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

"Since you can't shake them off, and they're just following you without attacking you, don't even think about getting rid of them. Just go home."

Lin Feng spoke calmly and gave orders directly to the captain of the light-speed warship.

His logic was simple—the enemy wasn't attacking, but merely tracking him, indicating they had ulterior motives. A rash confrontation or desperate attempt to shake them off might only provoke them. Since he couldn't shake them off, he might as well go home gracefully.

If they dare to follow us to Earth, then they've entered humanity's home turf.

"Yes, Mr. Lin." The captain agreed immediately without any questioning.

"Alright, be careful." Lin Feng paused, his tone becoming more serious. "If the enemy launches an attack, try to escape. If you really can't escape..."

He didn't say the rest aloud, but his meaning was clear.

The captain, however, remained remarkably calm, his voice resolute: "I understand, Mr. Lin. We will not bring shame upon the Chinese people."

"We'll fight to the death, we'll never let the enemy get away with it." That was his answer.

"Okay." Lin Feng could only answer with this one word.

Earth is too far from the light-speed warship; even with light-speed communication, a round trip would take several hours. No help can arrive in time. Now, all he can do is pray they return safely—even if they bring back the enemy.

Communication was cut off.

Silence fell over the command center. Everyone stared at the approaching moving planet on the holographic projection, and the light-speed warship traveling at full speed ahead of it. Two beams of light chased each other in the darkness, silent and eerie.

Lin Feng didn't delay any longer. He turned and left the command center, boarded the fastest transport plane, and headed straight for Beijing.

The highest levels of leadership must be informed of all this. A decision must be made immediately.

The highest conference room in Beijing.

Elder Li and several key figures from the highest levels of the Chinese government were all present. The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy; everyone looked at Lin Feng, waiting for him to speak.

Without any pleasantries, Lin Feng immediately activated the holographic projection. The image of the moving planet appeared before everyone—a gray-black rocky surface with eerie dark red patterns, traveling at a speed exceeding that of a light-speed warship.

"The enemy is here." Lin Feng's voice was calm, yet it was like a boulder thrown into a still lake. "They have caught up with our light-speed warships and are moving towards the solar system."

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Although everyone knew this day would come sooner or later, ever since Lin Feng brought back that message about the arrival of the descent three years ago, the oppressive feeling when it actually arrived was still suffocating.

"How much longer until we arrive?" Old Li asked in a deep voice.

"Based on the current speed, it will take about three years." Lin Feng pulled up the calculation data. "The light-speed warship needs time to return, and that planetary-level spaceship has been following behind. In three years, they will reach the edge of the solar system."

Three years.

It's not a long time, but it's not short either. For an interstellar war, three years might just be a blink of an eye. But for preparations, three years is enough time to accomplish a great deal.

Lin Feng continued, explaining the plan he had devised overnight:

"Using the terraforming Mars as the main battlefield."

He zoomed in on a 3D model of Mars, where the red planet was slowly turning green, the oxygen concentration was already sufficient to support life, and the first cyanobacteria were multiplying in the lakes.

"Mars is close enough to Earth that resupply and reinforcements are relatively convenient. At the same time, it is far enough that the war will not directly reach Earth's homeland. We have built up our infrastructure over the past three years there, with energy stations, factories, and bases, which can serve as a frontline fortress."

He switched the screen and brought up all the cutting-edge weapons that China currently possesses—from high-energy weapons based on the energy principle of Titan's Heart, to the aerospace combat platform mounted on the Xuanyuan, and the orbital defense system under development.

"Over the next three years, we will mobilize the entire nation, and even the world, to develop even more powerful weapons. We will mobilize all scientific research resources and transform all theoretical reserves into combat equipment. We will build a multi-layered interception system on Mars, deploy an early warning network at the edge of the solar system, and establish a final line of defense around Earth."

His gaze swept over every top-level member present, his tone firm and resolute:

"We have only one goal—to keep the enemy out of Mars. We will never let them set foot on Earth."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Everyone was processing this massive and insane defense plan. Using an unexplored planet as the battlefield, and humanity's current technology against an unknown enemy from the depths of space, capable of navigating planets. It sounded like something out of a science fiction movie.

But no one laughed, no one questioned it.

Because it was Lin Feng who spoke. Because he always did what he said he could do.

"Agreed." Old Li was the first to speak, his voice steady and powerful. "Mars will be the main battlefield, and the entire nation will be prepared. Whatever resources are needed, the highest levels will provide full support."

"Agreed." Another senior official nodded. "Intelligence sharing, global mobilization, resource allocation—all procedures are now initiated."

"agree."

"agree."

……

Voices rang out one after another. It passed unanimously, without any hesitation.

Old Li took off his glasses and slowly wiped his eyes. He knew what this meant—it meant that for the next three years, the entire country, and even all of human civilization, would enter an unprecedented state of war. It meant countless people would work day and night, and countless resources would be poured into the same goal.

But it also means that humanity will finally have to confront the unknown threats from the stars head-on for its own destiny.

"Lin Feng." Old Li looked at him, his eyes deep. "You will command this battle. All resources, all personnel, all decisions—you are in charge."

Lin Feng did not refuse, but nodded emphatically.

At this moment, there is no need for modesty. What is needed is the most decisive decision-making and the most thorough execution.

After the meeting, a series of encrypted commands were sent from the capital to every corner of China.

Major research institutes held mobilization meetings overnight, and all cutting-edge projects were urgently redirected to focus on weapons development and defense system construction. On production lines, civilian products were quickly cleared out, replaced by weapons components and military equipment. At the space base, the keel of a new aerospace warship began to be laid, and components for the orbital defense platform were being manufactured at an accelerated pace.

Meanwhile, encrypted documents were sent to key leaders around the world.

This is not a request, this is a notification—the enemy is here, we need unity. Those willing to join, share technology and share responsibility. Those unwilling, may do as they please.

Faced with this near-ultimatum, countries around the world reacted remarkably in unison.

The Western Federation remained silent for less than 24 hours before publicly announcing its participation in the Mars Defense Line project. The resentment and bitterness of being overtaken by China in the energy sector were now completely forgotten. Faced with a common threat, survival was the only thing that mattered.

More countries followed suit. Resources, technology, and personnel poured into China. An unprecedented global defense alliance rapidly took shape within just one month.

Lin Feng stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the command center, looking at the bustling buildings outside and the faintly reddish Mars in the night sky.

Three years.

Three years from now, that starry sky will no longer be peaceful. Three years from now, humanity will face for the first time an unknown enemy from the depths of space.

He turned his gaze back to the holographic projection in front of him. In the live feed of Mars, the robots continued their busy work. The lake shimmered in the sunlight, and blue-green algae were proliferating wildly. It wasn't ready to be a home yet, but had to become a battlefield first.

But it's okay.

Once the battle is over, we'll continue building.

If we win, Mars will always belong to humanity.

"Activate the Mars Defense Line Project." Lin Feng spoke softly, his voice transmitted to every combat unit through the communication system, "Code name: Homeland Guardian."

Countless sounds came from all directions.