Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

Inside the metal pipe, Jiang Nian held his breath and focused intently, sensing the movement below.

"catalyst……"

He remembered the culture tanks at the Greenland base, and Han Dong's delirious ramblings.

This so-called catalyst may be the key to driving the Ice Marrow Project and even the operation of the Ruins?
The two guards remained as still as stone statues, but their attention was clearly more focused on Dr. Chen.

This is an opportunity, but also a danger.

After reviewing the data, Dr. Chen seemed satisfied. He adjusted his glasses and gave instructions to the guard.

"Stay vigilant. Half an hour before reaching the coordinates, conduct another full system self-check. I don't want any oversights."

"Yes, doctor."

The guards responded in unison.

Dr. Chen said no more and turned to walk towards the airtight door.

The docking compartment returned to its previous silence, with only the indicator lights on the control panel glowing regularly.

Time passes minute by minute.

Jiang Nian could sense that the speed of the Poseidon had increased significantly, and the vibrations from the hull had become more intense.

Can't wait any longer.

The beacon must be deployed before reaching the coordinates.

His gaze was fixed on the area below the docking platform, in the shadows of the intricate pipelines and hydraulic supports.

That's a blind spot.

It is also the area with the strongest vibration and noise interference, and the beacon is the least likely to be detected when it is placed there.

But how do we get around those two guards?

A direct attack is a poor strategy; once a fight breaks out, the commotion will be immense.

We must create enough distractions to attract their attention.

Jiang Nian's mind raced as he recalled the structural diagrams of the Poseidon and the information he had gathered from previous reconnaissance.

His gaze fell on the ventilation duct system.

These pipes extend in all directions, connecting many key areas on the ship.

The plan took shape in his mind.

He carefully began to back away, moving through the narrow pipe.

Avoid the area above the docking compartment and head towards a certain location in the middle of the ship.

According to the structural diagram, there is a wiring compartment there that supplies power to several important areas, including the docking system.

Wiring compartments are usually staffed by designated personnel or inspected regularly.

But it's late at night now, a time when vigilance is relatively low.

A few minutes later, Jiang Nian arrived above the target area.

Through the gaps in the ventilation grille, he could see the neatly arranged electrical distribution cabinets below.

The cabin was dimly lit, with only the duty officer sitting at the monitoring console in the corner, seemingly dozing off.

right here.

Jiang Nian took out a device disguised as an ordinary metal gasket from his bag.

This is a miniature electromagnetic pulse generator prepared by the base's technical department.

The power is deliberately limited, causing only a brief circuit overload and equipment restart.

It won't cause a fire or permanent damage, but it's enough to create chaos.

He needs to calculate the timing precisely.

The pulse must be triggered at the moment when the attention of the docking compartment guards is drawn, without triggering a ship-wide alarm.

He attached the micro-pulse generator to the inside of the ventilation duct, adjusted its orientation and detonation mode.

Then return to the docking area as quickly as possible.

Nearly ten minutes passed when he crouched back down in the pipes above the docking compartment.

The speed of the Poseidon seemed to have stabilized at its maximum speed, and the hum of the hull became deeper and more powerful.

He took a deep breath, focused his consciousness, and gently touched the miniature pulse generator left in the wiring compartment.

"Di-"

Inside the wiring compartment below, a piercing alarm suddenly blared out without warning!

The staff member on duty jumped up in surprise.

I stared in horror at the several areas on the monitor screen that had suddenly turned red!

Almost at the same time!

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Inside the docking bay, the lights flickered a few times, and several screens on the control panel went black for a moment, then struggled to light up again, displaying garbled text and static!
The hydraulic system is making an abnormal pressure relief sound!
The two guards went into battle mode almost instantly, their bodies tense, weapons raised, and their eyes scanning the surroundings warily!
Their eyes immediately locked onto the control panel and the docking platform!
It's now!

Under the cover of the lights, Jiang Nian slid out of the ventilation duct and instantly darted to the bottom of the docking platform, hugging the bulkhead.

Move as fast as lightning!

He took out a specially made beacon from his bag and firmly attached it to the connection between the hydraulic strut and the hull structure.

The area experiences intense vibrations and complex metallic echoes, making it a natural blind spot for sonar detection.

The whole process took less than three seconds!

Without pausing, he disappeared back into the ventilation duct entrance and gently reset the grille.

The very next second after his figure disappeared.

The lights in the docking compartment returned to normal, and the screens on the control panel gradually returned to normal, with the system self-test program starting to run.

A guard strode to the control panel, checking the system logs with a furrowed brow.

"Report: System logs show that there was just a momentary voltage fluctuation, originating from the main wiring compartment area."

"Backup power switching has been triggered; the main systems are unaffected."

The other guard carefully inspected the docking platform and the surrounding sealing structure to confirm that there were no abnormalities.

"Notify the control room to investigate the cause of the circuit malfunction. Increase vigilance; it could be an accident or human interference."

"The guard who had previously checked the console said in a deep voice."

"clear."

Silence returned to the docking compartment, but the atmosphere was noticeably more tense than before.

Two guards began a vigilant patrol.

Inside the ventilation duct, Jiang Nian slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

Successful.

The beacon has been deployed. Once the Poseidon docks with the Ruins of Guixu, the beacon will be able to record the precise location and depth.

It may even capture some key data during the docking process.

And the information is sent out through a special frequency band.

"The beacon has been deployed."

He reported in a very low voice through a throat communicator, keeping his points concise and to the point.

"Received! The signal is weak but stable! Well done, Advisor Jiang!"

The base's response was tinged with suppressed excitement: "The Poseidon is expected to reach the edge of the target area within two hours."

"Your mission now is to evacuate safely."

Evacuate.

Jiang Nian glanced down at the guards below, whose security had been significantly tightened, and at the docking platform that held countless secrets.

Evacuating now is undoubtedly the safest option.

But Dr. Chen's words still echoed in his ears.

What exactly is this thing that the organization is so urgently sending?
“I need to confirm the location and properties of the catalyst,” Jiang Nian whispered.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the communicator, clearly indicating that Bai Yongxu or other responsible persons were quickly weighing their options.

"That's too risky, Jiang Nian!"

Bai Yongxu's voice came through, carrying obvious opposition.

"Your primary task is to return safely! We can obtain information about the catalyst through other means!" "Other means might not be enough time."

Jiang Nian's tone was calm yet firm.

"They are about to reach the coordinates. Once the catalyst enters the Ruins, it will be difficult for us to find out its location."

"I only need to confirm the location; I won't make any rash moves."

There was another moment of silence.

Inside the command center, Bai Yongxu, General Zhao, and others were clearly engaged in a heated debate.

Finally, Bai Yongxu's voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of helplessness and decisiveness: "Approved. But only to confirm the location and external features. If there is any risk of exposure, abandon the operation immediately and execute the evacuation plan! This is an order!"

"clear."

After ending the communication, Jiang began to quickly search his mind for the abnormal areas he had discovered during the previous reconnaissance.

The restricted area that exudes a low-temperature atmosphere and the smell of biological agents is the most likely candidate.

He moved once again through the complex network of ventilation ducts.

with a clear purpose.

The special compartment located at the front of the ship, near the medical area.

The closer you get to it, the more pronounced the smell of disinfectant and a certain indescribable sweet, fishy odor becomes in the air.

Tiny ice crystals even began to condense on the inner wall of the pipe.

Finally, he reached the area above his target.

The ventilation ducts here are made of a distinctly different material, with the inner walls covered with a special heat-insulating material.

The lower grille is also finer, clearly indicating a special design.

He cautiously peered down through the gaps in the grille.

Below was a compartment with a noticeably low temperature and walls made of cold alloy.

In the center of the cabin, there are three cylindrical containers, each about the height of a person, fixed in place.

The container was entirely silver-white, its surface covered with complex pipes and interfaces, and it had an observation window on the side, but it was covered with a thick layer of white frost, obscuring the interior.

The container is connected to multiple gauges, with temperature and pressure data displayed on the screens.

Several people wearing fully enclosed white protective suits and breathing masks were busy around the container.

It's a biological support module!

Jiang Nian made a quick judgment. This type of equipment is often used to transport biological samples or living tissues that have extremely high requirements for temperature and environmental conditions.

Is a catalyst a kind of active biological agent?

He noticed that one of the containers seemed to be receiving particular attention, with two researchers carefully operating a handheld scanner to probe the inside of the container, their expressions focused and serious.

Just then, one of the researchers seemed to receive a communication; he pressed his earpiece, nodded, and then spoke to his companion.

"Dr. Chen has informed us that we are preparing for final status confirmation. We will proceed with the transfer immediately upon arrival at the coordinates."

"Understood. The sample activity is stable, and the biomarkers meet expectations."

Another researcher looked at the scanner screen, his tone hesitant.

"However, its neural electrical signal fluctuations were 3.7 percent higher than the estimated value. Although it is still within the safe threshold, it needs to be monitored."

"Record the data and hand it over to Guixu for processing. Our task is to ensure its safe delivery."

Jiang Nian's ominous premonition grew stronger and stronger.

This is definitely not a simple chemical catalyst!
He quietly took out the last miniature reconnaissance device, preparing to attach it to the inside of the grille to record more images and data.

However, at the very moment he made his move—

A chilling, bone-deep cold suddenly pierced the back of his head!
It wasn't a physical attack, but a pure mental lock!

It was discovered!

Without thinking, Jiang Nian instinctively shrank back to the side!

At the same time, the internal energy within the body suddenly erupted, forming an invisible barrier around the body!

"Crack!"

The ventilation duct wall where his head was originally located suddenly caved inward as if crushed by an invisible force!
Almost simultaneously, the lights inside the cryogenic chamber below suddenly turned flashing red!
A piercing intrusion alarm blared throughout the area!

"Enemy attack! In the ventilation ducts!"

The researchers below, wearing protective suits, screamed in horror and retreated in panic.

Jiang Nian felt a chill run down his spine!

The speed at which the enemy discovered them and the ferocity of their counterattack far exceeded his expectations!
Moreover, this type of attack is far beyond the capabilities of ordinary guards!

Was it the man in black?

Was he on the ship the whole time?

Or is there another expert on board?

There's no time to think!
He must leave immediately!
He no longer concealed himself, channeling his inner strength into his palms and slamming them forward!
"boom!"

A section of the ventilation duct ahead suddenly burst open!

Metal fragments flew everywhere!

He shot out from the breach and landed in a horizontal auxiliary passage below!

The moment he landed, a dark figure appeared silently at the end of the passage, like a ghost.

It was that man in black whom I had met once on the sea off Hope Star!
He was still wearing that close-fitting black diving suit, and beneath the half-covering mask, his cold eyes were firmly fixed on Jiang Nian.

He wasn't carrying any conspicuous weapons; he just stood there quietly.

Yet it seemed to be the master of the entire passage, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.

"It's really you."

The man in black spoke calmly, revealing neither joy nor anger, but carrying a cold indifference that suggested he controlled everything.

"To be able to infiltrate this place, you certainly have some skill. Unfortunately, it ends here."

Jiang Nian slowly straightened up, her gaze equally cold as she met the other person's.

He knew that a fierce battle was inevitable.

Moreover, we must act swiftly and decisively!

The alarm has been sounded, and more enemies are on their way.

"What kind of catalyst are you transporting?"

Jiang Nian asked in a deep voice, trying to distract the other party while secretly adjusting his internal energy.

The man in black seemed to chuckle.

"Why should a dying person know too much?"

Before he finished speaking, he moved!

There was no earth-shattering momentum, only extreme speed!

As if instantly bridging the distance of more than ten meters between the two, a palm seemed to pierce through the void and silently pressed down on Jiang Nian's chest!

Before the palm strike even arrived, a chilling aura had already enveloped Jiang Nian!
Jiang Nian's pupils suddenly contracted!

Not daring to be negligent, the master-level internal energy within his body surged at an unprecedented speed. He clenched his right fist and simply threw a punch to meet the attack!
Fists and palms meet!

"boom!"

A dull, thunderous sound, like the crack of leather being struck, exploded in the narrow passage!

There were no dazzling lights or shadows, only terrifying shockwaves generated by the collision of pure power!

The metal floor beneath their feet cracked instantly!
The surrounding walls groaned under the strain!

Jiang Nian felt a chilling and domineering force surge into his body through his fist, attempting to tear his meridians apart!
He groaned and stumbled back three steps, each step leaving a clear dent in the floor, a metallic taste rising in his throat.

The man in black only swayed slightly before regaining his balance.

A hint of surprise seemed to flash across his eyes beneath the mask, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper chill.

"A solid foundation. No wonder they were able to kill the Butcher and destroy the Ice Marrow Base."

The man in black remained calm. "But, it's not enough."

Jiang Nian focused intently, pushing his agility to its limits, dodging and weaving within the narrow space.

Every part of his body became a weapon, engaging in extremely dangerous close combat with his opponent!

"Bang! Crack! Boom!" (End of Chapter)