Chapter 536: Aliens

A Radar System expert took over the conversation: "What is even more baffling is its stealth capability. It seems able to appear and disappear on radar at will, which exceeds all our understanding of stealth technology. Even theoretically perfect stealth would leave some kind of trace, but this... this thing is simply as if it can manipulate electromagnetic waves."

Intelligence analysis supervisor Smith stepped forward: "We have searched all known secret military projects globally. Beijixiong Guo does have a few advanced ground-effect vehicle projects, but the technical level is nowhere near this degree. As for Long Country..." He paused, seemingly weighing his words, "Long Country theoretically does not possess such technical capability at all; their industrial base and scientific research level are still stuck in the primary stage."

The conference room fell into a dead silence, with everyone thinking of the same unspeakable possibility.

Finally, an elderly scientific advisor broke the silence: "Perhaps... we should consider some unconventional explanations."

"What do you mean?" Weiersen asked alertly.

"If you eliminate all impossible factors, then what remains, no matter how incredible, must be the truth." The scientific advisor took a deep breath, "Perhaps we are facing... some kind of unidentified flying object, or in other words... a UFO."

"Are you crazy?" Weiersen almost jumped up, "Are you suggesting I report to the President that our aircraft carrier was toyed with by aliens?"

The scientific advisor remained calm: "Mr. Minister, I know this sounds utterly absurd. But from a scientific perspective, when all known theories cannot explain a phenomenon, we must consider brand-new possibilities. This is not necessarily 'aliens,' but it is certainly some kind of existence far beyond our current technological level."

The meeting lasted until late at night, yet it never reached a convincing conclusion. Finally, Weiersen rubbed his temples wearily and made a decision: "Raise the alert level of the Taiyang Fleet, activate full-spectrum monitoring, and report any abnormal signals immediately. At the same time, all details of this incident must be kept strictly confidential; I do not want to cause unnecessary panic."

However, fate always seems to like playing jokes. Just three days later, the front page of the Star-Spangled Country's largest newspaper, the *Morning Star Daily*, prominently featured a huge headline: "Shocking! Star-Spangled Country Aircraft Carrier Fleet Toyed With by Unidentified Flying Object in Taiyang! Military Insiders Confirm: Supernatural Phenomenon Challenges Modern Technology!"

The report cited an "anonymous source within the fleet," describing in detail how that mysterious object cruised around the carrier strike group, how it performed incredible maneuvers, and how it appeared and vanished on radar. What annoyed the Military even more was that the report also included a blurry photo—one secretly taken by a carrier-based aircraft pilot, in which a streamlined silver object could be vaguely seen above the sea surface.

This report was like a bomb, detonating global public opinion. Major media outlets scrambled to follow up, and a UFO craze quickly swept through the entire Western world. On street corners, in cafes, and in bars, people were everywhere in heated discussions about that mysterious visitor.

"It must be Beijixiong Guo's secret weapon!"

"Impossible, that technology is too advanced; it must be aliens!"

"Perhaps it's a mysterious civilization under the ocean?"

"I heard that thing can switch between the sea, the surface, and the air at will..."

All kinds of absurd speculations emerged one after another, while the Star-Spangled Country's Military and government fell into an awkward silence. They could neither admit the authenticity of the report nor provide a convincing explanation. And this silence, in the eyes of the public, instead became a kind of "tacit admission," further fueling the spread of various conspiracy theories.

Inside the Star-Spangled Country's presidential office, the leader faced sharp questions from reporters of various countries and could only laugh dryly and speak vaguely: "We have been closely monitoring various abnormal phenomena... the Military is conducting a professional investigation... there is no definitive conclusion for the time being... please keep the public calm..."

However, this ambiguous response not only failed to calm public opinion but instead caused the situation to escalate further. For a time, various names like "Ocean Ghost," "Sea UFO," and "Super Submarine" were flying everywhere, and all sorts of "eyewitnesses" came forward to give their accounts, most of which were clearly nonsense taking advantage of the hype.

Intelligence agencies also fell into a state of frenzy; various secret agents were sent to all parts of the world to search for any clues that might be related to that mysterious object. Satellites were repositioned, monitoring stations operated 24 hours a day, and intelligence networks were running at full capacity, yet they found nothing.

That mysterious visitor, as if it had never existed, disappeared silently after causing a huge uproar.

Meanwhile, far away at the Penglai Base in Long Country, it was a different scene.

A huge celebration banner hung in front of the base's main building, with large red characters reading "Warmly Celebrate the Complete Success of the 'Kunpeng' Ocean-Going Test!". The entire base was immersed in an atmosphere of revelry; from scientists to engineers, from military officers to ordinary staff, everyone's face was filled with irrepressible excitement and pride.

Inside the auditorium, the celebration was in full swing. Li Mingyuan sat in the center of the podium, flanked by the beaming Minister Zhang and Deputy Minister Liu, as well as a group of high-ranking military officials in high spirits.

"Comrades," Minister Zhang stood up, raised his glass, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement, "Today is a day worth recording in history! Our 'Kunpeng' not only completed its first ocean-going test but also proved Long Country's strength to the whole world, especially to those countries that look down on us!"

He turned to Li Mingyuan, his eyes almost glistening with tears: "All of this is thanks to our hero—Comrade Li Mingyuan! His genius concepts and fearless spirit have won supreme glory for Long Country!"

The entire hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, and everyone stood up to toast Li Mingyuan. The old general was even more excited, slapping the table repeatedly, his eyes brimming with emotional tears: "Good! Good! This kid is simply a pillar of the nation!"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, signaling for everyone to quiet down: "Comrades, you are too kind. The success of 'Kunpeng' is the result of everyone's collective effort; I just stood on the shoulders of giants and strung a few simple ideas together."

"Haha, you're just being stubborn!" Deputy Minister Liu laughed and patted him on the shoulder, "Don't listen to his modesty; this kid is a bona fide genius! You didn't see the sorry state of the Star-Spangled Country's fleet; the entire fleet was led around by the nose by 'Kunpeng,' it was hilarious!"

The celebration lasted until late at night, and after several rounds of drinks, everyone left satisfied.