208: Establish an interstellar dock in the asteroid belt!

When the question, laden with "preparedness for danger in times of peace" and "ultimate interrogation"—namely, "how to face unknown 'guests'"—clearly echoed through Meeting Room No. 1, the heart of the Earth Federation's supreme authority, the entire room fell silent.

All the top brass, who had just been fired up over the "Ghost Fleet" that was enough to drive all of human civilization into a frenzy, felt as if they had been doused from head to toe with a basin of liquid nitrogen at minus two hundred degrees!

They calmed down instantly.

That's right.

They possessed the ability to traverse the universe at will.

Did that not also mean that those unknown, terrifying entities hidden in the depths of the dark universe could descend upon their doorstep at any time?!

A chill of "fear" spread wildly through everyone's hearts!

Meanwhile, at the Kunlun Mountain Underground Base.

Lu Chen watched the group of top brass on the light screen, who had started worrying needlessly again, and couldn't help but smile helplessly.

"heavenly craft."

【Yes, Master.】

"Tell me," he said, "don't you think we should give our cute 'elders' something to do?"

【Master, what do you mean?】

"Exactly."

The corners of Lu Chen's mouth curled into an arc brimming with madness and ambition!

"It's easy to let one's imagination run wild when idle."

"Only by staying busy can one forget fear!"

"So, it's time to initiate the third phase of our 'aegis' project!"

The next day.

When the detailed report regarding the establishment of the "god of fire" No. 2 Asteroid Belt resource extraction and interstellar shipyard construction project—prepared overnight by heavenly craft—was placed before all the leaders of the Earth Federation Supreme Council, the entire Meeting Room No. 1 once again fell into a deathly silence.

All the top brass, who usually kept their emotions well-hidden, looked as if they had been struck on the crown of their heads by a genesis oracle that would make even gods and demons tremble! They were completely petrified!

"Asteroid Belt?! Interstellar Shipyard?!"

"What kind of heaven-defying thing has this brat come up with again?!"

"Is—is this real?" Ye Qingcang, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Federation Armed Forces, asked, his voice trembling!

He stared at the familiar yet jarring terms on the report: Material Printing, Unmanned Mining, Interstellar Arsenal.

His heart, long exhausted by the strain of various advanced weapons, began to race wildly at this moment, much to his chagrin!

He felt as if he were about to suffocate from sheer happiness!

If this report was true, what did it mean?!

It meant that human civilization would possess a truly inexhaustible treasure trove of resources! And a terrifying war arsenal capable of frantically "spawning troops" twenty-four hours a day!

Ye Qingcang stood up from his chair abruptly!

He looked at the leader in the main seat, who wore an equally shocked expression, and roared in a hoarse voice,

"I request that we initiate the 'god of fire' No. 2 project immediately! Exhaust all resources! At all costs! I want to see our human civilization's own impregnable 'Interstellar Great Wall' born within the shortest possible time!"

His impassioned, tear-filled roar instantly ignited everyone present!

"I agree!" "I agree as well!" "Let's do it!"

"I have only one question!" The leader, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.

His voice was not loud, yet it struck every person's heart like a heavy hammer!

He looked at all the supreme decision-makers of the Earth Federation present and asked slowly,

"Once we possess the power to arm the entire Solar System to the teeth, how are we to face the even broader and darker 'forest' that may exist beyond the Solar System?"