Chapter 54: The Forward Base

Despite Zhao Juandu’s words and acknowledgment of his own genius and capability, Qian Ye remained pessimistic. No matter how miraculous that super-grade crystal might be, it was ultimately an external object. For one pursuing the supreme and pure realm of a Heavenly King, any external assistance meant the path was severed. Perhaps attaining the rank of a Divine General is a dream for many, but for Zhao Juandu, anything short of a Heavenly King would be a failure.

Had Zhao Juandu not ventured into White City that day, he would not have sustained injuries to his foundation.

Song Zining broke the somber atmosphere, steering the conversation elsewhere. “What is this base for? Why such a commotion?”

Zhao Juandu replied, “It’s no harm in telling you. In any case, it won’t remain a secret for long. This is the advance base prepared by the Empire for the new world. Due to the urgency, we are using a wartime mode.”

“News about the new world?” Qian Ye perked up his ears.

Zhao Juandu nodded. “We finally got some concrete information from the Evernight side. When the new world opens, many continents will see portals appearing, similar to the Great Vortex. According to the calculations of the Diviners, there will be a portal in this region on Qin Continent. Therefore, the Empire decided to build a base here in advance, just in case.”

“If there are so many portals, what are the big shots of Evernight doing?”

“They must be opening the doors.”

Hearing this, Qian Ye and Song Zining understood. Song Zining said, “Meaning when this portal opens, we may encounter strong Dark Race forces inside.”

“Indeed.”

A shadow of worry crossed Song Zining’s face as he sighed, “They beat us to it this time.”

Since the new world’s gates would be opened by the Dark Races, the first wave of powerful entities entering would naturally be from the Evernight. By the time other entrances opened, allowing the Empire to enter, they would already be at a disadvantage.

Zhao Juandu, however, was unperturbed. “No need to regret. From the information we have, the Evernight has been preparing for the new world for a thousand years. But all secrets are held by the supreme beings on the Sacred Mountain, and only they can sense the moment the gates open. We can’t compete with them on that. However, like the Great Vortex, it’s not worth worrying over short-term gains and losses.”

Zhao Juandu then inquired about Qian Ye’s progress in Yong Continent. Upon learning that the most critical aid came from Empress Li, he was surprised. However, Empress Li’s actions were always enigmatic. Despite their youth, the three discussed for a long time but couldn’t figure out why she had taken such an interest in Qian Ye. Song Zining’s expression remained natural, concealing any hints of his thoughts.

Qian Ye’s progress in Yong Continent went smoothly, and Zhao Juandu had little advice to offer. Within his authority, he ordered a batch of weapons and equipment to be delivered to Yong Continent. Given Empress Li’s precedent, no one could criticize this move. Additionally, it wasn’t a freebie; Qian Ye would compensate with various mineral resources from Yong Continent, with a repayment period of up to three years. This arrangement also fell under normal trade with third parties.

This greatly alleviated Qian Ye’s urgent needs. The Empire, with its millennia of accumulation, wasn’t in a rush and could maximize the value of these rare minerals by storing and gradually using them. This deal was a win-win for both sides.

This base was one of the Empire’s recent top-secret war preparations. Although Zhao Juandu was in charge, Song Zining and Qian Ye couldn’t stay long. After their conversation, they prepared to leave.

As they were about to depart, an officer ran up and said, “Sir Juandu, there’s a top-secret report!”

“Proceed.”

The officer glanced at Qian Ye and Song Zining, reminding softly, “Sir, this is a top-level classified report. It can only be reviewed by you alone, with no one else present.”

Ignoring the warning, Zhao Juandu took the sealed document, broke the force seal, scanned through it, and mused thoughtfully.

The officer dared not challenge him and stood awkwardly to the side.

Zhao Juandu looked up and told Qian Ye, “Little Five, be cautious once you return. Some of the high-ranking officials don’t plan to let the Evernight easily open the new world’s gates and are determined to interfere. Regardless of success or failure, this will likely provoke a strong reaction from the Dark Races. Zining will be safe within the Empire, but you should be careful out there.”

Qian Ye replied, “Yong Continent is remote and barren. Sending a large army there wouldn’t be worthwhile. If only a few powerful individuals come, I am not afraid.”

“That’s good.”

Zhao Juandu didn’t detain them further and had someone escort Qian Ye and Song Zining to the airship. He then returned to oversee the base construction. As he left, Qian Ye felt an inexplicable unease.

In the deep void, an old and battered airship raced. It flew steadily and swiftly, far beyond what a typical old cargo ship could manage, clearly camouflaged.

Circling around a group of outer islands, it landed discreetly at the edge of Twilight Continent, shielded by the unoccupied floating islands. Several people disembarked, one wearing a hooded cloak, their face hidden in shadow, their aura suppressed to near invisibility, even concealing their race. The others were human.

A middle-aged man handed a tightly sealed wooden box to the mysterious person, saying, “Do you remember how and when to activate it?”

“I remember.”

“Good, don’t disappoint us.”

The others returned to the airship, leaving the mysterious person behind. The airship took off, and as it disappeared, the mysterious person revealed a pair of blood-red eyes—clearly, a Blood Clan.

Once the airship vanished, he lowered his hood and quickly disappeared into the undulating mountains of Twilight Continent.

On the outskirts of Twilight Continent, an ancient and elegant castle stood atop a sheer cliff, overlooking the vast plains below. The cliffs bore the marks of wind and frost, yet ancient vines and small trees clung tenaciously. Beneath the traces of time, remnants of past wars were still visible, with some sword and blade marks stretching for dozens of meters.

Dixius Castle, one of the oldest and most famous castles on Twilight Continent, had been the frontline in numerous battles between the Blood Clan and other Dark Races during the Age of Strife.

When the humans awakened to the power of dawn, the Founding Emperor led them out of Twilight Continent, capturing Dixius Castle and repeatedly repelling the pursuing Blood Clans, enabling half of the rebelling humans to escape and lay the foundations of the Great Qin.

At this moment, the castle, rich with history, was filled with fully armed elite Blood Clan warriors, each patrol led by a titled noble, with security at its highest.

This was unusual. Since the awakening humans drove out of Twilight Continent, the region had seen little conflict. In the last millennium, disputes between Dark Races rarely spilled onto the Blood Clan’s core territory, more often occurring on mixed-inhabited lower and mid-level continents. Normally, only a few warriors garrisoned Dixius Castle, but now, the number had increased tenfold.

The main building exuded a grim aura, making the Blood Clan warriors tremble with fear. The presence of a higher-ranking Blood Clan naturally intimidated the lower ones.

The Blood Clan warriors here, from twelve ancient clans, had superior bloodlines. Yet, within several meters of the main building, no patrol was in sight, and even titled nobles only appeared briefly, wary of lingering. The bloodline suppression inside was terrifying.

The apparent lack of guards wasn’t a problem. Anyone foolish enough to infiltrate the main building at this time would be truly courting death.

The main building had four floors, with a grand hall on the ground floor and a lattice structure on the top, supported by giant columns. Only the second and third floors were habitable. The second floor housed Counts and Viscounts, while the third, spacious yet containing only three rooms, was occupied. Count Pinoth, the original lord of Dixius, had to settle on the second floor.

The residents of the third floor, despite suppressing their auras, still exerted an oppressive presence, making it hard to breathe.

A Viscount hurried into the main building, ascending to the third floor, and carefully identified the family crest before knocking.

“Enter.” A cold, clear voice responded, and the heavy bronze door opened on its own.

The Viscount entered a spacious living room, where every piece of furniture and decoration was at least a century old, exquisitely crafted and intricately adorned without being overly dense. On a large sofa sat a black-clad Blood Clan girl, engrossed in a thick, ancient tome, not even glancing up.

The Viscount’s heart rate quickened, and his breathing grew rough. Yet, he maintained control, avoiding rudeness.

This girl, though considered one of the most beautiful Blood Clans, rivaling the Night Queen in appearance, was also known for her terrifying power. A single finger could crush a dozen Viscounts.

“Princess Nighteye, a Viscount from the lower continent claims to be your kinsman and wishes to see you.”

Nighteye continued reading, “Lower continent, my kinsman? Which branch is he from?”

“No, he says he’s from the Evernight.”

“Evernight?” Nighteye lifted her head, pondering. “Let him in.”

Moments later, a disheveled Blood Clan Viscount with pale, lifeless eyes and a sunken gaze appeared before Nighteye. His state suggested a difficult existence.

He stared at Nighteye for a moment before realizing his rudeness and quickly lowering his head. “Are you Princess Nighteye?”

A flicker of red in Nighteye’s eyes caught his reflection. Amid the stale, bloody scent, she found a familiar trace, resonating with a distant memory, reawakening the slumbering part of her pre-awakening self.

“How is the territory… now?” Nighteye asked.