Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 458 Escaped the Base!
“This badge is not only a symbol of identity, but also a practical piece of equipment,” Leah explained. “It has a built-in emergency teleportation function. If you encounter a danger you can't handle, you can activate the badge to instantly teleport to the nearest company ship. However, this function can only be used three times; it will expire after that.”

“Three teleportation opportunities,” Thor said, toying with the badge. “These are lifesavers.”

“Therefore, use it with caution,” Eric cautioned. “Only activate it in a true life-or-death situation.”

“We will,” the three nodded.

“Very good,” Morris said with satisfaction. “Now, let’s discuss the timeline for the operation.”

He pulled up the schedule.

"The punitive expedition is scheduled to officially begin in a month," Maurice said. "This month is for you to recover and prepare. Although your injuries have stabilized, they are not fully healed. We need you to be in peak condition for the battle."

"One month," Rowan calculated, "is enough. With our recovery speed, plus the aid of the Fountain of Life, we should be back to peak condition in a month."

“Not only do you need to recover, but you also need to become stronger,” Morris said earnestly. “The company will provide you with the best training resources, including gravity training rooms, virtual combat pods, and law comprehension rooms. Make good use of this month to improve your strength as much as possible.”

“Furthermore,” Leah added, “the company will provide you with state-of-the-art equipment. Your armor, weapons, and protective gear will all be top-of-the-line. This equipment will significantly enhance your survivability.”

"Thank you for the company's support," Rowan said sincerely.

“You’re welcome, you deserve it,” Morris said. “The company has never been stingy with its investment in top talent. As long as you contribute to the company, you will be rewarded accordingly.”

"So, what are the specific details of the task?" Hong asked.

“You will be informed of the specific mission details a week before departure,” Eric said. “The operation plan is still being refined, and some details need adjustment. However, the general direction has been determined—your main task is to destroy the core defense system of the Kara Prime.”

"Core defense system?" Thor asked curiously.

“Yes,” Eric pulled up a structural diagram of the Kara Prime Planet, “the capital of Kara Prime Planet is protected by an extremely powerful planetary shield. This shield is supported by twelve energy nodes and can withstand attacks from cosmic-level powerhouses. Without destroying this shield, it will be very difficult for our fleet to breach the capital.”

"So our mission is to destroy these energy nodes?" Rowan analyzed.

“That’s right,” Eric nodded, “but this isn’t a simple sabotage mission. Each energy node is heavily guarded, and there are cosmic-level experts stationed there. You need to infiltrate quietly and destroy the nodes without alerting the main force.”

“Infiltrate.” Hong frowned. “With our capabilities, achieving complete concealment will likely be difficult.”

“So we will provide support,” Leah said. “Each team will be assigned a cosmic-level expert proficient in the laws of stealth as a guide. He will lead you around most of the guards and directly to the target location.”

"And what happens once we reach the target location?" Thor asked.

“It’s up to you,” Eric said. “You need to destroy the energy nodes as quickly as possible and then evacuate. If you are discovered, the Guide will cover your retreat. But if you encounter an enemy you can’t handle, use your badges to teleport immediately.”

“Understood,” the three nodded.

“Very well,” Morris stood up, “then the meeting is adjourned. You three should rest well and recover quickly. We will meet again in a month aboard the company's strategic vessel, the ‘Conqueror.’”

"Yes!" The three stood up and bowed.

After the meeting, Luo Wen and his two companions left the command center. Walking the streets of Huaxia Base City, they felt a mix of emotions.

"I never imagined we'd be involved in a war against an alien civilization so soon," Thor remarked.

“Yes,” Hong said with some emotion, “before we were just guarding the Earth, but now we have to take the initiative.”

“That’s inevitable,” Rowan said calmly. “The Kara civilization won’t give up easily. Rather than waiting for them to attack again, we should take the initiative and eliminate the threat completely.”

“That’s right,” Thor nodded, “and this is also an opportunity for us to see a wider universe.”

"But," Hong said with some concern, "can we really be ready in just one month?"

“We must be prepared,” Rowan said firmly. “This mission is of utmost importance; we can’t afford to hold back. For the next month, we must train with all our might.”

"Let's start tomorrow then," Thor said, stretching his body. "It still hurts a bit, but it won't affect training."

“Me too,” Hong said. “Anyway, with the Fountain of Life, recovery is quick.”

“Then it’s settled,” Rowan said. “Tomorrow we’ll go to the company’s training base to begin a new round of intensive training.”

The three exchanged a smile, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

The next morning, Luo Wen and his two companions arrived at the training base established by Virtual Universe Company on Earth. This base was built on a small island in the Pacific Ocean, covering a vast area and equipped with state-of-the-art training facilities.

“Welcome, all three of you,” said the person in charge of the base, a man who looked to be in his forties named Carl. “I am the director of this training base. I will be responsible for your training arrangements for the next month.”

"Please give me your guidance," the three said politely.

“Follow me,” Karl said, leading the three on a tour of the base. “This is the gravity training room, which can simulate gravity from 1 to 1000 times. Over there is the virtual combat pod, which can simulate various combat scenarios and enemies. And over there is the Law Comprehension Room, filled with pure Law Power, perfect for meditation and comprehension.”

“The facilities are really complete,” Thor exclaimed.

“This is just the infrastructure,” Karl chuckled. “Once you become official core members, you’ll have access to more advanced training resources.”

He led the three of them to a spacious hall.

“This is the armory,” Carl explained. “The company has prepared a variety of equipment for you; you can choose according to your needs.”

The hall was filled with all sorts of weapons and equipment. There were swords, spears, hammers, bows and arrows—a complete array of melee weapons, each radiating powerful energy fluctuations. There were also various armors, shields, flying machines, and other auxiliary equipment.

"What level are these equipment?" Rowan asked.

“The lowest level is stellar-level seventh rank,” Karl said. “Some special equipment even reaches cosmic-level first rank. However, cosmic-level equipment requires corresponding strength to use, and you can't use it yet.”

"Stellar-level seventh-tier!" Hong exclaimed excitedly. "Equipment of this level is priceless on Earth."

“This is just standard equipment at the company,” Carl said casually. “Take your time choosing, and let me know when you’re done, and I’ll register you.”

The three began selecting their equipment. Rowan chose a silver longsword, its blade engraved with patterns of the Storm Law. Hong chose a set of heavy golden armor, offering extremely high defensive capabilities. Thor selected a pair of purple gloves, which could amplify the power of the Lightning Law.

"Have you made your choice?" Carl asked.

“Got it,” the three nodded. “Then let’s test it out,” Karl led them to a training ground. “There are various test targets here; you can test the equipment’s performance.”

Rowan gripped the silver longsword and infused it with the power of the Storm Law. The longsword immediately emitted a dazzling silver light, and a swirling storm formed around its blade.

"Blade of the Storm!" Rowan unleashed a sword strike.

A massive wind blade struck the test target, which emitted a piercing alarm. The display screen showed that the attack power had reached the eighth level of the stellar level.

"Such a powerful boost!" Rowan exclaimed in delight. "My original attack power was only at the sixth rank of the Stellar level, but with this sword, it's increased by two ranks."

"That's the power of advanced equipment," Karl laughed. "Good equipment can multiply a martial artist's combat strength."

Hong and Thor also tested their equipment, and the results were excellent.

“Very good. Now that the equipment has been selected, let’s begin formal training,” Karl said. “As per Lord Morris’s requirements, your training focus for the next month will be: first, restoring and improving individual strength; second, enhancing teamwork among threes; and third, learning infiltration and assassination techniques.”

"Infiltration and assassination?" Thor scratched his head. "We're not very good at that."

“That’s why you need to learn,” Carl said. “Your previous battles were all head-on confrontations, but this mission requires covert operations. If we alert the enemy every time, the mission will fail.”

“That makes sense,” Rowan nodded. “Then please have Instructor Carl guide us.”

“Alright,” Karl nodded, “then let’s start with the basics. First, how to conceal your aura.”

In the days that followed, the three of them devoted themselves entirely to training. They woke up at five o'clock every morning for basic physical training. In the mornings, they practiced in the gravity training room, and in the afternoons, they conducted combat drills in the virtual combat pod. In the evenings, they meditated in the Law Comprehension Room, trying to comprehend the mysteries of the laws.

Carl was a strict instructor. He had been a member of the special forces at Virtual Universe Corporation and had carried out countless dangerous missions. Under his guidance, the three learned how to conceal their presence, how to move undetected by the enemy, and how to deliver a fatal blow at the crucial moment.

Time flies. In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.

On the last day of training, Karl organized a comprehensive assessment.

“This assessment will simulate a mission you undertake on the main planet Kara,” Karl said. “The virtual combat pod will generate a complete enemy base. You will need to infiltrate the base, destroy the target, and then escape unscathed. The base is heavily guarded, and a cosmic-level powerhouse is stationed there. If you are discovered, you will fail.”

“Understood,” the three nodded.

“Then, let’s begin,” Karl said, activating the virtual combat pod.

The three people's consciousnesses were transported into a virtual space. Before them appeared a massive military base, heavily fortified with high walls. Countless guards patrolled the base, and patrol airships constantly scanned the area from the sky.

“The target is the energy core at the center of the base,” Rowan whispered. “We must infiltrate and destroy it without alerting anyone.”

“I’m in charge of scouting the route,” Hong said. “My Golden Domain can sense the life force in the surrounding area.”

“I’m in charge of jamming electronic devices,” Thor said. “My lightning magic can temporarily disable surveillance systems.”

“Then I’ll take care of clearing the way and retreating,” Rowan said. “My Storm Laws provide the greatest mobility.”

The three quickly divided the tasks and began their operation.

Hong unleashed his Golden Domain to sense the situation within the base. Thor released subtle bolts of lightning, stealthily infiltrating the monitoring system. Rowan, meanwhile, used the Law of Storms to create cover for the three of them.

They carefully avoided patrolling guards, bypassed surveillance cameras, and approached their target little by little. The entire process was smooth and silent.

Finally, the three arrived outside the building where the energy core was located.

“There are three seventh-level stellar-level guards inside, and one cosmic-level expert,” Hong said in a low voice.

“A cosmic-level powerhouse is deep within,” Rowan analyzed. “We need to quickly eliminate the outer guards and destroy the core before he can react.”

"Then let's get started," Thor said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

The three attacked simultaneously. Rowan used the power of his storm to bind the first guard, Hong knocked out the second with a punch, and Thor's lightning paralyzed the third. The entire process took less than three seconds, clean and efficient.

"Quickly, destroy the core," Rowan urged.

Thor unleashed the Purple Heaven Divine Lightning upon the energy core. The massive lightning struck the core, causing it to begin to collapse.

But at that moment, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended.

"Who is it?" A cosmic-level powerhouse appeared.

"Retreat!" Rowan shouted, and the three of them immediately turned and ran away.

However, the virtual universe-level powerhouse was extremely fast and caught up in an instant. Just as he was about to capture the three, Rowan suddenly turned around and used the Law Fusion technique.

The three-colored light spheres erupted with a roar. Although they could not defeat a cosmic-level powerhouse, the shockwave from the explosion bought the three of them time to escape.

The three flew at full speed and narrowly escaped the base while being pursued by the base guards.

The virtual combat pod screen disappeared, and the three returned to the real world.

"How were the results?" Rowan asked.

Carl looked at the data and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

“Excellent,” Karl said. “The infiltration was flawless, the sabotage mission was accomplished, and the retreat was timely. Although you were discovered at the end, considering the opponent was a cosmic-level powerhouse, it's quite remarkable that you escaped unscathed.”

"Phew!" The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"You've made great progress in the past month of training," Karl praised. "You now possess the ability to carry out special missions. I believe you will excel in your tasks on the real battlefield."

"Thank you for your guidance, instructor," the three said gratefully.

“No need to thank me, it’s my duty,” Karl said with a smile. “Alright, you all go back and rest for a day to get ready. Tomorrow is the day we set off.”

(End of this chapter)