Chapter Sixty-Five: The Sun’s Radiance Illuminates All the Lands!

The heroic deed of Jiuzhou spread across the world in an instant!

“This is the true spirit of benevolence! Thank you, Jiuzhou!” cried the people of America.

The people of Europower exclaimed, “My Lord! Thank you, Jiuzhou! You have saved us!”

The people of Northsand declared, “Jiuzhou! We will remember you forever! We revere you! You are our light!”

The people of Jiuzhou responded, “It was nothing! When the war is over, just don’t come to Jiuzhou looking for trouble anymore!”

Upon seeing this, the other three superpowers all issued the same concise response:

“Alright! Thank you, Jiuzhou!”

Yet with this gratitude came new challenges.

In recent days, more and more refugees have gathered outside the perimeters of various strongholds—not only around Jiuzhou, but also America, Northsand, and the others faced the same situation.

These were clearly the powerless citizens of the small nations who had fallen first in the conflict.

Jiuzhou hesitated over whether to rescue these people.

If they did nothing, it would betray the spirit of benevolence that Jiuzhou stood for. But if they did offer aid, and something went wrong, who would take responsibility for Jiuzhou?

The number of refugees swelled daily; many starved to death right at Jiuzhou’s doorstep.

Number One and Chu Xiao watched this scene from afar, their hearts aching with grief.

Yet as leaders of their nation, they had their own concerns.

“As a great nation, Jiuzhou ought to save them!” said Number One, enunciating each word with determination.

Chu Xiao nodded slightly. “Yes! But if even a single spy slips in, Jiuzhou will lose everything. Who then will save all of Jiuzhou?”

“Indeed! But what should be done about these people?” Number One was unwilling to let them simply starve to death before Jiuzhou’s gates.

“We’ll provide them with some food first, then examine each one thoroughly. Only those who pass inspection, with no suspicion whatsoever, can be permitted entry. If there is the slightest hint of risk, execute them on the spot without mercy!”

Number One looked at Chu Xiao, surprised at how much he had matured—but he had to admit, this might be the best solution.

“Better to wrongly execute a thousand than let one go free! Otherwise, it will be the day of Jiuzhou’s extinction,” Number One said with grim weight.

He turned to Ji Kaicheng at his side. “You heard everything just now, didn’t you? Let them make their own choice. If they wish to enter, they must face the threat of death. Tell the soldiers—show no pity!”

“If they choose to turn back, let them leave at once. This place is now a one-way gate: in, but never out. Do you understand?”

“Understood!” Ji Kaicheng withdrew, fully aware of the heavy intentions behind the leaders’ words.

Ji Kaicheng immediately issued the orders.

When the refugees at the gate heard this, hesitation flickered in their eyes, but soon, most resolved to enter. Even if it meant risking death, it was better than starving outside.

Standing together with the people of Jiuzhou to resist the enemy—was that not a better fate?

The other three superpowers, learning of Jiuzhou’s response, quickly adopted the same measures.

These refugees had already troubled them greatly, and their own citizens had repeatedly petitioned for their rescue.

The refugees were saved!

Now, people all over the world united, standing with Jiuzhou, America, Europower, and Northsand to resist the common foe.

At this moment, the Underlord was researching new weapons.

For the old weapons were clearly no longer effective against humanity!

Yet humanity was not idle—they too were developing new weapons to counter the Underlord.

In his previous life, Chu Xiao had only seen weapons as powerful as the Tower Cannon. Anything stronger would require more advanced technology, beyond what they currently possessed. It was time to invent something entirely new.

Chu Xiao looked out the window. The sun blazed fiercely.

Was not the crimson sun the most formidable weapon in nature?

If one could focus sunlight upon a single point, drawing all the rays within a certain range together, then not even the Underlord’s hardest armor could withstand it; it would burn through, for the sun’s temperature could reach tens of thousands of degrees Celsius.

As far as anyone knew, no weapon on Earth could endure ten thousand degrees without melting.

“The sun! Why don’t we use the sun?” Chu Xiao asked, gazing at the assembled leaders of every superpower.

All the leaders were gathered, discussing their next move against the Underlord.

But Chu Xiao’s abrupt suggestion cast an awkward silence over the room.

“Nonsense! What do you mean, use the sun? Are you planning to hurl the sun at the Underlord? Has your brain turned to fluff?” Oris shouted angrily. How could the people of Jiuzhou still have the mood to joke at a time like this?

Mukos gave Chu Xiao a cold glance. “We have no time for games. Present a concrete, feasible plan!”

Church, too, looked at Chu Xiao with skepticism. “Maybe you should think it over again? I don’t think this will work. Let’s not make trouble.”

Number One said nothing, but his eyes were filled with unwavering trust as he looked at Chu Xiao.

“You may choose to believe me or not,” Chu Xiao said. “But I hope you will gather your nations’ finest weapons researchers here. With all our talent, we will develop the weapons we need more efficiently!”

“The laser cannon is no longer enough to fight the Underlord! Have you not realized? The last Tower Cannon was proof—our four nations suffered severe losses, as you well know!”

“In short, this is my proposal. You may believe me, or you may not!” Chu Xiao’s final words were resolute, his patience clearly wearing thin.

“Forget it, I’ll think on it some more,” Oris said, taking his leave; he clearly did not trust Chu Xiao’s plan.

Mukos gave Qiao Xu a frosty look. “We may choose to trust you. We’ll send our personnel to Jiuzhou—give me a satisfactory answer!” With those words, he too departed.

Church nodded as well. “Whether I believe you or not, the people will be sent to you. We’ll see what comes of it.”

Evidently, Church was also skeptical of Chu Xiao’s idea.

After the others had left, Chu Xiao turned his gaze once more to Number One.

“What about you? Do you not trust me either?”

“No! I believe in you. From the moment I appointed you to lead the People’s Production Campaign, I have believed in you!” Number One’s eyes, aged yet clear, met Chu Xiao’s unwaveringly.

Chu Xiao paused, then as if making a firm decision, replied, “Thank you for your trust. I will not fail you!”

With those words, Chu Xiao turned and strode away, his figure resolute and decisive.

In the laboratory, the elite minds of every nation were now assembled.

Chu Xiao sat at the very front, followed by the Americans, the Northsandians, and the Europowerians.

“Everyone is here. Let me say a few words.” Chu Xiao’s eagle-like gaze swept over the assembly.

All sat upright, their faces solemn.

“You have all heard my proposal. I intend to use the sun as our weapon against the Underlord. You may find this incredible, but remember, the sun is the most powerful source of energy in the entire universe!”