Because something had gone wrong with the receiving flying vessel, the base below no longer seemed safe either. Cao Du immediately ordered his deputy to lead men down and investigate thoroughly.
After waiting nearly two xia-hours, the deputy came to report, "General, we have taken control of the base below. Our inspection found no enemy infiltrators within the base."
Cao Du said, "Then what happened to the receiving flying vessel?"
The deputy said, "The flying vessel was destroyed amid the mysterious weapons. We do not know the exact cause. We surmise that the enemy used some ability or technique we have never seen before to infiltrate the vessel."
After a pause, he added, "We can now confirm that there was no problem when the vessel left the base. The flaw arose during the period when it was lifting into the air."
Cao Du considered this seriously and accepted the judgment. If the problem had originated within the base, Frost Continent would never have fixed its gaze on a single flying vessel alone, but would have inflicted greater destruction. This situation instead showed that the method carried severe limitations and could not be used freely.
He said, "Order everyone to strengthen their vigilance. Nothing like this must ever happen again."
The deputy solemnly accepted the order.
Cao Du turned and said to the military officers in the main cabin, "Have the army halt in batches and await the rear forces."
All the military officers answered with a booming acknowledgment.
A short while later, beams of light rose above the surface fortifications, while the metal plates overhead slowly opened, revealing the broad space within. Guided by the light beams, the great fleet began descending inside in batches.
At that moment, several dozen li away in the high sky, a Frost Continent patrol