Chapter 1780 Preparing to Enter the City

As the convoy continued forward, the main gate of the base finally came into clear view.

It was a massive alloy city gate, 40 meters high and 30 meters wide, seamlessly integrated with the 60-meter-high main city wall behind it. Its surface was covered with reinforced steel bars and supernatural energy transmission patterns, so heavy that it seemed capable of withstanding any impact, exuding an inviolable majesty.

The electronic screen above the city gate displayed the words "Welcome back, strict verification" in red, which stood out prominently in the twilight.

There were three checkpoints in front of the city gate, each guarded by soldiers in dark green uniforms. They stood tall and straight like pine trees, their eyes sharp as eagles, vigilantly scanning every approaching vehicle.

A pale blue energy shield slowly cracked open at the main entrance, just wide enough for a single convoy to pass through. Energy ripples flowed gently on both sides of the crack, carrying a faint warmth, which only made the barrier appear more majestic and insurmountable.

The soldiers on both sides of the passageway had raised their weapons and were on guard. Although there was no obvious hostility, the grim atmosphere of those who had been through many battles gradually made the atmosphere in the carriage heavy.

Just as the convoy was less than two kilometers from the first checkpoint, two military off-road vehicles suddenly drove out from the roadside ahead, forming a pincer movement to block the road a hundred meters away. The searchlights on the roof of the vehicles suddenly turned on, and the blinding white light pierced through the windows, making everyone's heart tighten.

Lu Jingcheng reacted quickly, immediately applying the brakes lightly, and the convoy came to a steady stop at a safe distance.

As the car window rolled down, four soldiers in dark green uniforms strode forward, their power suppressors gleaming coldly. They held their rifles but did not aim, their movements forming a precise circular perimeter.

The leader walked to the driver's seat, raised his hand in salute, and spoke in a serious but measured tone:

"Hello, please show your pass and identification information. We are the outer patrol team of Youzhou Base, responsible for the pre-entry verification."

As the captain of the Blazing Fire Team, Lu Jingcheng was prepared. He took out the encrypted document issued by the Jinling Base and the Blazing Fire Team's formation certificate from the passenger-side storage compartment and handed them over.

"Lu Jingcheng, the captain of the first team of the Blazing Fire Team, has been ordered to escort important supplies to the base for handover. This is our credentials."

The leading soldier took the document but did not read it on the spot. Instead, he inserted it into a portable verification terminal he was carrying. The screen instantly lit up with a dark blue light, encrypting and synchronizing with the base's core system.

While waiting, two other soldiers circled around to the back of the convoy, quickly scanning the vehicles and chassis with detectors. The detectors emitted a faint beeping sound, and after confirming that there were no explosives or dangerous devices, they nodded to the leader.

Less than half a minute later, the verification terminal emitted a soft "beep" sound, and the screen displayed the green message "Verification passed".

The soldier handed the document back to Lu Jingcheng and saluted again.

"Captain Lu, the credentials have been verified. The main checkpoint at the base's main gate is 1 kilometer ahead. A second, more thorough verification will be required. Please follow the main road and the signage, and do not deviate from the route."

"Thank you for your hard work." Lu Jingcheng nodded in thanks.

"It's our duty. Good luck." The soldier waved, and the two off-road vehicles slowly retreated to the side of the road and disappeared back into the shadow of the fortifications.

The convoy resumed its journey. In the rearview mirror, the patrol team remained steadfast in place, a stark contrast to the desolate post-apocalyptic landscape. As Li Luo gazed at the dark green silhouette, he felt even more keenly the layered defense system of the Youzhou base, so meticulous and impeccable.