The two team members, also researchers of marine life, immediately recognized the colossal creature in front of them.

Could the ocean’s ruler from 28 million to 1.5 million years ago still exist today?!

It was vividly present before the three of them.

“Run, run!”

The two team members frantically swam away, desperately trying to escape.

“The fish population here is so sparse; it must have been preyed upon by this megalodon. It should be full and won’t attack randomly. Stay calm, don’t panic, or you’ll become a target!” Ji Shuiyao tried to suppress her inner fear, using her knowledge to analyze the situation and advising the two team members.

However, for those nearly scared out of their wits, such words of persuasion were utterly ineffective.

They had only one thought now: escape!

The massive megalodon was initially swimming slowly, but upon spotting a decent-sized prey, it accelerated towards the two people.

Ji Shuiyao had initially stopped moving, but upon witnessing this scene, she was filled with indignation.

Although the megalodon’s target was the two team members, its path indicated it would collide with her.

As a specialist in marine biology, Ji Shuiyao had a deep understanding of the megalodon, once the ocean’s ruler.

The average swimming speed of a megalodon is about 35 kilometers per hour, but it accelerates to around 50 kilometers per hour when chasing prey.

A 1.5-ton car hitting at 50 kilometers per hour could be fatal.

And a megalodon, about 20 meters long and weighing over 70 tons, at 50 kilometers per hour, could topple a skyscraper!

Ji Shuiyao felt immense regret.

If only she had listened to Wang Haoran.

But now, it was too late to say anything.

The massive body had already filled Ji Shuiyao’s field of vision.

“Am I going to die…”

Ji Shuiyao couldn’t help but murmur to herself, preparing for the end.

However, just before the megalodon’s massive body was about to collide with her, a swiftly moving figure pulled Ji Shuiyao out of its path.

The rapid movement left Ji Shuiyao a bit dizzy, and when she regained her senses, the megalodon’s massive figure had already swum far away.

Ji Shuiyao felt someone holding her waist.

She turned her head and saw a companion in a diving suit. Through the transparent mask, she quickly saw a handsome face.

She usually paid little attention to people’s appearances, but for some reason, she suddenly felt that this person looked really good, even better than the rare marine specimens she had collected!

[Ding, the female lead Ji Shuiyao’s favorability towards the host has increased by 20, current total favorability is 30 (very friendly).]

[Ding, the host has influenced the plot direction, gaining 500 villain points!]

“Can you still swim?” Wang Haoran asked Ji Shuiyao, noticing her tremble.

It was clear she hadn’t fully recovered from the fright.

“A… a bit difficult,” Ji Shuiyao’s strained voice came through the communicator to Wang Haoran’s ears.

“If you don’t want to become megalodon excrement, you’d better hold on tight,” Wang Haoran reminded her.

Terrified, Ji Shuiyao clung to Wang Haoran like an octopus.

About half an hour later, the submarine returned to the research vessel.

All personnel who went to collect marine specimens returned safely, including the two who were chased by the megalodon.

They survived not by outrunning the megalodon but because after swallowing them, the megalodon vomited due to overeating.

The two narrowly escaped, but upon returning to the research vessel, they were still in shock.

It seemed they had suffered severe psychological trauma, and it was uncertain how long it would take to recover.

However, this was a blessing in disguise.

For safety reasons, Ji Shuiyao had to issue a return order to the crew, canceling the collection activity.

Making this decision was difficult for her, but the megalodon was simply too terrifying.

If it attacked the research vessel, everyone on board would be in danger.

Although the likelihood was small, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, as luck doesn’t always favor you.

“Who would have thought megalodons still exist in the world,” Ji Shuiyao was still a bit shaken.

Beside her, Wang Haoran remained calm.

With a protagonist and two female leads here, anything was possible.

Discovering a megalodon or even finding a mermaid wouldn’t surprise him.

“Did anyone collect anything?” Ji Shuiyao asked the surrounding collection personnel expectantly.

“No.”

“No.”

“I didn’t either.”

The surrounding people shook their heads in response.

Everyone had just exited the submarine and hadn’t started collecting when Ji Shuiyao ordered them back.

Naturally, they returned empty-handed.

Hearing the responses, Ji Shuiyao couldn’t help but sigh.

This scientific exploration trip was a bust.

Upon returning, trouble would surely follow.

The expedition’s expenses were enormous, and Ji Shuiyao had applied for a large sum from the research institute. Bringing back even one unknown marine specimen would have sufficed.

But now, with nothing to show, she’d have to explain to the funding investors.

The key issue was whether they’d understand her explanation.

In short, there would be a lot of trouble upon returning.

“I did manage to collect something,” Wang Haoran said, taking out a collection device.

Inside the transparent container of the device was some blood.

It was clearly extracted from some marine fish.

However, Ji Shuiyao’s expression remained calm:

“Blood from fish doesn’t have much research value; it’s not useful.”

“Megalodon blood isn’t valuable…”

Wang Haoran felt disappointed, thinking his effort was in vain, and was about to toss the device into the sea.

But Ji Shuiyao immediately, without regard for her demeanor, lunged forward and hugged Wang Haoran, stopping him from throwing the device.

“You said this is megalodon blood?!” Ji Shuiyao was incredulous.

“Yes.”

[Ding, the female lead Ji Shuiyao’s favorability towards the host has increased by 10, current total favorability is 40 (very friendly).]

[Ding, the host has influenced the plot direction, gaining 500 villain points!]