Chapter 516
Inside the Anchor Point
The white light engulfed everything.
"Jiang Nian! Report the situation!" Old Qin's voice boomed in the earpiece, filled with rare panic.
"I still..."
Jiang Nian spoke, realizing she could breathe normally, "I'm still alive."
He opened his eyes.
He was surrounded by a pale golden, transparent medium, in which he floated, his body naturally relaxed, without any discomfort.
Through the medium, one can see a huge spherical space, at least fifty meters in diameter.
The interior walls of the space are covered with intricate geometric patterns that pulsate slowly and emit a soft blue light.
"Describe everything you see!" Old Qin said urgently, "Any details!"
“A spherical space with luminous patterns on the inner wall,” Jiang Nian reported his observations. “The patterns are moving, like they’re alive. The medium is pale gold, transparent, and I can breathe through it.”
He tried to move his hands and feet.
The resistance is minimal, like swimming in warm water.
"temperature?"
"Comfortable, around thirty-seven degrees."
"Label system response?"
Jiang Nian experienced it.
“Active but very stable,” he said in surprise. “There’s no sense of forced agitation.”
He swam to the nearest inner wall and reached out to touch it.
The patterns suddenly lit up.
A deep, resonant sound echoed within the spherical space.
"This thing is a database. No, it's more than just a database. It's an interface connecting to the Ruins."
Jiang Nian looked around. "This anchor point isn't just for positioning. It's a keyhole."
There was a few seconds of silence on the communication channel.
“You mean,” Bai Yongxu’s voice interrupted, “that the organization wants to use this anchor point to open the door to the Ruins of Return?”
“Yes.” Jiang Nian swam to the center of the space. “And it requires a key. That key is me.”
He stopped in the center.
There is a suspended platform here, about three meters in diameter, with a smooth, mirror-like surface. The platform has six grooves along its edge, with a very unique shape.
Jiang Nian stared at the grooves, then suddenly remembered something.
"Mr. Qin, could you scan the shape of the storage module I brought?"
"Scanning...wait, this shape..."
"It matches the groove, right?"
“A perfect match.” Old Qin’s voice tightened. “Six slots, corresponding to six storage modules. Jiang Nian, this platform is a reader.”
Jiang Nian pulled the charred storage module out of his tactical vest.
Although the edges of the module were carbonized, the core was intact. He swam to the edge of the platform, found the corresponding groove, and gently placed the module inside.
"Click".
Perfectly fitted.
The moment the module was embedded, the entire spherical space suddenly lit up!
The light from the patterns shifted from a soft blue to a dazzling gold. The medium began to flow rapidly, forming vortices that rotated around the platform.
"Energy readings are soaring!" Old Qin roared from the command center. "The anchor point is fully activated!"
"Jiang Nian! Evacuate immediately!" Bai Yongxu ordered.
“We can’t withdraw.” Jiang Nian stared at the surface of the platform.
Images are appearing there.
But that's not all.
Two other points of light are also marked on the image, located in different positions. The three points of light are connected by a gold line, forming a perfect equilateral triangle.
In the center of the triangle, there is a slowly rotating black vortex.
“The coordinates of the Ruins,” Jiang said softly. “Triangulation complete.”
The projection continues to change.
The timeline is displayed with a flashing red dot that is approaching a specific time.
“Seventy-two hours,” Jiang Nian reported the number. “There are still seventy-two hours until the next spatial window. At that time, the three anchor points will release energy simultaneously, which will open a stable passage at the Guixu location.”
"Stop it!" Yang Zhan's voice rang out. "Blow it up!"
"How do I detonate it?" Jiang Nian smiled wryly. "I'm inside a sphere with a diameter of fifty meters, where the medium can buffer the shock wave."
He looked around.
The light in the patterns began to flicker rhythmically, as if it were breathing.
"This space is protecting the core. External explosions may be ineffective."
"Then we'll destroy it from within!" Old Qin said. "Find the energy core and destroy it!"
Jiang Nian moved away from the platform and slowly along the inner wall.
"Can you identify the core area?"
"Looking for it."
Jiang Nian continued swimming.
Ten minutes later, he discovered a different structure at the bottom of the spherical space.
It wasn't a smooth inner wall, but a raised hemispherical structure, about five meters in diameter. The surface was smooth, with only a transparent protective layer.
Through the protective cover, you can see the complex mechanical devices inside.
At the center was a rotating crystal, about the size of a fist, emitting a pale blue light. Surrounding the crystal were six slender metal pillars, each engraved with tiny symbols.
“Found it,” Jiang Nian said. “The energy core.”
Jiang Nian tapped on the protective shield.
It emitted a dull echo.
“It’s very thick, and the material is unknown.” He pulled out the high-frequency vibrating blade. “I’ll give it a try.”
The blade pierced the protective shield.
Upon contact, ripples suddenly appeared on the surface of the protective shield, spreading out like water waves.
The force of the vibrating blade was completely absorbed, leaving not even a scratch.
"An energy buffer layer," Elder Qin determined. "A direct attack is ineffective. We need to find a way to disable the protective shield."
Jiang Nian swam around the hemispherical structure.
On the back, he found a small console. There were six buttons on the console, each with a symbol below it.
Jiang Nian pressed the button that had the embedded module.
The protective shield didn't disappear, but the crystal's rotation speed increased significantly. The blue light became brighter, and the temperature could be felt rising even through the shield.
"Wrong."
"Six modules need to be inserted simultaneously." Old Qin understood. "None can be missing. The organization has designed multiple layers of protection."
“So we must acquire the other five modules.” Jiang Nian looked towards the platform. “But those modules are…”
He stopped.
The projection on the platform is changing.
The real-time status of three anchor points is displayed. The other two points of light are located in the South China Sea and deep within the North Atlantic.
The third anchor point has been built and is being activated.
“They’ve moved up the countdown.” Jiang Nian stared at the countdown on the projector. “Not seventy-two hours. It’s forty-eight hours.”
The countdown numbers are ticking: 47:59:32.
"How is that possible?" Bai Yongxu questioned in the command center. "The Greenland anchor point was just bombed, how could they have done it ahead of schedule?"
“Because the Greenland anchor point wasn’t completely destroyed,” Old Qin said bitterly. “Jiang Nian activated it. Now it’s the most stable of the three anchor points. The other two can be activated more quickly.”
Jiang Nian felt a tightness in her chest.
"It was my fault."
“Now is not the time to assign blame,” Yang Zhan interrupted him. “Kid, listen to me. You’re still alive, still inside the anchor point. This is your chance.”
"What opportunity?"
“They need six modules, but you have one. Without one, the system won’t fully boot. You can buy yourself some time.” Jiang Nian looked at the console.
How long will it be delayed?
“That’s enough time for us to destroy the other two anchorages,” Bai Yongxu said. “The South China Sea Fleet is already assembling, and we also have deployments in the North Atlantic. Forty-eight hours is enough time to fight two tough battles.”
“But the organization will send people to snatch the modules,” Jiang Nian said. “I’m in the anchor point now, which is like walking into a trap.”
"So we have to get you out." Old Qin quickly operated the machine. "I'm analyzing the structural diagram of the anchor point. The spherical space you're in is the core control room; there should be an emergency exit."
"Has it been found?"
"Still looking... Wait, right above your head, directly above you."
Jiang Nian looked up.
At the top of the spherical space, there is an inconspicuous circular area, about two meters in diameter.
The pattern there is different from other places, forming a swirling pattern.
"That's an airtight hatch."
The hatch slid open.
Instead of seawater, there was a vertical pipe with smooth inner walls extending upwards.
Jiang Nian grabbed the protrusion on the inner wall, and cold air rushed in instantly.
Jiang Nian climbed out and found himself standing on top of the anchor point structure.
This is a small platform, about ten meters in diameter, surrounded by railings.
It was already daylight.
The aurora borealis faded, replaced by a greyish-white dawn. A thin mist drifted across the sea, reducing visibility. In the distance, the wreckage of the Greenland anchorage platform was still burning, black smoke rising into the sky.
Further out, escape pods and ice floes are scattered on the sea, resembling post-war ruins.
"Jiang Nian, can you see the other people?" Bai Yongxu asked.
Jiang Nian looked around.
“There are escape pods on the sea, about seven or eight. There are also some people on the ice floes.” He paused. “Manager Wang and the two Dawn members are missing.”
"Ignore them for now. Your location has been exposed, and the organization will be sending people soon. We need to get back to you."
"How do we provide backup?"
"The Sea Dragon Squad is just twenty nautical miles away, but they dare not approach. There is an energy field interference around the anchor point, preventing the submersible from getting in."
Jiang Nian looked down at his feet.
Most of the anchorage structure is submerged below the sea surface, with only the top platform visible. The surrounding seawater is eerily calm, without even a wave, like a black mirror.
How large is the energy field?
“It’s 500 meters in diameter. Any electronic device that gets inside will malfunction,” Old Qin said. “You’ll need to swim out of that area.”
"Swim 500 meters?" Jiang Nian glanced at the thermometer. "The water temperature is minus five degrees Celsius. I will lose heat when I'm halfway there."
“So you need equipment,” Yang Zhan said. “Are there any emergency supplies on the platform?”
Jiangnian Rapid Inspection Platform.
He found a sealed storage box by the railing. Opening it, he found standard polar survival gear: a thermal diving suit, an emergency breathing apparatus, flares, and even a small submachine gun with three magazines.
“I have the equipment.” He said as he quickly changed into his diving suit.
The diving suit is electrically heated, and its built-in battery lasts for two hours. The breathing apparatus provides oxygen for thirty minutes.
“Listen,” Bai Yongxu’s voice turned serious, “After you swim out of the energy field, Hailong No. 4 will meet you at the designated location. The coordinates have been sent to your tactical watch. But you must be quick; the organization’s reaction will not be slow.”
"clear."
Jiang Nian finished dressing and checked his weapons.
The submachine gun is compact and suitable for underwater use, but its range and power are limited. The magazine is specially designed to fire normally underwater.
He walked to the edge of the platform, preparing to go into the water.
Just then, the sea suddenly began to churn.
It wasn't waves, but some huge object rising to the surface.
"Wait!" Old Qin shouted urgently, "Sonar indicates a large underwater unit is approaching! It's about two nautical miles away and moving very fast!"
Jiang Nian crouched down and stared in that direction.
The black back of the ship broke through the sea, bringing up white waves.
The submarine stopped 100 meters from the platform.
The top hatch opened, and three people climbed out, jumped into the icy seawater, and swam toward the platform.
“They’re from the organization.” Jiang Nian raised his gun. “Three people, fully armed.”
"Can you handle it?" Yang Zhan asked.
"Give it a try."
Jiang Nian moved to the other side of the platform, using the railing as cover. He set up his submachine gun and locked the scope on the first swimmer.
The specially designed bullet left a trail of fine bubbles in the water. The first swimmer was hit, his body stiffened, and he sank.
The other two immediately separated and returned fire.
The bullet struck the railing, sending sparks flying. Jiang Nian ducked to avoid it and changed his magazine.
“Their equipment is better than yours.” Old Qin quickly analyzed the images. “Reinforced diving suits, heavy weapons. Don’t engage in a direct confrontation.”
"What should I do?"
"Go into the water. The energy field will affect their electronic targeting system; your advantage lies in the perception capabilities provided by the marking system."
Jiang Nian glanced at the submarine.
The hatch was still open, and figures could be vaguely seen inside. There were more than three.
He took a deep breath, flipped over, and jumped into the sea.
A chill instantly enveloped his entire body, and despite the heated diving suit, he couldn't help but shiver. He descended to a depth of five meters and activated the thrusters.
The small thrusters have limited power, but enough to make him move quickly.
Behind them, two pursuers also entered the water.
Jiang Nian looked back.
The two moved professionally and worked in perfect harmony.
He pushed the control stick hard and plunged towards the seabed.
The energy beam grazed overhead, struck a reef, and exploded into a cloud of turbidity.
"Elder Qin, where is the boundary of the energy field?"
"Three hundred meters directly in front of you. But the seabed topography is complex, with trenches."
"Just right."
Jiang Nian shut down the thrusters and slid into a narrow seabed crevice using inertia.
The crevice was only wide enough for one person to pass through, with jagged rocks on both sides. He squeezed in and got stuck in the middle.
The pursuers reached the crevice but hesitated.
"He's gone in." A voice, altered by a disguise, came through the underwater communicator.
"Too narrow, easy to be ambushed."
"Use concussion grenades."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian immediately squeezed deeper into the crack.
A muffled explosion came from behind, the shockwave amplified several times in the confined space. Rocks shattered, and the seawater instantly turned murky.
Jiang Nian's eardrums ached from the shock, but he wasn't injured. He continued forward, the crack growing narrower and narrower until he could only squeeze through sideways.
"He's still inside," came the pursuer's voice. "I'll go in and chase him; you stay outside and keep watch."
"Be careful."
Jiang Nian heard the sound of someone squeezing into the crack.
He stopped and drew his short blade.
The depths of the crevice were pitch black, with only the headlight on the helmet illuminating a few meters ahead.
Jiang Nian turned off the searchlight and closed her eyes.
The two faced each other in the narrow crevice, less than three meters apart, but neither could see the other.
“You can’t escape,” the pursuer said, his voice distorted underwater. “Hand over the module, and we’ll give you a quicker death.”
"The module is destroyed," Jiang Nian said. (End of Chapter)