The wooden fence was moved aside, and everyone rode forward.
Sha Lifei grinned and cursed, "Goodness, you don't even recognize us?"
Wang Daoxuan shook his head and said, "Nowadays, Qiankun Academy is a vital place for the nation, naturally, it needs to be careful and secure."
Climbing to the top of the hill, the view opened up dramatically.
In the faint morning light, two vast clusters of buildings loomed far apart, separated by the rolling ridges.
The Divine Machine Camp on the east side leaned against steep cliffs, with green stone walls as tall as several zhang and as heavy as iron gates. The crenellated battlements on top of the wall hinted at outlines of cannons. The enormous iron gates were tightly shut, with the four words "Divine Machine Restricted Area" on the lintel, sharp as drawn swords.
Several thick dark cast iron chimneys pierced the morning mist, spewing out billowing smoke.
Clang! Clang—the heavy sounds of forging came intermittently, like muffled thunder.
