Chapter 75: Infiltration 

Year 182,382, Day 92

I have earned the privilege to enter the Celestial Realm, and all I can say is that this world is beyond anything I've ever known. 

Its sheer size alone spans millions of kilometers, but what stands out the most is the overwhelming suppression it exerts. The rules are so powerful there that even if I use all my strength, I can barely affect a few hundred kilometers. 

I can unleash destruction spanning tens of thousands of kilometers and obliterate worlds, but there, my impact is less significant than a Rank 6 being's in my home world. 

And that's not all. Cultivators at my level are everywhere. Immortals soar through the skies, and higher existences are as common as ants. 

Given the accessibility of the rules, the abundance of resources, and the incomparable density of spiritual energy, it is only natural for them to be way more powerful than the beings outside this realm. 

This is likely why no immortals are encountered in the outer worlds—they're mere backwaters compared to the Celestial Realm. 

Only now do I grasp the true might of the sect. I have no idea how many immortals the sect commands, but for them to establish themselves as a superior force in such a world, they must number in the legions. 

... 

"Five hundred spirit stones, no less!" 

"You want my wallet too? I give you three hundred—take it or leave it. After all, these are merely poor-quality spatial stones." 

"Hmph! Even if they're poor-quality, there are three hundred kilograms here. I won't accept less than 450 spirit stones." 

"Fine, but I'll also take the six low-grade spatial stones." 

"I'll give you one as a gesture of goodwill." 

"Your son has been stuck at the gates of Rank 3 for years. I'll add a medium-quality Foundation Establishment pill in exchange for the remaining five spatial stones." 

"I…" The stout blue-skinned merchant, who looked like a cross between a troll and a kobold, paused mid-sentence, pondering. 

A Foundation Establishment pill stabilizes a practitioner's internal energy, makes it more malleable, and sharpens the mind. 

While low-quality pills might increase breakthrough chances by around 10% but deteriorate the foundation, excellent-quality pills can raise the odds by more than 80% while enhancing the foundation's quality, all without side effects. 

However, under normal circumstances, even an excellent-quality pill was barely as valuable as a low-grade spatial stone, let alone a medium-quality pill. 

But this was before the great catastrophe over a year ago. 

Since the disappearance of the main powers, refined high-level resources such as pills, formations, and talismans have become scarce, causing their prices to skyrocket. 

Even so, the gap in value wasn't typically this vast. After all, a low-grade spatial stone could form a stable space of around 5000 cubic meters. 

In fact, if it were any other resource, the merchant would have outright refused. But the couple in front of him has struck a sensitive chord. 

Though he himself was a Golden Core expert, his son had been ambushed years ago during a breakthrough, his meridians severely damaged. 

Despite exacting revenge, his son's injuries greatly limited his potential. Only Rank 3 elixirs could heal him, but his body's constitution couldn't withstand their medicinal potency. 

In other words, he was trapped in a vicious cycle until he reached Foundation Establishment. 

"a high-quality pill," he finally said. 

"Deal," the man opposite him replied with a broad smile. 

The two men quickly exchanged their resources, one stowing everything in his spatial ring, the other grabbing a large beast-hide sack. 

Naturally, spatial stones couldn't be stored in rings or spatial bags unless the container was of exceptional quality. 

"Mr. Constantine, Mrs. Miller, a pleasure doing business with you," the merchant finally said as the couple flew away. 

"Goodbye, Mr. Eliot." 

The young couple soared over the sprawling city, home to millions of inhabitants of various races, and headed toward the city's outskirts, about a kilometer away from the still-under-construction city wall. 

Midway, they activated their concealment techniques, masking their presence. Unless a Rank 5 deliberately searched for them, they were undetectable. 

Moments later, they landed in front of a decrepit three-stage plastered building. 

In the city's outer ring, being a Rank 3 was enough to be considered as elite. While there were around fifty Rank 4s in the city, they all lived at its core, making the old house an ideal hidden base. 

James used his mental force to push a dozen bricks in a precise sequence, revealing a small hole in the wall. 

To an unknowing observer, it would simply seem like a piece of plaster had fallen off—unsurprising, given the wall's dilapidated state. 

James paid it little mind and inserted his finger into the hole. 

A blue light suddenly appeared, scanning his fingerprint to compare it with its database. 

After a few seconds, the door opened, and the pair stepped inside, the door shutting securely behind them, restoring the building's initial appearance. 

This was a precaution implemented by the Alandal Army: if the door was opened by any means other than the correct sequence, hidden runes in the floor and throughout the house would activate, trapping anyone below Rank 5 in an illusion and preventing them from seeing the house's true layout. 

Of course, James and Alice were exempt. 

They crossed the living room and ascended to the upper floor, entering what seemed like a dusty bedroom. 

Alice used a mage's hand to open the wardrobe, revealing an elevator shaft. 

The house was designed so the walls appeared straight but left enough space for a small three-square-meter elevator cage to operate. 

Though cramped, they didn't complain, letting the doors close as they descended into the earth. 

The descent lasted nearly twenty seconds, bringing them about 200 meters underground. 

Ding

The doors opened, revealing a wide corridor crafted by a Rank 4 spell, capable of withstanding Rank 3 attacks. 

"Colonel Miller, General Constantine," saluted two Rank 4 guards, each wearing captain insignias. James and Alice nodded in acknowledgment before proceeding down the hallway. 

The long corridor was deserted, only illuminated by the white glow of overhead lights. 

Finally, they reached a large sliding door, which opened automatically as they approached. 

"Bring me that dossier now!" 

"I need a squad for mission #2324!" 

"Reporting! Adjutant Oleg has returned from his mission with his section!" 

The cacophony struck their ears as they stepped into a vast circular room spanning 10,000 square meters, where hundreds of members from four races bustled about. 

Though many recognized them, they only offered a quick salute before continuing their tasks. 

James and Alice weren't offended. Both knew they were probably the busiest of the White Lotus legion. 

It had been a month since the student armies had spead across the world, infiltrating the newly built major cities. 

The Minks hadn't annihilated the entire population; they had only destroyed the main powers. 

While the Minks capitalized on the chaos to construct their bases, millions of survivors quickly gathered around the intermediate existences who managed to escape, forming large cities like this one. 

The student armies took full advantage, splitting into groups to infiltrate these emerging and surviving cities. 

It was a tremendous advantage for them. After all, many high-level resources were no longer requisitioned by the major forces and had reappeared on the market, even though some particular resources became increasingly scarce. 

Overall, these armies now had access to a wide range of items that could help Rank 4 cultivators, who were currently the most powerful beings in Devara until new Rank 5 individuals emerged. 

They quickly secured a monopoly on many resources that were not native to Alandal, such as precious minerals or spatial stones, while also purchasing combat techniques and a wide variety of spells on the black market. 

Liam, after all, wanted his followers to develop their strength on their own. While it was true he had provided them with breathing and cultivation techniques, it was only to ensure they didn't ruin their potential. When it came to offensive techniques, he gave them nothing. 

Everything they possessed, from basic Rank 0 spells to the most advanced spear techniques, had either been plundered from other worlds or created by themselves. 

For the Great Army of Alandal and the other student forces, using an existing network was far easier than searching for resources on their own while remaining hidden from the Minks' surveillance. 

Moreover, they were expressly forbidden from looting the world, but trading was clearly allowed. 

For the Great Army, the situation was win-win: they simply spent spiritual stones and resources, which they had in abundance, to purchase goods that were considered surplus by merchants but held immense value to them. 

They also didn't hesitate to exchange their own spells or combat techniques for more resources. After all, it wasn't like the natives would use those techniques against them since they would be leaving in a few weeks at most. 

With all this in mind, James and Alice quickly crossed the room and took a spiral staircase that went down further into the depths of the earth. 

They descended ten floors before arriving at a large double door that James opened with his thoughts, revealing a spacious lounge. 

These were the personal quarters of the legion general. 

While the base was extensive, it housed no more than 800 people. Its primary function was to serve as the nerve center for all operations of the White Lotus Legion in the city. 

It was connected to five underground bases, each housing one division of the legion. 

Effectively, the entire city was under the surveillance of the Great Army of Alandal. 

Upon their arrival, they had swiftly eradicated the various unorthodox factions managing the underworld and replaced them. 

Though not as destructive or malicious as the previous owners, they quickly used the network to their advantage, accumulating resources at an astonishing pace. 

They had even recovered several Rank 5 resources, carefully stored for future use. 

James carelessly tossed the bag aside and shut the door behind him. 

Without hesitation, he removed the few clothes he wore, sending his epaulets, chestplate, and bracers directly into his spatial ring. 

Wasting no time, he immediately embraced his beloved as the steel-hard scales covering his upper body retracted, revealing his toned physique. 

Alice blushed but didn't avert her eyes, making her own clothes vanish with a thought as she knelt gracefully. 

Moments later, muffled sounds filled the room, contained within a soundproofing formation that enveloped James's entire living quarters. 

Unbeknownst to them, this night would mark the beginning of a series of changes that would shake all Alandal. 

Their nighttime battle lasted until the early morning, and only then did they collapse side by side, utterly exhausted. 

However, their rest was short-lived as the intercom at the door suddenly buzzed loudly. 

"Damn it, can't we get a peaceful night for once?" 

James grumbled but still answered the call remotely. 

"What is it?" he growled in a gruff tone. 

"Reporting, General, apologies for disturbing you, but Marshal Sylvera has called an emergency meeting." 

James's eyes sharpened as all traces of fatigue vanished from his face. 

"I'll be there immediately." 

He rushed toward the upper levels, quickly re-equipping his uniform along the way. 

Whoosh

A strong gust of wind swept through the base's corridors as he sprinted, rapidly ascending the stairs and arriving urgently in the large hall. 

Unlike the day before, the room was utterly silent, with all soldiers watching the holograms projected in the center with utmost seriousness. 

James immediately recognized the figures: Sylvera, Isabella, Ilbert, Arius, as well as the four other generals: Queen Lyrael of the Elves andthe leaders of the Sanctuary and the two other cities. 

All heads turned toward him as his hologram appeared in the circle. 

Sylvera was the first to speak. 

"We've received confirmation from Envoy Feng. The Brotherhood's forces launched an attack on the Mink headquarters in the inner belt two days ago. The flagship and eight of the ten standard ships in orbit have left to reinforce their main forces, leaving only two ships behind. It's time for us to act."