149: Our goal is the stars and the sea? Let's build a road to get there first!

When the Chief's ultimate question—filled with historical gravitas and kingly dominance—of "How to manage mortals" clearly echoed within Meeting Room No. 1, the core of Xia Country's highest power, Lu Chen smiled.

"Chief."

He looked at the old man on the video screen who was watching him with an expression of "anticipation," and said indifferently:

"My rules are very simple."

"Want to go to the heavens?"

"You can."

"First, build a road."

That afternoon, a "oath-taking ceremony," more magnificent and exciting than any before, was officially held at the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base!

This time, the attendees were not just the core members of the "pangu" project team.

There were also the nation's top aerospace experts, materials scientists, engineering Academicians, and even those national treasure-level veterans who had long since retired to enjoy their later years!

All the national treasure-level masters in fields related to "space engineering" had gathered here!

They were all like a group of devout believers about to embark on a pilgrimage!

Each and every one of them had a solemn expression and fanatical eyes!

Because they knew that today, they would witness with their own eyes a great moment capable of changing the destiny of human civilization for the next thousand years!

On the podium, Lu Chen was still wearing that simple white research uniform.

There was not a trace of excitement or pride on his face about to initiate a great era.

There was only a sense of calm, as if everything was meant to be.

He looked at the old, simple faces below, filled with anticipation and longing, and spoke calmly.

"Respected seniors."

"I know that everyone present here has struggled for a lifetime for our Xia Country's arduous aerospace cause."

"You have spilled your most precious youth and sweat beneath those cold launch towers and into that endless, dark space."

"Your greatest dream is to see with your own eyes our Xia Country's five-starred red flag planted throughout that vast…"

"starry sea."

His words, full of understanding and respect, instantly caused the eyes of the old experts below—who had spent their entire lives fighting against the cold universe—to redden!

Yes, they had waited for this day for too long!

"However," Lu Chen changed the subject!

His entire aura changed!

A terrifying, god-like aura of looking down upon the world, as if no one else could compare, instantly erupted from his slightly slender body!

It enveloped the entire venue!

"Today!"

"I stand here to tell you!"

"Your dreams!"

"Will no longer be dreams!"

"From today on!"

"I"

"will realize them for you!"

He extended a finger and tapped gently in the air!

The next second!

A stunningly magnificent picture instantly appeared on the giant holographic screen behind him!

It was a structure rising from an offshore platform on Earth's equator, filled with a sense of futuristic technology!

It soared into the sky!

It pierced through the blue atmosphere!

It passed through the dead, dark space!

It extended all the way into the remote, deep reaches of the universe!

A massive super space elevator, composed of countless space stations and starports shimmering with brilliant light, like the heavenly tree from mythology!

And at the top of the space elevator!

A massive, ring-shaped interstellar mothership, larger and more magnificent than the moon!

It was like an ancient god suppressing the entire Solar System!

Silently looking down at the small, fragile mortals beneath its feet!

"This, this, this…"

Academician Qin Shan pointed at the magnificent picture before him, which had completely exceeded the limits of human imagination!

His lips trembled, unable to speak a complete sentence!

His heart, which had long been tempered by various storms and was as firm as a rock, was, at this moment, uncontrollably beating wildly!

He knew!

From this moment on!

That ultimate dream, which only existed in science fiction novels, would turn into reality in their hands!

"I know what everyone is thinking."

Lu Chen looked at the group of Old Academicians below who had been completely stunned, and smiled indifferently.

"You are thinking that this is impossible."

"This is a myth."

"However," the corners of his mouth curled into a god-like smile, filled with absolute confidence and absolute control!

"Today!"

"I am going to lead you!"

"To personally turn this 'myth'!"

"Into reality!"

"I declare!"

His voice was not loud, but it was like a divine oracle that could create the world!

It echoed clearly in the ears of every Xia Country aerospace worker!

"Phase I of the 'Jianmu' space elevator project"

"Now, begins!"

"Our first goal is very simple!"

"Within one year!"

"I want to see our own Xia Country's gateway to the universe on the East Sea!"

"The South Heaven Gate base!"

"Rising from the ground!"

"Our ultimate goal is even simpler!"

He pointed at the endless, deep, and vast starry sky!

In those pitch-black eyes, as vast as the universe, burned a crazy ambition that would make even the gods and demons of the heavens tremble!

"I want"

"for our more than one billion hardworking compatriots in Xia Country!"

"For our great nation that has inherited five thousand years of history!"

"To personally"

"build a road"

"to the starry sea!"