25: Loot! Capture the Observer technology!

06:45 Deep Blue, Core Laboratory

The moment the chip was inserted into the terminal, the holographic projection exploded in a blinding blue light, and distorted data streams poured down like a waterfall. The engineers instinctively took a half-step back—these encoding structures did not belong to any programming language known to humanity.

"System, analyze data," Lin Feng ordered.

"Directive received. Detecting 'Pioneer' civilization sub-level encryption protocol."

"Decryption requires 8000 energy points. Current reserve: 3100."

"Warning: Forcing decryption may result in data corruption."

"Damn it!" Chen Hai slammed his fist on the control panel. "We can't use what we just snatched?"

Lin Feng stared at the flickering, eerie blue data stream, then suddenly narrowed his eyes: "Wait... these symbols."

He pointed to a recurring three-dimensional structure—it was clearly a simplified version of the energy patterns on the walls of the undersea ruins!

"This isn't encryption, it's some kind of... energy circuit design!" Chief Engineer Old Zhao lunged at the screen. "Captain! This might be Pioneer technology reverse-engineered by the Observer! If we can restore it—"

"There isn't enough energy to decrypt everything, but enough to extract a portion," Lin Feng decisively intercepted the most stable fragments. "Prioritize extracting data related to 'Defensive Forcefield'!"

"Extracting..."

"Acquired incomplete blueprint: Pioneer 'Psionic Shield' Basic Module (Protection Level D)"

"Description: Can offset 30% kinetic/energy weapon impact, increases resistance to Pioneer energy radiation by 50%."

The laboratory instantly erupted!

"This is shield technology that can resist the energy field of the undersea ruins!" Old Zhao's voice trembled.

Lin Feng immediately pulled up the Deep Diver design blueprint and embedded the new module into the framework. On the system's light screen, the previously red-flagged [Energy Field Protection] item instantly turned yellow—feasibility soared from 3.7% to 41%!

"Not enough yet." He turned to another highlighted code segment in the data stream. "System, continue analyzing!"

This time, a set of satellite coordinates appeared in the projection, all concentrated in a certain location under the *Antarctic Ice Sheet*. Next to the coordinates, a line of small text flashed:

"Sky Eye Core Backup Station - Top Secret"

"They have a base in Antarctica too?!" Lei Lie gasped.

Lin Feng, however, stared at the familiar emblem next to the coordinates—it was identical to the pirate leader's badge!

"No, this isn't an Observer base," his voice was hoarse. "This is what they seized from the Ark... a true Pioneer ruin!"

---

08:00 Bridge Emergency Meeting

"A more complete Pioneer facility hidden beneath the Antarctic ice than the undersea ruins?" Chen Hai stared at the coordinates. "But we haven't even finished building the Deep Diver, how are we supposed to drill through the ice sheet?!"

"Because the Observer has already paved the way for us." Lin Feng pulled up satellite images—the entrance to an artificially excavated passage was faintly visible on the ice field, with scattered debris of engineering machinery around it. "They clearly encountered an accident during excavation."

Old Zhao suddenly exclaimed: "Wait! There are thermal readings in this data... there are still active heat sources deep within the passage!"

"Survivors? Or ruin guardians?" Lei Lie reached for his weapon.

"It doesn't matter." Lin Feng made the decision. "While the Observer's main force is crippled, we immediately head to Antarctica. Two missions—"

1. Seize control of the ruins

2. Recover "Sky Eye" backup data

"But there's only 31% energy left..." The logistics officer hesitated.

Lin Feng sneered: "So the first stop is here." He circled a location on the map—an abandoned strategic oil depot in an Indian Ocean country.

"Grab oil, grab technology, then grab the ruins." Lei Lie grinned. "I like this plan."

---

09:30 Deck Pre-battle Mobilization

Cold wind whipped sea spray onto his face. Lin Feng faced the lined-up Marines, holding up the emblem confiscated from the pirate.

"The patterns on this are consistent with the markings at the entrance of the Antarctic Ruins," his voice cut through the engine's roar. "Ark, Observer, undersea city, ice-covered facility... all these point to the same truth—"

"An ancient civilization, long before humanity's birth, buried the key to changing destiny."

"And now, we're going to dig it out!"

On the steel deck, weapons clanged.

"Long live Deep Blue!"