100: Ambassadors stationed abroad face immense pressure.

"Old Zhao, it's been a long journey!"

The man extended his hand.

"Ambassador Yu, you're too kind, coming to pick me up personally." Zhao Chengshun shook his hand firmly.

The person who came was Yu Tong, the Huaguo Ambassador to Bolivia.

"It's my duty." Yu Tong smiled, leading them towards the motorcade.

"The country places great importance on this test flight, so I, as the ambassador abroad, am under immense pressure."

After getting into the bulletproof car, the motorcade slowly drove towards the city center.

Zhao Chengshun looked out the window, a little surprised.

The streets were bustling with traffic, and pedestrians looked as usual.

The shops on both sides were also operating normally; there was no sign that this place had experienced a brutal civil war just a few months ago.

"A little surprised?" Yu Tong saw through his thoughts.

"Indeed." Zhao Chengshun nodded. "I thought La Paz would be a scene of ruins."

"Then you thought wrong." Yu Tong pushed up his glasses.

"The new government's methods are incredibly hardcore. As soon as the war ended, they immediately implemented iron-fisted stability measures, and reconstruction work was frighteningly fast."

"Current La Paz is even more prosperous and safer than before the war."

Zhao Chengshun's heart stirred, and he tentatively asked.

"Old Yu, have you had any contact with those JF-17 Thunder Block 3s here? Or... have you managed to get any specific intelligence?"

Upon hearing this, the smile on Yu Tong's face instantly vanished. He even subconsciously glanced at the driver.

He lowered his voice, his tone becoming extremely serious.

"Old Zhao, I must warn you, don't even think about it."

"What's wrong?" Zhao Chengshun's heart skipped a beat.

"The new government has designated numerous military restricted zones, especially those bases deploying new weapons; they are restricted zones within restricted zones."

Yu Tong's expression was unprecedentedly solemn.

"Their laws are very clear: anyone attempting to approach, spy on, or photograph military restricted zones without permission."

"Regardless of nationality, will be treated as a spy."

"What are the consequences?"

"No trial, no expulsion."

Yu Tong uttered a few words.

"Immediate execution on the spot."

The air in the car seemed to solidify.

A fine layer of cold sweat broke out on Zhao Chengshun's back.

He hadn't expected this nascent South American regime to be so overbearing and merciless in its actions.

"So, regarding the JF-17 Thunder Block 3, our embassy here has absolutely no information, it's a blank slate."

Yu Tong smiled bitterly, "I don't even dare to let the military attaché inquire, for fear of something happening."

Zhao Chengshun fell silent.

He had originally hoped to obtain some preliminary information from the embassy, but now it seemed he had thought too simply.

This test flight was truly a complete "mystery box" experience.

After the motorcade arrived at the hotel, Zhao Chengshun didn't rest; he immediately dialed the number Jameson had given him.

The call was quickly connected, and a steady male voice came through.

"Hello."

"I am Zhao Chengshun from Huaguo, ordered to come and conduct test flights for the JF-17 Thunder Block 3."

"General Zhao, hello, I am Ruben, the Air Force Commander of Bolivia."

The other party's tone was very polite. "Mr. Jameson has already informed me. Are you ready?"

"We are ready at any time!" Zhao Chengshun immediately replied.

"Very well, in half an hour, I will send someone to pick you up at the hotel."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Chengshun immediately gathered the accompanying pilots and military industrial experts.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves; we are heading to the air force base immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room showed expressions of anticipation and nervousness.

Especially the ace test pilot, his eyes shone incredibly brightly, and his fingers were unconsciously moving.

That was a pilot's habitual action when intensely eager to take to the skies.

Half an hour later, several military-plated off-road vehicles appeared punctually at the hotel entrance.

Ruben had actually come in person.

He was wearing a crisp air force uniform, tall, with sharp eyes.

"General Zhao, welcome to La Paz."

Ruben didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point, "The boss specifically instructed me to fully cooperate with your tests."

The word "boss" reaffirmed to Zhao Chengshun that the mysterious arms dealer had absolute control over the new Bolivian government.

The motorcade drove unimpeded, directly entering the La Paz Air Force Base located on the outskirts of the city.

When Zhao Chengshun and his group were led to a massive hangar, everyone held their breath.

Ruben made a "please" gesture and nodded to the ground crew nearby.

"Rumble—"

The heavy hangar door slowly opened to both sides.

A sci-fi-esque gray livery first came into view.

When the door was fully open, a fighter jet stood silently in the center of the hangar.

As it was fully presented before everyone, the entire Huaguo team was utterly shocked.

The extremely sleek aerodynamic design was full of power and a sense of the future.

The unique DSI intake below the nose.

And the conformal fuel tanks perfectly integrated with the fuselage, all demonstrated its design concept far exceeding third-generation aircraft.

Under the wings, various missiles and precision-guided bombs were mounted, exuding a cold killing intent.

"Is this the JF-17 Thunder Block 3?" a gray-haired military industrial expert murmured, his eyes wide like brass bells.

He stared intently at the aircraft, as if trying to engrave every detail into his mind.

"It's too beautiful."

The ace pilot's throat was dry; he felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

This wasn't a blueprint, not a model, but a real, steel raptor filled with technological aesthetics!

Zhao Chengshun's fists quietly clenched at his sides.

"Fly!"

His gaze slowly shifted from the sci-fi-esque fighter jet to Ruben's face beside him.

Ruben seemed to have anticipated his reaction, a confident smile on his face.

"Of course."

He snapped his fingers.

"Ground crew, prepare! Clear the runway, and prepare the grandest welcome ceremony for our friends from Huaguo!"

"Yes, Commander!"

The ground crew immediately sprang into action, and the atmosphere in the entire hangar instantly became heated.

The ace pilot, who had been eager to get started, could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and gave Zhao Chengshun a standard military salute.

"General, I request to sortie!"

His voice trembled slightly, a sign of extreme excitement.

Zhao Chengshun nodded heavily and patted his shoulder.

"Go! Let's see how sharp this raptor's claws truly are!"

"Mission accomplished!"

The pilot turned and, guided by a Bolivian ground crew member, quickly walked towards the JF-17 Thunder Block 3.

As he sat in the technologically advanced glass cockpit, he couldn't help but let out an exclamation of awe.

This was different from all the fighter jets he had ever flown.

Simple, efficient, and full of an informational feel.

"Whoosh—"

He took a deep breath, his hands skillfully operating various switches and touchscreens.

After receiving clearance for takeoff from the control tower, he pushed the throttle.

"Boom—"

The roar of the engine instantly resounded throughout the entire air force base.

Unlike the fighter jets he had previously flown, this sound was deeper yet contained explosive power.

The fighter jet slowly taxied out of the hangar, turned around on the runway, and its nose lifted high.

"Request takeoff!"

"Cleared for takeoff!"

The pilot slammed the throttle all the way forward.

A powerful pushback pressed him firmly into the seat; he could even feel his facial skin being pulled backward.

Too fierce!

The fighter jet cut a graceful arc on the runway, then its nose lifted, and it shot straight into the sky at an astonishing angle!