Chapter 142: Level 8 System: Planet Scan Key

The twisted, colossal shadow of the "Hydra" base loomed like a nightmare beneath the deep blue sea, radiating an ominous aura. The infiltration plan required extreme caution; any minor mistake could alert the enemy, leading to mission failure—or total annihilation.

Qin Feng, Lei Zhan, and the "Shield" tactical experts studied the high-precision 3D structural map returned from the "Voyager," repeatedly simulating possible infiltration routes, combat responses, and evacuation plans. The enemy's defense system far exceeded expectations—not only did it feature tight physical guards and advanced detection equipment, but also a chilling, unknown force field that obscured the interior like Mist, making it impossible to discern.

Time passed second by second in tense deliberation. Though Qin Feng's expression remained calm, he felt immense pressure. Launching a direct assault under these conditions—enemy intelligence unknown, environment extreme—carried extreme risk.

As he focused his thoughts, trying to find a fleeting flaw in the complex structure map, the system, long silent in his mind, suddenly emitted a faint hum unlike any before—like ice melting, all things reviving.

Immediately, a clear stream of information surfaced:

【System energy restored to critical threshold... Core modules restarting...】

【System upgrade complete! Current level: 8】

【New permission unlocked: 【Planet Scan】 (Beginner)】

【New function unlocked: 【Energy Spectrum Analysis】 (Beginner)】

【Host 【Life Enhancement】 effect restored to 100%, 【Fortune Dominion】 ability reactivated!】

【System Mall all functions restored; new 8-level tradable items added...】

Upgraded?!

Qin Feng's heart jolted! After a long "Cooling Period" and power degradation, the system had upgraded at this critical moment—restoring, even surpassing, its former capabilities!

Especially that newly unlocked 【Planet Scan】 (Beginner) permission—the very name made his heart race!

He immediately sank his consciousness into the System Space.

The vast pale-blue screen seemed more solid now, its flowing data points brighter and more brilliant. At the most prominent position on the screen appeared a brand-new spherical icon emitting soft white light, labeled below: 【Planet Scan】 (Beginner).

Qin Feng focused his awareness and touched the icon.

【【Planet Scan】 (Beginner): Consumes massive points/energy to perform a one-time panoramic scan of the planetary surface and shallow subsurface within a fixed radius centered on the Host. Can mark high-energy concentration points, large-scale life signatures, special mineral distributions, and... anomalies or signal sources matching the System database. Scan precision and range expand with System level.】

【Warning: First use requires 100,000,000 points! Subsequent uses vary by scan range and precision.】

【Initiate first scan? 【Yes】/【No】】

One hundred million points?!

Qin Feng stared at the long string of zeros, his eyelid twitching again. This system—after upgrading—still ripped people off without mercy!

But... 【Planet Scan】!

The significance of this function was immense! It meant Qin Feng now possessed a near-godlike reconnaissance ability—not only to locate resources, but to... pinpoint enemies!

His gaze involuntarily drifted to the "Hydra" base on the main screen—a tumor-like blotch.

If he used 【Planet Scan】 against it...

"Initiate scan! Scan range, focus on current coordinates, maximum precision!" Qin Feng gave the command in his mind without hesitation. One hundred million points hurt—but if this revealed the full truth of the "Hydra" base, even uncovered its core weakness, the cost was worth it!

【Command confirmed. Consuming 100,000,000 points. Initiating 【Planet Scan】 (Beginner)... Scanning range focusing...】

An invisible, immense force erupted from within Qin Feng's consciousness—or perhaps descended from some distant realm above—overwhelming the vast ocean region centered on the "Hydra" base in a way that defied current physical laws.

Qin Feng "saw" a crystal-clear, exquisitely detailed, three-dimensional structure map—capable of piercing through the unknown force field—materialize directly in his mind like a holographic projection!

Every internal structure of the "Hydra" base, every corridor, every room's function, the location of the energy core, guard placements—even the experimental subjects locked in transparent growth tanks, radiating signals of Pain and despair—all were laid bare!

Moreover, the scan clearly marked several deep within the base, emitting intensely concentrated, purer versions of the same "chaotic energy" that had once assaulted the "Voyager"—these must be the Foundation's key laboratories studying that opposing force!

Even more startling, at the base's lowest level, within a heavily sealed zone, the scan returned an extremely faint signal—one that caused the System itself to resonate slightly—the signal's signature bore a strange connection to the "Heart of the Ocean" fragment in his possession!

Could it be... another fragment of the "Heart of the Ocean" hidden here? Or... something related to "Pandora's Box"?

All mystery was utterly dispelled by the 【Planet Scan】 function at this moment!

The "Hydra" base, before Qin Feng, was now like a prisoner stripped naked—no secrets remained!

The scan lasted roughly ten seconds; the immense force receded like a tide.

Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant light flashing within them!

"Lei Zhan!" His voice was steady, yet carried absolute authority. "Revise the infiltration plan! Abandon B3 and C7 entrances—we enter here!"

His finger stabbed directly onto the main control screen, pinpointing a hidden maintenance access tunnel—linked to the sewage system—that had been completely undetected by their prior recon.

"Once inside, split into two teams! Team A, under your command, launch a direct assault on the energy core and Main Control Room in D-District—disable their defense system! Team B, follow me—we strike straight for the sealed lower zone! Our primary objective: seize the special item inside!"

"Operation time: 04:00—when their guards change shifts and vigilance is lowest!"

A series of precise, razor-sharp commands flowed from Qin Feng's lips—as if he had long known every detail of the "Hydra" base!

Lei Zhan and the surrounding "Shield" members stared at the screen, at the hidden tunnel and critical nodes the boss had pinpointed—points they had never detected—and their eyes filled with stunned disbelief!

How did the Boss know so clearly?!

But they did not question. Their absolute trust and obedience to Qin Feng led them to respond instantly:

"Yes!"

Qin Feng gazed at the base on the screen—now utterly exposed—and a cold smile curled on his lips.

Level 8 System... Planet Scan key...

It was tailor-made for him... a war godsend!

"Prometheus Foundation"?

Your end has come!

At 04:00, operation begins!