"Evil capitalist!"
"System tip: Installed a world-class force. Reward: 60 billion hate points."
"I just cried out—too much flex!"
"Hello everyone, welcome to the global post-ceremony roast. This year's winner of the Strongest Flex Award goes to: Chen Mo!"
"I don't bow to any idols… but I'll kneel to Chen Mo."
"Wanda sets small goals. Jack Ma never touched real money. That face-blind Dong's from an average family. Rebs asks 'Are you OK?'—But Chen Mo? He just casually drops 'a few tens of billions is still fine.' My nine years of compulsory education didn't teach me how to handle this."
"…"
Chen Mo's words sent shockwaves across the entire internet.
Just one sentence was enough for everyone to realize the sheer financial power of the Marching Ant Group. While other major companies wouldn't dare admit to a loss of 60 billion yuan—let alone take it in stride—Chen Mo said it like he was commenting on the weather.
Back at the venue, the Q&A session was still going strong. The atmosphere remained lively, and every time Chen Mo prepared to take another question, the reporters surged forward with raised hands, desperate for a chance to ask something.
A reporter from a state-owned media outlet was selected.
"Academician Wang, why did the Academy of Sciences choose to partner with the Marching Ant Group? Also, what are the main challenges in achieving controlled fusion?"
Wang Nian smiled politely.
"High-temperature plasma research isn't something that can be accomplished in isolation. The R&D capabilities of the Marching Ant Group are very impressive. With more people involved, we gain more strength. I believe their involvement will bring fresh energy and new ideas to our fusion research."
"As for the challenges, the global difficulties in achieving controlled fusion with tokamak devices mainly lie in three key areas: self-sustaining reaction problems, limitations in polarizer materials, and the issue of maintaining steady-state fusion reactions. Solving these would pave the way for commercial nuclear fusion."**
He didn't mention what only insiders knew: Chen Mo had already produced successful energy output data in simulation. Their cooperation could be publicized—but the technical progress? That was still under wraps.
As the Q&A continued, most of the questions were directed at Chen Mo, though the host occasionally selected other media outlets to balance things out and make sure Wang Nian wasn't left out entirely.
After over thirty minutes, the last question was answered, and the ceremony was officially brought to a close. Chen Mo and Wang Nian left the venue side by side.
On the way out, Wang Nian couldn't help but speak up.
"Chen Mo, now that we've signed the agreement, could I get access to some of the theoretical materials?"
He had already reviewed the data Chen Mo gave Li Chengzhi. Some of the formulas alone had significantly inspired their current research. But there were still massive gaps. The inability to fully understand it left him itching with frustration.
Chen Mo smiled.
"Director Wang, those technical theories are top secret. Even though we're in a joint partnership, as per the agreement, only members of the R&D team can access them."
"Once you—or anyone from your side—formally joins the team and signs the NDA with the group company, then access can be granted. You're always welcome to join, but it depends on whether your side is willing to send someone."
Wang Nian hesitated.
He was the director of the Plasma Institute. It would be impossible for him to abandon his responsibilities and join Chen Mo's R&D team directly. Plus, the Academy of Sciences wouldn't allow it. Yet those theories were clearly from the group company, and access was only allowed for their researchers.
"So, we must join the R&D team?"
"That's what we agreed on with Representative Xiao," Chen Mo said with a shrug. "It's in black and white—join the R&D team, sign the agreement, and then access the materials. It's about information security. Otherwise, if you take the data without coordination and something goes wrong, I'm the one who gets blamed."
Wang Nian frowned slightly. The stipulation meant that if he—or anyone—wanted to see Chen Mo's theories, they had to become active participants in the project. That wasn't a simple ask.
Chen Mo, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease.
The Star Ring device's design was being fine-tuned, and the simulation data kept getting better. Now, the only thing left was the actual construction of the system.
Not far away, Zhao Min was in talks with the representatives from the Nuclear Industry Group, negotiating the construction of the research institute. Once finalized, the architectural designs would be handed over to the nuclear group, and the rest of the infrastructure would follow.
The Marching Ant team left the theater for a celebratory banquet.
Meanwhile, the world had already exploded with the news.
Chen Mo's entry into the field of controlled nuclear fusion was making waves on every platform.
But despite the initial shock, most people didn't believe the Marching Ant Group could actually pull it off.
Controlled fusion—nicknamed the "artificial sun"—was the most coveted goal in human energy history.
When nuclear fission was discovered, humanity managed to harness it into a weapon, and then into a power source, in a remarkably short time. Back then, many believed fusion would follow the same trajectory.
Decades later, the reality was sobering. The technology was still stuck in a bottleneck.
Nations across the world built their own tokamak reactors, only to realize how difficult it was. Eventually, they understood that it would take a global effort to achieve a breakthrough.
That led to the creation of ITER, a global research consortium pooling the best scientists from around the world to tackle fusion together.
Even with those combined resources, ITER had yet to solve the major hurdles. That's how difficult this was.
So, while Chen Mo's announcement made headlines, few in the scientific world truly believed he could make meaningful progress.
And as expected, the mockery followed.
"Sixty billion to study fusion? Dream on. This is just wishful thinking."
"Ridiculous Marching Ants."
"That company steals tech from Samsung and now wants to develop fusion? All they're good at is copying."
"Since when did private companies start researching fusion? The U.S. should sanction them on humanitarian grounds and force them to share their research freely."
"Chen Mo's arrogance will be the death of Marching Ant."
It wasn't just international critics. Back home, Chinese commentators were having their own debates.
On a popular news talk show, the topic of the Marching Ant Group's entry into nuclear fusion was the center of discussion.
"Professor Tang, what do you think about this partnership between the Marching Ant Group and the Academy of Sciences?" the female host asked a grey-haired expert.
"Ignorance breeds fearlessness," Tang said bluntly. **"Different industries are as distinct as mountains. Chen Mo has seen success in AI, holography, and robotics—but those are in computing and engineering.
"Jumping into nuclear energy now? It's reckless. Just because he achieved some success doesn't mean he can do anything. Fusion R&D is a bottomless pit with uncertain returns. He could invest everything and still get nothing.
"I fear this venture might drag the entire company into the abyss."**
The other guests nodded in agreement.
**"Professor Tang is right. Chen Mo's too arrogant. Even sovereign nations don't dare tackle this alone, and now a private company wants to join the fray? The ending is predictable. Controlled nuclear fusion could become the grave of Chen Mo's legacy.
"With that money, he'd be better off donating to China's poor. There are tens of millions of struggling families out there. He should be helping them instead."**
Another guest offered a more balanced view:
"I don't think Marching Ant will succeed either. But their cooperation with the Academy of Sciences still provides indirect funding for fusion research. That's a positive in itself."
While internet debates raged and the public jeered, things looked very different behind the scenes.
Chen Mo's declaration had already drawn the attention of intelligence agencies and government officials in several countries.
Unlike the public's laughter, these powers understood one thing clearly:
The Marching Ant Group wasn't playing games.
And now, the global chessboard was shifting.