At that moment, transport ships were continuously descending into the factory from space. They were starships loaded with NPC workers, unloading their passengers.
On a whim, Lin Zhichen opened Earth Star Net from his beach chair and checked what netizens thought of the factory. He found that official media from several continents were broadcasting live via satellite.
"Viewers, this is TV. Welcome to our special program, 'Stepping into the Interstellar Era.'"
"As symbols of interstellar civilization, universal material factories and universal production factories are the pillars of industry in the Interstellar Era.
"Earth is an independent celestial body that has joined the Federation family. It enjoys the benefits of the Interstellar Era, but must also shoulder certain obligations. The most important of these is making its due contribution to increasing the Federation's total industrial output.
"Four years have passed since Earth joined the Federation. At last, on this day when we step into the New Era, Earth's first universal material factory—representing advanced productive forces—has appeared.
"According to publicly available information from the Federation Academy of Sciences, a universal material factory can produce around a hundred million different types of materials, each with its own properties, for use in large-scale industrial production. It is the food-production base of interstellar industry, supplying large-scale industry with an endless stream of new materials.
"Now, let us welcome Director Wei, the administrative head of the Central Province Region, to speak."
"Citizens of the Federation, happy New Year!" Director Wei stood beside the holographic projector, looking full of vigor as he explained the factory's immense significance to the audience.
"Today is a milestone for Earth.
"The completion of the universal material factory means that Earth's Industrial System has risen from level 0 to level 10.
"As the field of basic materials develops, more downstream industries will