After the joint investigation team was established, the eight members boarded a Y-8 transport aircraft in Beijing and lifted into the sky, bound for the military airport closest to the Kunlun Mountains.
Inside the cabin, the three factions maintained clear divisions: Ye Sheng and Aki Sakakotsu sat together on one side, Chen Moqing, Li Quan, and Xia Jidong clustered in the middle, while Wang Jianjun, Qian Feng, and Ma Yue occupied seats near the rear. The latter two groups showed more camaraderie with each other, leaving the Cassel Academy representatives somewhat isolated.
Their postures reflected their backgrounds perfectly. The Cassel duo sat with casual confidence, the mixed-blood family members lounged comfortably—Xia Jidong had even propped a bag behind his head as a makeshift pillow—while the government officials maintained rigid military bearing throughout the flight.
All participants were mixed-bloods, including the government team. Commander Wang Jianjun himself was A-level, representing the cream of China's officially controlled hybrid population. Unlike the few major families that maintained semi-independence, virtually all other Chinese mixed-bloods operated under direct government oversight. While exact numbers remained classified, China's massive population base likely made their official hybrid organization the world's largest.
Through years of intelligence gathering, Principal Anjou had confirmed the existence of government-affiliated hybrids matching his own power level, though these individuals never appeared publicly. This knowledge had been a major factor in his willingness to compromise during the expedition negotiations—not just because American military intervention was impossible in Chinese territory, but because he genuinely respected the potential strength of his counterparts.
After they'd been airborne for some time, Wang Jianjun observed the continued factional divisions and decided to address the situation. The Kunlun Mountains were unforgiving terrain where unity could mean the difference between survival and catastrophe.
"Attention everyone," he called out, standing and clearing his throat.
All conversation ceased as seven pairs of eyes focused on him.
"As commander-in-chief of this operation, I'd like everyone to move closer. We need to function as a team, not three separate groups."
The Cassel Academy representatives exchanged glances with the mixed-blood family members, then both groups rose and repositioned themselves closer to Wang Jianjun's team.
"While this is a tripartite collaboration and I hold overall command, locating our target depends primarily on our Cassel College colleagues," Wang Jianjun continued. "You'll need to serve as our pathfinders. Without your expertise and equipment, finding anything in those vast mountain ranges would be impossible."
"Commander Wang, you can count on both of us for full cooperation," Ye Sheng replied immediately, rising to attention.
"We appreciate your confidence in us," Aki Sakakotsu added, also standing.
Wang Jianjun's gaze shifted to the mixed-blood family representatives. "As for you three."
All three stood instantly. Despite appearing the most relaxed in the cabin, they understood Chinese governmental authority better than anyone. When officials spoke politely, smart people responded appropriately. Those who failed to grasp this dynamic joined the historical dustbin alongside thousand-year-old family legacies that had simply... vanished.
"We've worked together many times before, but this situation is different from previous operations," Wang Jianjun explained. "The Kunlun Mountains present unique challenges despite our support systems. I need you three to cooperate with our Cassel colleagues as seamlessly as you've always worked with us."
His voice grew more serious. "From this moment forward, we're not three factions—we're one unit. Once we enter those mountains, there are no camps or competing interests. We're comrades who must trust each other with our lives. I hope all eight of us can work together sincerely to complete this mission successfully."
Wang Jianjun extended his hand toward the center of their circle. Qian Feng and Ma Yue immediately placed their hands on top of his, while the representatives from Cassel Academy and the mixed-blood families looked at each other briefly before joining the gesture. All eight hands stacked together as Wang Jianjun called out:
"Sincere cooperation through life and death!"
"Sincere cooperation through life and death!" the other seven responded in unison.
Regardless of their factional affiliations, when facing dragons, political divisions became meaningless. Ancient dragons recognized only their own kind—and even then, many held contempt for lesser specimens. In draconic eyes, humans were simply prey, whether they represented academies, families, or governments.
Against such enemies, unity wasn't just preferable—it was essential for survival.
Wang Jianjun's brief but effective speech dissolved the artificial barriers between groups. The eight team members spent the remainder of the flight sharing stories from previous missions, building the camaraderie they'd need in the days ahead.
The Y-8 touched down at a military installation nestled at the base of the Kunlun range. Without delay, the team transferred to a Mi-171 helicopter for the journey deeper into the mountains.
Gazing through the aircraft windows at the towering peaks outside, Ye Sheng felt momentarily overwhelmed. "These are the sacred mountains of Chinese legend," he murmured. "Kunlun—the ancestral home of Taoism itself."
If this were the mythological wilderness of ancient tales rather than the modern Dragon World, those peaks would crown Yuxu Palace, the celestial temple of Yuanshi Tianzun, the true birthplace of Taoist philosophy. Unfortunately, this Kunlun held different secrets.
"We're approaching this Mi-171's operational ceiling," the pilot announced over the intercom. "Everyone prepare for landing!"
The helicopter's practical ceiling was 5,000 meters, with a maximum altitude slightly above 6,000 meters. However, the Kunlun Mountains averaged 5,500 to 6,000 meters in elevation throughout most of the range.
To conserve the expedition team's energy, their pilot had pushed beyond the aircraft's recommended limits, climbing to over 5,600 meters. He dared not ascend further—the mountain climate was notoriously unpredictable, with dangerous wind shears that could destroy aircraft and kill everyone aboard if they climbed even a few meters higher.
After delivering the team to 5,600 meters elevation, the Mi-171 completed its mission. Once all eight members had disembarked with their equipment, the helicopter departed for base, leaving them alone in the vast mountain wilderness.
"Ye Sheng, Aki, the rest of our journey depends on your guidance," Wang Jianjun said, watching the aircraft disappear into the distance.
"No problem, Commander Wang. Leave the navigation to us," Ye Sheng replied confidently.
He retrieved a brick-sized device with a large display screen from his pack—a specialized communication unit created by Cassel's Equipment Department specifically for this mission. Beyond standard calling capabilities, it could connect directly to both Norma's mainframe and Cassel's dedicated satellite network.
More importantly, the device was virtually indestructible, designed to withstand extreme temperatures, severe impacts, and even direct gunfire. Its battery could operate continuously for a full month without recharging.
Ye Sheng activated the screen and accessed previously downloaded intelligence data. Following Norma's calculated route recommendations, he began leading the eight-person team deeper into the heart of Kunlun, where ancient secrets—and possibly an awakening dragon—awaited their discovery.