Xi Ping led the way while Chen Mu looked around curiously. East Guard had changed enormously during his absence; many of the places around him had been built after he left.
The enormous alloy door opened, revealing a passage that sloped noticeably downward.
"Underground?" Chen Mu asked curiously.
Xi Ping chuckled, his voice tinged with emotion. "Yes. This underground warehouse is for storing rare materials. Apart from me, only Alfonso knows about it. Didn't you always say you were short of materials, Boss? East Guard has some resources at its disposal now. I collected all these through various means over the past few years. I thought they would stay sealed away forever... Now they can finally be put to use. That really makes me happy!"
Chen Mu did not know what to say, but warmth filled his heart.
They walked for about ten minutes. The depth of the underground warehouse surprised Chen Mu.
"We're here." Xi Ping entered the password into the keypad beside the warehouse door.
The door slid open silently, and Chen Mu followed Xi Ping inside.
Countless iron racks stood in rows, holding containers of every description. There was no end to them in sight.
Chen Mu stood rooted to the spot.
At the entrance to East Guard Academy, Alfonso waited anxiously with a large crowd.
Beside him, his students whispered among themselves.
"Who's coming today? Why such a grand reception?"
"No idea. The principal's leading it himself. That's never happened before."
"Exactly. Look, Lady Ru Qiu's here too, and so is Master Rennes."
"Do you think it could be..."
Just then, another student hurriedly warned them, "Stop talking. They're here!"
All the students immediately shut their mouths and looked up curiously.
"Sir!" Alfonso rushed out of the crowd, unable to contain himself. Ru Qiu followed him,