The Sunken Enigma

The landscape unfolded like a hidden treasure beneath the shimmering waters, a customary valley surrounded by majestic mountains that soared hundreds of meters high, undulating for countless kilometres. It was a sight to behold, a serene yet awe-inspiring scene.

In the heart of this vast valley lay a weathered and deteriorating sizeable wooden ship, its form partly submerged in the soft sand. Despite its age, the ship stood as a testament to its former glory, a once formidable vessel that would have been considered of large tonnage in its prime, spanning an estimated length of 40 to 50 meters.

Overlord approached the vicinity of the boat with caution. Rather than diving straight into its confines, it circled the vessel, using its exceptional senses to observe its surroundings. With its extraordinary perception, Overlord could see everything within a hundred-meter radius, even in the darkest depths, as if bathed in radiant light.

The water depth in this area exceeded a staggering one thousand meters, concealing a pitch-black seafloor that veiled any visibility beyond a few centimetres. Yet, within this abyssal darkness, intermittent glimmers of light danced, revealing the presence of bioluminescent deep-sea fish, casting an ethereal glow on the otherwise obscure scene.

As Overlord swam, it contemplated a matter that puzzled it. It would have easily maneuvered through the sunken vessel's confines in its younger days. However, at its current size, weighing over 600 kilograms, navigating within the limited space of the ship proved to be a challenge.

Liu Yong proposed a solution to the difficulty.  " Considering that this wooden shipwreck has been submerged for many years, it's likely to have decayed. Why not dismantle it and explore its contents? "  he suggested.

Overlord found the idea appealing. Dismantling, the sunken ship seemed within its capabilities. Without hesitation, the magnificent creature utilized its mighty mouth and four claws to initiate the dismantling process. A substantial hole was soon demolished with remarkable efficiency, unveiling the shipwreck's cargo warehouse.

Peering into the newly exposed chamber, Overlord reported its findings to Liu Yong.  " Master, it's all wood—a vast quantity of it, "  the Overlord relayed.

  " What? It's all wood! "  Liu Yong exclaimed, his hopes of discovering treasures or valuable antiques dashed.

Nonetheless, Liu Yong remained determined to uncover the secrets held by the wooden cargo.  " Continue dismantling, "  he instructed.  " Inspect it thoroughly. " 

Overlord diligently resumed its work, swiftly opening another sizable hole in the shipwreck. The cargo hold, however, proved to be disappointingly filled with large, thick pieces of wood. Simultaneously angered and let down, Liu Yong had initially expected the sunken ship to yield a fortune, only to find it brimming with mundane timber.

Seeking answers, Liu Yong's curiosity surged. He wished to understand the significance of these heavy and sizeable logs.  " Bawang, retrieve the smallest piece. I want to examine its properties, "  he instructed.

  " Very well, master, "  Overlord acknowledged obediently. The creature retrieved the smallest piece of wood from the boat, carefully maneuvering it out of the shipwreck and towards the vast expanse of the sea.

Swimming for over an hour, Overlord finally reached a suitable location near the sea's edge. There, it carefully placed the wooden fragment, noticing with curiosity that it defied expectations. Unlike typical wood that would float effortlessly, this piece possessed a density more significant than the surrounding seawater, causing it to sink beneath the waves.

The following day, as dawn broke, Liu Yong took matters into his own hands. Renting a box truck, he went to the tranquil beach to examine the wooden piece privately. Ensuring no prying eyes were around, he prepared himself for the moment of revelation.

  " Bring that piece of wood over. I want to take a closer look, "  Liu Yong instructed Bawang. Patiently waiting nearby, Liu Yong's anticipation grew as he watched the vast ocean's horizon.

After a short while, a magnificent sight emerged from the waters—a colossal creature, Bawang, had crawled ashore. Its imposing figure resembled an armoured dragon, with a sizeable carapace adorned by three elevated ridges running along its back. Its brown scutellum consisted of thirteen jagged scutes, reminiscent of rolling hills arranged in rows, exuding an aura of strength and dominance.

Liu Yong's satisfaction was undeniable, admiring the majestic creature before him. However, Bawang placed the log on the sandy beach to maintain secrecy and swiftly returned to the sea's embrace, disappearing into the depths.

Surprised by the sheer magnitude of the wooden piece he received, Liu Yong pondered its weight. Weighing several hundred catties, he wondered if anyone could transport it to the awaiting truck. Ordinary individuals would undoubtedly struggle, but Liu Yong, blessed with attributes akin to Overlord, possessed the potential to move such a colossal log.

Taking advantage of the solitude, Liu Yong lifted the wooden behemoth effortlessly, carrying it towards the parked truck in astonishment. As he walked, a realization dawned upon him—his strength surpassed his expectations. He recognized that his power extended well beyond a thousand catties, dispelling any doubt that he might struggle with the weight of the wood.

With graceful ease, Liu Yong carefully placed the log into the carriage, taking a moment to admire it. Despite his extended observation, he still struggled to discern its true nature. The wood possessed a striking beauty, with a firm and dense texture. Its specific gravity exceeded that of water, causing it to sink rather than float—a peculiar characteristic that deepened the enigma surrounding the wood's origins.

Deciding to seek professional expertise, Liu Yong reached for his mobile phone and captured several photographs of the enigmatic timber.

Satisfied with his documentation, he closed the carriage's doors and embarked on the journey back to the underground garage of his villa.

Setting aside the mysteries of the wood for the time being, Liu Yong focused on the pressing matters at hand—establishing his company.

Determinedly, he ventured to the talent market, accompanied by his trusted companion Hu Shijun, and successfully recruited over a dozen individuals. Despite the progress, Liu Yong understood that his team needed to increase in size.

His search for a general manager remained ongoing, but a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon. The headhunting company had provided information on three potential candidates, and Liu Yong sat in his new office, attentively reviewing their profiles.

As he delved into the details, a notification on his mobile WeChat drew his attention. Opening the app, Liu Yong discovered a message from Li Changle, who had taken the initiative this time.

  " What have you been busy with? You seem quite occupied, "  the message from Li Changle read, accompanied by a mischievous emoji.

Grateful for the distraction from his work, Liu Yong responded playfully,  " Busy thinking about you. " 

Their conversation on WeChat resumed, filled with warmth and familiarity. Amidst their exchange, Li Changle disclosed her upcoming visit to Huahai City.

  " I'm coming to Huahai City  soon, "  Li Changle informed him.

With excitement in his response, Liu Yong offered,  " Okay, I'll pick you up. Let me know when you are there at the high-speed rail station as It can be crowded, and taking a taxi might not be convenient. Some drivers even take advantage of customers. " 

Concerning her safety, Liu Yong insisted on personally picking her up, ensuring a smooth and comfortable arrival.

Accepting his offer, Li Changle agreed,  " Alright then, I'll let you know when I arrive at Huahai High-speed Railway Station " 

Liu Yong acknowledged the timing and eagerly anticipated their reunion. He couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness as he thought about the upcoming encounter.

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