Chapter 526: No Need for Escort Ships, Set Sail

He walked to the center of the command center, looked around at everyone, his voice firm and full of power:

"Comrades, we do not need an escort fleet, because 'Kunpeng' itself is a complete combat system. It can detect the enemy before they discover it; it can launch missiles to attack the enemy before they lock onto it; it can easily disengage from the battlefield with its speed of three hundred knots before the enemy can surround it."

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath and revealed his final trump card:

"More importantly, this ocean-going test will prove to the whole world—Long Country is no longer a weak nation to be slaughtered at will; we have the capability and the confidence to safeguard our rights and interests in any sea area. This is not just a technical test, but a strategic declaration!"

These words were like a heavy bomb, detonating in the command center. A burning fighting spirit ignited in the eyes of the Military Representatives, the engineers were so excited their faces turned red, and even the usually steady Minister Zhang had an irrepressible excitement flickering in his eyes.

"I agree with Chief Engineer Li's proposal," the old general was the first to stand up and state his position, his voice resonant, "The Taiyang is not any country's backyard; our Long Country's warships have the right to sail freely in any international waters!"

Deputy Minister Liu followed closely behind: "If the 'Heavenly Eye' system is indeed as reliable as Chief Engineer Li says, then the risks of this ocean-going test are controllable. I vote in favor!"

The dissenting voices gradually disappeared, replaced by enthusiastic discussion: How should the route be planned? What items would the test include? How should they respond if they encounter an enemy fleet? Everyone was eager and ready, as if they could already see the spectacular scene of 'Kunpeng' sailing proudly in the middle of the Taiyang.

In the end, the meeting passed Li Mingyuan's proposal by an overwhelming majority—'Kunpeng' would begin its ocean-going test in one week, with its target set directly for the middle of the Taiyang, demonstrating Long Country's ocean-going projection capability.

While everyone was busy discussing the details, Li Mingyuan walked alone to the window of the command center, looking at the graceful silhouette of 'Kunpeng' in the bay in the distance, a mysterious smile hanging on the corner of his mouth.

"The Taiyang is only the first step," he muttered to himself, "Once 'Kunpeng' proves itself, the next step will be..."

He did not finish, because some plans, even in this closed command center, were not suitable to be spoken aloud.

One week later, in the bay on the east side of Penglai Base, the morning light was just beginning to dawn.

'Kunpeng' was moored quietly on the specially made launch platform, its silver-gray hull shimmering with a metallic luster under the rising sun, like a giant dragon about to awaken.

Li Mingyuan, wearing a special flight suit, stood in front of the launch platform to receive the final briefing. He was personally commanding this ocean-going test, with the goal of completing a cruise mission in the middle of the Taiyang within three days to test 'Kunpeng's' ocean-going performance and combat capability.

"Meteorological conditions are good, sea state is stable, wind force is 3-4, visibility is over 15 nautical miles," the meteorologist reported, "There is a small low-pressure system in the middle of the Taiyang, but it is not expected to affect the voyage."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "'Heavenly Eye' system status?"

"All three satellites are operating normally, signal coverage is 99.7%, communication latency is controlled within 0.3 seconds," the Communication Officer answered proudly, "As long as it is within the coverage area, 'Kunpeng' can maintain contact with the command headquarters at any time."

"Enemy fleet movements?"

The Intelligence Officer stepped forward: "According to the latest intelligence, the main force of the Star-Spangled Country's Taiyang Fleet is currently conducting exercises near Hawaii, including two carrier strike groups. They seem to know nothing about our movements."

Li Mingyuan revealed a satisfied smile: "Very good, everything is proceeding according to plan."

He turned to face the senior officials seeing him off and gave a standard military salute: "Please rest assured, leaders, 'Kunpeng' will not fail the mission and will successfully complete this historic ocean-going test!"

Minister Zhang stepped forward, took Li Mingyuan's hand, his voice carrying undisguised excitement: "Lao Li, be careful. Remember, 'Kunpeng' is a heavy weapon of the nation, and you... are too."

Li Mingyuan responded with a firm nod and turned to walk toward the entrance of 'Kunpeng'. The moment he stepped onto the gangway, a sudden gust of wind swept across the sea surface, as if heaven were playing a prelude for this historic moment.

Inside the command center, everyone held their breath and stared at the big screen, waiting for 'Kunpeng' to set sail.

Li Mingyuan entered the control cabin, sat skillfully in the main control seat, fastened his seatbelt, and began the startup sequence.

"Pangu, system self-check."

"Self-check started... all systems normal, power Hexin stable, energy output 100%, flight control system ready, weapon system ready, 'Heavenly Eye' receiving system connection normal..."

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, his fingers hovering above the start button: "Prepare for takeoff, target: middle of the Taiyang, flight speed set to 300 knots."

"Route planned, estimated travel time 17 hours and 42 minutes, island chain passages marked, avoidance of enemy surveillance areas calculated."

Li Mingyuan pressed the start button, feeling the vibration of the giant lift fans at the bottom of 'Kunpeng' beginning to rotate, a confident smile hanging on the corner of his mouth:

"Taiyang, here we come."

With a deafening roar, 'Kunpeng' slowly lifted off, hovering steadily at a height of five meters above the sea surface. Beneath it, the seawater was blown away by the powerful airflow, forming a perfect circular depression.

Then, in the eyes of all the witnesses holding their breath, blue flames erupted from the tail of 'Kunpeng', and that massive body surged forward like an arrow released from a bow, its speed increasing rapidly, turning into a silver Lightning in the blink of an eye, disappearing on the eastern horizon.

Inside the command center, the real-time speed display jumped wildly: 100 knots... 200 knots... 250 knots... finally stabilizing at 300 knots.

"Success!" Minister Zhang slapped the table in excitement, "'Kunpeng' has entered cruising state!"

The crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers, everyone's face filled with pride and anticipation.

And inside the control cabin of 'Kunpeng', Li Mingyuan watched the boundless sea ahead calmly, feeling the power and speed this behemoth brought him. He knew that at this moment, the wheel of history had been completely changed by him.

"This is the true ocean-going capability," he whispered to himself, a profound light that only a transmigrator could have flickering in his eyes, "When 'Kunpeng' returns in triumph from the Taiyang, the world order will be completely reshaped..."

He did not finish, because 'Kunpeng' had already accelerated and was speeding toward the horizon, leaving Penglai Base far behind, sailing toward that blue ocean waiting to be conquered.

On the Taiyang, 'Kunpeng' was like a silver Lightning speeding along the surface of the sea, leaving a straight "wave-less corridor" on the waves. Li Mingyuan sat in the control cabin, his hands resting easily on the console, his expression calm, as if he were just driving an ordinary speedboat out for a ride, rather than controlling a revolutionary weapon platform capable of changing the world's military landscape.