615: Military bases built in restricted areas

Fortunately, the flying boats of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect did not rely on the Spiritual Qi of Cultivators for propulsion; instead, they used high-grade Spirit Stones as their core energy source.

Although the pure Spiritual Qi within the Spirit Stones was slowly dissipating under the influence of the Forbidden Ground's unique energy field, the Sect had already prepared a sufficient reserve of Spirit Stones for the flying boats before departure, enough to support their journey into the depths of the Forbidden Ground.

The three flying boats restarted and, under the guidance of the Imperial Soldiers, slowly sailed toward the core area of the Forbidden Ground, where the mist was thicker and the energy field more oppressive. The Spiritual Qi restriction bracelets on their wrists were like invisible shackles, constantly reminding the Cultivators that they were already under the other party's control... Under the full guidance of the Imperial Soldiers, the three flying boats of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect finally arrived in the depths of the Forbidden Ground.

As the flying boats slowly landed and everyone stepped out of the cabins, all words were instantly stuck in their throats upon seeing the scene before them. Nothing remained but uncontrollable surprise and shock. Even Jiang Lu, who already had some understanding of the Forbidden Ground, couldn't help but gape, her eyes filled with disbelief.

The scene before them was completely different from the Forbidden Ground they had imagined; it even overturned all their perceptions of the words "Forbidden Ground."

The towering ancient trees and majestic mountains they had seen on the outskirts were nowhere to be found here.

It was as if they had been completely leveled by a majestic force, leaving only an open flatland that stretched beyond the horizon.

On this vast open ground stood one building after another of peculiar design, constructed entirely from an unknown black metal.

Some were over a hundred meters tall, square and upright in shape, with walls covered in regular portholes and energy patterns; others crouched on the ground, with countless fine antennas and detection devices extending from their tops; still others were surrounded by faint blue energy shields, with busy figures and operating machinery faintly visible inside. These buildings were arranged in neat rows, forming a massive complex that exuded a cold and precise sense of technology, a style they had never seen before.

What shook everyone's souls even more was the sky.

The mist overhead seemed to have been artificially dispersed, revealing a greyish sky, and beneath that sky hung countless, unimaginably large "flying boats."

These "flying boats" were dozens or even hundreds of times larger than those of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect. Their hulls were massive and heavy, covered in various weapon systems, and their entire bodies gleamed with the cold light of metal, definitely not something that could be crafted by the Artifact Refining methods of the Cultivation World.

They hovered silently above the base, emitting a suffocating deterrent force; looking from afar, they had an oppressive presence that seemed to blot out the sun.

The Cultivators of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment, involuntarily letting out low exclamations of wonder.

They never imagined that such a place was hidden in the depths of the Forbidden Ground. This was no dangerous land; it was clearly a massive, heavily fortified stronghold.

Naturally, they wouldn't know that during this time, the Empire's forces had been far from idle.

He Dong had already predicted that the confrontation with the Cultivation World would be a long war. To gain a foothold in the Forbidden Ground, they had to have a solid Foundation.

Thus, under his command, the Empire's engineering units and conversion devices operated at full capacity, completely remodeling the mountains and forests in the depths of the Forbidden Ground. Tall trees were uprooted by heavy machinery, and majestic mountains were leveled under the bombardment of energy weapons.

The earth, stones, and timber cleared away were transformed through specialized conversion devices into the high-strength metals, composite Materials, and other supplies needed to build the base in a short time. The issue of Materials was easily resolved.

In this way, a solid military base integrating defense, research, and combat rose from the ground in the depths of the Forbidden Ground. Those "flying boats" in the sky were precisely the Empire's main starships and patrol ships, while the building complex on the ground included the Command Center, armory, research labs, soldier barracks, and various other facilities.

This base was the source of He Dong's confidence in dealing with the Cultivation World, and it was also the core stronghold for implementing his plans.

Lin Jing gazed at the military base before her and the starship fleet in the sky, waves of shock surging in her heart.

She finally understood why this Forbidden Land Faction possessed the means to imprison a Cultivator's Spiritual Qi and why they could be so composed within the Forbidden Ground.

Such strength and such a grand scale were definitely not something an ordinary power could possess.

She subconsciously tightened her grip on the Spiritual Qi restriction bracelet on her wrist, her wariness deepening. Only now did she truly realize that the Lingxiao Immortal Sect might be facing a powerful force far beyond their imagination.

Standing beside her master, Jiang Lu's eyes were also full of shock.

It clearly wasn't like this when she left. How long had it been?

"Is this their strength? So powerful..."

Lin Jing's gaze was fixed intently on those behemoths in the sky, her mind trembling and unable to calm down.

Those hovering "flying boats"—she knew perfectly well by intuition alone that even as a Body Integration Stage Cultivator, she might not be able to shake even one of them with her full effort, let alone oppose so many.

This gap in strength had already exceeded her scope of understanding, making her, an Elder of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect, feel a deep sense of powerlessness for the first time.

The other Cultivators behind them had already been led away in an orderly fashion by Imperial Soldiers to the temporary residences prepared for them; throughout the process, no one dared to make any unusual movements.

Only Lin Jing and Jiang Lu, guided by a Soldier wearing Advanced battle armor, walked into the tallest building in the center of the base.

The interior of the building was not cold and empty as imagined; instead, it was brightly lit, with corridors lined with bright lights. But to Lin Jing, every detail felt alien.

After passing through several neat corridors, the two were finally brought into a spacious office.

The office was simply furnished. Behind a wide black metal desk, He Dong sat upright in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop. His gaze, carrying a hint of scrutiny and a smile, fell upon the two of them.

"Miss Jiang, we meet again."

Upon seeing Jiang Lu, He Dong was the first to stand up. With a warm smile on his face, he took the initiative to come forward and greet her, his gaze then turning to Lin Jing beside her, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"And this is?"

Jiang Lu hurriedly took a step forward and introduced respectfully.

"Uncle He, this is my master, and also the leading Elder sent by the Lingxiao Immortal Sect this time, Elder Lin Jing."

"Elder Lin Jing, welcome, welcome."

Hearing this, a flash of understanding crossed He Dong's eyes. He then silently extended his right hand and introduced himself.

"I am the Commander-in-Chief here. Well... if we go by the terms of your Cultivation World, you can also understand me as the Acting Sect Master."

"Acting Sect Master?"