162: Chapter 161 Ruifeng's Triumph! Core Anomaly Hides Mysteries, Technique Soars to New Heights (1)

In Geneva, Switzerland, the lake and mountains complemented each other beautifully. The azure Lake Geneva sparkled, and the leaves of the plane trees along the shore had taken on the golden hue of late autumn. As a gentle breeze blew, fallen leaves danced in the air. This city, known as the "Capital of International Conferences," was in a complete frenzy due to a top-tier global energy event. Outside the venue of the International Energy Conference, media reporters from various countries set up their "long guns and short cannons," aiming their lenses at the entrance. Energy giants, technical experts, and government officials from all over the world, dressed in crisp formal wear, hurried into the venue—everyone's eyes were focused on the Chinese entrepreneur and Chairman of the Huaxia Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Group Corporation, Mu Li, who was about to take the stage, eagerly awaiting the technical insights he would share.

Inside the venue, there wasn't a single empty seat, and the air was filled with a rigorous yet enthusiastic atmosphere. Dressed in a dark custom suit, Mu Li stood tall in the backstage preparation area, tightly holding a neatly bound speech manuscript. His fingertips lightly brushed the paper, and his eyes were calm yet sharp. During this period, he had been balancing his physical recovery with the intense preparation of his speech materials. Every piece of data and every sentence had been repeatedly scrutinized and revised in a quest for perfection.

Lin Wei walked over quickly, carefully handing a bottle of warm water to Mu Li, her tone soft yet professional: "Engineer Mu, all the speech materials have been confirmed, and the PPT has been tested repeatedly; there are no issues. The organizers just notified us that over twenty mainstream media outlets worldwide are broadcasting this speech live, including well-known media from North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The influence is immense. Additionally, we received the latest news that the North American Global Energy Group, which previously colluded with Zhou Mingyuan, has also sent a delegation to the conference. The person in charge is their Technical Director, Hansen. It's said that this man has always been arrogant and conceited, and he has consistently harbored doubts about our Nuclear Fusion Power Station technology. He is very likely to intentionally make things difficult and cause trouble for us during the Q&A session."

Mu Li unscrewed the cap, took a sip of warm water to moisten his dry throat, and said calmly, "Soldiers will be blocked by generals, and water will be covered by earth. Our technology is solid enough, and our results are substantial enough that we don't fear any difficulties or doubts. On the other hand, regarding that mysterious chip you mentioned finding while organizing Zhou Mingyuan's office effects—does the Technical Team have any further test results?"

At the mention of the chip, Lin Wei's expression instantly became solemn. She lowered her voice and spoke seriously: "The Technical Team conducted an in-depth preliminary inspection and found that both the material and the encoding method of this chip are very unusual. It doesn't belong to any currently known technical system, and the craftsmanship is extremely advanced—not something an ordinary company could produce. Even stranger, there is an encrypted program inside the chip that our top cracking software cannot recognize at all, and it emits a faint wireless signal at a specific frequency. Just now, on the way to the venue, the detection equipment we were carrying suddenly had a strong reaction. The signal strength is much stronger than when we were back Home. Clearly, there is a device nearby capable of receiving this signal."

Mu Li's brow furrowed slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the speech manuscript as a hint of doubt rose in his heart. This chip had been found by the Technical Team in a hidden compartment in Zhou Mingyuan's office after his arrest. At that time, there was also a fragmented blueprint of the Nuclear Fusion Power Station's core control system on Zhou Mingyuan's desk. Several key parameters on the blueprint had been deliberately smudged, yet it was clear they highly overlapped with the group's core technology. Combined with Zhou Mingyuan's secret collusion with the North American Global Energy Group, this chip could never be an ordinary electronic component; it was more like a "signal repeater" used to steal technical data and transmit clandestine information.

"Keep the chip and the detection equipment on you at all times. Arrange for two core technical personnel to guard them throughout, and maintain strict confidentiality. Aside from the three of us, absolutely no fourth person is to come into contact with them." Mu Li's tone carried an undeniable seriousness as his gaze swept over the crowd backstage. "This Geneva summit has gathered energy giants from around the world, and people from the North American Global Energy Group are also present. The sudden increase in the chip's signal is no coincidence. Perhaps we can follow the signal of this chip to find more clues about their technology theft and secret machinations, and thoroughly uncover the entire conspiracy behind Zhou Mingyuan."

"Understood, Engineer Mu." Lin Wei nodded immediately and carefully took a sealed transparent protective box from her secure briefcase. Inside lay the silver-white chip, the size of a fingernail, its surface etched with fine, dark patterns that glinted coldly under the lights. Beside it was a small portable detection device, its screen flickering with faint signal waveforms. She tucked the protective box close to her body and checked the battery life and sensitivity of the detection device again to ensure no mistakes would occur.

Just then, the host's steady and resonant voice rang out in the venue, broadcasting through the speakers: "Distinguished guests, friends, welcome to the core keynote session of the 2026 International Energy Conference. Next, please join me in giving the warmest round of applause to Mr. Mu Li, Chairman of the Huaxia Nuclear Fusion Power Plant Group Corporation, as he presents his keynote speech—'The Future of Clean Energy: Breakthroughs and Applications of Controllable Nuclear Fusion Technology'!"

Applause swept through like a tide, and the spotlight instantly shifted from the center of the venue to the backstage entrance, firmly enveloping Mu Li's figure. He took a deep breath, reached up to adjust his tie, placed his speech manuscript securely in his suit's inner pocket, and stroded onto the podium with his head held high. Every step was steady and powerful; the sound of his leather shoes hitting the floor intertwined with the applause of the entire audience, carrying the confidence and edge of a Chinese entrepreneur. Through the live broadcast signal, this was transmitted to screens all over the world.

Mu Li stood at the center of the podium, his gaze slowly scanning the room—seated below were grey-haired international energy experts, corporate executives in suits, media reporters with cameras, and government energy officials from various countries. Everyone's eyes were focused on him, filled with expectation, scrutiny, and even subtle doubt. He nodded slightly, and the moment he spoke, his voice was clear and powerful, reaching every corner of the venue through the speakers: "Distinguished guests, friends, hello everyone. Today, I am honored to stand on this central stage of the global energy field to share the development achievements of China's Controllable Nuclear Fusion technology. I also look forward to working with global partners to explore the future of clean energy and build a beautiful Home for sustainable development."

The large screen on the podium lit up instantly, and a high-definition 3D animation accurately reconstructed the overall structure of the Huaxia Nuclear Fusion Power Plant. Mu Li lightly tapped the screen, and the 3D model rotated slowly. Details such as the superconducting coils of the Core Reaction Module, the magnetic confinement device of the energy conversion system, and the lead-core barriers of the multi-layered safety protection were magnified one by one, with the parameters of each part clearly labeled beside the model: "Traditional fossil fuels face the triple dilemma of resource depletion, environmental pollution, and uneven distribution. Controllable Nuclear Fusion technology, using inexhaustible hydrogen isotopes from seawater as fuel, has the absolute advantages of being clean, efficient, safe, and having unlimited raw materials. It is the ultimate answer to solving the global energy crisis."

His fingertips slid across the screen, and sets of staggering core data popped up, the red numbers standing out vividly against the white background: "The Nuclear Fusion Power Station developed by our team has achieved continuous stable operation for 8,017 hours, setting a new global record for Controllable Nuclear Fusion operation time. The energy conversion efficiency has exceeded 45.2%, far surpassing the global average of 35% for similar technologies. In terms of safety protection, our multiple emergency braking systems can cut off the reaction fuel supply within 0.01 seconds, completely eliminating the risk of energy leakage. Following a comprehensive inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, all safety indicators far exceed international standards."

As soon as he finished speaking, gasps of admiration erupted throughout the venue. Many heads of energy companies picked up their notebooks, pens flying as they recorded, their eyes filled with shock and anticipation. Several internationally renowned nuclear physics experts leaned forward slightly, their gazes locked onto the technical drawings on the large screen, nodding frequently with expressions of approval. The media reporters in the audience raised their cameras, flashes going off one after another to record this historic moment.

Mu Li did not pause, continuing to showcase the project's implementation results, his tone carrying a firm sense of responsibility and commitment: "Currently, we have launched Nuclear Fusion Power Station construction projects in 12 provinces, including Huaxia's Longyuan Province, Yundian Province, and Suzhou. Among them, the demonstration station in Longyuan Province has completed grid-connection testing. Once operational, it can meet the daily electricity needs of 5 million people in the surrounding area. The mountain project in Yundian Province has driven employment for over 3,000 local households, increasing per capita annual income by 40%. The Suzhou project has also entered the preliminary investigation phase and construction is about to begin."

Subsequently, the large screen switched to a real-life video—the camera first swept over the Gobi Desert in Longyuan Province. Amidst a swirling sandstorm, the silver-white shell of the Nuclear Fusion Power Station continued to operate steadily. The emergency indicator lights inside the station remained lit, and staff members operated methodically in the control room. Then, the scene shifted to the mountains of Yundian Province, where villagers in ethnic costumes surrounded the construction workers, holding flowers and smiling as they gestured toward the power lines about to be built, their faces full of hope for a better life. Finally, it settled on the night view of the Suzhou Industrial Park. Beside the brightly lit factories, the cooling towers of the Nuclear Fusion Power Station rotated slowly, complementing the city skyline and outlining a beautiful picture of the symbiotic prosperity of clean energy and urban development.

"This is our technical strength, and even more so, our responsibility," Mu Li’s voice was powerful and resonant, carrying a strong sense of inspiration. "Clean energy has never been the exclusive domain of any one country; it is the common pursuit of all mankind to address the energy crisis and achieve sustainable development. We are willing to open our core technology patents and launch a 'technology sharing + joint construction + profit sharing' cooperation model. We will join hands with countries around the world to break energy monopolies and build a clean, sustainable new global energy landscape, letting the light of clean energy illuminate every corner."

The moment the speech ended, thunderous applause erupted in the hall, lasting for a full three minutes. Many people even stood up, clapping vigorously, their eyes filled with respect and recognition. The host signaled for silence and said with a smile, "Thank you, Chairman Mu, for your wonderful speech. The content was detailed and inspiring, filling us with anticipation for the future of Controllable Nuclear Fusion technology. Next, we will enter the Q&A session. Guests may raise their hands to ask questions and engage in in-depth communication with Chairman Mu."

As soon as the words fell, a hand was immediately raised high. A blonde, blue-eyed representative from the Europa Alliance Energy Group stood up, adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and said in a probing tone, "Mr. Mu, hello. You just mentioned opening core technology patents. We all know that the research and development of Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology requires massive investment and takes a long time. Does this mean Huaxia will give up the commercial interests brought by technical monopoly? Behind the opening of patents, are there other unknown commercial considerations or political motives?"

Mu Li picked up the water glass next to the podium, took a sip of warm water, and responded calmly, "Commercial interests are certainly important, but the significance of driving the global energy transition and solving the global energy crisis is far greater than the commercial value of a single technology. We have calculated that after technology sharing, the construction scale of global Nuclear Fusion Power Stations will triple within five years. The resulting commercial returns and industrial driving effects are incomparable to a technical monopoly. As for the purpose, I have already made it very clear—we hope for a win-win with global partners and to let clean energy benefit more people. This is our responsibility as a global energy leader, and it has nothing to do with anything else."

His answer was concise and powerful, with clear logic, winning a round of appreciative applause from the audience. Just then, a tall white man slowly stood up. He was wearing a black custom suit with the insignia of the North American Global Energy Group pinned to his lapel. A look of undisguised disdain was on his face; it was Hansen, the group's Technical Director. With his hands in his pockets, he looked down at Mu Li and spoke with clear provocation: "Mr. Mu, your speech was very exciting and full of passion, but I have serious doubts about it."

Hansen took out a thick document, held it high, and said with a hint of arrogance, "The stability of Controllable Nuclear Fusion technology has been a problem that has plagued the global scientific community for decades. Claiming that your technology leads the world based on just a few projects' operational data is a bit too hasty and self-deceiving. I have an analysis report here from our group's Technical Team, which clearly points out that your Core Reaction Module has a design flaw—the Cooling System's efficiency is insufficient. Long-term high-load operation will cause the module to overheat, eventually triggering energy leakage. This is a fatal safety hazard!"

As soon as Hansen finished speaking, the venue fell silent, and all eyes focused on Mu Li. Many people began to whisper, their eyes showing hesitation—after all, the North American Global Energy Group is a long-established global energy giant, and the authority of its Technical Team is unquestionable in the industry. Lin Wei stood in the shadows backstage, her face turning pale instantly. She gripped the corner of her clothes tightly, feeling anxious: the Cooling System of the Core Reaction Module was a core technology the group had spent three years and 2 billion yuan to develop. If Hansen's doubts were substantiated, it would not only affect subsequent cooperation negotiations but also seriously damage the group's international reputation."

Mu Li remained calm, without the slightest hint of panic. Looking at Hansen, he slowly walked to the center of the podium and signaled the staff to switch the large screen to a 3D design drawing of the Core Reaction Module's Cooling System. On the design drawing, the structure of the dual-layer circulation Cooling System was clear at a glance. The outer layer was a conventional water-cooling circulation pipe, while the inner layer was marked in red with "Self-developed Superconducting Cooling Material," with every detail clearly visible.

"Mr. Hansen, I would very much like to know the source of the data in your report." Mu Li's voice was calm but carried an unquestionable confidence. "Our Core Reaction Module has undergone 12,000 simulated operation tests and two years of on-site high-load operation verification at the Longyuan Province project site. All safety indicators have passed the certification of the International Atomic Energy Agency, far exceeding the safety threshold of 150℃. If you can point out specific design flaws, I am willing to answer them for everyone on the spot, so that friends around the world can see clearly whether our technology is reliable."

Hansen didn't expect Mu Li to be so composed. He was stunned for a moment, then waved the document in his hand, his tone still arrogant: "The data source is your public project materials! After analysis, our Technical Team found that your Cooling System only labels the water-cooling design and does not account for heat accumulation under high loads. It simply cannot meet long-term operational needs. This is your fatal flaw!"

"I see. You only saw the surface of the public materials but ignored our core technical details. That is a bit too one-sided." Mu Li gave a light laugh and tapped the large screen. A simulation video of the Cooling System's operation began to play—in the video, while the reaction module was running at full load, the Cooling System started up rapidly. The superconducting material exported the heat within milliseconds, and the temperature curve remained stable at 48℃, far below the safety threshold of 150℃. Each set of real-time data pulsed clearly on the screen.

"Everyone can see clearly that our Cooling System uses a 'water-cooling + superconducting material' dual-layer design. The inner Superconducting Cooling Material is an independent research result of our team, capable of achieving superconducting conduction at room temperature, with a cooling efficiency 12 times that of conventional water-Cooling Systems." Mu Li's voice spread throughout the hall via the speakers, his gaze fixed firmly on Hansen. "This set of data is the real-time monitoring result after 1,000 hours of full-load operation. The entire process is open and verifiable, subject to the supervision of the global energy community. Therefore, your so-called 'design flaw' does not exist at all. It is merely your one-sided perception of our technology, and moreover, your prejudice in refusing to admit that Huaxia's technology is leading the way."