By this point, how could Huai Shi not realize that a Great Grandmaster had intervened?
When he looked up, beyond the gradually dispersing sandstorm, he finally caught sight of the Iron Crystal Throne.
It was perched atop shifting dunes, resembling a blade fallen from the sky, having cleaved into the upper floors of a ruined building and become lodged there.
The other end tilted incongruously into the air, precariously balanced on a single point, suspended at an angle.
Was that… a submarine?
The corner of Huai Shi's eye twitched. He squinted, looking carefully. No matter how he looked at it, this thing had to be a damned submarine!
Like a vehicle in a freak accident, it had fallen from the sky and crashed into the ruins, remaining in an unnatural, tilted state.
The entire Iron Crystal Throne was, in fact, a gigantic submarine…
On the submarine's hull, countless layers of Alchemy Matrices shimmered, extending into the air, interweaving and gradually fading from sight. Yet, the air itself grew viscous, like seawater.
The surroundings were forcibly plunged into a low-gravity environment, akin to being underwater.
Occasionally, some dust would leisurely rise, only to slowly settle back down. But any unfortunate Flying Birds or other creatures caught within it were instantly crushed to dust by a terrifying, unseen pressure.
The area where it rested had become like the deep sea.
Now, as the ornithopter rapidly approached, it began to 'surface' swiftly. As the outermost wave-like matrix made contact, a vast hatch opened in the center of the submarine. Dozens of workers climbed out and, under radioed commands, skillfully guided the train into the vessel. Following that, the huge ornithopter retracted its wings, shrinking and folding inward.
By the time it slid down the tracks, it had contracted into a solid iron cabinet just over four meters long.
At the entrance to the Iron Crystal Throne, Andrea alighted and said to Raymond, "You're responsible for inventorying the supplies and coordinating the handover. Then have Martin liaise with the people here to get the students settled."
Huai Shi frowned.
"Isn't that supposed to be me?"
He wasn't so much worried that Martin would seize the opportunity to consolidate power or trip up his own students; he was simply concerned that Martin might mess things up.
"Aren't your two students assisting him?"
Andrea waved her hand. "This is Hell. There are no child protection laws here; even children should be put to use. Besides, Martin doesn't dislike interacting with people. As a recognized member of the research department, he can handle these things."
"What about me?" Huai Shi asked.
Andrea paused for a moment, turning back to glance at him.
"You're coming with me to see the Great Grandmaster."
The interior of the Iron Crystal Throne wasn't as cramped as one might imagine from the outside. Although space was still limited after alchemical expansion and couldn't be wasted, it at least wasn't so narrow that one had to stoop.
As a mobile branch of the research institute, it lacked none of the expected equipment or protective measures.
Even in Hell, it could ensure safety.
After passing security checks and inspections to enter, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling the long, nerve-wracking journey, they were once again reminded of Hell's perils.
While the others relaxed, preparing to eat, bathe, and rest, Huai Shi followed Andrea into the heart of the Iron Crystal Throne, ascending via an inclined elevator directly to the bridge.
Inside the Iron Crystal Throne, artificial gravity maintained a constant 'down,' irrespective of the vessel's external orientation. Even though the tilted scenery outside was visible through the portholes, inside, one felt firmly grounded, with no sense of imbalance.
Huai Shi suspected that there was already a prototype of the Mobile Border inside the Iron Crystal Throne. The submarine-like exterior was merely a shell; the interior was an entirely different space.
The Ivory Tower had the resources and capabilities to achieve this.
Within the Iron Crystal Throne, one was, in effect, shielded by the Creator's framework, immune to Hell's corrosive influence and bizarre phenomena. Even amidst the ever-changing dangers of Hell, basic safety could be ensured.
And within its multiple layers of defenses and stringent security, countless labs and production lines stood ready to respond appropriately to any eventuality.
Furthermore, this place was guarded by a Great Grandmaster.
If not for the fear of jinxing himself with his Raven's Beak, Huai Shi would have wanted to say that this time he could definitely rest easy and win hands down.
But how could Luo Su, that Old Turtle, be so generous?
There were definitely still problems waiting for him.
The final door opened before him.
He walked into the bridge.