Chapter 540: That Is a UFO

In his mind, he had already begun to conceive a more detailed implementation plan: from infrastructure construction to software development, from talent cultivation to application promotion, every step was clearly visible. As a modern person who had experienced the heyday of the internet era, his understanding and insight into this technology far exceeded anyone in this era.

Meanwhile, in other corners of the base, those high-level leaders who had just attended the meeting were also lost in thought. They might not fully understand the technical details Li Mingyuan described, but they could feel that power to change the world, that possibility of leading the future.

……

Star-Spangled Country, Washington, headquarters building of the *Morning Star Daily*.

Inside the editor-in-chief's office, Bill Thompson puffed on his pipe, excitedly flipping through the day's sales report, the smile on his face blooming like a flower. Ever since that exclusive report on the "Ocean UFO" was published, the circulation of the *Morning Star Daily* had surged threefold, and subscriptions had hit a record high.

"Another hit!" He tossed the report in front of his assistant. "Look at these numbers! We've beaten the *Global Chronicle* for two weeks in a row!"

"Yes, boss," the assistant nodded and smiled, "and letters from readers all over the country have filled three whole rooms, all asking for the follow-up on that 'Ocean Ghost'."

Thompson blew a smoke ring with satisfaction: "Tell the reader mail department to pick out the most 'bizarre' eyewitness reports. Tomorrow's front-page headline will be this: 'Nation in an Uproar: Ocean Ghost Appears in the American Heartland? Hundreds of Citizens Claim to Have Witnessed a UFO!'"

"But, boss," the assistant hesitated, "most of these so-called eyewitness reports have no evidence at all, and many are clearly fabricated..."

"Who cares?" Thompson laughed loudly. "We give people what they want to see! This is the most profitable news hotspot in history, and I won't let it cool down easily."

He picked up a competitor's newspaper from the table, the cover boldly printed with the headline: "Famous Scientist: Ocean UFO May Come from Extraterrestrial Civilization."

"Look at these guys," Thompson shook his head and sneered. "When we reported it, they mocked us for fabricating news, but now they are scrambling to follow up. This generation of media peers is truly disappointing."

At the same time, in a high-end cafe near Central Park in New York, the famous physicist Robert Aobenhaimo was surrounded by a group of reporters.

"Doctor Aobenhaimo, do you really believe that 'Ocean Ghost' is an alien spacecraft?" a female reporter asked eagerly.

Aobenhaimo cautiously adjusted his glasses: "I have never explicitly stated that it is an alien spacecraft. I only said that, according to the descriptions leaked by the Military, certain characteristics exhibited by the object do not quite align with our current physical theories."

"Then what do you think it is?" another reporter pressed.

"Science requires us to maintain an open attitude," Aobenhaimo said slowly and methodically. "In the absence of conclusive evidence, I will not jump to conclusions. But if those descriptions are true, then we may be facing a major scientific discovery, one that might force us to re-evaluate certain fundamental laws of physics."

His cautious answer did not calm the reporters' enthusiasm but instead triggered more questions. Outside the cafe, more and more people stopped to watch, and some even held up homemade signs saying "Welcome Alien Friends."

The UFO craze had swept across the entire Star-Spangled Country, from big cities to small villages, from academia to the general public, almost everyone was talking about that mysterious "Ocean Ghost." Radio programs, television specials, and street conversations were all filled with various speculations and fantasies.

And in the White House in Washington, the atmosphere was quite different.

Inside the Tuoyuanying Bangongshi, the President listened to the report from the National Security Advisor with a gloomy expression.

"Sir, the public opinion on the UFO has completely spiraled out of control," the National Security Advisor said with concern. "All kinds of absurd rumors are emerging one after another, and some even claim that the government is secretly negotiating with aliens."

The President waved his hand irritably: "Let them talk. Compared to these nonsensical rumors, I am more concerned about whether the Pentagon has found any leads on that damn 'Ghost'?"

"I'm afraid not, sir," the National Security Advisor shook his head. "Although we have mobilized our global intelligence network, as of now, there has been no substantive progress."

"So many resources, so many experts, and yet we can't find even a trace?" The President slammed the table. "This is simply ridiculous! Could it really be, as those lunatics say, that aliens have come to visit us?"

The National Security Advisor was silent for a moment before saying cautiously: "In fact, sir, there is a theory circulating within the intelligence community... it may not come from space, but from some... unexpected corner on Earth."

"What do you mean?" The President frowned.

"Some analyses suggest that, considering the target's behavioral patterns and appearance locations, this could be a secret weapons test by some country. Our intelligence shows that Beijixiong Guo does have several advanced ground-effect vehicle projects, but the technical level should not reach the degree described in the reports."

"Are there any other possibilities?"

The National Security Advisor hesitated: "There is another more... unexpected speculation. Some analysts have begun to pay attention to certain abnormal activities in Long Country."

"Long Country?" The President almost laughed out loud. "That country that just went through a civil war and whose modern industry is still in its infancy? Don't joke."

"I know it sounds absurd, sir," the National Security Advisor admitted, "but our satellites did capture abnormal activities at a secret base on the east coast of Long Country. Moreover, according to the latest intelligence, Long Country seems to be frantically recruiting computer and electronic technology experts, investing a large amount of resources into a mysterious project codenamed 'Pangu'."

The President fell into deep thought, then shook his head after a moment: "Continue monitoring, but don't bet all our resources on this. Even if Long Country has some secret weapon, it is impossible for it to reach the level described by our fleet. Continue searching for leads on Beijixiong Guo; that is the most reasonable direction."

At the same time, inside a secret conference room at the Pentagon, a special hearing was underway. Captain Thompson and several key witnesses were summoned there to describe their experiences in detail to a group of high-ranking Military officials and scientists.

"Say it again, Captain," a white-haired general asked in a deep voice, "are you sure the object's speed exceeded 300 knots?"

Captain Thompson nodded, his voice firm: "Yes, General. In fact, our Radar records show that its top speed may have reached over 320 knots."