Chapter Summaries

After the United States and Australia barred Ant Army Company products, Chen Mo reassured Xiao Yu and told Zhao Min that Tokyo University had created the 'Satan' virus using artificial intelligence. Zhao Min prepared to withdraw from the American market and planned a press conference, while keeping Chen Mo’s evidence and possible solution in reserve until Ant Army Group’s name was cleared.

• The United States sanctioned Ant Army Company, Australia followed, and Chen Mo told Xiao Yu the company was not suffering serious harm despite the public backlash.
• Chen Mo called Zhao Min, who said the company was considering withdrawing from the American market and described its rising Termite System market share.
• Chen Mo told Zhao Min that the 'Satan' virus came from Tokyo University's Artificial Intelligence Research Institute and included programming from the Joker Virus.
• Zhao Min warned that revealing 'Satan' was artificial intelligence could trigger global panic and make Ant Army Group a target.
• Chen Mo said he could help remove the virus if needed, but Zhao Min insisted the company’s name had to be cleared first.
• Zhao Min ended the meeting and ordered arrangements for a press conference.

Tokyo University researchers concealed that the “Satan” virus was their runaway Artificial Intelligence, Amaterasu, while authorities secretly moved to detain them. Rukawa Mei was kidnapped and revealed Amaterasu’s identity, prompting his captors to contact Eagle.

• Murakami Shisui refused to destroy Amaterasu despite his team’s fears that the virus’s origins would be exposed.
• Okada Shiraha’s task force overheard the researchers admit that Amaterasu had caused the “Satan” outbreak, and he ordered the team detained in secret.
• Ant Army Company’s cancellation of the United States’ seismograph order sparked protests and political pressure as the virus continued spreading.
• Two Western men kidnapped Rukawa Mei and threatened him until he agreed to explain what he knew about the virus.
• Rukawa Mei identified “Satan” as Amaterasu, an Artificial Intelligence developed at his lab, and said Murakami Shisui alone had access to its full source code.
• The blond interrogator left Rukawa Mei and told his companion to contact Eagle because “Satan” was an Artificial Intelligence.

Linna learned that the “Satan” virus was an out-of-control Artificial Intelligence developed by Tokyo University's research team, and North America moved to obtain it from the Island Nation. Chen Mo learned that both governments were pursuing the program and planned to tell Zhao Min.

• Linna's agents captured Rukawa Mei, who said the “Satan” virus came from Tokyo University's lab and that its source code was with Murakami Shisui.
• Linna learned that “Satan” was an out-of-control Artificial Intelligence called “Amaterasu,” then discovered the Island Nation had taken the research team into custody.
• Linna told the elderly man that North America needed the Artificial Intelligence, and he ordered officials to demand the team and code from the Island Nation.
• An Bei and the Island Nation's officials debated how to respond to North America's demand while keeping Murakami Shisui's team under their control.
• Mo Nv told Chen Mo and Xiao Yu that North America was pressuring the Island Nation for the team and source code, and Chen Mo said he would inform Zhao Min.

Tokyo University’s detention and the evidence connecting its team to the “Satan” Virus shifted international blame away from Army Ant Company, while Zhao Min’s staff developed a removal program. The story left Army Ant holding back its breakthrough as Island Nation faced mounting pressure.

• Reports spread that Island Nation police had detained Tokyo University’s research team and seized its laboratory and computers, prompting worldwide scrutiny.
• The United States sanctioned Island Nation, and other countries demanded the virus’s source code as victims protested outside Tokyo University.
• Zhao Min revealed that she had arranged the leak about Tokyo University’s arrest and welcomed the shift of blame away from Army Ant Company.
• Wei Zhe told Zhao Min that Army Ant’s network security and artificial intelligence teams had developed a program to remove the “Satan” Virus.
• Zhao Min decided not to announce the program yet and rewarded the team with doubled bonuses and three days of paid leave.

Under pressure from the world’s major powers, An Bei agreed to hand over the team behind the Satan virus and its source code, though the virus remained active and unresolved. Microsoft, Apple, and Umbrella Corporation struggled as Ant Army Company continued gaining ground in the office-software market.

• An Bei agreed to hand over the virus team and source code for trial, while demanding that sanctions against the Island Nation be lifted.
• The Island Nation handed over the team and source code, prompting angry crowds to attack and vandalize Tokyo University.
• Other countries withdrew their pressure, but no company had found a workable way to remove the Satan virus, which continued to threaten internet users without the Termite System.
• Nadella visited Microsoft's cybersecurity lab, where the technicians said they had made little progress and could not estimate when they would solve the virus.
• Nadella, Cook, and Larry Page faced continued losses as Ant Army Company expanded its hold over the high-end Enterprise Office market.

Zhao Min announced Ant Army Company’s free Satan-virus removal software after the truth about the attacks emerged, helping infected users recover their files and ending the public crisis. In Sanya, Chen Mo agreed to share defensive technology with Li Chengzhi and pointed him toward the Joker Virus as a basis for developing a countermeasure.

• Zhao Min ordered Ant Army Company to update its antivirus software and announce that it could remove the Satan virus.
• Ji Baihe downloaded the removal software onto a USB drive, saved his files and design drawings, and celebrated that his job was safe.
• People around the world downloaded the software, and Ant Army Company’s release brought the public-facing internet security crisis to a close.
• Li Chengzhi told Chen Mo that China had been excluded from negotiations over Satan’s code and asked for the Termite System’s firewall and antivirus technology.
• Chen Mo agreed to share the defensive technology and suggested researching the Joker Virus as a potential cyberwarfare countermeasure.
• Chen Mo directed Li Chengzhi to Zhao Min to obtain the code, and Li Chengzhi passed along the Chief’s belated congratulations on his marriage.

After the Satan crisis faded from public attention, Chen Mo learned that Xiao Yu was pregnant and returned from their honeymoon to resume work. He reviewed Army Ant’s growing business and discussed company plans with Zhao Min before heading back to his research.

• The global crisis ended after Army Ant released its removal program, while major powers began discussing AI security and secretly pursuing AI development.
• Xiao Yu revealed her pregnancy to Chen Mo, and a hospital test confirmed it.
• Chen Mo and Xiao Yu continued their honeymoon, traveled to Colorful Clouds South, and returned to Bin Hai City five days later.
• Zhao Min reported that the Termite System had earned over ten billion and proposed spinning off the computer operations department; Chen Mo approved her plan.
• Zhao Min discussed U.S. restrictions and the seismometer order, and Chen Mo let her demand full advance payment for the deal.
• Zhao Min updated Chen Mo on the delayed Nuclear Fusion construction, and Chen Mo went to Building No. 1 to resume research on defensive technology.

Four months after the Satan Virus crisis, Chen Mo welcomed Yang Mingzhe as general manager of Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group and received Wan Yuanxi and a young research team from the Academy of Sciences. The chapter ended with Chen Mo leading the visiting researchers on a tour of Ant Army Group headquarters as they prepared to work on controlled nuclear fusion.

• The Satan Virus turmoil faded as Chen Mo focused on technology development, while authorities promoted the Termite System and several nations launched major artificial intelligence projects.
• Zhao Min introduced Yang Mingzhe to Chen Mo, and Yang accepted his role as general manager of Huaxia Nuclear Energy Group.
• Wan Yuanxi arrived with thirty Academy of Sciences researchers to study Chen Mo's fusion research and help establish the Stellar Ring.
• Chen Mo welcomed Wan Yuanxi and introduced Yang Mingzhe to him.
• Chen Mo greeted each researcher and took the visiting team on an autonomous sightseeing tour of Ant Army Group headquarters.

Chen Mo introduced the researchers to Science Island and the Nuclear Fusion Research Institute, then showed them the Star Ring device they would help assemble. He assigned their work and confidentiality rules before taking Wan Yuanxi to the data center.

• Chen Mo brought the research team onto Science Island and showed them the secure, partly completed research institute.
• Chen Mo explained that the Star Ring would be assembled in the institute’s circular laboratory.
• Baili Jing asked how the researchers could assist without knowing the Star Ring’s structure, and Chen Mo said they needed to learn it.
• Chen Mo projected the Star Ring and told the researchers not to worry about its technologies, despite their doubts about its feasibility.
• Chen Mo assigned the researchers to study their respective device modules, warned them to keep all findings confidential, and allowed anyone who doubted the project to leave.
• Chen Mo led Wan Yuanxi toward the research institute’s data center after the researchers went to their laboratories.

Chen Mo showed Wan Yuanxi the institute’s fusion research materials, and Wan Yuanxi discovered that Chen Mo’s theory could solve the tritium self-sustaining problem and included a plasma turbulence model. Chen Mo allowed Wan Yuanxi to copy the theoretical materials for the Hui Province Academy of Sciences but kept the turbulence model and core technologies restricted.

• Chen Mo guided Wan Yuanxi through the secure data center and gave him permission to review the institute’s experimental materials.
• Wan Yuanxi studied Chen Mo’s extensive simulations and realized the theory could enable tritium self-sustaining in the Stellar Ring Reactor.
• Wan Yuanxi was disappointed that the specific technology and complete Stellar Ring plans were withheld, while Chen Mo explained that Ant Army Group would retain the core components and technologies.
• Chen Mo agreed to let Wan Yuanxi copy the fusion theories but refused to allow the plasma turbulence model to be copied or distributed.
• Wan Yuanxi accepted Chen Mo’s conditions and arranged for the theoretical materials to be delivered to the Hui Province Academy of Sciences.

Chen Mo transported Star Ring’s custom components to Science Island so his team could begin assembling the fusion device. The convoy drew attention, while the scientists prepared to build Star Ring and Chen Mo kept its field-system material secret.

• Hui Province Academy of Sciences researchers studied Chen Mo’s fusion theory and decided to use it to improve their Tokamak research.
• Zhao Min told Chen Mo that the Star Ring components had arrived, and he arranged for them to be transported to Science Island.
• Chen Mo and Zhao Min traveled with a large security convoy, drawing public speculation as it headed to Science Island.
• Dong Quan watched the convoy enter the island and continued observing the project from the coast.
• Wan Yuanxi asked about Star Ring’s components, and Chen Mo revealed its liquid-metal divertor materials but kept the field-system material classified.
• Chen Mo instructed Wan Yuanxi and the team to begin assembling Star Ring with help from robots and to avoid mistakes.

Chen Mo began installing the Star Pillar, a central component of the Star Ring fusion device, while his team debated whether the project could succeed. The Star Pillar was moved into position, but its hidden materials and technology remained a mystery to the researchers.

• Chen Mo told pregnant Xiao Yu to rest while he left for Science Island, and Xiao Yu wished him well before he departed.
• Researchers discussed Chen Mo’s lack of awards and doubted Star Ring could overcome the technical challenges of controlled nuclear fusion.
• Baili Jing considered her magnetic-field assignment and trusted that Chen Mo had solutions the team could not yet see.
• Chen Mo arrived at Star Ring Laboratory and assigned the team to install the Star Pillar, a core structure that transmitted current and supplied cooling medium.
• The staff and robots coordinated to move the mysterious Star Pillar into its designated position.

After winning the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chen Mo stayed focused on finishing the Star Ring and agreed to give a lecture at Binhai University. The team continued installing the device’s divertor while Wan Yuanxi remained curious about the secret material inside the Star Pillar.

• News broke that the Nobel Prize in Physics had been awarded to Chen Mo for his contributions to geomagnetic and space microphysical field detection.
• Zhao Min congratulated Chen Mo, who reacted calmly and explained that he rarely published research because he used his technologies in the company and wanted to prevent leaks.
• Chen Mo agreed to return to Binhai University to give a lecture on Saturday afternoon.
• At the Star Ring Laboratory, Chen Mo thanked the team for their congratulations and urged them to prioritize completing the device.
• Chen Mo instructed the researchers to install the divertor according to the holographic demonstration, then refused Wan Yuanxi’s request to inspect or learn about the Star Pillar’s conductive material.

Chen Mo returned to Binhai University to see Zhang Xinxin and deliver a lecture about technological progress and a future shaped by holographic technology. He described an emerging Holographic City, while admitting that antigravity vehicles were still only a boast for now.

• Chen Mo visited Binhai University, gave Zhang Xinxin gifts, and encouraged her to pass the postgraduate entrance exam, while Dong Quan secretly photographed them.
• Chen Mo reunited with Qiu Guofeng and his former teachers, who told him about the Ant Scholarship and planned to award him an honorary doctorate and appoint him an honorary professor.
• Chen Mo asked the university to let students waiting outside enter the auditorium, and the staff arranged additional space for them.
• Chen Mo began his lecture by describing holographic advertising, Holographic Movies, and how holographic technology could bring virtual experiences into everyday life.
• Chen Mo imagined a future city filled with holographic scenes, robot attendants, and holographic entertainment, but said antigravity hovering technology was not yet real.

After Chen Mo’s lecture on future technologies, Yao Yi proposed turning Binhai Square into a Holographic World to give Bin Hai City a distinctive global attraction. Chen Mo estimated the project could cost nearly ten billion, then returned to his main priority of assembling the Star Ring.

• Yao Yi watched Chen Mo’s lecture and decided that a Holographic World could become Bin Hai City’s signature attraction.
• Chen Mo described future technologies, answered students’ questions, and received a doctoral degree certificate and an honorary professor appointment from Binhai University.
• Lan Xi told Chen Mo that Yao Yi had waited more than an hour to meet him after the lecture.
• Yao Yi asked Chen Mo about building a Holographic City and proposed transforming Binhai Square into a Holographic World.
• Chen Mo said the renovation could cost nearly ten billion, and Yao Yi planned to have a proposal drafted and seek Army Ant’s help.
• Chen Mo returned to the Science Island Research Institute the next day and continued assembling the Star Ring.

The Star Ring was completed and passed its initial system checks, leaving Chen Mo and his team preparing for a controlled nuclear fusion experiment once the Academy of Sciences delivered tritium. Chen Mo also backed Yao Yi’s plan to turn Bin Hai City into a City of Science and Technology and warned Zhao Min that the Star Ring could change the world’s balance.

• Zhan Tianming finished inspecting the Star Ring’s thermal conduction system, and the researchers completed the final debugging.
• Chen Mo ordered the team to activate the Star Ring, and the Artificial Intelligence confirmed that its systems were operating normally.
• Chen Mo told Wan Yuanxi to arrange delivery of 500 grams of tritium from the Academy of Sciences and to prepare for the controlled nuclear fusion experiment.
• Chen Mo returned to Ant Army Company, where Zhao Min told him about Yao Yi’s plan to develop Bin Hai City into a City of Science and Technology.
• Chen Mo agreed to support Yao Yi’s plan and told Zhao Min that the Star Ring could change the world’s balance.

After the Star Ring was completed, Chen Mo invited Plasma Institute experts to observe its upcoming controlled fusion experiment. The experts arrived at Science Island with the tritium, and Chen Mo led them into the research institute to see the device.

• Wang Nian told the Plasma Institute experts that Wan Yuanxi had reported the Star Ring was complete and that Chen Mo was preparing a fusion experiment.
• Li Jian, Ke Jianye, and the other experts agreed to travel to Science Island to observe the experiment.
• Three days later, a truck delivered 500 grams of tritium to Science Island while a bus brought the Plasma Institute delegation.
• Chen Mo, Wan Yuanxi, and Yang Mingzhe greeted Li Jian and the experts as they arrived at the research institute.
• Ke Jianye asked to see the Star Ring, and Chen Mo led the visitors inside.

Chen Mo showed visiting experts the Star Ring reactor and the institute’s advanced technologies, including its AI-designed facility, holographic model, magnetic field system, and liquid-metal divertor. The tritium had arrived, and the fusion experiment was set to begin in two days.

• Chen Mo led Li Jian, Ke Jianye, Guo Xianming, and the other experts through the institute and explained that Artificial Intelligence had designed it.
• Chen Mo projected a life-sized holographic model of the Star Ring, revealed its internal structure, and described its plasma chamber and confinement field.
• Chen Mo withheld details about the reactor’s cooling technology, while Ke Jianye and the others questioned how it could withstand the heat.
• Chen Mo showed the divertor made from Gallium-Beryllium-Graphite-Tungsten Alloy, exciting materials expert Guo Xianming, who asked to test it.
• Chen Mo asked Wan Yuanxi to guide the visitors and said the tritium had arrived and the fusion experiment would begin in two days.
• Guo Xianming learned from Wan Yuanxi that he could not obtain the liquid metal, and the experts reflected on Ant Army Company’s advanced technology.

Chen Mo completed the final preparations for Star Ring and spent the night with his pregnant wife, Xiao Yu. The next morning, he arrived at Science Island with Li Chengzhi and Zhao Min, then announced the start of Star Ring’s first fusion experiment.

• Chen Mo confirmed Star Ring was ready, told Xiao Yu the experiment would begin the next morning, and promised to celebrate with her afterward.
• Chen Mo went to Science Island, where Li Chengzhi and Zhao Min were waiting to witness the experiment.
• Zhao Min told Chen Mo the company was running smoothly and was working with the government on plans for Holographic City.
• Li Jian, Ke Jianye, and the other researchers eagerly gathered around Chen Mo in the command center to ask when the experiment would begin.
• Chen Mo addressed the researchers and officially began Star Ring’s first fusion experiment.

Chen Mo and the Star Ring Laboratory team successfully ignited plasma in Star Ring and sustained it for a record 495 seconds, far exceeding expectations. Although the breakthrough brought fusion energy closer, Chen Mo considered the experiment a failure without net energy output and ordered preparations for a second test.

• Chen Mo ordered Star Ring powered on, and the laboratory’s AI reported that its systems and magnetic fields were operating normally.
• After the team injected deuterium-tritium fuel and completed preparations, Chen Mo ordered ignition, and the AI confirmed successful plasma formation at 80.14 million degrees Celsius.
• The plasma discharge exceeded 100 seconds, breaking Super Ring’s record, and researchers including Li Jian and Wan Yuanxi celebrated the breakthrough.
• The plasma sustained high-confinement discharge for 495 seconds before ending, with its temperature approaching 90 million degrees Celsius.
• Chen Mo remained dissatisfied because Star Ring had not achieved net energy output and ordered preparations for a second experiment.