Chapter 567: Ye Chong’s Preparations (1/2)

Chapter 567: Ye Chong’s Preparations

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Sha Ya was already waiting at Yedda City. She was sent to the city ahead of time. Though she did not know what Ye Chong was up to, she obeyed Ye Chong's orders dutifully. Knowing how strong Ye Chong was, she left for Yedda City feeling assured that Ye Chong did not need her protection. Here in Eastern Cloud, abandoning one's master was a despicable act. Sha Ya was grateful that her master was not that of a bad person.

When Sha Ya saw the massive army arriving, she was still caught off guard. She was used to seeing all five thousand training vehicles together, since they all flew together during the usual practice flights. However, this was the first time they had a few transport aircraft tagging along. She threw Ye Chong a look of bafflement, but discreetly kept her questions to herself. Sha Ya had already contacted the local authorities and prepared supplies for the army. Ye Chong and his security detachment replenished their stock of food and water here. Yedda City authorities were used to this. Master Ye Chong was a local celebrity. Besides, they were already used to having the Army of Glutinous Rice Balls restock their supplies in the city. Since they could claim for reimbursements every time the army resupplied, it was a good opportunity for the local authorities to profit from it.

Instead of flying in her own aircraft, Sha Ya boarded the transport aircraft that Ye Chong was on.

Ye Chong had modified the transport aircraft for greater load, better flight stability and slower flight. More importantly, the aircraft can now land vertically on the ground, bypassing the need for a landing field. These were all functions that normal transport aircraft and fighters lacked.

”What's our next stop after the resupply?” Sha Ya asked. Sha Ya was one of the few people in the Army of Glutinous Rice Balls who had actual battle experience. She was also a shooting instructor for the army. Sometimes, she would lead the group of young recruits herself out for training. Everyone in the army knew her.

Ye Chong replied with an air of calmness, ”Dual Forest.”

Sha Ya was surprised. ”That's too dangerous! They're not ready to enter Dual Forest.” Dual Forest was not particularly challenging for Sha Ya, but it would be a very dangerous place for the inexperienced young soldiers. Sha Ya thought that the students would need at least another year's training to be ready to enter Dual Forest to practice actual combat. Surely her master understood this, but why did he still choose this course of action? Sha Ya did not think Ye Chong was the kind of person to train his soldiers without regard of their lives. This was clear from the way he designed the protection systems for the training vehicles.

Ye Chong replied without expression, ”If we move quickly enough, there should be no problem.”

”You want to enter Dual Forest?” Sha Ya gasped.

Ye Chong nodded. ”Yes.”

To enter Dual Forest would mean … Sha Ya began to have an inkling of what Ye Chong was planning.

Dual Forest was full of tall and imposing ancient trees. Strays of sunlight found their way through the foliage, leaving scattered shadows on the grassy floor below.

The students were hesitant. This was a dangerous operation. Shu Mo'er was the only one amongst them who had been here. Not even Duan Qian and Shu Man'er had visited Dual Forest. Nevertheless, all of them were aware of the risks of entering the place.

The transport aircraft landed. The hatches opened up, and a huge spider walked out of it. Another Spider followed from behind, then another Spider, and another, and another …

There were 40 Spiders in total. The first Spider looked leaner and more agile than the other 39, which had a larger pilot cabin. Ye Chong and Sha Ya were in the first Spider, the only one designed for battle. The rest of the Spiders were built for transport.

Duan Qian and the other students had a simple order – follow the first Spider. The training vehicles were not fast, but they would fly quietly in the air while following the Spider. Besides, their smaller built allowed them to navigate through the forest more easily. All five thousand training vehicles slowly ascended until they were about five meters from the ground. They maintained this altitude and followed the first Spider in a long line. The five thousand training vehicles were separated from each other by three meters, and formed a long line behind the first Spider.

At the leading position was a student called Fisher. He was the best pilot in the army, especially when navigating complicated terrain. Hence, he was assigned to the first position. Since all the training vehicles used identical photon processors, geopositioning systems, comms systems and holographic scanning systems, all the training vehicles can be programmed to follow the route taken by the first training vehicle.

Ye Chong gave the order, and the army began its journey into Dual Forest. Many members of the public saw them, but none dared to follow.

The fully armed Spider led the army, with Ye Chong and Sha Ya in it.

Dual Forest did not cause them any distress. The creatures in Dual Forest all remembered the terrifying Spider. None of them approached to challenge its power. Having been here before, Ye Chong had the Spider marched full speed ahead, wasting no time investigating the route.

His time, they took only two days to traverse Dual Forest.

The students were all excited, having never been into Dual Forest. The looming trees and scattering wild animals that they saw along the way had gotten them stirred up.

After Dual Forest was the Desert.

Sha Ya watched the desolate place with cold eyes and reminded Ye Chong, ”We need to go pass the Desert as quickly as possible. The longer we spend time in here, the riskier it gets.”

Ye Chong nodded. He shared the same concern. With such a large army and so much cargo, the only ones who were combat ready were him and Sha Ya. This meant that he and Sha Ya had to ensure the safety of the students.

It was a difficult situation, but Ye Chong also realized that this was the best chance to escape. Once he missed this window, it would only get harder to leave. Ye Chong had prepared extensively for this operation. Without Mu/Shang's help, he had to figure things out himself. Fortunately, this was not his first time leading an army. Compared to last time, he was now more composed and mature to deal with the situation. This was an improvement for him.

Before this, he had arranged for the students to practice long distance flights frequently. Yedda City and its vicinity were a common destination for them. Hence, they had had no trouble so far. The local authorities thought they were only having another routine training session. No one imagined that this was actually an attempt to escape.