Chapter 411 Setting the Tone for the Future: Partnerships

The confusion on Chen Jianguo's face instantly turned into realization.

He slapped his forehead and laughed in annoyance, "I was being stubborn."

"Xiao Jue is right, we ourselves have set them against each other."

He looked at Chief Zhang and Commander Qi, his tone tinged with a hint of excited self-reproach: "We thought of that a long time ago! Wasn't the earliest way we added psionic runes to bullets the most primitive form of fusion? And using modern physics models to analyze the structure of formations, using bioengineering technology to analyze the ingredients of pills... We've been doing all this!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke: "I was just... just stunned by the earth-shattering power of a Nascent Soul cultivator raising his hand, and for a moment I forgot that our technology has also created miracles."

Commander Qi nodded and added, "It's not elimination, it's integration and upgrading."

Her gaze swept over Zhou Jue and Cheng Gan: "If a Golden Core cultivator were to pilot a 'Dragon Abyss' mech, its combat power would increase exponentially."

"If the energy core of a 'Zhurong' electromagnetic cannon were replaced with a spirit-gathering array, its range and power would exceed all existing theoretical limits."

"Technology is our skeleton. Cultivation is the fresh and powerful blood flowing within it. Only by combining the two can we stand taller and go further."

These words completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in the meeting room.

The road was clearer than ever before.

"Now that Staff Officer Chen's concerns have been resolved," Zhou Jue said, shifting everyone's focus from grand future plans back to the present reality.

Her gaze fell on the world map covered with red dots.

"Then we should talk about those 'friends' and 'enemies' who are waiting for an explanation from us."

The atmosphere in the meeting room became serious again.

Sun Jiuchou stepped forward, his fingertips lightly sliding across the holographic map, bringing up several of the latest intelligence documents.

"The situation is more complicated and more interesting than it was five months ago." His voice was slightly lazy, but his eyes were sharp.

"Currently, international attitudes can be basically divided into three camps."

He first opened a file, and the face of the US Secretary of State, filled with arrogance and anxiety, appeared on the screen.

"The first faction is the 'threat faction' led by the hawks."

"They have united with their traditional allies, a total of twelve countries, and have been continuously creating public opinion in the international community, demanding that we disclose all our 'cultivation techniques' and establish a so-called 'Global Extraordinary Power Management Committee'."

"Their exact words were, 'Any attempt to monopolize the power of the new era is a betrayal of the future of all mankind.'"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Gan let out a disdainful snort and remained silent.

Sun Jiuchou smiled and added, "This is just on the surface. According to the intelligence we intercepted, their internal panic has reached its peak. Their think tank has conducted hundreds of simulations, and the conclusion is always the same—in a spiritual environment, the technological barriers they used to be so proud of are being rapidly leveled out, and even surpassed."

"Yellowstone's energy level is breaking records every day, like a powder keg about to explode. They don't want to 'manage' the world; they're afraid of being abandoned by it."

"To put it bluntly, he's scared, incompetent, and loves to yell," Zhao Sizhe said, adjusting his glasses and summarizing the situation incisively.

Sun Jiuchou looked at Zhao Sizhe: "Insightful."

He swiped across the screen, and on the map, the names of dozens of countries lit up in a soft green.

"The second group can be called the 'partner group'."

"These countries, a total of forty-eight, are mostly countries that have cooperated with us before, and most of them are our neighbors. They see things very clearly. If they try to figure things out on their own, they will most likely go astray. It's better for them to stick close to us."

"They hope to establish a deeper cooperation with us, including sending personnel to assist them in dealing with energy anomalies. By the way, they are very interested in our Yunlan University and hope we can provide some enrollment places."

"Very smart," Zhou Jue commented.

“Indeed very clever.” Sun Jiuchou’s fingertip finally landed on the remaining dozen or so countries on the map, which were highlighted in gold to represent the highest priority.

"The last faction is even more interesting. The 'vassal faction'."

“Led by our northern neighbors, including several major oil-producing countries in the Middle East, as well as some regional powers in Africa, their demands are very direct.”

Commander Qi's lips curled into a smile as he finished speaking for him: "They want to join us."

"They presented us as their suzerain state in the form of vassal states, requesting our protection. They were willing to cede part of their sovereignty in exchange for our security commitments, and... a ticket to a new era."

The entire conference room fell silent.

Threats, cooperation, even submission.

In just five months, the world order has been completely overturned.

All eyes were instinctively drawn to Zhou Jue; the power she brought back was the ultimate source of confidence for all these changes.

Zhou Jue did not immediately express her opinion. Instead, she met everyone's gaze and looked at Chief Zhang, who was at the head of the table.

"What are the country's plans?" She didn't believe the country hadn't made a decision.

Although she offered enough power to overturn the table, the people present were far more professional than her in how to play their cards, how to strategize, and how to secure the greatest benefit for the country.

Upon hearing this question, a smile appeared on Chief Zhang's face. He did not speak, but instead looked at Commander Qi beside him.

Commander Qi stood up, walked to the map, and looked calm and composed.

"Our principles have never changed, from the past to the present."

Her voice was clear, cool, and firm.

"To accompany, not to form alliances."

"We can deepen cooperation and provide assistance to the 'partners,' but the bottom line is that we will not interfere in other countries' internal affairs or form military alliances. We can walk together, but we will not be tied to the same war machine."

"No one can predict what will happen in the future. China must first and foremost be responsible for its 1.4 billion people. We cannot, and should not, be bound by the fate of any other country."

"As for the 'vassal faction'..." Commander Qi paused, his tone meaningful: "Their feelings are understandable, but their approach is too outdated. The new era requires new ways of getting along. Just like economic cooperation in the past, cultivation can also be a form of cooperation. Everyone can sit down and talk when there are issues, and share the benefits. Being the big brother is fine, but the old ways of kowtowing and paying tribute are out of the question."

"Then... what about the 'threat faction'?" Cheng Gan couldn't help but ask.