# Chapter 3096: Methods to Counter Hyperdimensional Power
Xu Huo remained silent for two seconds after hearing this before saying, "Did you specifically wait for me to come to the island, or are you monitoring this place at all times?"
This was a trap question—the bookworm's answer could indirectly reveal a lot of information.
But the text on the terminal screen flickered twice, and the final response was: "No comment."
Wasn't he willing to negotiate just a moment ago?
The attitude changed in an instant—using people when they're useful and discarding them when they're not.
However, Xu Huo didn't dwell on this matter and instead asked, "How long will it take to obtain the data?"
"At least half an hour," the bookworm replied. "This type of terminal is equipped with an intelligent entity, presumably with multiple layers of encryption, and there may also be multiple sub-entities. To avoid triggering alarms, it's best to bypass them all."
Triggering an alarm meant the terminal risked self-destruction, and cutting off the information channel would make it impossible to remotely control the hyperdimensional instruments.
The bookworm was clearly a better cooperation partner than the Inspection Department.
"Can you calculate the location of the hyperdimensional instruments?" he asked again.
"Not difficult, but it can only be done after successfully bypassing the intelligent entity," the bookworm said. "I can give you the location of the Non-Game Area Simulator right now."
"It should be deep in the ocean," Xu Huo said. "Even if I know, it's hard for me to leave the island."
There were also small hyperdimensional instruments on the island.
"The small hyperdimensional instruments are deployed at high altitude, far above the island's blockade barrier, and are controlled separately by another intelligent entity. Intervening would require more time," the bookworm said. "However, the single-target lock range of the small hyperdimensional instruments is very small, and it's limited to the island's scope."
In other words, as long as he didn't attempt to forcibly leave the island, he generally wouldn't trigger the high-altitude hyperdimensional instruments for a targeted kill, while the two layers of hyperdimensional barriers on the island were mainly used to lock down the entire island when the terminal was threatened.
"If you can't bypass it, wouldn't I be unable to leave?" Xu Huo asked.
"If I can't bypass the intelligent entity, I'll first cut off its self-destruction program. Even if the hyperdimensional instrument's lockdown activates, I can shut down the instrument before Alton Corporation's people arrive, buying you a chance to escape," the bookworm said with conviction.
"That sounds a bit unreliable. Are you sure you can terminate the self-destruction program?" Xu Huo said. "I don't want to end up with hyperdimensional weapons aimed at me from above, or have the entire island flattened by the hyperdimensional barrier."
"Do you have a way to counter hyperdimensional space power?"
"To counter one type of energy, you need either the same type or another type of energy of equivalent magnitude or with a suppression advantage," the bookworm replied. "Currently, very few players in the game world possess such an ability."
Xu Huo's gaze shifted slightly. "So there is one?"
"That's an additional price," the bookworm said bluntly. "But rather than directly confronting uncontrollable hyperdimensional power, my suggestion is to run faster. Being fast enough is also a coping strategy—most super players choose this option."
Xu Huo ignored this and instead asked, "Time power passing through hyperdimensional space randomly changes direction. What about curved time? Curved time can make a space return to the past. If it returns to before the hyperdimensional instrument activated, wouldn't that count as countering the hyperdimensional instrument?"
"The range that curved time can cover is unknown and undetermined, and the duration is unknown and undetermined. It doesn't truly count as countering the hyperdimensional instrument," the bookworm said, without completely dismissing this method.
Xu Huo felt somewhat reassured, along with a sense of resignation—as expected.
"Then let's try it," he said. "Let's see if my luck is good enough, and if you're really as capable as you claim."
Half an hour wasn't long, but even if Xu Huo didn't seek trouble, he couldn't stop others from coming to him.
Probably thinking he had rested enough, the company's players kept approaching him, trying to force him into the arena.
The spire was only so big now, and there was nowhere to hide. Xu Huo simply used the nearby players to lure the company's people into the arena—fighting was fighting, and fighting with others was the same.
After three nearby company employees were diverted by other players, Xu Huo had some peace and quiet. He pretended to be considering forcibly breaking into the tower, looking around to observe.
This was normal—since his points would go up and then come back down, he might as well think about something practical.
But not long after, Yilan and Bai Po arrived near the spire, their points already exceeding fifty thousand.
Xu Huo stopped them first, intending to buy some time.
Whether it was Yilan's data theft or Bai Po's direct destruction of the terminal instruments, both would interfere with the bookworm and could easily trigger the hyperdimensional blockade barrier. With the precedent in mind, they should hold off for now.
Bai Po was very surprised to see Xu Huo's points even lower than before. After hearing his explanation, he fell silent. He also knew someone was toying with Xu Huo—perhaps to reduce combat power, perhaps for other purposes. In any case, entering the tower would require some effort.
"Then what do you plan to do?" Yilan asked, worried he might flip the table or escape through the underground passage. Neither option was very safe, because even if he left the island underground, he couldn't get through the outer blockade barrier, and forcing his way might activate the hyperdimensional instruments, locking down the entire island.
Hearing this, Xu Huo didn't answer but instead asked, "Do you really have no way to leave?"
His expression was still calm, but precisely because of this, Yilan couldn't feel at ease. She couldn't read his emotions, so naturally she couldn't judge what he planned to do next—he was an uncontrollable factor.
"You can come with us," she relented.
Xu Huo roughly understood. The Inspection Department either had an inside agent or outside support. Perhaps they had already arranged for someone near the island, waiting for someone to complete the mission and come out. To send the data out, they only needed someone to briefly shut down the hyperdimensional instruments outside the island.
Perhaps the Inspection Department's people had already started trying to remotely intervene, just like the bookworm.
He looked at Bai Po. "What do you think?"
Bai Po truly hadn't expected Yilan and her group to make such an offer. The Inspection Department wasn't exactly a charitable organization—would they actually save a stranger?
"Easy to say, but whether it'll be fulfilled..." He deliberately paused.
Yilan remained expressionless. "I can only do this much and can't give any other guarantees. If you don't believe me, I can't help it. You can do whatever you think is best, but if you can live, why not live?"
"Our goals are actually the same. To strike hard at Alton and those behind the scenes, the best way is to obtain those materials."
"So you might as well wait. If I get results, you might even see the outcome you want without lifting a finger."
"Regardless of our original intentions, what everyone wants is roughly the same."
Whether it was revenge, venting anger, or internal struggles within the district government, Alton Corporation, caught in the middle, definitely wouldn't come out well.