Chapter Thirty: Crisis on the Defensive Line

The private jet soared through the clouds, racing toward the city that housed the headquarters of the Shen Group. Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was heavy; Shen Qingwan and Zhao Ming kept their heads bowed over their data analysis reports, their brows tightly furrowed.

"The core data we intercepted in Prague has revealed only the tip of the iceberg," Zhao Ming said, placing a complex structural diagram on the table. "The Abyss Consortium has deployed multiple technical nodes globally. These nodes are interconnected, with the ultimate goal of infiltrating the Zero-Carbon City central control system."

"It’s like a massive spiderweb," Shen Qingwan added. "We’ve only destroyed one corner, while the true core remains hidden in the deeper shadows."

Xu Yunchuan spoke in a low, steady voice: "Kane’s goal was never mere technical sabotage, but total control. If they succeed in seizing the Zero-Carbon City central system, all our efforts will have been in vain."

Zhao Ming nodded. "Their next move will likely be a large-scale technical assault to paralyze our system defenses entirely."

"We must complete a full reinforcement of the system before they launch their attack," Xu Yunchuan said, his gaze as sharp as a torch. "This will be a defensive battle like no other."

***

**Emergency Meeting**

After the plane landed, Xu Yunchuan headed straight for the headquarters' command center. On the massive holographic screen, the core nodes of the global Zero-Carbon City project were marked with blinking red dots, indicating they were facing potential cyber threats.

"Attention, everyone!" Xu Yunchuan stood before the command console, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. "The Abyss Consortium’s all-out attack could begin at any moment. We must finish reinforcing the system in the shortest time possible."

Zhao Ming took over: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is not just a technical skirmish; it is a battle for our very survival. If any single node is breached, it could trigger a chain reaction, leading to the collapse of the entire Zero-Carbon City system."

The technical team immediately threw themselves into the reinforcement work. The sound of red alarms echoed through the hall, signaling that various nodes were under constant probing and assault.

"Mr. Xu, our defensive walls are being tested incessantly, and the enemy's attack intensity is steadily increasing," a technical lead reported anxiously.

"Hold every node; do not let them find a breakthrough," Xu Yunchuan commanded coldly.

***

**Kane’s Conspiracy**

Meanwhile, in the secret command center of the Abyss Consortium, Kane stood before a console, sneering as he watched the data streams on the screen.

"Xu Yunchuan, how long will your defense system hold this time?" Kane waved his hand dismissively. "Initiate code name: Abyss Storm."

A technician struck the enter key, and the infiltration nodes across the globe began their synchronized assault. A massive torrent of data surged toward the core system of the Zero-Carbon City—like an invisible hurricane—aiming to dismantle every defensive mechanism.

"Lock onto the Zero-Carbon City central control system. Keep applying pressure until their defense system collapses," Kane said with a cold laugh.

***

**The Battle Begins**

The screens in the Shen Group’s command center suddenly turned red, and countless alarms blared in unison.

"They have launched a full-scale assault! All core nodes are suffering from high-intensity data bombardment!" the technician’s voice was filled with dread.

Zhao Ming immediately stepped forward, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "Activate the Level 3 firewall, cut off all non-essential external interfaces, and divert the load to the backup servers!"

"Their attack intensity is still rising!" the technical lead shouted.

"Deploy the Deep Blue Shield!" Zhao Ming ordered calmly.

"Deep Blue Shield activated, but we can only hold for three hours at most!" the technician reported.

"We must locate the source of their attack. Only by destroying the source node can we stop this catastrophe," Shen Qingwan said.

"Zhao Ming, can you lock onto the source?" Xu Yunchuan asked, his voice grave.

"The attack signals are encrypted through multiple relays, and the source location keeps shifting. I need time to trace it," Zhao Ming replied, sweat beading on his forehead.

"You have the time. Everyone else, hold the line!" Xu Yunchuan shouted.

***

**A Breakthrough**

Just as the defense system struggled to hold on, the attack intensity reached its limit at a specific node.

"Report! A vulnerability has appeared in the Zero-Carbon City Asian core node! The enemy is attempting to inject malicious code!" the technician reported in terror.

"Seal that node immediately! Cut off all external connections!" Zhao Ming roared.

However, the intensity of the attack was too great; the defensive barrier of the Asian node was rapidly crumbling.

"They are using quantum algorithms for the attack! This is the most advanced encryption-breaking technology available!" Zhao Ming said, shocked.

"If the Asian node is breached, the enemy will infiltrate the central hub directly," Shen Qingwan said, her face pale.

"Zhao Ming, divert all backup server resources to the Asian node. We must hold it!" Xu Yunchuan issued his final command.

***

**Zhao Ming’s Breakthrough**

Zhao Ming’s fingers danced across the keyboard as lines of code flashed across the screen.

"I need five more minutes to lock onto the source of the attack!" Zhao Ming gritted his teeth.

"Hurry! We are out of time!" Xu Yunchuan’s eyes were piercing.

Just then, the red warning light for the Asian node suddenly turned yellow, and the attack intensity seemed to subside.

"Are they retreating?" Shen Qingwan asked, puzzled.

Zhao Ming’s expression changed. "They aren't retreating; they’re shifting their target—they are concentrating all fire on the central control hub!"

***

**The Final Line of Defense**

The command center fell into a dead silence as everyone stared at the red dot flickering on the screen—the Zero-Carbon City central control hub.

"They want to deliver a fatal blow," Xu Yunchuan said in a low voice.

Zhao Ming suddenly looked up, his eyes resolute. "I found it! The source of the attack is an isolated data center in the Arctic!"

"The Arctic?" Shen Qingwan frowned. "There’s no human activity there."

"It’s a relay station connected via satellite network. They’ve built an attack control center there," Zhao Ming explained.

"Deploy our international resources immediately and pinpoint that Arctic data center," Xu Yunchuan ordered coldly.

***

**The Storm Approaches**

Night shrouded the city, and the core system of the Zero-Carbon City continued to suffer under relentless assault.

"Zhao Ming, the Arctic node has been locked. Now, it is time for our counterattack," Xu Yunchuan stood before the command console, his gaze steady.

"I have begun injecting a counter-program; I’m preparing to feed their attack right back to them," Zhao Ming said, his tone icy.

"The Arctic..." Shen Qingwan whispered. "This war has crossed all borders."

"It is time to end this," Xu Yunchuan looked into the distance, his eyes burning with the fire of battle.

A global technical counter-offensive was about to be ignited in the frozen Arctic. The ultimate gamble for energy hegemony had entered the final countdown.