Chapter 601: Heixing Senlin

In low Earth orbit, a massive space dock has already begun to take shape. Engineers from all over the world are working in a zero-gravity environment, assembling the first true interstellar starship in human history—"Dragon Boat I". This 500-meter-long behemoth, equipped with a Small Fusion Reactor and an advanced ion propulsion system, will be humanity's first step toward deep space.

On the Earth's surface, the changes are equally significant. The popularization of fusion energy has allowed fossil fuels to gradually exit the historical stage. Global pollution levels have dropped significantly, and the trend of climate change has been curbed. The arms race between nations has transformed into technological cooperation; resources once used to manufacture weapons are now being invested in medicine, education, and space exploration.

Li Mingyuan stands on the highest observation tower of Penglai Base, overlooking the world that has changed because of him. In the night, the construction sites of the four space elevators are brightly lit, like bright avenues leading to the sea of stars.

Senior Zhang walks to his side and hands him a cup of hot tea: "Lao Li, sometimes I still feel dazed... all these changes are too fast, it's almost like a dream."

Li Mingyuan takes a sip of tea and casts his gaze toward the starry sky: "It is not a dream, Senior Zhang. This is the inevitability of human destiny. The division and infighting of the past few thousand years were merely growing pains. Now, we are finally ready to face the vast universe as a single species."

"Do you really believe... there are other civilizations in the universe?" Senior Zhang asks with some unease.

Li Mingyuan's gaze becomes deep and mysterious: "The universe is so vast, the stars are so numerous; to think that only Earth has nurtured intelligent life is the greatest arrogance. Yes, they exist, and they are closer than we imagine."

Senior Zhang shivers: "If that is true... are we ready to meet them?"

"That is exactly the purpose of everything we do," Li Mingyuan says firmly, "uniting humanity and developing technology is not for infighting, but to ensure our survival and development in the sea of stars."

He points to the huge domed building under construction in the distance: "Look there—within the next year, the Long Country Quantum Computer network will cover the entire Taiyang system. Within five years, the lunar base will accommodate ten thousand scientific researchers. Within ten years, Mars will welcome its first batch of permanent residents. This is just the beginning, Senior Zhang, just the beginning."

Senior Zhang looks at Li Mingyuan's resolute profile and suddenly realizes a fact: this man has never viewed himself as a citizen of one country, but as the guide for all of humanity. His vision has long since transcended national borders and ethnicities, pointing directly toward the sea of stars.

"Lao Li," Senior Zhang asks softly, "have you ever thought about... what the Earth will look like fifty years from now?"

Li Mingyuan reveals a mysterious smile: "Fifty years from now? Humanity will no longer be just an Earth civilization, but a Taiyang system civilization. Lunar cities, Martian colonies, asteroid mining stations... our footprints will be all over the Taiyang system. And at that time, we will have only just taken the first step on our interstellar journey."

In the distance, a blue beam of light shoots straight into the sky from the space elevator construction site, illuminating half the sky. That is the glorious scene of a fusion energy test, and also a symbol of humanity's bright future.

Li Mingyuan takes a deep breath, as if he can already smell the scent of interstellar space: "Be prepared, Senior Zhang. Humanity is about to enter a true space age, and this time, we will embrace the sea of stars together as a united species."

In the third year after the signing of the "Universal Governance Treaty", human civilization transformed at an astonishing speed.

Under the leadership of the Long Country Academy of Sciences, global technological development has shown explosive growth. Small Fusion Reactors have moved from laboratories to commercialization, becoming the main energy source for major cities; the Quantum Computer network covers the globe, with computing power doubling every three months; the first lunar orbit space station "Chang'e" has been completed, with two hundred resident researchers; the Mars outpost "Zhulong" is under construction and is expected to be completed within two years.

Most eye-catching is the interstellar fleet being assembled in Earth's orbit. This fleet, composed of twelve fusion-powered warships, is equipped with improved versions of the Electromagnetic Railgun and advanced life support systems, capable of operating independently in deep space for years. The fleet flagship "Longxiang" is eight hundred meters long and is the largest spacecraft built by humans to date; its propulsion system uses a micro-fusion-ion hybrid engine, theoretically capable of reaching 5% of the speed of light.

Li Mingyuan stands in the central control room of Penglai Base, watching the progress of the fleet's construction through a holographic display. Although he is over fifty years old, he looks much younger than his actual age, with only a few silver strands at his temples revealing the traces of time. His eyes remain as sharp as an eagle's, and his every move is filled with unquestionable authority.

"The fleet construction progress is satisfactory," he says to Senior Zhang beside him, "the Longxiang's fusion engine test was a complete success, with propulsion efficiency 12% higher than the design value. According to this progress, by the end of next year, we will be able to start our first interstellar cruise."

Senior Zhang—now the Vice Chairman of the Global Science and Technology Committee—nods: "Lao Li, sometimes I still find it incredible. Ten years ago, we were still arguing about whether fusion could be achieved, and now, we are already discussing the details of interstellar travel."

Li Mingyuan smiles slightly: "This is the power of unity. When humanity no longer engages in internal friction and invests all resources into technological development and space exploration, the speed of progress naturally grows geometrically."

He turns to another display screen, which shows the construction site of a huge spherical building complex. This is the "Sky Eye" deep space detection array located deep in the Penglai mountains, the largest astronomical observation facility in human history. It consists of over a hundred radio telescopes with a diameter of thirty meters, combined with optical and X-ray telescopes in orbit, forming a comprehensive observation network covering almost all electromagnetic bands.

"Tomorrow is the completion ceremony for the 'Sky Eye'," Li Mingyuan says, "this will be a new starting point for humanity's exploration of the universe. We will be able to detect star systems thousands of light-years away and look for traces of possible extraterrestrial civilizations."

Senior Zhang is thoughtful: "Lao Li, I have always had a question... why are you so obsessed with exploring the universe? Is it pure scientific curiosity, or..."

Li Mingyuan does not answer immediately. He walks to the window, looking at the starlight flickering over the distant mountains, his eyes revealing a complex emotion.

"Senior Zhang," he finally speaks, his voice low and serious, "do you believe there is other intelligent life in the universe?"

"According to probability, it should exist," Senior Zhang replies, "the universe is so vast, the stars are so numerous, Earth cannot be the only planet to nurture life."

Li Mingyuan nods: "Exactly. And if they exist, then humanity must be prepared."

"Prepared for what?"

"Prepared to face a universe that may be full of hostility," Li Mingyuan turns around, his eyes as sharp as knives, "the Heixing Senlin theory, Senior Zhang. In a universe with limited resources, every civilization may view other civilizations as potential threats. Discovery means destruction; this may be the iron law among civilizations in the universe."

Senior Zhang frowns: "This... this sounds too pessimistic. Perhaps alien civilizations are friendly and willing to coexist peacefully with us, sharing knowledge and resources?"

Li Mingyuan gives a bitter smile: "Perhaps. But humanity cannot pin its fate on 'perhaps'. We must prepare for the worst and be ready to face any possible threat. This is why I am so eager to push for the militarization of space, and why I insist on building a deep space detection network. We need to discover potential threats as early as possible, and then... be prepared."

He does not continue, but Senior Zhang understands his unspoken meaning—if a threat truly exists, humanity must possess the ability to fight back.

"So, the 'Sky Eye' is not just a scientific research facility," Senior Zhang realizes suddenly, "it is also an early warning system."

"Exactly," Li Mingyuan nods in agreement, "although I hope it never detects any threat signals."

The next day, deep in the Penglai mountains.

The completion ceremony for the "Sky Eye" deep space detection array is grand and solemn. Scientists, government officials, and media representatives from all over the world gather together to witness this milestone event in the history of human astronomy.

Inside the huge observation hall, one hundred and eight radio telescopes are arranged in a precise geometric pattern, each thirty meters in diameter, with surfaces as smooth as mirrors. They are made of the world's most advanced superconducting materials, capable of capturing the weakest electromagnetic signals in the universe. At the center of the array is a huge spherical control center, known as the "Hexin", which is loaded with the world's most powerful quantum supercomputer cluster, used to process and analyze the collected astronomical data.

Li Mingyuan stands on the podium, looking around. He sees former rivals, now collaborators—scientists from the Star-Spangled Country, Beijixiong Guo, and the European Federation; he sees former skeptics, now followers—government officials from countries around the world; and he also sees his most loyal supporters—his compatriots from the Long Country.