“Identity authentication passed. Welcome to the ‘Black Sun’ base.”
The cold, electronic voice reverberated within the spacious elevator car, sounding like a pronouncement from a world yet to come.
With a subtle hum, the colossal platform began its smooth descent, carrying them deeper into the earth’s core.
The elevator shaft itself boasted a highly futuristic design, with one side crafted from transparent, reinforced glass.
It felt like a window cleaved between reality and the future, offering passengers an unobstructed panorama of the base’s magnificent upper levels.
Glimpsed through the glass, a breathtaking panorama, far grander than anything they could have imagined, slowly unfurled before them.
This was unequivocally not the dark, suffocating underground factory of conventional thought, but rather a colossal, awe-inspiring expanse that threatened to steal one’s breath.
The dome soared to such an immense height it could seemingly house several skyscrapers, bathed in a simulated natural light that was both soft and radiantly bright.
Countless silver-white tracks, resembling the intricate veins of a futuristic metropolis, crisscrossed both the vast expanse of air and the sprawling ground below.
Small, hovering robots, akin to meticulous worker bees, silently navigated their predetermined routes.
They varied widely in form: some transported crates shimmering with energy, while others extended agile mechanical arms to perform maintenance on the equipment.
The entire space was so profoundly silent that only the faint whisper of air currents, stirred by the robots’ rapid movements, could be discerned, creating the sensation of being nestled within the intricate gears of a meticulously crafted clock.
What proved even more astonishing was the sight of intricate magic arrays etched across the surfaces of numerous devices.
These patterns, imbued with a soft, ethereal blue glow, coexisted in perfect harmony with the precise circuit boards beneath.
The technological prowess on display here clearly surpassed that of the outside world by two or three decades.
More critically, it had masterfully integrated the ethereal force of magic, a power often deemed idealistic, through rigorous scientific methods, thereby forging a truly distinctive system of magic-infused technology.
Xiyin’s gaze betrayed an undeniable shock; even within the hallowed halls of the Night Watchmen’s headquarters, she had never witnessed such a comprehensive application of magic-infused technology.
While the outside world was merely taking its first tentative steps in this domain, here it had already achieved ubiquitous integration.
The elevator continued its smooth descent, gliding past several levels, each serving a distinct function, until it finally settled at their destination.
To their surprise, the one designated to provide explanations was not Su Qiao, known for her calming demeanor, but Li Yan, who invariably exuded a martial, imposing presence.
Clearing his throat, he took resolute strides, stepping out of the elevator first.
His booming voice resonated with an unmistakable pride.
“Welcome to the ‘Black Sun’ base,” he announced, “the very heart and lifeline of the Dawnstar Palace.”
“As you can all observe,” he declared, gesturing towards a distant production line where intricate machinery was being automatically assembled, “the majority of the Dawnstar Palace’s cutting-edge magic-infused technology products are researched, tested, and manufactured right here.”
“However,” Li Yan continued, his voice taking on a more serious edge, a flicker of uncharacteristic intensity sparking in his crimson eyes, “these are merely the foundational cornerstones for achieving a far grander objective, essential preparations to underpin that ultimate vision.”
He paused precisely at this juncture, offering no further elaboration on the specifics of that “more important” objective.
Yet, the gravity in his tone and the fervent conviction burning in his gaze compelled every listener to feel an involuntary sense of profound respect.
At that moment, Su Qiao, standing beside him, also wore an identical expression of deep pride.
“We are gathered here,” she added, “because we firmly believe that he possesses the power to forge an entirely new path, not only for us demonkind but also for magical girls.”
“The Demon King has offered sanctuary to intelligent demons,” she continued with fervor, “and, more importantly, has prevented countless others from succumbing to the tragic cycle of sin and despair.
I am convinced that the future belongs to our brethren, those ensnared in cycles of oblivion and relentless pursuit, and the blueprint for this new world will, ultimately, be drawn by our own hands.”
Qi Yue’an listened with rapt attention to the explanation, meticulously inspecting each exhibit as if she were a true princess on a royal tour.
She observed that each product bore a familiar-looking trademark.
Ordinarily, such details escaped her notice, indicating that any brand memorable enough to catch her eye must be truly exceptional.
As she was lost in contemplation, Bai Zhi, who stood nearby, suddenly let out an incredulous gasp.
“That trademark… I remember it!” Bai Zhi exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and longing. “That’s the Eden Tech Group, currently the number one company by market capitalization!
They launched a brain-computer interface six months ago, and their latest virtual simulation game is incredibly popular… It’s just a shame that after becoming a magical girl, I lost my legal identity, so I can’t even register to try it out…”
A palpable sense of regret tinged Bai Zhi’s voice.
Xiyin, who harbored a particular fascination for such technological marvels, now found herself utterly captivated, her gaze unmoving.
Many of the technologies on display were concepts she had once envisioned but never managed to bring to fruition.
Some even represented cutting-edge frontiers that the Night Watchmen had only just begun to tentatively explore.
Among them were the fabled controllable nuclear fusion, fully developed brain-computer interfaces, and, most astonishingly, a degree of room-temperature superconductivity achieved through the conversion of magic and electrical signals.
Added to these were breakthroughs in materials science that clearly transcended their current era.
Simultaneously, however, a critical question began to form in her mind.
Any single one of these technologies possessed the power to profoundly alter the world.
Why, then, had the Dawnstar Palace chosen to reveal only those aspects unrelated to magic?
In the heart of the exhibition hall, a sleek, sci-fi-esque device, resembling a simple brick, commandingly drew her gaze.
Its distinctive design immediately brought to mind a crucial item from a game she had played years ago: the Mandelbrot Brick.
“This is…” she began, though her efforts to maintain composure faltered as her innate curiosity ultimately triumphed over her reserve.
Irresistibly drawn, she approached the exhibit, circling it to examine it more closely.
“This is the Mandelbrot Brick,” Li Yan’s explanation chimed in at just the right moment, “an early, one-way conversion device for magic and conventional energy, serving as the cornerstone for all our semi-magic technologies.
Machines that harness magic for operation, along with individual laser weapons capable of anti-tank firepower and beyond, are all developed directly from this fundamental principle.”
Upon hearing that familiar name, Xiyin’s heart gave a sudden jolt.
The fictional corporation from that game bore an astonishing number of resemblances to the Dawnstar Palace standing before her.
Could it be that the game was not merely a game, but rather some form of uncanny premonition?
“Miss Star, quite overwhelmed, aren’t we?” Li Yan remarked, having approached her side at some imperceptible moment.
It was the first time he had ever witnessed Xiyin display such intense focus and curiosity.
Xiyin, however, had no time to correct his informal address, her urgency compelling her to press for more information.
“Is this truly called the Mandelbrot Brick?” she queried, her voice laced with disbelief. “And that brain-computer interface…”
She found herself recalling the intricate plotlines of the game, realizing that any single one of these technologies held the power to fundamentally reshape the world.
A device capable of reading thoughts, coupled with a technology offering nearly limitless energy conversion—if the Dawnstar Palace so desired, they could potentially achieve feats far more astounding than the fictional corporation in the game.
“What precisely is your objective in developing and concealing these technologies?” she demanded, a sudden surge of vigilance eclipsing her initial awe. “Furthermore, are these classified secrets truly meant for an outsider like me to witness?”
She fixed her gaze on Li Yan, who had, at some point, moved closer, her voice sharp with interrogation.
Yet, Li Yan shed his usual flippant demeanor, a cryptic, enigmatic smile gracing his features.
He regarded Xiyin with an unsettling, half-amused gaze that sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine.
“You wouldn’t possibly believe…” he began, deliberately closing the distance between them, his superior height casting an invisible shadow of intimidation. “…that having come this far, you still remain an outsider, Miss Star?”
This slightly presumptuous gesture sent immediate alarm bells ringing throughout Xiyin’s mind.
Qi Yue’an, observing the sudden shift in atmosphere, registered the commotion with a look of confusion in her eyes.
While her own access as a princess was understandable, allowing her to bring along former teammates with such sensitive identities into a core area seemed to overstep conventional boundaries significantly.
Xiyin couldn’t help but recall the words Qi Yue had uttered during their previous confrontation: “I could grant you the status of an executive, or even an executive’s wife, or perhaps we could both be princesses…”
A terrifying conjecture began to solidify in her mind: could their entire journey here have been nothing more than an elaborately laid trap from the very outset?
Observing Xiyin’s guarded expression, Li Yan suddenly reached out and playfully ruffled her hair.
This intimate gesture prompted her to immediately swat his hand away, retreating several cautious steps as magic began to surge around her.
“Let me make this clear right now,” she warned, her voice tight with resolve. “If you intend to make a move here, I will not simply stand by and let it happen.
You won’t walk away from this unscathed.”
Despite her threat, Li Yan maintained his unsettling half-smile, a gesture that only heightened Xiyin’s apprehension.
Had they truly anticipated her reactions, and were they now poised to act against her?
“Alright, Old Third, that’s enough,” a third voice interjected just as Xiyin braced herself for a desperate struggle. “Stop teasing her; it’s quite rude.”
Su Qiao delivered a sharp rap to the back of Li Yan’s head, effectively shattering the escalating tension.
Li Yan finally dropped his enigmatic expression, his usual playful, slightly teasing smile returning to his face.
“My apologies, little sister,” he said, a hint of genuine amusement in his voice. “I simply enjoy a good joke.
We have absolutely no intention of keeping you confined here.
In truth, this particular technology is known to all major global organizations; its dissemination is merely restricted by the ‘Heaven-Severing Protocol,’ preventing widespread propagation at this current stage.”
Qi Yue’an was familiar with this protocol; it stood as one of the critical agreements forged between global emergency organizations and the Dawnstar Palace.
It explicitly stipulated that information pertaining to magic-infused technology was not to be divulged to ordinary individuals, untrustworthy demons, or magical girls.
Concurrently, the very existence of ordinary people, demons, and magical girls was to be maintained under the strictest secrecy.
While these words offered Xiyin a measure of reassurance, her gaze upon Li Yan now carried not just her initial wariness, but also a distinct disdain, as if she were looking at refuse, alongside a noticeable flicker of displeasure.
She silently retreated to Qi Yue’an’s side, who still seemed a little dazed, and inquired in a hushed tone.
“An’an,” she whispered, “is he always like this?”
“Ah? Well… he’s usually quite proper, actually.” Qi Yue’an confessed, sounding uncertain.
While it was true that Li Yan exhibited less formality when meeting her as a princess compared to others, he generally maintained a composed demeanor.
“My apologies, Miss Star,” Li Yan said with an apologetic smile, a faraway look of remembrance softening his features. “Seeing your earnest and tenacious expression just now brought an old acquaintance to mind, and I couldn’t resist.”
He was about to return to a more respectable distance to resume his explanation when, unexpectedly, Xiyin did not retreat but instead took a deliberate step closer.
This unanticipated move caused Li Yan to falter for a moment.
He looked at Xiyin, the distance between them already less than half a meter.
“Executive Sir, please lower your head; I have something to tell you.”
He first appeared confused, then, as if realizing something, he adopted a smug expression and closed his eyes, complying.
The sight made Xiyin’s scalp prickle.
However, what greeted him was not the romantic scenario he envisioned, but a clean, precise upward elbow strike.
“Ugh—!”
Li Yan was struck on the chin, sent flying upwards.
Yet, thanks to his demon physique, he not only remained unharmed but instinctively executed a perfect backflip, landing steadily on his feet.
Seeing him completely unscathed, Xiyin’s annoyance intensified, but she merely clapped her hands, as if brushing off something unclean.
“If you’re hungry, eat a meal. Don’t treat me like some female lead in a substitute romance novel. It’s disgusting.
I thought you were just a traitor, but it turns out you’re also a pervert with questionable tastes.”
She scoffed, widening the distance between them, and cast a disdainful glance at him, effectively getting her revenge for his earlier teasing.
Watching her, Li Yan scratched his head; he understood the first part of her accusation but was perplexed by the latter.
Qi Yue’an, who had witnessed the entire exchange and was privy to the full context, couldn’t help but stifle a giggle.
She recalled that during the campus rule-horror incident, after Lin Xiao had taken her away, it was Xiyin and Li Yan who had solved the mystery together.
“Xi, I didn’t realize you two were quite close.”
“That’s right, we’re comrades who’ve faced hardship together.” Li Yan chimed in, smiling.
But Xiyin immediately glared at him. “Who’s comrades with a traitor like you?
And you, little girl wife, don’t butt in. You don’t understand how I feel at all.”
She spoke with an uncharacteristic sharpness towards Qi Yue’an, yet seeing the latter’s rare look of discomfiture, she found herself amused.
What a pity Qi Yue was currently asleep; otherwise, she surely would have heard her piercing shriek of protest.
‘However… she doesn’t understand?’ Qi Yue’an mused, a silent laugh bubbling within her.
She suddenly remembered she had never told Xiyin about her former gender, so it was only natural for Xiyin to assume she was pursuing a conventional path of unrequited, tormented love.
A satisfying sense of ‘my brother got dragged into the pit without even knowing it’ surged through her, but she kept silent, merely letting out a soft hum.
Immediately, however, a hint of melancholy surfaced in her heart.
Did this also prove that she had never possessed the kind of masculine presence that would make others question her identity?
In the eyes of others, was she simply a naive, sickly young girl, easily deceived, from head to toe?
She wanted to retort, but the thought of the impending wedding silenced her.
She resolved to find a suitable opportunity to tell Xiyin the truth.
Time flowed by in a relaxed atmosphere, and soon they were approaching the core area of the facility.
“My apologies, ladies, we can only escort you this far.” Su Qiao stated gravely.
“The subsequent area is accessible only to Her Royal Highness.
Please wait in the reception room outside; she will emerge shortly.”
Now, at the most crucial moment, Qi Yue’an exchanged a coded glance with her companions, preparing to execute their plan.
Bai Jin and Bai Zhi, having returned from their tour of the outer areas, began to engage Su Qiao in conversation.
Xiyin, somewhat reluctantly, took on the task of distracting Li Yan as per Qi Yue’an’s request.
Qi Yue’an and Ling Ru exchanged a knowing look, nodded in unison, and walked towards the restroom.