When supplying arms, I didn't see them nitpicking this and that. The moment they laid eyes on long guns and short cannons, they were as cordial as if they'd seen their own father.
Why didn't they ask how the guns were made, or what kind of technology was used?
Now that it's energy, they start questioning everything. In the final analysis, energy affects the entire world. In today's era of rapid technological advancement, let alone large-scale energy—just a citywide power outage overnight is enough to cause public outrage.
Moreover, if the new energy source is truly as Xu Dan described, wouldn't the whole world end up in his hands alone?
The military industry is still subject to national constraints. At most, people flatter Xu Dan a little. Such verbal maneuvering is nothing before these politicians; they are masters of rhetoric.
But once this new energy replaces traditional energy—and Xu Dan becomes its sole controller—the consequences are unimaginable.
The reason Xu Dan was reluctant to disclose the origin of the blue tube was mainly because of the Cosmic Cube.
This was not a conventional energy source. Even if the energy contained within it was infinite, Earth's trust in such an alien object would not be high.
In other words, was he supposed to brazenly announce that he possessed the Cosmic Cube?
Some clever people had already noticed the object that opened the sky wormhole during the Battle of New York and wondered where it ultimately ended up. But speculation and voluntarily revealing the truth were two entirely different things.
"Mr. Xu, how should we use this delicate device?" Just as everyone was full of suspicion, the Huaxia minister asked Xu Dan.
This was clearly a statement of unconditional support.
As the world's largest country today, Huaxia had received no shortage of preferential treatment from Antarctic Enterprises during its process of surpassing the United States.
Hearing Huaxia's position, the other shrewd politicians reacted quickly and stopped pressing further.
After all, they now formed the Earth Alliance. Divergent opinions could be voiced, but common goals had to be advanced.
Xu Dan smiled faintly. He had to admit that the Huaxia people were the most culturally profound in the world, and that depth was reflected in the art of speech.
The Americans tended to confront things head-on. The Huaxia were far more subtle—keeping the truth in their hearts and speaking only half of it aloud.
"You can treat it as a battery. If you wish to use it, we've prepared a base for it. As for how much energy a single unit can provide, you may take it back and test it yourselves. Consider it a complimentary gift."
A gift.
The eyes of those around him reddened.
Anything Xu Dan chose to present at this conference—could it possibly be ordinary?
Yet he was giving it away so casually.
This was blatant favoritism—infuriatingly so.
It was like a wealthy man strolling down the street and handing you one hundred million without a word.
"This—!" The Huaxia minister was flattered. "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? I… I'll accept it, then?"
"Just take it."
No one had expected that a product of such immense technological value would be handed over so freely—nor that it would be accepted just as readily.
"That's the new energy that will shape the future of the world. Is it appropriate for you to just tuck it into your pocket like that?" the American representative said. "Shall I get you a safe?"
The minister smiled slyly. "Sir, weren't you just questioning whether this thing is safe? Then I'll hold it close to my chest and let it threaten the king of my country."
That smile felt like naked mockery in the American's eyes.
But under the current circumstances, no one dared to escalate matters. They were all members of the Earth Alliance now. Competition was acceptable—but tearing faces apart was not.
"Mr. Xu Dan, the United States is also willing to conduct a pilot trial."
Xu Dan spread his hands regretfully. "There's only one. What a pity."
"Huh? That's impossible, Mr. Xu Dan. You said this would replace Earth's existing energy. How can there be only one? Can't you mass-produce it?" The American clearly did not grasp the nuances of Huaxia rhetoric.
Xu Dan glanced at him. "We cannot mass-produce it yet. So for now, it can only be supplied to Huaxia."
"This… that's not appropriate, Mr. Xu Dan. You shouldn't do that." Several others were about to protest, their expressions growing distorted.
It was like a grandfather feeding a group of children. One day, he bought a new nutritional supplement—but only gave it to his eldest son. The other sons turned red with agitation.
"Shouldn't do that? Then what should I do?"
Faced with that rhetorical question, everyone realized how absurd their words had sounded and fell silent.
At that moment, Xu Dan gave a signal to Wu Minghuo behind him, who stepped forward and presented a small Antarctic reactor.
The Ark Reactor integrated with Antarctic technology was called the Antarctic Reactor. This specially produced batch for sale had increased the energy output of Tony Stark's Ark Reactor by 3.5 times.
Of course, this was only the first generation. The second generation, using new elements derived from the Cosmic Cube, was conservatively estimated to be ten times more powerful.
This alone proved what a wise decision it had been to accept Ivan Vanko in the beginning.
"What… what is this?"
Before Xu Dan could speak, the others eagerly asked.
This time, no one dared to nitpick. After all, with one free gift already given, perhaps the next would fall into their hands.
Free was free—why refuse?
"I call this the Antarctic Reactor. It is another new energy developed by Antarctic Enterprises. This is the first-generation reactor. The energy it contains—shall we test it? I guarantee it could blow this entire exhibition hall sky-high."
"This—!"
"No!"
"Oh, no!"
Xu Dan smiled. "I'm joking. According to our tests, even if you shoot it with a gun, it won't explode."
The American representative was the first to react. Staring at the ruby-like reactor, he said, "This resembles the device on Iron Man's chest. Is there any connection?"
"What do you think?" Xu Dan replied.
No one dared answer.
Answer what?
Who dared speak recklessly?
"So… can this be put into use in the United States first?"
"First?" Xu Dan narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. "I've always been fair. So all of you may place advance orders for this reactor."
Fair?
Several people were grinding their teeth in frustration. If this was fairness, then unfairness simply did not exist in this world.
Still, as long as they could order one, they would obtain a power source similar to Iron Man's. That alone made it worthwhile.
After Tony Stark publicly revealed his identity, the world had taken notice of the device on his chest.
Everyone knew Tony Stark. Media coverage of the former playboy had never ceased. Nearly everyone understood that he was an ordinary man—and that his ability to become Iron Man depended entirely on his steel suit.
Frankly, was it difficult to build a steel suit?
Not really.
For major nations, it was even quite simple—mass production was entirely feasible.
The true difficulty lay in the Ark Reactor.
Tony had once made a spectacle in court, declaring that no one else would be able to replicate his technology for many years.
Without a sufficiently powerful and compact energy source, producing more steel suits would be meaningless.
Now, whether it meant losing face or not no longer mattered. As long as they possessed a similar reactor, they could manufacture their own "Iron Men"—even an Iron Legion.
Xu Dan naturally anticipated the chain reaction the energy revolution would bring.
But he had no intention of stopping it.
If humanity ultimately used this technology to wage war against one another, then perhaps the species was not worth expecting much from.
"That… may I ask, what is the price to order this reactor?"
"That depends on how you intend to use it. If it is for urban energy supply, the price is guaranteed to be lower than traditional energy." Xu Dan smiled faintly, subtly reminding them.
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone began calculating silently. Many decisions were not theirs to make—but nothing could stop them from thinking.
"We… we would like to place an order for one thousand units!"
Hearing this, Xu Dan burst out laughing. "Mr. Vir, have you made a mistake? Are you negotiating orders with me?"
"Hahaha, he must be too anxious!"
"That's hilarious. If you want to negotiate orders, speak to the department. Mr. Xu Dan hasn't even had a drink yet, and you're already trying to keep him busy?"
"Mr. Xu Dan said this time it's fair. Why the rush?!"
Laughter filled the exhibition hall. The white-haired man Vir flushed bright red.
A man in his fifties, seasoned in politics for decades, with skin thicker than city walls—yet here he was, blushing.
It truly was a foolish blunder.
Xu Dan withdrew his smile, picked up a glass of wine from the table beside him, raised it toward the crowd, and drained it in one gulp.
"To honor!"
"To Mr. Xu Dan!"
"To Mr. Xu Dan!"
"Mr. Xu!"
…
Listening to the tidal wave of cheers, Xu Dan seemed to see money flooding in like a rising tide.
The benefits of launching a global energy revolution were beyond calculation.
He almost wanted to say, "I'm not interested in money."
Imagine—if after the reform, Antarctic Enterprises controlled even sixty percent of the world's energy industry. Even without official "power," the influence he commanded would be terrifying.
Why did he repeatedly provoke the American representative, yet the latter remained silent as stone?
Did the man enjoy being humiliated? Hardly.
The reason the United States dared not strike back—even under such blatant provocation—was simple.
The Antarctic military industry was spread across the entire world.
The whole world needed Xu Dan.
If one person wanted him dead, the other ninety-nine would want him alive—and would protect him.
Everyone understood what was at stake.
And if the Antarctic military industry had already built such a force for him, what would happen once the energy revolution unfolded?
Now, when facing these politicians, he still had to raise a glass first.
In the future, others would lift their cups and say "To you, sir" before he did.
After three rounds of drinks, conversations turned casual.
The minister frowned. "Alas, after the storm in the island nation, we were the first victims of the pollution problem. We've done everything possible to prevent its spread, but our coastal regions were still contaminated. What can we do?"
"Hah, man, just seal off your coastline and reopen it after cleanup."
"Are you dreaming?"
…
Whether energy pollution or garbage pollution, these were global problems.
Xu Dan kept this matter in mind.
If he truly intended to lead Earth into the interstellar era—if he wanted Earth civilization to earn respect—then at the very least it must reach the level of Xandar.
Pollution was an issue he could not avoid.
In energy, he could rely on the Cosmic Cube for reform.
But pollution—that was far more difficult.
Transferring garbage elsewhere was meaningless. Pollution was pollution wherever it went.
Throwing it into space—was that not still pollution?
Modern cities had promoted recycling with notable results.
Yet there would always be waste that could not be recycled.
The methods used by garbage stations were unreliable—otherwise the island nation would not have suffered such severe consequences.
In his view, the best solution was degradation technology.
In the past, people buried waste and let nature digest it.
But nature took too long.
In an era of rapid development, people couldn't even tolerate a forty-second advertisement.
"Mr. Xu, do you have any effective solutions for pollution? If such technology can be implemented, we are willing to pay a high price."
Xu Dan could not give a direct answer. He was still considering how to solve the waste problem himself.
So he replied, "Minister, I will return and establish an independent project at Antarctic Technology for this matter. If it proves feasible, I will assist as soon as possible."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Mr. Xu Dan, if super-degradation technology succeeds, it will be an immeasurable benefit to humanity. We look forward to it."
"No need to say more. Britain is willing to fully support it!"
"For something like this, I believe everyone should support Mr. Xu Dan!"
-----------------------
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