Chapter 362

After Christmas, heavy snow fell steadily from the skies over New York, blanketing the city in white. Shieler sat in his office chair, blowing gently on the steam rising from his cup, his eyes reflecting the glow of the computer screen.

Although the computer screen currently displayed a work application, Shieler lightly moved the mouse, revealing the news website interface beneath it—the newly launched science section of the Global Times.

Originally, the Global Times did not report on scientific research progress, nor did any newspaper meticulously cover such matters; even if they did, it was merely to create sensational headlines to attract black-tech enthusiasts or to promote certain corporations.

But times change. As the Solar System Construction Project progressed vigorously, the government began leaking certain information through news channels to prepare the public.

Otherwise, people still stuck in the era when landing on the Moon was difficult would be terrified if a starship suddenly appeared above their heads.

Thus, newspapers with official channels, like the Global Times, began emphasizing reports on human scientific and technological progress, as if humanity's fundamental sciences had made enormous leaps in just a few days.

In truth, many of these technologies had long been developed but remained classified; now, with a technological breakthrough imminent, there was no longer any need to keep them secret, so ordinary people found these reports on scientific advancement flooding every news site and browser homepage.

Because Eddie Brock was a top-tier interstellar journalist—meaning he was always on the front lines of major cosmic events—and thanks to Venom's utterly unreasonable physical strength, he endured the shockwaves of wars to capture countless precious cosmic images. Upon returning to Earth, he became the editor-in-chief of the Global Times, making its science section the most popular source of scientific news.

At this moment, the most prominent headline on their official website read: "Material Technology Breakthrough Again! A Steel Alloy Rivaling Vibranium Has Been Developed—Will Human Materials Science Reach a New Peak?"

Clicking the headline revealed an interview report filled with technical jargon. The interviewee was a researcher from Stark Industries, who claimed that Steel Alloy was a miracle of new-era materials science, possessing properties equal to vibranium, and more importantly, it could be mass-produced in enormous quantities.

When asked about the alloy's formula, the researcher revealed it was still Tony Stark's masterpiece, known only to him alone.

This result did not surprise those reading the report. In fact, over the past several days, Stark had seemed as if his meridians had been fully unblocked—astonishing inventions followed one after another.

Some had suspected academic fraud to gain attention, but Stark proved otherwise—he applied all these technologies to his Iron Man suit and flew over New York eight times in a single day.

When it was first revealed that Stark was Iron Man, most people reacted negatively, viewing the Iron Man suit as a toy for a rich old man seeking amusement.

Even now, that perception had not changed—it had merely evolved into the view that he was a rich, technologically gifted old man seeking amusement.

Most people now judged Iron Man as follows: Stark was a complete bastard, a damn playboy; God was outrageously unfair—not only had He given him immense wealth, but also a brilliant mind.

Stark thoroughly enjoyed this evaluation. In the interview, he directly answered: "Yes, but God is even more unfair than you think—he gave me vast wealth and intelligence, and also the charm that makes women across the globe swoon for me. That's the real point!"

Ignoring the black fans who were furious, former cover-girl girlfriends publicly stated they had zero interest in Stark's wealth or intelligence—they were solely drawn to his charm.

Leaving aside these gossip stories, the news about the new material, Steel Alloy, sparked massive upheaval across North America, Europe, and Asia—and sent a small African nation into a panic: Wakanda.

One must admit that Wakanda's current international standing is inseparable from vibranium's importance. Their leader, Black Panther, is indeed a learned and visionary leader, but without vibranium's unique material properties, Wakanda could never have reached today's level.

Originally, by holding its vibranium reserves, Wakanda could have wielded it like a political lever, using it to manipulate the entire world and secure a vital position in interstellar development.

Even Stark had to negotiate respectfully with Black Panther. At this critical juncture, any nation seeking vibranium shares had to bid for them, and Wakanda's international status had soared in recent times.

If their leader, T'Challa, were a selfish, shortsighted petty man, he would have already crowned himself Emperor of Africa.

But T'Challa is a wise and far-sighted leader. Though he controlled vibranium resources, he skillfully leveraged them to gain international support, acted with moral purpose, and partnered with Stark to increase vibranium extraction, helping humanity's Solar System Construction Project proceed more steadily.

During this period, Stark and T'Challa's friendship deepened rapidly. Thus, as soon as news of Steel Alloy broke, T'Challa immediately contacted Stark.

"... es, I know you're anxious, and I know this new material concerns Wakanda's future. But our vibranium reserves are simply too small—barely a drop in the bucket for the entire construction plan."

Hearing T'Challa's anxious voice over the phone, Stark reassured him: "Of course, Steel Alloy isn't a panacea. Vibranium's strategic value hasn't declined as severely as you fear..."

"Tony, I hope you understand—this is the vital resource upon which all our people depend, and it's our most crucial bargaining chip in the international community..."

Stark shook his head. "T'Challa, don't you think you're overestimating vibranium's importance? Are you truly prepared to tie your entire nation and all its people to this single material?"

Before T'Challa could respond, Stark said: "Precisely because we're friends, I must warn you. I want to tell you a story—a tale of a civilization that collapsed due to overreliance on a unique resource..."

At Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Storm stood before Professor X, sighing with concern: "Wakanda's situation is dire. Many believe Steel Alloy will replace vibranium, turning their vast reserves into worthless paper."

"Worse, they think their leader, Black Panther, hasn't taken strong enough measures to protect vibranium's strategic position. Some even argue T'Challa should never have restricted vibranium exports—if he'd cashed in the resource back then, they wouldn't be facing this disruption now."

Charles covered his forehead. "Isn't Wakanda the most educated nation in Africa? Can't they grasp such basic logic?"

Storm sighed, brushing her silver hair behind her ear. "T'Challa distributed vibranium shares among the people to improve welfare. But once resources are in individual hands, they no longer care about national strategy—they only worry whether their holdings will depreciate."

"Now many are demanding the state buy back their vibranium at previous market prices. But T'Challa can't do that—it would shatter Wakanda's financial chain."

"Didn't he talk to Stark? The situation isn't nearly that bad," Charles said calmly. "Steel Alloy is excellent, but it has production limits. The Solar System Construction Project requires astronomical quantities of resources. Even with Steel Alloy, vibranium may still be needed—why not have both?"

"Yes, I know—even if Steel Alloy's properties resemble vibranium, they're not identical. The new material's stability and controllability still need time to prove themselves. For now, they'll still rely on Wakanda's vibranium..." Storm concluded.

"But T'Challa struggles to convince the people, right?" Charles asked.

Storm sat down, her expression sorrowful. "I've spent this time with T'Challa. He told me his dream—that Wakanda shouldn't remain just a small African nation, that he and his people should have the chance to reach the stars..."

"So he didn't abuse his royal power to sell vibranium recklessly. Instead, he used these resources to gain international support, elevate Wakanda's global standing, and actively participate in Solar System construction—even at great cost—just to keep pace with the great powers..."

"But his efforts are invisible. People only see T'Challa's close friendship with Stark, and him locked in his lab inventing things they don't understand—like a tyrant indifferent to his people..."

Storm closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly, her lashes fluttering as if tears would fall. "Having lived in New York so long, I understand better than most how terrified and helpless my people are. On that land, Wakandans have witnessed too many small nations collapse—they fear that day with every fiber of their being."

"Any slight disturbance makes them like birds startled by arrows. But we can't blame them—you never know if the next accident might extinguish this fragile flame."

"It seems your journey to Wakanda changed you, Ororo. You rarely spoke of your homeland before."

"I'm a black woman born in New York. You know—in New York's black community, no one talks about Africa. My mother told me she tried to forget Kenya."

Storm lifted her head, her pale pupils gleaming. "But our weather-controlling abilities come from the Monroe family of Kenya—we've passed them down for thousands of years there..."

Ai Yue Shu Xiang

"The storms and lightning of that land often appear in my dreams. But when I returned to Africa this time, I realized it wasn't the African paradise portrayed in reports..."

Storm gave a sorrowful expression. "Neither is Wakanda."