From cute to empress

Chapter 366: Revelation in the Darkest Place

I turned around suddenly and saw the kind face of the monk, looming in the moonlight. He clasped his hands together and chanted Buddhist scriptures in a low voice, as if he were a god descended from the sky.

"Master..." I was a little surprised. I rarely saw him since the last Crystal Energy press conference.

"All living things suffer, and only self-salvation is possible." The monk opened his eyes, his deep gaze gazing into the distance. "Depending on others is not a long-term solution. The fate of the Earth lies in your own hands."

His calm words were like a heavy hammer, striking my heart hard. Yes, we can't always rely on others. The earth is our home, and saving it is our own responsibility!

"Master, I understand." I took a deep breath and looked up at the starry sky with a determined gaze. "We will definitely do our best to find a solution to the problem!"

The monk smiled faintly, turned around and left, leaving behind only a meaningful sentence that echoed in the night sky: "The light of hope is often hidden in the darkest places..."

The monk's appearance further strengthened my resolve to rely on my own strength. I returned to the imperial study, where Zhen Youcai was buried in a pile of blueprints, his brow furrowed.

"Aren't you asleep yet?" I walked to him and asked softly.

"I'm thinking about how to maximize the efficiency of crystal energy while reducing costs..." Zhen Youcai raised his head, his eyes full of bloodshot, but flashing with determination.

"I believe you can find a way." I held his hand and gave him encouragement and support.

In the days that followed, we spent almost all our time in the lab, working tirelessly on our research. There were countless failed experiments and sleepless nights, but we never gave up hope.

"Mengmeng, look!" Finally, on a thunderous night, a cry of surprise broke out in the laboratory.

I looked up and saw Zhen Youcai pointing excitedly at the instrument in front of him. A series of exciting numbers were jumping on the data display screen.

"We succeeded! We found a way to use crystal energy to convert it into clean energy!" Zhen Youcai hugged me excitedly, his tone filled with irrepressible joy.

As I watched the numbers jump before me, a surge of joy and hope welled up in my heart. Crystal energy conversion technology means we can harness the inexhaustible energy of crystals and transform it into clean, efficient energy, completely solving the problems of resource shortages and environmental pollution!

"Quick, gather the members of the 'Earth Saving Plan' project team immediately. We need to apply this technology to practice as soon as possible!" I couldn't wait to give the order, with a glimmer of hope in my eyes.

Outside the window, thunder roared and lightning streaked across the night sky, as if cheering us on, cheering for the future of mankind... I turned to look at Zhen Youcai and said firmly, "We need to build a large..."

"We need to build a large crystal energy conversion station!" I clenched my fists excitedly and spoke in a firm tone.

Zhen Youcai immediately understood what I meant and nodded excitedly, "That's right! A sufficiently large energy station can convert crystal energy into electrical energy and continuously deliver it to thousands of households!"

We immediately took action and told the members of the "Earth Saving Plan" project team this exciting news. As soon as the news came out, the whole team was excited, and everyone's face was filled with excitement and hope.

We worked day and night, overcame countless technical difficulties, and finally, a month later, the first crystal energy conversion station rose from the ground amid cheers.

I pressed the start button myself, and the huge energy station emitted a low roar. Colorful crystal energy flowed in the transparent pipes, converted into stable electric current, and transmitted to various parts of the city through cables.

At that moment, I seemed to see the dawn of hope illuminating the whole world.

The completion of the crystal energy station has completely resolved the energy crisis that has plagued humanity for so long. In the city, factory machinery is roaring again, homes are brightly lit, and people's faces are filled with happy smiles. All of this makes me feel extremely relieved and proud.

However, just as we were immersed in joy, an undercurrent was quietly surging.

Some people began to spread rumors that crystal energy would produce terrible radiation, pollute the environment, and even control human thoughts. They incited the ignorant masses to march in the streets and protest, demanding the closure of crystal energy stations.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened! A large number of people have gathered at the city gate. They are very emotional and demand that you stop the crystal energy project immediately!" The guard ran in hurriedly to report.

I was startled, and a bad premonition came over me. Zhen Youcai and I looked at each other, and we both saw a solemn look in each other's eyes.

"Let's go and take a look!" I frowned and walked out of the palace quickly.

At the city gate, a sea of ​​black people surrounded the entire square, and deafening protests resounded through the sky.

"Crystal Energy is a scam! It will destroy our home!"

“We want safe energy and a healthy life!”

"Shut down the crystal energy station! Shut down the crystal energy station!"

I looked at the excited crowd before me, feeling a mixture of emotions. I knew that the Crystal Energy project had violated the interests of some people, and they were afraid of change, afraid of losing their vested interests, so they resorted to fabricating rumors and stirring up trouble.

"Your Majesty has arrived--" the guard shouted loudly.

The crowd suddenly quieted down, and everyone's eyes were focused on me, filled with anger, suspicion, and fear...

I took a deep breath, walked forward, looked at the unfamiliar faces before me, and slowly said, "I know you're all worried about the safety of Crystal Energy..."

I gazed at the unfamiliar faces before me, a mixture of emotions welling up in my stomach. I knew they weren't all ignorant, but rather that long-standing fear and distrust had blinded their eyes. I had to do something to dispel the darkness in their hearts and restore their hope for the future.

"I know you're all concerned about the safety of crystal energy," my voice echoed across the square. "But I want to tell you that crystal energy is safe. It doesn't produce any radiation or pollution. We've already undergone rigorous testing and verification."

Even louder voices of doubt erupted from the crowd, with some shouting, "You have no evidence! Why should we believe you?"

I took a deep breath and turned to look at Zhen Youcai. He nodded firmly and gave me a look that said "don't worry."

"I know it's hard to dispel everyone's doubts with just my one-sided statement." I looked around and said loudly, "To prove the safety of crystal energy, we have decided to conduct a public demonstration!"

The crowd suddenly quieted down, and everyone was waiting curiously for my next words.

I pointed to the towering crystal energy station in the center of the square and said firmly, "Three days from now, we will demonstrate the true power of crystal energy here, in front of everyone! We will invite representatives from all walks of life, as well as the most respected monks and meteorologists, to witness this historic moment together!"

Three days passed in a flash. The square was packed, even more crowded than last time. Even the surrounding rooftops were filled with people. My heartbeat got faster and faster as time went by, but I told myself I couldn't back down. I had to succeed!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhen Youcai and I walked up to the podium. He demonstrated the conversion process of crystal energy, while I explained the principles and advantages of crystal energy to everyone.

"Everyone, please look, the crystals used in this crystal energy station are mined from deep underground. They contain huge energy, and it is inexhaustible..." As I explained, I gestured to Zhen Youcai to operate the instrument.

He put a crystal into the energy conversion device, and the crystal immediately emitted a dazzling light. The powerful energy was instantly converted into a stable electric current, which was transmitted to the lighting equipment in the square through cables. The originally dim square was instantly brightly lit!

There were bursts of exclamations from the crowd, and the monks and meteorological officers also showed surprised expressions. They carefully observed the operation of the crystal energy station and nodded in praise from time to time.

I struck while the iron was hot and continued, "Crystal energy is not only efficient and clean, but also safe and reliable. It doesn't produce any harmful radiation or pollution, and it won't control human thoughts! It will bring us a brighter future!"

To prove my words, I invited high monks and meteorological officials to personally check the data of the crystal energy station. The results showed that the operation of the crystal energy station was normal and there were no safety hazards.

Seeing this scene, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, their faces filled with joy and hope. I knew we had succeeded, and we had proven the value of Crystal Energy with our own actions!

"Your Majesty, look..." Zhen Youcai pointed in a direction in the crowd and said in a low voice.

I followed his gaze and saw...

I followed his gaze and saw a ragged old man trembling as he squeezed through the crowd and walked to the front of the platform. His cloudy eyes sparkled with hope. His lips moved a few times, as if he was about to say something, but his excitement choked him.

"Old man, just say whatever you want to say." I encouraged him gently and motioned for the guards to come forward and support him.

The old man took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I am an ordinary farmer outside the city. We have been farming for generations, but we suffer from drought every year. I heard that you have found a solution to the resource problem. I... I want to ask, can this crystal energy make our fields as bright as this square?"

His words were simple and unpretentious, but like a bolt of lightning, they struck my heart. Yes, the significance of crystal energy is not only to solve resource shortages, but more importantly, it can bring hope and light to all ordinary people!

"Don't worry, old man!" I solemnly promised, "Crystal energy belongs to everyone. We will definitely promote it throughout the country, so that all fields will be full of vitality and all people will no longer suffer from hunger!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted in even louder applause and cheers. I knew this was not a victory just for me, but for everyone!

In the days that followed, Zhen Youcai and I plunged tirelessly into promoting crystal energy. We established a specialized organization responsible for the mining, conversion, and application of crystal energy, and established a strict management system to ensure that crystal energy could be safely and efficiently distributed to millions of households.

A few years later, crystal energy has spread across the country. In the fields, crystal energy-powered irrigation systems work day and night, delivering clear river water to every inch of land. In the cities, crystal energy illuminates thousands of homes, bringing convenience and comfort to people's lives.

Looking at this thriving scene before my eyes, I felt a sense of accomplishment. However, at this moment, Zhen Youcai suddenly walked up to me and handed me a report with a serious expression.

"Mengmeng, look at this."

I took the report, glanced through it quickly, and my expression gradually became solemn.

“How could this happen…” I muttered to myself, my eyes falling on the shocking data.

"Although we have solved the resource problem, this is only the first step." Zhen Youcai said in a deep voice, "We still have a lot to do..."

Before he could finish his words, a loud roar like thunder suddenly erupted from the distant sky. The originally clear sky was instantly covered with dark clouds, and a fierce wind roared in...