Chapter 185: Termination of Cooperation

The "Ark" project, like a declaration of war Qin Feng had sent to the old world order, rapidly progressed from blueprint to active implementation with unprecedented speed and audacity.

Sun Zhe led a large legal and diplomatic team to begin intense, forceful negotiations—or rather, notifications—with the International Maritime Organization and relevant coastal nations; his leverage was the incalculable financial power of the Wind Rising System and limited sharing of non-core technologies; his show of strength was the elusive but terrifying combat capability of the "Candle Dragon" squad and Qin Feng's unfathomable background.

Gao Yuan mobilized Universal Airlines' entire transport capacity and all covert logistics channels controlled by the "Candle Dragon," continuously shipping vast quantities of construction materials, prefabricated modules, energy cores, and defense system components to the selected waters of the South Pacific; several top-tier engineering teams and robotic construction legions had already begun laying the first foundation stones of the "New Era" city-state upon the boundless blue waves.

A floating metropolis brimming with futuristic technology was slowly taking shape with unprecedented efficiency in the deep blue far from any continent.

Such a large-scale, high-profile, and clearly intentional operation could not possibly escape the world's eyes.

Shock, uproar, skepticism, anger… these emotions spread among the high echelons of global powers.

A private entity attempting to establish a highly autonomous city-state on the Public Sea? This was a naked challenge to the existing international order and the very concept of sovereignty!

Protests poured in like snowflakes toward Fengqi Group's headquarters, each letter more severe than the last; some nations' warships began deliberately patrolling near the relevant waters under the guise of "freedom of navigation," applying military pressure; in public discourse, Qin Feng and the Wind Rising System were portrayed as ambitious schemers and dangerous radicals seeking to destroy global stability and establish a state within a state.

In the face of this surging wave of opposition, Qin Feng's response was only two words: ignore.

He remained in the Yunding Mansion study, or delved into the virtual laboratories of Super Technology, or used Wealth Prediction to catch the next opportunity, as if the turmoil outside had nothing to do with him.

He was certain that before absolute power and technology far beyond its time, all protests and deterrence were merely the roaring of paper tigers.

Yet pressure did not come solely from outside.

That day, Sun Zhe arrived at Qin Feng's office with a document, his expression grim.

"Mr. Qin, we've encountered some… internal issues." Sun Zhe's tone was heavy.

"Speak." Qin Feng looked up from a pile of energy circuit design schematics.

"Several long-term multinational partners." Sun Zhe handed over the document, "Including Alpha Heavy Industries, Europa Energy, and American United Technologies. They all formally notified us simultaneously, demanding termination of all cooperation and cessation of every ongoing joint project."

Qin Feng took the document and skimmed it quickly; these companies were all leaders in their respective fields, deeply cooperating with the Wind Rising System in high-end materials, new energy, and precision manufacturing—many critical devices and materials required for the "New Era" city-state's construction depended on their supply chains.

"Reason?" Qin Feng's tone was calm, as if unsurprised.

"On the surface, they claim our 'Ark' project has created massive geopolitical risks, and they wish to avoid potential sanctions and negative fallout." Sun Zhe replied, "But according to our intelligence, M Country's government and several established financial conglomerates are behind it, coordinating pressure to strangle our supply chain and delay or even crush the construction of 'New Era.'"

"Cutting off the fuel under the pot?" Qin Feng chuckled softly, tossing the document onto the desk, "Cleverly planned."

He stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the city below—still bustling, yet seemingly separated by an invisible Barrier.

"They think cutting these partnerships will leave me powerless?" Qin Feng's tone carried a hint of mockery.

"Mr. Qin, these companies do possess genuinely unique technologies; in the short term, our own alternative production capacity likely cannot fully catch up, and it may impact the progress of 'New Era.'" Sun Zhe said anxiously.

"Impact?" Qin Feng turned, his eyes glowing with the insight granted by Super Technology—the ability to perceive the essence of technology—"Sun Zhe, have you forgotten what our greatest asset is?"

He pointed to the wall beside the study, where the virtual map symbolizing Super Technology's ocean of knowledge flowed with shifting starlight.

"What they possess are merely a few thick branches of the old technological tree; while we…" Qin Feng's voice carried absolute confidence, "we possess the seeds and soil to grow an entire forest!"

"Issue orders: terminate all cooperation projects with these three companies immediately. Any equipment or technology they refuse to provide will be urgently developed and produced in-house by our own research institute and manufacturing divisions!"

"But… time and technological accumulation…" Sun Zhe still hesitated.

"No buts." Qin Feng cut him off, his tone ironclad, "Activate Super Technology permissions, retrieve alternative technical solutions in the relevant fields, and issue them directly to the corresponding teams. Tell them: at any cost, I want qualified replacement products and production lines within one week!"

Sun Zhe's spirit surged! He had almost forgotten—the Boss held a technological repository akin to a miracle! With those transcendent-era technical data as support, so-called "technological barriers" and "production bottlenecks" might truly no longer be problems!

"Yes! I'll arrange it immediately!"

Sun Zhe hurried away.

Qin Feng turned his gaze once more to the window, his eyes cold.

Terminate cooperation?

Perfect.

He had always felt that cooperating with these old-era giants was too inefficient and too restrictive.

Now that they withdrew voluntarily, they had given him the perfect chance to completely shed dependence and build a fully independent technological system and supply chain!

He would make everyone see clearly: the path Qin Feng walked required no one's charity or cooperation!

He alone was an army! He alone was a civilization!

He returned to his desk and called up the Wealth Prediction interface.

Since the old partners had chosen betrayal, it was time to find some… more obedient, more valuable "new partners."

The Wealth Prediction cursor moved swiftly across the map, finally locking onto several small- to medium-sized tech firms—modest in scale but possessing unique patented technologies, or rejected by mainstream markets due to forward-thinking concepts, now in distress.

Qin Feng's lips curled slightly.

"Sister Su."

"Here, sir." Su Wenqian responded immediately.

"Contact these companies." Qin Feng sent the list, "In the name of Wind Rises Future Fund, acquire them fully. Tell them: join us, and they will gain unlimited R&D funding and the chance to realize their wildest visions."

"Yes, sir."

Having arranged all this, Qin Feng felt the unease caused by "betrayal" vanish instantly.

He even felt grateful to those companies that terminated cooperation.

They had helped him sever the last lingering emotional ties to the old era.

From now on, his "New Era" would truly belong to him alone.

He picked up the internal communicator and connected to the "New Era" construction headquarters channel.

"This is Qin Feng."

"Order: accelerate construction progress by thirty percent."

"I want that city to rise before everyone's stunned eyes, on schedule!"

The command was transmitted; the construction site far out in the South Pacific, as if infused with new energy, became even more frenzied.

And the world, stunned once more by Qin Feng's brutally uncompromising response, fell silent.

They realized: the young man named Qin Feng possessed not only terrifying wealth and military power, but also the audacity to overturn the existing technological order!

Terminate cooperation with him?

Perhaps, these giants had made the stupidest decision of recent years.