Chapter 1 The Roar

Boom!!!!

The entire stadium was shaking!

Despite the theatrical antics of the genius teenager Kevin Walker, the entertainment value was off the charts!

In this already tense competition, his words ignited the entire stadium. A wave of sound from 80,000 American spectators rose and fell, reverberating endlessly.

"Holy crap! A master! A master!"

"A genius! A true genius! He really pulled it off this time!"

In the Bluetooth earpiece, VV's excitement and exhilaration were no less than those of the Americans in the stadium. Her shouting almost shattered Lin Xian's eardrums.

Lin Xian grimaced, quickly pressing the earpiece to his ear and rubbing it. He covered his mouth with his hand and whispered,

"Why are you shouting so loudly!"

"Too cool! Really too cool! Genius! So genius! Lin Xian, I want to play too, I want to play too! You should act cool like that later! I've even thought of the lines for you. Just say later—"

"Shut up, stop yapping."

Lin Xian turned his back and whispered,

"VV, get down to business. Have you figured out how to stop Kevin Walker from attacking the Tianwang System?"

"Don't worry, I arranged it yesterday."

In the earpiece, VV regained her composure.

"My method is similar to Kevin Walker's, using his own methods against him! Wasn't Kevin trying to completely surround us, so tightly that I couldn't escape and leaving a trace of everything I did? I immediately thought of how to deal with this arrogant genius teenager, which is why I had you come to America—"

"According to the rules of the World Hacker Competition, all attacks must be launched from the competition site, without relying on external forces. So Kevin Walker will definitely issue instructions from the computer across from us in the stadium. Isn't that simple?"

"He uses black hands to surround us, not letting me out… then I'll directly surround America, not letting him out either! If his command signals can't be sent out of America, how can he attack the Internet Security Great Wall?】"

"You don't have to worry about exposure. I'm being very discreet. I've already laid the groundwork in America's major power systems and network systems. When the final free demonstration segment begins, and Kevin Walker launches his hacking program… I will use physical means to cut off the power or internet at the points where America's internet transmits externally, so that his instructions stay obediently in America, not a single character will get out!"

…

After hearing VV's plan, Lin Xian felt relieved. He turned around with an unchanged expression, looking at the hoodie-clad teenager walking towards the competition seat on the opposite side of the stage amidst the revelry.

VV's move was a bit rogue, but very effective.

As expected of a super artificial intelligence, her mind was still very sharp.

Lin Xian gradually realized that VV's way of solving problems was indeed different from straightforward computer programs. She really seemed like a human—

You surround me and don't let me out? Then I'll carry a laptop and sneak out of the country!

I don't know what vulnerabilities you're going to use to attack the Tianwang System, but I'll directly cut off the power and internet at the American internet border nodes! I won't even let your signals get out!

Lin Xian couldn't help but think of the jokes netizens made online—

The most high-level business warfare is to pour boiling water on the other company's money tree.

The most invincible hacker is to pull the plug and unplug the network cable.

Moreover.

VV thought very meticulously and had thoroughly studied the rules of the World Hacker Competition.

First.

She couldn't directly intercept and attack Kevin Walker at the competition site. This would violate the competition rules, and secondly, it would easily expose her.

They were very close to Kevin Walker now, and Kevin Walker was also very close to them. They were just within eyesight, and both sides could easily pinpoint the attack point.

Second.

Also because of the rules of the competition, Kevin Walker's attack had to be launched from here, otherwise it would be judged as invalid.

His purpose in coming here was to show off his skills. As arrogant and self-confident as he was, he would certainly not engage in sneaky attacks behind the scenes. That would be too degrading and disgraceful.

Once you leave this competition, no one cares if you don't act according to the rules of Jianghu.

But since you've come to this stage, you must abide by the rules of the competition. This applies to everyone, especially Kevin Walker, who is so high-profile and pays attention to the sense of ritual, he wouldn't allow any flaws in his grand performance.

Finally.

VV's plan not only concealed herself very well, but also concealed Lin Xian very well.

What did the faults in America's power system and network system have to do with Lin Xian on the scene? He was just an innocent bystander. His purpose in coming here was just to hack a Tesla car, "innocent and weak".

Moreover, although VV couldn't break through Kevin Walker's black hands silently, it was easy for her to perform some operations on the American power system and network system silently. Kevin's black hands were all concentrated outside the Internet Great Wall, VV was already in a free state in America.

Even if the United States investigates the sudden shutdown of those internet nodes afterwards… they won't be able to trace it back to him or VV.

"Good plan."

Lin Xian praised softly.

"It seems that after these ten days of learning and iterative evolution, you have indeed become smarter than before. If you, who were just born a few days ago, could only be said to be a young VV, then you now should be considered a teenage VV. You have indeed grown and become stronger."

"Hehehehehehehehe…" A scalp-tingling laughter came from the Bluetooth earpiece:

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, don't bully the young and poor!"

"…"

Lin Xian sighed.

"Still, learn something serious, VV, don't always learn these rotten jokes," he complained.

…

Soon.

The 2023 World Hacker Competition began.

The competition proceeded in an orderly manner. Each team demonstrated their unique skills. Some found vulnerabilities in the Android system, some cracked the latest Apple phone system, some cracked Microsoft's firewall, some hacked Google's homepage…

These parts were no different from previous hacker competitions.

Because they were all pre-selected vulnerabilities and pre-written programs, these events proceeded very quickly. They usually took a few seconds at most, or a few minutes at most, to produce results.

These successful hackers received applause and prize money provided by sponsors; at the same time, they also provided these vulnerabilities to the hacked companies free of charge in accordance with the competition regulations, so that they could repair them in time and consolidate network security.

In the end.

The teams with the highest scores were the Dragon Country team and the United States team.

This was no surprise.

Because other teams were sent by major internet companies or non-governmental hacker organizations to win prize money and show off their skills, while the Dragon Country and the United States sent national teams!

Although the national team doesn't consist entirely of government officials, the selected members are definitely the top computer talents in the country, and their strength will inevitably crush the miscellaneous troops of other teams.

Therefore, in the free demonstration session, other teams basically gave up directly.

Because there was no prize money in this segment, and with Kevin Walker present, there was no possibility of winning.

Smart hackers would choose to keep these vulnerabilities for the next competition or other competitions to win prize money. There was no need to waste them here.

After all…

Hackers also need to eat!

Either eat honest meals, or eat prison meals, you have to choose one.

Lin Xian turned his head and looked at the scoreboard on the big screen.

Currently, the United States leads Dragon Country with a slight advantage, ranking first.

Adding the scores from the final free demonstration segment, the final hacker competition champion would be settled.

Whether it was the team leader or the previous four members, no one had any hope for Lin Xian, and they all comforted him:

"Relax, everyone knows you're bound to lose. But we certainly can't give up, that would be too laughable. Just go up there and perform a bit, don't feel any pressure."

"Yeah, yeah, to be honest, it's tough for you. You're arranged to be the fifth player, facing Kevin Walker who is sure to win, but the country's considerations are multifaceted, please understand."

"The outcome of this competition is not important to us at all. Since 2017, our Dragon Country has never won the World Hacker Competition. It's not that we don't have the strength, but we just don't think it's necessary, it's not worth the loss."

"The real victory or defeat is not here, the real victory or defeat is on the other side of the Internet Security Great Wall! As long as we can defend the Great Wall and not let Kevin Walker successfully invade the Tianwang System, that means we have won! As for the champion of the competition here… it's meaningless, no one cares."

…

Lin Xian also nodded and shook hands with the senior elder brothers.

He didn't care about winning or losing in the first place.

His purpose in coming here wasn't to win or lose.

As that elder brother said, if Dragon Country can defend against Kevin Walker's attack on the Tianwang System, that would be the real victory. What is the champion here…

The team leader went up to draw lots.

The United States team will demonstrate first, and Dragon Country will demonstrate later.

That is, Kevin Walker will go on first, and then Lin Xian will go on.

"VV, get ready."

Lin Xian lowered his head and said softly.

"Don't worry, Lin Xian, I've been ready for a long time. The moment he issues the instructions, many network nodes hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from here will experience short-term power outages and internet outages. The time will be very short, it won't cause any major impact, just need to let Kevin Walker's data instructions be lost."

After listening to VV's report.

Lin Xian raised his head and, along with the surrounding team members and team leader… looked at the genius teenager whose face was covered by a hoodie on the other side of the competition stage.

Someone in the audience took the lead.

The entire venue began to chant slogans in unison! It became agitated!

According to the competition rules, it is necessary to remain silent at this time.

But the unified sound wave of the 80,000-person venue had already started, and the momentum was so great that it couldn't be stopped at all.

And that genius teenager seemed to be enjoying this cheering very much.

He raised his right hand high!

And then…

Pressed the Enter key!

…

National Security Command Center.

"Is the attack coming?"

"It's coming! But the number is very small, much less than we expected, we can defend it!"

The technicians were on high alert, nervously watching all kinds of data:

"Fortunately, all the vulnerabilities that were ambushed before have been blocked, otherwise if they explode all at once… we really can't defend it!"

"Director Liu An guessed right, those vulnerabilities were just feints, Kevin Walker's purpose was not here at all, he was hiding other vulnerabilities, what he is attacking now are those new vulnerabilities. But… the attack power is much weaker than we imagined?"

"Although this is good news, we can't take it lightly! Be serious! Stay vigilant!"

…

United States, New Jersey Stadium, World Hacker Competition site.

The 80,000-person audience that was originally cheering and howling gradually became quiet, and the sound became smaller and smaller.

What's going on?

They didn't hear the good news they were expecting, the news that they had successfully invaded the Tianwang System.

And Kevin Walker, the genius hacker who was still very calm and acting cool just now, actually started typing furiously on the keyboard, obviously caught in a fierce battle!

On the competition seat side.

Lin Xian pressed the Bluetooth earpiece:

"VV, how's the situation?"

"99.56% of the attack instructions have been intercepted, but… some still leaked, physical equipment is not absolutely reliable, sometimes the timing of power outages and internet outages is affected by various factors, and there is even a device that is aging and directly crashed… There's nothing I can do, I had to cut off the power to the entire city."

In the Bluetooth earpiece, VV's voice was calm and composed.

"If I were to intercept on the scene, I could definitely intercept 100% of it, but we're trying to be safe and not be exposed, right? Kevin Walker's thinking is really amazing, I really realize more and more that I underestimated him…"

"But don't worry, their information security department can handle the leaked attack instructions. There is a time limit for the free demonstration session of the hacker competition, so Kevin Walker has no power to recover, he doesn't have time to think of a new way."

Speaking of this, VV smiled:

"Lin Xian, congratulations on winning the World Hacker Competition! He won't get a single point like this, and you can get 17 points for hacking the Tesla car, which will lead the Dragon Country team to overtake in one fell swoop!"

Lin Xian chuckled lightly, just about to say something—

At this moment!

Kevin Walker on the opposite side of the stage took out a USB flash drive from his pocket!

Plugged it into the computer!

Lin Xian frowned.

What is he doing?

VV guarded the border of the American internet, confirming that no information instructions could escape from the United States, so what was Kevin Walker busy with?

Could there be other attack methods?

Suddenly…

Lin Xian recalled Kevin Walker's gesture when he appeared, raising his right index finger high, pointing straight at the sky, like the emblem of the genius club!

"The sky… there's still the sky!"

He looked up at the sky!

However, it was too late—

An announcement message flashed simultaneously on the big screens on both sides of the stadium—

Beidou satellite RD12142658 breached!]

Boom!!!!

The 80,000 people in the New Jersey Stadium erupted in unprecedented applause and cheers!

Although Kevin Walker did not breach the Tianwang System, which was a pity, he successfully hacked an opponent's navigation system satellite!

This was also unprecedented!

According to the rules of the hacker competition, hacking a national-level satellite can earn 80 points!

It also directly locked in the victory!

"Kevin!" "Kevin!" "Kevin!" "Kevin!" "Kevin!" "Kevin!"…

The open-air venue shouted the name of this genius hacker! Celebrating his undisputed victory!

"Sorry, Lin Xian."

In the Bluetooth earpiece, VV was a little disappointed.

"I've been afraid of exposing my existence and traces, so I don't dare to get too close, and I don't dare to call too much computing power… For me at this stage, surrounding the American internet border is already the limit. By the time I realized that he would use Starlink satellites to bypass the ground network and directly hack the Beidou satellite from outer space, it was too late."

"Kevin Walker knows the vulnerability of SpaceX's Starlink system, directly hacked into the satellite network, and then used more than 20,000 Starlink satellites in Earth's orbit to quickly transmit signals in space, hacking into the Beidou navigation satellite in space orbit."

"I'm still too weak, this is the first time… I suddenly want to grow up faster."

"It's okay, VV," Lin Xian comforted.

"After all, we are fighting on the opponent's territory. It's already very good to be able to do this without being exposed. As you said, in the hacker field, attack is much simpler than defense, and I also know that there is no way to guard against thieves for a thousand days."

"Besides, successfully defending the Dragon Country Internet Great Wall and defending the Tianwang System has already achieved our goal. Although it's a bit of wishful thinking to say so… but in reality, we have already won."

At this time.

The Dragon Country team leader and team members next to them were also happily high-fiving and celebrating.

An elder brother came over, patted Lin Xian on the shoulder and smiled:

"The Beidou satellites starting with RD are for civilian use, don't be too nervous. Although I don't know what happened, this must be Kevin Walker's last resort after he really couldn't breach the Dragon Country Internet Great Wall."

"He actually lost, according to the competition rules, this Beidou seven-star security vulnerability must be publicly provided to our Dragon Country. There are still certain commonalities in the program aspects of military and civilian use… Kevin did this, although he steadily won this hacker competition, it is equivalent to giving our country a very important security vulnerability for free! We should be happy."

The team leader next to him also smiled:

"Yes… although the Beidou satellite he hacked is for civilian use, being able to breach it in such a short time, this vulnerability must be very dangerous. Letting him hand over the vulnerability for free at this time is much better than having our Beidou satellite system hacked when it really comes to a critical moment in the future?"

…

Lin Xian looked at the happy team members and felt relieved.

These professional big shots all think there is no problem, then it is definitely not something to worry about.

The reason why the Americans are cheering is because they think Kevin Walker is already very powerful, hacking a Dragon Country Beidou satellite, and also locked in the champion of this hacker competition in advance.

They think they won!

On the Dragon Country side, they defended the Internet Great Wall, protected the Tianwang System, protected the country and people's safety and privacy, and also got a vulnerability in the Beidou system for free.

They also think they won!

This is probably…

A win-win situation.

The only person who lost in this hacker competition is himself, who is about to take the stage.

The satellite that Kevin Walker hacked added 80 points to the United States team.

He only got 17 points for hacking the Tesla car.

However, so be it if he loses, it's just a champion of a hacker competition. Their trip, whether it was the Dragon Country government or Lin Xian himself, was not for this trophy.

Losing a game is nothing, what is there to it?

Lin Xian didn't care.

…

The cheering that lasted for ten minutes finally subsided.

The host then stepped onto the stage to announce Lin Xian's appearance, entering the free demonstration session of the Dragon Country team.

At this time.

The super venue filled with 80,000 people was terrifyingly quiet.

There was no movement at all.

No applause,

No cheering,

No shouts,

No encouragement.

There was nothing.

Lin Xian stood up from the war preparation seat, took big strides, and walked towards the competition seat.

Just then…

Boo————

An impolite booing sound came from the venue.

Boo————

As if there was a tacit understanding, the 80,000-person venue, filled with American spectators, all booed Lin Xian in the middle of the stage!

From all directions,

Front and back,

Up and down,

Full of boos!

Lin Xian looked around.

Looking around in a sea of boos…

The 80,000-person venue was so big, so empty.

Booing can also be so quiet, so noisy.

Boo————

Boo————

A unified, continuous, and long booing sound.

Like heavy seawater, it submerged Lin Xian…

"Lin Xian————Come on————"

In the endless low-pitched booing, suddenly came a loud, encouraging shout!

Clear.

Loud.

Deafening in the midst of the 80,000-person booing in the venue.

In an instant.

The booing surrounding the entire stadium suddenly stopped and disappeared.

Everyone either stood up or turned their heads, looking around, searching for the source of that one shout of encouragement.

The 80,000-person venue was too big…

Too big to drown everything out.

Everyone turned around and around, but couldn't find the location of that shout.

Whoosh!

In the wind, the sound of a piece of cloth unfolding.

At the highest point of the 80,000-person stadium in New Jersey, a square of red fluttered in the wind!

That was the Dragon Country's red flag!

A bright and vibrant Dragon Country red flag!

The eyes of 80,000 people, along with Lin Xian on the stage, all looked towards the direction of the red flag—

A petite and proudly standing Dragon Country girl.

She raised her hands high.

Holding up the Dragon Country red flag fluttering in the wind above her head.

Her fluffy high ponytail swayed in the wind, but her delicate body stood still in the night wind!

"Lin Xian Senior———"

She strained her throat, using all the strength in her life, and shouted at the man in the middle of the stage who was sure to lose:

"Come on!!!!"