Rejecting Tsinghua and Peking Universities: I Will Lead Harbin Institute of Technology to World Lead

Deep within the Arctic ice cap, in a makeshift, concealed command post powered by geothermal energy and the warship's energy, the atmosphere gradually shifted from initial smugness to a barely perceptible gloom.

Atlas, the current Grand Ruler of Atlantis, sat on a throne made of dark metal and luminous crystals, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests. His brilliant golden hair seemed to lose some of its luster under the eerie blue energy light, his brows were slightly furrowed, and his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, yet tinged with doubt.

"Nereus, Shadow Shuttle-7 and Shadow Shuttle-9, still no news?" Atlas's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to lower the temperature in the entire command post by several degrees.

The chief legion commander, Nereus, who stood to the side, was tall and imposing, but his face beneath his blue hair was also grave: "Yes, Commander-in-Chief. According to the scheduled communication cycle, they should have sent out the preliminary reconnaissance summary sixteen hours ago. But to this day, all channels, including the emergency quantum band, are silent. Our proactive inquiry signals have also disappeared without a trace."

Atlas tapped the armrests a few more times. The silent disappearance of two advanced Shadow Shuttle vanguard ships, along with their most elite scouts, was anything but ordinary.

"Immediately activate the Eye of Poseidon and trace back their last known trajectory and energy signals!" Atlas commanded in a deep voice.

"It's already in progress, Commander-in-Chief." Nereus quickly manipulated the light screen in front of him. "The trajectory shows that Shadow Shuttle-7 and Shadow Shuttle-9 have penetrated deep into the heart of this continent known as East Asia, as planned, focusing on the area where abnormal energy fluctuations were previously detected... These are their last coordinates before they lost contact, as well as some fragments of early data they transmitted back."

On the light screen, the green dots representing the two warships disappeared into a vast area. The last data packets transmitted back mainly consisted of images of ground cities, basic energy readings, and scattered, outdated aircraft. Everything seemed essentially no different from the other areas they had scouted—backward, chaotic, and with low energy levels.

"That's all?" Atlas stared at the data fragments, his gaze sharpening. "No signs of resistance? No record of high-energy reactions?"

"No, Your Excellency. All data cutoff points are normal; it's as if they suddenly...disappeared during the cruise." Nereus's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

"Suddenly disappeared..." Atlas chewed on the word, a cold glint in his eyes. "Either they suffered an instantaneous and complete attack far beyond their ability to resist, leaving no time to sound the alarm; or they fell into some kind of powerful signal shield or energy trap. Either way, it means that there is an unknown force in that area that can threaten the Shadow Shuttle."

He stood up and walked to the huge screen displaying a global map, pointing to the East Asian region: "This land... is indeed strange. Order Shadow Shuttle-2 and Shadow Shuttle-5 to form a two-plane formation and immediately proceed to that area for close reconnaissance! Note: Maintain maximum alert. If any anomalies are detected, do not proceed further; retreat immediately and report!"

"Yes!" Nereus immediately relayed the order.

Shortly afterward, two standby "Shadow Shuttle" ships took off from other concealed locations in the Arctic, activated their stealth fields again, and flew at high speed toward China.

On the Chinese side, after successfully capturing two enemy ships, vigilance remained high. The Pangu artificial intelligence and Kuafu system intensified their monitoring of the entire country's airspace, especially the eastern coast and directions potentially connecting to the Arctic, to an unprecedented level.

When the Shadow Shuttle-2 and Shadow Shuttle-5 quietly entered Chinese airspace, attempting to approach the area where Shadow Shuttle-7 and the others lost contact, despite their excellent stealth technology, their abnormal energy fluctuations were still detected again by China's targeted and enhanced three-dimensional monitoring network that integrated multiple detection methods.

"Warning: Two suspected subterranean civilization spacecraft have been detected again in the northern airspace and are infiltrating our inland areas."

The alarm sounded again at the air defense command center.

This time, the atmosphere in the command center was more solemn, but also more orderly.

"Target trajectory analysis... attempting to approach our Operation Qin Yuan area." The commander looked at the screen. "It seems they're here to find our two missing companions."

"Should we proceed with the ambush and capture according to the plan to capture Yuan?" an officer asked.

The commander pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No. The enemy is clearly conducting reconnaissance with a clear objective, and they are likely on high alert. Elder Li and the highest levels have instructed us to avoid large-scale conflicts with the enemy's main force as much as possible before we have effective defensive measures in place."

He issued the following orders: "Pangu, continue to intensify electromagnetic interference and signal shielding in the area to create an information fog. Ground-based air defense units, remain silent and prepare for defense, but do not fire without orders. Fuxi and Baihu units, take off and stand by, conduct long-range surveillance and tracking, and intercept the enemy if they show any intention to attack or attempt to penetrate further into the core area."

The command was strictly executed.

Thus, a peculiar scene unfolded in the skies above China: two Atlantean shadow shuttles cautiously cruised along the edge of a massive, invisible black hole of information, attempting to find any trace of their companion, yet their perception remained limited, as if shrouded in a thick fog. Occasionally, they could catch fleeting glimpses of the energy trails of high-speed aircraft in the distance, but the other party always maintained its distance, neither approaching nor moving away, like a silent observer.

"Report: High-intensity, multi-layered signal interference exists in this area, making effective scanning impossible. A suspected enemy high-speed aircraft has been detected monitoring from a distance; model unknown, energy response... moderate." The captain of Shadow Shuttle-2 reported to Nereus, his tone tinged with confusion and vigilance. "No residual energy or distress signals from Shadow Shuttle-7 or Shadow Shuttle-9 have been detected. This place... is very strange."

Nereus relayed the situation to Atlas.

Atlas's face darkened after hearing the report. The dispatched reconnaissance ship had been thwarted once again, and they sensed clear, organized surveillance and interference. This was something no primitive civilization could accomplish.

"It seems we underestimated certain entities on this land," Atlas said slowly, his gaze returning to the map of the East Asian region. "They not only have the capability to eliminate our advance ships, but they can also construct such an effective defense and jamming network... This goes beyond the realm of being backward."

He picked up the video footage of the backward civilization that the Shadow Shuttle-7 had transmitted before it lost contact, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "These may be a disguise, or a facade. The real power lies hidden beneath the surface."

He made a decision.

"There's no need to search any further." Atlas's voice was resolute. "The loss of contact with Shadow Shuttle-7 and Shadow Shuttle-9 is enough to tell us everything. There's a hidden force in this area with considerable technological capabilities. They are wary of our arrival, even hostile, and capable of posing a threat."

He looked at Nereus: "But this cannot stop our return to the surface! On the contrary, it proves that we must act quickly and nip it in the bud before it fully grows or unites with other forces!"

"Commander-in-Chief, what do you mean?"

"The basic objectives of this advance mission have been achieved. We have ascertained the strengths and weaknesses of the other surface forces, confirming their fragility. Shadow Shuttle-7 and the others have also transmitted reconnaissance data for some areas, which remains valuable," Atlas analyzed. "As for what they encountered... perhaps it was a trap set by that hidden force, or perhaps it was an accident. But in any case, the energy reserves of our remaining ships do not allow us to stay here any longer; we must return to New Poseidon as soon as possible to replenish our supplies."

He stood up, exuding an undeniable air of authority: "Pass on my order! All advance units, including the Shadow Shuttle-2 and Shadow Shuttle-5 currently conducting reconnaissance, immediately abandon their current mission and withdraw to the Arctic assembly point! Prepare to return to the Earth's core!"

"Upon returning to Neo-Poseidon, immediately activate Project Poseidon's Wrath! Mobilize all combat forces, inspect all warships, and stockpile energy crystals! We must assemble an army capable of sweeping across the land and crushing all resistance in the shortest possible time!"

Atlas's eyes burned with the flames of conquest: "Now that we've discovered a potential enemy, we must utterly destroy them with overwhelming force before they're even prepared! This world will forever resonate with only one name—Atlantis!"

"For the glory of Atlantis!" Nereus bowed, his eyes also burning with fighting spirit.

The order was swiftly relayed. Shadow Shuttle-2 and Shadow Shuttle-5, which were lingering on the edge of Chinese airspace, received the command. Although reluctant, they immediately changed course and fled at top speed towards the Arctic. Other advance ships scattered in various locations also abandoned their reconnaissance missions and began their return voyage.

China's surveillance system detected the enemy ships' retreat.

"The target is disengaging and is rapidly retreating towards the Arctic."

Inside the command center, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but their brows remained furrowed.

"They...retreated?" an officer asked, puzzled.

"No," the commander said gravely, looking at the trajectory on the screen, "this is more like... going back to get reinforcements."

Amidst the Arctic snowstorm, the eight Shadow Shuttles regrouped and, just as they had come, silently slipped into the abyss beneath the ice sheet, disappearing into the deep interior of the Earth along that hidden passage to the Earth's core.