CHAPTER 1826: CHAPTER 956: THE UNEXPECTED DARK HORSE UNIVERSITY (PART 2)

"Japan National University!"

When the official announcement declared that the second place was Japan National University, the attending universities were all stunned.

It was Japan National University!

In the eyes of the participating universities, Japan National University was considered the weakest, and yet they secured second place?

This was simply unbelievable.

Even Ding Yue found it incredibly surprising. Japan National University was the dark horse among dark horses. Both Ding Yue and Xu Bin thought Japan National University might not win any awards and were merely participating to accompany others. But the result was that Japan National University actually secured second place.

It’s truly a reversal for the well-off Japan National University.

Although Ding Yue was surprised, he did not doubt Japan National University’s achievement of second place, as he trusted the evaluation committee of the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest. Japan National University must have had a reason for achieving such a good result, either by excelling in their entry or by quietly working up until now.

Then suddenly at the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest, they leaped to become a super dark horse.

"Oh my god, this is so unexpected."

"Is it really Japan National University from Asia?"

"Aren’t the Japanese generally average in computer technology?"

"This is a dark horse, right?"

"That’s quite impressive."

"Japan National University’s computer skills aren’t actually bad."

"I really didn’t expect that second place would be Japan National University, even surpassing Stanford University. I must take a good look at Japan National University’s entry to see how impressive it is."

Netizens from around the world expressed their astonishment.

Even netizens from home couldn’t believe that the second place was Japan National University, which was truly unexpected. Many expressed that they would definitely check out Japan National University’s phenomenal work.

After the organizing committee announced the award winners, they proceeded to showcase the works of the awardees.

"Is it really Japan National University?"

Even Ding Yue muttered this doubt to himself.

"Principal Ding, is Japan National University that impressive?"

Wen Ruohan, the secretary next to him, asked curiously.

After all, Wen Ruohan was not very familiar with this, so she immediately asked Principal Ding.

"Previously, Japan National University didn’t show any noteworthy prowess in computer technology. However, this doesn’t mean they didn’t secretly research Metaverse technologies and then shone in this First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest."

Ding Yue analyzed and responded to Secretary Wen Ruohan’s inquiry.

"Oh, oh."

Upon hearing this, Wen Ruohan nodded.

"How could it be Japan National University?"

"Was it really them?"

"This?"

"Too surprising, it seems we have no chance."

The computer teams from the participating universities at the scene lamented.

Even Xu Bin and Chen Jun, under him, widened their eyes in surprise.

"Director Xu, this Japan National University..."

Chen Jun still couldn’t believe that Japan National University had taken the second place.

Because Chen Jun was well acquainted with Japan National University, just like Xu Bin, he believed that Japan National University’s computer capability was only around the twentieth among the twenty-four participating universities. How could they have performed so well this time?

After calming down, Xu Bin analyzed and said: "Possibly in recent years, Japan has delved deeper into the Metaverse field and hadn’t publicized it. Knowing Japan’s strength in the secondary culture, merging it with Metaverse technology yields a potent future market."

Indeed.

Xu Bin’s analysis aligned with Ding Yue’s, both believing Japan National University taking the second place made sense, probably because they had been quietly developing Metaverse-related technology, only demonstrating their true strength at this First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest.

This truly was a well-concealed move.

If it were any other university, they probably would have already collaborated with tech companies to publicize their Metaverse technology results. In recent years, the buzz around Metaverse technology frequently pairs up with tech firms to harvest "leeks" repeatedly. Nowadays, more and more people are optimistic about the Metaverse market.

So more "leeks" are entering this vast Metaverse network.

"Next, before revealing the champion, the organizing committee will announce the list of winners of the excellence award. After evaluation, five universities received the excellence award in the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest."

The official gave a twist.

Everyone thought the official next announcement would be the championship-winning university team.

But it wasn’t.

Instead, there was an excellence award set for the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest.

This award is certainly different from first, second, or third place. It’s more of an affirmation and a consolation prize, as there are five spots, probably covering fourth to eighth place.

Everyone was more curious about who would win the first place, so the excellence award of this First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest was not considered that significant.

Of course.

Since the organizing committee was announcing the winners of the excellence award, let’s see which universities snagged the excellence award from the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest.

Ding Yue hoped that Mist City Arts and Science University wasn’t in the list of excellence award winners of this First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest.

After all, if you won the excellence award at the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest, you certainly wouldn’t have a shot at the championship.

Several other strong universities shared this sentiment.

This included Qinghua University, which naturally hoped to win the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest championship. This was quite normal, given its robust capabilities, who wouldn’t hope the championship was theirs? Even top-tier universities like Stanford University had already missed the first place, showing their chances might be better.

"The universities receiving the excellence award in the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest are the Imperial Polytechnic University!"

When the first excellence award was announced, the faces of Imperial Polytechnic University team members were visibly unwilling.

Who would want to just be the excellence award winner in the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest, when everyone aims for the championship!

Imperial Polytechnic University was previously predicted to be among the few universities capable of winning the championship. Yet now, they didn’t even make it to first, second, or third, only receiving an excellence award from the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest.

"Munich University, Qinghua University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nanyang Technological University, congratulations to the teams from these five universities!"

The official then announced four more universities.

Among them, Munich University, Qinghua University, and MIT were also quite unwilling.

Because it was just the excellence award, they truly were out of the race for the championship.

Since it wasn’t the championship, then who would eventually be the champion?

When Ding Yue heard that Mist City Arts and Science University wasn’t among those receiving the excellence award of the First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest, he was slightly relieved.

The universities capable of securing the championship already had their grand prizes allocated.

Does this mean that Mist City Arts and Science University had a higher probability of winning the championship? This analysis wasn’t without merit.

"What a shame for Qinghua University."

"Qinghua University only received the excellence award."

"Sigh, it seems the excellence award is the highest honor for our domestic universities."

Domestic netizens were quite downcast.

"Next, we will announce the champion of our First Global Metaverse Computer International Contest. Which university’s participating team will it be? Let me tell you, it is..."

Finally, the first-place champion was about to be announced.

Many global audiences were anxiously waiting to see who it would be.

"Congratulations to Mist City Arts and Science University!"