The military aircraft glided steadily at an altitude of ten thousand meters, its low engine hum the only sound in the cabin.
Outside the window, a sea of clouds surged, vast and boundless.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy, like the depths of the ocean, every inch of air filled with lead.
On the tactical tablets before Lin Qingyue and her three companions, a top-secret intelligence file scrolled silently.
Every word carried a bone-chilling cold.
"Shadow of the Ancient God."
The codename alone exuded a profound sense of foreboding.
The core of the intelligence was repeatedly highlighted in crimson text, a shocking sight.
"Mental Pollution."
"Cognitive Distortion."
"Logical Disorder."
"Exploration team missing..."
Su Wan's fingertips mindlessly traced the edge of the screen, a frost-like chill settling on her usually cool and clear brow.
She recalled the moment she faced the "Mother of Rebirth" outside Winred City.
The soul-deep tremor and helplessness she felt then remained vivid in her memory.
And that had merely been a manifestation of "Desire."
The pollution described here was even more primal, more bizarre.
It doesn't tempt you. It doesn't deceive you.
It directly rewrites you.
Xia Lian's breath became much shallower, a fine layer of cold sweat forming on her palms.
She glanced unconsciously at Lin Xiyue beside her.
Lin Xiyue remained composed, but the slight tension in her jaw betrayed the turmoil within.
"This is the most troublesome part."
Lin Qingyue tapped a line of text on the screen.
"The internal rules of the Dungeon mutate randomly over time. All guide experience might become a pile of scrap paper the moment you enter."
Teacher Chen Jing's voice came through the communicator, sounding more serious than ever before.
"The only consensus is that for those without a strong enough Mental Barrier, going in is a one-way trip."
"The local Professionals' organization has already collapsed. The two reconnaissance teams we sent were also severely damaged, and the few who returned alive are now in the Mental Sanatorium."
The image in the command center switched.
A man in a hospital gown stared blankly, his mouth muttering repeatedly.
"Circles aren't circles, and lines aren't lines... They're lying, they're all lying..."
The image flickered by, and the air in the cabin grew even heavier.
"This operation is codenamed 'Dawn'."
Chen Jing's voice pulled them back from their oppressive mood.
"The most elite Novice teams from China's top universities have been assembled, under the unified command of the Military Department."
"Your mission is to explore, to purify, and above all, to bring back living intelligence."
"The time limit is ten days."
"After ten days, regardless of the mission's progress, unless you are absolutely certain you can Purify the Core, you must forcibly evacuate."
"Understood."
Lin Qingyue turned off the tablet, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes.
All the contingency plans seemed pale in the face of the words "rules are not fixed."
The only response was to adapt on the fly.
She could feel the breathing patterns of her three teammates beside her unconsciously synchronizing with hers.
Trusting each other.
This was their greatest trump card.
A few hours later, the plane shook slightly and began to descend.
The cabin door opened, and a gust of humid air mixed with the scent of vegetation and earth rushed in.
Lingnan Prefecture border, a military airport surrounded by tropical rainforest.
The sky was gloomy, with heavy clouds hanging low, making it hard to breathe.
On the runway, ground crew and soldiers armed with real ammunition moved back and forth, every face carved with a grim determination.
This was the gateway to the Abyss.
"Quantum Battleship Squad, over here."
A logistics officer wearing a Major's rank insignia was already waiting at the bottom of the gangway.
The four followed him across the tarmac and into a massive temporary warehouse.
The warehouse was brightly lit, with rows of brand-new equipment on racks shimmering with the cold light of metal and magic.
The air was thick with the unique scent of machine oil, leather, and enchantment materials.
"Some of your current equipment is now outdated for your level."
The logistics officer spoke succinctly.
"This is the military equipment depot specially prepared for Operation Dawn. Please select your replacements."
It was a small treasure trove.
From weapons to armor, from accessories to consumables, the lowest grade was Level 30 Exquisite quality, and there were even Epic Grade components shimmering with a purple aura.
The might of the state machinery was revealed without reserve here.
Lin Xiyue didn't hold back. She discarded her Level 20s standard-issue armor and chose a set of Level 32 Runic Plate Armor with sleek lines.
Su Wan chose a deep blue mage robe for herself that could automatically generate ice crystal shields.
Xia Lian changed into a set of form-fitting dark leather armor and a pair of Elven Leather Boots that allowed her to move silently through the forest.
Lin Qingyue also changed into a set of Priest Robes that increased her Intelligence and Faith attributes, and took the opportunity to restock on supplies and potions.
Just as they were getting used to their new equipment, the roar of engines grew louder from outside the warehouse.
Several private planes, each bearing different academy crests, landed one after another.
The first team to disembark instantly drew everyone's gaze.
They wore matching Red Dragon Pattern Battle Armor, their strides perfectly synchronized, and each person's aura was as sharp as a blade.
At their head was a handsome young man holding a dark red spear, his eyes carrying a condescending, scrutinizing gaze.
"Jingcheng University, Dragon Vanguard Squad," the logistics officer whispered as a reminder.
The spear-wielding young man's gaze swept across the warehouse, pausing briefly on Lin Qingyue and her three teammates.
When he saw their mismatched, eclectic gear and Tianshu University's unique Ancient Martial Arts style, the scrutiny in his eyes turned into undisguised contempt.
In his eyes, those who still clung to "Ancient Martial Arts" in this era were just stubborn holdouts who couldn't keep up with the meta.
Lin Xiyue was incredibly perceptive, and that scorn stung her senses like a needle.
Her slender eyebrows shot up, and she glared back without hesitation.
Boom!
The majestic aura of a Paladin suddenly erupted!
Sacred, awe-inspiring, it was like a mountain collapsing, utterly weighty and unstoppable!
The young man's gaze froze instantly, and his sharp momentum was knocked backward by the impact.
He clearly hadn't expected a girl who seemed so vibrant and full of energy to possess such a dominating and aggressive aura. He immediately let out a cold snort and turned his head away awkwardly.
Following right behind, the next group to disembark from a plane was a completely different scene.
Five or six young people wearing white lab coats and goggles were covered in various strange alchemical creations.
The moment they stepped off the plane, they were already engaged in a heated discussion about "phase decomposition" and the "magic power cycle paradox." The tall leader even pulled out a wrench and started adjusting his steaming metal gauntlet.
"Yuheng University, Heavenly Craft Squad."
An intense, tech-geek aura wafted over them.
At the warehouse entrance, a soldier with a star on his shoulder had stood there for some time.
His face was square, his skin tanned, and his gaze was so sharp it seemed to pierce through the heart. He carried the scent of iron and blood.
He offered no pre-battle rallying speech, nor did he introduce the different squads to one another. He simply used those eyes to sweep across all the geniuses present.
"You've all read the rules on the way here."
His voice rang clearly in everyone's ears, carrying a majestic authority that brooked no opposition.
"I'll emphasize only one point."
"What lies ahead is not some new Dungeon where you have plenty of time to spare, nor is it a playground for you to compete over who is stronger!"
"Any mistake you make could send you, your teammates, and this entire operation into an endless abyss!"
"Remember what I said, and don't fucking embarrass me!"
There were no words of encouragement, only the harshest of warnings.
In the center of the airport, a massive Teleportation Crystal had already been activated.
An eerie purple light twisted and spun within the Crystal's Core, forming a bottomless vortex that seemed to connect to some unnameable horror.
Space folded within it, light was devoured, and just gazing at it sent a chill through one's heart.
"Operation Code 'Dawn' officially begins!"
The Commander's arm swept down sharply.
"Enter in order of squad sequence!"
As the first in sequence, Dragon Vanguard Squad's Captain planted his long spear, leading his teammates as they marched expressionlessly into the Portal, their figures instantly swallowed by that eerie purple light.
Heavenly Craft Squad was still excitedly using instruments to record the Portal's data, only entering reluctantly after the Commander roared at them.
"Our turn," Lin Qingyue exhaled.
She reached out her hand.
Lin Xiyue, Su Wan, and Xia Lian placed their hands on top of hers one by one.
The four exchanged glances, stepped forward simultaneously, and entered that twisted curtain of light together.