Chapter 103: The Underwater Pyramid

Lushan Mountain. Command Office of the Flying Dragon Battalion.

A remote three-dimensional video call window opened before Chen Sheng.

“Major Lin, I’m entrusting the children of the Flying Dragon Battalion to you this time. I hope you can lead them back safely. If any abnormal situations arise during the mission, you have the authority to decide whether to abort it,” Chen Sheng said, unusually revealing a rare concern about the mission’s success.

“Rest assured, Colonel. After these years of the nation's efforts to enhance the capabilities of special operations personnel, I now possess strength at the Yuan Emperor level 55. It may seem a bit premature, but I firmly believe that Huafeng and Yunmeng, who wield the power of the Yuan Emperor, and Li Long, who is in the later stages of the Yuan Emperor, will surely complete this mission and return unscathed.” Lin Chong saluted Chen Sheng respectfully, still holding deep admiration for the veteran colonel.

Although over time the spiritual energy available for cultivation on Earth had mysteriously grown denser, allowing gifted cultivators to reach the Yuan Emperor level within a few years, Chen Sheng’s own cultivation had stagnated at the late Yuan Emperor level 55 since the tragic loss of his younger brother, Po Jun. Yet, this did not affect his judgment or decision-making. The Flying Dragon Battalion’s growth under his command was the best testament to that.

“That’s good. I wish you all a triumphant return!” Chen Sheng said.

Lin Chong nodded and briefly went over the mission details before Chen Sheng ended the video call. Only ten minutes had passed.

Long hours of work had gradually dulled Chen Sheng’s grief and guilt over his brother. Yet, whenever he was alone, the horrific image of Po Jun’s tragic death played repeatedly in his mind like a movie, refusing to fade away. Nearly two years had passed, but it still felt as vivid as if it had just happened.

That arrow of divine slaying, which came from the sky, shattered his inability as an elder brother to exchange even a few words with his younger sibling. The end of it all was a chasm between life and death that separated them forever. Every time he thought of Po Jun sacrificing himself to shield him from that fatal blow, Chen Sheng was consumed by remorse and self-blame. For years he had longed to exact vengeance on the culprit but had never succeeded. Time passed moment by moment as his vacant gaze lingered in memories.

———

Beneath the mudflats of southern Spain. April 18, 2118. A submerged pyramid discovered in the western sea areas of Portugal, suspected to be a relic of Atlantis.

The vast North Atlantic was swept by fierce monsoon winds, carrying the scent of the ocean crashing toward the shoreline.

On the beach, Huafeng and the special task force had already gathered. After brief exchanges, they began their tense detection work.

The architecture of Atlantis was arranged in concentric circles, separated by naval vessels. As they advanced toward the center, access restrictions tightened. The innermost ring housed the most important temples and preserves.

The city’s architecture was so exquisite that it evoked the rhythm of music. Gilded domes on the rooftops emitted harmonious sounds caused by varying wind and temperature. The number three was a key feature of Atlantis: lines repeated thrice, building clusters composed of three similar structures, and tower groups made up of three pyramids. Each city layer’s streets ran diagonally from one coastal corner to another, with a complex labyrinth of underground corridors beneath.

Their mission was to explore and retrieve an artifact capable of providing mysterious power. Among the prehistoric supercivilization of Atlantis, its most remarkable scientific achievement was its energy system.

Edgar Cayce left detailed hypnotic regression records. At the heart of the energy system was the magoe stone—a massive, hexagonal prism-shaped glass-like substance that absorbed sunlight and converted it into energy.

Installed within the central energy chamber of the Sun Palace in Poseidia, Atlantis’s capital, it generated a form of “cosmic energy” unknown to 20th-century humans, concentrating and amplifying it, then projecting it as an intense, blinding light to the world.

The Atlanteans developed not only light-based power sources but also means of human regeneration and rejuvenation, making their civilization akin to living in paradise (though scholars debate this).

This supercivilization suddenly sank beneath the sea around 12,000 BCE after the magoe stone-centered energy system exploded, shaking the earth’s foundations. Vast continents submerged, survivors migrated elsewhere, and the Atlanteans vanished.

This land bore an incredible destiny.

“Is our mission to retrieve the legendary magoe stone?” Huafeng asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

“That’s right. Although 22nd-century science has advanced greatly compared to the last two centuries, this magoe stone, almost magical in nature, remains beyond our—and the world’s—reach,” Li Long explained, clad in a sleek black combat suit.

“But if the energy system built around the magoe stone was destroyed in that explosion, what exactly can we recover?” Yunmeng questioned.

“Yes, we’re somewhat unclear ourselves. But the organization wouldn’t assign us a mission with no chance of success. As long as we unite, we will achieve something!” Frost Ning, reunited with Huafeng and Yunmeng after a long time, showed no signs of awkwardness.

“As long as we work together, there’s nothing we can’t handle! Let’s bring back the spirit we had in the armored company and Flying Dragon Battalion days,” Wang Yue chimed in, seizing the moment to rally everyone.

“Exactly. This special task force’s mission is considered accomplished if we retrieve even some samples of the magoe stone.

“To avoid complications or uncontrollable situations, everyone must maintain communication at all times after entering. If any unmanageable incidents occur, do not force yourselves—withdraw immediately!” Lin Chong, the team’s relatively senior special operations officer, gave the final instructions before departure.

Present were Huafeng, Yunmeng, Wang Yue, Frost Ning, Li Long, and Lin Chong—all seasoned in combat. Years of experience and training had honed their formidable fighting capabilities, and together they formed a storm not to be underestimated.

Lin Chong fell silent as the sea breeze ruffled his slightly raised hair. He silently watched the five young operatives stride forward against the wind, accompanied by the logistics squad.

Beneath the deep blue waves, Bai Feng, who had departed earlier, awaited at their target. Sunlight filtered through the shimmering surface, scattering into the ocean depths.

Huafeng had equipped each team member with talismans of different properties. Now, using the well-developed Aqua talisman, they dove deeper into the ocean. As they descended, sounds from above grew faint until silence enveloped them.

Looking downward, the towering pyramid-shaped structures standing like triangular monoliths on the seabed gradually came into view.