338: Not in the life support cabin

Tian Ming asked with some confusion, "Number Three, you just said it would take over five hundred hours to decrypt the system, but then you said the quantum key couldn't be decrypted. What does that mean?"

Number Three explained, "Master, I did successfully crack the hardware and modify its parameters, which allowed me to infiltrate the opponent's security system. However, the central computer of this security system is a quantum computer, and it is used to generate quantum keys. The complexity of these keys is beyond my computational power, so I cannot directly decrypt them. I can simulate and replace one."

Hearing this, Tian Ming couldn't help but ask anxiously, "Is doing that okay?"

Number Three was silent for a moment, as if contemplating something. Finally, it said, "Hmm, there is a small problem, Master. My idea is to build an isolated sandbox, simulate the entire system, and make it believe that it is still controlling the Base. Meanwhile, the actual Base will be under my control."

Tian Ming pondered for a moment and asked, "This is so complicated. Would it be better if I just directly destroyed the bombs in the self-destruct device? Or, if I cut off the power, could I prevent the Base from self-destructing?"

"The system has its own power supply, Master. Even if all my avatars were deployed, it would be impossible to disable everything simultaneously. If there's even a millisecond of error in timing, then all efforts would be in vain! Master, this isn't like defusing a bomb where you just cut a wire. The entire system has extremely high fault tolerance, but also extremely high sensitivity."

After listening to Number Three's explanation, Tian Ming felt quite helpless and asked, "Five hundred hours, are you sure you can crack it? That's over twenty days."

"Master, I only need ten hours to successfully build a virtual sandbox system. Then I will simulate the opponent generating keys and disguise them as data streams. As long as I succeed once, I can trap the opponent's quantum computer within my virtual cage."

"Alright, as long as you can successfully rescue Shen Yuan, I'll listen to you."

"In ten hours, I will intercept all sensor detections of you, Master, and you will be able to move freely. It's best to enter a virtualized stealth state. After finding Shen Yuan's location, don't rush to act, so as not to trigger restrictions. Once I take over the security system, Duke Lawrence's equipment will also be simultaneously disabled."

Tian Ming nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I can wait!"

Ten hours later, Number Three successfully built a virtual sandbox system, disguised as a data stream. All of this proceeded quietly, unnoticed by anyone.

Number Three's intelligence could be said to be the strongest artificial intelligence on this planet. The virtual sandbox was already built, but for the sake of caution, Number Three did not directly invade the system. Instead, it disguised itself as various devices, continuously collecting keys and predicting newly generated keys.

As long as a prediction was successful once, Number Three could quickly enter the system and transfer the link of the opponent's quantum computer to the constructed sandbox.

Now, Number Three had intercepted all sensor detections of Tian Ming, allowing Tian Ming to move freely. He entered a virtualized stealth state and began searching for Shen Yuan's location within the Base.

In stealth mode, Tian Ming quickly searched for Shen Yuan's location within the Base. He constantly moved through corridors and rooms, like a wandering spirit.

This Sea Bottom Base was not large, but it was like an aircraft carrier, with a multitude of compartments. Tian Ming moved through the dimly lit corridors, where the walls on both sides were painted light gray, giving a heavy, oppressive feeling.

Every few meters, a dim yellow light illuminated the path, but even so, visibility was still very limited. On both sides of the corridor were tightly closed doors, with a small screen embedded in each, displaying various data and warning messages.

He passed through a door and entered a spacious room. On one side of the room was a row of tall metal cabinets, densely covered with various wires and interfaces, flashing lights of different colors. On the other side of the room was a large table, where some documents and materials were scattered.

Tian Ming quickly scanned the contents of the documents. Number Three would translate all the text he saw into his native language. But Tian Ming found that these documents were mostly technical reports and planning documents, involving various systems and equipment of the Base.

Looking around, he found that some small cameras and sensors were embedded in the walls, their red lights flashing, but all detected data would be intercepted by Number Three.

Tian Ming continued to explore, checking each area. Every room had different equipment and layouts, making him feel as if he was in a maze. People came and went inside the Base, all of them blonde, blue-eyed researchers.

These people could not see Tian Ming, nor could they perceive his existence. But Tian Ming tried his best to avoid these researchers, not wanting to cause unnecessary trouble. He quietly moved through the crowd, like an invisible wind.

Soon, he arrived at the central Laboratory for ability research, where a massive life support pod stood in the very center of the research room. Tian Ming's heart sank, because he had seen this life support pod before; he had seen it in the video Duke Lawrence sent him, and Shen Yuan was imprisoned in this very life support pod.

Tian Ming's heart sank, because this life support pod was empty. He secretly called out to Number Three in his mind, wanting to use Number Three's power to find Shen Yuan.

Tian Ming himself possessed detection and sensing abilities, but for safety, all his avatars were outside the Sea Bottom Base.

And he dared not use his own detection abilities at all, fearing that there might be equipment in the Sea Bottom Base that could detect mental energy. These high-end devices must be for backup. Duke Lawrence was a cunning person with many tricks up his sleeve, and there must be more than just the security system as a line of defense.

"Number Three, can you access all surveillance footage?"

"Master, I haven't taken over the system yet, so I don't have that permission. Master, please don't worry. I am currently working on cracking the Sea Bottom Base's database. This place is even more complex than I imagined, and there's a second security system. If you find Shen Yuan, and you are confident you can take her away, then do so directly. If not, wait until I control the entire system."

Tian Ming could only shake his head with a bitter smile and continue searching for Shen Yuan's whereabouts. At this time, Shen Yuan should be in her labor period. But where was she? Why hadn't his Number One avatar found her during infiltration?

Tian Ming sped up his search and soon arrived at the lowest level of the Sea Bottom Base, which was the residential living area. Duke Lawrence and others lived here. Compared to the strict security above, it was much better here. The cabins were much larger, and there were also areas for living and recreation.

A figure appeared not far away. When Tian Ming saw that person, his heart immediately sank. This person was none other than Lisa, who had been missing for a long time.