Chapter 158: Opportunity

The emergency rescue and post-incident handling at the "Haiyuan" Base lasted for several hours. Liu Shiyin was confirmed to still have vital signs, but had fallen into a deep coma, with extensive energy burns over her entire body and multiple internal organ injuries. She was urgently transported to a medical ship on the surface, and whether she would ever wake up remained unknown. The members of her team suffered heavy casualties, and the survivors who narrowly escaped were all placed under strict control by the competition organizing committee and the multinational investigation teams that arrived upon hearing the news. "Chuangsheng Technology's" journey in the competition ended in a thoroughly catastrophic conclusion.

In stark contrast was the "Jingyuan Technology" team. After receiving a simple examination and treatment, Qin Feng led his team in methodically recovering their core equipment. The Photo-Hydrogen Conversion Membrane module, which had endured abyssal pressure, biological impacts, energy explosions, and even close-quarters combat while still operating stably, no longer appeared to the onlookers as a mere technological creation, but rather as an indestructible legendary relic.

When the "Deep Blue Explorer" submersible broke through the sea surface and bathed once more in the tropical sunlight, the dock at Guam Base had long been packed tight with media and representatives of various forces who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Mr. Qin Feng! What is your view on the accident involving 'Chuangsheng Technology'?"

"Does Jingyuan Technology already represent the ultimate direction of future energy?"

"There are reports that an intense conflict occurred on the seabed. Does it involve commercial espionage?"

A barrage of长枪短炮 and a stream of rapid-fire questions came crashing down.

Under the escort of Lei Zhan and the "Shield" team members, Qin Feng walked down the gangway with a calm expression. He did not stop to answer any questions, but just as he was about to board the waiting special vehicle, he paused, turned to face the restless crowd, swept his gaze across the cameras, and spoke in a steady voice:

"Jingyuan Technology lets the facts speak."

Just seven words, with no superfluous explanation or boasting, yet carrying an irrefutable power born of absolute strength. After speaking, he went straight into the vehicle, the door closed, shutting out all the clamor.

Inside the car, the encrypted communication connected once more. Su Jin's holographic projection appeared on the seat; her face looked weary, but her eyes were unusually bright.

"Qin Feng, as long as you're all safe, that's what matters!" Su Jin breathed a sigh of relief, then her tone turned serious. "We performed a supercomputing simulation analysis on the data transmitted back from the 'Haiyuan' Base, especially the energy spectrum burst records from the final few seconds before 'Chuangsheng Technology's' core collapsed. The results are astonishing!"

She pulled up a complex set of three-dimensional energy spectrums, with one specific frequency band highlighted.

"This is the critical resonance frequency for the inactivation of the 'Guiding Enzyme'! It's far more precise than our previous laboratory estimates! The generation efficiency and range of the 'Purification Force Field' can be increased by at least three times!" Su Jin's voice carried a hint of excitement. "Furthermore, combining the coordinates of that offshore platform we previously locked onto with the trace chemical signatures extracted from the Greenland sniper and this attack's assassin for Suoyuan tracking, we are over 85% confident that the platform is not only an important stronghold of the 'Foundation', but is very likely also their key base for conducting 'Shengwu Zhuneng'-related research and synthesizing the 'Guiding Enzyme'!"

Qin Feng looked at the rotating energy spectrum, a glint flashing in his eyes. This was no longer merely a technical weakness; it was a clear strategic target.

The "Foundation" had lost Liu Shiyin and "Chuangsheng Technology" as its overt proxy, and its ambitions in the energy sector had suffered a heavy blow. The importance of that offshore platform was bound to rise sharply. They would either strengthen their defenses, or... they might choose to transfer or destroy the evidence.

Either way, this was a moment when their defensive chain might waver and their attention could be divided.

"An opportunity," Qin Feng slowly uttered two words.

"Exactly!" Su Jin affirmed. "This is a perfect opportunity to deal them a heavy blow, and even possibly obtain their core research data and completely dismantle their technological pathway! I have already used the existing equipment to complete a miniaturized modification of the 'Purification Force Field' combat prototype, which can be deployed via a high-speed stealth craft."

Risk and opportunity coexisted. Attacking an important stronghold of the "Foundation" was undoubtedly like touching a tiger's backside; a single failure would invite the other party's frenzied retaliation. But if successful, it would not only avenge the repeated attacks, but also sever the "Foundation's" tentacles in the energy sector, removing a massive potential threat to "Jingyuan Technology" and the entire world.

Qin Feng barely hesitated. Passive endurance had never been his style. The fight with "Shadow" in the rainforest had taught him that being merciful to the enemy was being cruel to oneself. Only by taking the initiative and strangling the threat in its cradle could true safety and room for development be won.

"Draw up an action plan," Qin Feng commanded. "Target: the offshore platform. Mission: paralyze its functions, obtain its data, verify the effectiveness of the 'Purification Force Field'. Lei Zhan, you are responsible for selecting the combat personnel for the operation."

"Yes!" Lei Zhan responded in a deep voice, a fighting spirit igniting in his eyes. The previous passive defense and chance encounters had long left him with a bellyful of pent-up fury.

"Su Jin, continue monitoring the platform's movements and look for the best window to strike."

"Understood!"

The special vehicle, surrounded by escort cars, drove toward the airport, where a chartered plane was waiting to take them directly back to the Nordic Base.

Qin Feng leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, his mind already beginning to simulate and deduce the various situations that might arise in attacking the offshore platform. The enemy's armed forces, the platform's structure, emergency response plans...

This was a dangerous gambit, but even more so a crucial step for "Jingyuan" to consolidate its victory after winning the competition, show its fangs, and formally declare war on the hidden hand behind the scenes.

The storm had not subsided with the end of the competition; instead, from the depths of the ocean, it had shifted toward broader and more turbulent waters.

The window of opportunity had opened; what followed would be thunderous action.