The Void Ring looked like a massive light screen completely obscuring the entire Sero Great Forest, its scale comparable to the largest city energy shields.
People outside could only see an impenetrable halo of light completely surrounding this forest of light spears, while everything happening inside was completely unclear.
Not only were human eyes useless, but the detection range of various instruments also stopped at the light screen, as if the entire great forest had been artificially peeled away from this world.
From an occult perspective, the Void Ring is a massive mystical effect generated by the connection between the Void Realm and the Present world, with all its components derived from the energy of the Void Realm.
Existing technological reconnaissance instruments, on the other hand, are manufactured based on the physical constants of the Present world, naturally making them helpless against mystical reactions.
Ordinary people would find it difficult to witness such powerful mystical forces even on television, let alone confront, break through, or even destroy them.
From this perspective, the Marine Corps members who followed Yu Lian and Feifei directly into the Void Ring were indeed elites.
At least they didn't faint on the spot and continued to advance.
Although their steps were a bit slow and even overly heavy, at least they hadn't completely lost their rhythm.
Of course, after entering the Void Ring, the Marine Corps members raised their weapons in front of them, ready to open fire at any time.
With every step forward, they would pause, as if they needed to look around and observe in the shadows for half a minute.
"Don't worry," Yu Lian told the soldiers, "This Void Ring is merely an isolation wall from the Void Realm; whatever is inside, remains inside."
Indeed, everyone had originally expected the Void Ring to be a terrifying scene like a horror movie, filled with blood, demonic winds, and a chaotic dance of demons, as if hell had descended upon the human world.
But apart from slightly reduced visibility, there wasn't much impact.
As for the equipment they carried, everything was normal except for the loss of communication with the outside world.
The Marine Corps members smiled and agreed that the Commander was right!
But they still had to be cautious, even adding a step-and-look-back procedure.
They probably felt that the more normal a situation seemed, the more abnormal it often was, which was quickly becoming a horror movie trope.
"I am a spiritual energy user," Yu Lian added, "No one here understands mysticism better than I do.
My spiritual perception has been constantly giving us warnings."
"Thank you for your hard work," the Marine Corps members said, deeply moved, but their marching speed still slowed down.
Feifei, standing nearby, seemed about to burst out laughing, so Yu Lian simply dropped his pleasant demeanor and commanded, "Accelerate the march!
We must reach the designated location within one hour."
Yu Lian no longer paid attention to the group and accelerated towards the destination.
His attitude was clear: if they didn't keep up, he would leave them behind.
Yu Lian didn't even bother to execute two of them as a warning to others, as if this fully equipped squad of Marine Corps members was completely dispensable to him.
Perhaps the Marine Corps members finally felt humiliated and decided to overcome their shame, or perhaps they were simply afraid of being left behind by their Commander, so they gritted their teeth and could only speed up to follow.
The further they advanced, the deeper they went into the Void Ring and the Sero Great Forest, the Marine Corps members' morale slowly began to rise.
It should be known that Yu Lian had been keeping his spiritual perception active throughout the journey, easily avoiding all possible encounters in advance.
If it was truly unavoidable, he would act preemptively, using the most discreet methods possible to eliminate any enemies blocking their path.
During the hour-long march, several battles did break out, but each time was without alarm or danger, and even the commotion wasn't too great.
At least within the strange environment of the Sero Great Forest, it wasn't particularly intense.
After eliminating two Rock Tigers, a flock of twenty Dinosaur Birds, and a patch of animated man-eating trees, they passed through a valley, crossed a mountain range, and arrived at a secluded mountain stream.
Standing there, looking through the low bushes around the mountain, they could already see the scattered towers and towering stargazing platforms in the distance within the mountain range.
Those were the outer structures of Sero Ancient City.
This was the first time since the war began that the General Headquarters army had come so close to Sero Ancient City.
"You're actually so familiar with this place?" The Marine Corps squad leader asked, his face full of surprise, looking at Yu Lian as if he had seen a miracle.
"I am not familiar," Yu Lian said expressionlessly, with a profound look, "But I am a spiritual energy user, capable of letting the universe spirit guide my way."
None of the Marine Corps members Present were particularly well-read, so they naturally looked on with awe and admiration.
Feifei looked at Yu Lian with a half-smile.
Of course, as a kind and understanding girl, she wouldn't pour cold water on him.
"If only you had come earlier... bringing more troops here, we could have launched a surprise attack on the enemy," the Sergeant squad leader said, full of regret.
Yu Lian shook his head, "It wouldn't have been possible even if I had come earlier.
Small unit and large unit movements are completely different, and the enemy's defenses would also be different.
All of you participated in the previous battles.
Didn't you notice that during this infiltration, the Lumina Rebels and cultists' patrols have been much more relaxed?"
The Marine Corps members thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case.
"This means that the big event the enemy is planning has reached its most critical juncture."
Everyone looked at each other, feeling that this statement didn't make much sense.
Just as they were about to say something, Yu Lian had already stepped behind a mountain wall, and with a light pat, he injected spiritual energy into the cold stone slab.
"Ka-hoo~~~" The sound of rock rubbing against machinery echoed from the mountain wall.
This sound was not the dull and ancient roar of ancient mechanisms that had been hidden for countless years; it wasn't particularly loud, and its tone was quite smooth, as if it had been regularly maintained and lubricated with high-quality oil.
It was completely muffled by the sound-blocking field Yu Lian had propped up with his spiritual energy.
From within the seamlessly integrated mountain, a dark passage gradually appeared.
"Military secret!" Yu Lian told the Marine Corps members, whose jaws were about to drop.
Feifei still stood with her arms crossed, smiling, but she didn't particularly hide her amusement when looking at Yu Lian.
Ke'ermo, the young rebel leader whose prestige was soaring, was walking through the underground passage of Sero Ancient City, preparing to return to the altar site.
He had indeed gone to conduct a final defense inspection earlier.
After leaving the underground altar, Ke'ermo diligently inspected the defensive areas of Sero Ancient City, re-checking all the garrison troops and defensive facilities.
He also instructed all warriors to maintain high vigilance, not only to guard against the Earth forces outside but also against their allies within the city.
Additionally, since all patrol teams could no longer leave the city, they should be incorporated into the defensive forces.
Compared to other rebel leaders who led their troops by inciting hatred, religious brainwashing, and violent intimidation, Ke'ermo's approach was much more professional.
This was, in fact, his most important source of prestige, far surpassing his personal bravery.
He also never hesitated to share his expertise and advice with other rebel groups.
Thus, within the Lumina Rebels community, he had always been known as "Ke'ermo, the Public-Spirited."
When Ke'ermo returned to the underground hall, many rebel leaders silently nodded and even saluted him, looking at first glance as if they were welcoming a king.
In the dimly lit underground hall, they did not see Ke'ermo's grim expression and his mind full of worries.
"External communication has been completely cut off, I can't connect to that Lord... Have they arrived?" He clutched his chest, feeling an unprecedented sense of urgency that made him so nervous he could barely breathe.
"Calm down! Ke'ermo! Calm down! Today is the turning point in the fate of the Lumina people!"
Lord Yan looked thoughtfully at Ke'ermo, who had once again retreated to a corner to hide himself, sighing heavily in his heart, his emotions extremely complex.
The most powerful faction among the Lumina Rebels was originally Sunna Dena's Divine Army, which was also the only one among the Lumina Rebel groups to possess warships—though only pirate ship level, they were indeed warships.
At the same time, Sunna Dena came from a renowned family (whether true or false is unknown), and he himself was a martial spiritual energy user, holding considerable appeal among the Lumina people who revered bravery.
Therefore, he had always considered himself the sole leader of the Lumina Rebels, acting in a bossy manner towards other leaders, almost saying, "Once the Earthlings are driven away, I can become king."
For the past decade or so, Lord Yan had always lived in the shadows.
Although he was old, he considered himself a seasoned veteran ready for action, and such days were truly agonizing.
Fortunately, the Divine Army, being too conspicuous with its warships, was blockaded by the Far Shore Fleet in the I Earl Star Gorge and had been completely annihilated, and Sunna Dena himself had died on Earth.
Lord Yan had originally thought that after Sunna Dena, it would be his turn to lead the Lumina Rebels.
But unexpectedly, Ke'ermo appeared.
Unlike Dena Sunna, who was full of brute force but obsessed with religious fanaticism, this young man was equally powerful, yet he was meticulous, quick-witted, magnanimous, and a new-school individual who had received higher education in the Empire.
In just a few short years, his status among the rebels had soared, and it seemed his position was about to surpass his own.
...It's truly painful to be an old man with dreams!
Lord Yan, old in years but still with unfulfilled ambitions, adjusted his breathing and refocused his attention on the operating magic array.
He admitted that he was indeed jealous of this young man.
He also admitted that he still had no mature plan on how to deal with his relationship with this young man in the future.
But no matter what, these were matters to be resolved last.
Flores Wanda, the Wanling Sect Leader, seemed to have never noticed the reactions of the Lumina people.
One hand still caressed the mirror, fully focused on the operation of the magic array.
As a cult leader with a strong pursuit of freedom, Leader Wanda actually felt quite aggrieved.
Originally, his sect had taken the upper-class route and already had considerable influence.
If everything went smoothly, it was not impossible for them to someday become the behind-the-scenes controllers of a great nation like the Commonwealth.
When that time came, his position in the organization would surely be comparable to that of the Thirteen Faces.
Greed had clouded his judgment!
Why would he cause trouble on Earth for the sake of the massive Praka-configured super-magic array?
Was it really just for I Earl's legacy?
Was it really just to prove himself to the organization's bigwigs?
Was all of this more important than the foundation he had built over decades?
Flores Wanda sighed silently.
At this point, did he have any other choice?
Fortunately, at least for now, the magic array was operating very smoothly.
As long as it succeeded, as long as it descended, everything would return to normal, Leader Wanda thought.
At this moment, a familiar footstep approached him.
This was his most capable assistant, the young Bishop Nao Wen.
He was the youngest in the Wanling Sect's bishopric, not yet thirty years old, but also the most educated, holding a Union doctorate.
"Leader, all our communication equipment has been out of order since a moment ago."
Leader Wanda nodded noncommittally.
Nao Wen continued, "Also... because the magic array is operating, the animals in the forest are in a berserk state.
Even the Lumina warriors' mounts are uncontrollable, and the outer patrols have stopped.
At this time, if the enemy sends troops, we will not be able to give an early warning."
"Likewise, those berserk beasts can also serve as our natural barrier, can't they?" Leader Wanda said.
Nao Wen nodded, then shook his head.
He then used subtle spiritual energy manipulation to focus his voice, sending it directly into the Leader's ear: "...I have already prepared a refuge for you."
This was the most discreet way Bishop Nao Wen could converse.
Mind links and telepathy were too profound for him to use.
More importantly, wouldn't two old men having a telepathic connection seem too gay?
"Refuge? At a time like this? At the moment of impending victory?" Leader Wanda seemed to finally shift his attention from the mirror in his hand and the magic array opposite him, glancing at Nao Wen.
"After the auspicious hour, it will return to the Present world.
Everything here will be overturned.
Just wait and see, my friend," the Leader said.
Nao Wen, however, advised again, "...But we cannot fully expect everything to go smoothly, nor can we expect our people to do nothing, nor can we expect our allies.
Furthermore, we cannot even expect this magic array and these sacrificial artifacts to truly achieve the effects described in the notes.
Therefore, we must prepare a retreat."
The young man's words were somewhat harsh, especially for Leader Wanda, who had already lost the foundation he had built over two decades and had to stake everything here.
The Leader looked at his unyielding assistant and said expressionlessly, "You've been preparing for a long time?"
"Yes, I started preparing as soon as we arrived at Sero Ancient City," Nao Wen said.
What a reliable person!
The Leader squeezed out an expression of emotion in his eyes, and after confirming that the other party had seen his emotion, he said, "...I will go at the appropriate time."
Nao Wen nodded, and then, as if he had thought of something, said, "Also..."
"I understand," Leader Wanda interrupted him.
Wanda didn't say what he understood, but Nao Wen didn't ask further.
He simply lowered his head and slowly retreated until he had once again receded into the shadows.
At this moment, the light enveloping the entire altar, forming the giant magic array, instantly became even brighter.
Behind that halo of light, a massive figure seemed to flicker, slowly revealing its formidable presence, enveloped in white light.