Liu Hui selectively watched the human race and the elf race's tribal war, filmed from the Magical Plane, on the LCD television in his room. After finishing the war footage, Liu Hui was filled with profound emotion.

From the video, it was clear that the Elven army was incredibly powerful; not only were their individuals formidable, but they were also highly disciplined and unflappable under pressure. However, the Elven army suffered greatly from their ignorance of the human race's high-tech weaponry. They took successive heavy blows early on, completely unable to devise a countermeasure against these technological weapons. This ultimately allowed Alexander’s human army to achieve a victory against superior odds, annihilating the enemy’s 300,000 elite troops with only 60,000 soldiers, forging a legend.

The human race’s victory in this war, aside from the element of surprise provided by their use of technological weaponry, also highlighted Alexander’s exceptional military and command talents. Furthermore, it was intertwined with the fearless, life-defying courage of the warriors of the Church of Light. The combination of these factors resulted in the human race achieving such a resounding, comprehensive victory. It was imaginable that following this great triumph, Alexander’s standing within the entire Church of Light would become even more unassailable. Concurrently, the entire human race’s devotion to the God of Light would ascend to a new pinnacle.

In this manner, the Church of Light—which Liu Hui and Alexander had jointly fabricated—finally managed to firmly establish itself on the Magical Plane and could proceed with its development. Perhaps, in the end, this Church of Light would indeed become the most powerful religion in that alternate world, just as depicted in many other stories of other worlds.

While watching the war footage brought Liu Hui happiness, it also instilled a measure of unease. He had already discovered that the electromagnetic cannon shells, considered the pinnacle of lethality on Earth, did not possess the devastating power in the Magical Plane that he had anticipated. A single shell that could demolish a building on Earth merely inflicted severe injuries—but not fatal ones—upon the Level Seven Elven warriors. As the scale of conflict between the two sides inevitably expanded in the future, and as the elves gradually gained familiarity with the technological weapons, could Alexander still rely on these tools to defeat the nearly inexhaustible ranks of elven soldiers?

However, regardless of future concerns, the Church of Light had won the immediate battle, and the pressing crisis had been averted. For the Xiling Kingdom to regroup and seek revenge against the human race after such a devastating defeat would take at least half a year. Moreover, the Xiling Kingdom had more than just the human race as an enemy; the neighboring elven nations also eyed them covetously. Thus, in their severely damaged state, it was uncertain whether the Xiling Kingdom would have the capacity to move against the human race again.

Having resolved the immediate danger, Liu Hui’s mood finally brightened. At least for the next six months, Alexander and his faction were safe. With the aid Liu Hui provided, the overall strength of the Church of Light would grow increasingly potent, and the human army might then have no reason to fear an invasion from the Xiling Kingdom. What Alexander, like Liu Hui, currently lacked most was time. Given sufficient time for development, both factions would evolve to a terrifying height where their enemies would hesitate to make any rash moves.

As Liu Hui’s spirits lifted, Chen Changsheng of the Starry Sky Science Research Institute brought him two more pieces of excellent news. The first was that the Starry Sky Group's satellite project had matured, and their proprietary satellites were about to be launched. The second piece of good news was that the technology for the sea-going high-speed train had been successfully developed.

When Liu Hui arrived enthusiastically at the Starry Sky Science Research Institute, he found a colossal, ten-meter-tall square box emanating a sci-fi metallic sheen in the laboratory. Standing beside it were An Qi and Chen Changsheng, while other researchers were performing various calibration procedures on the device.

“This… this is our satellite?” Liu Hui asked, staring in astonishment at the rectangular metal box. In his mental image derived from television, satellites were certainly not supposed to be square, nor this large.

An Qi chuckled. “Liu Hui, this isn't the satellite; it’s merely the flight vehicle designed to transport the satellite. The actual satellite is installed inside this carrier.”

Liu Hui broke into a cold sweat, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. “So this thing is just the carrier? I really thought it was the satellite. Aren't other countries’ carriers typically slender, rocket-shaped vehicles? Why is ours built like a square?”

An Qi explained, “Other countries launch their satellites using rockets because they must reach the first cosmic velocity to overcome Earth's gravity. But have you forgotten? Our Starry Sky Group possesses Suspension Formations, and we developed Anti-Gravity Suspension Platforms quite some time ago. Therefore, our method for launching satellites is different from others. We utilize the Anti-Gravity Suspension Platform for launch. Since we bypass the influence of Earth's gravity, we were able to construct this carrier in a square shape.”

Liu Hui nodded. “I see. So the anti-gravity suspension device can already be applied to satellite launches. No wonder our carrier looks so peculiar. Then, what does the satellite housed inside this carrier look like?”

An Qi made a gesture, and a nearby researcher promptly executed an operation on a computer. The top of the carrier opened, revealing three already installed artificial satellites.

Seeing the three artificial satellites, Liu Hui immediately looked confused. “Our artificial satellites look no different from those of other countries, but why are their volumes so enormous? I recall seeing in broadcasts that other nations’ satellites were quite small, and they launch three at once.”

Chen Changsheng interjected, “Boss, we are preparing to launch three artificial satellites into space this time. Based on our calculations, having three satellites in Earth orbit is sufficient to cover the entire planet and meet our current needs. As for their volume, yes, they are admittedly quite bulky. Each one weighs over 250 tons. The reasons we made these satellites so large are twofold: firstly, we integrated numerous functions within them, and secondly, the current limitations of our manufacturing process.”

Liu Hui asked curiously, “Each of our satellites weighs over 250 tons? I remember the International Space Station, which involved participation from many nations, weighed only 423 tons in total! And what is the connection between the sheer size of these satellites and the backwardness of our production techniques?”

An Qi elaborated, “Liu Hui, we are currently encountering issues with the processing of precision instruments. Consequently, we are forced to manufacture components that should be small and precise as much larger units, leading to an overall increase in the satellite’s volume. However, since we don't have to worry about launch weight limitations, we simply made the satellites bigger and heavier to diversify their capabilities. Through our design, a single satellite incorporates communications, meteorology, resource monitoring, reconnaissance, and navigation functions. Once these three satellites enter Earth orbit, the Starry Sky Group’s technology in communication, meteorology, resource management, reconnaissance, and navigation will instantly jump to world-leading levels. No one will be able to hold our Starry Sky Group hostage in these areas anymore.”

Hearing An Qi’s explanation, Liu Hui felt a great sense of relief. During the recent Gulf War, the Starry Sky Group’s desalination vessels had suffered immensely from electromagnetic interference imposed by the US military. Now, with their own satellites, they would no longer fear American electromagnetic jamming technology.

But Liu Hui immediately recalled a potential issue and asked, “If we launch such large satellites into space, and the Americans discover them and decide to attack, what then?”

An Qi smiled reassuringly. “Liu Hui, you don’t need to worry about that. Our satellite launch utilizes anti-gravity suspension technology; it doesn't generate the massive thermal energy associated with rocket launches. Moreover, we have selected the deep of night for the launch time, ensuring our deployment cannot be detected by US military satellites. Once the satellites are airborne, they will communicate via spiritual energy fluctuations, rather than the electromagnetic waves used by other satellites, making their existence even harder to notice. Furthermore, we’ve equipped the satellites with Dynamic Environment Simulation Arts, which allows them to merge seamlessly with the night sky. Even if someone observes them with optical instruments, they will easily evade detection. Therefore, our entire satellite system, from launch through to operational deployment, will remain highly covert, essentially invisible to other nations and powers.”

Liu Hui inquired, “Since our satellites communicate using spiritual energy fluctuations, does this mean all our future communication equipment will also be manufactured to utilize spiritual energy waves?”

An Qi affirmed. “Precisely. We will build an entirely new communication system, separate from the current electromagnetic wave standard. Except for the Starry Sky Group, no one else in this world can detect the existence of spiritual energy fluctuations. Thus, the spiritual energy fluctuation communication system we are creating will be the safest and most reliable communication network in human history—it cannot be tapped and is virtually immune to external interference.”

Only then did Liu Hui relax. With this spiritual energy fluctuation communication system, the Starry Sky Group had finally taken its first true step toward independence and self-reliance.

With his mood lightened, Liu Hui thought of a technical detail and asked, “Since our carrier is square, how exactly will it ascend into space?”

Chen Changsheng laughed. “Boss, ever since we acquired the Anti-Gravity Suspension Device, ascending to space has become incredibly simple. Because our anti-gravity device cancels out Earth’s gravitational pull, the carrier does not need to achieve the first cosmic velocity to reach space. If you wanted to go slowly, you could still leave Earth and enter outer space at a speed of ten meters per second. Even inching along, given enough time, it could enter outer space without difficulty. All this is achieved by activating the engine on the carrier. However, in actual operation, to ensure the satellites’ safety, we will employ a rapid entry into Earth orbit to minimize the chance of discovery.”

Prompted by Chen Changsheng, Liu Hui immediately simulated the carrier’s operational mode in outer space in his mind. He was equally delighted by the Starry Sky Science Research Institute’s mastery in applying the Suspension Formation to such a refined degree. This meant that transporting anything to space in the future would become significantly easier and cheaper, transforming his ‘Mars Plan’ from a mere pipe dream into something increasingly feasible.

Seeing that Liu Hui understood the details regarding the artificial satellites and the carrier, An Qi made another signal. The researchers nearby promptly controlled the computer to seal the top of the satellite carrier.

An Qi stated, “Liu Hui, if you have no objections, our satellite launch plan is scheduled for midnight tonight.”

Liu Hui nodded. “I have no issues. Regarding the launch, you and Director Chen can make the final decisions.”

Chen Changsheng added, “Boss, the other reason we called you here today is to share another piece of good news.”

Liu Hui asked, “Is it about the sea-going high-speed train technology you mentioned on the phone?”

Chen Changsheng confirmed. “Indeed, I am referring to the sea-going high-speed train technology. After our recent research efforts, this technology has also reached maturity.”

Liu Hui looked intrigued. “But I’ve read reports suggesting that realizing a sea-going train is virtually impossible. Have we truly acquired this technology?”

Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. “Boss, do not doubt it. Under the personal supervision of Miss An Qi, this sea-going high-speed train technology has become reality.”

Liu Hui immediately pressed, “An Qi, how did you manage all of this?”

An Qi explained, “After learning about the ‘Starry Sky City’ project, I realized you overlooked a critical issue during the planning phase: maritime transport. This maritime transport problem was poised to become a bottleneck for the ‘Starry Sky City’ initiative. Transporting the billions of tons of various materials worldwide to ‘Starry Sky City’ using current ocean shipping standards is highly impractical. That is why I began planning this sea-going high-speed train project at that time.”

Liu Hui offered internal praise: “Our An Qi truly has the most thorough foresight.”

An Qi shot Liu Hui a look, her eyes conveying a hint of grievance. Startled, Liu Hui quickly averted his gaze.

An Qi continued, “The sea-going high-speed train technology I devised is not the traditional method of laying tracks on the sea surface and running trains upon them, as such technology is currently unrealistic. Instead, I conceived of an alternative: using high-power locomotive tugboats to tow dozens of train carriage-vessels, allowing them to travel rapidly across the ocean surface. The distinction between this sea-going train and its land counterpart is that the sea train lacks fixed tracks, but its cargo capacity will far exceed that of a land train.”

Liu Hui paused, asking, “If there are no tracks, how does this sea-going train navigate?”

An Qi clarified, “While the sea train has no fixed tracks, in another sense, tracks are everywhere. The concept is quite simple: envision a high-power tugboat pulling a long string of connected vessels across the ocean. This way, no physical tracks are necessary.”

Liu Hui probed, “But doesn’t that require the tugboat to possess incredibly immense power, otherwise it couldn’t pull so many vessels?”

An Qi confirmed. “Precisely. The entire difficulty of our sea-going train project rests upon this locomotive tugboat. Fortunately, we have solved that problem. The tugboat we have now engineered possesses formidable power—it can tow forty 100,000-ton-class cargo vessels across the sea at a top speed of one hundred kilometers per hour.”

Liu Hui was astonished. “If it operates like that, one such sea-going train can transport four million tons of cargo in a single run! And its top speed reaches one hundred kilometers—doesn’t that far surpass the transport capacity of land trains?”

An Qi smiled. “Indeed. If the sea-going train didn’t possess such tremendous capacity, we wouldn’t have bothered researching it. This locomotive tugboat utilizes advanced composite materials reinforced by various Enhancement Formations, and its core energy source is a Level Eight Energy Stone. This is what grants the sea-going train such massive freight capability. A single Level Eight Energy Stone allows a sea-going train pulling four million tons of cargo to traverse twenty million kilometers across the sea without needing refueling.”

Liu Hui became visibly excited. “This finally resolves the maritime transport shortage that has plagued the Starry Sky Group! With this type of sea-going train transport, perhaps our ‘Starry Sky City’ project can be completed many years ahead of schedule! By the way, what is the manufacturing rate for these locomotive tugboats?”

An Qi replied, “In terms of producing these locomotive tugboats, given our current technology and materials, it is no longer a major hurdle. Operating at full capacity, our construction facilities aboard ‘Starry Sky City’ can manufacture two locomotive tugboats per month. However, the production of the cargo carriage-vessels is severely lagging. Our factory capacity on ‘Starry Sky City’ can only produce enough carriage-vessels to assemble one sea-going train per month.”

Liu Hui frowned slightly. “Is the manufacturing difficulty high for these carriage-vessels designated for the sea-going train?”

An Qi explained, “These carriage-vessels, designed for 100,000 tons, have very simple structures. Apart from ample cargo space, they basically contain no other propulsion equipment, making them very convenient and quick to build. The problem is that our factory capacity on ‘Starry Sky City’ can only meet half of the required production—meaning we can only produce carriage-vessels for forty sea-going trains a month, which leaves one locomotive tugboat produced each month redundant.”

Liu Hui considered this and asked, “Do these carriage-vessels involve any proprietary or secret technology?”

An Qi confirmed, “These are ordinary vessels. Their production process is straightforward and involves no classified technology.”

Liu Hui immediately declared, “In that case, we will manufacture one complete sea-going train ourselves each month, and we will outsource the carriage-vessels for the other train from external suppliers.”

An Qi nodded. “That is feasible. Over a year, we would then possess twenty-four sea-going trains, capable of transporting ninety-six million tons of cargo simultaneously—which should marginally satisfy the requirements for our ‘Starry Sky City’ project.”

Liu Hui expressed his emotion. “An Qi, you have done me a massive favor. You know that this transportation issue has been a persistent thorn in my side.”

An Qi smiled. “It’s nothing. The locomotive tugboat I mentioned is actually divided into two types: one is what I just described for the sea-going trains, and the other is the underwater locomotive specifically designed to transport products from the subsea factory clusters.”

“Underwater locomotive?” Liu Hui was momentarily stunned.

An Qi affirmed. “Yes, the underwater locomotive. In the future, our subsea factory clusters will output enormous quantities of steel products, and our future deep-sea mineral extraction will also require robust underwater transport capability to bring those products and minerals to the surface. The mechanism we specifically designed for this subsea transport is the underwater locomotive. This unit also relies on towing cargo carriage-vessels for underwater transport, but they operate beneath the seawater. The payload capacity of these cargo carriages will not be as exaggerated as the sea-going trains; their maximum load will not exceed ten thousand tons. This means an underwater train’s capacity per trip will not exceed 400,000 tons—a capacity level sufficient to ensure the timely extraction of our undersea products and minerals.”

Liu Hui chuckled, saying, "Anqi, you always think things through. This way, I won't have to worry about transportation at all."

Anqi continued, "We can commission the construction of the surface train carriages/vessels from outside, but the underwater train carriages/vessels must be built by us alone. This is because the underwater ones involve proprietary technology for neutralizing deep-sea pressure—that absolutely cannot leak. The downside is that this will immediately create another capacity shortage in the construction factories aboard our Star City."

Liu Hui sighed. "I hadn't expected our construction capacity to hit a bottleneck so quickly again. But rest assured, I will continue to ramp up construction efforts, building more fabrication plants on Star City to meet your production demands."

Chen Changsheng, however, expressed some worry, "Boss, we just spent $150 billion recently expanding the fabrication capabilities on Star City. If we need to expand capacity again so soon, will the company's finances face any strain?"

Thanks to the reader: Dahan Guoxing LIU for the generous tip.

Thanks to the reader: ggff for the two monthly tickets.

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