Unconventional security

Chen Bei didn't know why he had this feeling, but it was like a sixth sense.

It's hard to explain, and I don't know if my feelings are accurate.

But he has no way to verify it now.

After turning a corner, Chen Bei finally understood why there was no one on the street.

Everything can be done inside the building.

On the exterior walls of the buildings on both sides, there is a giant holographic screen every ten meters, displaying various GG (game-related content) and lifestyle services:

"Gene optimization fluid trial pack, 999 City Coins, delivered by drone in three minutes."

"Today's special offer on brain-computer interfaces: Get a free three-month video membership with implantation."

"Cyber ​​Information Bureau reminds you: Your mother's AI soul is waiting for your renewal fee."

GG doesn't just play; it's interactive.

Chen Bei saw a passerby walk out of the building, and the holographic GG in front of him immediately switched to: "Mr. Zhang, you have 3 days left in the third stage of your gene lock maintenance period. Would you like me to schedule a testing session for you?"

The person grunted "Mmm" without looking up, and a "Reserved" message popped up on the holographic screen.

"These things," Chen Bei pointed to the screens, "know everything about everyone?"

"Nonsense," Qian Feng said. "Otherwise, why do you think the Upper City is so safe?"

"Everyone is in the database from birth. What you eat, what you drink, who you talk to, and when your heart beats faster are all recorded in the Star Eye System."

"The police station doesn't even need to go out to handle cases; they can just retrieve data."

Chen Bei was astonished. He still had to make statements and conduct investigations in the 103rd district, while the Shangcheng district had already achieved full informatization.

Chen Bei continued to look out the window.

A child, about four or five years old, ran out of the building next door, carrying a glowing toy.

As soon as he ran into the street, a notification popped up on the holographic screen on the wall:

"Li Mingyang, your outdoor activity time has reached the daily limit. Please return immediately. Your mother will be notified in 30 seconds."

The child paused for half a second, then turned and ran back.

The streets are empty again.

Seeing this scene, Chen Bei felt a little uneasy. A hundred years ago, it would have been a classic scene of a naughty child fighting against his mother.

What's the difference between living like this now and being imprisoned or monitored?

"We're going to settle our accounts in Zone C. You guys are free to do whatever you want. Just wait for me at the city gate in two days."

Qian Feng stopped the car and said to everyone, "You have the caravan's secret pass, so you can find temporary accommodation for free. However, the caravan's secret pass cannot enter Area A, so don't wander around."

The group nodded in agreement. The city they had just entered after passing through the city gate was District B. The city gate faced north, District A was on the west side, and Districts C and D were on the east side.

Chen Bei held his secret token in his hand. The caravan's pass couldn't get him into Area A, but he might be able to.

The most important thing right now is to find those four key locations and then check them one by one to see where the entrance to the Earth's core is.

Hope Tower, Research Institute, East Africa Bridge, Kashgar Caves.

Now we know the location of Hope Tower, it's in District B, we can just take a taxi there. We still need to find out about the other three.

"We'll help the PhD student find a place to stay first, and then we'll send you a message."

Song Lu began, explaining that this had been their operational procedure throughout the journey.

Song Lu was in charge of logistics and arranged everyone's accommodations. Yang Xiu served as the guards of the base camp, while Dr. Zhou and Liu Anming served as researchers.

The four of them formed the backend operation of the team.

Chen Bei and Ye Zhixue, as the highest-ranking gene awakeners in the team, are responsible for frontline operations and information gathering, which is quite dangerous.

The most mysterious leader in their group was responsible for pulling strings and protecting everyone to the greatest extent possible.

"I wonder how Gu Mengyao is doing. Hopefully, there won't be any problems?"

"Besides Wang Tao, who is still a bit unfamiliar with the business, the other two are unregistered residents in other districts, and they have very impressive resumes."

Seeing all that was happening in the Upper District, Chen Bei couldn't help but worry about his friend. The 103rd District was a highly coveted place in the eyes of many people.

"If we can find something in the upper district, or carry out another upgrade, then even if someone tries to cause trouble, I'll be able to handle it."

With these thoughts in mind, Chen Bei and Ye Zhixue took a taxi to Hope Tower.

The taxi fare is only 5 city-state coins, which is valid throughout the entire region. Cross-regional travel requires an additional 10 city-state coins, truly offering excellent value for money.

When the two arrived at the Hope Tower, they discovered that there was a long queue in front of the tower, with a special expedited lane next to it.

This model is somewhat similar to the VIP channel at the airport, but it's unclear what conditions are required to use the Hope Tower's expedited channel. Judging from the atmosphere of the upper city, it's unlikely to be just about money.

Chen Bei walked towards the entrance of the closed passage. There was a card reader sensor before the intersection. The passage would only open after his identity was verified.

The two of them placed their passes on the board, but neither had any effect.

"Hopefully we can't get into the tower. If the entrance to the Earth's core is really here, then we're in trouble."

Chen Bei frowned, another task had been added before him—how to enter the Tower of Hope.

"Let's look for other places first," Ye Zhixue said. "If other places also require this kind of threshold restriction, that would be really bad."

As the two turned to leave, they bumped into a computer robot.

His head is a display screen with a pair of electronic eyes and an electronic mouth; he has only a torso; and his feet are a magnetic levitation board.

"Are you here for an interview at Hope Tower?"

"Hope Tower is temporarily closed today, so I'll be in charge of a simple reception. I'm security guard number 001."

The two exchanged a glance, and Chen Bei spoke first, "We're here for an interview. How do we get into the tower?"

Security Guard 001 blinked and said, "We hope you will be given the corresponding intern ID cards after the interview with Hope Tower."

"Please provide your identification information, and I will temporarily process your Hope Tower interviewee status and grant you the corresponding permissions."

"You will need to complete this interview task. After completing the task, you can come to the Hope Tower security room for verification. Once the task is approved, you can start working."

Security 001 then popped up a virtual light panel displaying the name and facial recognition data.

Upon seeing this thing, Chen Bei took a half step back. He was still an unregistered resident and couldn't undergo facial verification.

With a glance, Ye Zhixue stepped forward and entered her information.

[A fee of 10 City-State Coins is required for the internship interview.]

[If you are a permanent resident of Shangcheng District, you can be exempted from this fee by presenting relevant identification.]

As the information on the virtual screen changed, Ye Zhixue looked at Chen Bei, who didn't say anything, but took out his bank card and used it to make a transaction.

[Payment successful. Interviewee: Ye Zhixue. Identification process completed.]

[Interview Task: A large number of people are evading AI taxes in the East African bridge region. Please go to this area to investigate the reasons and illegal methods used.]