Chapter 404: Eve of the Storm, Initiating Self-Destruct Program

After half an hour of cautious exploration, Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan finally discovered a hidden elevator inside a seemingly ordinary storage room. With the help of the access card Xu Feng had cracked in advance, they successfully started the elevator and headed toward the third basement level.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Lin Xuan immediately sensed intense fluctuations of Void Energy. The air on the third basement level was permeated with a faint purple mist, and the smart screens on the walls displayed complex data streams. Even more alarming, two security guards stood at the end of the corridor, their temples adorned with black devices distinctly different from standard Star Brain equipment.

"Advanced Star Brain users," Xiao Yuan whispered vigilantly, "they are already capable of channeling Primary Void Energy."

Lin Xuan nodded: "Avoid direct confrontation; let's find another way."

They quietly retreated and proceeded along a side corridor. However, an unexpected alarm suddenly sounded, and the lights in the corridor turned red.

"Intruder alert! Repeat, intruder alert!" a mechanical female voice blared from the facility's broadcast system.

"It seems our companions have run into trouble," Lin Xuan judged quickly, "Change of plans, force a breakthrough."

Xiao Yuan acted immediately, taking several special interference devices from her kit and throwing them throughout the corridor. The devices activated, and the surrounding electronic equipment began to emit harsh noise; one by one, the surveillance cameras lost functionality.

Lin Xuan faced the two approaching advanced Star Brain users head-on. Purple-black energy lit up in their hands; clearly, they had already mastered Primary Void attack capabilities.

"Wood Element Shield!" Lin Xuan formed seals with his hands, and a verdant energy barrier unfolded before him, blocking the incoming Void Energy.

Xiao Yuan seized the opportunity to circle behind the enemies, precisely tapping each of them on the back of the neck. The special energy contained in her fingers instantly interfered with the operation of their Star Brain devices, and the two guards immediately lost their abilities and collapsed to the ground.

"The main server room should be at the very back," Lin Xuan looked toward a heavy security door at the end of the corridor, "We need to find it as soon as possible."

After breaking through several defensive lines, they finally arrived at the core area of the Data Center. Massive server units were arranged neatly, their blue cooling lights flickering in the darkness, creating an eerie play of light and shadow.

"Found the Main Control Terminal," Xiao Yuan pointed to a console in the center, "We need Xu Feng's guidance."

Xu Feng's voice came through the communicator: "Connect to my portable device; I will control it remotely. Remember, once the upload begins, do not interrupt the connection, or the entire program will fail."

As the connection was established, Xu Feng began the remote operation. Complex code and progress bars flickered on the screen as the counter-program infiltrated the Star Brain control system step by step.

"8 more minutes needed," Xu Feng's voice came through, "The system is more complex than expected; I need to bypass multiple firewalls."

Lin Xuan monitored the surroundings vigilantly: "Be quick, I can feel more Void Energy gathering."

Xiao Yuan stood at the door on guard: "Three guards are approaching, all equipped with advanced Star Brains."

Lin Xuan made a quick decision: "You hold this position and ensure the upload isn't interrupted; I'll go intercept them."

In the corridor, Lin Xuan faced the three guards radiating purple-black energy. He no longer held back, unleashing his Wood Element Power to its full extent, and a verdant energy glow erupted in the narrow space.

During the fierce battle, a bolt of Void Energy struck Lin Xuan's shoulder, and sharp pain instantly spread throughout his body. He gritted his teeth and persisted, using his Wood Element Power to forcibly purify the wound while counterattacking to subdue two of the enemies.

Just then, a shrill alarm suddenly sounded throughout the entire facility, and red warning lights flashed frantically.

"Emergency! System has detected unauthorized access, initiating Self-Destruct Program, all personnel evacuate immediately, repeat, evacuate immediately!"

Lin Xuan immediately contacted Xu Feng via the communicator: "The situation has changed, the facility has initiated the Self-Destruct Program!"

"The code upload is only 90% complete!" Xu Feng responded urgently, "Hold on for two more minutes!"

Inside the Data Center, explosions occurred one after another; the walls began to crack, and debris fell from the ceiling.

"There's no time," Lin Xuan decided decisively, "Evacuate immediately! 90% is better than nothing!"

He rushed back into the server room, unplugged the connection device, and retreated rapidly toward the emergency exit with Xiao Yuan. Behind them, the first wave of explosions had already destroyed part of the facility, and flames and thick smoke began to fill the air.

After escaping the Data Center by the skin of their teeth, the Lin Xuan team rendezvoused with the support squad and quickly left the scene. In the distance, the main building of the technology park was already shrouded in thick smoke, and the sirens of fire trucks and police cars wailed incessantly.

Back at headquarters, Xu Feng immediately analyzed the results of the operation. The outcome left everyone worried—the counter-code had indeed been successfully implanted into the Star Brain network, but because the upload was interrupted, the coverage only reached about 40%, far below the target.

"This means that when Summer Solstice Day arrives, more than half of the Star Brain devices will still be activated, forming Dimension Rifts," Xu Feng explained, "Although the situation is slightly better than before the operation, it remains extremely dangerous."

Lin Xuan stood by the window, looking at the city skyline in the distance. The sunset's afterglow plated the skyscrapers in a layer of gold; it was beautiful and tranquil, as if the end of the world were not approaching.

"We need to accelerate the deployment of the Urban Great Array," Lin Xuan turned to the team and said, "That is our final line of defense. At the same time, I must go to the Star Technology headquarters myself and find Yang Zhiyuan. Even if we cannot stop the launch of the Global Synchronization Project, we must minimize the losses as much as possible."

Xiao Yuan walked to Lin Xuan's side: "Sounds like a suicide mission."

Lin Xuan shook his head: "No, this is something someone must do. If humanity is to head toward destruction, at least we should know who led us to our doomsday."

While Lin Xuan was checking the final progress of the Urban Great Array's adjustments, his communicator suddenly vibrated urgently. The name displayed on the screen was Zhou Zhuo; this capable assistant in charge of intelligence work rarely contacted him outside of agreed-upon times.

"Teacher Lin, emergency," Zhou Zhuo's voice was extremely low, as if he were in an environment where he could not be discovered, "I just obtained a top-secret document from an internal informant. The Ministry of State Security has classified the Five Elements City Guardian Network as a 'potential threat organization' and plans to launch a large-scale search and arrest operation against our headquarters and various branches within three days."

Lin Xuan frowned: "Are you sure the information is reliable?"

"One hundred percent sure," Zhou Zhuo replied, "The document bears the personal signature and seal of Wei Buzhang. According to the informant, Wei Buzhang accepted a new 'Star Brain' device as a gift the night before last, and signed this document yesterday."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment: "Understood, return to headquarters immediately; do not take the usual routes."

After hanging up the communication, Lin Xuan stood by the window, looking at the bustling city scene outside.