Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

The scene within the circular space sent a chill down Jiang Nian's spine, even after he had experienced the bloody inferno of the Flint Research Institute.

It is completely different from the physical low temperature of the surroundings.

There are no ugly chunks of flesh proliferating uncontrollably here, no chaotic and violent roars.

Yes, there is only a cold, almost absolute order!

And the most ruthless alteration and trampling of the essence of life carried out under this order.

The dozens of upright metal culture tanks, like some kind of eerie ritual array, were neatly arranged on the inner wall of the circular platform.

Soaking in the pale blue nutrient solution, the creature was no longer a complete human shape.

Some bodies exhibit unnatural swelling, with muscle fibers so thick they tear the skin, yet they are forcibly kept active.

Some limbs underwent bizarre mutations, with joints reversed, finger bones sharp as claws, and covered with a grayish-white keratin layer.

"Vital signs readings were disordered, bioelectrical signal conflicts were intensified, and the neural adaptability of test subject No. 7 continued to decline, falling below the safety threshold of 15%."

A technician stared at the screen, reporting in a dry voice.

Dr. Han Dong, standing in front of the central control console, didn't even frown when he heard this.

"Inject stabilizer No. 3 to increase the concentration of the nerve inhibitor solution by 5%. Record the data on the collapse threshold."

Han Dong's voice was calm and even, without the slightest ripple.

"What the Lord needs is the result, not the process. Even waste has its value."

"Yes, doctor."

The technicians dared not say anything and immediately began operations.

"This place is like a hellish assembly line..."

Lingque gritted her teeth, her voice strained as she squeezed it out from under her mask.

She had seen battlefields and death, but the scene before her, where humans were treated as parts and consumables for cold "tuning," still made her feel physically uncomfortable and angry.

The ghost's eyes were equally cold, but he was more focused on tactical objectives.

"Consultant Jiang, can you determine the location of the core data storage?"

"Or, could we find the self-destruct system control terminal for this area?"

Jiang Nian's divine sense, like the most sophisticated radar, swept across the entire ring-shaped space.

His senses bypassed the culture tanks that emanated waves of pain and despair, focusing instead on the central control console and the deeper structures beneath the platform.

"There is a more secure encrypted channel behind the console that leads down below."

"The structure there is more complex, with an independent heavy-duty power system and multiple high-strength protection units. The core data server and possibly the main control terminal are most likely there."

His gaze was fixed on Han Dong.

"He is key. Capturing him will not only allow us to obtain data, but may also grant us direct access to higher areas of the base."

At this moment, another change occurred!
At the entrance to the passageway on one side of the circular space, the heavy alloy gate suddenly opened with a hissing sound of pressure relief!
A researcher dressed similarly to Han Dong, but seemingly of a slightly lower rank, strode in with two fully armed Icefield Guards.

"Dr. Han!" the researcher said urgently, "The command center has reported that the outer D7 sensor array has lost response for longer than scheduled, and we suspect that unidentified individuals have infiltrated! The security level has been raised to level two!"

Han Dong finally turned around, his sharp gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses sweeping over the reporter:
"Loss of response? Has the cause been identified?"

"It's still unclear whether the signal was interrupted suddenly, as if it was perfectly blocked by something." The researcher's forehead was covered in sweat.

Han Dong's eyes instantly turned icy cold.

He suddenly looked at a monitoring screen on the side of the control panel.

The screen above displays the real-time dynamics of the base entrance area.

Although Jiang Nian and his team avoided major surveillance when they infiltrated, the security level has now been raised, and more hidden cameras and dynamic sensors have been activated.

"Initiate a full-scale biosignal scan! Focus on identifying unregistered life forms!"

Han Dong gave the order sternly.

"Oh no! They're about to scan us!"

The magpie whispered, "Our analog signals can't fool active biological scanners!"

The exposure could happen in an instant!

"action!"

Ghost made a quick decision: "Advisor Jiang, arrest Han Dong! Spirit Sparrow, provide cover for me and create chaos!"

No more hesitation!

Jiang Nian suddenly burst out from the shadows where he was hiding and rushed straight at Han Dong at the central control console!
He no longer concealed his speed; his master-level movement left a blurry afterimage in the air!

"Enemy attack!!"

The two Icefield Guards who had just entered reacted extremely quickly, raising their peculiar rifles almost the instant Jiang Nian moved!

But Jiang Nian was even faster!

While he was still in mid-air, he flicked his wrist, and two beams of cold light shot out like lightning!

"Whizzing!"

The specially made throwing knife struck the wrists of the two guards holding their guns with unparalleled precision!

"Ugh!"

Amidst screams, the rifle slipped from his hand and fell to the ground!
Jiang Nian landed without stopping, his five fingers forming claws, carrying a sharp gust of wind, and grabbed at Han Dong's neck!
For the first time, Han Dong showed surprise on his face, but he did not seem to be completely defenseless.

His body instinctively stepped back, and at the same time, he reached out and slammed his hand on a hidden button on the control panel!
“Buzz——!!!”

The piercing alarm instantly resounded throughout the entire circular space!
The red warning lights are flashing wildly!

"Top Alert! Intruders are in the core experimental area! All internal guards, proceed immediately to contain them! Activate the clearing protocol!"

Han Dong's voice was transmitted throughout the base via the built-in communicator.

Almost simultaneously, heavy alloy gates began to fall rapidly at various points on the circular platform and at the entrances to the upper and lower levels!
This is a trap, completely cutting off their escape route!
"Stop him!"

Han Dong roared at the two guards beside him who had remained silent.

The two guards' eyes sharpened, and they stepped forward simultaneously to block Han Dong.

One man's fist was fierce and powerful, with a deafening roar as it tore through the air, aimed straight at Jiang Nian's face!

The other person moved with uncanny speed, like a ghostly shadow flitting about. A sharp thorn that gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light flicked from his fingertip and aimed straight for Jiang Nian's waist and ribs!

These two are extremely powerful, both of them having reached the threshold of Grandmaster!
They are the organization's elite internal security force!

"Your opponent is me!"

A ghostly growl sounded.

He and Lingque had also broken out of their hiding place.

The ghost's specially made pistol emitted precise pulse beams, intercepting the powerful boxer's follow-up attacks. At the same time, the ghost lunged forward, engaging in close combat with the opponent.

Ling Que, like a nimble swift, drew a deadly arc with her high-frequency cutting blade, barely blocking the sharp spikes of the strangely agile attacker.

In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged several blows, producing a dense clang of metal against metal!

There are no more obstacles in front of Jiang Nian!
His gaze locked onto Han Dong, who was trying to retreat to the encrypted passage behind him, and he stomped his foot hard!
"boom!"

He stepped into the alloy floor, leaving a shallow dent, and accelerated again, appearing behind Han Dong as if by teleportation!

"You!" Han Dong felt the palpable killing intent and oppressive aura behind him and turned around in horror.

What greeted him was Jiang Nian's iron-like hand, which precisely gripped the back of his neck!

A surge of pure and domineering internal energy instantly penetrated his body, sealing off his major joints and energy nodes!
Han Dong felt a sudden numbness throughout his body, as if he had been struck by a high-voltage electric current. All his strength was instantly drained, and he couldn't even move a finger. His eyes were filled with unbelievable horror!
He himself had also cultivated the organization's enhancement methods and was quite strong, but in front of Jiang Nian, he couldn't even last a single move!
"Stop your men and open all the gates."

Jiang Nian's voice rang in his ears.

"Don't think about it!"

Han Dong gritted his teeth and tried to struggle, but the internal force that had invaded his body was like a bone-deep infection, firmly controlling everything about him.

Jiang Nian's eyes turned cold, and he tightened his grip on the back of Jiang Nian's neck slightly.

"Ugh—!"

Han Dong let out a shrill scream, feeling as if his cervical spine was about to be crushed at any moment. The intense pain made him break out in a cold sweat.

"Stop! Stop now! Open the gate!"

He no longer cared about loyalty or plans, and shouted hoarsely into the communicator.

However, the only response he received was a trembling voice from a researcher coming from the control console: "Once the Doctoral clearance protocol is activated, it cannot be stopped by a single authority... unless the main control terminal intervenes forcefully..."

More Icefield Guardians poured in through the not-yet-completely-closed passageway!
Upon seeing Han Dong being subdued, they did not hesitate at all and immediately raised their weapons, aiming them at Jiang Nian and the others!

"Put Dr. Han down! Otherwise, kill him without mercy!" the guard leader shouted coldly.

"Barrier! Old Zhao! We need reinforcements! How long can the entrance hold out?"

While fiercely fighting the inner guard boxer, Ghost urgently called out on the communication channel.

"The entrance gate is closing! We're under heavy fire and can't get close! It will be completely closed in thirty seconds at most!"

A dull thud came from the ramparts, followed by intense gunfire.

Things took a turn for the worse!

They captured Han Dong, but were trapped in this core experimental area!
Outside, there are endless waves of enemies, and our retreat is about to be completely cut off!

"Advisor Jiang! We must get into that encrypted channel! It might be the only way out, and we might even find the master terminal!"

Lingque let out a sharp cry, forcing back the strangely agile man, and shouted urgently.

Jiang Nian's gaze swept across the entire room.

As the number of guards increased, pulsed beams rained down, striking the surrounding equipment and culture tanks, exploding into bursts of electrical sparks and ice shards.

Although Ghost and Sparrow are powerful, they are struggling to cope with the overwhelming numbers and elite forces of the enemy forces, and are in grave danger.

No more delay!
"go!"

Jiang Nian shouted and used his arm to lift Han Dong up like a shield, blocking him in front of him. At the same time, he rushed towards the encrypted channel behind the control panel!
"Stop him!"

The guard leader roared.

Instant barrage of firepower rained down on Jiang Nian!

However, Jiang Nian blocked Han Dong completely, and the guards were hesitant to actually harm Han Dong, so their firepower was inevitably disrupted.

Jiang Nian, with his extraordinary agility and perception, weaved through the hail of bullets. Occasionally, when he couldn't avoid them, he would either cleverly deflect them or use his internal energy to withstand them!

"Open the passage!"

Jiang Nian coldly shouted at Han Dong in his hand, while simultaneously exerting force with his fingers again.

"Ah! Open! I'll open!"

Han Dong was in so much pain that he almost fainted. With trembling hands, he reached out his still-movable fingers and pressed his access password on the identification panel at the entrance of the passage.

"Verification passed."

The alloy door of the encrypted channel slid open silently.

Without hesitation, Jiang Nian grabbed Han Dong and rushed in like a whirlwind!

“Ghost! Spirit Sparrow!” he shouted, turning around.

Seeing this, Ghost and Sparrow immediately feinted a move to get rid of their opponents and retreated quickly, following closely behind Jiang Nian as they rushed into the encrypted passage!

"boom!"

Almost the instant the three entered, the heavy alloy door slammed shut again, shutting out the pursuers and most of their firepower!
The passageway was not entirely dark; the guide lights embedded in the walls emitted a cold white light, illuminating the path that led nowhere.

Heavy impacts and the sound of energy weapons blasting against the gate came from behind, but it was clear that it couldn't be broken open in the short term.

It's safe for now.

Jiang Nian threw Han Dong, who was pale as a ghost and looked like a lump of mud, on the ground and quickly checked the condition of Youhun and Lingque.

Both of them sustained minor injuries and were breathing somewhat erratically, but were otherwise fine.

"Hurry! They'll soon outflank us from other routes, or launch even more extreme measures!" Ghost said breathlessly, watching the passageway warily.

Jiang Nian nodded and brought up Han Dong again.

"Lead the way to the location of the main control terminal. Don't try anything funny, or I won't hesitate to bring your corpse with me."

Looking into Jiang Nian's emotionless eyes, Han Dong knew that this man was absolutely true to his word.

All his arrogance and composure vanished in the face of absolute military overwhelming force and the threat of death.

"Turn left ahead; there's a dedicated elevator that goes directly to the lower level... I need my pupils and access card..."

Han Dong said weakly, having completely given up resistance.

Guided by Han Dong, the three of them quickly moved forward along the encrypted passage.

The security level of this passage is obviously higher, with complex identity verification at intervals.

But with Han Dong as the key in hand, everything went smoothly.

A few minutes later, they arrived at a hidden elevator platform.

After riding the elevator down for about several dozen meters, the doors opened, and a bright and spacious view suddenly appeared before us.

This is a larger and quieter space than the upper circular experimental area.

The dome is extremely high and is supported by a huge alloy frame.

Looking out, there are rows of neatly standing black server racks, several meters high, like a silent steel forest.

The surface of the server rack was covered with flashing indicator lights, and thick cables snaked like giant pythons in the cable trays under the floor.

This is the brain and heart of the entire subsurface base.

Central server array and main control center!

In the center of the server forest, there is a relatively open area where a futuristic-looking control console is set up.

Several enormous curved screens floated in the air, displaying massive amounts of data and 3D models of the base structure.

"It's...it's right here..."

Han Dong pointed to the main control console, "The main control terminal can forcibly terminate the clearing protocol and also access all experimental data and base logs..."

Jiang Nian handed Han Dong over to You Hun for safekeeping and then quickly walked to the control panel.

"Sparrow, attempt to connect and download all data related to the Ice Marrow Project, the Progenitor Gene, and Zero! Prioritize transmitting the core data!" (End of Chapter)