Chapter 311: Chapter 311: SS-level Star Beast Attack
At the end of the passage was a massive, circular air pressure door with a rotating lock in its center. Huo Shan pressed his palm against an adjacent biometric panel, then underwent a retinal scan as a red dot suddenly lit up.
"Zone 11 employs a three-tiered defense system," he explained as he worked. "The outermost layer is a physical barrier, which includes the alloy walls and laser net you just saw. The middle layer is an Energy Shield, maintained by twelve reactors distributed throughout the base. The innermost layer is the biometric lock—everyone entering the core area must pass genetic verification. You can only enter the zones your identity grants you access to; you can’t enter unauthorized areas."
The air pressure door rumbled heavily as it slid open a crack a dozen-or-so centimeters wide. The group filed through into a vast space, like that of a large city built on the surface.
"Each zone has signs. The living quarters are on Level E, and the training grounds are on Level G," Huo Shan said, pointing into the distance. "Over there is the medical center on Level D. Medical resources are public, but access is also tiered."
They rode a maglev platform downward. Ning Xuan noticed that the closer they got to the center of the base, the tighter the security measures became.
Fully armed guards stood at the entrances to some passages. Their equipment didn’t look like conventional weaponry—they were some kind of energy projector, the barrels gleaming with a blue luster.
"Those are restricted areas. You can’t enter without a special permit, so it’s best if you don’t even look." Noticing Ning Xuan’s gaze, Huo Shan explained, "Those people are Zone 11’s special defense force. They report directly to the base commander. The blue guns they’re holding are Pulse Guns, capable of instantly vaporizing a target without damaging the surrounding structures."
"Their targets aren’t just demon beasts that break in. Anyone who even tries to get near those passages is a target."
The platform came to a stop on Level E. The walls here were no longer cold metal but were instead covered in a pale blue, bioluminescent material that emitted a soft glow, simulating natural light.
"The environment is designed this way to protect everyone’s mental health. After all, during seasons with harsh weather, we have to stay underground for long periods. That much time can easily lead to psychological issues."
The living quarters were divided into several small units. Ning Xuan and Wang Qing were assigned to Unit E-47, along with eight others. The ten of them formed a squad named after their unit: Squad E-47.
Their private space was a fully enclosable rest pod, measuring three meters long, two meters wide, and three meters high. Inside was a single bed, a workbench, and a chair, which essentially served as their dorm room.
Other daily needs like eating, showering, and training were handled in dedicated facilities: a mess hall, communal bathrooms, and training grounds.
"Assemble at Training Ground G-12 at 0500 tomorrow. Don’t be late. Also, each squad needs to pick a captain. Give me the name during training tomorrow," Instructor Huo told Ning Xuan’s group before he left.
The moment Instructor Huo left, the new recruits in the unit erupted into chatter. "We actually get individual rest pods! This is great! I thought we’d all be crammed into one big room."
"We really lucked out, too. I just asked around, and apparently this Instructor Huo is famous for being good-tempered. He never gives new recruits a hard time."
"Since we’ve all been assigned to the same squad, it must be fate. Back on the Starship, I noticed Ning Xuan has a really high Combat Power. Why don’t we pick her as our captain?" someone suggested.
Ning Xuan was surprised to be nominated. She glanced over at Wang Qing and, sure enough, saw him surreptitiously winking at her. ’So that’s it,’ she thought. ’The person who just spoke must know Wang Qing.’
"I agree. Ning Xuan’s skills are definitely impressive. With an excellent captain leading us, we’ll be able to earn military merits much faster," Wang Qing immediately chimed in, voicing his support.
The others nodded in agreement. Ning Xuan glanced around at the group; they all seemed like steady, reliable types. Since no one else objected to the idea, Ning Xuan accepted. She generously took several bottles of Healing Potion from her Space Button and handed them out as a gift.
"Whoa, Captain, you’re way too generous! This Healing Potion... its quality must be really high, right? I’ve never seen a Healing Potion with such a pure color," Wang Yuan exclaimed.
Wang Yuan was the one who had just suggested Ning Xuan for captain. Just as she’d suspected, he and Wang Qing already knew each other.
The following days were filled with routine training. Ning Xuan quickly familiarized herself with the underground base. At the same time, her incredible physical fitness shocked Instructor Huo and the other new recruits. During this period, her Spiritual Power Level also broke through, and she advanced to A-level.
Of course, this advancement was intentional on Ning Xuan’s part.
Ning Xuan’s outstanding performance in training caused Huo Shan to see her in a new light.
On the twelfth day, while Ning Xuan’s squad was training, an alarm suddenly blared. DING! An AI voice then began broadcasting a repeating message: "Attention all personnel. A hurricane is active on the surface. Three High-Level Star Beasts have breached the base. All three were wounded in the outer defense perimeter, but they have broken through into the middle zone. The Star Beasts are currently located in the following sectors. All officers and soldiers in the vicinity are to lead or assist in their capture."
"Teams or individuals who complete this mission will be rewarded with military merits and other commendations," the base AI announced.
"Based on the broadcast, one of the Star Beasts is near our training ground. All squads, move out to intercept it!" Huo Shan commanded immediately.
Ning Xuan’s squad immediately followed the order, heading toward the reported location to engage the beast.
"AARGH!" A bloodcurdling scream rang out, followed by a ferocious roar. A soldier had been sent flying by a swipe from the Star Beast.
"This Star Beast is too strong! We’re no match for it!" someone yelled.
"All squads, attention! Target is confirmed SS-level! All lower-Level soldiers, fall back!" Instructor Huo ordered, his brow deeply furrowed.
His hands were trembling. It wasn’t often that an SS-level Star Beast breached the base, but every time it happened, the casualties were catastrophic.
’An SS-level Star Beast was just too powerful,’ he thought. ’The new recruits I’m leading are B-level and A-level on average. Sending them in would be a suicide mission.’
Huo Shan had already called for backup, but he knew the truth. For a Star Beast of this Level, Pulse Guns and the laser net couldn’t inflict a fatal blow. The only thing that could truly suppress it was a High-level Spirit Controller.
