This was a square tunnel. Unlike the cold and damp tunnel outside, it was completely dry and stuffy inside. It was a bit like a sealed jar.
Ding Meng used his shovel to swipe at the wall, and the dirt and rust fell off, revealing a bright blue color. This was clearly an alloy steel plate.
The two of them could not help but look at each other, and their eyes were filled with shock. One thing was certain now, and that was that this place was definitely not a cave, but a man-made structure. What was hidden inside?
The two of them were still fumbling forward when suddenly, a loud "chi — chi — chi — chi —" sound filled the entire tunnel. Ding Meng and Little Four were very familiar with this sound. It was the sound of the electricity charging in the exchange center hall.
Sure enough, there was a sudden bright light in front of them. All the light sources had been activated, and the entire tunnel was as bright as day. Ding Meng and Little Four were stunned by the scene in front of them.
This was clearly a hall similar to the command center of a spaceship. The light sources embedded in the ceiling were emitting a bright blue glow, filling the entire hall with a layer of cool, technological color. The rows of screens on the walls automatically lit up, and the data and images on them began to refresh, but... but the control panels seemed a little old.
In this era of human beings, almost all the work consoles were virtual. However, the consoles in this hall were all made of metal. There were even rotating buttons and square buttons of various sizes … If this was the interior of a building, then this building was too outdated. If this was the place where the secret treasure was hidden, then where was the treasure?
Suddenly, a soft, robotic female voice rang out in the hall. This was the voice of the AI system.
"Gene body detected. Activating experimental system. Experimental serial number ACT5570."
"System energy insufficient. Requesting backup power. Energy serial number CAP0075."
"System charging. Progress 5%, 17%, 33%, 58%..."
...
Ding Meng and Little Four were completely shocked speechless. Never in their wildest dreams would they have imagined that such a place would be hidden underground. However, the gentle voice of the system made them feel uneasy.
"Experimental system serial number ACT5570 has finished charging. Mainframe system is running low on energy. Requesting to enter automatic scanning mode. Automatic scanning mode activated..."
As soon as the voice fell, many probes drilled out from the ceiling. These probes did not shoot down rays, but densely packed red grain-shaped light shadows. They sprinkled down like a rainstorm, covering the entire hall.
In this strange "red rain", there was nowhere to hide. Ding Meng and Xiao Si looked like they were drenched in blood.
This unimaginable scanning method was really strange and terrifying. Ding Meng soon realized how powerful it was. Every time a red "raindrop" swept over his left hand, he would feel a piercing pain in his palm. When he looked down, he found that the bean-sized poisonous seed in his palm had completely turned into a poisonous flower. The edges of the flower petals had completely merged with his blood vessels. The poison was spreading up his arm at a speed visible to the naked eye. His entire left arm was completely numb.
"Oh no," Ding Meng finally felt a great fear descending upon him.
However, he reacted quickly. He quickly took out a healing agent from his backpack and poured it into his mouth. As soon as the cold agent entered his stomach, the green liquid on his arm immediately stopped flowing at his elbow joint.
Little Four was not lying. The healing agent could only stop the virus from getting worse, but it could not stop the virus from invading his arm.
He turned his head and looked to the side. Little Four was already bent over in pain. The green liquid on his back was also spreading to his entire body at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Ding Meng did not hesitate. He took out the healing agent and rushed over.
The AI system:
"Warning, warning, the experimental hall will be closed in 5 minutes. The experimental hall will be closed in 5 minutes. All units please leave immediately. All units please leave immediately..."
"Let's go."
Ding Meng helped Little Four up. This time, he did not dare to be stubborn. The unknown situation had extinguished all his curiosity.
At this moment, Ding Meng felt a chill in his face. He quickly raised his head. At some point, a dark shadow had appeared at the entrance of the corridor like a ghost. It was staring at him coldly.
"Damn it!"
Ding Meng cursed in his mind. He should not have been so careless. After walking so far into the corridor, he should have noticed that someone was secretly following him. Unfortunately, he had been so distracted by his curiosity that he did not pay attention to what was behind him.
"Brother Leopard."
Ding Meng suddenly calmed down and no longer had the panicked expression from before. He had already smelled a trace of danger from the leopard's body. This trace of danger was even more terrifying than the various changes in the laboratory hall.
The AI system was only executing the program. The program was dead, but the human mind was alive. No one could tell what the other party was thinking.
Leopard's face was expressionless. "I didn't expect you to be able to find this place."
Ding Meng was silent. Suddenly, he said, "Did Machine Gun Boss send you here?"
Leopard said calmly, "A person down here can only earn 200 points a day at most."
This answer was not the question. But Ding Meng finally understood where he had gone wrong.
Yes, a laborer would only earn 150 points a day. They would not even have enough nutrient solutions. How could they have enough points to exchange for expensive healing potions?
The healing potions cost more than a hundred points each. Yet, Ding Meng had casually given them to Machine Gun. It would be strange if Machine Gun did not suspect them. "What kind of treasure did you find in PC35?"
Sometimes, no matter how astute a person was, he or she would think that his or her plans were flawless, but they would often inadvertently reveal flaws.
Ding Meng felt that he had learned a lot this time. As long as he could get through this obstacle, he would have to be more careful in the future.
The AI system:
"Warning, the experimental hall will be closed in 4 minutes and 30 seconds. All units are requested to leave immediately..."
A thick steel gate appeared at the top of the corridor. It was descending at a very slow speed. Judging from the thickness of the gate, it was impossible to open it with human strength. The system warning sounded more like a notification: Once the hall is closed, no one will be able to leave.
Ding Meng could feel that the situation was unusual. He could not act on impulse. He took a deep breath and said, "Brother Leopard, if you need a healing potion, I can give it to you."
Leopard's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "Do you really think I want a healing potion?"
Ding Meng's heart sank. He finally understood what the leopard needed. The leopard needed him and Little Four to die here. Only with their deaths would the news not be leaked out. Only then would they be able to monopolize this place. Now, no matter who it was, they would be able to think that this place was most likely the way out of the base.
Ding Meng slowly let go of Little Four and slowly raised the sharp military shovel.
Leopard could not help but sneer again. "Do you think you can escape with that junk in your hand?"
Ding Meng did not answer. Any words would be superfluous.
The AI system:
"Warning, the experimental hall will be closed in 4 minutes and 15 seconds. All units are requested to leave immediately..."