Only after the Dragon Country Navy took away the unmanned submarine did Yang Lin finally understand its value.
"Damn, over ten million US dollars, at the current exchange rate, that's almost eighty million."
"This hunk of metal is worth more than my entire zoo."
Of course, Yang Lin also knew that ten million US dollars was just its selling price, and its actual research and development cost was almost double that figure.
For the Dragon Country, the value of this latest generation unmanned submersible with world-class technology was almost immeasurable in monetary terms.
After all, overcoming the technological barriers involved might take more than ten years.
Yet, Yang Lin had managed to salvage one directly.
It was no wonder the naval soldiers who came to collect the unmanned submersible saluted Yang Lin.
"Director Yang, you've made a great contribution this time."
"Indeed, I can congratulate you in advance."
"It's a shame you're not a soldier, otherwise, you might have received an August 1st Medal."
"Let alone Director Yang, we might even get some credit from this."
On the research vessel, after the navy personnel left, everyone immediately gathered around Yang Lin, offering their congratulations.
At this point, Yang Lin finally realized what an extraordinary item he had obtained.
He was also very curious about how the country would reward him.
The previous underwater detection device had earned him a reward of 2.5 million, so how much would he get for salvaging a high-tech unmanned submersible? He expected at least double.
However, he soon realized how limited his thinking was.
After sending off the unmanned submersible, the research vessel resumed its journey back as usual. After a day and a half, it finally entered Beibu Gulf.
And during this journey, Yang Lin's application for an island was finally approved ahead of schedule.
To his surprise, the State Oceanic Administration not only waived all his fees but also granted him usage rights for the sea area within fifty nautical miles surrounding the island.
This meant that Yang Lin could not only develop and use Dolphin Island but also the surrounding sea area.
This was undoubtedly great news for him.
Before he could fully process this good news, an island, neither too big nor too small, appeared in front of the research vessel.
Looking at the island that seemed familiar, Yang Lin's eyes lit up.
"Director Yang, this should be Chicken Shit Island that you applied for earlier."
"However, this island looks unremarkable. Other than a few barren mountains, there are no other resources on it."
"Why don't you consider swapping it for a better one?"
Looking at Chicken Shit Island in the distance, a high-ranking official from the State Oceanic Administration accompanying them asked with confusion.
"By the way, Director Yang, why did you want to lease an island?"
"Yes, you wouldn't be planning to open a zoo at sea, would you? There isn't even a shipping route here, so no one would come if you opened one."
"Could it be that Director Yang is planning to switch to aquaculture?"
...
As everyone expressed their lack of understanding, Yang Lin showed a mysterious smile.
"Firstly, from today onwards, this island will no longer be called Chicken Shit Island. It will be named Dolphin Island."
"Secondly, who told you this island was unremarkable? Look over there."
As soon as Yang Lin finished speaking, everyone looked in the direction he pointed.
The next second, three massive figures leaped out of the sea.
Seeing the enormous figures soaring above the sea surface as if they had wings, the people on the research vessel and the audience preparing to witness the release ceremony of Kunba were stunned.
Even from a hundred meters away, they could immediately identify the three behemoths.
They were three adult humpback whales, each over ten meters long.
As everyone watched in stunned silence, the three humpback whales crashed back into the sea.
A large amount of mist, illuminated by the sunlight, instantly formed a rainbow bridge connecting to Dolphin Island.
After an unknown period, everyone finally recovered from the shock caused by the humpback whales.
"Aren't these the three humpback whales that made the news before? How did they get here?"
"Yes, it's them. They were almost stranded last time, and I remember they were escorted by a pack of killer whales."
"They are also living here? If you add the baby blue whale, won't there be four whales here?"
"It seems this island will become a whale-watching paradise in the future."
"Director Yang must have foreseen that this sea area has rich marine resources and easily attracts large marine animals, which is why he chose to lease this island."
"Of course, with just this gimmick, the commercial value of this island is limitless. Perhaps the Guangxi Tourism Bureau will even open a dedicated tourist route here."
"I didn't expect Director Yang to have such business acumen."
...
For a time, everyone offered their compliments.
The audience also looked forward to the day when this island would officially open.
After all, there were very few places in the entire Dragon Country where one could see whales, and even then, they were mostly small whales like belugas.
However, after the shock, a question arose in everyone's mind.
"Director Yang, the whales are living around this island, why isn't it called Whale Island?"
"Yes, if that's not possible, you could call it Rainbow Island. Look how beautiful the rainbow is over there."
"Exactly, there aren't any dolphins here..."
Before the person could finish speaking, the sea around Dolphin Island erupted like dumplings being thrown into water.
Energetic figures leaped out of the sea one after another.
They were so numerous that the horizon seemed endless.
At the same time, chirping sounds echoed above the sea.
Seeing these figures continuously breaching the surface, the shock in everyone's hearts was even greater than when they first discovered the humpback whales.
Because the figures leaping out of the sea were none other than dolphins of various shapes and sizes.
Although it was impossible to count the exact number of dolphins, judging by the scale they were witnessing, there were definitely no less than 5,000, perhaps even more.
When had they ever seen so many dolphins, except during migration?
These dolphins almost encircled the entire Dolphin Island.
At this moment, they finally understood why Yang Lin had named it Dolphin Island and not Whale Island.
As everyone was deeply stunned by the spectacular scene around Dolphin Island, Kunba, which had been following the research vessel, suddenly swam towards Dolphin Island.
When its massive body appeared in front of Dolphin Island, all the marine life in the entire sea area seemed to sense it.
The next second, the entire dolphin population, the killer whale pack, and the three humpback whales all swam towards Kunba, their gazes filled with reverence and respect.
It was as if they were welcoming their king.
As the marine creatures collectively assumed a welcoming posture, Kunba opened its enormous mouth.
Instantly, a roar that echoed throughout the entire sea area sounded in everyone's ears.
In a daze, the image of a giant deep-sea beast appeared in their minds.