22: A planetary reshaping plan? The deep-sea reconnaissance vehicle "Nautilus"

Jiang Ran's face darkened.

Although the black iron was equipped with a highly efficient molecular-level water purifier that could filter out most impurities, bacteria, and even viruses.

However, the chemical properties of Heavy Water (D₂O) and light water (H₂O) were extremely similar, and their molecular sizes were almost identical.

To completely separate them would require a massive centrifuge array or consume a staggering amount of electrical energy for electrolysis.

Achieving industrial-grade separation on the ship was nearly impossible.

"But that's not even the most terrifying part."

Su Qingyu took a deep breath and switched the holographic screen's display.

Under the microscope, those eerie blue points of light were magnified a thousand times.

It was a type of translucent microorganism that looked like a glowing jellyfish but was only the size of a bacterium.

They were frantically dividing and devouring all the organic residue around them.

"I've never seen this kind of microorganism in any Earth biological catalog.

They don't rely on photosynthesis, nor do they consume conventional organic matter."

"They are Radiophiles."

Su Qingyu pointed at the active points of light on the screen: "They are devouring cosmic rays and geomagnetic energy.

Then, as a metabolic byproduct, they discharge this high-density Heavy Water while simultaneously releasing this eerie bioluminescence."

"They are remodeling the water quality."

Jiang Ran understood her meaning instantly. A chill shot up his spine, colder than the torrential rain outside.

"Are you saying... this flood isn't just meant to drown people?"Header

"Yes."

Su Qingyu turned to look at the lethal, eerie blue ocean outside the window, her voice low:

"Drowning humanity is only the first step.

These microorganisms are changing the composition of Earth's atmosphere and water, increasing the density of the water, blocking sunlight, and creating a high-radiation environment."

"There's a specific term for this in astronomy—Planetary Reshaping."

"The environment being remodeled is clearly no longer suitable for fragile carbon-based mammals like us to survive."

Su Qingyu turned back, her eyes filled with fear of the unknown:

"But for certain deep-sea creatures, or some alien species adapted to this environment... this place is becoming their most comfortable breeding ground."

A deathly silence fell over the cockpit.

Only zero's cold golden cursor flickered slightly, as if calculating these terrifying probabilities.

Jiang Ran looked out the window.

No wonder those fish evolved so quickly, and no wonder there was that deep-sea signal.

As it turned out, what humanity perceived as a natural disaster was actually a formatted reinstallation of Earth's ecosystem.

Humanity was being "evicted" by its own home planet.

"Since it's a formatting, there must be a 'source'."

Jiang Ran broke the silence.

His voice held no fear; instead, it carried a more fierce resolve.

"Since this environment won't let us live, then I'll smash the source of this environmental remodeling."

He turned and looked at the museum coordinates on the radar, which were still continuously emitting an "Induction Beacon."

If these microorganisms were the 'sappers' of environmental remodeling...

...then that underground signal source was likely the 'base station' commanding it all.

"It seems we must go down."

Jiang Ran sat back in the Commander's seat, his hands gripping the console, his eyes flashing with a hunter's light.

"But before we take the black iron down, we need a more flexible and fearless 'scapegoat' to scout the way first."

"zero, open the manufacturing room list."

"I want to build a specialized deep-dive scout."

...In the cockpit, the eerie blue holographic light reflected off Jiang Ran's grim profile.

zero was performing a deep analysis of that 'ghost frequency.'

On the screen, countless lines of garbled code flowed down like a waterfall, finally freezing on a repeating command.

"Commander, besides 'Sowing,' I have also decoded a second meaning."

zero's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it chilled the listener: "[Gather]."

"This signal is using a specific biological sonar frequency to summon high-level mutants from the surrounding area to the museum district.

It's like... a bell ringing for feeding time."

"It really is a trap."

Jiang Ran sneered.

If he had rashly taken the black iron down just now, he would probably have been surrounded by a swarm of summoned deep-sea monsters.

By then, no matter how tough the Lv3 Biological Armor was, a swarm of ants can kill an elephant.

"Since it's a Hongmen Banquet, I can't attend in person."

Jiang Ran swiped his fingers across the console, bringing up the Lv3 manufacturing room's blueprint interface.

"zero, create a new project: Deep-Dive Scout."

"Requirements: Small size, high water pressure resistance, equipped with full-band sonar and spectral analysis capabilities.

Most importantly, it must be able to transmit clear footage back in real-time."

[Generating blueprint...]

[Option A: Bionic Mechanical Fish.

Pros: High stealth.

Cons: Small sensor payload, short signal transmission distance.]

[Option B: Tethered Deep-Dive Sphere.

Pros: Stable wired data transmission, strong protection.

Cons: Poor mobility, requires towing by the mothership.]

"I'll go with B."

Jiang Ran didn't hesitate. "I want to see clearly, not put on a swimming performance."

He quickly added detailed modifications to the blueprint: "Use the remaining Bio-active Metal for the outer shell to increase corrosion resistance.

core sensor circuits... use gold for all of them."

"Use gold?"

Su Qingyu, standing nearby, asked in surprise, "Using that much gold just for a probe?"

"In this high-concentration Heavy Water and radiation environment, ordinary copper wiring has too much noise."

Jiang Ran explained in a tone that brooked no argument. "Only the ultra-high conductivity and chemical stability of gold can ensure that the tiniest signals are transmitted back from the high-interference zone 60 meters underwater.

At a time like this, saving money is the same as throwing away your life."

[Custom Blueprint Confirmed: Deep-Dive Scout “nautilus” Type]

[Estimated consumption: Gold 500g, titanium alloy 5kg, High-strength Fiber Optic Cable 100 meters.]

"Manufacture." The command was issued.

The Precision Electronics Workshop in the lower deck ran at full power once again.

This time, Jiang Ran didn't go down; instead, he watched the manufacturing process through the monitor.

Lasers danced, and the Mechanical Arm precisely pulled the molten gold into superconducting circuits thinner than a strand of hair.

They were densely packed like blood vessels inside a basketball-sized titanium alloy sphere.

Subsequently, layers of black Polymer and bio-metal covered it, sealing it airtight.

Only twenty minutes later.

"Ding."

The notification sound for completed manufacturing rang out.

A silver-gray metal sphere with a surface as smooth as a mirror was transported to the deployment port on the aft deck.

It was about the size of a basketball, with a large specialized optical lens embedded in the front, looking like a single eye.

Below, two delicate mechanical sampling claws extended.

And at its tail, a very thin yet extremely tough black Fiber Optic Cable was connected.

This was the “nautilus”.

It was the first specialized reconnaissance unit Jiang Ran had built in this apocalypse, integrating the highest level of electronic technology currently available on the black iron.

"Connection test."

The cockpit's main screen flickered, then switched to the first-person perspective of the “nautilus”.

The image was extremely clear—even the raindrops on the deck were visible in detail—and it featured dual filters for low-light night vision and thermal imaging.

"This is the 'eye' I wanted."

Jiang Ran gripped the specialized secondary joystick and looked at the screen, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"Dr. Su, sit tight."

"Deploy."

The aft deck hatch slid open, and the Mechanical Arm gently gripped the nautilus, lowering it into the water.

"Splash."

Accompanied by a faint splashing sound.

That silver mechanical eyeball dove into the deep water shimmering with lethal blue light, like a probe piercing the secrets of the abyss.