Chapter 5745: Chapter 4768: X Royal Family: Rebirth (8)

Speaking of the engineering process, we have to mention the mutants of the Central Universe. Due to their unique development methods, they are better at handling ash than fighting. Or rather, they are proficient in both aspects.

Constructing the Andromeda Galaxy isn’t just a matter of talking. Even if all enemies are driven away and one enjoys a galaxy alone, it still remains in a primitive state. When developing new territories, everything has to be done personally.

It’s akin to farmers planting fields. Many people think farming is about digging a hole and planting seeds. Little do they know, this is only true for existing farmlands. Without land, one must clear the fields themselves. This kind of development is tiring and troublesome.

The process of pioneering a galaxy is similar to farming. First, select a reasonably promising area, begin clearing debris, which involves asteroids and space junk. Then comes weeding, clearing unnecessary celestial bodies in the area. Next is plowing, adjusting the magnetic and gravitational fields of this star system. Afterward is ridging, aligning planets to their predicted orbits and altering the states of stars for mutual adaptation. Only then can one start sowing and cultivating, which means constructing within this area.

Although it might seem like Magneto could complete this process alone, he is only one person and is also preoccupied with battles. Many times, it’s the ordinary mutants stationed in the Andromeda Galaxy who handle these tasks.

They don’t often use their mutant abilities for this work, mostly relying on tools and equipment obtained from the Intergalactic Market. The interstellar civilizations of the Marvel Universe have developed sophisticated methods, much like the agricultural era. Whatever the task, there’s an available tool; you just need to buy and use it.

It seems simple, but in practice, it’s not so easy. Initially, when mutants went to the Andromeda Galaxy, many were unorganized and undisciplined, doing whatever they desired, however they pleased. This resulted in numerous accidents and damage to a lot of tools. At that time, resources were quite scarce, causing headaches for Magneto and Professor X for a long time.

Later, they referred to human construction and engineering, formulating standardized processes to train mutants into qualified ash workers.

The first step in this standardized process is: no mutant is allowed to use their mutant ability without permission while working.

This doesn’t mean they can’t use their abilities, but they can’t use them indiscriminately. For instance, if Polaris is operating a gravity tractor machine, she must use the machine to grab things, not her mutant ability to drag objects over before the machine catches them.

Machines have predictable processes, and following protocols ensures no mistakes. However, mutant abilities are diverse. One day you might want to pull left, and another day pull right. With multiple mutants interfering with each other, chaos ensues instead of progress.

Most cosmic mutants face this problem. They are skilled fighters but poor at construction. They can conquer lands but can’t maintain or develop them. As a result, the territories they acquire are scarcely truly theirs, merely occupied areas at best. This contributes to the frequent failures of mutant nation-building efforts.

Technically, only in Clarkia does using mutant abilities suffice. However, it’s like developing good calculation habits in primary school. Many steps in solving primary school problems might seem unnecessary, but without good calculation habits, learning higher mathematics in high school or college is challenging.

By now, Erik floated mid-air, intently observing every movement at the dock below. The mutants below indeed utilized their abilities. Yet, they did so repetitively, following a single method. Each person had a specific role, focusing solely on one task. It seemed rigid, yet the efficiency was staggering.

Those transporting materials stood within marked circles, immobile, using telekinesis to move items from the side. Those processing materials sat without walking, handling materials before them. Those sorting moved from left to right in repeated cycles. Assemblers were responsible for their designated regions, installing materials upon arrival without interfering with others’ work.

The previous dock was almost entirely dismantled, but the current one was much better, both faster and improved. Meanwhile, the mutants were more relaxed. Few remained on-site now, as others went to rest.

Shiller and company watched for a while. Soon, shadows of large ships appeared on the distant sea. In the vast fog, they resembled ghost ships that suddenly appeared, capturing everyone’s attention.

These ships indeed appeared out of nowhere. They sailed through a teleportation portal. As they approached Clarkia Island, through the fog, everyone saw the huge Chinese names on the hull. An ancient and mysterious Eastern nation gradually revealed a striking corner to Clarkia.

Strange descended first, clearly having opened the teleportation portal. Next came Charles and Zhengxian, followed by a black-haired woman. Shiller glanced distantly; she seemed to be the Weather Witch from the Dynasty.

"I’ve returned, children." Charles’ voice resonated in every Clarkian mutant’s mind. They quickly dashed out to the dock to greet him. Meanwhile, employees from SWORD began unloading supplies.

Box after box of fresh food was delivered to the island. The mutants were astonished, glancing at the food and ships, before finally fixing their gaze on Charles’ face.

Sebastian was the most shocked one. When he was in the Hellfire Group, he was somewhat considered a diplomatic expert. It could be said that among all the countries he had dealt with, China was the most difficult, bar none.

This is a country that is impervious to soft or hard tactics. They only do what they want, and nothing can shake their principles. There is no room for argument in negotiations with them, no matter how many conditions you propose or how many approaches you try, they stick to one price, and no one can sway them. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Compared to them, even the nationalist-leaning Russia, which has always been unfriendly towards mutants, is much easier to deal with. After all, individual Russians can be swayed and quite easily at that. But China is like a colossal unified entity, and what you think might be a loophole is merely a pattern on its scales.

Sebastian could never have imagined that Charles would actually be able to persuade SWORD. It’s important to note that SWORD is different from S.H.I.E.L.D. S.H.I.E.L.D. is relatively independent and directly under the United Nations, even within America, its authority is significant, capable of standing up to the government and the military.

But SWORD is different, they are part of the government. What the government disapproves, they disapprove as well. They represent the government’s will, which essentially means that their presence here indicates that Clarkia and China have already established diplomatic relations.

Sebastian was bewildered, how was this even achieved?

In fact, it’s not complicated at all. With the introduction of the Wakanda King, Black Panther, Charles successfully met with Zhengxian. Toward Zhengxian, he was much more enthusiastic and tactful.

"Hello, Director." Charles smiled at him without putting on airs, sincerely saying, "I’m happy to see you here."

"I feel the same, Professor Xavier." Zhengxian did not comment on his youthful appearance. This director always maintained a calm demeanor, with no emotional fluctuation, giving no hint of his thoughts.

Many are intimidated by his attitude, but Charles is not. Because in the Central Universe, he most frequently interacted with this director. Don’t forget, the New Xanadu Country and China are neighbors, and they get along exceptionally well. Charles has even been to Zhengxian’s home.

"Here’s the thing, Director. I’ll skip the pleasantries. I know you have some interest in the pharmaceutical components extracted from the Clarkia Flower. Clarkia wants to collaborate with you on research, or we can supply raw materials for your research. But we have one condition, the extracts from the Clarkia Flower must be included in your national medical insurance system. Also, I request regular foreign trade transactions between China and Clarkia."

Though Zhengxian maintained his calm appearance, he clearly focused his gaze on Charles, discreetly observing him, then said, "Alright, let’s go inside for detailed discussions."

The part about pharmaceutical cooperation was not difficult to negotiate. Everyone wants such beneficial things. However, most people thought they could buy it directly after Clarkia developed it. Only China wanted to conduct their own research. Charles believed that having mutants do the research was too exhausting; exporting raw materials was a better option. The two sides were perfectly agreeable.

As for trade, it was even simpler. It could basically be described as buying fine steeds in the Eastern Market, buying saddles, buying bridles, and buying long whips.

However, Charles clearly understood China’s strengths well. After concluding the trade negotiation, he proposed obtaining technical support, especially in agriculture and industry. Simply put, it involved China sending people to teach farming techniques, and Clarkia purchasing seeds and farming equipment from China. If they produced unique agricultural products, they could also sell them back to China.

This part of the negotiation was more challenging, as acquiring technical personnel wasn’t easy. Charles had to suggest Zhengxian and members of the Dynasty visit Clarkia Island. After all, it’s a land belonging to mutants, and there might be Chinese mutants arriving, bringing back environmental information could be beneficial.

After some exchanges, SWORD agreed. They then brought the first batch of emergency supplies to Clarkia, where they were unsurprisingly met with unprecedented welcome.

In fact, the mutants are not blind. They know well enough where their fellow mutants have better lives. However, for many mutants, surviving in their original countries was already difficult, making it entirely unrealistic to expect them to traverse oceans to a country with a completely unfamiliar language and culture. Moreover, China is not an immigration country, making it challenging for them to stay. But that doesn’t mean they don’t feel envious.

Now, in Clarkia’s time of crisis, it’s still China that steps forward, bringing them hope. This has made the mutants develop a stronger affection for this Eastern Great Nation. If Chinese mutants were to arrive afterward, they would likely be warmly welcomed. This was also the main reason SWORD agreed to cooperate.

No one can prevent the mutants from leaving. If they wish to go to a country of their own kind, it’s a completely reasonable demand. And the attitude of the Chinese government, or SWORD, is that wherever Chinese mutants live, they hope to provide them with a better environment as much as possible.