Shortwave signals are easily attenuated in water. For seabed communications, ultra-long-wave or very low-frequency (VLF) transmission must be used. That was the direction Chen Mo chose for the signal transformation system of the submarine seismograph.
To withstand the crushing pressure of the deep sea, the seismograph had to be structurally reinforced. Without proper modifications, the device would never survive, let alone function, under those extreme conditions.
With the help of Ink Girl's AI capabilities, Chen Mo completed the structural optimizations. From the technology library, he accessed a set of extremely long-wave communication blueprints. While this communication method only supported one-way transmission—sending but not receiving—it was standard for submarine technology. Given the limitations, being able to transmit signals from hundreds of meters beneath the ocean, or even from the seabed, was already a major breakthrough.
An additional buoy-style antenna was also designed to remain on the surface, tethered to the seismograph below, ensuring the signals could be transmitted to satellites or ships.
Thanks to the support of the AI, the technology library, and the full backing of the Marching Ant Company, the transformation process went remarkably smoothly.
With the designs finalized, Chen Mo focused entirely on production, determined to complete all required units before the Academy of Sciences' deep-sea expedition.
Meanwhile, the land-based research teams, in collaboration with Binhai University, had begun their mission. Professors and students had already entered Tibetan regions to install the first batch of seismographs. The project was in full swing.
The noise stirred by Chen Mo's earlier paper had long since died down. The media, no longer interested, had turned their attention elsewhere. The Marching Ant Company's actions remained highly confidential, so the outside world had no idea what major developments were underway.
Marina Pier
Standing on the dock, Chen Mo exhaled deeply as the final large crate was loaded onto the research vessel. After two months of nonstop work, the moment he had been preparing for had finally arrived.
"There's a video tutorial on the seismograph installation in here." Chen Mo handed a USB flash drive to Li Chengzhi. "It's pretty straightforward. Just pass it on to Professor Wu Zhen."
Li Chengzhi took the drive and gave Chen Mo a thoughtful look. Surprisingly, all the bureaucratic procedures for this project had gone through without a hitch. Perhaps those higher up wanted to see if Chen Mo could really perform another miracle.
He wasn't too concerned about foreign countries trying to snatch the devices. Chen Mo had already addressed that.
According to him, the seismographs had a built-in self-destruct system. Once activated, the only way to retrieve them was by issuing a shutdown command first. Otherwise, any attempt to move the equipment would trigger the self-destruct mechanism.
Such a large device resting on the ocean floor, especially one emitting signals, would undoubtedly attract attention. Some foreign power was bound to investigate. But Chen Mo had designed the machines to be disposable if compromised—once ruptured by deep-sea pressure, the internal components would be crushed and lost.
He had even upgraded the seismograph to semi-intelligent status. Given more time, he could've turned it into an autonomous robot, swimming into position on its own. As it stood now, once deployed, it was nearly impossible to retrieve.
After saying their goodbyes, Li Chengzhi boarded the ship, leaving the equipment in the care of the expedition team.
On the way back...
"Are you sure the instruments will be okay?" Xiao Yu asked, glancing at Chen Mo.
"Don't worry," Chen Mo replied confidently. "Even if they just toss the device into the sea, it'll automatically activate once it reaches the seabed. The only variable is the location—and that's why Professor Wu is there. He knows the best seismic zones for installation. With him in charge, it'll be fine."
"Then everything's finally wrapping up." Xiao Yu smiled. "You've been grinding nonstop for two months. Take a couple days off."
"The seismographs sent to the Tibetan regions should be in place by now," Chen Mo said. "With installation complete, this stage is done. I'll take a break and spend the next two days with you. Anywhere you want to go."
"I want to see a movie," she said with a playful grin. "You haven't taken me out in forever."
"Now you're just guilt-tripping me," Chen Mo chuckled. Only when they were alone did Xiao Yu show this playful, soft side.
"I've earned it." She crossed her arms smugly.
Tibetan Plateau
Professor Zhang Songlin ran his hand along the smooth exterior of the two-meter-high cylindrical seismograph, visibly impressed.
A geology professor from Binhai University, Zhang had been involved in a geological survey in the Tibetan region. Through the university's collaboration with the Marching Ant Company, he was tapped to oversee the installation of the land-based seismographs.
His current project was also funded by the Marching Ant Company.
Ten seismographs were to be installed across key seismic zones. The company had already secured government cooperation and permissions.
As a geologist, Zhang was intimately familiar with the area. This zone sat along a fault line. Sudden crustal shifts along such faults were a major cause of earthquakes—especially in regions where tectonic plates converged.
Many Chinese cities were located dangerously close to such zones. Scientists had long been mapping and analyzing these fault lines in hopes of better earthquake prediction. Now, the Marching Ant Company was doing the same—just on a much more ambitious scale.
Initially skeptical of Chen Mo's paper, Zhang now found himself deeply involved in its application.
"Professor Zhang, the hole is ready!" a hard-hat-wearing worker called out, pulling him from his thoughts.
Zhang patted the seismograph. "Let's get it positioned over the borehole and begin installation."
The operation was confidential. Only those directly involved knew that this was a Marching Ant seismograph.
As the workers carefully positioned the device, a technician gave instructions.
"Rotate it clockwise one notch. Align the three base ports."
Two minutes later, alignment was complete.
Once the circuits were connected, Zhang opened the control slot on the unit and pressed the startup button, following the tutorial instructions precisely.
Whirr—click!
Mechanical sounds echoed as the three base ports opened and extended probe arms into the underground borehole.
When the probes stopped moving, Zhang opened the top of the device. A geomagnetic field detector—an array of coils—rose into position.
The seismograph wasn't flashy, but Zhang methodically followed the calibration steps. Once done, he opened his laptop to begin receiving data.
At a different site, Professor Luo Changhua was performing the same task. They were dividing up the work to complete all ten installations efficiently.
The Tibetan region deployment was progressing steadily.
At Sea
Six large crates were offloaded onto the research vessel. The moment they were on deck, a crowd of experts gathered—at the center was Wu Zhen.
Many wore curious expressions. What kind of device had compelled their expedition to adjust its entire plan?
This team specialized in marine biology, ocean chemistry, physics, and geology. Their first major target: the Mariana Trench.
Submersibles would be diving for samples, and the Marching Ant seismographs would be installed along the seafloor. Chen Mo had provided rough coordinates, but it would be Wu Zhen's expertise that determined the final deployment sites.
"Open the crates," Wu Zhen ordered calmly.
The staff stepped forward and unlocked the cases.
Inside were six specially modified submarine seismographs—sleek, reinforced, and utterly unlike anything anyone had seen before.