Chapter 366 ·Bohai Base
Chapter 366: Bohai Base
A gentle breeze brushed against his face as the warm sun shone brightly, painting the land with the colors of spring.
High above the endlessly rolling sea of clouds, Zhou Ming sat atop Inkband's enormous serpent head as they flew all the way south.
Ever since Inkband had advanced to a Lord-level Ferocious Beast, it no longer liked remaining asleep inside the Beast Space. Instead, it preferred staying outside and moving about freely.
Taking advantage of this journey south, Zhou Ming granted Inkband's request to come out, conveniently using it as a mount.
Perhaps because it had remained inside the Beast Space for too long, Inkband, which had already developed considerable intelligence, appeared exceptionally excited, streaking across the sky like a supersonic fighter.
It seemed determined to vent all the frustration it had accumulated from staying inside the Beast Space.
Zhou Ming made no attempt to stop it, allowing Inkband to roam freely through the sea of clouds as it pleased.
Meanwhile, he simply sat upon Inkband's enormous serpent head, quietly admiring the beautiful scenery that spring had brought.
However, as they continued flying southward, Zhou Ming noticed that the Alliance's southern bases were distributed much more densely.
To avoid causing any misunderstandings, he had no choice but to have Inkband conceal its aura and detour around the Alliance's bases.
Compared to the pressure faced by the Alliance's eastern and western borders, the southern region was under considerably less strain. Furthermore, because it bordered the South Sea and contained numerous entrances leading into the Dark Domain, the Alliance's south had become the most prosperous region inhabited by humanity on Blue Star.
Whether in terms of population or the number of Alliance bases, it surpassed every other region.
Because of the detours, coupled with several stops along the way, it took Zhou Ming two full days to finally arrive at the southernmost region of the Alliance.
Looking down upon the land from above the sea of clouds, he saw vast, flat plains below, where several rivers converged like flood dragons emerging from the sea.
Surrounded by these rivers stood a gigantic city spanning dozens of kilometers.
It was none other than the largest base in the southern Alliance, Bohai Base.
Not far from Bohai Base lay the harbor leading into the boundless ocean.
The sea area adjacent to Bohai Base was embraced by peninsulas extending deep into the ocean from both sides, naturally enclosing the harbor.
With Zhou Ming's eyesight, he could clearly see countless ironclad warships the size of hills continuously entering and leaving the port.
The manufacturing technology behind these ironclad warships originated from airships. Without the need to account for flight, they could be constructed on an enormous scale while being equipped with all kinds of advanced weaponry and energy shields.
It was precisely because of these powerful warships that the Alliance possessed the qualifications to venture into the sea and compete with the Tide Empire's Seafolk for resources.
Of course, this only applied to the offshore waters near human territory. Once one entered the deep-sea region, the dangers increased exponentially.
Just as Zhou Ming was overlooking the scenery below, a figure rapidly flew over from within Bohai Base.
“I am Xiao Zhong, Deputy Commander of the Bohai Base City Defense Army. May I ask what business has brought Your Excellency here?”
The newcomer wore a short military haircut and was draped in the standard military cloak. His entire body exuded an intense aura of iron-blooded slaughter.
Although he had already confirmed that Zhou Ming was not a foreign race, he did not lower his guard in the slightest. Compared to the Alliance's interior, the level of vigilance here was clearly several levels higher.
“Commander Xiao, pardon the disturbance. I am Zhou Ming from Qinghui Base in the northern Alliance. I have come here this time intending to travel through the offshore region.”
“Zhou Ming...”
Memories flashed through Xiao Zhong's mind as he immediately recalled the information regarding Zhou Ming.
“So it's Pavilion Master Zhou Ming. I never expected you to visit Bohai Base. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar.”
After briefly examining Zhou Ming's appearance before glancing at Inkband beneath him, Xiao Zhong confirmed that Zhou Ming's identity was genuine.
Only then did the stern expression on Xiao Zhong's face disappear, replaced by the friendliness reserved for a fellow Transcendent expert.
“Commander Xiao is too courteous. This is my first visit to your esteemed base. If there is anything I don't understand, I hope Commander Xiao will offer his guidance.”
Looking at Xiao Zhong before him, Zhou Ming was somewhat surprised. Despite possessing Mid-level Transcendent strength, Xiao Zhong could only serve as the Deputy Commander of the City Defense Army within Bohai Base.
From this, it was clear that Bohai Base truly stood on the front line against the Tide Empire's Seafolk.
“You're too polite, Pavilion Master Zhou Ming. Why don't you accompany me into Bohai Base first? Allow me to fulfill my duties as your host.”
Zhou Ming did not continue exchanging pleasantries and immediately followed Xiao Zhong into Bohai Base.
...
Inside Bohai Base's inner city, a lavish banquet was being held within the military headquarters building.
It had been prepared to welcome Zhou Ming on his first visit to Bohai Base.
Besides Xiao Zhong, another person accompanying him was Major General Lin Yueyao, an Early-level Transcendent expert.
She was one of the Alliance's exceedingly rare female Transcendent experts and had chosen the Shepherd Path.
She possessed a tall figure and a heroic bearing, truly a remarkable woman.
During the banquet, Zhou Ming chatted with the two of them and gradually gained a general understanding of Bohai Base's military strength.
Besides Xiao Zhong and Lin Yueyao, the Bohai Base military also had three other Transcendent experts.
One of them was General Bai Yanhu, Commander of the City Defense Army and simultaneously Commander of the Alliance's Southern Theater. Possessing High-level Transcendent strength, he commanded more than a hundred thousand naval and ground troops stationed along the coastline.
Should an emergency arise, he could even mobilize the official Transcendent experts stationed at the Alliance's southern bases.
As for Bohai Base's other two Early-level Transcendent Major Generals, they mainly followed Bai Yanhu in overseeing maritime defense and were permanently stationed on an important island in the offshore region, while Bohai Base's defenses were primarily handled by Xiao Zhong and Lin Yueyao.
The banquet also featured countless delicacies prepared from high-tier sea beasts, greatly broadening Zhou Ming's horizons.
Although the culinary skills could not compare to Catgirl Aina's, the ingredients themselves possessed a uniquely delicious flavor.
After the banquet ended, the three sat together in a quiet reception room.
The fragrance of tea filled the room as Zhou Ming, Xiao Zhong, and Lin Yueyao quietly enjoyed their tea together.
“Commander Xiao, today's reception was so elaborate. Surely it wasn't merely to fulfill your duties as a host?”
After savoring the tea's fresh and lingering aroma, Zhou Ming decided to speak frankly.
After all, given Xiao Zhong's strength and status within the Alliance military, there had originally been no need for him to be so courteous. It could only mean that Xiao Zhong had something he wished to ask of him.
“To be honest, there really is a favor I wish to ask.”
Setting down his teacup, Xiao Zhong also spoke candidly.
“Pavilion Master Zhou Ming, since you control an entrance into the Dark Domain, you should know something about the Dark Domain, shouldn't you?”
Hearing that the matter concerned the Dark Domain, Zhou Ming did not answer directly. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Xiao Zhong continued.
“Most of the entrances leading into the Dark Domain are located in the Alliance's southern region. The majority of these passages are controlled by the Dark Domain's various factions, while a minority are held by private forces within the Alliance.”
“The Alliance and the Dark Domain generally do not interfere with one another. Under normal circumstances, we do not target the various forces within the Dark Domain.”
“However, according to the intelligence we've gathered, the Dark Domain's forces and the human forces of the South Sea will be holding a trade fair on an island in the South Sea.”
“Pavilion Master Zhou Ming, you should know that although private trade between the Alliance and the South Sea's Tide Empire occurs from time to time, this is the first time a trade fair has ever been held.”
“The Snake King Fortress you established can also be considered one of the Dark Domain's forces. If it's convenient, when the trade fair is held, could you help us investigate whether there are any plans that might threaten the Alliance?”
After listening to Xiao Zhong's explanation, Zhou Ming understood that Xiao Zhong intended to use his identity to investigate whether the trade fair involved any schemes that could endanger the Alliance.