Chapter 368: Yinghua Guo: We Are Finished

In the Yinghua Guo presidential residence, the atmosphere was heavy to the extreme.

The President sat in a chair, his face as pale as paper, the teacup in his hand trembling slightly, nearly spilling over.

"Is it confirmed?" he asked in a low voice, "Did Long Country really successfully test-detonate a mushroom egg?"

"Yes, Mr. President," the Defense Minister nodded heavily, "Our reconnaissance ship recorded the entire process. The explosive power is quite astonishing, estimated at a yield of about 18,000 tons of TNT."

The President placed the teacup heavily on the table, tea splashing out, yet no one cared.

"We are finished..." the President muttered to himself, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes.

As the leader of Yinghua Guo, he knew better than anyone what this meant.

In past wars, Yinghua Guo had committed unforgivable crimes against Long Country, and now, that country once bullied by Yinghua Guo possessed the power to completely destroy Yinghua Guo.

The President could not help but think of the brutal acts deliberately downplayed in history textbooks, and thought of the deep hatred of the Long Country people; a chill rose from his spine.

"We must immediately adjust our policy toward Long Country," the Foreign Minister said urgently, "The protective umbrella of Di Guo is no longer so reliable now."

"Yes," the Defense Minister echoed, "Considering the geographical location, once Long Country decides to retaliate, Yinghua Guo will bear the brunt. We must seek reconciliation."

The President pondered for a moment, then raised his head, his gaze firm: "From today on, Yinghua Guo's policy toward Long Country will change completely. Prepare diplomatic actions immediately; we want to express friendliness to Long Country and explore the possibility of reconciliation."

"Mr. President, Di Guo may not agree with this shift," the Vice Commander reminded him.

The President gave a bitter smile: "In front of a mushroom egg, who still cares about Di Guo's opinion? Survival is Yinghua Guo's primary task."

Global media was like a pot that had boiled over, with major news agencies scrambling to report this world-shaking news.

"Century-shaking shock! Long Country mushroom egg test-detonation successful, the world enters a new era!"

"The third mushroom superpower is born, the global strategic landscape is reshaped!"

"The rise of Long Country: An astonishing leap from a backward country to a mushroom powerhouse!"

"Li Mingyuan: A genius scientist who changed the world, or a historical accident?"

Di Guo's main television station urgently interrupted its broadcast with footage of the explosion site. The anchor was covered in sweat, their voice trembling slightly:

"Dear viewers... we have just received confirmation that Long Country has successfully conducted a mushroom egg test-detonation. This is a historic moment, marking the world's entry into a new era. According to preliminary analysis, the explosive yield may have exceeded our first mushroom egg..."

The report from the Beijixiong Guo International Radio was more direct:

"Today, Long Country successfully test-detonated a mushroom egg, becoming the third mushroom superpower after Di Guo and Beijixiong Guo. This achievement indicates that Long Country has joined the ranks of the world's great powers, and every country must attach importance to Long Country's strategic position and technological strength."

The Zhongli Guo Foreign Ministry issued a statement: "We call for peace, but we must admit... Long Country is already a mushroom powerhouse! At this critical moment, the international community should remain calm and avoid any actions that might escalate tensions. At the same time, we must accept a new reality: the world has entered a three-power landscape."

Across the world, people reacted to the news of Long Country's successful mushroom egg test-detonation in various ways. There was awe, fear, madness, and envy; various emotions spread globally.

"The Long Country people are crazy!" the front-page headline of a Di Guo newspaper read, "They actually dare to challenge the world order!"

"The Long Country people have won!" a commentator from a Zhongli Guo country said excitedly on a radio program, "This proves that any country, as long as it has determination, can master the most advanced technology!"

"The rise of Long Country, who can stop it?" a cover article of an international magazine asked, accompanied by a picture of that huge mushroom cloud, and beneath the clouds was a blurry silhouette of a person—Li Mingyuan.

Within Taiji Tiger, after the news spread, the public's reaction was complex. On one hand, they felt shocked and worried about the sudden rise of their neighbor, Long Country; on the other hand, as an Asian country of the same culture and race, many also felt a hint of pride in Long Country's achievement.

"If Long Country can do it, perhaps one day, we can too," a Taiji Tiger university professor said in a private setting.

Taiji Tiger President Li Chengye, when facing reporters' questions, had a serious expression: "Taiji Tiger is closely monitoring Long Country's mushroom egg test-detonation, and we call on all parties to remain calm and avoid an arms race. At the same time, Taiji Tiger will re-evaluate the regional security situation and make corresponding adjustments."

Reporters keenly noticed that the President's wording lacked the previous criticism of Long Country, instead adopting a more neutral, or even somewhat pro-Long Country, stance.

……

The news of Long Country's successful mushroom egg test-detonation swept across the globe like a Hurricane, and the world landscape was completely reshaped at this moment.

Yet, as the core figure of this historic breakthrough, Li Mingyuan was not immersed in an ocean of celebration.

In the command center, the cheering was deafening.

Dean He was moved to tears, Lao Liu was slapping the table and laughing, and the Military Department director was even acting out of character, pulling those around him to toast one after another.

The entire base was plunged into an unprecedented carnival.

Li Mingyuan, however, left the command center silently.

He dragged his exhausted body through the corridor, letting the cheers in his ears gradually fade away.

"Chief Engineer Li! Where is Chief Engineer Li going? Come, let me toast you!" someone shouted from behind.

Li Mingyuan did not look back and waved his hand.

Having not closed his eyes for three days and three nights, he had reached his limit. The blinding white light of the mushroom egg explosion seemed to still be imprinted on his retinas, unable to be shaken off.

"Understood, I need to sleep for a while." His voice was so hoarse it was almost unintelligible.

Returning to the simple dormitory, Li Mingyuan did not even take off his clothes and collapsed onto the bed.

The celebrations and firecrackers outside came from far away, as if they were things from another world.

He closed his eyes, and the system's notification sound rang in his mind once again:

【Mission complete: Complete mushroom egg test-detonation】

【Reward issued: Rocket Propulsion Technology Upgrade, Insight Value +5000】

【Time is about to start counting down...】

"Countdown? What countdown?" Li Mingyuan frowned, but exhaustion had already gained the upper hand.

He laughed at himself, "Whatever, at least I can finally get a good sleep..."

His consciousness receded rapidly like a tide, and he fell into deep darkness.

Darkness.

No sound, no light, no sense of touch.

Li Mingyuan felt himself "floating," yet he could not clearly say where his body was.

Strangely, his consciousness was exceptionally clear, without the slightest sense of confusion from just waking up.

"Is this... a dream?" He tried to speak, but found he had no vocal cords, yet his thoughts could "propagate" out in some way.

【Welcome back to the Hexin Kongjian, Li Mingyuan.】