74: First, a low-profile version to deceive people

Academician Xu Qingshan said something on the phone, followed by several 'yeses,' and then hung up.

Ada Wong and Silver Wolf exchanged glances. Silver Wolf shrugged and pulled a USB drive from her pocket: "Here, I have a compromise solution."

Academician Xu Qingshan put his 'antique' phone into his pocket and took the USB drive with a puzzled expression.

"It's an improved version of low-temperature superconductivity, Star-Conductor-1. This low temperature isn't in the traditional sense," Silver Wolf explained, "The critical temperature is minus 50℃, the energy consumption for stabilization is only 1% of traditional superconducting materials, and..." She winked, "It only requires ordinary rare earth and ceramic materials."

The academicians immediately gathered around. Academician Xu Qingshan's hands trembled slightly: "This... this is enough to revolutionize existing technology!"

Ada Wong smiled faintly: "Interstellar Peace Corporation is willing to cooperate with the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences on development. However..." She pointedly looked out the window, "We hope the country can provide some policy support."

A week later, the State Council News Release Hall.

Academician Xu Qingshan stood under the spotlight, with a large screen behind him displaying the structural diagram of "New Low-Temperature Superconducting Material."

"...After joint research with Interstellar Peace Corporation, we have successfully achieved industrial production of low-cost, high-performance superconducting materials." He clicked the remote control, and the screen switched to a giant circular device, "Based on this technology, our country's first superconducting power transmission line has officially started operation in Gansu Province."

Reporters below frantically took notes. A Global Messenger reporter raised his hand to ask: "Academician Xu, what is the connection between this and the 'room-temperature superconductivity' that was circulating some time ago?"

Academician Xu Qingshan replied calmly: "These are two completely different research directions. Although our new technology still requires a low-temperature environment, it has reduced cooling costs by 90%."

"Why did Interstellar Peace Corporation choose to disclose this technology now?" The BCC reporter pressed.

"Because the time is ripe." Academician Xu Qingshan smiled and looked at the camera, "The application of any new technology must consider economic viability and sustainability."

After the press conference, Academician Xu Qingshan met Ada Wong, who had been waiting for a long time, backstage.

"Thank you." The old academician said sincerely, "This compromise solution is indeed the optimal one."

Ada Wong handed him a sealed document bag: "This is what the boss asked me to give you. It's about the truth of that 'complete formula.'"

Academician Xu Qingshan opened the document, and his pupils suddenly contracted: "This... this is!"

At the same time, the Roman Palace War Room.

The President slammed the intelligence report on the table: "So the Eastern Federation people are one step ahead again?"

SIA Director Robert wiped his sweat: "Mr. President, this technology is indeed... more pragmatic. Our experts estimate that this low-temperature superconductivity is enough to support..."

"I don't want to hear this!" The President roared, "I'm asking, why is it Interstellar Peace Corporation again? Why is it always them?"

National Security Advisor Mark's face was grim: "Our investigation found that the source of this company's technology is a mystery. All patents show no early research and development records, it's like..."

"It's like they appeared out of thin air." Minister of Defense Grayson interjected, "Mr. President, perhaps we should change our approach."

"What approach?"

Grayson and Mark exchanged glances: "Since we can't beat them... then 'join' them."

Late at night, Pierpoint Space Station.

Chen Hao stood by the observation window, looking down at the brightly lit Blue Star. Bronya's projection reported beside him:

"Master, negotiations for licensing the low-temperature superconducting technology have begun in 37 countries. The Eastern Federation's production line is expected to reach full capacity next month."

"How are the various countries reacting?"

"As expected." Bronya winked mischievously, "The Nova United States is grumbling while negotiating cooperation, the European Continental Union is entangled in technological sovereignty, East Ocean and South Korea are frantically poaching talent..."

Chen Hao chuckled softly: "These people, whether on the Ancestral Star or here, it's been nearly three hundred years, and they haven't made any progress."

"But Master..." Bronya suddenly lowered her voice, "Silver Wolf found someone offering a high reward on the dark web for the 'complete formula.'"

"Let them search." Chen Hao turned and walked towards the control panel, "By the time they understand the truth, I will have welded shut the door to their future."

Gansu Province, Superconducting Power Transmission Demonstration Project site.

Academician Academician Xu Qingshan stood in front of the giant circular device, introducing it to visiting experts from various countries: "This is our newly constructed superconducting power transmission line, 32 kilometers long, using low-temperature superconducting technology authorized by Interstellar Peace Corporation."

Japanese expert Kenichi Hatoyama pushed up his glasses: "Xu-san, but at minus 50℃, can it really achieve a superconducting state?"

"To be precise, it's minus 48.5℃." Academician Xu Qingshan smiled and pressed a button on the control panel, and the cable in the transparent pipe immediately glowed with a faint blue light, "And the energy consumption required to maintain this temperature is only 1% of traditional superconducting materials."

A low murmur of astonishment came from the Rhine Empire delegation. Professor Müller, the head of the delegation, couldn't help but ask: "This... what cooling medium is used for this?"

"Ordinary liquid nitrogen." Academician Xu Qingshan's words caused another stir at the scene, "However, we added a special catalyst from Interstellar Peace Corporation."

Johnson, the representative from the Nova United States Ministry of Energy, narrowed his eyes: "Can you disclose the composition of the catalyst?"

"Trade secret." Academician Xu Qingshan smiled and shook his head, "But everyone can experience the effect for themselves."

He signaled the staff to start the demonstration program. With a hum, the numbers on the ammeter began to soar: "Now, 12,000 volts are being transmitted, and the current intensity..."

"10,000 amperes?!" A Champs Elysees Federation expert exclaimed, "This is impossible! Ordinary power transmission lines would have melted long ago!"

Academician Xu Qingshan smiled without speaking, continuing to increase the load. When the number broke 100,000 amperes, the cable still operated stably, with no signs of temperature increase on its surface.

"What you are seeing now is the first practical application of superconducting power transmission." Academician Xu Qingshan proudly announced, "Compared to traditional power grids, transmission loss has been reduced by 99.99%."

Among the visiting group, an expert from North Steel quietly pulled out his phone, but was politely stopped by a staff member: "Sorry, no photography is allowed here."

Federal Center, Starlight Command Secret Meeting Room.

"Gentlemen, the situation is more serious than we imagined." Minister of Defense Grayson brought up a set of satellite images, "The Eastern Federation has begun large-scale construction of superconducting power grids in Gansu Province, Western Sichuan Province, and Southern Jiangsu Province, expected to cover major urban clusters by the end of the year."

SIA Director Robert added: "Even more terrifying, our intelligence shows that they are developing superconducting energy storage weapons."

At the end of the conference table, a white-haired general suddenly looked up: "You mean... railguns?"

"More than that." Robert brought up a blurry video, "This is footage from a test site in Blue Lake Province three days ago."

In the video, a blue light streaked across the sky, and a huge mushroom cloud rose from a distant hillside. But strangely, there was no fire in the explosion.

"This is...?"

"Pure kinetic energy weapons." Robert explained, "Metal projectiles accelerated by superconducting coils, reaching speeds of Mach 15. There's no chemical explosion, but the shockwave is equivalent to 100 kilograms of TNT."

The conference room was silent. After a long time, Mark, the President's National Security Advisor, spoke: "What is the progress of our own research?"

"Almost zero." The Minister of Energy said dejectedly, "We tried all methods, even referenced the 'loophole' questions online, and had Star AI generate 127 formulas, but..."

"But what?"

"But Star AI refused to provide any further effective information." Robert brought up the AI dialogue record, "Every time we ask about a superconducting formula, it replies 'insufficient permissions.'"

Mark suddenly slammed the table: "Then find someone with enough permissions! Contact Interstellar Peace Corporation, no matter the cost..."

"It's useless." Grayson interrupted him, "We've tried. They only sell finished materials and refuse to transfer technology."

"Then sanction them!" Mark roared, "Like we did with EastWei..."

"Do you think we haven't tried?" Robert smiled bitterly, "The problem is... their technology doesn't rely on any Nova United States components. And they have no external trade at all."

Shen City, Interstellar Peace Corporation Headquarters.

Silver Wolf sat with her legs crossed, laughing uncontrollably as she looked at the secret inquiry forms from various governments on the screen: "Hahaha... The Nova United States offered 10 billion eagle dollars? The East Ocean people 15 billion? Europa is even crazier, directly offering 20 billion alliance currency!"

Bronya's projection swayed beside her: "Master said, not a single cent will be sold."

"Nonsense, if they sold it, they wouldn't use it." Silver Wolf rolled her eyes and brought up a set of data, "According to the current industrial level of this planet, even if they were given the complete formula, the cost of producing one kilogram of SC1 would be tens of millions of eagle dollars."

"What good is one kilogram? It's hard to even make a gun. Even for the downgraded version of that thing, with their domestic industrial system, dreaming is more reliable."

"By the way, Bronya, did the boss say when the next script will start?" Silver Wolf pulled out her game console from her waist pouch, ready to start her daily gaming session.

"Let me check. Hmm... it just started."