45: Strange Mercury, a gentle home ground

Day 16 of the Spaceship Calendar.

On the Star Map, a brilliant blue planet hung silently.

Unlike Earth, which is blue and white, this one was a purer, deeper blue. Ninety percent of its surface was covered by ocean, with only scattered pieces of land floating on the water like broken eggshells.

Code W-77.

An undeveloped Water Body Planet.

"The reserve for the water circulation system is less than 10%."

Gu Nian adjusted his glasses, pointing at the red warning line on the screen.

"Although we have a purification system, the taste of water that has been recycled long-term... is really nothing to brag about. Plus, the irrigation needs at the farm are increasing."

Gu Pingsheng sat in the Captain's Chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

"Then we resupply."

He looked at the massive blue water sphere outside the window.

"Perfect. I also want to try what alien seafood tastes like."

...Airlock Chamber.

The air was filled with a faint scent of ozone.

Gu Pingsheng stood in front of the changing table, holding a black bodysuit as thin as a cicada's wing.

[Nano-Fluid Diving Suit (Purple · Rare)]

[Description: Special equipment generated by a Hand of God Critical Hit. Made of bionic nano-material, it is light, thin, breathable, automatically regulates body temperature, and has extremely strong pressure resistance. Includes a miniature oxygen circulation system. Underwater Endurance: 12 hours.]

The feel of this thing was very peculiar.

It felt like a layer of cold liquid, yet it possessed astonishing toughness.

"Captain... do we... really have to wear this?"

A timid voice came from behind him.

Wen Wan stood there, also holding an identical diving suit, her face flushed like a ripe tomato.

She usually wore loose work clothes or loungewear, keeping herself completely covered. This kind of bodysuit... was simply too embarrassing for her.

"This is for safety."

Gu Pingsheng turned around, his gaze sweeping over her voluptuous figure.

"The underwater environment is complex. This suit minimizes drag and provides cold protection. What, you don't want to go?"

"No... it's not that..."

Wen Wan quickly waved her hands.

She bit her lip, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.

"I want to go. I sensed... many life signals down there. Maybe I can find new seeds, or... edible fish."

When she mentioned "edible fish," her eyes lit up.

That was the virtue of a good wife ingrained in her bones.

"Then change into it."

Gu Pingsheng said indifferently, then turned his back to her.

The rustling sound of clothes being removed came from behind him.

The sound of fabric rubbing was exceptionally clear in the quiet Airlock Chamber.

Gu Pingsheng looked at the starry sky outside the window, but the image of Wen Wan changing clothes involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

This woman usually looked gentle and unassuming, but her figure was undeniably well-endowed.

That plumpness unique to mature women was something youthful girls couldn't compare to.

"O-okay... done..."

A few minutes later, Wen Wan's voice was as faint as a mosquito.

Gu Pingsheng turned his head.

His breath hitched slightly.

The black nano-material tightly encased her body, like a layer of flowing ink.

Every curve was perfectly outlined.

Full breasts, a slender waist, rounded hips... the visual impact was even stronger than direct nudity.

Especially her legs.

Long, straight, and slightly fleshy around the thighs, making them even sexier.

Wen Wan crossed her arms over her chest, trying to cover herself, but it was clearly futile.

She kept her head down, afraid to look into Gu Pingsheng's eyes, her earlobes completely red.

"Let's go."

Gu Pingsheng withdrew his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He picked up his helmet and led the way toward the decompression chamber.

The shadow in the corner twisted slightly.

An An silently materialized.

She had also changed into a diving suit, but she wore a black cloak over it (it was a transformation of her [shadow cloak]).

She gave Wen Wan a cold look, her eyes holding a hint of vigilance, and a trace of... imperceptible envy... "Splash."

The moment they entered the water, the world fell silent.

The cold seawater enveloped their bodies, but was kept out by the diving suit, leaving only a pleasant coolness.

Gu Pingsheng turned on the searchlight on his helmet.

The beam of light pierced the dark seawater, illuminating the world ahead.

Beautiful.

Extremely beautiful.

This was the shallow sea area, where sunlight could still filter through the surface, forming mottled columns of light.

Various strange plants grew on the seabed.

Some looked like huge mushrooms, their caps shimmering with blue fluorescence; others danced with the current like ribbons, colored a dreamy pinkish-purple.

Schools of fish darted through the coral reefs.

The fish also looked strange. Some were completely transparent, allowing their skeletons to be seen; others dragged long tails, resembling balls of burning flame.

"Wow..."

Wen Wan's gasp of amazement came through the communication channel.

"It's so beautiful..."

She spun around in the water.

The woman who was somewhat reserved on land became exceptionally agile in the water.

The tight diving suit truly seemed to have become her second skin.

She extended her hand.

Her fingertip lightly touched a glowing sea grass.

The sea grass seemed shy, quickly retracting into the sandy bottom.

"Hehe..."

Wen Wan let out a soft laugh.

Her laughter was crisp, echoing in Gu Pingsheng's ears like a silver bell.

She swam toward a school of small fish that were foraging.

The fish were not startled; instead, they seemed drawn by some sort of summons and gathered around her.

They swam around Wen Wan's fingertips, kissing her palm.

One bold little fish even swam into her long hair.

At this moment, Wen Wan's long hair spread out in the water, resembling a mass of black seaweed.

Her face held a gentle smile, and her eyes were clear and bright.

That maternal radiance was infinitely magnified at this moment.

Like a Goddess governing the ocean.

Gu Pingsheng watched her quietly.

He had never seen Wen Wan like this.

Confident, unrestrained, and full of charm.

"Captain, look!"

Wen Wan suddenly turned back, holding something that emitted a soft white glow.

It was a huge shell.

The shell opened, revealing a fist-sized pearl lying inside.

"Is this... a Moonlight Clam?"

Gu Pingsheng swam over.

"Yes! The meat of this shell is very delicious, and this pearl... seems to contain very pure Water Elemental Energy."

Wen Wan offered the pearl to Gu Pingsheng as if presenting a treasure.

The distance between the two of them closed.

Gu Pingsheng could clearly see her face behind the mask.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed with excitement.

Her eyelashes were long, like two small fans.

Her lips were slightly parted, releasing a string of tiny bubbles.

"Well done."

Gu Pingsheng took the pearl and casually put it into his Spatial Ring.

Then, he stretched out his hand.

Through the mask, he gently helped smooth her slightly messy bangs.

His finger traced the edge of the mask, touching the exposed part of her cheek.

Smooth and cool.

Like a piece of fine mutton-fat jade.

Wen Wan trembled all over.

She looked at Gu Pingsheng's eyes, so close to her, and her heart skipped a beat.

The underwater world was so quiet.

So quiet that it felt as if only the two of them remained.

That ambiguous atmosphere flowed slowly with the current, enveloping their bodies.

Gu Pingsheng's finger did not leave.

Instead, it slid down her cheek and stopped at her chin.

He gently lifted it.

Wen Wan was forced to tilt her head up.

Her eyes became hazy, and her breathing quickened.

Although they couldn't kiss through the masks.

This entanglement of gazes was even more thrilling than a kiss.

"Captain..."

She called out softly.

Her voice carried a slight tremor, and a hint of... expectation.

Gu Pingsheng looked at her.

Looking at this woman blossoming underwater.

He suddenly felt that this resupply mission might yield unexpected rewards.

However.

Just then.

"Buzz—"

A low buzzing sound, as if originating from the depths of hell, suddenly exploded on the seabed.

The seawater trembled violently.

The school of fish that had been surrounding Wen Wan scattered and fled instantly, as if greatly terrified.

The glowing sea grass also retracted fully into the ground.

The surrounding light instantly dimmed.

"What's going on?!"

Gu Pingsheng's expression changed, and he immediately pulled Wen Wan behind him.

"Be careful!"

An An's voice rang out in the communication channel.

Sharp and urgent.

"Down there! A big guy is coming!"

Gu Pingsheng looked down.

In the depths of the bottomless Trench, two massive, scarlet points of light were slowly rising.

They were not lanterns.

They were... eyes.

A terrifying pressure rushed toward them, accompanying the surging seawater.