While his clones were happily exploring the map, Qin Ze found a hotel to stay in and then sent a message to Brother Yuanzi via a communication card.
I've arrived in Penglai City. Tomorrow I'll join the Maka Race's forces to go to their world.
Soon, Brother Yuanzi sent a reply.
[be safe]
Qin Ze lay down on the bed, supervising the Bone-Tempering Group's training while exploring Penglai City through the perspectives of his clones.
Penglai City is very large, with five teleportation portals within it, each connecting to the Gate of the Abyss.
There were no guards around the portal, only a few soldiers checking identities.
It makes sense. If Penglai City were to fall, there would be no need to defend the teleportation portal; we could simply defend the Gate of the Abyss from the other side of the world.
The clones spent a day touring Penglai City.
Unfortunately, no side quests were triggered.
The next morning, Qin Ze left several clones in Penglai City as lookouts, and led the Five Heavenly Kings and others out of the city.
The city walls of Penglai City are also hundreds of meters high, and the walls are engraved with formations. Everyone entering or leaving the city must undergo strict checks.
Using his diplomatic status, Qin Ze quickly left the city.
The moment I stepped out of Penglai City, a strong sense of suffocation washed over me.
A cacophony of sounds filled my ears, much like the mental Corruption perpetrated by the World Overlord, the whispered chants of countless demons.
Just then, a faint white light rose from the soles of their feet.
A white light enveloped his entire body, flashed by, and then vanished, eliminating any negative effects.
Through the Dew Duo and the Scholar's explanation last night, Qin Ze recognized that this was the World Imprint.
The World Imprint exists on every living being in every world, and it will be automatically activated when they enter the Abyss.
With the mark, one will not be affected by Corruption or chaotic rules when walking through the Abyss.
However, the effect of branding is time-limited.
The longer one stays in the Abyss, the weaker the power of the mark becomes.
The marks on Junior Martial Artist typically last only about a week.
The Intermediate Martial Artist will be extended to twenty days.
As for Advanced Martial Artist, even without the mark, they can stay in the Abyss for months thanks to their own mental resistance.
In addition, another function of the Source of the World is also revealed in the Abyss.
This was something Brother Yuanzi told Qin Ze.
When the power of the imprint reaches its limit, the Shelter Space can be used to resist the Corruption of the Abyss.
The Shelter Space is equivalent to a safe zone, impenetrable to the power of the Abyss.
This is also an important reason why the Source of the World is so precious.
Qin Ze quickly located the military outpost of the Maka Race outside the city.
A steel airship over 500 meters long is ready to go.
According to the " Human Race and Maka Race Joint Defense Agreement ", the Maka Race has the right to station troops in Penglai City and be responsible for ensuring the safety of Penglai City and the Gate of the Abyss.
The area within a radius of twenty kilometers of Penglai City is considered a safe zone, containing dozens of mines of varying sizes.
Although the Abyss is a barren land, it has two unique minerals— Yaoshi and entropy.
Yaoshi has a wide range of uses, including crafting Martial Artifact, supporting formations, and even building city walls.
Entropy contains immense energy, similar to oil, and can be used as an energy source.
The Maka Race has more than ten mining sites outside the city. The garrison is more for protecting their mines than to besiege Penglai City.
In the past month, due to internal turmoil within the Maka Race, almost all the troops stationed in Penglai City have been recalled.
The troops that are about to return to the empire today are the last garrison in Penglai City.
"Stop!"
"This is territory of the Maka Race. Entry by other races is prohibited."
At the entrance to the outpost, Qin Ze was blocked by soldiers.
Qin Ze frowned slightly. "Did you pee here? When did the Abyss become your Maka Race's territory?"
"You're here to cause trouble, aren't you?"
Just as the soldier was about to make a move, Qin Ze's overwhelming aura as a peak level four martial artist pressed him to the ground.
The commotion at the entrance immediately alerted the patrol team, and a large number of Maka Race soldiers surrounded them.
"Is this how your Maka Race treats guests?"
"In that case, we may as well decline Your Highness's invitation."
Qin Ze produced the "ship ticket" given to him by the embassy.
The captain, who was in charge, immediately broke out in a cold sweat upon seeing this.
"I'm sorry, it's my fault for not teaching him well."
"Honored guest, please follow me."
Despite saying that, no one, including the team leader, gave Qin Ze a friendly look.
Qin Ze dismissed it, calling them nothing but a bunch of worthless scoundrels.
With a letter of introduction from the embassy, Qin Ze boarded the ship smoothly and was settled into a nice cabin.
Even traveling on this steel flying boat, it would take a whole day to get from Penglai City to the world of the Maka Race.
At 8:00 AM sharp, the spaceship set sail.
The last troops of the Maka Empire stationed in Penglai City departed.
Shortly after the airship set sail, Penglai City dispatched a small team to take over the outpost.
The soldiers on the ship all had gloomy faces; leaving seemed like a humiliation to them.
Qin Ze was very curious about what had happened in the Maka Empire that made it so eager to recall its troops stationed abroad.
The room felt a bit stuffy, so Qin Ze went out onto the deck for some fresh air.
The soldiers, who had already been given prior notice by their superiors, ignored him, treating him as an outsider.
A few soldiers were scattered on the deck.
Qin Ze glanced over and spotted a familiar figure among the soldiers.
The Dharma King couldn't help but quip on the Local Area Network: "How come the dignified Fifth Prince Zhan Li has been reduced to a lowly soldier in just one day?"
Although his skin had darkened and his face bore several scars, Qin Ze still recognized him at a glance as Zhan Li.
No matter how the appearance changes, the aura remains the same; not everyone has the ability to have Thousand Faces.
Zhan Li noticed Qin Ze's gaze and glanced over out of the corner of her eye.
Upon seeing Qin Ze's face, his heart skipped a beat.
"Isn't this the alien who knows Fire Movement Technique?"
How did he end up on the ship?
"That look in his eyes... could it be that he recognizes me?"
"Impossible, my makeup skills are top-notch."
Seeing Qin Ze approaching, Zhan Li panicked.
Where is the toilet?
"Sir, go straight and then turn right."
Zhan Li breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it was just asking for directions.
"That unlucky guy."
Upon getting closer, Qin Ze became even more certain that Zhan Li was disguising herself.
Despite the layers of identity verification required in Penglai City, Zhan Li could come and go freely.
In some ways, he's quite impressive.
There is no distinction between day and night in the Abyss.
What we call nighttime is simply the sky becoming a darker red.
After having dinner at the restaurant, Qin Ze returned to his room to rest, his anticipation for the Maka Race trip growing stronger.
Bang--
In the early hours of the morning, a deafening explosion woke him up.
Opening his eyes, Qin Ze noticed that the airship was tilted slightly, and outside he could hear hurried footsteps and the airship's defense system firing continuously.
He sat up and looked out the window to see a large group of flying beasts charging toward the airship against the dark red sky in the distance.