Chapter 15: The Future of Mortals: Eternal Preparedness

After the bitter victory on the Moon, the response from the "friendly deities" and the growing global suspicions forced China to make a groundbreaking decision: to selectively reveal the truth of "The War of Mortals Against Gods" to the world.

May 15, 2045.

A global live broadcast and a special press conference were held at the United Nations Headquarters. General Li Mingguo, as the Chinese representative, stood at the podium.

Behind him, on the large screen, were processed images of anomalies on the Moon's far side, blurred footage of the "Divine Race" reassembling, and clips of "Mortal Mechs" engaging with unknown energy entities. His voice, hoarse yet firm, meticulously recounted the truth of the myth buried ten millennia ago, revealing to the global public the existence of "Primal Chaos" and China's costly but successful resistance against its 2045 awakening.

Initially, immediately after the broadcast, China faced accusations from hostile forces around the globe, claiming China was inciting panic. Subsequently, a condemnatory meeting, also broadcast live, was convened the same day in the international conference room, led by the US, EU, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, among other unfriendly nations and powers.

Although termed a condemnation, the focus of their outcry revolved around China's technological units—the "Mechs."

Led by representatives from the US and EU, they collectively demanded that China share its research and scientific achievements.

This was followed by global public shock and panic. Social order teetered on the brink of collapse amid brief chaos, and financial markets fluctuated violently.

However, China's response to this condemnation was: "You are not qualified to stand before 'strength' and discuss with China on the basis of 'strength'!"

Subsequently, a video showcasing 50 of the latest model mechs was released. The video showed these 50 mechs launching from their silos, rocketing into the sky at Mach 20, and then hovering over various national capitals, activating their weapon systems and aiming at presidential residences.

It was only then that China issued another statement:

"The aforementioned mechs were recorded and broadcast live via satellite using high-speed mobile video capture. Currently, there are 10 mechs hovering over the capital of every force with any hostile intent towards China. You can guess why. We have already mass-produced and deployed over 1000 of these mechs. China is not doing this to become a global hegemon or to wield dominance. What China wants is for all people globally to unite and collectively resist the enemy! Because right now, humanity has only one enemy! Under this premise, if you are willing to form an alliance with China, China will unreservedly provide and share all technology and support. But! If any 'individual' nation still insists on maintaining its 'stance' against China, then China 'hopes' you can still maintain your so-called 'stance' when facing over 1000 mechs. China even doesn't mind 'erasing' individual 'neighbors'."

As the Chinese representative finished speaking, the large screen switched to display the progress of the "Heavenly Gate Project"—the magnificent lunar base, the "Sky Shield" platforms traversing space, the figures of mech pilots training in simulation pods, and the colossal fleet of 13-meter-tall black mechs.

A new emotion began to burgeon in the hearts of global citizens—not despair, but the exhilarating resilience and courage erupting from mortal civilization in its darkest hour.

In the international conference room, as the Chinese representative's resounding words about "erasing neighbors" fell, though the live feed focused on the Chinese representative, through split screens, the expressions of representatives from various countries were laid bare.

The U.S. National Security Advisor, who had previously worn an arrogant and disdainful look, now turned visibly pale, his eyes filled with disbelief and a hint of terror. He unconsciously tugged at his tie, his forehead glistening with fine beads of sweat.

The EU Intelligence Chief's eyes, which had "lit up" with greed, now lost all their luster, replaced by a bewildered dread shattered by reality. His lips trembled slightly, but he could utter no words.

Japan's Intelligence Bureau Chief Saburo Ishida, who had been poised to make more unreasonable demands, now seemed to have his throat choked. The greed on his face instantly congealed into stiff horror. His finger, which had been poking at the photo, froze in mid-air, his body leaning slightly backward, as if those 10 mechs had truly activated their weapon systems above Tokyo.

The high-ranking South Korean official, who had been the most vociferous, now stood with his mouth slightly agape, eyes unfocused, looking utterly terrified. His indignant voice caught in his throat, leaving only heavy breaths.

The Philippine representative's face was pale, his eyes darting left and right, clearly torn between fear and humiliation.

The Indian representative frowned deeply, his expression complex, showing both the shock of being deterred and a wary unease mixed with a touch of unwillingness regarding such a naked display of power.

Members of the Australian delegation exchanged glances, reading the same fear and powerlessness in each other's eyes.

The entire international conference room was now eerily silent, as if muted. The air was thick with suppressed fear and the despair of being utterly dominated.

Everyone understood that this was not a mere threat; it was a blatant declaration of power, an ultimatum issued to the world by a nation possessing absolute might in the face of an impending apocalypse.

China disdained playing word games, instead delivering the most direct answer through "force" and "reality."

China, the nation that had single-handedly borne a ten-thousand-year secret, now became the spark of human civilization.

What they demonstrated was not merely technological breakthroughs, but the extreme determination and spirit of sacrifice mortals exhibited when facing a threat beyond comprehension.

In the face of this immense crisis, humanity was finally forced to put aside its internal disputes. Leaders from various countries gathered, and after shock and reflection, reached an unprecedented consensus: to form the "Earth Alliance" and collectively commit to "The War of Mortals Against Gods." Former trade barriers, technological blockades, and geopolitical conflicts seemed utterly insignificant in the face of the "Primal Chaos" threat.

The process of reaching this consensus was by no means smooth. The initial "Earth Alliance" meetings were still filled with verbal sparring.

Nations wrangled over proportions of technology sharing, distribution of command authority, and future directions for exploration. However, after the Chinese representative presented detailed data from the lunar battle—including "Primal Chaos'" ability to distort space and matter, and the limits of humanity's current power—the atmosphere in the conference room gradually grew solemn.

When "Pangu Core" simulated the global catastrophic scenarios that "Primal Chaos'" next awakening could cause, and the devastating consequences of humanity's "each fighting alone" if they failed to unite, those once arrogant faces were finally pierced by fear. It was precisely this cold calculation of extinction that ultimately overwhelmed all self-interest and arrogance.

Human civilization entered a new era—the "Era of Eternal Preparedness."

Technological development no longer centered on national interests but on the survival of all humanity.

Controllable nuclear fusion technology was shared globally, along with mech technology and support, effectively eliminating the energy crisis. Top scientists from various countries converged, jointly tackling "anti-divine technologies" to conduct deeper analyses of "Primal Chaos."

New aerospace materials, bio-genetic engineering, quantum computing, and other fields experienced unprecedented leaps in development, driven by "The War of Mortals Against Gods." Humanity began large-scale modifications of the Earth's environment, constructing underground cities to prepare for potential future "divine strikes."

The "Sky Shield" aerospace defense system received global support, its scale and firepower increasing exponentially, forming a "celestial net" covering the solar system. The "Chang'e" lunar base became the "Earth Alliance's" frontline command post and research center, with a continuous flow of supplies and personnel transported to the Moon, preparing for the next "Divine War."

At the same time, the "Morning Star" project moved from secrecy to public knowledge, becoming the "Earth Alliance's" most crucial exploration endeavor. Humanity pooled all its resources to construct more advanced deep-space probes. Equipped with "Pangu Core's" latest algorithms, they were set to journey towards the star system guided by the "friendly deities," and further into the deeper reaches of the cosmos. This was no longer merely a search for allies, but the ultimate exploration by mortal civilization into the mysteries of the universe and its own limits.

Mech pilots were no longer exclusively Chinese elites; instead, top warriors from around the globe had to undergo rigorous selection processes to finally join the "Mortal Mech" forces, becoming representatives of the "Mortal War Gods." They piloted upgraded mechs in new training grounds, continuously preparing for the "Divine War" that could descend at any moment.

Although "Primal Chaos" was temporarily suppressed, everyone knew it had not been annihilated. It had merely re-entered "deep slumber," and its next awakening was only a matter of time. Humanity's future would forever be accompanied by vigilance and challenge.

However, under this destiny of "eternal preparedness," human civilization also demonstrated unprecedented cohesion and centripetal force. Former conflicts, suspicions, and narrow-mindedness seemed utterly trivial in the face of a common enemy. Humanity truly began to slowly grasp the meaning of a "community of shared destiny."

Chang'e's tragic sacrifice, Nüwa's desperate mending, the bloody truth of the Investiture of the Gods, and China's sole preparedness in 2045, all became humanity's new myths. These stories would be passed down through generations, inspiring mortals never to give up, never to yield.

The War of Mortals Against Gods is far from over. But mortals have proven themselves. They are no longer humble creations, but a true civilization capable of contending with the divine, capable of defining their own destiny!