The council decreed a Red Alert, dispatching five thousand Fish-Whale chariots in three waves to maintain aerial vigilance. Since these chariots are piloted by the Merfolk, they require internal seawater saturation, a requirement that has driven their anti-corrosion and waterproofing technology to remarkable advancement. I have already tasked Ma Xiaoda with selecting five thousand Imperial Guards for phased training within the Dwarf Kingdom’s underground city; those who qualify will be progressively assigned to the new models of combat vehicles—which, notably, do not require internal water flooding.

The Dwarves, though diminutive in stature, possess a far higher cultural attainment than the Twin City populace, yet operating frontline combat vehicles proves highly inconvenient for them. Therefore, I have not planned for their direct engagement in the vanguard. However, the Dwarves possess unparalleled expertise in mining and utilizing the blue energy crystals. The research and manufacturing of the energy cannons have been entrusted to them. Furthermore, large-scale maintenance factories and starship production lines are slated for construction in the underground city, as the deep earth offers inherently greater security than the sea; rock provides significantly superior obstruction compared to seawater.

My unsanctioned excursion with Yun Yao and the other two women was naturally met with universal condemnation after the meeting, leaving the three of them too disheartened to even approach my quarters in the evenings, awaiting my favor. Ultimately, I had to sneak into their chambers to soothe them with gentle words. However, Ximen Yan, who was vehemently opposed to our undisciplined actions, was later begging me to secretly take her along on a trip to space as well.

I held Ximen Yan as gently as one would cradle an infant. "Stop teasing me. You’re not trying to intentionally provoke me into violating organizational rules so you can join them in criticizing me later, are you?"

Ximen Yan giggled, "Everyone criticized you, and since I’m the newcomer, of course, I had to agree with what they said. But I trust your ability; even going to space again wouldn't pose much danger. From the footage you filmed back, space is so beautiful! Those two lovely satellites, I never imagined their true forms would be so unsightly—it shattered all my beautiful preconceptions."

I frowned in confusion. "With your level of technology, you don't even know the true state of the Twin Stars' two satellites? What a failure."

Ximen Yan dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "We've always lived underground. Seeing the moon in the sky is a relatively recent occurrence. I envy those two; they look like a pair of lovers strolling together every night. Husband, take me to see the moon."

I countered, "You just said they were ugly, and now you want to go? It’s utterly desolate there. Besides, those two alien warships are still lurking, aren't we just asking for trouble?"

Ximen Yan retorted, "You destroyed one of theirs; are you afraid of the remaining two? How about we sneak out tonight and finish off the last two?"

I nearly fainted. "Princess Wife, is there something wrong with your brain? Do you really think I’m omnipotent? Their warships have incredibly powerful energy shields. Our successful sneak attack was purely because the wormhole absorbed that ship's kinetic energy, giving us an opening. Now, the remaining two warships are operating normally; we won't even have a chance to get close to them. Moreover, their energy cannons aren't just for show! A single barrage would be more than enough for us."

Ximen Yan worried, "Surely you aren't saying you can't handle them? Then aren't we doomed?"

My hand subtly moved to caress Ximen Yan’s petite chest. "I wouldn't boast about others, but my strength is more than sufficient to protect you. If it comes to the worst, we can simply leave."

Ximen Yan slowly swayed her body. "Husband, I don't wish to see that outcome. After all, our family and kin are here. Don't you agree?"

I nodded and kissed Ximen Yan’s small, red lips. "I understand perfectly. But if things truly develop to that stage, it won't be something you or I can decide. If only my laser sword were here. That would significantly increase our chances against them. But without a suitable weapon, even if I carried a large energy cannon, I might not be able to breach their protective shields. Compared to massive starships, the power of an energy cannon is negligible."

Ximen Yan brightened. "You want the laser sword? We can build one! Little Yu says their laser technology is quite mature, and we have some experience in weapons manufacturing. Why don't we try building one ourselves?"

I explained, "My laser sword is the crystallized pinnacle of high technology from ancient Earthlings billions of years ago. Although much of that era's advanced knowledge has been lost, the laser sword was genuinely inherited. Its power is far beyond anything your Dwarf or Merfolk nations can produce."

Ximen Yan pushed herself up. "Having something is better than nothing, and since I can't sleep anyway, let's go find Little Yu."

I wrapped my arms around Ximen Yan. "Hey, don't go! I came here to sleep and talk about feelings with you."

Ximen Yan pried my hands away. "Oh, honestly, look at the time. You're still focused on romance. See how open-minded I am? Even if you try to provoke me, I won't transform; the overall situation comes first."

Ximen Yan firmly made me dress so we could find Little Yu. The night was deep, yet the light in Little Yu's room was still on. Our sudden arrival clearly startled her. "Yanyan, you're not intentionally trying to make me angry, bringing your husband to chat in the middle of the night?"

Ximen Yan replied, "No, Little Yu. Listen to me. Zhao Qian wants to build a laser sword. Both our nations have a foundation in laser technology. Shall we design one for him? We must try to finish building it before the aliens launch their attack. Otherwise, without a suitable weapon, he's at a significant disadvantage and cannot utilize his full strength."

Little Yu said, "That's a good idea. I have done some prior research into laser applications. Perhaps we should go to your Dwarf Kingdom to examine the practical manufacturing capabilities? If we devise a method without knowing the production capacity, it’s useless."

Ximen Yan agreed immediately. "That’s what I was thinking. Let’s leave tonight! There are two warships hovering overhead; who knows when they might attack? We can't afford to waste a single second."

Both these princesses were career-oriented women, and since the survival of their people hung in the balance, they were doubly concerned. Thus, I was forcibly pulled into launching the spacecraft towards the Dwarf Kingdom. Naturally, Ximen Yan requested leave from Cheng Susu and Hua Qingqing, lest she become the next target for criticism over unauthorized actions.

The underground city felt like it was facing imminent danger. Presumably, Ximen Tian had relayed the meeting’s directives from the day; the Dwarves were tense knowing the aliens were right on their doorstep. Dwarves originally had no flying craft, except for their boring drills—and pitting those against space fighters seemed a dubious prospect. I guessed a single armor-piercing round would end their lives. That’s why I only assigned them energy supply support and maintenance tasks; once the production lines in the underground city are established, they can start manufacturing smaller warships.

Ximen Yan convened optical and mechanical experts overnight, setting up a grand effort to manufacture a laser sword for me. However, I rejected every proposal they put forth. A laser sword made using their methods would have power no greater than the laser guns we brought from Earth. Such a weapon was useless. Setting aside whether it could pierce the shield, it certainly couldn't penetrate the one-meter-thick armor plating of their warships.

Little Yu addressed me, "Zhao, I know you are also an outstanding scientist. Do you have any better suggestions? To defeat the aliens, we are racing against time now. You must think of a solution yourself."

I explained, "On Earth, I possess a laser sword of extraordinary power. I studied its working principles closely back then. It contains a very rare gemstone; the sword emits incomparable power by exciting the light source through the gem's immense radiation capabilities. Naturally, to prevent radiation leakage, that sword is incredibly heavy—no ordinary person could even lift it. But I suspect if we used that to slash the alien warships, we might actually have a chance."

Ximen Yan considered this. "Since your laser sword is on Earth, and you can't return now, let's put that aside. The immediate question is: can we build a laser sword with equivalent power? I recall the Dwarf Kingdom possesses a national treasure—a gem that also emits powerful radiation. Perhaps we could examine it and try to utilize it."

Ximen Yan’s suggestion was immediately met with widespread dissent. It turned out that the 'national treasure' she mentioned was as crucial as the Secret Box, only this treasure was simply a gem with economic value, lacking any secrets pertaining to global domination. Thus, Nangong Quan hadn't regarded it with extreme importance. Now that the Nangong family was destroyed, the national treasure had naturally reverted to the Ximen family. These scientists were all loyal to Ximen Tian and were naturally unwilling to see their nation's treasure easily compromised.

Ximen Yan grew slightly irritated. "It’s just a very special blue energy crystal; is it more important than your lives? You all witnessed what happened in space during the day. If you want to live, you must use every ounce of strength to fight the aliens. Furthermore, Zhao Qian didn't say he was claiming it for himself; it's just for building a weapon. Once the aliens are defeated, he will certainly return the national treasure to you. Stop judging a gentleman’s intentions with a petty mind."

Ximen Yan’s words left the assembled faces pale and flushed. Finally, someone unable to withstand her gaze was the first to nod in agreement. Others quickly followed suit. Ximen Yan declared, "Very well, I will ask my father for permission. As long as he agrees, we start immediately. If we can actually succeed in creating a laser sword, it will count as a great contribution from the Dwarf Kingdom in defeating the aliens."

It seemed too many procedures needed handling, so I retreated to the lounge to sleep. The battle with the aliens during the day had been fierce, draining my energy, which I needed to replenish. After several hours, just as dawn was approaching, Ximen Yan shook me awake: "Zhao Qian, my father has agreed, and we have retrieved the national treasure. Come and look."

Drowsily, I followed Ximen Yan to a highly secured and sealed underground chamber. All the council members were waiting. The room's lighting was dim. On a table in the center rested a large, transparent conical container, from which a faint, ethereal blue glow continuously radiated outward. At first glance, it looked like ghost fire.

Ximen Yan stated, "Zhao Qian, this is our national treasure, the Netherworld’s Radiance. I believe it is merely a freakishly radioactive energy crystal. Here is some data regarding it; see if you can use it to fashion a laser sword."

I didn't fully register Ximen Yan’s words, as my entire attention was captivated by the Netherworld’s Radiance on the table. The transparent container must be made of some highly reinforced anti-radiation material. Beneath its layers of containment, at the very source of the deep blue light, was an object about the size of a thumbnail. Ximen Yan called it a freakish energy crystal, and indeed, it was somewhat perverse. Even glowing blue energy crystals don't emit fluorescence resembling thick smoke. This light was similar to the energy stone I first discovered in the snake cave; perhaps objects containing super-energy and high radiation all manifest this way.

I casually took the documents Ximen Yan handed me. It turned out this Netherworld Stone was mined from extreme depths. The day it was unearthed, it instantly radiated hundreds of Dwarves to death. Since then, it has been deeply imprisoned within the transparent anti-radiation material. Because its emergence brought misfortune to the Dwarf Kingdom, although called the national treasure, very few people knew of it, and its reputation was far less renowned than that of the Secret Box.

After reviewing the data and thinking it over carefully, I asked, "How thin can this transparent anti-radiation material be made?"

Ximen Yan replied, "This ultra-advanced anti-radiation material can be made as thin as necessary, but to block the damaging effects of this Netherworld’s Radiance, it needs a minimum thickness of ten centimeters. Otherwise, radiation leakage would likely occur and harm the body. The recommended thickness is twenty centimeters. Don't let its transparency fool you; its hardness is by no means inferior to diamond. This was developed by our top scientists specifically for the safe containment of the Netherworld’s Radiance."