Chapter 307: The Influence of Transcendent Powerhouses
Dawn Base covered a vast area. Aside from the three city walls that divided it into the Outer City, Inner City, and Core Area,
it was further divided according to direction into eight smaller districts within the inner and outer city. Along the walls bordering the outer eight districts, eight gates for entry and exit had been constructed.
As a base with a population exceeding ten million within the Alliance, the city gates saw a massive flow of people entering and leaving every single day.
The City Defense Army responsible for clearing intruding threats from the safe zone, the workers planting crops within the safe zone, hunters and Beast Tamers preparing to head into the wilderness to gather resources, and personnel from stationed factions entering the base for shopping and leisure…
It could be said that people from all walks of life passed through the gates of Dawn Base every day. The sheer volume of traffic never diminished from morning to night.
At the northern gate, among the crowd lining up to enter and exit the base, someone suddenly pointed toward the distant sky and shouted,
“Look, a Transcendent powerhouse has arrived!”
This exclamation was like cold water poured into boiling oil—instantly, the crowd erupted with excitement, speculating nonstop about which external faction the arriving figure belonged to.
As the Alliance headquarters, Dawn Base had fewer than fifty Transcendent-level existences stationed there year-round.
For many ordinary people, encountering a Transcendent powerhouse within Dawn Base was far from easy.
Under the gaze of countless civilians, Zhou Ming appeared in their line of sight, dressed in a black combat outfit embroidered with dark-gold threads.
Only then did the people preparing to pass through the gate realize that this Transcendent Master before them was both unfamiliar and remarkably young.
Many women, upon seeing Zhou Ming’s appearance, immediately flushed with a hint of shy embarrassment.
Even though Zhou Ming had restrained his bloodline aura, a trace of Transcendent charm still lingered. After all, such an ability was like an innate instinct—impossible to completely conceal.
Coupled with the transformation brought by the Spirit Molting Snake Emperor Bloodline, his face had become exceptionally handsome, carrying a noble and mysterious aura.
Faced with this situation, the City Defense Army quickly mobilized personnel to maintain order.
They were not afraid of the civilians being trampled—they feared someone might offend this unfamiliar Transcendent powerhouse.
“My lord, I am Wei Hai, responsible for guarding this gate. May I assist you in any way?”
As soon as Zhou Ming landed, a colonel whose strength had reached the level of a Professional Beast Tamer stepped forward and respectfully inquired.
“I am Zhou Ming, a newly advanced Transcendent Master from the Alliance’s northern region. I am unfamiliar with this place. Could you help introduce me to your City Defense Army’s higher command?”
Seeing the other party take the initiative, Zhou Ming did not stand on ceremony. After all, he was not familiar with the Alliance headquarters.
Since both the City Defense Army and the Academy of Sciences belonged to the Alliance, he could conveniently ask them to help contact the Academy.
Upon hearing Zhou Ming’s introduction, the dark-skinned and lean Wei Hai immediately recalled intelligence about him.
After all, Zhou Ming advancing to Transcendent Master in his early thirties was enough to draw the attention of any Beast Tamer.
“So it is Lord Zhou. Please follow me.”
As a colonel, Wei Hai now behaved more like a receptionist, leading Zhou Ming to a small passage on the left side of the gate—
a special channel designated for important personnel.
As Zhou Ming departed, the previously quiet gate instantly erupted into lively discussion.
“That lord looks so young.”
“How do you know he’s young? Many Transcendent Masters look like they’re in their thirties or forties even when they’re over a hundred.”
“Idiot, can’t you tell from his aura? There’s no trace of time on him at all.”
…
Meanwhile, as the crowd discussed, a few Beast Tamers preparing to head into the wilderness immediately turned back into Dawn Base.
Ordinary people might not know who Zhou Ming was, but they had heard of his reputation and hurried to report to their respective factions.
At the same time, under Wei Hai’s guidance, Zhou Ming took an elevator up to the top of the hundred-meter-high city wall.
Taking this opportunity, Zhou Ming finally saw up close just how tightly defended Dawn Base was.
Three steps, one sentry; five steps, one guard post. Heavy weapons were everywhere.
Large-caliber autocannons, heavy machine guns, heavy artillery, as well as concealed missile launch ports, energy cannons, and massive weapons Zhou Ming had never seen before.
Though he did not know what they were, he could clearly sense a dangerous aura emanating from them.
Under Wei Hai’s lead, Zhou Ming entered a luxurious reception room, clearly meant for receiving distinguished guests.
“Lord Zhou, please have some tea. Our City Defense Army’s senior commanders will arrive shortly.”
Faced with Zhou Ming, a newly advanced Transcendent Master, Wei Hai showed none of a colonel’s authority, afraid of offending him with poor hospitality.
He had completely forgotten that he himself was over a decade older than Zhou Ming and held an important position within the City Defense Army.
“Thank you for the trouble, Colonel Wei.”
At this moment, Zhou Ming truly experienced firsthand the influence of a Transcendent Master within the Alliance.
And this influence stemmed entirely from the terrifying power possessed by Transcendent powerhouses.
For example, a place like Dawn Base—if it lacked Transcendent Masters and Legendary Saints stationed there, Zhou Ming alone could breach it.
After all, no matter how powerful the weapons were, they needed an opportunity to hit their target. Zhou Ming, acting alone, could launch attacks anytime, anywhere.
“You are too courteous, Lord Zhou.”
Just as Wei Hai was attending to Zhou Ming, a hearty laugh like thunder sounded from outside the door.
“Hahaha! Who would have thought that our humble City Defense Army would receive such a distinguished guest today? Forgive me, Zhou Ming, for the poor reception.”
As the laughter subsided, a burly man wearing a military cloak entered the room and immediately expressed his apology.
“Lord Zhou, this is Lieutenant General Feng Tianyun, commander of the Northern City Defense Army of Dawn Base.”
Wei Hai promptly introduced the man’s identity.
“Lieutenant General Feng, you are too polite. It is my first time at the Alliance headquarters, and I am unfamiliar with everything here. I had no choice but to find someone at random to guide me—please don’t take offense.”
Facing a Transcendent powerhouse of the same level, Zhou Ming stood up and returned the courtesy, even making a light joke at his own expense.
“Lord Zhou, you are too modest. The fact that you came to me upon arriving at the Alliance headquarters means we are destined to meet.”
Afterward, Feng Tianyun dismissed Wei Hai before continuing,
“May I ask what brings Lord Zhou to the Alliance headquarters?”
“I intend to meet a friend. Since she works at the Academy of Sciences, I hoped to trouble you, Lieutenant General Feng, to help contact them.”
“Your friend should be Academician Lei Yuan, correct?”
Whether it was the previous operation of the Wind Eagle Yang Family or Zhou Ming’s advancement to Transcendent Master, information about him had already reached certain figures within the Alliance’s upper ranks.
“We were friends at Qinghui Scientific Research University. We haven’t met for years, and in the past two years, we even lost contact. Please don’t laugh at me.”
“To think that such a small Qinghui Scientific Research University produced two outstanding talents like you.”
Even someone in Feng Tianyun’s high position could not help but marvel at the university’s fortune.
With the achievements of Zhou Ming and Lei Yuan, even among the universities at the Alliance headquarters—or even Blue Star Academy—few could compare.
“Very well. Since Lord Zhou has requested it, I will personally help you contact the Academy of Sciences.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Feng Tianyun immediately left to make arrangements.