Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

"Two internal guards, equipped with light pulse rifles."

Jiang Nian immediately relayed the message he received through his divine sense to his companions.

Everyone perked up, and Ghost gave a tactical hand signal.

Silent engagement.

Jiang Nian nodded, and the instant the patrol sensors of the two guards swept across the area in front of them, he had already moved close behind them.

The hand chop struck precisely and swiftly at the seam between the neck armor and helmet of the two guards.

That is the weak point of the hydraulic balancing system.

Two short sounds rang out almost simultaneously, and the two guards stiffened abruptly before collapsing to the ground.

Jiang Nian reached out and gently laid them down to prevent the armor from hitting the ground and making a sound.

They were now as close as possible to the depths of the laboratory, so they had to be quiet and careful to avoid being discovered by the others inside.

Barrier and Sparrow quickly stepped forward and dragged the unconscious guard to a secluded corner.

Jiang Nian indicated that everything was safe.

The team continued to infiltrate deeper into the passage.

This is, after all, the seabed, so even the staff at the organization's laboratory don't have much security.

They probably thought it impossible for an ordinary person to break into this place.

But Jiang Nian and his group still managed to get in.

The passageway gradually widened.

Some tightly closed alloy doors began to appear on both sides, marked with complex engineering codes and danger symbols.

"The structural complexity here is beyond our expectations," Lingque muttered to herself as she recorded the paths and address codes.

Even these special forces soldiers who frequently go on missions have never seen such a complex structure.

It's completely unimaginable how the organization built an underwater laboratory here.

“This place is more like a large, integrated workshop than just a control center for equipment.”

Jiang Nian also silently complained.

Just then, Jiang Nian keenly noticed a regular metallic friction coming from behind a heavy hydraulic gate marked as the seventh unit's adaptability test area, as if some kind of mechanical debugging or pressure test was taking place inside.

"Stay alert, there are more than just regular patrols here."

Jiang Nian reminded him in a deep voice.

This sound confirms that someone inside is conducting technological improvement experiments.

It's even possible that they're creating the Deep One!
His gaze swept over the hidden surveillance cameras at the top of the corridor.

Just then, heavy footsteps came from the end of the passage ahead.

"Heavy armored patrol! At least five men, equipped with large-caliber weapons!"

The ghost instantly judged the size and threat level of the attackers based on the sound and vibrations!
After all, they are professionals, and their ability to distinguish is no less than Jiang Nian's.

The team quickly slipped into a recessed area nearby where spare parts and tools were stored.

It blends in with the surrounding metallic environment.

A five-man patrol team emerged from the end of the passage, wearing thicker, fully-covered black powered armor than the previous guards.

"Attention all units, command node reports a security vulnerability; unauthorized targets may have infiltrated. Raise alert to level two. Authorize the use of lethal force upon detection of any unusual activity."

The patrol captain's voice echoed through the passageway.

The team members' hearts started racing.

The other party's security system has activated its emergency response!
The patrol slowly passed by the tool rack where they were hiding, their heavy footsteps causing the parts on the rack to tremble slightly.

Fortunately, the location of this tool stack does not appear to be in the focus area of ​​their current scan sequence.

In addition, Jiang Nian and his team were extremely well concealed, and the equipment itself had low signal characteristics.

The patrol found nothing amiss, and the heavy footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Only when the scanner's red light completely disappeared did everyone relax their tense nerves.

"The pressure is considerable."

Li Cang adjusted his breathing mask. "These guys' armor is so tough; it'll be difficult to take them head-on."

The organization's equipment level is getting higher and higher, and even these ancient martial arts practitioners may not be able to deal with them.

The only way to achieve the most perfect solution is through Jiang Nian.

"The base has a high level of defense; we must move faster."

Ghost looked at Jiang Nian, "Advisor Jiang, can you pinpoint the core location of that resonance generator?"

The ghost also sensed the danger.

Their best course of action now is to get straight to the main tasks.

Jiang Nian closed his eyes and focused all his attention on hearing and consciousness.

A few minutes later, he suddenly opened his eyes and pointed diagonally downwards into the passage.

"It's on a lower level! At least three more levels down! The vibration signal is extremely strong, and the signals from the defense personnel around it are very dense, their movement pattern resembling that of a combat reserve."

His expression was somewhat solemn.

"In addition, I detected frequent troop movement sounds coming from several main roads, which suggests that a large number of combat units are gathering in the core area."

The number of enemies here is beyond imagination!
We must act before they complete their final system verification!

The ghost asked decisively, "Can you find a relatively efficient path?"

Jiang Nian pointed to a narrow side road to the side:
“This route has fewer guard signals, but a complex structure with many ventilation ducts and maintenance shafts. These infrastructures can be used to make a roundabout approach to the lower level of the target.”

"Let's go this way!"

The team quickly moved to the maintenance lane.

This area is much narrower than the main passageway, filled with hydraulic pipes and dense cable trays, and the lighting is also much dimmer.

They descended rapidly along the passage, using the intricate pipe system as cover.

At a maintenance shaft opening that required vertical downward movement, Jiang Nian took the lead in using a zipline to descend.

The group followed one by one and arrived at a lower level of the base.

The atmosphere here is noticeably more tense.

“We are approaching the core area, and also the area where their troops are heavily deployed.”

Jiang Nian said in a low voice.

Suddenly, a hissing sound came from an airtight door on one side of the passage ahead. The hydraulic rod pushed the door open slowly to one side!

The squad members instantly prepared for battle.

Two technicians in gray engineering uniforms came out of the door, pushing a handcart loaded with various metal parts and broken hydraulic pipes.

They were talking in hushed tones, their faces showing signs of fatigue.

"The synchronization and coordination algorithm of the seventh test platform still has problems. During the overload pressure test, the hydraulic joints of the three units all experienced catastrophic failures."

"I complained," a technician said, pointing to a clearly twisted and deformed robotic arm component on the cart.

"There's no way around it, the timetable is too tight. Operation Stormy Waves must start on time."

"The supervisor has given the order that even if the stability is only 30% of the baseline, we must force the next stage to proceed."

Another technician, sounding helpless, was adjusting the data board in his hand.

“These faulty units are really time-consuming and inefficient.” The former researcher kicked the cart tire, his tone irritated.

The two pushed the cart in the opposite direction from Jiang Nian and the others, completely absorbed in their work troubles.

They did not notice the intruder hiding in the shadow of the pipe.

Just as they were about to turn the corner, a loose metal part on the cart fell to the ground with a clatter due to the bumpy ride!

The sound was particularly jarring in the relatively quiet maintenance passageway!
The two technicians were taken aback, stopped in their tracks, and bent down to pick it up.

In that instant, one of them caught a glimpse of the special forces team hidden in the shadows out of the corner of his eye!
The technician's body suddenly stiffened.

He looked up, his pupils instantly contracted, and his mouth gaped open!
"police--"

"call out!"

A wisp of barely perceptible blue smoke rose from the specially made pistol in the ghost's hand.

A tiny red dot appeared on the technician's forehead, his eyes froze in horror, and his body went limp.

Before the other technician could react, Jiang Nian silently pounced on him from the side and covered his mouth, instantly losing consciousness.

"Cleanup complete, but we've already exposed our predicted location!"

The ghost spoke quickly, its tone stern.

"They will soon discover that the two technicians are missing and pinpoint the area!"

"Speed ​​up! Charge straight for the core area!"

Jiang Nian made a decisive move and stopped hiding; they didn't have that much time to waste!
At that moment, the base's alarm went off!

The red warning lights flashed wildly, turning the entire passageway a blood-red hue!
"Woo-wu-wu-"

"Attention all units! Intrusion confirmed in maintenance passageway D7! Identified as an armed infiltration team!"

"Execute the 'Furnace' Protocol! Repeat, execute the 'Furnace' Protocol!"

The cold, electronic synthesized sounds were played on a loop through speakers located throughout the area.

“'The Crucible' Agreement…”

Lingque's face appeared somewhat pale under the red light. "They will block all main passages, release automated defense units, and trap us in this area at all costs!"

"Don't stop! Follow me, this way!"

Jiang Nian gave a low shout, his senses heightened to the extreme under pressure, instantly planning a relatively weak path.

The team members followed without hesitation.

Almost at the same time they rushed into the side road, heavy alloy isolation gates simultaneously fell at both ends of the main passage behind them, completely blocking their escape route.

A dense barrage of pulse bullets, like hail, rained down from the direction of the main passage they had just left.

It was a rapid response force that rushed to the scene after receiving the news!
"That was close!" Li Cang said, still shaken.

The space inside the auxiliary pipe is even smaller, allowing only one person to pass by bending over.

"Turn left in 30 meters ahead. There is an emergency maintenance exit leading to the material transfer channel on the next floor!"

Jiang Nian moved quickly while using his extraordinary perception to guide his direction.

A large number of combat units are being mobilized nearby to encircle the enemy.

They had just rushed out of the auxiliary pipeline and entered the slightly wider material transfer channel when they ran into a team of base guards who had just been deployed.

"Target acquired! Open fire!"

Without any warning, several blazing white pulse beams instantly tore through the air and shot out!

"Take cover!"

The ghost shouted sharply, while firing a series of bursts from its pulse pistol, accurately hitting one of the guards.

With a roar, the fortress instantly deployed its specially made heavy-duty riot shield, which stood at the forefront.

The pulsed beam struck the shield's surface, exploding into bursts of blinding sparks. The immense impact caused the barrier's massive body to lean back slightly, and the alloy boot soles screeched as they rubbed against the ground.

Jiang Nian then appeared from the side of the ramparts like a ghost, instantly cutting into the guard squad.

In less than three seconds, the five-man guard team was rendered incapable of fighting.

"Keep moving! Don't linger!"

They ran frantically along the transfer route.

The sirens overhead and the footsteps coming from all directions sounded like death knells.

Automatic defensive turrets on both sides of the passage kept popping out from the ceiling or walls, their crimson aiming lasers trying to lock onto them.

"Bang! Bang!"

The Ghost and the Sparrow, equipped with rifles, fired precise shots, destroying the turret before it was fully activated.

Li Cang and Zhao Rui were responsible for guarding the flanks and rear. They used specially made electromagnetic pulse grenades to temporarily disable electronic equipment in several areas where the pursuers were densely packed, thus slowing down their speed.

"Turn left ahead and enter the main ventilation shaft! That's the shortcut to the core!"

Jiang Nian pointed to a huge vertical shaft ahead that needed to be climbed and said.

The powerful airflow inside the shaft roared upwards.

"I'll scout ahead!"

The barrier was the first to launch the hook lock above the shaft.

Suddenly, a burst of gunfire, unlike that of pulse weapons, came from above the shaft!

“Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!”

That's the sound of metal projectiles hitting armor!

"It's an automatic sentry gun! Armor-piercing rounds!"

The Barrier roared into the communication channel, and a series of sparks exploded on his shield as he was pinned against the shaft wall, unable to lift his head.

"Cover him!"

The ghost shouted, while trying to find an angle to fire.

However, the vertical shaft structure limited the field of vision.

Jiang Nian's eyes narrowed, and he pushed off the ground with both feet, his body shooting upwards like a cannonball.

In an instant, it approached the two four-barreled rotary cannons deployed on the vertical shaft platform above.

The machine gun's sensors spun wildly, trying to lock onto Jiang Nian.

The barrage of comments swept in like a metallic storm.

Jiang Nian made an almost impossible twisting motion in mid-air to avoid most of the shots. The few bullets that could not be avoided were precisely deflected by the edge of his palm or the back of his hand, which was filled with all his strength, producing a metallic clang!
"Creak—Boom!"

He ripped the mounting bolts of the two machine guns off, swung the heavy machine guns, and slammed them hard into another team of guards who were rushing to the platform from behind!
Smoke and dust filled the air, temporarily blocking the passage.

"Come on!"

Jiang Nian landed on the platform, her tone still calm.

The team members quickly climbed up.

Looking at the chaotic platform and the two twisted and deformed machine guns, I gained a more intuitive understanding of Jiang Nian's inhuman strength.

They successfully descended to a deeper level via the main ventilation duct.

The vibration is stronger here!
The air was filled with subtle, teeth-grinding sounds.

"We're very close!"

Jiang Nian whispered, signaling everyone to lower their footsteps.

They silently slipped into a circular observation corridor that encircled the huge central space.

One side of the corridor is a sturdy alloy wall, and the other side is a huge reinforced glass window that overlooks the space below.

When everyone looked down through the glass window, even those who were mentally prepared were still shocked by the sight before them.

Below is an incredibly vast space.

At its core is a colossal metal structure that resembles an inverted mountain.

It is dark silver in color, and its surface is covered with complex geometric patterns and countless regularly pulsating blue light sources.

The base of the structure is deeply embedded in the seabed rock, while the top is connected to dozens of extremely thick alloy conduits that extend to an unknown destination.

The surface of the catheter appears somewhat blurry due to high-frequency vibration.

This is the core of the "Tidal Wave Project"—the giant resonance generator! (End of Chapter)