Liu Hui stared at the image displayed on the massive screen—the Nock 7 Nevis? A freighter. "Immediately dispatch our VTOL fighters and capture that vessel," he commanded. "We must apprehend whoever is aboard. It’s New Year’s Eve, and they dare to disrupt our celebration; I certainly won't let them off lightly."

The command center relayed Liu Hui’s order. Instantly, a VTOL fighter detached from the aerial fortress and streaked toward the location of the Nock 7 Nevis. Just then, the freighter on the screen suddenly pulsed with a red light. The image flickered violently before stabilizing after a moment. Everyone started, and when they looked again, the Nock 7 Nevis had been cleaved into three segments, engulfed in roaring flames, and was sinking rapidly.

"Damn it, they’re thorough," Zhou Tengyun spat out a curse. "Now all the evidence is destroyed."

Liu Hui sneered. "If it were any other nation, we’d be stumped. But they chose to cross me. Even if it takes every single Maglev Train we have, I want the wreckage of that freighter salvaged. If they left even the faintest thread of a clue inside..." His voice hardened. "...I will unravel this entire affair."

Liu Hui could not afford to be relaxed tonight. The appearance of a colossal creature, like that great ape just now, posed an immense threat to his entire enterprise. That was why he was determined to extinguish this threat at its very root, regardless of the cost.

"Right, during that communication earlier," Liu Hui recalled, "I remember someone ordering them to destroy the ship. Did the person giving the order reveal their identity?" he asked.

The technician consulted the translated transcript on the screen again. "The other party did not reveal their identity. However, the crew of the Nock 7 Nevis referred to him as 'The Professor.'"

"What? 'The Professor'?" Liu Hui was genuinely stunned this time. Ever since the Inception incident, he had been relentlessly hunting for any trace of 'The Professor' after Qin Zhou had informed him of the man's existence. Unfortunately, although he had investigated countless professors, none matched the caliber of the formidable 'Professor' Qin Zhou had described.

It wasn't until today, facing that incredibly massive gorilla and then catching the shadow of 'The Professor' behind it, that Liu Hui instantly confirmed this was the same man he had been pursuing. Only the formidable 'Professor' Qin Zhou spoke of possessed the capability to engineer such a gigantic ape.

"Mobilize all assets of the 'Sky City' immediately. Expand our search radius over the surrounding waters," Liu Hui ordered, his expression grave, issuing a completely new directive. "Search slowly, inch by inch. I suspect a truly formidable individual is lurking nearby."

Liu Hui’s decision to broaden the search stemmed from his desire to find 'The Professor' and eliminate him permanently, rather than allowing him to hide in the shadows and continue plotting against him. As it stood, he knew only of the man's existence, yet possessed not a single concrete lead.

At that very moment, the entire command center was plunged into chaos as alarm lights flashed and a piercing siren blared throughout the room.

Everyone froze, bewildered as to why the alarm had sounded. Hadn't they already neutralized the great ape?

Liu Hui, however, remained composed. "What is happening?" he inquired.

Personnel scrambled to check their systems, sweat beading on their brows, until one technician reported with evident surprise, "Boss... our surveillance system just registered an intrusion into 'Sky City.' That's why the alarm triggered."

"What? Someone has breached 'Sky City'?" The room erupted in shock.

What kind of place had 'Sky City' become? First, a bizarre giant ape, and now an intruder? Had the defenses of 'Sky City' deteriorated so badly?

"Yes," the technician confirmed. "An outsider has infiltrated 'Sky City'... and their current location is the Starry Sky Research Institute."

"What? This person wasn't detected during the initial breach but only after reaching the Research Institute?" The others were aghast once more.

Liu Hui’s face darkened. He nodded to Zhou Tengyun, who immediately bolted from the command center, sprinting toward the entrance of the Starry Sky Research Institute.

Maeda Atsuko piloted the high-tech mech, soaring rapidly and gracefully through the upper atmosphere. During flight, a shimmering energy field enveloped the humanoid mech’s surface. This field not only contained all the energy fluctuations generated during the mech’s operation—rendering it undetectable by any external instruments—but also absorbed the energy created by friction with the air during high-speed maneuvers, feeding that energy directly back into the mech's power system.

Approaching within fifty kilometers of 'Sky City,' the mech's auxiliary optical computer relayed information via a direct brainwave link to Maeda Atsuko. In an instant, she grasped the situation: "The target's airspace defenses are heavy. A frontal assault has a 15% chance of success, with an 85% chance of immediate detection."

Maeda Atsuko transmitted back via brainwave. "A 15% success rate is too low. Any alternative suggestions?"

"The suggestion is to penetrate via the seabed. The safety margin can only be calculated after submersion," the computer replied.

"Then we go underwater!"

Under Maeda Atsuko’s command, the high-altitude mech executed a perfect parabolic arc, slicing into the ocean. Because the angle and force of entry were flawlessly controlled, only an almost imperceptible ripple disturbed the surface before it vanished beneath the waves.

Submerged, the high-tech mech advanced rapidly while continuously monitoring its surroundings.

"Scan detects two enemy patrol submarines ahead. Both submarines are currently oriented precisely toward the east. We can slip past beneath them, five hundred meters below their current depth, with a success probability exceeding ninety percent," the computer analyzed.

Maeda Atsuko accepted the analysis and guided the massive mech to descend quickly, far below the two super-submarines patrolling 'Sky City's' perimeter. It swam beneath them, slowly closing in on its target.

"Warning: Explosions detected to the east. Suspected external hostile incursion," the optical computer reported.

Maeda Atsuko rejoiced. "If there is an external threat, this is the perfect opportunity for us to infiltrate 'Sky City'!"

Ignoring the distant conflict to the east, the massive mech stealthily bypassed the final perimeter submarine in the deep sea, quietly approaching the coastline of 'Sky City.'

"Scan indicates no human presence on the immediate coast. However, fifteen cameras have been identified at various points. These cameras monitor the landing zone with overlapping fields of view, leaving virtually no blind spots. Based on our speed and strategic use of beach obstacles, there is a seventy percent chance of safe passage, with a thirty percent chance of detection," the computer began its assessment.

"A seventy percent probability is quite high; proceed immediately!" Maeda Atsuko murmured.

The colossal high-tech mech suddenly erupted from the water and shot onto the beach with lightning speed. It expertly utilized the massive boulders and tall trees on the sand to perfectly evade the coastal surveillance cameras, quickly diving into the woods bordering the beach.

Maeda Atsuko had followed the optical computer’s advice precisely and had safely cleared the first layer of 'Sky City’s' defense. As soon as she broke through the immediate coastal perimeter, the computer immediately highlighted the next vector of advance.

The optical computer directed rapid movement through the forest, yet it disturbed absolutely no one—not even the small animals in the woods noticed its passage.

"Patrol team detected three hundred meters ahead. Suspended aircraft appearing overhead. Hidden sniper spotted in the canopy of the large tree two hundred meters to the right. Twelve cameras installed across the ground one hundred and fifty meters to the left, and fourteen landmines buried directly in front," the computer began its analysis.

"What should we do then?" Maeda Atsuko frowned, surprised by the sheer density of 'Sky City’s' defenses.

"A frontal assault has a ninety-nine percent detection rate. Therefore, we advise tunneling. You can begin excavation at the nearby mound. Dig a two-hundred-meter tunnel, and you can safely pass beneath the second defensive line. Tunneling success rate is ninety-five percent or higher."

"Alright, execute that plan!"

Under Maeda Atsuko’s control, the high-tech mech’s hands transformed, eventually morphing into a massive drill. This drill then began boring into the mound.

The optical computer’s calculations were incredibly precise, and its power control was flawless. During the entire excavation process, not a single sound was made. Furthermore, the designated route was engineered to avoid any areas containing stones. In just two minutes, a two-hundred-meter tunnel was silently bored. The high-tech mech then navigated this tunnel, bypassing the mound, breaching 'Sky City's' final defensive line, and slipping unnoticed into the compound.

Having passed the final barrier, Maeda Atsuko guided the high-tech mech forward, directed by the optical computer's precise analysis. Along the way, it evaded all patrol personnel and surveillance cameras, arriving swiftly at the gates of the Starry Sky Research Institute.

"Infrared sensors detected at the main entrance, ten cameras surrounding the area, and two interlocking patrol teams inside the courtyard. A forced entry attempt has a one hundred percent likelihood of detection," the optical computer scanned the surroundings and reached a bleak conclusion.

Maeda Atsuko carefully observed the vicinity, maneuvering the mech away from the Institute toward a nearby high-rise building. Suddenly, she leaped high, snatched a bored-looking cat from the rooftop, and returned to the Institute grounds. She hurled the cat viciously toward the Research Institute's main gate, resulting in a loud thump. The infrared detection system at the entrance registered the anomalous body heat instantly and sounded an alarm.

A team of researchers inside the Institute reacted instantly, rushing toward the main gate, while the second team established a defensive posture on site. Most cameras pivoted toward the gate, attempting to ascertain what had happened.

"The sudden disturbance at the gate has created a perfect momentary flaw in their otherwise flawless defense. If we rush in now, the success rate is above sixty percent," the optical computer began analyzing.

Maeda Atsuko then piloted the mech to exploit this fleeting vulnerability, darting through the blind spot of the cameras and bursting into the Starry Sky Research Institute with lightning speed.

When the responding patrol team members reached the entrance and realized it was merely a cat that had triggered the alert, they conducted a cursory check and, finding no further anomaly, deactivated the alarm. The personnel resumed their patrol routes, and the cameras returned to their designated monitoring sectors, resealing the fleeting gap. However, they remained oblivious that something terrible had already slipped inside.

Once inside the Institute, and guided by the optical computer's precise scans and analysis, Maeda Atsuko navigated through sprints and leaps until she reached the core area of the Research Institute. Lacking any intelligence on the Institute's layout, she was forced to proceed one room at a time.

Yet, the moment Maeda Atsuko entered the first chamber, she inexplicably found herself in a desert. Sand stretched everywhere, and the heat washed over her in suffocating waves.

"Optical Computer, what is happening? How did we get here?" Maeda Atsuko asked, confused.

"My detection equipment is being interfered with. I cannot determine our current state, but the probability that we have entered an illusion is above ninety percent," the computer analyzed.

"An illusion? How could we enter an illusion?" Maeda Atsuko asked, astonished.

"I do not know. Perhaps we inadvertently triggered some mechanism upon entering this room, causing the illusion. This illusion is strongly disruptive; I cannot run a full scan. I need to access my database to find a solution," the computer replied, calculating furiously, desperate to find a way out of the crisis.

Ten seconds later, the computer stated, "Immediately turn 175 degrees, advance left foot 60 centimeters, follow with right heel 85 centimeters."

In her state of panic, Maeda Atsuko instantly followed the computer’s calculation. However, the optical computer lacked sufficient data and made a calculation error. As she moved her foot, she successfully left the desert illusion but simultaneously triggered an actual proximity alarm. A shrill siren instantly erupted throughout the room.

"Bad! We've been discovered," Maeda Atsuko cried out in alarm.

Upon exiting the illusion, the optical computer instantly derived the correct path. It immediately directed Maeda Atsuko out of the room via this correct route. As she exited, Maeda Atsuko realized a focused beam of light was shining directly on her, and she could hear personnel running and shouting nearby.

"Optical Computer, commence combat analysis now!" Maeda Atsuko ordered.

The computer instantly collected all available nearby data and began formulating a battle assessment.

"Eight patrol members are blocking the exit ahead, with fourteen more following closely behind. The power output of their right-hand weapons is unknown. The room we just escaped appears to be charging an energy weapon; it is currently powering up. The optimal solution is to breach the wall at the three o'clock position. Escape success rate is over ninety percent."

A hole opened on the shoulder of the mech controlled by Maeda Atsuko. A silver-white cannon barrel extended from the opening. With a flash of white light, an energy shell shot out, blasting a large opening in the wall at the three o'clock position. The energy of this blast was precisely calibrated, creating just enough space for her to pass through, wasting no energy whatsoever.

Maeda Atsuko charged out of the laboratory, finding the area outside in an uproar—people running and shouting everywhere, and two unidentified flying objects appearing in the sky.

"The target has reacted. Mission success probability is now zero. Recommend immediate withdrawal," the optical computer analyzed.

Maeda Atsuko felt immense reluctance. So close to securing core secrets, only to fail inexplicably—the feeling was intensely frustrating. Nevertheless, she decided to heed the computer's advice. Energy vents opened at the mech’s feet, rapidly spewing thrust. The high-tech mech shot skyward, soaring away from the Starry Sky Research Institute.

Just as the giant mech ascended, several brilliant laser beams shot out from various points within the Research Institute. These lasers struck the ascending mech, causing it to tumble several times before crashing back onto the ground.

"Enemy employing laser weaponry detected. Zero possibility of escape via air. Recommend utilizing ground structures for cover and retreating via the surface. Recommend activating the protective shield and assigning energy management control to me," the optical computer quickly concluded.

Maeda Atsuko immediately adopted the counsel. The high-tech mech struggled up from the ground. With a few rapid strides, it rushed clear of the Research Institute’s perimeter, plunging into the adjacent 'Sky City' area, instantly leaving the closing patrol personnel behind.

"Caution, laser attacks incoming from the sky! Immediately sidestep 45 degrees left, then perform a backward leap," the optical computer warned.

Unfortunately, the laser weapons were too fast. Maeda Atsuko couldn't react in time and was struck by a laser fired from a VTOL fighter overhead. The mech spun, slid across the ground for some distance, and finally came to a halt.

"Energy Cannon 12, prepare to fire! Launch!" Maeda Atsuko initiated a counterattack.

The energy cannon on the mech’s shoulder reappeared, launching an energy projectile toward the VTOL fighter in the sky. The Lingqi wave radar on the fighter detected the incoming attack, and two beams of high-energy laser fire shot out, striking the energy projectile precisely. They cancelled each other out mid-air; neither weapon could overpower the other.