Liu Hui closely monitored the progress of the Australian operation. As soon as the action commenced, massive demonstrations erupted across Australia targeting "Star City."

However, all "Star City" retail stores in Australia had already closed following the previous looting, smashing, and burning incidents. Coupled with the police presence intentionally deployed near these locations by the Australian authorities, the protesting crowds merely shouted a few slogans in front of the storefronts, avoiding any recurrence of the violent vandalism seen before.

As the operation continued, it slowly began to affect every aspect of life in Australia, and the living conditions of the Australian people deteriorated further. Because their immediate interests were being touched, the demonstrators began to pivot, turning their focus onto the Australian government. They felt their government had provoked "Star City," leading to the subsequent operation and dragging them down with it; some radicals even chanted slogans demanding the government step down.

By this time, these Australians had completely forgotten the initial cause of the conflict—their own demonstrations. Their supposed pride and patriotic fervor had vanished like smoke; all they wanted was a return to their former lives.

The Australian government suddenly faced severe internal dissent and external pressure, finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the confrontation with "Star City." It was precisely at this moment that the United States unexpectedly delivered a surprise.

During a press conference at the White House, the Black American President, responding to reporters' questions, stated: "...The United States, as a responsible major power, has a duty to maintain regional stability. We have realized that we absolutely cannot allow 'Star City' to continue trampling international norms so brazenly, imposing its will upon others; this behavior severely violates the tenet of freedom. We have decided to provide security protection to the good people of Australia. Regarding 'Star City' using force in Australia, our U.S. government is awaiting Congressional approval, and if Congress ultimately grants me the authorization, even if it takes deploying nuclear weapons to level 'Star City,' we will resolutely do so..."

After a period of silence, the U.S. government finally made its official statement on the matter, issuing the most severe nuclear threat yet against "Star City." This welcome news electrified the Australian government, which had been on the verge of collapse. They immediately issued a statement in response, welcoming the security protection offered by the American people to jointly eliminate the evil "Star City." They once again called upon all peace-loving people around the world to rise up against the brutal actions of "Star City."

Those nations that had been wavering between "Star City" and the U.S. suddenly developed new ideas after seeing America issue a nuclear threat against "Star City."

Liu Hui learned of the American nuclear threat while speaking with An Qi at the Moon Base. He chuckled, "The U.S. government actually issued us a nuclear threat? Do they imagine they are the only ones possessing nuclear weapons? When it comes to a profound understanding of nuclear capability, we at 'Star City' understand it far better than their own scientists!"

An Qi smiled on the screen, "Liu Hui, if the Americans knew we have mastered nuclear fusion and are already utilizing it for production and daily life, while they threaten us with outdated fission weapons, don't you think they'd realize they’re showing off their meager skills?"

Liu Hui laughed, "When the Americans find out the truth, they'll probably just feel scared! Because they might not even know what 'showing off one's meager skills' means!"

An Qi chuckled, "See? Are you impressed yet? I manufactured ten nuclear warheads for you at the Moon Base earlier and shipped them back to 'Star City' via interstellar transport ships, precisely because I knew you might face nuclear threats and blackmail from these established military powers while on Earth."

Liu Hui smiled, "Alright, I am truly impressed; you really are my oracle. Now that I have these ten nuclear weapons in hand, I feel much more secure."

An Qi suddenly spoke shyly, "Then when are you planning to visit the Moon Base again? I'm starting to miss you."

Liu Hui replied, "I have to settle things on Earth first! Otherwise, if I leave Earth and return to find our lair destroyed by the enemy, I'll have nowhere to weep."

America's sudden decision to intervene in the conflict between "Star City" and Australia, clearly expressing its hardline stance and using its nuclear arsenal as a threat, suggested an unwillingness to back down until its objective was met. This U.S. involvement instantly caused a fundamental shift in the situation.

After announcing its formal entry into the conflict between "Star City" and Australia, the U.S. government immediately leveraged its influence, presenting a resolution at the UN General Assembly demanding global unity against the expansionist hegemony of "Star City."

This American resolution quickly reached the final voting stage, but to the deep disappointment of the U.S. government, the vast majority of nations abstained. Only a few staunch allies voted in favor. In a departure from its usual low profile, the government of Huaxia cast a vote against the resolution, thwarting America's attempt to leverage the momentum of the UN to suppress "Star City."

When the U.S. turned to rally the NATO countries in Europe, these NATO members, considering the massive equipment and material procurement contracts their domestic enterprises held with "Star City," opted for a cold shoulder, refusing to deploy troops to the Pacific. Even Italy, which had previously sought to play a leading role, declined to follow the U.S. this time. Thus, America, the once awe-inspiring leader, found itself fighting this battle alone, a stark contrast to the peak moments when its subordinate allies surrounded it during past conflicts.

Seeing America issue a nuclear threat and then proceed to mobilize forces to intervene in the volatile South Pacific situation, nations worldwide grew deeply concerned. They sensed the delicate nuclear balance that had long prevailed above them was starting to tip. If this matter escalated to the use of nuclear weapons, a devastating nuclear war was certain, and no one knew what the world would look like in the aftermath.

Consequently, these nations stepped forward one after another, urging both conflicting parties to sit down for negotiations and reject the use of force. What frustrated them, however, was that not only the U.S. and Australia failed to respond to these calls, but "Star City" also remained completely silent.

Facing the American nuclear threat, "Star City" offered no clear response. The U.S. policy of nuclear intimidation seemed successful; American media outlets rejoiced, running headlines proclaiming, "'Star City' Trapped, Showing Signs of Retreat; America Remains the World's Super Military Power," trying to boost national morale.

After waiting without receiving any reply from "Star City," the U.S. government became somewhat complacent, believing it had finally found the ultimate trump card against "Star City"—that its formidable nuclear arsenal had finally terrified the reckless upstart.

Just as America began to celebrate, "Star City" delivered a stunning blow. When an Australian naval vessel was dispatched to test whether "Star City's" cordon was still active, it was sunk again by "Star City" aircraft. Although the crew members all safely evacuated to lifeboats and returned to Australia without injury, "Star City" demonstrated with concrete action its resolve to see the operation through to the end.

Faced with "Star City's" unyielding stance, the enraged U.S. government immediately announced that its Pacific Fleet was already en route to the South Pacific. All six of its aircraft carriers had set sail, their final destination being the naval port in Sydney. Departing simultaneously were two Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines, their target being "Star City."

The U.S. government followed this by announcing that to ensure the safety of the Pacific Fleet, it would dispatch two B-2 bombers to fly along the fleet's path toward Australia, clearing any obstacles for their advance. The U.S. government warned that any attempt to attack these two American B-2s would be regarded as an act of war against the United States, triggering retaliation with all U.S. weaponry, including nuclear arms.

As soon as this declaration was made, nations around the globe understood that the U.S. government was finally making its move, attempting to breach the line "Star City" had established around Australia. Faced with the immensely powerful U.S. Pacific Fleet, would "Star City's" aircraft choose to attack the American fleet to defend its boundary, or would they allow the fleet to pass, effectively declaring their operation a failure?

At this juncture, everyone turned their gaze toward "Star City," eager to see how it would respond to the American military threat.

To the disappointment of these nations, "Star City" maintained silence despite America's relentless escalation.

The U.S. side, meanwhile, continuously publicized the flight paths of its B-2 bombers, attempting to pressure "Star City." The rest of the world anxiously tracked the two B-2s as they departed Hawaii, heading toward Australia. As these aircraft drew nearer to "Star City's" demarcation line, global tension mounted, everyone fearing that a single misstep by "Star City" would trigger a world war and lead to human extinction.

The B-2s approached the line, and "Star City" had still issued no statement. Just as observers began to assume "Star City" had finally capitulated under the U.S. nuclear threat, Starry Sky Television suddenly interrupted its programming with an emergency news bulletin.

In this urgent broadcast, Starry Sky Television reported that "Star City" was about to launch a missile carrying a nuclear warhead near the Maria Theresa Reef in the South Pacific, with an estimated yield of five megatons TNT. The entire launch sequence would be broadcast live by Starry Sky Television.

Upon learning of "Star City's" unexpected announcement of a nuclear test launch, not only the U.S. government but also other nations worldwide were stunned. They had no idea when "Star City" had developed nuclear weapons, let alone large-yield weapons transportable by missile.

However, after their initial shock, suspicion quickly arose; they suspected "Star City" was resorting to lies out of desperation in the face of the U.S. nuclear threat. They knew "Star City" had never conducted any nuclear tests, and without testing, a manufactured nuclear weapon's effectiveness remained unknown—no nation would risk such folly.

Under the gaze of the world, Starry Sky Television began its live coverage of the nuclear launch sequence. Viewers saw an observation platform constructed on a small island. Introduced by a host clad in a hazardous materials suit, they learned this was the observation point, and a distant, small island served as the testing ground for the nuclear missile.

Three minutes after the live broadcast began, the launch countdown on screen finally hit zero. A streak of white suddenly appeared in the sky ahead; everyone watched as a missile shot down from the air, striking the island precisely.

After a one-second pause, a blinding white light erupted from the small island ahead, rendering the television screen pure white. Only after this light faded did people see a massive, white, toxic mushroom cloud rising into the heavens above the island, laced with fierce red flames. Then, a shockwave hit, causing temporary interference with the television reception, and finally, a small tsunami, triggered by the detonation, rippled across the sea surface.

Those watching the gigantic, lurid mushroom cloud on their screens were left speechless, awestruck by the sheer power of the explosion. They were now certain: "Star City" truly possessed nuclear weapons. Experts watching could tell the power displayed was exceptionally immense, with an explosive yield surely not less than five megatons TNT.

At the White House, the Black American President stared blankly at the nuclear detonation scene on television and asked dumbly, "This isn't some movie special effect, is it?"

Those seated next to the President stared silently at the screen, too stunned to answer, still reeling from the shock.

Just then, an aide rushed in, holding a piece of paper. He handed it to the Black President.

The President took the paper, glanced at the contents, and slumped onto the sofa in defeat, the paper falling to the floor. He mumbled, "I didn't think it was real... they actually detonated a five-megaton nuclear weapon in the South Pacific..."

General Vitch bent down to retrieve the paper from the floor. The document read: "Near the Maria Theresa Reef, South Pacific, a nuclear explosion from a missile launch occurred five minutes ago. Based on our observations, the yield has reached five megatons TNT..."

General Vitch sighed, "Mr. President, the very thing we dreaded has happened. 'Star City' possesses nuclear weapons. Our previously established plan has encountered a massive variable."

The Secretary of State asked, "Could this be their only warhead? Once it’s used, will there be no second one?"

General Vitch shook his head. "That's impossible. Generally, the yield of a first nuclear test is kept under one hundred kilotons TNT, not soaring to five megatons. Coupled with the fact this weapon was delivered by missile, both points suggest 'Star City' has possessed nuclear weapons for some time, and certainly more than one. Moreover, even if they only had this one, we dare not risk provoking them further."

The Black President glared at the Director of the CIA, who remained silent beside him, and roared, "What did you tell me before? That 'Star City' would never possess nuclear weapons! What is that thing on the television?"

The Director of the CIA stated flatly, "Mr. President, I apologize. That was an intelligence failure on our part."

The U.S. President pointed at the Director, momentarily speechless, then slumped forward in frustration, saying dejectedly, "What do we do now?"

General Vitch said, "Mr. President, the opponent chose to detonate a nuclear weapon; this is actually a counter to our nuclear threat. I believe our established strategy must change."

The U.S. President said, "I truly never expected 'Star City' to have nuclear weapons." He suddenly remembered something and urgently asked, "Right, where are our two B-2s now?"

General Vitch checked the computer screen before him. "They will enter the range defined by 'Star City's' cordon if they continue flying for another five minutes."

The U.S. President sprang up from the sofa and shouted, "Order them immediately! Tell those two B-2s to turn back the way they came! Under no circumstances should they provoke 'Star City' right now. If they are destroyed by 'Star City,' there will be no room for maneuver between us; it will lead to an all-out nuclear war."

General Vitch immediately relayed the order for the two B-2s to return, while the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the two Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine formations, which were advancing toward Australia and "Star City," also halted their progress.

Nations that had witnessed the "Star City" nuclear explosion and knew they had become a nuclear state, but saw the two U.S. B-2s continuing their advance toward "Star City's" boundary, finally breathed a collective sigh of relief upon receiving news that the B-2s were turning back.

Since America had chosen to yield, the possibility of a conflict between the two nuclear powers, "Star City" and the U.S., escalating into a full-scale nuclear war diminished almost to zero.

The Earth was saved. At this moment, people realized they were drenched in cold sweat. The intensely tense standoff between two nuclear powers instantly reminded them of the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s. At that time, events had also brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, only for both sides to choose de-escalation at the final moment, thus averting global catastrophe.

Now, this fierce confrontation between "Star City" and the United States had an impact on the world that was no less profound than the Cuban Missile Crisis of yesteryear.