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

The symphony of destruction that lasted only a dozen minutes in the northern sky, yet was etched into history forever, finally came to an end with countless Atlantean warships falling like rain, turning into scorched marks on the cold ocean and the vast land.

Burning metal fragments were still falling, and the acrid energy residue and ozone in the air had not yet dissipated, but the suffocating war cloud that had shrouded the entire country of China and even the entire planet had been lifted with the complete annihilation of the invaders.

Satellite images, remnants of reconnaissance footage, and even blurry scenes captured by some daring civilians with telephoto lenses, like an invisible shockwave, swept across every remaining communication node in the world at a speed far exceeding the speed of light.

The Western Federation's underground command center was deathly silent, like a tomb. The president slumped in his chair, his eyes blankly fixed on the screen—the sky, gradually clearing yet littered with countless gruesome wrecks, and the four proudly hovering Xuanyuan Space Carriers, like divine chariots. His meticulously planned triumphant return, his pride in the Sun God and War Lords, had become a pathetic joke before true power, failing to even delay the enemy for a single minute.

"They...they really won...won so...completely..." a staff officer murmured, his voice hoarse, filled with helplessness and awe. The jealousy and scheming they had harbored towards China had now transformed into a deep-seated fear. Even an alien fleet capable of instantly destroying their most advanced weapons had been crushed to dust by China in a more forceful and domineering manner. What right did they have to covet or challenge them?

Inside the icy bunker of the Northern Federation, the supreme commander silently turned off the screen and said to his staff officer, "Send a high-level congratulatory telegram to China. Simultaneously… order all troops to unilaterally withdraw fifty kilometers from the border. Issue a declaration of permanent neutrality. We… will not participate in any future disputes." Having witnessed true divine punishment, any ambition seemed both laughable and dangerous.

The Southern Federation's provisional council descended into an eerie silence after a period of chaos. Arguments, buck-passing, and greed all lost their meaning before the devastating golden beam of light. Ultimately, a joint statement, utterly humbled, expressing unconditional obedience to Chinese leadership and requesting protection and guidance, was hastily drafted and sent.

The destruction of the Atlantean fleet was more than just a victory in battle. It was a clear and undeniable dividing line that definitively separated the hierarchy of power on this planet.

From this moment on, China, without any declaration, naturally stands at the pinnacle of the world. Its will will become the most powerful voice on this planet; its technology defines a new height that civilization can reach; its power leaves all former competitors and current survivors with nothing but admiration and submission.

The Western Federation? Its prized new weapons, before even qualifying as spoils of war on the actual battlefield, were reduced to ashes. Its ambition to reap the benefits and regain hegemony evaporated like dew in the sunlight in the face of absolute power disparity. What awaits it is a long period of cleaning up internal chaos and a complete restructuring of its foreign policy—which must, and can only, be based on the will of China.

"Tell everyone," Elder Li said calmly yet with immense force at the post-war debriefing meeting, "that we never pursue hegemony, but we will never allow any force that threatens the survival and development of the Chinese people or the future of human civilization to exist. This war was for survival, for the future. From now on, the order of this planet shall be based on peace, development, and cooperation. Anyone who attempts to undermine this foundation by force will become our enemy today."

These words are not only an explanation to the people, but also a declaration to the world.

With the aerial threat eliminated, the remaining behemoths released to the ground by the Atlantis warships and not yet completely eradicated naturally faced annihilation. Deprived of command and support, these monsters, driven by instinct and their berserk genes, were nothing more than lambs to the slaughter in the face of China's efficient extermination forces. The aerial Xuan Birds precisely targeted and eliminated the remaining beasts, while the ground White Tiger squads swept through their lairs. Within just a few days, the roars of the last behemoth within the territory fell silent.

External threats have been eliminated, and internal hidden dangers have been eradicated.

But China's progress did not stop because of this.

At the highest command center, the smell of gunpowder from the war had not yet completely dissipated, and new issues were already on the table.

"The enemy has been eliminated beyond our borders, but the root of the war has not yet been eradicated." Standing before the enormous holographic star map, which had now switched to a cross-section of Earth's interior, a single point of light flickered below the North Pole, connecting to a vast, uncharted region deep within—the Earth's core. "Although the main fleet of the Atlantis civilization was destroyed, its influence in the Earth's core remains. There lie the technology and resources they accumulated over millennia, and… possibly still hostile remnants of their power."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the high-ranking military officials present before finally settling on Lin Feng, who was remotely connected: "To let this go unchecked is to nurture a tiger. If they can come once, there's a possibility that some remaining forces will plan a second time. We cannot entrust the safety of our civilization to the mercy or incompetence of our enemies."

"Does Elder Li mean... a counterattack to the Earth's core?" a general asked in a deep voice, his eyes showing no fear, only a fighting spirit eager to try.

"It's not a counterattack, it's taking possession of the spoils and eliminating the threat," Elder Li corrected, his tone resolute. "We have defeated the invading enemy, and naturally we have the right and the responsibility to take possession of everything they left behind—including their technology, their knowledge, and their territory. At the same time, we must completely resolve this enormous threat to the safety of the Earth's surface. The inner Earth should henceforth be incorporated into the territory and order of human civilization."

He looked at the military representative: "Immediately formulate a plan for the Abyss cleanup operation. Objective: Enter the inner world through the Sky Well to investigate its conditions. If resistance is encountered..."

Old Li paused, his voice icy and devoid of any emotion: "They shall all be regarded as remnants of the enemy and resolutely and thoroughly eliminated. We gave them a chance, but they chose war. Therefore, they must bear the consequences of war to the fullest extent."

"Understood!" The high-ranking military officer solemnly accepted the order, a glint of sternness flashing in his eyes. They were all soldiers who had come through blood and fire, and they knew all too well that being merciful to the enemy was being cruel to oneself.

“But, Mr. Li,” another officer in charge of strategic analysis raised concerns, “we know very little about the inner Earth. What is its internal structure? Are there other defenses? What is the condition of the civilians? Are there…non-combatants? Entering rashly carries unknown risks.”

"Risks always exist." Old Li nodded. "Therefore, we must be fully prepared for this operation. The Nezha armor must be deployed to all personnel and equipment involved in the operation; the Golden Crow weapon system must be guaranteed to have sufficient ammunition and energy; the Xirang engineering ship and its complete set of exploration equipment will serve as the vanguard and main platform. At the same time, we must be prepared for long-term exploration, the establishment of forward bases, and even limited occupation."

He looked at Lin Feng: "Comrade Lin Feng, the technological and intelligence support for the Abyss cleanup operation requires your full coordination. We need to turn the Inner Earth into our backyard, not a time bomb, in the shortest possible time."

Lin Feng calmly nodded on the screen: "The Xirang ship and its supporting systems have passed combat testing. Detection, survival, and combat equipment for the extreme environment of the Earth's core can be rapidly optimized and mass-produced based on existing theories. I will immediately begin to improve the database of the Earth's core environment and formulate multiple exploration and engagement plans to deal with different situations."

"Very good." Elder Li concluded, "The Houtu Project only suspended the energy extraction portion. Now, it will be fully restarted under the guise of military exploration and order reconstruction, and upgraded to an Abyss cleanup operation. This is a crucial step for us towards truly mastering the planet's interior and expanding the living space for civilization."

The resolution was thus formed.

With the order given, the Chinese war machine, which had just experienced a glorious victory, began to operate efficiently again almost without stopping, turning its attention to the deep and unknown territory beneath its feet.

At the Northwest Base, the Xirang-class engineering ships began combat-ready modifications, adding Nezha armor and Golden Crow weapon modules. More special-purpose exploration robots and equipment adapted to the Earth's subsurface environment were also produced.

The Abyss Outpost was rapidly expanded, becoming the main base for the advance into the Earth's core. More troops and supplies were continuously being deployed there via air and land.

An expedition to completely eliminate the threat and open a new frontier for civilization.

This time, China's gaze and footsteps will truly set foot on and conquer the heart of the planet that nurtured it, yet also harbors its nemesis.