Chapter 146: Chapter 143: Departing for Suspended Mountain

"Second, do everything in your power to survive and bring back something of value."

"Whether it’s rare Spirit Plant Ores or Rune data from ancient ruins, the university will buy them back at prices far exceeding the market rate."

"Third..."

He paused, his gaze becoming incredibly sharp.

"Remember that you are students of East Sea Martial Arts University!"

"Don’t bring shame to the university!"

The moment he finished speaking, he waved his hand forcefully.

"Now, all cadets, form up by your department and prepare to board!"

At his command, a colossal shadow slowly fell over the square.

Everyone looked up to see a massive Floating Transport Ship, over three hundred meters long and shaped like a deep-sea whale, hovering silently a hundred meters in the air.

Its hull was covered in thick alloy Armor, its surface riddled with Rune Arrays and defensive turrets, exuding a cold, technological, and oppressive presence.

"It’s the Sea Guardian! The university’s flagship transport ship!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"My God, they’re actually using the Sea Guardian for this!"

Amidst the gasps of amazement, the Sea Guardian’s belly slowly opened, lowering dozens of wide boarding ramps.

"Let’s go!"

Zhang Hao called out, and the members of the Sharp Sword Society followed the main contingent from the Flight Academy toward one of the ramps.

Han Feng stepped onto the ramp and entered the Sea Guardian.

The ship’s interior was immense, large enough to accommodate several thousand people.

Rows of neat metal seats were bolted to the deck. It looked more like a massive troop transport bay.

The cadets found their assigned seats and sat down.

Han Feng sat with Zhang Hao, Wang Meng, and the others.

As the last cadet boarded, the massive bay doors slowly closed.

The ship shuddered slightly and began to ascend smoothly.

Through the porthole, Han Feng watched the military airfield and Fortress City below rapidly shrink.

Eventually, they became a giant, steel silhouette standing alone on the vast, desolate land.

The transport ship’s speed increased, piercing through the clouds and flying east toward the endless sky-fog.

"Attention, everyone. The estimated flight time is three hours."

"During the flight, you may rest or perform a final check of your equipment."

"Upon arrival at our destination, we will proceed directly with the airdrop."

A cold, synthesized electronic voice echoed through the ship’s broadcast system.

The atmosphere inside the cabin grew tense.

Wang Meng took a deep breath and began to polish his War Axe.

Zhang Hao closed his eyes, regulating his breathing and heartbeat.

Han Feng leaned back in his seat and also closed his eyes, his mind entering a state of perfect calm, like an ancient, undisturbed well.

The Sea Guardian’s flight was as smooth as gliding over land.

The massive ship broke through the clouds, leaving Fortress City far behind as it plunged headfirst into the boundless, grayish-white sky-fog.

Outside the porthole, the vast land that had been visible just moments before was quickly swallowed by the fog.

Visibility dropped sharply, as if the entire world had been reduced to this lone, colossal ship.

"Is it just me, or is it getting a little shaky?"

Wang Meng’s eyes snapped open, his thick arms gripping the armrests.

Zhang Hao also frowned, concentrating on the ship’s vibrations.

"It’s not your imagination. We must have entered the Deep Sea Fog Area."

The moment he finished speaking, a piercing alarm blared throughout the entire cabin!

"Warning! High-energy biological signatures detected! Quantity: Large! Approaching!"

"Warning! Impacts detected on the port side, sections three through seven!"

BOOM!

A muffled explosion came from the rear port side of the ship, and the entire vessel shook violently.

Many cadets cried out in alarm, their faces instantly turning pale.

Han Feng peered out the porthole and saw large, twisted black shadows streaking through the grayish-white fog.

They were the size of small flying devices, with broad, fleshy wings and massive claws that glinted coldly.

"They’re Tier Two Demon Beasts, Wind Blade Demon Bats!"

Wang Meng’s expression turned grim.

"These things travel in swarms. They’re a real pain to deal with."

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A barrage of impacts hammered against the ship’s outer hull.

The Sea Guardian’s defense systems activated instantly.

Bright beams of energy shot out from the ship’s turrets, weaving a web of death in the dense fog.

A piercing shriek echoed through the fog as a black shadow was hit directly by an energy beam, instantly exploding into a cloud of charred, bloody mist.

But more shadows charged forward fearlessly, frantically attacking the hull with their claws and teeth.

"All cadets, remain calm! Stay in your seats!"

An instructor’s stern command came over the broadcast.

Several powerful experts in instructor uniforms had already stood up, guarding key positions in the cabin.

They emanated powerful Qi Blood fluctuations, calming the agitated crowd.

Han Feng activated his [Spiritual Vision] and could clearly see the Energy Shield, formed by the Rune Array on the ship’s exterior, rippling under the siege of the Demon Beasts.

Each Wind Blade Demon Bat was wreathed in violent Demonic Power.

Suddenly, there was a piercing screech of tearing metal.

An exceptionally large Wind Blade Demon Bat had actually managed to rip open the outer hull at a weak point in the armor with its claws.

Half of its head poked through!

It was a terrifying maw filled with fangs. Foul-smelling saliva dripped onto the deck, corroding it and leaving behind small, sizzling pits.

A few of the female cadets closest to it screamed in terror.

"You’re courting death!"

An instructor guarding the area made his move.

He didn’t even draw a weapon. He simply formed a sword with his fingers and slashed through the air at the Demon Beast’s head.

A condensed, almost tangible cyan blade of qi shot out instantly.

PSST!

The tough skull of the Tier Two Peak Wind Blade Demon Bat was sliced open as easily as tofu.

Its massive body fell limply from the breach.

A one-hit kill!

The entire cabin fell silent in an instant. All the cadets stared at the nonchalant instructor with awe.

With an Enlightenment Realm Grand Martial Artist present, the Demon Beast harassment outside became nothing more than a minor incident.

Under the combined might of the Sea Guardian’s powerful weaponry and the instructors’ deterrence, the bat swarm was quickly routed.

The alarm was canceled, and the ship stabilized.

Another hour or so passed before the broadcast sounded again.

"Approaching the designated airspace. Prepare for airdrop."

The lights in the cabin turned red, signaling combat readiness.

Everyone’s spirits lifted as they began their final equipment checks.

The Sea Guardian slowly decelerated, eventually hovering over a strange patch of sea.

The sky-fog here was unusually thin, revealing a sea surface below that was a Deep Blue, almost black.

Han Feng looked out the porthole, his pupils contracting abruptly.

He saw that seven or eight massive Floating Battleships of various designs had already gathered over the vast sea.

One was pure silver, its hull sleek and flowing with a sci-fi aesthetic—the Pioneer Star from Star Sea Technology.

Another had a classic, ancient design, like a castle in the sky, its hull covered in Runes—the Cloud Palace from the Su Family Conglomerate.

And another, bristling with killing intent, its hull covered with menacing rams and heavy cannons—the Po Jun Hao from the City Guard Army.

Each of these Floating Battleships was nearly as large as the Sea Guardian.

They silently stood guard around a central area of airspace.

Several thousand fully equipped Martial Artists stood on the decks of their respective ships, facing each other from a distance. The atmosphere was grim and murderous.

"My God... this is a huge turnout."

Wang Meng was dumbfounded.

"Basically every power player in East Sea City is here."

"Suspended Mountain is the richest of the Tier Two Secret Realms. Every time it opens, it’s a feast. Who wouldn’t want a piece of the pie?"

Zhang Hao’s expression was grave.

Han Feng silently estimated the numbers. From what he could see, there were probably no fewer than two thousand people.

All of them were elites from the major powers of East Sea City.

Just then, three incomparably powerful auras descended upon the airspace without any warning.

The Perfection-level Qi Blood in Han Feng’s body suddenly stagnated, as if crushed by an invisible mountain.

Everyone looked up in horror.

They saw three figures standing on thin air, hovering above all the ships.

They weren’t using any flight equipment, simply treading on the void as if that space was their personal domain.

The one on the left wore the black officer’s uniform of the City Guard Army. His features were resolute, and he possessed a natural, imposing authority.

The one on the right was an old man in a gray robe, his aura erratic and unpredictable.

And standing in the very center was none other than the Vice President of East Sea Martial Arts University, Chen Beixuan!

Tier Four Grandmasters!

The three Grandmaster-level experts were like three suns, looking down upon everything below.

Their arrival made even the wind over this stretch of sea stand still.