High-level martial arts: Contract cashback, invincible starting from the Zerg.

After entering the secret passage of TN13.

Because he possessed the Demon Slayer Armor, Chen Feng walked at the front of the group.

The muffled sound of footsteps echoed in the passage for a long time, and most of the footsteps of the group behind were absorbed by the thick rock walls.

Chen Feng touched the dark green mold on the rock wall of the passage, leaving a faint watermark where his fingertips touched.

"This moisture is strange." Chen Feng said in a serious tone. "When we first came in, it was just cold and damp, but now we can smell a faint moisture in our breath. Moreover, the armor's detection shows that the humidity in the air has exceeded 80%. There is a high probability that there is water accumulation ahead, or even a section of the passage that may be flooded."

Wu Yingguang's voice immediately came from behind Chen Feng.

"The AI ​​detector shows a clear water level signal 500 meters ahead. Considering the geological structure, this passage is likely connected to an underground lake. Some sections of the passage have been submerged by the lake, which is one of the common internal sealing methods used in underground bases."

"There might also be automatic fire control devices and sensor-guided mines in that area..." Chen Feng said.

"That's not a big problem. As long as we can contact our personnel, the automatic fire control system can completely avoid attacking us."

So-called induction mines.

It is a defensive measure developed by TN71 base to counter attacks from alien beasts.

Once this type of mine is submerged in lake water, it can detect any living organism swimming nearby if the organism's characteristics match the mine's preset parameters.

Then the mine will detonate immediately, and the explosive force will be enough to blast through the monster's armor!

Just as Wu Yingguang was adjusting the detection mode of the detector in his hand, several weak biological signals suddenly appeared on the detector's screen.

"Chen Feng, I just switched to biological detection mode and have already detected the biological signals of the alien beast on the stone walls on both sides of us."

"A strange beast?" Chen Feng frowned.

Being attacked by a monster underwater is arguably the worst-case scenario.

Like aquatic behemoths, aquatic creatures often possess extremely agile movement and attack methods underwater, and with the modifications made by the Darkborn, they may have adapted to the cold, damp waters of underground lakes.

With the Darkin's modifications, their sharp fangs and venomous tentacles are more than enough to easily tear through the protective armor on everyone's bodies.

Even more critically, Chen Feng and other rescuers have yet to make contact with personnel inside the base.

Once in the water, whether struggling when attacked by a monster or accidentally touching a sensor-activated mine, it could trigger the mine to explode or activate other firepower devices hidden deep within the tunnel.

At that time, the entire body of water could become a death trap for these people.

Chen Feng scanned the environment ahead with his Eye of Foresight and said, "The tracks left by these guys indicate that they move quite fast. They are probably not particularly large, but extremely agile aquatic creatures, just waiting for us to go into the water to launch an attack."

Upon hearing this, the colleagues from the Department of Energy immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Although they are military personnel belonging to TN71 base, they are not combat personnel, so it is difficult for them to ensure their safety in such a complex underwater environment with the help of their protective armor.

"If we still can't contact the base, should we consider going out first and then thinking of other solutions?"

"Yes, we can't just throw our lives away in vain."

"To contact personnel at the base, either an encrypted communication frequency within the base or a dedicated communication terminal connected to the base's main control system is required."

People from the Department of Energy were shouting about retreating.

Su Wan also explained, her tone tinged with urgency, "We must find the base's encrypted communication terminal in order to penetrate the defense shield of the passage and contact the personnel in the base's main control room."

"What would an encrypted communication terminal look like?" asked Xu Ri Dong Cuo.

Su Wan's fingertips slid quickly across the control panel on her armor's wrist, instantly bringing up an image and projecting it into the air in front of everyone.

"TN13's encrypted communication terminal is specially made. It is not large, about the width of an adult's palm. It is made of dark alloy material and the surface is engraved with the base's exclusive pattern - intertwined vines wrapped around a shield pattern, with a light blue energy indicator light embedded in the middle, which emits a faint blue light when activated."

Xu Ri Dong glanced at it, frowned, and asked, "Are you sure there's that thing in this passage too?"

Su Wan looked at Xuri Dongcuo, but her eyes showed a hint of seriousness.

"These terminals are fixedly installed at key nodes in the passage, most likely in the dry area before the flooded section. However, to avoid being discovered by others, they may also be hidden somewhere in the underwater passage, which requires us to investigate carefully."

Xu Ri Dong Cuo sneered, "So, we have to find this terminal before we're surrounded by alien beasts and mines?"

"Yes"

"This is a bit troublesome."

......

Before long, a patch of murky water appeared in the darkness ahead.

The rescue team soon found themselves in front of a flooded passage—the water was dark and murky, with a chilling cold, making it impossible to see what was underneath. They could vaguely see shadows moving slowly underwater, exuding a menacing aura.

Wu Yingguang immediately lowered his head, his fingertips flying across the smart brain detector, adjusting the detection mode.

The data stream on the screen scrolled rapidly, and his brows furrowed more and more deeply.

"Chen Feng, the detection shows that the flooded section in front of us is about 150 meters long, and the passage ahead has branched out, with at least three forks... Each fork shows a faint energy reaction and a strange beast signal... This passage is more like a defensive maze."

The people from the Ministry of Energy turned even paler after hearing Wu Yingguang's analysis.

"Three forks in the road? And we have to check the terminals under the threat of mines and alien beasts? What if we take the wrong road and we are all wiped out?"

"That's right, there are monsters underwater, and we're not combatants. This protective armor won't stop their attacks at all... Maybe we should think of another way, even if it's just a temporary retreat!"

"We have no way out now."

Xu Ri Dong Cuo's voice suddenly rang out, and he immediately raised the kinetic rifle in his hand, the gun body gleaming with a cold metallic luster, and instantly aimed it at the flooded section of road ahead.

"This secret passage is our only way into the base, and I believe everyone confirmed that before coming in. Want to back out now? Too late..."

At this moment, everyone understood the silent threat posed by Xuri Dongcuo—if they retreated now, they would likely be dealt with on the spot before they even left the passage.

The faces of the Department of Energy personnel turned pale and then red, filled with fear and resentment, but no one dared to refute them anymore. They just clutched their emergency weapons tightly, and still no one was willing to take the initiative to step forward.

The internal conflicts within the rescue team were quickly escalated, and signs of infighting became increasingly apparent.

Chen Feng walked up to Wu Yingguang and said in a low voice, "Captain Wu, it's not wise to send them down before we've thoroughly investigated the underwater situation. Perhaps we can send two people down to investigate first, find out the approximate location of the terminal and the firepower devices, and then let everyone pass through in batches."