After finalizing the modifications to the Sea Wolf, Nian Yun stored the updated model in the mechanical worm database. Next time he needed it, he could summon the mechanical worms to instantly assemble the Sea Wolf based on the stored model.
With excitement, Nian Yun took the revamped Sea Wolf out for its maiden voyage. The peculiar, silver-colored warship set sail under the starry night sky, making its first appearance outside the base.
Sitting in the captain's seat in the bridge, Nian Yun enjoyed a panoramic view through the transparent glass panels on the front and sides. Small underwater robots, copied from the Chengjiang, were operating the radar and sonar equipment. His assistant, Xiaohai, stood by, performing her duties.
"Sea Wolf! Full speed ahead!"
Xiaohai's sweet voice responded, "Order confirmed! Sea Wolf! Full speed ahead!"
With the command, the three sets of propellers beneath the ship roared into action, propelling the Sea Wolf forward with a powerful thrust that pinned Nian Yun back into his seat. The silver warship left a gentle white trail in the water, speeding off to the left front...
"Uh... seems like the center of gravity isn't adjusted properly!" Nian Yun quickly adapted to the acceleration, feeling a bit embarrassed. However, this was a minor issue for him and the Sea Wolf. He immediately began adjusting the ship's structural layout.
As a result, the Sea Wolf moved erratically across the sea, tracing an S-shape or a B-shape, leaving behind a rather flamboyant trail. If a military observer were present, he might comment, "Hmm, the evasive maneuvers are quite professional!"
It wasn't until half an hour later that Nian Yun managed to get the Sea Wolf to travel in a straight line. He sighed in relief and coughed awkwardly.
"Cough, these are just minor issues. Life's path is always winding!"
Sea Wolf: "..." (My inner feelings are also quite winding…)
"Alright, testing on the surface is complete. Next, let's test the Sea Wolf's submersible capability. I command, maximum speed, dive!"
"Sea Wolf! Maximum speed, dive!" Xiaohai echoed the captain's command.
In the next moment, bubbles and splashes appeared around the ship as it began to sink beneath the surface. Within a minute, the Sea Wolf disappeared beneath the water, leaving only a faint trail.
"Dive depth: 100 meters!"
"Dive depth: 300 meters!"
"Dive depth: 800 meters!"
...
As Xiaohai continued to report the depth, the view in front of Nian Yun shifted. The walls of the captain's cabin transformed into transparent panels, creating a glass-like dome around him.
He watched as the moonlight, like flowing silver, illuminated the tranquil seabed, its spectral light twisting into a mesmerizing array of colors.
For a moment, Nian Yun was entranced. Although he had been close to the ocean since childhood, this was his first time diving so deep, witnessing the ocean's true nature, or rather, its genuine face.
The bow of the ship opened two powerful searchlights, casting beams on the colorful coral reefs below and revealing a breathtaking array of marine life. Schools of fish swam among the corals, some curiously circling the Sea Wolf.
The underwater world was vibrant with life, a miracle of existence that ordinary people could rarely experience.
As Nian Yun immersed himself in this fantastical world, a quote from Jules Verne's *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea* suddenly came to mind:
"Human progress is too slow!"
This was one of the few books Nian Yun had read and particularly cherished. What impressed him most was the solitary and proud figure of the protagonist. In this environment, he truly felt the urgency and longing expressed in that quote. Indeed, human progress was agonizingly slow! Even today, space and the deep sea remained unconquered frontiers.
Fortunately, he had the mechanical worms!
He had a vague premonition that the mechanical worms might provide the power to break through these constraints.
"Continue diving! I want to see where the limit of the Sea Wolf… no, my limit lies!" Nian Yun's eyes sparkled with desire.
"Dive depth: 1000 meters!"
"Dive depth: 1500 meters!"
"Dive depth: 2000 meters!"
...
Still not enough. Nian Yun could sense that the mechanical worms were far from reaching their limit; they could go further!
"Dive depth: 7000 meters!"
"Dive depth: 7500 meters!"
...
At around 7500 meters, a creaking noise came from the hull as the steel twisted under immense pressure.
"Is this the limit?" Nian Yun murmured, halting the Sea Wolf's descent.
The water pressure was now incredibly intense. At this depth, the forces on the Sea Wolf equaled those on the most advanced submersibles in the world. For a vessel with such a slender hull to reach this depth was already a miracle of technology.
"I will conquer you eventually!" Nian Yun's eyes gleamed with determination.
"Sea Wolf! Return to base!"
"Yes, Captain! Sea Wolf! Returning to base!"