"Behold, behold!"
Amidst the assembled crowd, the words of enthusiasm reverberated, their resonance akin to a chorus of shared delight. Laughter swelled forth, rising like playful waves upon a tranquil shore. In the distant expanse, a vessel marred by unfortunate circumstances yielded to the inevitable clasp of the unyielding ocean.
"Haha, their vessel has met its watery grave."
The contagious delight present in the bystander's voice had a ripple effect, spreading throughout the gathering as they enthusiastically immersed themselves in the grandeur of the unfolding scene of devastation.
"That ship has taken more than half the plunge."
A proclamation underscored by a nuanced touch of exultation, serving to accentuate the magnitude of the calamity while subtly conveying a sense of justification and satisfaction.
"The waters teem with souls adrift, enough to occupy their attention for a good while."
A nod to the irony of life's fortunes, a tableau of chaos and rescue unfurling on the canvas of the vast ocean.
"..."
Silence settled like a heavy fog, voices suspended in a moment of contemplation.
Surrounded by a symphony of voices, Ren Ziquan found himself enveloped in the discourse, an unanticipated comfort soothing his senses. His tense muscles gradually eased, as though liberated from the burdensome restraints of doubt, and his gaze lingered upon the vessels, gracefully yielding to the inexorable pull of destiny's embrace.
A youthful crew member piped up: "Captain, should we lend a hand in the rescue efforts?"
Before his words could fully find their way, a senior crew member gently tapped the young sailor's head. "Xiao Yuan, your enthusiasm is admirable, but have you forgotten how swiftly they plundered our belongings earlier?"
"That's right, indeed! Their actions were reprehensible, avariciously snatching away our precious metals. It's only poetic justice that their ship sinks."
Ren Ziquan nodded sagely, his conviction mirrored in the nodding heads around him. "They are fully capable of saving themselves. Let us increase our pace and return to Huahai City with haste."
And so, "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" propelled themselves away, leaving behind the sinking ships and the bobbing figures of the Black Iron Company's misfortunate crew.
Just beneath the surface of the water, at a modest distance from the tumultuous scene above, Bawang stood watch with unwavering attention. Like a muted observer, it bore witness to the unfolding maritime spectacle. The sailors from M country, who had once exuded an air of triumph, were now ensnared in the clutches of the profound depths, their prowess eclipsed by the sea's relentless power.
Liu Yong, an observer of this unfolding spectacle through a detached lens, couldn't help but marvel at the irony of life's twists and turns. It was, in essence, a magnificent live show playing out before his very eyes.
"Overlord, once their ship is lost to the abyss, ensure not a scrap of metal remains aboard."
A devious smile curved Liu Yong's lips. They wouldn't have his hard-earned metal fragments, not if he had any say in the matter.
"Understood, Master. I shall retrieve every trace of metal from their ship."
A determined affirmation, a testament to Bawang's loyalty to its creator's whims.
Days later, the four Black Iron Company transport ships found their final resting place on the ocean floor, bereft of metal fragments. Most of the crew were saved, though a handful remained lost to the waves.
The Black Iron Company's salvage commander surveyed the empty sea, his gaze reflecting the inevitable. "Ready the ship to leave."
A cloud of despondency hung over the crew. Their enthusiasm had waned, their spirits subdued by the weight of reality.
Indeed, the cooked duck had flown, slipping through their grasp once again.
Over 10,000 tons of metal shards lay buried on the ocean floor, mingling with the ruins of the ships that once carried them. The irony, it seemed, was not lost on fate.
A heavy sigh escaped the salvage commander. Duty-bound, he reached for the satellite phone, knowing full well that the truth could not be concealed.
...
Inside the confines of the Black Iron Company headquarters, Sherman's face glowed with an uncontainable fervor, his voice robust and unwavering as he addressed the assembled leaders.
"Esteemed guests, the news we have is profoundly heartening. Nearly 20,000 tons of metal fragments have been recovered, and our fleet is homeward bound..."
In a single breath, he relayed the tale of triumph. The room buzzed with excitement, anticipatory gazes exchanged between delegates. The promise of this precious metal's potential tantalized them.
Renewed military might, advanced aerospace projects, and countless innovations danced in their thoughts.
Sherman's phone interrupted his discourse, and with a raised hand, he commanded the room's attention. The silence was palpable as he answered the call.
His countenance, once radiating exultation, drained of color. The phone tumbled from his grasp, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.
Where euphoria had once reigned, only disbelief remained, etched across his pale features.
The roomful of executives exchanged puzzled glances, their anticipation now mingled with concern.
How could this bittersweet tale take such a sudden twist?
...
Beneath the expanse of the North Pacific Ocean, the Overlord toiled away, transporting fragments from the ill-fated ships to a designated spot. The wreckage, once rife with metal, now lay bare and void.
"Master, I've completed the task as you instructed."
The Overlord's voice resonated within Liu Yong's mind. A flicker of third-party sight allowed him to witness the vast emptiness where the remnants of the ships once thrived.
Liu Yong's smile radiated pride. "You've done splendidly."
"Master, is there more I can do?"
Liu Yong's words carried a gentle note of reassurance. "Not for now. Your mission is to grow."
Bawang's weight had surpassed the 1,000-ton milestone, a steady increase that promised greater potential. Liu Yong envisioned a future where Bawang would dwarf even its current size.
"Understood, Master. I shall continue my growth."
Liu Yong's reverie danced forward. With "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" due to return soon, laden with a fresh bounty of metal shards, his sense of anticipation surged.
With the promise of the spaceship wreckage and the horizons it would expand, Liu Yong was a sea of possibilities.
As Liu Yong's musings persisted, a ringing phone shattered his reverie. The voice of Ding Wen, a friend, beckoned him towards a seafood feast, tinged with a hunch that matters of importance awaited their discourse.
...
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