Chapter 155: Test Flight

"Wu Tong, prepare yourself mentally. The planes here are quite different from civil aviation—they are much faster!" Elder Cheng warned in advance as an experienced hand once they boarded the transport plane.

True to his word of ten minutes, just as the three of them boarded, took their seats, and secured their safety harnesses, the transport aircraft began to rev up. Amidst the deafening roar, Wu Tong finally understood the meaning of Elder Cheng's warning about what "fast" truly meant.

With almost no taxiing distance, the transport plane pulled a sheer, vertical climb straight into the clouds. As Wu Tong felt her entire body thrown backward by the immense G-force, she finally fully comprehended what it meant to pilot a transport plane like a fighter jet—this was the textbook definition of it.

She gained a new appreciation for why those individuals had been so excited when she created the new materials. Without the support of superior materials and high performance, the aircraft simply could not withstand the intensely thrilling maneuvers of these elite pilots!

She felt she should work even harder to research and design even stronger materials, crafting fighter jets with even superior performance so that the pilots could fully realize their boundless visions!

Two hours later, the transport plane landed at a military airfield in Xizhou.

A jeep was already waiting nearby. As soon as they stepped off the plane, the three of them hopped into the waiting vehicle with combat-ready speed. The jeep sped away, and the desolate yet magnificent landscape, entirely distinct from Beijing, rushed toward them.

The early morning sun rose from the desert horizon, casting its glow across the sea of yellow sand—a breathtaking and majestic grandeur.

It was Wu Tong's first time in such a place. Despite the fatigue of a sleepless night, as the morning light streamed in through the window, her Purple Qi Morning Sun technique unconsciously began to circulate on its own, nourishing and replenishing her expended energy. She peered out the window with bright-eyed curiosity, taking in the scenery outside.

"Do you like it here? After the maiden flight, when you have time, I'll have Lu Xiao arrange a guide for you to look around. You shouldn't stay cooped up at school every day; people need to see more to broaden their horizons and spark more fresh ideas!" Elder Cheng had been dozing off to catch up on sleep, lacking the boundless energy of the youth.

Having received such exhilarating news yesterday, he had been overly excited, and waking up exceptionally early today left him fatigued due to insufficient rest.

Were it not for the anticipation of witnessing the maiden flight of the J-20 sustaining him, the most comfortable thing right now would be to find a cozy bed and fall deeply asleep. He had traveled to Xizhou far too many times and had even eaten his fair share of its yellow sand over the years, leaving him with no sense of novelty.

However, seeing Wu Tong gazing at the scenery outside with unflagging wonder, he couldn't help smiling and offering the suggestion. He had seen it all countless times, but for Wu Tong, it was her maiden encounter with Xizhou, making it naturally different.

"No need, Teacher. Let's focus on business first. When I take a vacation after we're done, I can come back specifically for a proper visit if I want to play!" Anticipating that she probably wouldn't have any leisure time for sightseeing, Wu Tong gently shook her head. "Just getting a glimpse of this is enough; it's not strictly necessary to visit specific tourist spots!"

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the 606 Institute. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary factory, giving no hint whatsoever that this was a vital and heavily guarded research stronghold.

However, from the moment they approached, the multiple covert glances directed their way signaled that this place was far from ordinary.

Lu Xiao was already waiting at the entrance. Even before the car came to a complete stop, his tall and elegant figure was visible from afar.

"Elder Cheng, Wu Tong, welcome. Thank you both for rushing over so early in the morning!" As soon as the car stopped steadily, Lu Xiao stepped forward to greet them and personally opened the door for Elder Cheng.

"How can it be considered a hardship to come and watch a maiden flight!" As soon as Elder Cheng stepped out, anticipation revitalized his spirit. Wu Tong and Cheng Yi stepped out from the other side, smiling as they welcomed the two middle-aged men who had stepped forward alongside Lu Xiao.

"Wu Tong, I've heard of you for a long time, and I feel like we should have met sooner. I'm finally meeting you in person!" Lin Zheming smiled and extended his hand toward Wu Tong. Seeing her look somewhat puzzled, he introduced himself directly before anyone else could: "I am Lin Zheming from the Aviation Industry Corporation!"

"The General Manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation—your research funding is approved and managed primarily by him!" Elder Cheng added the details for Wu Tong.

"Director Lin, I've also heard of you for a long time. Thank you for your trust and support!" Wu Tong immediately understood, returning the handshake and expressing her sincere gratitude.

"Wu Tong, I finally get to see you in real life!" The moment Yang Wei spoke, Wu Tong instantly recognized his voice and smiled as she shook his hand, "Chief Engineer Yang, I've finally met you too!"

Everything was understood without needing further words.

After a thorough round of greetings, Lu Xiao led the group inside.

Behind the unassuming exterior of the 606 Institute, once through the gates, there was practically a post every three steps and a sentinel every five. Layers of security checks and cipher-locked doors made the strictness of the place palpable. Aside from her personal work computer, Wu Tong left her luggage with the guards at the entrance, not bringing it directly inside.

"Let's grab a quick breakfast first, and then head straight to the main control room," Lu Xiao instructed with a sideways glance, as it was inconvenient for Wu Tong to be too conspicuous to outsiders.

From the moment they entered, Elder Cheng was treated as the focal point, with Wu Tong following closely by his side. With Elder Cheng present, others would simply assume Wu Tong was a student accompanying him to gain experience and wouldn't pay her excessive attention.

At eight-thirty in the morning, everything was ready. Lu Xiao led Elder Cheng, Wu Tong, Lin Yongming, and Yang Wei into the main control room. Following Lu Xiao's directive, the final inspection commenced.

The hangar doors slowly opened. Through the glass of the main control room, a dark gray steel eagle could be seen slowly rolling out of the hangar. Its sleek lines, sharp nose, and aggressive wings were presented before everyone like a miracle.

It proclaimed a single fact to all present: China's fourth-generation fighter jet had been born!

Standing there with dignified majesty alone was enough to set anyone's heart ablaze with boundless passion and emotion.

The fighter jet came to a steady halt before the runway, and ground crew engineers stepped forward to meticulously perform the final verification checks. Prior to takeoff, every minute detail had to be accounted for, leaving no room for error.

Engineering vehicles carrying inspectors and equipment retreated, and the pilot boarded the aircraft.

"Black Dragon 01, check mask safety valve!"

"All systems normal!" The pilot reported clearly to Lei Ming, strictly executing standard procedures.

Prior to this, as an ace pilot assigned to the test flight, he had continuously trained for the Black Dragon's test flights, even undergoing intensive training in flight simulators. Now, he was finally touching the real Black Dragon.

Before boarding, his heart had thudded with excitement, deeply grateful for the nation's trust in entrusting him with this glorious mission. They had waited far too long for a new generation of awe-inspiring fighter jets. Once inside the cockpit, however, he immediately suppressed his excitement, maintaining the fundamental composure of a pilot.

He kept his emotions steady and undisturbed, maintaining peak vigilance to handle any sudden emergencies.

"Black Dragon 01, barometric pressure and weather conditions!"

"Barometric pressure... weather conditions... all normal!"

"Black Dragon 01, adjust tire pressure!"

"Adjusted to optimal takeoff status!"

......

Finally, after the exhaustive series of pre-flight confirmation checks:

The voice from the Black Dragon echoed in the main control room: "Black Dragon 01, requesting takeoff!"

"Takeoff approved. Black Dragon 01, prepare to taxi!" Lu Xiao gripped the microphone tightly and issued the final command.

"Received. Black Dragon 01 is ready, beginning to taxi! Preparing for takeoff!"

May everything go smoothly!