Chapter 794: Soul Link

The gala was a great success, as every shipgirl's program was extraordinarily splendid and dazzling, leaving everyone dazzled, so time quietly slipped away.

When the midnight bell rang, at the moment the splendid fireworks burst from the sea, everyone turned in surprise, looking toward where the fireworks were launched, their eyes shining with joy and emotion.

Biyu timely spoke into the microphone, saying, "These fireworks were specially ordered by the commander from Mingshi in Donghuang, and they were launched by a little sea otter from White Eagle, so while we admire them, we should also thank them, of course including everyone."

It is because of your presence that this gala could be so successful. I hope that in the new year, everyone will be happy every day, then press on, strive to improve the fleet's strength, so that every day becomes such a happy scene.

Cheers and exultant cries echoed all around. All the commanders and shipgirls mutually celebrated, celebrating the arrival of the new year, celebrating this wonderful night.

As the night deepened, the gala also came to its end. Everyone reluctantly left the venue, for starting today, it signifies the new year, and also the beginning of heavier work.

On the third day after the Spring Festival, Qin Ge, several leading shipgirls, several core main forces, and Yujin and others gathered in the harbor at the southernmost edge of Gangqu, which is the farthest point from Gangqu and also the quietest place.

"Are you sure converting the ships won't cause any accidents?" Qin Ge asked Flying Dragon again, his gaze unintentionally fixed on Hai Lun Na in the distance, who was operating a machine.

Near this machine lay a huge pile of steel, and besides that there were resources such as the Wisdom Cube and supplies.

"Don't worry, since we dared to propose this plan, we will surely maintain its success." Flying Dragon said.

Qin Ge nodded deeply, then turned around and looked at the several leading shipgirls before him.

"So, have you decided who will go first for the conversion?" Qin Ge asked.

"I'll do it, since someone has to be the first to eat the crab, I don't mind being that first person." Bisimai said.

Or I'll do it.

Other voices also sounded at the same time, since the target had already been chosen, at this point one cannot retreat.

At this moment, Hai Lun Na, having adjusted the machine, walked over and said to Qin Ge, "Commander Qin Ge, the suggestion for the first ship conversion is still to pick a ship you are very familiar with, after all you are also crucial in this process.

Hope, anticipation, and longing—these emotions will erupt together at this moment, so those with the deepest feeling are often the easiest to succeed. With this experience, subsequent ship conversions will pose no problem.

Qin Ge nodded, then looked toward his own shipgirls, his gaze landing on Enterprise.

"Enterprise, you'll be the first. Since my Donghuang lies beside the Pacific, I am indeed most familiar with your history as the Pacific Queen."

Hearing Qin Ge choose her, Enterprise nodded, indicating she would then stand beside him. The other shipgirls, though envious, still admitted that compared to Enterprise, their past combat records were indeed inferior.

"Indeed it's her." Hai Lun Na smiled with deep meaning, then said to the two, "Enterprise, please go to the platform beside that pile of steel; as for Commander Qin Ge, just follow me."

Qin Ge and Enterprise nodded simultaneously, following Hai Lun Na's guidance: Enterprise stood on that platform, while Qin Ge followed Hai Lun Na to the machine's side.

After seeing Enterprise in position, Hai Lun Na raised her head and asked Enterprise, "The process of converting a ship is equivalent to reorganizing the body once, so it will be painful, a pain that pierces the heart, but I believe that with your will, these are trifles for you; still I must remind you."

So, are you ready?

"Hmm, if the price for gaining power is merely pain, that really is too simple." Enterprise nodded and said.

"Alright, let's begin."

Hai Lun Na finished speaking and pressed a button on the machine; in an instant, countless streams of flowing light spread from the machine's surroundings, simultaneously enveloping Enterprise on the platform as well as the steel and supplies.

Pain, an indescribable suffering, came, but Enterprise made no sound, merely standing still in place, waiting for that moment to arrive.

The first to change were the steel and supplies; seen under the light's enveloping, they turned into streams of flowing light like data, disappearing in place and converging toward Enterprise at the center of the platform.

Then Enterprise's entire body was wrapped in that flowing light, forming a radiant cocoon that emitted light, after which her silhouette could no longer be seen.

Time passed second by second, the light gradually gathered on that light cocoon until the final surge of flowing light rushed into the cocoon, at which point the whole fantastical process gradually ended.

At this moment, Hai Lun Na said to Qin Ge, "Commander Qin Ge, please place your hand on this disc here, then focus your imagination on Enterprise's experience as a ship and your own experiences with her, so that we can better synchronize your link."

"Hm." Qin Ge nodded, stepped forward a few steps, extended his right hand onto the conspicuous disc, then closed his eyes, following Hai Lun Na's instructions, focusing his imagination on his and Enterprise's past experiences, as well as the countless people's praise and expectations for Enterprise.

And just then, a blue stream of flowing light rose from Qin Ge's body like a mist, gradually drifting toward the platform enveloped by the light cocoon.

"Soul Link!" Zhang Men exclaimed in surprise from beside.

"What does that mean?" Bisimai asked.

"You ought to know that the soul is the most important thing for a person; right now, the commander's soul has manifested a bridge, the flowing light you see is that bridge, and what he wishes to link is the place where Enterprise is."

"However, responding to expectations and hopes is like making a wish; what exactly is this soul link nowadays? Constructing it this way, even a contract cannot compare." Zhang Men said.

"I feel I don't quite understand, so is this a good thing or a bad thing?" George V asked from beside.

"There are both good and bad aspects. The good is that from now on we will have a tighter link with the commander; through soul perception we can ascertain the commander's position, and the commander can likewise perceive our state through soul perception."

"Even deeper, we can use the soul‑to‑soul link to communicate with each other; even if separated by ten thousand li, for the soul it feels as near as a fingertip."

"As for the bad, from now on we will sign a soul contract with the commander, sharing honor and disgrace alike; if someday we fall in battle, the commander will also suffer pain akin to having his soul torn apart." Zhang Men said.

"I see."