Chapter Forty-Nine: Arrival at the Testing Grounds

“Welcome, Seven Knights IV Type - Scarlet Blaze - No. 296, and Seven Knights IV Type - Yellow Sand - No. 179, you are now in position. Is there anything I can assist you with?”
In the empty space of the forward base, an electronic voice echoed.
At this moment, only Zhu Yan and Liu Linlin stood at the central control, responding to everything; the others had been sent to the inner chambers, though they could still hear the conversation outside.
After the electronic voice posed its question, Zhu Yan replied directly, “Both Seven Knights IV Types require repairs. Is it possible to proceed?”
The electronic voice responded without hesitation, “Seven Knights IV Type - Scarlet Blaze - 296 has sustained 71% damage. Seven Knights IV Type - Yellow Sand - 179 has sustained 82% damage. This base does not have sufficient repair materials and cannot perform comprehensive repairs.”
“Then, could you transfer us to a nearby Seven Knights IV production base or research facility?” Zhu Yan asked, raising another request.
“I’m sorry, there is insufficient energy. Many passages cannot be opened, and you also lack the necessary authorization,” the electronic voice rejected her request outright.
Zhu Yan had anticipated this and promptly said, “We lack materials, but we still possess some energy, and we do have authorization to grant access.”
Whatever credentials Zhu Yan presented, the Seven Knights IV Type soon began to dispense a large number of energy blocks. These had been acquired through various daily tasks at Golden Pine Valley. Liu Zong, situated elsewhere, could not see what was happening outside; he could only hear the occasional electronic voice from all around.
After about half a day, the electronic voice finally delivered its last message: “Energy replenishment complete. Passage confirmed. Authorization confirmed. Now opening the route to the Ancient Testing Grounds. Please prepare for transfer. Please enter the inner cabin of the Seven Knights IV Type.”
Following these instructions, Liu Zong felt the cabin walls begin to change. What had once been metallic slowly transformed into sand, eventually burying him beneath yellow sand.
This bizarre transformation startled Liu Zong, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew that this was most likely a transfer process; if he moved around and got thrown out, it would be courting death. Remaining here was like watching a transition animation.

With this in mind, Liu Zong took the opportunity to observe his surroundings. He saw that not only the inner walls, but the entire Seven Knights IV Type had become sand, which then flowed along a passage, carrying him away within it.
Whenever he was tossed by the sand, Liu Zong noticed that, beyond the yellow sand, there was a thick layer of magma—what must have been the transformed Seven Knights IV Type - Scarlet Blaze. The players seated inside Scarlet Blaze’s cabin were carried along by the magma, moving together.
After about half an hour of this movement, the sand gradually came to a halt. Liu Zong found himself surrounded by emptiness; the sand here reassembled into the Seven Knights IV Type - Yellow Sand, then dropped heavily downward.
The sensation of falling weightlessly did not last long, and soon another electronic voice was heard.
“Welcome to the Seven Knights IV Type Laboratory. How may I assist you?”
Zhu Yan’s voice rang out again, “This is Seven Knights IV Type Laboratory authorization. We require repairs and resupply for both units, and we also need a place to rest.”
“Final authorization confirmed. Authorization level: 3. Both units confirmed—Scarlet Blaze - 296 damage at 71%, Yellow Sand - 179 at 82%. Repairs can be conducted. Please exit the Seven Knights IV Type.”
With this confirmation, Zhu Yan immediately called out, “Alright, everyone come down. We’ve arrived.”
Many of the players, Liu Zong among them, had set their sights on this place. Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, they quickly disembarked from the Seven Knights IV Type.
Only now did Liu Zong and the others witness the style of the Storm Archipelago’s Seven Knights base. This was an underground laboratory, but its ceiling soared fifty meters above their heads.
They stood at what was likely the entrance plaza of the lab, with both Seven Knights IV Types parked here, not crowded at all.
Looking around, they saw underground stone walls with no trace of metal, as though the place had been carved directly from the earth.

Once all the players had exited, the ground began to crack open, and the two Seven Knights IV Types dissolved into sand and magma, drawn back underground.
Afterward, under Zhu Yan’s guidance, they walked in another direction. According to the electronic voice, this was the staff lounge—a place where employees rested and lived. It was a non-confidential area where everyone could walk freely.
Leading the players to a cafeteria, Zhu Yan spoke with certainty: “More than half of you came for this laboratory. I’ve brought you here; from here on, it’s up to your own luck. I’ve already checked—repairs for the two Seven Knights IV Types will take about five days. You have free rein during that time.
First, the staff living area is the safest. To the east is the researcher living area, level 4 authorization—your authorization suffices. To the west is the laboratory area, level 3 authorization, only I have access, but if you’re not discovered, you can sneak in.
Beyond that are the confidential experimental area and the data archives, level 2 authorization—I can’t enter, but you can try sneaking in; if you get caught, you’ll die.
Finally, the main laboratory, level 1 authorization—before shutdown, they used it to build Seven Knights V Types. It holds original data and machines. On the last day, we’ll mount a small operation; if you’re interested, you can sign up, but getting caught means certain death.”
At this, Zhu Yan glanced at Xu Linlin, then added, “That’s all I’ll say. Everyone is free to act as they wish. I hope, five days from now, I’ll still see you all alive here.”
With that, Zhu Yan departed, leaving the players to discuss their next moves among themselves.
Of course, Liu Zong immediately sought out Liu Chun to hear his thoughts.
Liu Chun whispered to him, “I’ve heard, Sister Yan’s main goal is to reach this place, then use it as a transit point to the Seven Lords’ territory, and from there, transfer to the Princess Tomb. She has all the necessary authorizations. So she doesn’t really need to bring so many people.”