Chapter 165: Applying Pressure

The modified "Starlight" jet flew steadily above the clouds at near-maximum speed, leaving the city's lights far behind. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was heavy, broken only by the low hum of the engines.

Qin Feng sat with his eyes closed against the seatback, appearing to rest, but his mind raced at full speed. The skill experience card for Advanced Underwater Combat Mastery had not yet been used, yet the knowledge and instincts were already etched into his consciousness like a brand, giving him clear awareness and confidence regarding the deep sea environment he was about to face.

Gao Yuan sat across from him, meticulously inspecting his gear—two matte-finished Gauss pistols, several specialized underwater explosive charges, and a compact diving and underwater propulsion system. His expression was grim; he knew this mission was unlike any before—the Leader himself was risking his life, and not a single mistake could be allowed.

Sun Zhe's voice came through encrypted comms, breaking the silence: "Mr. Qin, we've deployed three high-resolution reconnaissance satellites for continuous scanning of the target artificial island. The preliminary analysis report has been sent to your terminal."

Qin Feng opened his eyes and activated the tablet before him. The screen displayed a detailed structural map of the artificial island known as "Poseidon's Pillar." The island was small, irregularly circular, with a central cluster of buildings including a white dome resembling a research center and several auxiliary structures; the edges featured docks and suspected defensive installations. Satellite thermal imaging showed heavy human activity, especially around the research center and docks.

"Based on intercepted fragments of communications and thermal signatures," Sun Zhe continued, "the 'Poseidon' research vessel is being held at a concealed dock on the island's eastern side. The hull shows no visible damage, but onboard life signals are weak and tightly controlled. Dr. Su Yuqing and her team are most likely detained in the underground section of the research center."

"Additionally," Sun Zhe's tone grew heavier, "we detected an hour ago that a cargo ship belonging to a major M Country pharmaceutical corporation arrived at the island, unloaded a batch of sealed containers, then departed swiftly. 'Deepsea Technology' has deep, intricate ties to this pharmaceutical giant."

Pharmaceutical corporation? Sealed containers? At this very moment?

Qin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. This was no coincidence. The anomalous bacterial strain discovered by Su Yuqing's team likely involved interests far greater than imagined.

"Can you determine what's inside those containers?" Qin Feng asked.

"Direct detection is impossible, but judging from the specialized protective gear used during unloading and the attire of the handlers, it's highly likely to be biological samples… or live experimental material." Sun Zhe's voice carried a chill.

Live experimental material? Humans? Or…

A surge of rage rose in Qin Feng's heart. "Deepsea Technology" was indeed engaging in abominable, bottom-line-shattering acts!

"Continue surveillance. Report any anomalies immediately." Qin Feng cut the comm and turned to Gao Yuan. "The situation is more complex than expected. After landing, we split up. You infiltrate the research center to locate and rescue Dr. Su Yuqing's team. I go straight to the docks to confirm the status of the 'Poseidon' and that bacterial strain."

"Understood." Gao Yuan nodded without questioning Qin Feng's plan. He knew the Leader, possessing Advanced Underwater Combat Mastery, likely had far superior operational capability in the deep sea environment than he did.

Several hours later, the "Starlight" reached the target sea area, then dropped altitude sharply, diving into low-altitude cloud cover.

Below, the vast, ink-blue South Pacific stretched endlessly. The artificial island appeared as a tiny, insignificant black dot, standing alone in the boundless ocean.

"Prepare for airborne insertion," came the pilot's voice.

The rear of the cabin slowly opened, and powerful sea winds rushed in.

Qin Feng and Gao Yuan exchanged a glance, checking their gear and micro-oxygen systems.

"Go!"

The two leapt out in succession, their black figures unfolding wing suits like giant bats, gliding silently toward the island.

As they neared the sea surface, both simultaneously released their wing suits, landing precisely in the icy water with only two tiny splashes.

Advanced Underwater Combat Mastery activated instantly!

Qin Feng felt as if he had returned to the womb—every movement felt perfectly coordinated and natural. He efficiently activated the micro underwater thrusters on his back, moving like a fish, slipping soundlessly toward the eastern dock. Gao Yuan adjusted his course, circling toward the research center area.

Water visibility was poor, but Qin Feng's senses, enhanced by the skill, were extraordinarily sharp. He avoided underwater surveillance cameras and sonar arrays, soon approaching the concealed dock.

Several speedboats were moored there, along with the "Poseidon" research vessel, tightly secured by cables. No personnel were visible on board—eerily silent. Two armed guards patrolled the dock listlessly.

Qin Feng made no sound, gliding like a ghost toward the ship's hull. He found a submerged maintenance hatch, used his tools to silently disable the Lock, and slipped inside.

The interior reeked of disinfectant and something else… an indescribable, faintly sweet metallic odor. The corridor was empty; scattered research equipment showed signs of a struggle.

Leveraging his innate knowledge of the ship's layout (a skill bonus), he moved swiftly toward the sample storage compartment.

The closer he got, the stronger the strange sweet-metallic odor became. Simultaneously, his life detector showed faint, chaotic life signals ahead.

Qin Feng's heart sank; he quickened his pace.

When he pushed open the half-open door of the storage compartment, the sight before him made his pupils contract sharply!

The room was in chaos. Several specially designed low-temperature sample containers had been violently pried open, now empty. In the corner, a researcher in a white lab coat crouched, trembling uncontrollably—his exposed skin shimmered with tiny, eerie, breathing-like patches of ghostly blue bioluminescence!

That glow… was precisely the anomalous luminous bacterial strain mentioned in the intel!

Hearing the disturbance, the researcher snapped his head up, his face filled with utter terror. His eyes were clouded with a faint blue glow, and his throat emitted a guttural, inhuman growl!

He was infected—and undergoing some horrific transformation!

Almost simultaneously, Qin Feng sensed a faint but malicious spiritual fluctuation attempting to invade his consciousness!

Was it the bacterial strain? Could it influence the Host's Spirit?

Qin Feng's Spiritual Attribute of 35 points activated instantly, forming an invisible barrier that effortlessly crushed the spiritual fluctuation!

His eyes turned icy. No more hesitation—he struck with a precise hand chop, knocking the nearly out-of-control researcher unconscious. He must find the original samples and Su Yuqing—and learn what this damn thing truly was!

At that moment, the micro-comm in his ear crackled with Gao Yuan's urgent, muffled voice:

"Leader! Found a large biological lab underground in the research center! Dr. Su and the others are held in an isolation observation room—status stable. But… the live experiments underway… are human! They're injecting that bacterial strain into captured homeless people and sailors! The situation… is dire!"

"Also—we may have been compromised! The island's defense system is activating!"

Qin Feng's gaze sharpened.

Human experiments! Just as I feared!

"Deepsea Technology"… you're courting your own destruction!

He abandoned concealment—his overwhelming aura erupted violently!

"Gao Yuan, force a breakthrough! Extract Su Yuqing and all research data! I'll create the opening for you!"

With that, Qin Feng shot out of the "Poseidon"'s hull like a cannonball, leaping onto the dock.

The two patrolling guards had no time to react before Qin Feng closed the distance at speeds invisible to the naked eye—two heavy punches slammed into their chests. The sound of cracking bones was unmistakable; they collapsed without a sound.

Standing on the dock, facing the sea wind, Qin Feng gazed coldly toward the brightly lit research center at the island's center.

He raised his hand to the comm, his voice echoing like it came from the Nine Nether Cold Abyss, clear across the island's public channel and back to the Command Center:

"Notify 'Zhu Long'—target 'Poseidon's Pillar'—authorize all necessary means!"

"Tell the people of 'Deepsea Technology'."

"I give you ten minutes to release all hostages and surrender all research data and samples. Then… kneel and surrender."

"Otherwise—"

His voice paused, heavy with endless killing intent.

"I will personally erase this island—along with your filthy experiments—from the face of Earth!"

A terrifying pressure, like a tangible tsunami, surged outward from Qin Feng, engulfing the entire island!

Pressure, begin!