Xie Xue led a team directly to the mining area in their spaceship. This team comprised the elite of their Blue Sea Star.
The spaceship landed on the outskirts of the mining area. Xie Xue, with his neatly formed subordinates, proceeded towards the entrance of the mine. However, upon reaching the location, they discovered the outer entrance was sealed off.
Seeing the guards standing at the entrance, Xie Xue realized that it might not be as simple as them just walking in.
But Xie Xue did not retreat simply because a few people were guarding the entrance. They felt a deep camaraderie with their young friend, whom they had known for only a few days.
How could they not try to rescue their comrade who was trapped inside!
As they approached the entrance, they were stopped by several fully armed guards: "Who goes there? Entry is forbidden. Withdraw immediately, or we will not be polite!"
The leader of the guards was clearly being polite, but Xie Xue paid no mind to his courtesy.
"We are here to rescue someone. Remove this barrier."
Xie Xue gestured towards a net placed outside the entrance, unsure of its offensive capabilities.
Places that were typically sealed off used such barriers to intercept anyone or any beast that came into contact with them, regardless of whether they were inside or outside. The methods of attack varied.
Therefore, Xie Xue could not discern its function just by looking at it.
Seeing Xie Xue's forceful demeanor, the guard began to appraise him. Arrogant people often had the backing to do so; otherwise, they wouldn't act so rashly.
"We are acting under orders. Please do not make things difficult for us."
The leader tried to persuade him, but then his shoulder was patted. He frowned, looking at the subordinate who had patted him, thinking: At such an occasion, how could someone be so impolite?
To his surprise, the subordinate was looking at him anxiously, clearly having something to report.
The leader had to step back a couple of paces to listen to his subordinate. The subordinate said: "This person seems to be from Blue Sea Star, from the Xie family."
The Xie family was royalty, so most people were aware of their family members. Many people, to avoid offending someone inadvertently, made an effort to remember these prominent individuals.
Upon hearing his subordinate's words, the leader realized who this person was. Despite being an illegitimate son, he was still a prince. Setting aside his royal status, his current standing was also extremely high.
The leader knew that the person before him was someone they could not afford to offend.
Therefore, he returned to Xie Xue, his respect deepening. Xie Xue had vaguely overheard their conversation and did not mind leveraging his influence. Although he detested his surname, he had to admit that the Xie surname served as a pass wherever one went.
"What? May I enter now?"
The leader, aware of Xie Xue's identity, dared not obstruct him. However, he also knew the dangers within and was even more hesitant to let him pass. If anything happened, he could not bear the responsibility.
So, he could only plead: "As you know, there are frequent earthquakes here. It is still very dangerous. If I let you in and something happens, I cannot take responsibility!"
"Do you need to take responsibility? Hurry and remove this barrier. We need to go in and rescue people. Don't wait for me to take action, understand?!"
Xie Xue would not normally speak this way, but he had to be stern at this moment. Clearly, the person before him, constrained by his identity, had no choice but to grant him passage.
The leader manipulated something on his optic device, and the net blocking the entrance automatically lifted. Xie Xue waved his hand, leading his team into the mine.
However, they were unaware of the exact location where Meng Huai and the others had met their misfortune, and only a few were trying to find it from memory.
Meanwhile, Teacher Wang had already rendezvoused with the Imperial Military Academy's guard unit and was en route. Marshal Meng also arrived with his team, bringing a professional rescue squad.
At this point, the outside world was extremely dissatisfied with the sealing of the competition grounds and the disregard for the students within.
Many people were lamenting: [Students are also humans! Are they just assumed to be dead? So many lives, and not even an attempt to rescue them? They're just abandoning them to die!]
[Is no one going to do anything about this!]
[Even military academy students are being abandoned. I can't imagine how I would be abandoned if something happened to me! Don't talk about the greater good; you can't refuse to save people just because you're afraid!]
[I am disappointed in the Federation and all the military districts, time and time again!]
Reporters, alerted by the news, had already been lurking near the competition grounds. However, due to the guards, they dared not approach too closely.
Among the reporters, one asked: "Is that a spaceship from the Imperial Military Academy?"
After the reporter asked, everyone quickly looked in the direction he pointed.
"It really is from the Imperial Military Academy. Are they here to rescue people?"
"Quick, film it!"
"Let's broadcast it live!"
Some media outlets had already started broadcasting: "Everyone, look, we are outside the mining area. The guards here are strict. To enter the mine, one must pass through this entrance. But it is said that everyone has been ordered not to approach there, let alone enter the mine!"
[There's actually a live broadcast.]
[Is this the mine where the earthquake happened?]
The reporters currently had nothing else to do; their task was to report the situation accurately. So, the reporters responded to the bullet screen questions one by one: "That's right, we are at the mine where the earthquake occurred during the military academy league."
"Everyone, look over there, that's the Imperial Military Academy's spaceship."
[I was right to not misjudge the Imperial Military Academy. They are here for rescue, aren't they?]
The reporter continued: "It appears the Imperial Military Academy is here for rescue, but they are likely being blocked by the guards at the entrance."
By now, everyone had seen someone disembarking from the spaceship and approaching the guards, seemingly to negotiate.
At this point, they no longer cared about obtaining filming permits. The reporters directly aimed their cameras towards the guards. If someone reported them, they would deal with it then.
The reporters were also angered by the inaction of the major military districts. At this moment, they did not care about procedures or formalities.
So, as people watched the scene on the video, someone said: "Isn't that Teacher Wang?"
Teacher Wang often led teams to participate in leagues, so most people who followed the Imperial Military Academy recognized him.
[It seems the Imperial Military Academy has indeed arrived, but will they be allowed in?]
[I suspect they will return empty-handed. The order came from above, no one is allowed in!]
However, everyone watched as Teacher Wang left and returned directly to the spaceship. Just as everyone thought the spaceship would return the way it came, the net blocking the entrance was lifted again, and the spaceship flew directly into the competition grounds.
[They got in? Why did they let them through?]
Just as the audience was wondering about this, the guards at the entrance were also asking: "Why did they let them in?"
The leader of the guards glanced at his subordinate and glared at him, saying: "You're too nosy, always asking questions!"
Although the leader said this, he still told his subordinate: "They had Marshal Meng's permission. How could we not let them pass?"
"Marshal Meng? Why would Marshal Meng concern himself with such trivial matters?"
The young soldier was very confused, thinking that someone of Marshal Meng's stature would not bother with such trivial affairs.