From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

"Distinguished guests and friends, what is being displayed on the big screen is the first product launched by Blue Dream Company. Before introducing the actual effects of this algae, please allow me to ask a question first—"

At that moment, he recalled that great man who was extremely skilled at public speaking and inspiring people.

His famous question can be used to our advantage!

Have any of you been to the supermarket lately? Do you know how much a gallon of bottled water costs?

The audience was stunned by the completely unexpected question.

Before they could answer, Leo held up one finger with his right hand and announced the answer: "99 euros!"

“99 euros—” he emphasized, repeating, “that means people have to spend 50 euros a day to get enough clean drinking water! Per person! Not a family!”

"50 euros a day, that's 1500 euros a month. How many people earn just that much? And that doesn't even include other expenses. That's why everyone uses beverages instead of drinking water."

Besides the fact that tap water is toxic and can cause illness even after boiling, the main reason is that additives are cheaper than water! Much cheaper!!

"This isn't a price I quoted arbitrarily. Advertisements for bottled water are everywhere in the city. Go to the subway station, go to the supermarket, or even just go downstairs for a quick meal, and you'll see those billboards everywhere!"

"I must state here that I have no intention of criticizing the companies that sell purified water. Because in today's world, water pollution is a common problem facing all mankind, and it is also a consequence of past wars!"

After delivering these impassioned words, Leo turned to the side and pointed to the big screen.

As he moved, more images and text appeared on the screen, demonstrating and explaining in detail the water purification principles and efficiency of water-purifying algae.

This time it's not a dynamic simulation, but an actual demonstration video produced by Leo over the past few days, where he extracted water samples from Night City and used Deep Blue to cultivate water-purifying algae.

With the help of a microscope, one can directly observe the entire process by which algal cells stretch out their fluorescent green tentacles, capture and adsorb pollutants in the water, and gradually transform turbid sewage into clear water.

"Water-purifying algae—this is Blue Dream Company's first product!"

"It has super vitality and an amazing growth rate, and can adapt to any body of water, whether it is fresh water or seawater!"

It also has a strong ability to resist pollution and purify water, turning polluted water sources into clean water that can be consumed normally by humans!

If it grows in clean water, it's even edible, with excellent nutritional value and taste!

After explaining all the benefits of water-purifying algae in one breath, Leo was able to sense the astonishment in the crowd.

Only the biotechnology side seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, yet also carried a hint of resentment and voyeurism.

Whether it was the guests at the scene or the audience sitting in front of the TV or radio, everyone understood what he was trying to say—given the high price of purified water, the economic value that this algae could generate was absolutely astonishing!

Even after the frenzied competition, selling purified water for only 10 euros per gallon is still a sure-fire way to make a profit.

Because every country has no shortage of polluted water sources, and clean water is a basic necessity for human survival, as long as we obtain authorization, negotiate a price together, and avoid price wars, we can quickly rely on water-purifying plants to create a water source complex that rivals military and pharmaceutical complexes!

No wonder Blue Dream Company dares to be so high-profile and blatantly seize a piece of territory in Night City; their products are truly excellent, making other companies very interested.

It's a pity that this company is not yet listed, and the effects of that algae still need to be tested; otherwise, the stock price could have skyrocketed instantly!

As the crowd erupted in jubilation, Leo smirked and dropped a bombshell:

"As a company with ideals and aspirations, and hoping to seek the well-being of all mankind, we have decided to open up the genetic model of water-purifying algae and license it free of charge to all companies and individuals around the world."

You can find the gene model on the official websites of Lanmeng and Kangtao. With gene editing equipment, you can obtain this water-purifying algae!

"What!? Free!?"

Someone in the audience gasped in shock, their emotions filled with deep disappointment and resentment.

Leo knew at a glance that this was the kind of businessman who wanted to obtain authorization and make a fortune by monopolizing purified water.

"That's right, we have already submitted patent applications to various patent offices. Now, as the founder and chairman of Lanmeng Company, I would like to announce to all viewers in this live television broadcast—"

He raised his left hand, and the six gems on the Infinity Gauntlet glittered.

"I authorize each and every one of you to manufacture, sell, and use water-purifying algae. I hope everyone will work together to save the Earth's ecological environment. This is not only for all human beings living on this planet, but also for our future generations, and for a blue and clean world!"

"By the way, Lanmeng is a company that focuses on environmental protection. We are committed to public welfare and will provide more high-quality services to everyone in the future!"

As soon as the words were spoken, it was as if time had been frozen in the air at the ceremony. The guests were all petrified, hardly believing their ears.

What did the representative from Lanmeng Company just say?

A water purification technology that can earn billions of dollars a year just from licensing has been directly open-sourced?

Are they crazy, or is the person on stage crazy?

He also said... what was the main focus of environmental protection?

Such archaic words, it feels like no one has used them for decades...

Chapter 413 Fame Spreads Throughout the World!

After a private discussion, the guests reached a consensus—the young man named Leo on stage seemed to be an extreme idealist.

His words and actions may deeply shock ordinary people and earn them their admiration.

But in the eyes of these mature social elites, the other party's ideas were so naive as to be laughable.

Idealists…

It's a derogatory term now, and only those who are impractical, unintelligent, and don't know how to follow social rules would believe it.

It seems that the young man comes from a noble family and has been too well protected, which is why he has such naive ideas, and no one dares to correct him.

If an ordinary person—no, an ordinary company executive—dared to publicly disclose technology worth hundreds of billions for free, the company could dig up the ashes of his ancestors for eight generations and scatter them with his ashes on the same day!

In an instant, Leo was labeled by everyone as "naive and innocent", "the king's silly son", "childish", and "wishful".

After labeling them, the next thing they did was flood the official websites of Lanmeng and Kangtao and download the two theoretically identical gene templates.

What if he changes his mind afterward?

Besides, if we can modify it to create a more functional version, we can definitely try to register a patent for it ourselves!

Leo saw their resentment and greed, but he didn't care.

When the time is right, and he raises his voice, these powerful and wealthy people will realize just how powerful the masses they look down on really are!

Let these guys who like monopolies and hegemony live a few more days. Once he finds the super metal and arms the immortal team into "superheroes," let them experience the fear of being dominated by a more powerful hegemon!

After the eventful company presentation, the Q&A session was rather uneventful. Kang Tao had already prepared the questions and the reporters, so Li Ao only needed to read from his prepared notes to get through it.

Next comes the group photo. Once that's done, today's opening ceremony will be successfully concluded.

The group photo session began, and the first group to go on stage were, of course, the most distinguished guests.

The four-person delegation from Contau, including the mayor and the NCPD director, received this honor.

Of course, everyone knew that the bureau chief was just there to make up the numbers and could only stand on the very edge.

And the center position undoubtedly belongs to Leo and Xu Shiming.

This photo will likely spread around the world soon, and will probably dominate the headlines of Night City media in the coming days.

After the first batch of filming was completed, the second batch consisted of senior executives from large companies, led by Li Qixuan. Among them was a familiar face to Leo, but whom he had never met before—Susan Abernathy, the special operations director of Arasaka.

Her strong, independent woman aura reminded Leo of Valerie.

The third group included the principal of Arasaka Academy. This short, stout middle-aged man immediately grabbed Leo's hand and wouldn't let go, repeatedly telling those around him that Leo was a student of Arasaka Academy, excelling in both character and academics, and that the academy was proud of him.

As a habitual truant, even Leo himself was starting to find his own praise unbearable...

After that, things completely fell apart. Anyone with a bit of status or position wanted to get a group photo, even if dozens of people squeezed into a single photo, and it was obvious to anyone with eyes that they were just there to make up the numbers, they still wanted to squeeze in.

In the final stage, Leo had an idea and took a group photo with the eight middlemen of Night City, as a memento of his middleman career.

After taking dozens of photos, Leo's face was stiff from smiling.

But it's worth it. I believe that after today, his name will be known throughout the world!

After all the activities were completed, he gave a brief summary and announced the successful conclusion of the Lanmeng Company opening ceremony. Later, staff will present small souvenirs, and guests with urgent matters may leave at any time.

That being said, there are almost no people who are in a real hurry to leave.

Today's guests are all powerful and influential figures from Night City, making this an excellent social occasion!

They no longer gathered under the podium, but instead huddled together in small groups and began a lively discussion.

Leo didn't say anything more and arranged for the staff to give the guests souvenirs—actually just photo albums printed and bound on the spot, not worth much, but very memorable.

As for the more commemorative "Leo's autographed preview letter," it was naturally only sent to close friends, family, and important business partners.

Kang Tao sent out five photos, featuring the four representatives of the visiting team and Li Qixuan.

The Immortal Squad and the Mann Squad, who benefited from the situation, sent out a total of eleven cards.

The other recipients included Old Man Vie, Misty, Mrs. Wells, the priest, the old captain, Claire, and Regina.

Everyone who received the signed announcement letter was very happy and talked to him a lot.

Two of them left a deep impression on him—

One was an old captain who was so moved he seemed about to bow down in gratitude. Leo received a string of thanks from him, along with a promise to always offer the lowest price for a car.

The other was a priest, who immediately struck a charlatan pose upon seeing Leo, making the sign of the cross in front of him with his right hand.

For a moment, Leo thought he was performing an exorcism on himself.

However, that wasn't the case. The priest was simply expressing his respect: "I've heard many people say behind your back that you're foolish. Ignore them. Kindness is a more precious treasure than gold. Your good deeds will be rewarded one day, and it won't be long."

Leo was amused by his tone, and handed him the signed announcement letter while giving him a perfunctory reply.

But the priest's expression was very serious. He said, "I'm not joking; there's a doctrinal basis for this—"

He opened the paper Bible he carried with him, turned to a page, and pointed it out to Leo.

Revelation 21:6—"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will freely give the water of the spring of life to the thirsty."

This statement is God's promise and blessing to believers, and a reflection of His supreme authority and love.

The priest made the sign of the cross again: "You have given away pure water to the thirsty without expecting anything in return. This is doing God's will. Christians will remember your selfless dedication and will spread your name."

Leo was a little uncomfortable with the overly religious atmosphere of the conversation, so he quickly slipped away after a few perfunctory words.

To date, he has sent out a total of twenty-three announcement letters. Among those present, only Gloria, who will be part of the family in the future, has received this honor.

It wasn't until he handed her the notice that the fiery red-haired mother snapped out of her daze: "You...you are..."

She never expected that the "speech segment" that Li Ao had mentioned would actually be his role as the host, and that he was the founder and chairman of Lanmeng Company, a super big shot who could appear on the same stage as Kangtao Chairman Xu Shiming.

I should have sent David...

Leo could sense her emotions and secretly felt smug: "Speaking of which, why didn't Sister Gloria come up on stage to take a group photo?"

Gloria shrank back slightly; she couldn't very well openly admit that she was a little insecure and too embarrassed to go up...

Seeing that she was confused, Leo didn't press the matter further. Let's take it slow; he was now in an invincible position!

"It's alright, David and I even took some photos at the barbecue restaurant. I'll talk to you later, these stares around us are really making no attempt to hide them..."

Gloria noticed the prying eyes coming from all directions, and quickly put away the thing he had handed her... which she couldn't tell what it was at first glance, and decided to go home first and lock it in the safe.

With the handwritten advance notices distributed, Leo's work came to an end.

He disliked the feeling of being watched by people with different intentions at all times, and planned to return to the Great Empire Shopping Mall to continue being a hands-off manager.

Looking around, I saw that my friends were still acting as high-level etiquette staff and seemed to be busy all the time.

Better to die than to die myself; may they all live long lives!

He wished them good luck in his heart, then slipped away as fast as he could.

Upon arriving at the mall's main entrance, the two leaders of the animal gang personally opened the door for him, revealing extremely ingratiating smiles.

Leo nodded in satisfaction and continued walking forward.

He hadn't walked far when he suddenly discovered that V was waiting for him in the corridor.

"Why are you slacking off too? No, you dared to slack off before me!"

I never expected that he would lose in the category of slacking off; it's outrageous!

V spread his hands, shrugged, and had a smug expression on his face.

Leo shook his head and moved closer to her, opening his arms as if to hug her.

V was laughing one second, but the next second his expression suddenly changed, and he bent down to dodge to the side.

But a sudden force of gravity acted upon her, freezing her in place.

Leo swaggered closer, his right hand casually resting on her neck, pulling her close: "Miss Valerie, what brings you here uninvited?"

Chapter 414 V-Shaking Unit 3 - Veronica Valerie

Valerie remained completely unfazed despite her disguise being seen through at a glance.