Luo Lin surveyed the ships moored not far away in the harbor. One ship, about seventy meters long and ten meters wide, with a towering bridge, was equipped with many research and detection devices. A flag bearing the emblem of "Schicksal" fluttered on the mast.
The Valkyrie blinked, quickly recognizing it as a research vessel.
"Although the transport airship is fast, if you want to conduct long-term exploration at sea, you still need a research vessel like this," one of the Valkyries at the base continued to explain. "This ship is named the 'Icarus.' It will take you to the Stigmata Ruins. Later, we will dispatch transport airships to provide personnel and supplies for the ship."
"Alright."
Luo Lin followed the others onto the "Icarus."
The ship soon left the harbor and sped across the sea at an exaggerated speed. The Valkyrie was now sure that this was indeed a vessel under Schicksal's jurisdiction, judging from the modifications alone.
A few hours later, the Valkyries arrived at one of the locations of the abnormal signal.
Luo Lin and Captain Whitley promptly changed into diving suits, put on oxygen masks, and two other Valkyries also geared up, preparing to dive.
Thanks to Schicksal's advanced technology, this diving suit did not hinder the Valkyries' movements. It even came with a backpack equipped with a small Honkai engine, allowing for swift movement underwater and long-term oxygen supply.
Alvitr remained on the ship. As the team's technician, her role on the research vessel was much greater than that in underwater exploration.
Before diving, Captain Whitley confirmed with her team once again: "Final check, is all equipment normal?"
Everyone checked their gear again and responded, "All normal."
"Begin descent!"
Luo Lin leaned back and gracefully entered the water, feeling the sea engulfing her.
When she opened her eyes again, the Valkyrie was already submerged underwater.
The depth of the seabed here was not great, and natural light easily illuminated the ocean floor.
However, there were no colorful corals or varying sizes of fish here, except for the white sand, there was nothing else, making it seem somewhat lifeless.
Luo Lin frowned, carefully sensing her surroundings. She noticed that the concentration of Honkai energy here was slightly higher than elsewhere—perhaps this was why it seemed so lifeless.
Whitley also anticipated this situation. She said, "Generally, the Stigmata Ruins themselves gather some Honkai energy, causing the surrounding area to appear lifeless..."
"I see."
Luo Lin moved her arms and legs freely in the water.
Because she exercised every day, Luo Lin indeed had a good figure, especially after putting on the diving suit, her body's curves became exceptionally prominent.
The parts that should be plump were plump, and the parts that should be slender were slender... Uh, let's change the subject.
Luo Lin only gets along with Fu Hua in this regard.
At least in Luo Lin's opinion, her appearance met the definition of a popular two-dimensional waifu.
Especially in this scene, with sunlight shining through the rippling sea surface, the black-haired girl in a diving suit floated there, her slender legs swaying slightly, creating a small string of bubbles. The wide-open diving mask made it easy to see Luo Lin's face.
Her black eyes reflected the scenery of the seabed, with faint starlight hidden within, making it easy to get lost in them if one made eye contact.
If Luo Lin noticed it one day, she might exclaim that in the Honkai world, giving eyes special effects was the norm, and she had now adapted to it.
The flickering sunlight through the sea sponge cast a faint white halo around her, making Luo Lin look like a mermaid from a mythical legend...
This scene felt like a high-quality Stigmata illustration, at least it had to be a five-star Stigmata.
If someone could take a picture and upload it online, there would be countless internet users shouting "wife" in their mouths, wishing to lick her legs until they broke.
"Huh? Why... do I feel so light?"
The black-haired girl looked at her body in surprise, trying to move in the water again.
Something had indeed changed...
After a few more seconds, Luo Lin finally found what was wrong.
She had become very good at swimming, much better than before when her swimming skills could only be described as "armed swimming" or "underwater combat readiness."
This feeling was very familiar, just like when she switched character cards and suddenly acquired those combat skills inherent to the character. The method of swimming also appeared abruptly in her mind.
Luo Lin glanced at the nearby Whitley and the remaining two Valkyries, who had their weapons hung on their waists and backs, assuming a standard diving posture. If there were any unexpected situations, they could react immediately.
At that moment, Alvitr's voice came through the communication channel: "This is Alvitr. I've marked the position of the abnormal signal on the map. Please follow the guide and proceed."
Luo Lin touched her diving mask, and a real-time three-dimensional positioning map appeared before her eyes, with clear path planning marks.
The Valkyries proceeded toward their destination.
As Luo Lin and her team gradually approached the target, the fluctuations of Honkai energy increased.
Whitley, now half excited and half worried, explained, "It seems that this time, the Stigmata Ruins have gathered quite a bit of Honkai energy, and there is a high probability of encountering Honkai beasts... Stay vigilant!"
"Yes!"
The Valkyries all unfastened their weapons from their backs—basically, they were all firearms designed for underwater use, powerful enough to deal with ordinary Honkai beasts.
Why did I say "basically"? Because Luo Lin not only carried a gun but also a golden sword floating beside her. The "Moon Ring" on her shoulder also started to operate, illuminating her face.
This girl, shining brightly, attracted the attention of the Valkyries.
"Is this high-tech equipment from the Equipment Department?"
"It is high-tech."
But not only from the Equipment Department of Schicksal, but also the technology of the ancient civilization...
After walking a short distance further, the group found a fissure on the seabed, dozens of meters long and seven to eight meters wide, from which strong Honkai energy fluctuations emanated.
Clearly, this was the source of the abnormal signal.
Luo Lin squinted, her "Honkai Energy Radar" constantly emitting warnings.
The Valkyrie shouted loudly, "A large number of mobile units with Honkai energy are approaching ahead. Prepare for combat!"
The next moment, a swarm of Honkai beasts surged out of the crevice like a tide!