Chapter 184: You May Now Issue Orders

The wreckage of the "Shadow-7" reconnaissance beacon was secretly transported back to the "Abyss" Base for in-depth analysis by the most elite scientific team. Although the core data was forcibly interrupted by Qin Feng before the self-destruct protocol activated, the remaining structural fragments and partially undamaged secondary modules still contained technological information far surpassing Earth's current level.

Qin Feng did not interfere excessively in the specific analysis work; he delegated these mundane tasks to Sun Zhe and the scientific team, while refocusing his own attention on exploring the "Civilization Tombstone" and further unlocking his own powers and system functions.

The appearance of the "Shadow-7" was like a warning bell, reminding him that time was running short. Eyes from the depths of the stars had already turned toward him; he must grow faster and integrate his strength more swiftly.

Under his will, the capital flow of the "Wind Rises Future Fund" surged even more fiercely, precisely channeling into projects marked by the 【Wealth Prediction】 system as critical nodes capable of triggering a "technological singularity" or "civilizational leap." Unknowingly, the global scientific community was being propelled by an invisible force, racing forward at an unprecedented pace.

The training of the "Zhu Long" squad also entered a new phase. Qin Feng began integrating advanced combat techniques, energy manipulation methods, and even basic spiritual defense protocols—selected from the 【Super Technology】 database and compatible with the current battle armor—into daily drills. The individual strength and survival capabilities of the team members under complex conditions improved further.

As for Qin Feng himself, he spent vast amounts of time immersed in the 【Super Technology】 virtual laboratory. He no longer satisfied himself with merely applying existing technologies; he began attempting cross-disciplinary fusion and innovation, even leveraging his 35-point Spiritual Attribute to conduct pure theoretical extrapolations and hypothetical models.

That day, he had just completed a simulation experiment on the feasibility of combining "bioenergy fields" with "quantum entanglement communication." The result failed—but unexpectedly triggered a hidden system prompt:

【Detected: Host has conducted continuous high-intensity, high-risk autonomous technological extrapolations; spiritual load has reached current threshold. Latent enhancement of "Scientific Intuition" and "Knowledge Synthesis" abilities triggered.】【"Self-Improvement" branch—"Knowledge" tree—"Scientific Master" advanced path now meets preliminary activation conditions.】

Scientific Master?

Qin Feng's heart stirred. This seemed to be an advanced path focused on research and development—perfectly aligned with his current needs.

He was about to delve deeper into the details of "Scientific Master" when a soft knock came at the study door.

"Enter."

Su Wenqian entered carrying a cup of Ginseng Tea, her expression hesitant, as if she wanted to speak but held back.

"Sir, Ginseng Tea." She gently placed the cup on the desk.

"Something on your mind?" Qin Feng lifted the cup, blowing lightly on the steam.

Su Wenqian hesitated, then spoke: "Sir, lately… there's been some movement outside."

"Oh? What kind of movement?" Qin Feng sipped his tea, tone casual.

"Two main aspects," Su Wenqian organized her words. "First, regarding our 'Wind Rising System.' Due to the fund's relentless investment into cutting-edge—even somewhat unbelievable—fields, combined with our previous actions, external speculation about you has grown increasingly intense. Some believe you're a representative of a hidden tech organization; others think you've received alien inheritance; even… some suspect you might be… non-human."

Qin Feng chuckled softly, saying nothing. Let them speculate—as long as they didn't bother him.

"Second," Su Wenqian's tone grew heavier, "regarding… 'that place.' " She pointed downward, referring to the "Abyss" Base and the "Zhu Long" squad.

"Our recent activity frequency and scope have expanded. Though we've concealed it fiercely, traces remain. The department of the former 'Long Xiansheng,' along with intelligence agencies of several major global powers, appear to have noticed the existence of 'Zhu Long.' Though they cannot determine our exact scale or base location, the concept of 'a mysterious armed force possessing unknown high-tech equipment' has already spread at certain levels."

Qin Feng set down his teacup and lightly tapped his fingers on the desk.

Detection was inevitable. When he decided to deploy "Zhu Long" for global operations, he had foreseen this day.

"What are they doing?" Qin Feng asked.

"Currently still in the probing and intelligence-gathering phase," Su Wenqian replied. "Attempting to infiltrate our peripheral enterprises, bribe potentially informed personnel, and deploy various technical surveillance methods. All have been neutralized by Gao Yuan and Sun Zhe. But… pressure is gradually increasing. I fear continued escalation may trigger direct conflict."

Qin Feng fell silent for a moment.

He was not afraid of conflict. With "Zhu Long"'s current strength and technological level, no single terrestrial power could gain advantage in direct confrontation. But he had no intention of wasting energy and resources entangled with these old-era forces. His goal was the stars and oceans, the system's apex.

Perhaps it was time to adopt a new way of "coexisting" with this world.

Passive defense and concealment were not sustainable.

He needed a more transcendent, more deterrent status—one that would allow him to focus entirely on his goals.

A thought gradually crystallized in his mind.

He turned to Su Wenqian and asked: "What regions do we currently control or exert absolute influence over?"

Su Wenqian paused, then answered immediately: "Besides our global commercial outposts, R&D centers, and secret bases like 'Abyss,' through Universal Airlines' flight network and 'Zhu Long''s rapid deployment capability, we can project power to nearly all major global regions within twenty-four hours. Additionally, in the South Pacific, there are several islands we've long-term leased under the guise of scientific research or resource development and covertly militarized—they can be considered our fully controlled 'territory.'"

"Not enough," Qin Feng shook his head. "We need a more formal, unquestionable 'stronghold.'"

He stood and walked to the large world map, his gaze slowly sweeping across it.

Finally, his finger landed on a vast, remote oceanic region in the South Pacific—far from major continents, dotted with islands, with ambiguous international jurisdiction.

"Here," Qin Feng tapped the blue area. "In the name of the 'Wind Rises Future Fund' and 'Fengqi Group,' apply to relevant international bodies: we intend to build here a… 'Marine Future City.'"

"Marine Future City?" Su Wenqian's eyes widened.

"Correct," Qin Feng said calmly, yet with the certainty of forging history. "A floating city-state integrating cutting-edge research, advanced manufacturing, ecological habitation, and… necessary self-defense forces. It will employ our most advanced technology to achieve energy self-sufficiency, material recycling, and declare… full autonomy."

Su Wenqian was stunned into silence by the grandeur of the plan. This was no longer mere business—it was nearly the creation of a miniature, independent… nascent nation!

"Sir, this… this will provoke massive international controversy and resistance! Those major powers won't allow such an uncontrollable entity to emerge!" Su Wenqian worried.

"Controversy? Resistance?" Qin Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Let them try."

"What we need to do is not seek their approval, but notify them of our decision."

"As for whether they accept it…"

Qin Feng turned to face Su Wenqian, his eyes gleaming with the deep, powerful radiance of the stars:

"That is no longer their decision to make."

He returned to his desk, picked up the internal communicator, and connected to the channels of Sun Zhe, Gao Yuan, and all core members of the "Zhu Long" squad.

His voice, transmitted through encrypted networks, reached clearly into the ears of every subordinate holding power or force:

"Issue the notice."

"Plan initiated. Code name: 'Ark.'"

"Objective: Establish a permanent autonomous marine city-state—'New Era'—in South Pacific Sector X."

"Sun Zhe, oversee all legal, diplomatic, and resource allocation matters. Gao Yuan, construct the 'New Era' defense system and security alert network. All members of 'Zhu Long,' enter Level One combat readiness: any external interference during the 'Ark' implementation shall be treated as hostile action and… decisively eliminated!"

The command was clear, resolute, radiating undeniable will.

For a brief moment, the communication channel fell silent—then erupted in a unified, fervent, loyal response:

"Yes, Leader!"

"Understood, Leader!"

Su Wenqian stood aside, watching Qin Feng's figure, seemingly bearing the weight of the entire starry sky, her shock gradually transforming into an indescribable surge of awe and submission.

She knew: a new era was truly being forcibly opened by the hands of the man before her.

Qin Feng ended the communication and turned his gaze once more toward the vast sky beyond the window.

He murmured softly, as if declaring to the world:

"Now, the stage has been set."

"You may issue your orders."

"And I, shall wield the authority of this New Era..."

The Sea City-State's New Era plan, like a massive stone cast into the pond of the old world order, would surely stir up countless waves.

But Qin Feng paid no mind.

He was even looking forward to it.

He looked forward to the expressions of shock, fury, and helplessness on the faces of the old era's titans when they faced his soon-to-launch "Ark."

This, would be the most magnificent... debut on his path to becoming a Shenhou.