Pretending to be a genius starts with the civilization advancement assessment.

Chapter 117 Principal Lin, Commander Lin

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

The two proposals put forward by Zhou Donglai were far beyond the expectations of many people present in terms of scale and boldness.

Establishing a dedicated military academy was already an important decision, but directly creating a new branch of the military positioned as a strategic force is almost a major adjustment to the existing military system.

The person in charge who had previously thought Lin Yi's proposal was "radical" frowned, pondered for a moment, and then cautiously spoke again: "Minister Zhou, we understand the General Staff's grand strategy. The importance of Source Energy Warriors is beyond doubt. But... perhaps... um, could we take a slightly more cautious approach?"

"Deploying all three energy condensation devices to the training camp, and even upgrading it to a formal military academy, is not unreasonable. We also support concentrating superior resources to create a model and benchmark."

He organized his thoughts, "But isn't it a bit premature to directly establish a new military branch positioned as a strategic force? After all, at present, there are only about eight hundred well-organized and capable source energy warriors. Is it undeserving to elevate it to such a level now?"

"The corresponding command system, logistical support, operational regulations, etc. are still blank. I think it might be more prudent to first exist in the form of special forces or experimental forces, and then consider upgrading them to an independent service after the scale expands and the system matures."

His remarks represented the views of a segment of relatively conservative officials, and a few murmurs of agreement rang out in the meeting room.

Zhou Donglai seemed to have anticipated this question.

His expression remained unchanged as he glanced at everyone present, answering in a calm yet exceptionally firm tone: "No, I don't think it's too hasty. I even think that the General Staff's proposal is somewhat belated in some respects!"

"Too late?" The person in charge looked puzzled.

“Yes.” Zhou Donglai nodded emphatically, then turned to his deputy behind him and gestured, “To help you understand more intuitively the urgency and necessity of our proposal, please watch a video. Perhaps, after watching it, you will have different opinions.”

The adjutant immediately set to work, and the huge main screen in the conference room lit up, beginning to play an edited video—the footage that Liu Qiying had filmed and transmitted back during the air raid.

The video begins with Lin Yi's conversation with Liu Qiying inside the helicopter, clearly mentioning key numerical comparisons such as "source energy value 54900" and "I currently have 3100", as well as the statement, "The General Staff's first instruction is that this operation can fail, but you cannot be allowed to fail."

This caused many attendees to change their expressions slightly, as they could sense the deeper meaning behind the General Staff's almost absolute protective attitude towards Lin Yi.

The scene then shifts to the rooftop of an office building. Lin Yi retrieves the Rift Abyss Spear, its crimson and gold energies intertwining and fusing, ultimately transforming into a chilling black lightning bolt.
Then came that earth-shattering throw!
The video clearly captured the faint black light streaking across the sky, and the terrifying scene of the distant stadium being instantly swallowed by a black energy sphere that suddenly expanded and then collapsed.

When the camera finally focused on the enormous crater, nearly a kilometer in diameter with smooth, mirror-like edges, and the shot of the helicopter violently shaking from the shockwave, the entire conference room fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was speechless with shock at the unimaginable destructive power.

They may have heard snippets of information from other sources before, but any words seem pale and powerless in the face of such a direct visual impact.

The research institute director who had spoken earlier subconsciously pushed up his glasses. His throat was a little dry. He cleared his throat and slowly said, "Well, given the constraints of nuclear weapons not being used on our own soil in the most critical situation, I believe that the level of individual power shown in the video, well, it is indeed undoubtedly a strategic force."

His attitude underwent a complete 180-degree change.

As a scientist, he places more faith in the data and phenomena he sees with his own eyes.

Zhou Donglai surveyed the room, noticing the undisguised shock on everyone's faces, and continued to increase his stakes, "Furthermore, I need to emphasize one point to everyone. According to our communication with Comrade Lin Yi, this attack, which he has identified as 'star core level,' can be released again by Comrade Lin Yi after more than two hours of energy recovery."

He paused deliberately to allow the news to fully dissipate. "Moreover, if recovery takes place within the range of the 'Vortex Source Energy Condenser,' he can achieve rapid replenishment without even consuming precious source energy crystals."

"Star core level," someone repeated the term in a low voice, intuitively feeling its heavy weight.

Zhou Donglai continued, "Based on the lectures given by Comrade Lin Yi to the trainees during the training period, as well as the feedback from exchanges with frontline comrades such as Nie Chang and Liu Qiying, our General Staff has initially identified this attack, which far exceeds the power of conventional weapons, as a sign of 'star core level'."

"At the same time, we infer that if our training system is successful in the future, and others are able to reach a similar 'star core level', they should also be able to unleash this kind of strategic-level attack."

He looked sharply at everyone: "Gentlemen, you should all know very well what this means."

What does it mean?
Everyone present knew the truth.

This means—a humanoid nuclear bomb!
A mobile strategic deterrent force, and an ultimate force that is reusable, precisely controlled, and free from the risk of nuclear contamination.

In the foreseeable future, although other countries are currently lagging behind, several major powers are likely to produce Star Core-level Origin Warriors.

What is the best way to deal with nuclear weapons?
Naturally, we also possess nuclear weapons of the same or even greater level.

Xia Kingdom had previously lagged behind in this area and had even been blackmailed, so it naturally understood its importance even more.

The tone of the meeting was definitively set at that moment.

Li Zhenguo tapped the table with his knuckles at the opportune moment, drawing everyone's attention.

"Comrade Donglai has already explained the reasons very clearly."

He surveyed the room and said, "Whether based on the urgent need to deal with the current crisis of the Abyss Beasts or with a view to the longer-term strategic security landscape, I believe that the General Staff's proposal to establish the 'Dongfeng Military Academy' and the 'Yuanwu Strategic Defense Army' is timely, correct, and necessary."

"Furthermore, I believe that Comrade Lin Yi should serve as the principal of Dongfeng Military Academy, and at the same time, he should temporarily serve as the commander of the Yuanwu Army."

Li Zhenguo made his statement first.

The meeting room fell silent; no one dared to voice any further objections.

Even if someone else were to take over this position, they wouldn't be able to handle it.

Facts speak louder than words, and power defines status.

The devastating blow in the video has shattered all doubts.

Seeing that no one had any further objections, Li Zhenguo said in a deep voice, "Alright, since everyone agrees, this matter is officially settled. Your General Staff will take the lead and work with relevant departments to implement it as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir! I guarantee I will complete the mission!" Zhou Donglai stood at attention and saluted, his voice strong and clear.

(End of this chapter)