Chapter 128: The Stranger

The elder was swallowed by the deep crimson hall, disappearing in an instant. However, the figure in the black robe did not leave but stood in the center of the hall, asking with evident concern, “Master, are we really going to turn a blind eye to this matter? After all, that passage is still in Zhang Bu Zhou’s hands.”

“Why should we care? In the past, this passage had no value, so it was fine to let Zhang Bu Zhou have it. But now, its value is too great, so much so that he can’t possibly consume it. Even here in the Neutral Zone, Zhang Bu Zhou cannot withstand the combined forces of the Evernight and the Empire.”

The figure in the black robe spoke again, “Master, while what you say is true, for the sake of the broader situation in the Neutral Zone, perhaps we should give him a hand.”

The voice snorted, sounding somewhat lazy, “Broad situation, what broad situation? There is no such thing as a broad situation in the Neutral Zone. Zhang Bu Zhou claims to be challenging the heavens, so let me see how many hurdles he has already cleared.”

Understanding that he could not persuade his master, the figure in the black robe sighed, “Perhaps the Evernight and the Empire will fight first, just like before.”

“Unless the ones who come this time are as foolish as those who came before. Otherwise, they will only start fighting once they get their hands on the passage. In other words, Zhang Bu Zhou must be defeated first.”

“Master, you see clearly.”

The figure in the black robe slowly retreated, and the deep crimson hall once more returned to silence.

That night, when Qian Ye finished his cultivation, the sky was already deep and filled with stars. He looked up into the distance, where the massive Valhalla loomed over the horizon like a mountain range.

Lights flickered across the ship’s hull, twinkling like stars, and workers, tiny like ants, were busily installing pieces of the newly forged grid structure at designated positions.

Almost every day after waking from his cultivation, this sight greeted Qian Ye. At that moment, he suddenly sensed something passing through the starry sky. Looking up, he vaguely saw a deep autumn leaf drifting by. But when he turned to look, the leaf magically disappeared, never to be seen again.

Qian Ye realized that the leaf did not exist; it was an illusion caused by some influence. Without a doubt, this was Song Zi Ning’s doing. After a period of not seeing him, this young master’s abilities had become even more profound and unpredictable. It was strange that although he did not appear to cultivate much and always indulged in eating, drinking, and playing, his cultivation kept pace with Qian Ye, Zhao Jun Du, and others, never falling behind.

Qian Ye knew that the appearance of the leaf was Song Zi Ning’s way of reminding him that the time had come.

Qian Ye rose and walked toward Valhalla. Under his mental call, Valhalla responded with a gentle vibration.

Qing Yue rushed over to meet Qian Ye, saying, “Sir, are we ready to depart?”

“Yes, the time has come. How is the modification progressing?”

“The main cannon is installed, and four additional secondary cannons have been added, with two more being installed. Most of the outer walls are complete, and it will be fully done in a few days. However, the prime force array responsible for supplying energy is still not strong enough, allowing the main cannon to fire only twice before needing half an hour to recharge.” Qing Yue, well-prepared, quickly outlined the current situation.

“Good, the remaining work can be done during the voyage. Have the crew board the ship, and we will depart in half a day.”

“Yes, Sir.”

In the Northern Continent, all were elite, and the preparations were made with unusual speed and order. Despite the tight schedule, all preliminary work was completed, and the necessary materials and equipment were transferred onto the ship, continuing the work during the voyage.

Inside Valhalla, the various functional areas were already demarcated, everything orderly. Though the materials piled up like mountains, the interior still felt empty. Valhalla was truly enormous, capable of housing a small town, and it would take a long time to fully construct. So far, only the framework had been built.

The only area that was somewhat complete was the power vault, a region measuring nearly a hundred meters in length and width, which left Qian Ye quite impressed. This also made him understand the vast energy demands of Valhalla.

Qing Yue did not accompany them, staying behind to command the construction of the ancestral land. Only with the ancestral land built and the Godan temple and totems relocated, would the entire Godan tribe feel a true sense of belonging, considering the Northern Continent their home. The fatigue and worry etched on the face of this girl, burdened with destiny, never faded. With the arrival of more Ning Yuan Heavy Industry personnel and resources, she realized the presence of a formidable opponent. The status of the Godans in the future Northern Continent or under Qian Ye’s system would not be as high as she had envisioned.

In the early morning, Valhalla slowly ascended, leaving the Northern Continent and flying towards the vast Eastern Sea.

Qian Ye left Valhalla hovering near the continent and flew alone to South Azure. This required a short trip through the void, a life-or-death challenge for anyone below the level of a divine general. However, Qian Ye, relying on his powerful ancient bloodline, could resist the void’s erosion for a short time and fly into the continent’s protective layer.

At this moment, there were already over three hundred crew members on Valhalla, mostly craftsmen continuing the installation of the outer walls and equipment.

After passing through the protective layer, Qian Ye, like a diving falcon, plummeted towards South Azure City. Yet, while still high in the air, he noticed several unfamiliar floating ships in the landing area of South Azure City.

These floating ships appeared to be cargo ships, with their decks piled high with sundries. However, from a high altitude, their outlines seemed strangely familiar to Qian Ye. Clearly, they were Imperial escort ships in service, with a large, fast cargo ship next to them being a new destroyer.

As a former member of the Red Scorpion, recognizing various types of warships from the Evernight and the Empire was a necessity.

These Imperial warships were actually very well disguised, making it impossible to tell them apart from ordinary cargo ships. However, they didn’t anticipate aerial surveillance, especially by Qian Ye, who had received professional training from the Imperial military, and thus, they were discovered.

Seeing these warships, Qian Ye felt a slight shock. He hadn’t expected the Empire to act so quickly. The presence of these regular warships in the Neutral Zone indicated that war was imminent.

He looked up at the void, and in his true vision, the primal force flowed gently, seeming somewhat milder.

Qian Ye suppressed his aura and landed in South Azure City, heading towards the Darkflame headquarters. In the city, there were many figures with deep auras, some exuding uncontrollable killing intent. Almost every street had two or three experts. These people, however, did not notice Qian Ye, even if they passed by.

The Darkflame headquarters had changed, with significantly increased security and double the number of sentries at the entrance. After identifying himself, Qian Ye entered without issue. Only a month had passed, but there were many unfamiliar faces, distinct from the original mercenaries of the Neutral Zone. Some areas were completely under the watch of these strangers.

From their attitudes, it seemed the old Darkflame mercenaries were not fond of the newcomers. The unfriendly glares between them suggested that if not for the strict military regulations, they might have clashed.

Qian Ye frowned slightly and headed towards the central command building. A few steps in, he heard an extremely rude voice, “Stop!”

Ignoring it, Qian Ye took a few more steps, and another roar followed, “I said stop!”

Realizing he was being addressed, Qian Ye sneered and slowly turned around, eager to see who dared to speak to him in this Darkflame headquarters he had built.

Behind him, in a courtyard, two guards with their hands on their sword hilts, eyes fixed on Qian Ye, had a stern expression. They seemed to be guarding the courtyard, and for some reason, they had taken notice of Qian Ye as he passed by.

Though dressed as mercenaries, their icy killing intent and rebelliousness were vastly different from the Neutral Zone mercenaries. From them, Qian Ye saw a hint of the Imperial elite troops.

One of them pointed at Qian Ye and barked, “Who are you, and why have I never seen you before?”

This question left Qian Ye speechless, and he laughed coldly, “I haven’t seen you either.”

The guard’s face darkened, and he growled, “Nonsense! Do you think you can see me whenever you want? I’m asking you a question, don’t beat around the bush. If you don’t answer honestly, then come in!”

Qian Ye smirked, “Do you really want me to come in?”

The guard sneered, reaching out to grab Qian Ye, “I gave you a chance, and now you want to leave? No way!”

His hand was grabbed by his companion, who seemed older, and glanced at Qian Ye, seemingly remembering something. “This area is off-limits. Stay away from here. You can go now.”

The younger guard, still seething, glared at Qian Ye like a wild beast, but the older guard’s firm grip held him back.

However, Qian Ye did not move, saying, “There are places in Darkflame I cannot enter? Who set this rule?”

Enraged, the younger guard broke free, raising his rifle butt to strike Qian Ye, shouting, “You don’t know your place!”

Qian Ye easily dodged and, angry at the audacity, kicked the two guards, sending them flying dozens of meters. They crashed through the gate behind them and landed hard in the courtyard.

Alarm bells blared, and a dozen soldiers poured out of the courtyard.

Standing at the entrance, Qian Ye shouted, “Who is in charge? Come out!” His voice, like a rumbling thunder, echoed through the courtyard.

The soldiers rushing towards Qian Ye crumpled to the ground as if struck by a heavy hammer. Those trying to exit the building also fell, rolling down the stairs.

A roar came from the building, “Who dares to cause trouble on my turf?!”

Out charged a burly, middle-aged man with a fierce, leopard-like face and steel-hard stubble. In two strides, he reached Qian Ye, grabbing at his neck.

Qian Ye sneered, recognizing the man’s extreme arrogance. Treating him as a lowly soldier, even a divine general would suffer for such disrespect.

This time, Qian Ye did not hold back. His blood core, like a beast awakening, pulsed strongly, delivering a devastating blow.