Chapter 511 - 319: The Boundary Membrane Turns to Mist! Ghost Squad’s Lone Exploration

「Three days later. Dragon’s Fang Island.」

A grim tension filled the sea breeze as tens of thousands of soldiers manned their positions along the coastline.

All the heavy Spiritual Energy Towers were fully charged, their barrels aimed in unison at the enormous Boundary Membrane stretching for dozens of miles across the sky.

The Boundary Membrane resembled a distorted mirror, reflecting a fragmented sky and clouds.

The energy fluctuations it emanated made the very air across Dragon’s Fang Island feel oppressive and heavy.

On the top floor of the Command Tower, Ye Jinghong, clad in dark gold Heavy Armor, stood with his hands behind his back, his cold and stern gaze fixed on the horizon.

Behind him, Han Feng, Gu Jian, and twelve Core Members of the Vanguard Army stood in silence. Their expressions varied, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

HUMMM—

A low hum emanated from the center of the Boundary Membrane without warning, like the heavy breathing of a primeval beast.

Immediately after, the entire Boundary Membrane began to tremble violently. Spatial fissures spread across its surface like a frantic spiderweb.

A violent energy tide surged outward, kicking up hundred-meter-tall waves that slammed against the Defense Array on Dragon’s Fang Island, sending ripples across its surface.

"It’s here," Ye Jinghong said. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it reached everyone’s ears with perfect clarity.

No sooner had he spoken than the massive Boundary Membrane, in a blinding flash of light, suddenly contracted into a single point and then vanished completely.

In its place was a boundless expanse of white mist, so thick it seemed almost solid.

It hung there silently, completely veiling everything within the Dragon Abyss World.

"Report! All communication bands are completely jammed! Spiritual Power sensors are registering high-intensity interference!" a comms officer shouted.

"As expected." Ye Jinghong’s expression was unreadable; he had clearly anticipated this. ’The repulsive nature of this world’s Laws has formed a natural barrier.’

He turned, his sharp gaze sweeping over Han Feng and the pilots of Ghost Squad.

"Advisor Han, Ghost Squad, you’re up."

Ye Jinghong walked over to a massive sand table and pointed to the blank expanse that represented the uncharted territory.

"Your mission is aerial reconnaissance. Using Dragon’s Fang Island as your starting point, advance fifty kilometers inward. You are to record all terrain, ecological features, and any trace of intelligent civilization.

"Remember, your eyes are our eyes."

He paused, his tone turning exceptionally grave. "There is only one core directive: observe, do not engage!

"If you encounter any inexplicable form of attack, retreat immediately. Your self-preservation is the highest priority."

The group responded in unison.

But Han Feng stepped forward. "Major General Ye, I have a suggestion."

"Speak." Ye Jinghong looked at him.

"This aerial mist blocks all forms of detection," Han Feng began his calm analysis. "Once inside, we’ll be flying blind and deaf, with no way to communicate."

"Moving as a group of twenty-four fighters makes us too big a target. If we run into an area-of-effect attack, the losses would be catastrophic."

"I suggest we split up. I’ll fly solo, while the others form teams of three. We can then enter from different points and conduct a fan-shaped reconnaissance sweep.

"This will expand our reconnaissance coverage and mitigate the risk."

Gu Jian frowned, about to object, but Ye Jinghong silenced him with a raised hand.

"Agreed. But all squads must strictly adhere to the fifty-kilometer reconnaissance radius. Return immediately upon completing your objective."

"Understood," Han Feng nodded.

He looked at the other pilots again, his voice grave. "Remember, safety first. Your fighters are expensive, but your lives are priceless. Don’t get cocky, don’t get curious. Finish your objective and get back here."

With those brief words of caution, the order was given.

On the tarmac, twenty-four sleek Ghost Fighters activated in sequence, their blue tail-flames spitting out a low, humming whine.

Han Feng took the lead. Piloting his X-01 Prototype, he shot skyward, becoming a silver streak of light that raced straight toward the heavy, white aerial mist.

The other twenty-three fighters followed close behind, swiftly breaking into eight formations in the air before plunging from different angles into the unknown world.

The sensation of passing through the layer of aerial mist was strange, like bursting from water into air in a single instant.

All communication signals were lost in an instant. The radar screen dissolved into static, leaving only the most basic altitude and velocity readouts flickering.

Suddenly, his view cleared.

Above and all around, he was still enveloped in thick fog, as if situated at the bottom of a giant bowl.

Below him lay a primeval world, the likes of which he had never seen before.

Shattered Floating Islands dotted the air, linked together by enormous vines. Bizarre, towering trees scraped the sky.

Han Feng took a quick look around, confirming that the other squads had already dispersed and disappeared in their assigned directions.

He set his course and went to full throttle. The X-01 Prototype instantly broke Mach 5, shooting forward like a silent phantom at an altitude of a thousand meters.

His [Eye of Insight] was already active, capturing every detail below.

’Found a Basic Level settlement. Race: Hermit Crab People. Power level assessment: Predominantly Tier Two.’

’Found a Beastman Tribe. Race: Snake Lizard People. Population: approximately ten thousand. Signs of an Array formation detected.’

As the fighter streaked over one of the tribes, it sent the creatures below into a panicked frenzy.

Countless spears and stones were hurled skyward, but their efforts were futile against the fighter’s incredible speed.

Han Feng paid them no mind. His mission was reconnaissance, not provocation.

But as he flew over a lake shrouded in a pink mist, disaster struck!

Without any warning, an invisible, eerie power materialized from thin air and surged directly into his Sea of Consciousness.

The force carried no killing power, but it sought to warp his Perception, trying to make him see an illusion of a wingman colliding with his own jet.