This was a rock-core jade book, hastily crafted, bearing only a self-destruct warning on its exterior, with no indication of the recipient. If not for the trace of original force from Ji Tianqing and Li Kuanglan that Qian Ye found on the side, he would have been unsure if the letter was indeed intended for him.
Qian Ye infused a strand of Dawnforce into it, reading the contained message.
The two women mentioned being rescued from the Pool of All Lives and fleeing back to the fortress. Upon their arrival, the fortress was already damaged; from the residual information, it seemed the Imperial forces had already departed the Maelstrom. However, given the Empire’s long-standing presence, the fortress was more than just a building. Beneath it, there existed an even vaster space.
The natives appeared to have merely inflicted mechanical destruction without uncovering the secrets below. In the underground chamber, emergency shuttle components were stored. They assembled a shuttle from the parts, intending to wait for Qian Ye, but another wave of native forces arrived. Reluctantly, they piloted the shuttle to divert the natives and returned to the Empire.
In the underground chamber, sufficient spare parts remained to assemble a new shuttle, along with the assembly diagrams in the basement.
Although the letter did not specify who rescued them, Qian Ye could guess it was likely Qian Ye. Verifying this would be easy once Little Zhuji woke from her slumber.
According to the letter, the Empire seemed to have temporarily abandoned the fortress, planning to reconstruct it once the Maelstrom stabilized. Given the current situation, neither the Empire nor the dark races could establish a foothold against the rampant native forces.
At the end of the message, Ji Tianqing provided instructions to access the underground space. One passage was inside the fortress but sealed from within. Another was in a natural cave outside the fortress.
Qian Ye first brought Little Zhuji back to the fortress, then followed the map to find the entrance in the cave. The passage led to a sturdy iron door, beside which were a series of levers. These levers were linked to a sequence of mechanisms, requiring the correct order to activate and open the door.
Impressed by the ingenuity, Qian Ye opened the door following the sequence and entered the underground space.
The underground area was half-excavated and half-utilized natural cavities. It was well-organized, housing supply storages, a workshop, and an armory. Food was abundant, enough for over a thousand people for three years, indicating the grand ambition of the original builders to move the Imperial army into the Maelstrom and conquer it.
In the component area, several large boxes with clear markings were stored. Ji Tianqing and Li Kuanglan had prepared the necessary parts and left assembly diagrams. Qian Ye only needed to follow the diagrams to assemble the shuttle.
The wooden boxes bore the Imperial military insignia and a striking dark red, signifying the most valuable materials.
Surveying the entire underground base, Qian Ye found few remaining shuttle components. After setting aside those picked by Ji Tianqing, there weren’t enough to build another shuttle. More crucially, only one power engine remained.
The shuttle’s engine was a top-tier Imperial product, compact and powerful, ideal for countering the void channel’s pull. It required a complete workshop system, impossible to produce in the Maelstrom, and could only be brought in from the Empire.
The Maelstrom opened infrequently, with limited entry slots, making supply decisions challenging. Power engines were critical but difficult to prioritize. The fortress had never faced a real threat, making excessive shuttles unnecessary.
If not for the young elites in the Maelstrom, whose loss would be significant, the Empire might not have left even two shuttle spares.
Qian Ye moved the boxes to a flat, natural workspace outside the cave. He opened the boxes, organized the components, and began assembling.
The shuttle was simple, a floating boat for two, with minimal space beyond seating and the engine. The materials were strong and resilient, with each piece enhanced by original force arrays for protection. This simple shuttle was clearly expensive, capable of withstanding the harsh void channel environment.
Assembly was straightforward, and Qian Ye completed it in half a day. Designed for ease of use, the shuttle required only basic diagram reading and sufficient original force levels.
After assembling, Qian Ye stored the boxes and extra tools back in the underground space, carefully erasing all traces of his work to prevent the natives from discovering the hidden passage. This was a necessary precaution, reflecting the wisdom of the Imperial forebears.
He carried Little Zhuji into the shuttle, patting her cheek, “Wake up, we’re going home.”
Little Zhuji opened her eyes drowsily, “Home? Where’s home?”
Looking at her sweet face, Qian Ye felt a pang of guilt. His constant travels had made the concept of home vague. Since Qian Ye’s awakening, home had become even more distant.
Born with mystical abilities, Little Zhuji was overworked by Song Zining, even used as a shield in the City of No Fall. Qian Ye realized he wasn’t much better, using her on the battlefield or leaving her alone.
With a sigh, Qian Ye entered the shuttle, closed the hatch, and infused Dawnforce into the control panel. Lights flickered on, the engine roared, and the shuttle vibrated, rising into the air.
Focusing on the void channel, Qian Ye increased the protective shield’s energy. As the engine roared louder, he maximized the shield and the shuttle sped into the void, vanishing.
This void channel was more stable than the one in the neutral zone. Though the internal spatial forces were strong, the shuttle resisted, the shield gradually weakening but still supporting a long journey.
However, stability was relative. The shuttle jolted like a boat in a storm.
Midway, the storm intensified, and the shield rapidly weakened, disintegrating before reaching the exit.
The shuttle’s design was robust, resisting the void storms while sustaining damage. Knowing the engine was insufficient, Qian Ye channeled his original force through the control panel to reactivate the shield, protecting vital areas.
The shuttle’s small size was advantageous, designed for passenger-provided energy. Qian Ye, with his substantial original force, navigated the storm steadily.
The channel exit finally appeared, and Qian Ye guided the shuttle out like a seabird.
Emerging, the shuttle glided slowly. Recognizing the familiar aura, Qian Ye knew he had returned to the Imperial world.
Outside, a continent floated in the void. Before he could identify it, several Imperial warships approached, surrounding him.
A smaller warship stopped in front, with several strong figures on deck. One called out, “Who is in the shuttle? Identify yourself!”
Caught off guard, Qian Ye replied, “Qian Ye.”
The figure turned and instructed someone, who quickly entered the ship, presumably to relay the message.
Waiting, Qian Ye knew the Empire would secure the exit. Given Ji Tianqing and Li Kuanglan’s status, resolving this should be manageable.
Shortly, an unmarked warship approached, and the others discreetly withdrew. An effeminate elder, pale and beardless, spoke in a low, melodic voice, “General Qian Ye, you’ve returned. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Relieved, Qian Ye boarded the warship with Little Zhuji. Bowing, he asked, “May I know your name?”
“I am Yang, serving the Empress in the palace,” Yang said, presenting a long box, “I bring a message and a gift from the Empress.”
Receiving the box, Qian Ye inquired, “What is this?”
Ignoring the question, Yang continued, “The Empress says you did well and offers you this token. My mission is now complete.”
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