NOVPUB
Chapter 266: Chapter 263: Exchange
The realization of controlled nuclear fusion technology can indeed be elevated to the level of "global strategy."
The hydrogen bombs, derived from uncontrolled nuclear fusion technology, once brought seventy years of peace to the war-torn Blue Star.
And the controlled nuclear fusion technology at hand...
could completely change the impending depletion of earth’s energy sources, affecting every industry related to energy.
For the Central Earth Kingdom, and even the entire human world, this represents a qualitative breakthrough, akin to ushering human civilization into a new epoch, bringing about earth-shattering changes to human life from then on.
As the most secretive laboratory in the Central Earth Kingdom completed the validation of controlled nuclear fusion technology and fully realized it, the importance of the personnel related to the Southern Heavenly Gate project was further elevated.
The main person in charge even received meetings with the Prime Minister and the King of the Central Earth Kingdom to understand the specific situation.
The cooperation demand from various departments was also smooth sailing, unimpeded all the way.
With the "controlled nuclear fusion technology" as their calling card, the operation of the Southern Heavenly Gate project team was almost a national effort.
What exactly the conveniences were...
Xie Yusheng, this "ordinary person," couldn’t feel them.
The only thing he felt was that he had somehow received another promotion.
From Level 8 to Level 7.
In the Central Earth Kingdom, the transition from Level 7 to Level 6 is a watershed.
Any official above Level 6 has the qualification to apply to become one of the Kingdom Nobles.
Because nearly every one of them is a major figure in charge of key departments in a city.
Once becoming a noble, it’s akin to entering the national system, with access to exclusive vehicles, housing, and even personal drivers and bodyguards.
Although the bodyguards do not reach the level of being armed like Level 4 officials, at this point, their status is no longer comparable to that of ordinary people.
Even the law is more lenient towards them.
For example, if ordinary people are involved in financial embezzlement, even just a few hundred thousand might lead to several years, or even decades, of imprisonment.
But as a noble, even if one embezzles billions, at most they might be dismissed and investigated, and with good luck, they might rest for a few years or months and then resume duty in another department.
The saying "criminal charges do not climb up to doctors, and crimes do not extend to nobles" refers exactly to these officials above Level 6.
And now...
Xie Yusheng, having reached Level 7, was just a step away from this echelon of real privileges.
The reason?
...
"Are you indicating that I should refine the weapon design for the ’Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles’?"
Xie Yusheng looked at Zhao Shanhe, this leader who had reached the treatments of a Level 4 civil servant, somewhat bewildered.
"Indeed."
Zhao Shanhe nodded his head: "According to research data given by Group Leader Qiu’s team, the ’Qian Star person’s’ technology was far more advanced than ours. If we proceed conventionally and give him our existing electromagnetic cannon and laser cannon technology, he would need to go back and review the knowledge."
He said, smiling: "It’s like asking a workshop that can produce top-notch safes to make a Lu Ban Box. Without looking up the information, they simply can’t do it—not because the Lu Ban Box is too hard to make, but because to them, it’s already obsolete."
Xie Yusheng understood, but was still puzzled: "Then why the weapons of the Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles? The technological products in the Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles are, at most, fifty to a hundred years more advanced than our current ones. We could completely offer some more science-fiction-like theoretical data for him to help us realize."
"We considered that, but later dismissed it."
Zhao Shanhe sighed: "On one hand, there are inevitable differences between two civilizations. Just like this time with the nuclear fusion technology, although they practically held our hands through the process, due to missing many what they considered basic data, it still took us four months to complete the validation. On the other hand... this relates to the first point."
This old man, who could be considered a top existence in the scientific research community, smiled bitterly: "In the absence of many basic modules, even if we really did present technology advanced by hundreds of years, the ’Qian Star person’ might respond, but we might not be able to understand it."
"Is that so."
"Of course, the key is also that the weapons from the ’Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles’ are a system of what you previously provided, which would not make the ’Qian Star person’ suspect that we are using him to develop technology for us, thereby avoiding the possibility of dissatisfying him."
Zhao Shanhe continued, "With the confirmation of controlled nuclear fusion technology, the groundwork has been laid. The appearance of this ’Qian Star person’ is a great opportunity for our Central Earth Kingdom, even affecting whether we can forge a self-strengthening path amid the encirclement of the Flame Dragon Kingdom, the Star Shining Federation, and the Sunset Empire, so we have to be extremely careful in our interactions with the ’Qian Star person,’ avoiding any potential risks."
"The Flame Dragon Kingdom, the Star Shining Federation, the Sunset Empire..."
Xie Yusheng pondered the increasingly severe international relations over the years.
The world was gradually showing signs of polarization...
No!
It had already polarized!
On one side were the Flame Dragon Kingdom, the Star Shining Federation, and the Sunset Empire.
On the other side were the numerous countries oppressed by the "Blue Star Federation" led by these three countries.
The Central Earth Kingdom was one of them.
At present, many oppressed nations had already awakened, unwilling to endure the oppression.
Moreover, the Snow Domain Empire, once part of the "Blue Star Federation" but separated thirty years ago due to irreconcilable differences, was secretly encouraging and supporting...
A world war seemed to be just around the corner.
For a moment, he nodded solemnly.
"What should I do?"
"This isn’t a question you ask us, but one we ask you—what do you want us to do?"
Zhao Shanhe said, his expression becoming more solemn, "Based on our conference studies and further analysis modeling the exchanges between Qian Star people and you, we have derived a plan, or rather a process of exchange, that seems most prudent as of now."
"Please speak."
Xie Yusheng became earnest.
"You will propose the weapon concepts from your ’Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles,’ and then our scientific team behind us will refine the theory of those weapons, after which we will send these theories to that ’Qian Star person’ to analyze to see if they can be actualized! If this can be successfully realized..."
Zhao Shanhe paused here, took a deep breath, "Even if only one type can be realized, it would represent a leap in strength for our Central Earth Kingdom, and we would have many more trump cards to face the upcoming challenges."
Xie Yusheng listened, unable to hide his excitement.
Being able to participate in such a plan...
And even to legitimately engage with the country’s top scientific talents to study his own "Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles"—where else could he find such an opportunity?
"I understand."
Xie Yusheng nodded emphatically, "We shall immediately start working on the electromagnetic cannon and laser cannon to be mounted on the Mystic Bird Fighting Machine and the Qingluan Mother Ship!"
"Good, we must hurry."
Zhao Shanhe said solemnly, "News has reached the top, led by the Star Shining Federation, Flame Dragon Kingdom, and Sunset Empire, the three nations intend to crack down on the jubilant Snow Domain Empire which supports those oppressed nations... Once this battle spirals out of control, it will engulf the globe, and no nation will be spared."
"A world war?"
Xie Yusheng’s eyes widened in panic.
"Subdue troubles within before dealing with external threats.
Zhao Shanhe didn’t answer directly but said gravely, "The projection of the Immortal World above the Sky Dome is becoming increasingly clearer; following this trend, whether in a dozen years or several decades, the two worlds will inevitably make contact, and the configuration of Blue Star will be severely impacted. Under such circumstances, some propose that the ’Blue Star Federation’ lead Blue Star to engage with this new world."
"In other words, they want to unify the world! At least... make other countries submit and ensure that only one voice remains in Blue Star—the voice of the ’Blue Star Federation’?"
Xie Yusheng felt a chill in his heart.
Zhao Shanhe nodded.
"I understand."
Xie Yusheng shook off the shock of this news, "Give me three days! In three days, I will hand over my designs for the electromagnetic cannon and laser cannon to you."
"Okay."
Zhao Shanhe nodded slightly, "According to that ’Qian Star person,’ they have utilized anti-gravity technology and a new technology called Spiritual Energy to activate and operate the Qingluan Mother Ship and Cheng Ying Mecha, which are our next targets..."
"I will try to contact that ’Qian Star person,’ but we still need to quickly meet their requirements and put together the relevant data for ’electromagnetic cannons’ and ’laser cannons’ to keep them interested, as communication without any needs will not last."
Xie Yusheng said.
"We understand this better than you, the team is ready, we’ve gathered the country’s top experts in the field of electromagnetic and laser cannons, just waiting for you."
Zhao Shanhe said with a smile.
Xie Yusheng gave a formal bow.
At that moment, he felt as if he had been entrusted with a sacred mission.
"I must create the best ’Southern Heavenly Gate Chronicles’!"
...
As the Central Earth Kingdom of Blue Star made its decision to produce electromagnetic and laser cannons with a more "sci-fi" flavor, Gu Jinlai had already reached the Demon Refining Hall in Starlight City.
Though most of the seventy or eighty thousand Devils were killed by sharp swords and cannons, Gu Jinlai controlled the Mystic Bird Fighting Machine to strafe them, and later executed a deadly strike, meaning a significant number of Devils also died by his hand.
With these generous contributions from the Devils...
Gu Jinlai felt that he might even try to exchange for a Dao Artifact.
However, there had never been a precedent for exchanging Dao Artifacts in the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map; a Quasi-Dao Artifact was the limit.
Gu Jinlai suppressed this idea nonetheless.
Upon meeting the Refining Demon Hall Master at the Starlight Hall, he directly handed over his Qiankun Talisman, "Exchange it for a Spirit Armor for me, it must have the traits of Big and Small Ru Yi, tenacity, and Thousand Catties."
Saying this, he added, "The remaining Merit, exchange it all for Spirit Swords... The Spirit Swords only need to possess tenacity and Infinite traits, other aspects are not important."
