Chen Hao looked over.
The campus gate was big. Very big. More than twice the size of Pengcheng University's old gate. Above it, the words "Pengcheng High Martial Arts" gleamed in gold.
The lettering wasn't traditional regular or running script, but a very new design, its strokes edged with sharp angles like swords, like knives.
But they didn't go through the main gate.
"The main gate's bound to be jammed." Chen Siyao turned the car onto a small road beside it. "We'll take the faculty entrance."
At the end of the road stood an unremarkable iron gate. Beside it stood...
Chen Hao's steps faltered.
They weren't people.
They were three AI robots. Humanoid. Almost as tall as adult men. Their bodies were matte black, with hydraulic rods and wires exposed at their joints instead of bones. The nameplates on their chests read "Pengcheng Advanced Martial Arts Security · Gatekeeper Model · III."
Each robot carried a...
Gun on its back.
Not something condensed from spiritual energy. An actual firearm. The barrel was short and thick, with a sizable caliber. Chen Hao couldn't identify the model, but he could sense that it packed considerable power.
While the robots were "alive," their guns stayed locked in place, adjusting their aim as the robots moved.
Chen Hao walked up to the gate.
The nearest robot turned its head. Its face... if that could be called a face, was a black screen. The screen lit up.
A blue scanning beam swept over Chen Hao from head to toe.
"Identifying..." A mechanical voice, speaking standard Mandarin.
Three seconds later, a line of text appeared on the screen.
"Chen Hao. Honorary Principal of Pengcheng High Martial Arts. Identity clearance: highest authorization."
"Authentication successful. Welcome, Principal Chen Hao."
The robot lowered its head slightly in a gesture