Chapter 513: What on Earth is that Kunpeng?

"Listen, this is definitely a super-weapon platform," Mike said mysteriously, "I bet the Long Country guys are building a giant submarine, bigger and more advanced than our nuclear submarines."

As the two spoke in hushed tones, other reporters in the vehicle were also wildly speculating about the true identity of this behemoth. In the front row of the carriage, Li Mingyuan closed his eyes to rest, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, as if he could hear the panic behind every wild guess.

"Kunpeng, ha..." he chuckled in his heart, "Let them guess. When the truth comes to light, they will regret not bringing enough film today."

Three days later, Star-Spangled Country, CIA headquarters.

"What the hell is this thing?!" Intelligence Analysis Director Carson slammed a stack of blurry photos onto the conference table, his face livid. These photos, taken from the outskirts of Penglai and enlarged, showed a massive, indistinct silhouette, shaped somewhere between a ship hull and an aircraft, at least as large as a medium-sized aircraft carrier.

"According to the descriptions from Professor Hansen and several reporters, the Long Country people call it 'Kunpeng,' taken from a giant beast in their ancient mythology that can swim in the sea and fly in the sky."

"Nonsense! I don't need a mythology lesson; I need to know what this damn thing actually is!" Carson slammed the table hard.

Technology Advisor Wilson spoke up cautiously: "We currently have three hypotheses: first, a super-submarine capable of amphibious operations underwater and on the surface; second, some kind of seaplane carrier that can carry those vector-thrust fighter jets; third..."

"What is the third?"

"Third is... some kind of new platform we completely fail to understand, which may incorporate technologies we have yet to master."

The conference room fell into a deathly Silence. Ever since the Pangu-III Computer shocked the world, the intelligence community's assessment of Long Country's technological capabilities had completely collapsed; no one dared to draw conclusions easily anymore.

"Mobilize all resources," Carson finally ordered, "Satellites, U-2 High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft, submarines, agents—I don't care what means you use, within a week, I want to know what that 'Kunpeng' thing really is!"

At the same time, Beijixiong Guo, deep within the Kremlin.

"Comrades, the situation is even more serious than we imagined." Intelligence Director Andeluobofu announced with a grave expression, "According to information brought back by our agents, 'Kunpeng' may be a brand-new amphibious aircraft carrier, possessing air, sea, and land combat capabilities."

"That's impossible!" General Gregory, the Military Advisor, exclaimed, "This kind of technology requires at least twenty years of research and development time!"

"After the Pangu-III Computer, do you still dare to use the word 'impossible'?" Andeluobofu sneered, "We must accept reality—Long Country has already surpassed us in certain key technological fields, perhaps even the entire world."

The conference room was deathly silent. Finally, the leader made the decision: "Use every means to obtain precise intelligence on 'Kunpeng.' Immediately adjust satellite orbits, dispatch 'Fox'-class submarines to approach the Penglai sea area, and if necessary, initiate the 'Hunter' project."

Andeluobofu's expression changed: "'Hunter' project? That is our highest-level infiltration operation..."

"These are extraordinary times, comrade," a cold glint flashed in the leader's eyes, "Better to take risks than to let Long Country lead us in military technology."

Over the following week, the sea and airspace outside Penglai Base became exceptionally busy. Star-Spangled Country's U-2 High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft began to appear frequently, Beijixiong Guo's satellites adjusted their orbits, and various reconnaissance vessels disguised as fishing boats were as dense as ants.

However, all these reconnaissance activities encountered a common enemy—the "Sky Eye" interference system.

Star-Spangled Country, Air Force Special Reconnaissance Unit Command Center.

"This is simply a nightmare!" one U-2 pilot lamented, "Every time I approach that area, all the equipment malfunctions as if possessed! The Radar shows a mountain in the middle of the ocean, the infrared detector sees the cold seawater temperature as thousands of degrees, and the photos taken are all snow and static!"

"It's not just you," another pilot smiled bitterly, "Yesterday my navigation system went completely crazy, the compass spun like a rattle, and I almost got lost on the high seas."

The commander was silent for a moment, then whispered: "The Long Country people's 'Sky Eye' system is more powerful than we imagined. This is not just simple interference, but the ability to purposefully create false signals to deceive our various detection equipment."

"So we just give up?"

"Of course not," the commander gritted his teeth, "Prepare the 'Blackbird,' I want to fly over that area at the fastest speed and highest altitude to take clear photos. No matter how powerful 'Sky Eye' is, it cannot cover an altitude of thirty thousand meters!"

However, two days later, when the priceless "Blackbird" high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft returned, the pilot brought back only despairing news—even at the extreme altitude, all electronic equipment was still subject to intense interference, and the few photos taken were blurry, only barely identifying a massive black shadow on the sea surface.

Beijixiong Guo's encounter was even worse. Their "Fox"-class submarine attempted to approach Penglai Base from underwater, but encountered a mysterious sonic interference on the seabed; all sonar equipment failed, the navigation system was in chaos, and they eventually had to surface in an emergency and retreat in a sorry state.

For a time, the intelligence systems of the two great powers fell into unprecedented panic. Long Country, a nation they once viewed as technologically backward, had not only achieved a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of computers but was also far ahead in electronic interference and counter-reconnaissance. And that behemoth known as "Kunpeng" became a shadow looming over the hearts of the two great powers, an inescapable nightmare.

Meanwhile, the shocking effect of the Pangu-III Computer continued to spread globally.

Major top academic journals reported on this technological revolution in special issues, the stock prices of Western tech giants fluctuated wildly as a result, investors turned to any company associated with Integrated Circuit, and a group of previously obscure electronics professors and researchers suddenly became stars chased by major media.

Star-Spangled Country Capitol Hill, emergency hearing.

"Gentlemen, I must emphasize that this is an emergency crisis for national security!" Defense Secretary Maxwell said seriously into the microphone, "Long Country's Pangu-III Computer system represents a technological revolution, leading us by at least ten years, perhaps more. If we do not take immediate action, the military balance will be completely broken."

"Then what should we do?" a congressman asked urgently, "Increase R&D investment? Import Long Country technology?"

"Both," Maxwell said firmly, "I suggest immediately launching the 'Chaser' project, concentrating the nation's top scientists and engineers to develop our own Integrated Circuit Computer at all costs. At the same time, we must find a way to acquire Long Country technology, whether through legal channels or... other means."