Blue Whale Form

The three men filed into the command enclosure.

Beianqi continued her report, "The 'Reactor' Zhurong is operating at low power; the ship's power supply is normal. The 1,000-ton-class energy storage system in the battery compartment is confirmed to be ready; and the fixed checks of the five satellites and rockets have been completed."

Su Ming boarded the bridge and issued the order, "Pansy, depart."

Beianqi took her position on the command platform.

"Zhurong", switch to automatic power tracking.

Old operating mode: Low power; New operating mode: Power tracking. As each device of the Pansy is woken up one by one, the power consumption rises rapidly.

The "Zhurong" system automatically adjusted the position of the control rod assembly, and the neutron flux in the reactor core steadily increased.

More uranium nuclei fission occurs, continuously releasing heat. The primary coolant, driven by the main pump, passes through the reactor core, and the steam production on the secondary side of the steam generator increases accordingly.

The steam turbine then takes over this power, continuously converting it into electricity and injecting it into the submarine's power circuit.

At the tail of the Pansy, the thruster speed gradually increased, and a large amount of water was ejected.

The cable was untied.

The ship, which had already completed its "third rebirth," slowly sailed away from Sapphire Port.

"Let's take a submerged route for a while to reduce the number of witnesses," Su Ming ordered.

"Yes."

After leaving the harbor, the ballast water tank was opened.

Seawater rushed in.

The entire ship tilted slightly, and the waterline rose little by little. The pale white, bone-like hull slowly sank into the sea, leaving only the sail exposed.

A few breaths later, even the last bit disappeared.

On the sea, only a thin white trail remained, along with the lingering, churning waves.

Pansy in Blue Whale form, setting sail!

****

After entering the water, everything became quiet.

The sonar swept low across the surface, and the seawater lapped against the bony shell, producing a continuous, soft sound.

The ship's conference room.

Su Ming stood in front of the nautical chart and pointed to the area at the northernmost tip of Taya that was marked separately.

"The main objective of this operation is singular: to deploy satellites in the Arctic."

He glanced at Zijin, Beianqi, and Chun.

"The planet's poles are where the Taya mirage is thinnest."

"It's the only skylight that can get things onto the track."

"Once the satellite is launched, we will be able to establish global communications, weather observation, and military movement monitoring in Taya."

"More importantly..."

"This would give us the opportunity to truly establish two-way communication with the Earth."

Su Ming paused, then looked at Beianqi and the Quail.

"You two are already aware of the Divine Favor Scepter's requirement for us to build an dimensional portal."

"This mission is also a crucial prerequisite for the dimensional gate."

A barely suppressed burning intent flashed in the quail's eyes.

"President, you can just give the order," he said directly. "It's rare to encounter something so groundbreaking that it doesn't violate academic ethics."

Su Ming paused upon hearing this.

"--So how much illegal research have you done?" he asked.

The Quail unconsciously looked away.

Su Ming was about to ask for more details when he noticed that Zijin was also avoiding his gaze.

Su Ming:

Beianqi stared at the nautical chart, a broad smile on her face.

"This is truly worthy of this massive ship—an epic operation!"

"President, hurry up and assign tasks!" she urged.

Su Ming glared at Zijin, then returned to the main topic.

"The daily division of labor remains unchanged; everyone performs their duties."

"There are a few additional tasks that need to be completed before we arrive in Northern Ice Island."

"My responsibility is to compile observation data on mirages from various locations, calculate the attenuation curve in the Arctic, and determine the optimal launch trajectory."

He turned to Beianqi.

"Your mission is to complete the naval trials of the Pansy."

"Besides the regular subjects, I also want you to figure out its performance limits."

"To increase redundancy and safety for subsequent subglacial crossings of the Arctic Ocean."

"Understood." Beianqi's eyes lit up. "Leave this to me."

Su Ming then turned to the Zijin.

"You and Chloe are responsible for measuring the weak points in the ice and planning the icebreaking strategy after reaching the Arctic by submarine."

Zijin looked up at him, but her voice trailed off with a hint of gritted teeth.

"Yes, I guarantee I can tear the ice apart."

"Quail," Su Ming called his name last, "I want you to thoroughly understand all the current oceanographic data and quickly build up the Arctic Ocean current system and tidal model."

"Yes," the Hechun replied.

Meeting adjourned.

****

After the meeting, Beianqi and Chun left separately.

The Quail transformed back into its dog form.

Actually, once he was on the submarine, he no longer needed to deal with crowded situations in this way.

It seemed that the cramped space inside the submarine gave Chun a strange sense of security.

But that's precisely where the problem lies.

He actually needs to transform into dog form to make it easier for him to move between the various compartments and equipment.

So the Quail simply let itself go.

The door closed, Zijin turned around, and grabbed Su Ming.

"Were you glaring at me just now?" she asked, her expression unfriendly.

"No way," Su Ming said without changing his expression, "My gaze was clearly full of Maimai."

"Hmph." Zijin narrowed her eyes. "Don't give me that."

"You dare mention the Divine Favor Scepter again?"

Su Ming's words only fueled Zijin's anger.

"If Chloe hadn't let it slip, I wouldn't have known you'd fooled me!" she said angrily.

"The Plane Will doesn't even cover you!"

Su Ming reached out and pulled Zijin into his arms.

"Covering you is the same as covering me, isn't it?"

"While I'm happy to hear you say that," Zijin's tone softened slightly, "This is not something to joke about."

She wouldn't let go verbally, but she didn't push Su Ming away physically.

Su Ming led her to sit down at the conference table.

"The Earth forces suffered heavy losses in their attack on Alituo and Aisaikena this time."

"There's a reason why it was completely countered by the opponent's combination of forces."

"But those two have been on Earth for too long, and their Magic Power has weakened."

2

"Even under these circumstances, we're still fighting like this."

His voice lowered as he said this.

"If the enemy who just descended from Eden comes, no one can say for sure how many people will have to be sent."

Facing any enemy, Jin Rongjia and his team are confident that they can fight them and ultimately win.

However, this process will inevitably involve enormous costs and hardships.

"To escape this situation and threat, Earth must figure out the true nature of Magic Power," Su Ming continued. "From this starting point, the passage to Taya must be opened."

Zijin was silent for a moment before whispering, "Eden is very strong."

"It's not just a little bit stronger."

"In terms of magical power, technology, and the level of extraordinary creatures—it surpasses Taya in every aspect."

"Moreover, that mortal serpent is definitely not someone to be trifled with."

"We don't know His specific abilities and level, but He must be extremely difficult to deal with!"

Su Ming nodded.

"For Taya, it is imperative to stop Eden's invasion."

"For Earth, it's impossible to wait for such an enemy to come knocking on our door."

"My fellow countrymen will not only cut off the hands they reach out to us on Earth."

"We will also intercept them in Taya!"

Zijin looked at him and suddenly asked, "Would your fellow villagers genuinely help?"

"Absolutely." Su Ming answered decisively, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He recalled the devastated state of Lancheng.

"For people of our nation, defending against enemies outside of our plane of existence is a..."

"No matter how many times it happens, it'll be the same choice!"

Su Ming said with a firm look in his eyes.

This statement doesn't sound like a declaration; it's more like a scrap of iron dug out of flesh and blood.

Zijin looked at him, and her previously fluctuating emotions gradually calmed down.

She rested her head on Su Ming's shoulder.

"Su Ming, I suddenly miss the carefree days in the mine when we were counting mice."

95

"We have quite a few mines now," Su Ming said. "What kind of products do you like?"

Zijin angrily bit Su Ming's shoulder.

The door opened, and it was Beianqi who pushed it open.

"Uh... you two, please continue..." She picked up her notebook, which she had left there, and left, closing the door behind her.

****

Water Chestnut Island, headquarters of the Plundering Clock.

Hairspring walked in, one hand pressed against the wound under her ribs, her face ashen as if covered by a layer of gloom.

That sword was left by Ruixiuli when he withdrew from the desert.

The injury is not fatal.

But it still causes him a dull ache to this day.

Death Knell saw him return, the tension on her face eased slightly.

"It's good that you're back."

She had received news that the Gravel Scale Desert had completely fallen.

Hairspring sat down, took a breath, and her eyes were filled with an uncontrollable gloom.

Death Knell glanced behind him.

"What about the others?"

"They're all gone." Hairspring closed her eyes briefly. "They were all wiped out by the Bay Owl and the Executioner."

Upon hearing this, Death Knell showed no change in expression.

Those priests and members of the Quarter Hand, once they're dead, they're dead.

As long as my fellow Clock Hand, the Hairspring, is still around, that's fine.

"Regarding the Bone King and the Bay Owl, we can only hope that Miasma Throat will descend," said Hairspring.

Miasma Throat is the next Destiny- level being to travel through time in the Eden Plan.

If he arrives, there's still a chance to turn this game around, which has already been completely ruined.

"I've already arranged for the bell-ringing priest and Yinfei to go and meet them," said Death Knell.

Hairspring nodded, then asked about something else.

"What about the orc rebellion on Water Chestnut Island?"

"There are a few scattered sparks, but it's not a big problem," Death Knell in a calm tone. "I've already declared the island sealed off. I've blocked any aid from Xialike."

"What about the smuggling routes?"

"There aren't many suitable terrains for landing on the island to begin with, and we've already focused on patrolling them," said Death Knell. "As long as we keep this front under control, these rebels won't be able to cause any major trouble."

Hairspring leaned on the edge of the table to stand up, walked to the map, and scrutinized it inch by inch with a gaze as sharp as a knife.

"There's less than six months left."

"Before the 'Dimensional Gate' opens, we must defend Water Chestnut Island."

Although the scale that "Dimensional Gap" can transport is not as large as initially expected due to limited resources and conditions.

But as long as that door is formed -

The Taya Plane will surely be crushed by Eden.

Once this area is included in the supply and advance route, the struggling Earth Plane will also be caught in the crossfire!

Hairspring calculated these things, her gaze gradually calmed down.

When the forces are in such a delicate balance, will the supreme god Jörmungandr choose to personally descend upon the battlefield in this battle?

Thus, he completely secured what he saw as victory?