Navigation through Yalong Bay wasn't fast, even after cleanup afforded some speed enhancement, the maximum speed was merely 10 kilometers per hour.

Zhou Yi calculated that even at top speed, it would take 170 hours to return to Jade City, a full 7 days.

And that was without the need to detour around various rapids and high-pressure areas, which would lengthen the journey even more.

Since there was no rush,

Zhou Yi therefore settled down patiently at the coastal base, enjoying the winter Dead Sea snowscape along the way.

As Yalong Bay trampled over the sea surface, the Guangna Species kept their distance. On the second day, they even had a chance to witness a sea battle, but as soon as Yalong Bay approached, the pirate ships and the ships being robbed all turned tail and fled.

Most of the time, the Dead Sea's view was monotonous, with thorny birds occasionally swooping by in the distance, and the Light Absorption Monster transforming into glowing phantoms in the fog, with lightning always pulsing through the Dead Sea's perennial mist.

Zhou Yi lay under a large umbrella on a chair, basking in the winter sun: "With this size, if it were a ship, the speed probably wouldn't be much faster."

Red Kestrel said, "Larger objects face stronger resistance from the Death Light. The advantage of large ships is their carrying capacity and stability, speed has never been their core pursuit. Installation of a 'propulsion' Light Imprint just for the sake of speeding up not only significantly increases consumption but might also lead to an imbalance in the entire Light Imprint structural system, a loss that's not worth the gain."

Propulsion?

This gave Zhou Yi an idea.

He summoned Jiao Tou.

"You can push Snake Island to move forward on the Dead Sea, so can you do the same with Yalong Bay?"

Jiao Tou blinked its sole eye: "Chairman, it's possible. It too is a kind of Floating Island, but it's very large, and the speed increase we can provide might not be substantial."

Zhou Yi asked it to give it a try with the Sheng Snakes.

Under the Red Kestrel's lens, the Sheng Snakes soon gathered around the cave storage. They fixed their circular heads at its edge, then straightened their bodies, numerous Sheng Snakes reminiscent of black pillars began to push against the submarine base together.

Yalong Bay's speed picked up.

With the effort of over a hundred Sheng Snakes, the submarine base's top speed reached 15 kilometers per hour.

A 50% increase in speed.

Jiao Tou said, "This is about the limit. If we want to push it further, we need more Sheng Snakes to join in. However, it's better to work in two groups that alternate, allowing for rest and sustainability."

Zhou Yi perceptive noticed the crux.

"Jiao Tou, if we switched to a ship, you could bring even more speed enhancement, right?"

"Certainly, Chairman."

While pushing the pier with its head, Jiao Tou replied: "For something like a ship, pushing is easy for us."

"Honestly, our previous Black Pearl had enough agility, but it was unable to exploit everyone's true speed. When the numbers grow too large, coordination becomes difficult, everyone pulling in different directions results in a lot of internal power loss."

"When we formed a fortress-like formation in the past, we basically stayed immobile; that was the most stable form."

Zhou Yi's eyes brightened: "If we switch to a ship, you just need to take care of straight-line acceleration, that would work, right?"

"Yes, yes, exactly, Chairman, that's what I mean. It's best and simplest," Jiao Tou said.

Zhou Yi thought to himself that he had made a tactical error.

The Sheng Snakes had been used in the wrong way before.

They were natural Dead Sea accelerators, and he had asked them to bind together as the Black Pearl, not at all showcasing their speed advantage.

Now there was another problem: no ship.

They lacked a proper combat-capable vessel.

Zhou Yi entered the No. 3 Cave Storage again and found the St. Petersburg: "I would like to hire you in advance, once the winter is over, and so is your service period, correct? Why not come straight to our company?"

The Mercenary submarine said, "Of course, there's usually a short holiday after winter, during which I'll free up time for maintenance and care. But if it's just friendly assistance, there's no need for any fees. However, if it's a genuine hire, my price is quite steep."

"Let's do this by the job."

Zhou Yi thought it better to handle things formally. This was especially true for combat units—it made issuing commands easier.

The St. Petersburg continued, "I work two seasons a year. The busy season is winter, priced at 4000 Light Seed, the rest is the off-season, at 1000 Light Seed prices."

"Then I'll hire you for a year in advance."

"Are you sure?"

Zhou Yi directly took out the Guangna Box: "Let's sign the cooperation agreement first."

It was during the signing of the electronic agreement that Zhou Yi learned that St. Petersburg hailed from the Mechanical City of 'Peace City', a registered mercenary there.

Red Kestrel provided a brief introduction to the city.

"'Peace City' offers services including mercenary defense, dangerous information alerts, city area assessments, strategic consultation, and more."

"Their information is pricey, but the accuracy and reliability are very high; some cities also seek their assessment and consulting services. But to outsiders, Peace City is best known for its high-quality mercenaries."

"Due to their industrial structure, Peace City enjoys more freedom than many Mechanical Cities, yet they also adhere to certain principles of order. Those hiring them are scrutinized just as they vet their employers, with their main business focused on providing defense and security."

"Peace City evaluates and scores every mission their registered mercenaries undertake and grades their employers. Whether employer or mercenary, any violation of related rules results in a reduced credit rating, or even blacklisting and no further cooperation."

"Compared to other mercenary groups, Peace City's greatest advantage lies in its credit and order."

Zhou Yi wasn't affected by this.

His hiring of St. Petersburg was to fill the naval defense gap, ensuring Jade City was within a stable and secure environment.

St. Petersburg emphasized, "Every mercenary has their own rules, and I am no different."

"I refuse to attack unarmed civilians and won't partake in the destruction and annihilation of cities and other habitats teeming with life. I won't accept credit or goods as a substitute for Light Seed payment."

"No problem," Zhou Yi agreed.

Both parties' identities were verified through Peace City.

Zhou Yi saw that St. Petersburg had completed more than 400 mercenary missions and was a bona fide veteran. This was also displayed on its ID-like electronic pictorial guide.

...

[Mercenary·St. Petersburg]

Strength: B

Skills: C

Vitality: B+

Rank: B

Specializes in: Rescue, defense, interception, long-range precision demolition.

...

A professional combat unit, with enough vitality to withstand a lot.

The skills didn't seem to be the flashy type, but its strength was sufficient.

It also possessed long-range demolition capabilities.

St. Petersburg could form a synergy with Jade City, attacking and defending to prevent battleships in the Dead Sea from outmaneuvering them.

With submarine escorts, the new year's sea floor excavation and development work could also expand into farther regions. This was the most important resource development field, rich with Light Soot, Light Amber, and various human legacies from the previous civilization.

For 5,000 Light Seeds, Zhou Yi felt it was more than worth it.

St. Petersburg was also somewhat surprised, "Credit rating B... Wasteland Development Company is not just any organization. I hadn't heard this name before; it's really odd."

It added, "Since this is a contract for hire, although I have at least one more month of service, allow me to introduce myself formally once again."

"My skills are 'Deep Sea Bombardment' and 'Invisibility'; other data are not convenient to disclose. But as long as the target is in the Dead Sea, leave it to me, and I'll take care of it."

Through this exchange, Zhou Yi had come to realize that mercenaries were secretive about their statistics, which added to their destructiveness and stealth on the battlefield.

Only fleets like the Dead Sea Knights that had been involved in numerous battles could have their various parameters obtained through intelligence gathering.

Then Zhou Yi had Jiao Tou synchronize with St. Petersburg, and the Sheng Snake adhered to the submarine's surface in a linear fashion, accelerating when Jiao Tou accelerated.

The effect was very good.

The mercenary submarine also expressed its admiration, "This has given me quite a speed boost, the Sheng Snake is truly a remarkable creature. Worthy of being a combat species, it pairs well with me."

Time flew by during Zhou Yi's interactions with St. Petersburg.

After five days of travel, the submarine base finally arrived at the vicinity of Jade City.

Yalong Bay ultimately chose to dock behind Maria Hospital's shore, flanking Maria Hospital on the left and right with Jade City.

Naturally, the residents were extremely curious about this new gargantuan structure, with each of them coming to have a look every day. They also showed great interest in the Light Absorption Monsters floating around the base, beginning to step onto this brand new land and exploring everywhere.

...

Inside Second Cave Storage.

Zhou Yi said to Bone Man Jacob, "This is the situation with Sea God. Seeing it, can you remember anything?"

As if he hadn't heard, Bone Man slowly made his way inside, climbing up the submarine and walking towards the rear before stopping at a section of the deck.

Jacob suddenly shuddered.

He seemed a bit panicked, looking towards Zhou Yi, "Chairman, I feel... there's something inside... it's calling me, I think I can open this..."

Zhou Yi nodded, "Let's see."

With St. Petersburg and Yalong Bay Base, it shouldn't be a problem.

Bone Man placed his withered palm on it, and the previously sealed hatch suddenly opened automatically. He peered inside, then crawled down the staircase.

After about three minutes.

Bone Man Jacob climbed out in a daze, walking up to Zhou Yi.

He was holding a large bone shard and didn't say anything for a long time.

Zhou Yi came to a realization, "Do you have a connection with Sea God because the missing part of your skull is here?"

Jacob nodded.

"I also just found out. That missing part of my memory lies here, but..."

Bone Man looked back at Sea God, "It's strange inside. The skull remembers there should have been three other Bone Men. We used to live inside, along with Sea God, but now they have all disappeared without a trace."

"Sea God isn't responding either."

"Something must have happened here earlier. Even with the skull, I can't remember at all; that part of the memory is gone."

Jacob showed a puzzled expression.