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

Within China's borders, the last of the eight-story-tall armored behemoths that had wreaked havoc in the dense forests of the southwestern border region collapsed to the ground with a thud, kicking up clouds of dust, thanks to the crossfire of six Fuxi fighter jets and the precise finishing blows from the ground-based White Tiger squadron. Its demise marked the temporary cessation of the known behemoth crisis within China, a crisis stemming from the subterranean civilization.

The swiftness and efficiency of the operation once again demonstrated China's strong organizational capabilities and military strength in the face of sudden threats. However, the top leadership did not relax in the slightest; on the contrary, they became even more vigilant. Everyone knew that these behemoths were merely a prelude, a disturbance; the real threat would inevitably follow.

As expected, distress calls from the three major federations poured in like snowflakes. Several cities on the eastern coast of the Free Nation were besieged by giant sea monsters and flying birds, suffering heavy losses; on the plains of Europe, armored forces were engaged in a fierce battle with hordes of giant earthworms; the Trans-Siberian Railway in the Northern Bear Nation was frequently attacked by giant bears and strange wolves, bringing transportation to a near standstill; and the rainforests of South Asia had become a paradise for mutated creatures…

This time, China did not refuse.

If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

At the Supreme Military Conference, Li Lao pointed out, "The purpose of the subterranean civilization is to create global chaos and weaken all resistance forces. If we sit idly by and watch the three major federations be dragged down by these behemoths, we will be even more isolated when the main force of the subterranean civilization attacks. Limited support is both a humanitarian necessity and a strategic necessity."

The order is issued: Four squadrons of Fuxi fighter jets will be deployed to form a rapid reaction force to assist in the clearing of the behemoths in the three major federations. The mission instructions are clear: primarily provide air support, avoid ground involvement, conduct a swift operation and withdrawal, and not participate in any conflicts between federations.

For the first time since the zombie virus outbreak, Chinese fighter jets appeared in the skies around the world as rescuers. Precise missiles and efficient machine gun fire helped the beleaguered federal army stabilize its position and even recapture some lost territory. This undoubtedly won considerable international goodwill and reliance, but it also exposed China's military power more deeply to the sights of unknown enemies.

Domestically, the real focus has already shifted. The entire nation's resources are now being used to prepare for the anticipated direct conflict with the subterranean civilization.

The Nezha material production line is running at full speed. Batch after batch of new armor plates, gleaming with a silvery-gray luster, are being produced, prioritized for upgrading key components of the Fuxi fighter jet, the White Tiger armor, and the Xuanyuan-class space carrier. The outer walls of important military bases, command centers, and energy facilities are also beginning to be fitted with Nezha protective layers. The entire defense system of China is quietly being draped in an indestructible shield.

After completing the spatial simulation of the ultra-compressed laser weapon theory, Lin Feng distributed the core blueprints and technological requirements to relevant military industrial departments. Several top-secret factories in the Northwest and Southwest began trial production of this new laser weapon system, named Golden Crow. The first to be equipped will be the upgraded Fuxi fighter jet and the secondary guns of the Xuanyuan warship.

The shadow of war had never loomed so heavily over China. Everyone understood that the better prepared they were, the greater their chances of survival.

While China was rapidly upgrading its military and providing limited support to the global fight against the beasts, undercurrents were still swirling in other parts of the world.

A heavily guarded underground command center somewhere in the Western Federation, a free country.

The president watched the footage on the screens, transmitted from various locations, showing China's Fuxi fighter jets efficiently hunting down the giant beasts. His face was so grim it could drip water. The zombie virus had caused the Free Nation to fall from its mountaintop glory, leaving it severely internally divided. Now, the giant beast crisis had only exacerbated the situation. Meanwhile, China, not only remained stable but was also putting out fires everywhere. This stark contrast filled him with resentment and envy.

"Where exactly is our research at?" The president turned to his science advisor and chief of staff, his voice hoarse and urgent. "We can't rely on others' charity forever! We must have our own strength to regain control!"

The chief of staff adjusted his glasses, a long-absent, excited smile finally appearing on his face: "Mr. President, great news! Both the Apollo program and Project Titan have made groundbreaking progress!"

He retrieved top-secret documents:

"The seventh-generation space fighter, the Apollo, has completed its final testing. It utilizes some of the energy management technologies we reverse-engineered from the wreckage, combined with our most advanced aerospace materials and artificial intelligence flight control. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 8, a service ceiling of 40,000 meters, and possesses a certain degree of short-duration space maneuverability. Its weapon system integrates a new electromagnetic railgun and high-energy lasers. Its overall performance data… is very close to, and even surpasses, China's current Fuxi fighter jet in some conventional indicators!"

A 3D model of the Apollo fighter jet appeared on the screen, its streamlined gold paint exuding a sense of power.

"More importantly, the Warlord Mech!" The chief of staff's voice grew even more excited. "Standing 32 meters tall, bipedal, and fully electrically powered. The main frame is constructed from a new type of titanium alloy composite ceramic, with key components reinforced with some of the first-generation special steel imported from China. Its standard weaponry includes a 76mm rapid-fire electromagnetic railgun, two 30mm high-energy laser cannons, and a multi-launcher missile pod. Defensively, in addition to heavy armor, it is experimentally equipped with a weakened version of the electromagnetic deflection shield. According to simulations, its individual firepower and defensive capabilities are theoretically no less than those of China's White Tiger Armored Squad!"

The scene shifts, revealing a steel giant, like a mobile fortress, standing in the test field, exuding an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"Excellent!" The president slammed his hand on the table, his eyes blazing with renewed ambition. "Immediately accelerate the mass production of the Sun God fighter! The Warlord mechs should be prioritized for the most loyal New Federal Guard! We must let the world know that the Free Nation has not fallen! We remain the technological leader!"

He looked eastward, his tone chilling: "China...do they think they can stay ahead forever? Once we've cleaned up the mess at home and dealt with these damned beasts, it'll be time to re-discuss who should set the rules of this world. The Sun God and the War Lords are our chips for returning to the table!"

Within the Western Federation, an undercurrent of ambition and a desire to regain hegemony through new weapons is beginning to surge.

However, both China's all-round preparations for war and the Western Federation's covert honing of its swords are now shrouded in the shadow of a larger and more deadly threat from within the planet.

The Arctic, beneath the permafrost.

At the exit of the hidden passage connecting the Earth's core and the surface, the once calm seawater began to surge violently, as if some enormous creature was awakening below.

The first, the second, the third… a dense swarm of Shadow Shuttle-class assault ships emerged from the abyss like a school of metal fish, instantly filling the waters beneath the ice before breaking through the ice and taking to the air! Their numbers far exceeded those of the previous advance force by ten or even a hundred times! They rapidly formed attack formations in the air, their eerie blue energy patterns merging into a chilling sea of ​​light amidst the polar glare.

Immediately afterwards, the seawater seemed to be cleaved open by a giant axe! One after another, colossal vessels slowly rose to the surface—these were the Poseidon-class capital warships! Over three hundred meters long, their hulls were covered with menacing energy turrets and launch ports, their shapes resembling mythical deep-sea monsters, their entire bodies covered in a dark blue, light-absorbing special coating. The oppressive aura they exuded made the surrounding air seem to freeze.

Inside the command center of the largest Poseidon ship, Atlas, clad in a magnificent commander's robe, gazed southward through the enormous viewing window with piercing eyes.

"All fleet, target—East Asia! China!" His voice resonated across every warship via quantum communication. "Crush them! Let the glory of Neo-Poseidon illuminate every corner of this planet!"

"For Atlantis!" A deafening roar of responses echoed through the channel.

Hundreds of Shadow Shuttle assault ships, like arrows released from a bow, tore through the Arctic sky and sped towards China! Dozens of Poseidon-class capital ships, like moving steel mountains, followed closely behind, their engines at full power, creating violent air currents and sonic booms!

The subterranean civilization, having accumulated millennia of rage and a desire for conquest, transformed into this destructive torrent of steel, officially embarking on its journey to conquer the Earth's surface.

And their military might was aimed at that one Eastern country that was the only one that was prepared and had lit its beacon.

The formidable enemy is at our doorstep.

The battle for the fate of two civilizations, one on the surface and one at the core, is about to erupt.