Over the years, Great Xia had never stopped researching nuclear fusion. Apart from the crucial materials science breakthrough that had long eluded them, all the other technologies were already mature.
Now, that missing piece had been filled.
How could they possibly have known that the answer to this shortcoming came not from Blue Star's technology, but from a special metal from another world?
A breakthrough in materials science was like searching for one particular grain of sand in an endless desert, requiring countless combinations and attempts that stretched the imagination to its limits.
This almost miraculous level of difficulty was precisely what drove the other countries mad with envy, making them immediately rush to band together and seize it.
Communication, trade, pressure... every avenue had been blocked.
Mars finally ran out of patience.
Dropping all pretense, he slammed the table and openly turned hostile.
"Enough!"
He glared at Elder Zhao on the screen.
"Don't think that just because Great Xia has mastered a little new technology, you can do whatever you want!"
"You're digging your own graves!"
"If you insist on making an enemy of the entire world, then you'll find little room left for you on Blue Star!"
An undisguised threat.
The atmosphere of the meeting instantly froze.
At those words, Elder Zhao gave a quiet snort.
He leaned forward, bracing both elbows on the table, his eyes blazing as he stared straight at Mars on the other side of the screen.
"When friends come, we have fine wine."
"But when jackals come, what greets them is naturally a hunting rifle."
"I advise you all not to test Great Xia's limits."
"Any ill-intentioned action will bring the harshest punishment."
"After all, you should take a good look at how Great Xia was founded and made it this far!"
With