publishing company behind Fan Chong held a special book signing event for him.
Many famous sci-fi writers were invited to show support.
Additionally, there were numerous reporters on the scene!
The reporters were exceptionally thrilled, sporting teasing smiles.
Fan Chong’s literary duel with Chu Kuang was the hottest topic recently, capturing the attention of countless people, and the media certainly wouldn’t miss the excitement!
The signing event began.
Journalist Q&A session.
"Mr. Fan Chong, what do you think about Mr. Chu Kuang also writing about robots?"
"Chu Kuang, as his name suggests."
"Do you mean Mr. Chu Kuang is too arrogant?"
"Depends on how you interpret it."
Fan Chong wasn’t crude enough to directly hurl insults.
Even when intellectuals want to attack, they do it indirectly and politely.
Another reporter asked: "Do you have confidence?"
Fan Chong seriously said: "If I lose this time, I will never write another sci-fi novel with a robot theme."
You just hinted at Chu Kuang as being arrogant, yet you made such a significant wager yourself, betting never to write on the robot theme again?
Overflowing with confidence, indeed!
A third reporter: "Do you have any heartfelt words you’d like to share?"
Fan Chong calmly said: "The main difference between humans and robots is that humans can’t be as rational as robots. There can be impulsiveness, anger, and moments of blindness where self-awareness is lost. I adore the robots’ rationality of operating by program and greatly aspire to it. I always do only what I can and never promise anything beyond my capability."
This clearly hints at Chu Kuang again.
These intellectuals really know how to make conversation interesting.
Leading applause were the sci-fi writers who came to support him.
Fan Chong’s fans further pushed the applause to a climax.
All across the continents.
In countless bookstores.
Fan Chong’s novel was a bestseller upon release, almost simultaneously with the signing event!
"Finally, it’s here!"
"Been looking forward for so long!"
"Did you all watch the live interview from Fan Chong’s signing event?"
"You should check it out yourself; the internet is full of news!"
"If he loses, he vows never to write robot-themed sci-fi again?"
"This is true head-on confrontation; no matter how bold Chu Kuang is, he won’t back down!"
"Exciting, exciting!"
"Fan Quan is usually a very low-key person. For him to make such a statement, it shows he has complete confidence!"
"Then this novel must be extremely brilliant!"
"The main issue is that Chu Kuang seems out of his mind, daring to challenge our old master Fan by writing about robots. Isn’t that like lighting a lamp in a toilet?"
Chu Kuang’s fan circle.
Fan Chong’s signing event interview left them both astonished and angry!
"Why does that person talk so oddly?"
"Is he so confident because his new book is a bomb-level hit?"
"Old rascal, don’t really mess up this time."
"When is the old rascal’s new book coming out?"
"All four opponents have made their moves, and the old rascal hasn’t responded at all."
"Could it be that the old rascal is planning to ignore those three timid writers and focus on writing his robot novel?"
"It’s not important anymore, just join me in praying!"
"Of course, pray that Fan Chong’s new book flops!"
"The probability of Fan Chong’s new book flopping is too low!"
Not only did Fan Chong’s new book not flop, but it received rave reviews!
Countless people were discussing it on various social media platforms!
"Fan Chong truly is the best at writing robot sci-fi, this story is simply breathtaking!"
"Mechanized revolution!"
"Robots want independence!"
"Although the theme itself is quite common, dealing with robot and human wars, Fan Chong’s brilliance lies in how he realistically simulates the battles from both sides!"
"The character descriptions are also superb."
"The intelligence of the top AI clashing with the wisdom of top human scientists, humans creating robots to infiltrate the robot camp and secretly relay information, while robots also sent spies among humans."
"A taste of espionage."
"Clearly humans created robots, but humans are no match for robots."
"My only question is, where do the robots’ desires come from?"
"It’s normal for humans to have such desires, but it’s odd for robots to have them. The author keeps explaining that it’s because robots feel humans are destroying the Blue Star’s environment and disrespecting them, but that doesn’t convince me."
"Who cares, aside from this, isn’t the story entertaining?"
"True, such themes are ; as long as it’s enjoyable, that’s all that matters!"
In the Blue Star writers’ community.
Science fiction writers are ecstatically excited!
"I know why Fan Chong dared to make bold statements, saying if he loses this time, he will never write robot novels again."
"Because he won’t lose."
"This novel is written so brilliantly."
"Among all contemporary Blue Star publications about robots, this one should be ranked among the top."
"You can’t tell which one is specifically better in the top few."
"So envious, Fan Chong’s ranking is going to skyrocket."
"Chu Kuang is doomed to lose."
"Fan Chong might win the Nebula Award again."
"It’s said that the novel’s sales performance today is quite good."
"It will be even higher tomorrow."
"The novel’s score on the Star Network has reached 8.7, explosive reviews will lead to explosive sales!"
Lin Yuan typed the last word in the document and finally stretched.
The novel "I, Robot" was done!
Nine stories, Lin Yuan completed them in no time.
After all, calling "I, Robot" a long novel isn’t quite right.
He looked at the buzz online.
Including Fan Chong, all four opponents have released their new books in this round?
Lin Yuan has always been steady and prefers to make the last move in literary duels.
Because this way he can decide the strength of his work based on the opponents’ work quality.
It’s like playing cards.
And if he follows this habit, then Lin Yuan would certainly take a look at all four opponents’ works today.
But this time Lin Yuan didn’t want the hassle.
No matter how excellent the opponents’ works are, he presented the Three Laws of Robotics, isn’t that stable enough?
Without bothering to see what the four opponents, including Fan Chong, had specifically written, Lin Yuan directly used Chu Kuang’s blog account to release the nine stories of "I, Robot"!
With the release of the nine stories, Lin Yuan also, for the first time on Blue Star, introduced the Three Laws of Robotics before the novel release!
First Law: A robot may not harm a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm;
Second Law: A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law;
Third Law: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
One of Asimov’s most outstanding contributions to science fiction, the three golden laws about robots, suddenly appeared before countless people during this literary duel!
Many people hadn’t even clicked into the main text of "I, Robot" yet, but were already feeling chills from these Three Laws!
Especially for sci-fi fans—
Even more so for Blue Star’s sci-fi writers—
The dazzling Three Laws of Robotics appeared, like a storm sweeping the world, thunder roaring across the sky, lightning piercing the darkness!
The sci-fi circle erupted in excitement!