Chapter 362: Automated Laser Defense Tower
Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Automated Laser Defense Tower
"Lord Contract Master, your Spiritual Power Value is already very high," Yun Han said, as Chen Nan nodded vigorously beside him. "Once a female Spirit Controller’s spiritual power reaches B-level, it’s normally very difficult to increase it. But you’ve never encountered any bottlenecks; it has just kept soaring. That’s not normal at all."
"You’ve already reached SS-level. There are very few female SS-level Spirit Controllers in the entire Federation. With an achievement like this, even if you never progressed another inch, you’d still be one of the very top Controllers. You really don’t need to worry about it," Chen Nan said, trying to comfort Ning Xuan.
Ning Xuan shot Chen Nan a look of disdain. ’If you don’t know what to say, you can just shut your mouth,’ she thought. ’What does he mean, "never progressed another inch"? I have to reach the absolute pinnacle of power in this world so I can break its boundaries and find my way home.’
Seeing the displeasure on Ning Xuan’s face, Yun Han knew Chen Nan’s words had upset her and quickly changed the subject. "Lord Contract Master, I’ve visited the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm before, and it was always very stable. I don’t know what went wrong this time. When we were inside just now, it felt like the Secret Realm was about to collapse and fall apart. Something was very wrong, so we retreated immediately. You were here last time as well; what did you think?"
This was Chen Nan’s first visit to the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm, so he didn’t know what it used to be like and couldn’t add anything to the conversation.
"I think... I think it was okay. It didn’t seem very stable last time, either," Ning Xuan said, a hint of guilt in her voice.
Ning Xuan couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but she suspected the state of the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm had something to do with her Companion Spirits. It wasn’t just the Yinglong this time; the Vermilion Bird’s appearance on her previous visit also seemed to have taken a toll on the realm’s internal environment.
"Contractor, should we go back in and try again?" Chen Nan asked Ning Xuan. He had earned the right to engage in Cultivation in the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm as a reward for exploring a special zone with her on the New Star Body.
After absorbing the spiral nebula on the New Star Body, Chen Nan’s Companion Spirit had leveled up, and his Green-eyed Golden Eagle had been promoted to an Elite Level Companion Spirit. Both his Spiritual Power Value and his physical condition had improved significantly. However, the true strength of his Elite Level Companion Spirit, the Green-eyed Golden Eagle, had yet to manifest.
Chen Nan was counting on finding an opportunity in the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm this time, one that would let him quickly unearth and master the true power of his Elite Level Companion Spirit.
"Of course we’re going in. Chen Nan, Yun Han, you two go on ahead. I’m going to check my equipment and will enter the Secret Realm in a moment." Fearing that her entry would once again destabilize the Secret Realm, she had them go in first.
"Contractor, I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone. Let Chen Nan go in first; I’ll stay with you." Although Yu Mingche had sent Feng Linran to guard them from nearby, Yun Han was still uneasy.
"That’s not necessary. I’ll just be a moment. Go on ahead. Do as I say." The finality in Ning Xuan’s tone told Yun Han he couldn’t argue any further, and he could only nod in agreement.
After watching the two of them enter the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm, Ning Xuan beckoned with her hand. Feng Linran approached, somewhat reluctantly, and bowed respectfully. "Miss Ning, what are your orders?"
"Use these supplies to set up a camp for me. Make it elegant and comfortable. And be quick about it." Ning Xuan pulled a vast array of camping gear from her Space Button—tents, ground tarps, tables, chairs, stools, awnings, and even inflatable mattresses. She had everything, and even produced two housekeeping robots.
The area outside the entrance to the Spiritual Cultivation Secret Realm was a barren wasteland. Spirit Controllers only came here to enter the realm for their Cultivation; they naturally wouldn’t linger by the entrance. As such, no one had ever considered building anything out here.
"Set up a camp here? Are you certain?" Feng Linran asked, unable to hide his surprise.
"Less talk, more work," Ning Xuan said, rolling her eyes at him.
Feng Linran sighed in resignation and had no choice but to comply. As he watched his men bustling about, he lamented internally. ’This must be because I was being awkward and wasn’t respectful enough to Miss Ning. That’s why she’s putting me through all this trouble. I’ve just ended up dragging my men into it.’
The men Feng Linran brought were all elite soldiers, and camping in the wild was a regular affair for them. They set up the camp with incredible speed. In just an hour, the messy pile of materials had been transformed into a neat and tidy encampment.
Ning Xuan’s tent was situated in the very center of the camp. It was made from an ultralight, new composite metal material developed by the Military Department—the same kind used to make parachutes and various aircraft. While its exterior was dazzling, it was also incredibly sturdy. The design was both beautiful and practical; the roof cleverly incorporated a double-layered structure to ensure ventilation while withstanding extreme weather. Delicate, dark-patterned embroidery on the tent flap shimmered in and out of sight with the play of light and shadow, radiating an understated luxury.
Yu Mingche had prepared this tent for her. It was her first time using it, and it was perfectly to her liking.
Ning Xuan was very satisfied with the camp’s layout. Standing in the center, she surveyed the orderly arrangement, a look of appreciation in her eyes.
"Commander Feng’s squad is as well-trained and professional as expected." Ning Xuan lightly brushed the electric fence stretched across the entrance, which sparked with a sharp "ZZT!" "Miss Ning, be careful!" Feng Linran yelled nervously.
"The electric fence is the outermost layer of defense. This area is sandy, so it’s not suitable for digging pitfalls; that’s why we used the fence. We’ve already reinforced the ground beneath the camp to guard against any dangers from below," Feng Linran explained.
"The campsite is well-sited, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun. The distance between the tents is just right, and the layout of functional areas like the kitchen and guard posts is very logical, balancing privacy with security. However, you don’t need to post the sentries so densely. You didn’t bring that many men; if the guard posts are this close together, your people won’t be able to get any rest. Here, look at this." Ning Xuan took a black box from her Space Button and handed it to Feng Linran.
"An automated laser defense turret," Feng Linran exclaimed in astonishment.
This unassuming black box could unleash a deadly laser grid capable of covering a 100-cubic-meter area. It was incredibly powerful—a true asset for city defense.
"This is too valuable! We don’t need it, Miss Ning. Please, put it away." Feng Linran couldn’t stop himself from mentally complaining about how wasteful she was. ’This thing is effective, sure, but it’s outrageously expensive to operate. It might be worth it when used for city defense during a siege, but using it for this is just an incredible waste.’
"It’s not that expensive. I have plenty. This one’s a gift," Ning Xuan said, pulling another one from her Space Button. "Here’s a second one. Just activate these, and you won’t have to station the guards so closely together." She tossed both black boxes to Feng Linran.