Chapter 75: The Southern Heavenly Gate Project, Initiated!

"South Heaven Gate Project!"

When Academician Wang's hoarse and fanatical declaration exploded in the core laboratory, it fell into absolute silence.

Everyone's breath hitched.

They stared fixedly at the breathtakingly magnificent blueprint on the main screen.

A massive, ring-shaped metal structure with a diameter exceeding ten kilometers floated quietly in Earth's synchronous orbit. It overlooked the azure planet, like the eye of a deity from ancient mythology surveying the mortal world.

Inside the ring was a deep darkness capable of devouring all light.

But everyone was ignited by that darkness.

Because behind it lay the endless sea of stars.

"Star Gate... Can we, can we really build something like this?" A young scientist's lips trembled, almost unable to form a complete sentence.

This completely transcended the boundaries of their imagination.

This was not technology.

This was a miracle.

"We can! We definitely can!" Academician Wang spread his arms, flames burning in his eyes. "As long as we have the 'void crystal core' as the core, and as long as we have enough energy and materials, we can build it!"

"With it, things like the 'Cosmic Graveyard' or the 'giant beast skeleton' will no longer be unreachable, dangerous unknowns for us! We can go wherever we want! It will be just like taking a walk in our own backyard!"

"We can explore galaxies where no one has ever set foot! Search for the ruins of advanced civilizations that have long since perished! And salvage super technologies that could help us ascend in a single step!"

The more Academician Wang spoke, the more excited he became, his whole body trembling with agitation.

"This is the true future of the 'scavenger' project!"

His words were a raging fire, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of all the scientists present.

That's right!

Previously, they could only act like thieves, sneaking around and using Lin Yuan's system to pick up scraps that others didn't want in the dangerous 'Cosmic Graveyard'.

Every time, they were on edge, walking on thin ice.

But once they had the 'South Heaven Gate', the nature of things would completely change!

They would possess the ability to actively explore the entire universe!

They would transform from passive 'scavengers' into active 'treasure hunters'!

"I agree with the 'South Heaven Gate' project!"

"I agree too! This is the only way out for our civilization!"

"For the sea of stars! Let's go for it!"

The scientists were impassioned, itching to rush into space right now to tighten the first bolt.

However, Chen Weiguo remained silent for a long time.

He just quietly stared at the two blueprints, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Old Wang," he said slowly, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion, "The 'South Heaven Gate' project is very good, very magnificent."

"But have you thought about how long it will take to build? How many resources it will require?"

Chen Weiguo's questions were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing everyone's fervor.

That's right, building a super project with a diameter of ten kilometers, an extremely complex structure, and floating in space.

The time required would likely need to be calculated in 'decades'.

The resources needed would be astronomical, likely exhausting the entire national strength of the Great Xia Country for the next few decades.

"Can we... afford to wait?" Chen Weiguo's follow-up question was incredibly heavy.

The fervor on Academician Wang's face gradually faded, replaced by a touch of gravity.

The threat of the 'Ultimate Wither' was a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, which could fall at any moment.

They did not have that much time to slowly pursue a 'hundred-year plan'.

"Then... what does the Chief mean..." Academician Wang looked at Chen Weiguo.

Chen Weiguo shifted his gaze from the 'South Heaven Gate' project to another blueprint codenamed 'Kunpeng'.

"You have to eat one bite at a time. You have to walk one step at a time."

"'South Heaven Gate' is our ultimate goal. But right now, what we need more is a sharp weapon that can immediately form combat capability and allow us to have self-defense capabilities in the shortest possible time!"

He pointed to the 'Kunpeng Engine' blueprint, his demeanor becoming as sharp as a blade.

"I have decided to temporarily shelve the 'South Heaven Gate' project. We will concentrate all our strength to prioritize the research and manufacturing of the 'Kunpeng Engine'!"

"Within one year, I want to see our Great Xia Country's first interstellar warship equipped with a space jump engine fly out of the Solar System!"

"This project will be incorporated into our previously initiated 'South Heaven Gate Project'!"

"From today on, the 'South Heaven Gate Project' will no longer be a concept on paper! It will become our entire nation's highest priority strategic project!"

Chen Weiguo's words were resonant and carried immense weight.

Although giving up the more magnificent 'South Heaven Gate' project made some scientists feel a bit disappointed.

But everyone knew clearly that this was the most realistic and correct choice at the moment.

First, arm themselves and gain the capital to survive in the dark universe.

Then, go on to pursue the more distant sea of stars.

"Yes! Chief!"

Everyone replied in unison.

"Lin Yuan." Chen Weiguo turned to Lin Yuan again.

"Here!"

"From today on, you are officially appointed as the Chief Technical Consultant of the 'South Heaven Gate Project'!" A hint of a smile appeared on Chen Weiguo's face. "In the future, if Old Wang and his group of scientists don't understand something, you brat, you'd better 'translate' it well for me."

"Huh? Me?" Lin Yuan pointed at his own nose, looking bewildered.

Chief Technical Consultant?

I'm just a scrap yard owner who didn't even finish middle school. Is it appropriate for me to hold such a big official position?

This sounds bigger than a neighborhood committee director!

"What? You don't want to?" Chen Weiguo glared at him.

"No, no, no! I want to! Of course I want to!" Lin Yuan quickly nodded and bowed, his face full of fawning smiles. "I guarantee I will complete the mission! I guarantee I will serve all the experts clearly and thoroughly!"

He was already overjoyed in his heart.

Chief Technical Consultant! This title sounds awesome! When I go back to my hometown to brag in the future, I'll be able to stand much taller!

"Alright, now let's discuss the most core issue of the 'South Heaven Gate Project'."

Chen Weiguo brought the topic back on track.

"Our first interstellar warship, 'nantianmen no. 1', how should its main body be built?"

This question silenced everyone again.

Manufacturing a warship capable of traveling in the universe is far more complex than any known engineering project on Earth.

The hull materials, structural design, life support systems, weapons systems... each one is a difficult problem that needs to be overcome from scratch.

"I suggest we can refer to the design of the 'cradle of life' from the 'Eternal Flower' civilization." An expert in the aerospace field spoke up. "Their spacecraft has a simple structure but is extremely sturdy and reliable."

"No!" Academician Wang immediately denied. "The 'cradle of life' is a medical ship! It's a civilian spacecraft! What we want to build is a warship! Something that can fight!"

"Then... then we don't have any warship blueprints, do we?"

"Who said we don't?"

Just as everyone was at a loss, Lin Yuan's lazy voice rang out again.

He yawned and spoke slowly: "Academician Wang, have you forgotten? In my 'USB drive', besides the fairy sister who does art, it seems... there is also one who does war?"

Lin Yuan's words made Academician Wang freeze suddenly.

Immediately, he seemed to remember something, his eyes instantly widening!

He remembered!

The warship wreckage that Lin Yuan brought back from the 'Ghost Route' for the first time!

That black, triangular warship that was full of aggression and perished together with the 'cradle of life'!

Back then, they had parsed a broken consciousness full of slaughter and war information from the core of that warship!

It's just that the consciousness was too chaotic and dangerous, so they had temporarily sealed it away.

"Quick! Quickly bring out that 'war core' for me!" Academician Wang roared excitedly.

Soon, a data core, also sealed in a 'magnetic field prison', was extracted.

"Lin Yuan! You! Go connect to it! See if you can dig out anything useful from inside!" Academician Wang pointed at the core and ordered Lin Yuan.

"Me?" Lin Yuan looked at the data core emitting an ominous aura, feeling a bit nervous. "Academician Wang, didn't you say last time that this thing has mental pollution? If I connect to it, won't I turn into a war maniac?"

"What are you afraid of!" Academician Wang glared. "You now have 'Mental Barrier' and 'Void Affinity'! You are immune to everything! Go! That's an order!"

"Alright..." Lin Yuan said with a mournful face, unwillingly walking into the connection cockpit.

The moment he put on the helmet and probed his consciousness into that 'war core'.

A vast torrent of information, completely different from the gentle and elegant consciousness flow of 'ashilya', filled with iron-blooded, murderous, and cold logic, instantly flooded his brain!

No emotion, no warmth.

Only pure, cold calculations that existed for the sole purpose of destroying the enemy with maximum efficiency.