540: Chapter 540 The Underground Kingdom, Extremely Abnormal Fitness Equipment

The two continued walking down the ramp, their footsteps magnified several times in the enclosed space.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The crisp and rhythmic sound of leather shoes striking the ground stirred up layers of echoes, resembling the heartbeat of some colossal beast.

As they penetrated deeper, the surrounding air noticeably became much cooler and crisper.

That underground dampness, mixed with a faint scent of rust and concrete, drilled into their nasal cavities inexorably.

Under the bright white light of the iodine-tungsten lamps, the scenery all around was meticulously revealed in every detail.

There was not a trace of exposed rock and soil here; everything that met the eyes consisted of cyan-gray high-grade concrete walls.

Although the surface had accumulated a thick layer of dust, it remained smooth and tightly sealed, without a single crack or sign of water seepage in sight.

Fang Cheng reached out and touched the wall beside him.

A cold and hard tactile sensation transmitted from his fingertips, and that solid, heavy feedback made one not doubt for a moment that this place could remain safe and sound even if it suffered a bombing.

"Brother Cheng, the engineering quality of the air-raid shelter is simply astonishingly good."

Lin Chuqiao followed closely by his side, her voice of admiration producing echoes in the empty cave:

"According to the owner's information, this belongs to a high-grade civil air defense project built during the war preparation period in the sixties. Look at this ceiling—"

She raised her hand and pointed to the huge dome overhead that formed a perfect arc:

"It is entirely cast in one piece using C50 high-grade reinforced concrete, with a thickness exceeding four meters, and has undergone special anti-seismic structural treatment."

"Not to mention conventional bombs, even if it encounters the aftershock impact of a bunker-buster, this place can withstand it. After we move in, we won't even need to carry out any additional reinforcement measures."

While speaking, the downward-sloping ramp had already reached its end, and the terrain became flat and broad.

The view suddenly opened up before them.

This was a shocking, huge underground corridor, resembling a reinforced concrete palace deeply buried underground.

"Excluding that ramp just now, the effective depth here reaches a full two hundred and fifty-two meters, with a total area exceeding three thousand six hundred square meters."

Lin Chuqiao stood at the wide entrance, unfolding another architectural blueprint, methodically introducing her grand blueprint:

"First is this area under our feet, which is preliminarily set as the 'buffer zone'."

"We need to install a new set of decontamination spray Systems and security inspection turnstiles. Before anyone enters the base, they must complete strict identity verification and disinfection."

As she spoke, she led Fang Cheng dozens of meters inward.

Distributed on both sides of the corridor were many neat and independent compartments.

Judging by the architectural style, these compartments should originally have been barracks provided for evacuated civilians to live in and soldiers to be stationed.

The door frames were still intact, but the door leaves had long since been mottled with rust, exuding a sense of historical vicissitudes.

"This area is relatively independent, and since it is close to the entrance, I plan to designate it as the living quarters for the organization's members."

Lin Chuqiao pointed to one of the compartments with an open door, inside which there were still iron beds, wardrobes, and other facilities.

"The first thirty rooms basically retain the original double-decker bunk structure, and each room can accommodate 8 to 10 people. After being repainted and renovated, they will be standard collective dormitories."

"As for the few rooms with larger areas inside, they were formerly warehouses used to store supplies. We can also continue to use them after renovation."

She pushed up her glasses, her tone revealing a sense of careful calculation as she eloquently elaborated on her planning conception:

"The air-raid shelter was originally designed with an independent ABC-defense System. As long as we repair that set of air filtration devices and dredge the pipes connecting to the deep underground water source, this place will be a self-sufficient doomsday fortress."

"After building the dormitories and warehouses, we can long-term stockpile compressed dry rations, canned goods, and medicines sufficient for hundreds of people to live on for half a year during normal times."

"If any uncontrollable chaos occurs in the outside world, or if the organization is wanted by the authorities, this will be our most solid and secret safe house."

"Thought out very thoroughly."

Fang Cheng evaluated with approval.

Lin Chuqiao's character of providing for a rainy day was indeed very suitable for assuming the responsibility of the organization's chief steward.

He swept his gaze across these rows of slightly crude rooms, then turned his head to look at the woman beside him, his brows slightly raising:

"However, Chuqiao, you seem to have forgotten the most important part of being an extraordinary being organization."

"Just having food and lodging won't do. Where is the core area of our base?"

Hearing this, Lin Chuqiao gave a charming smile, a trace of cunning flashing in her eyes:

"Brother Cheng, don't rush, there is still a huge space ahead."

Speaking, she stepped in high heels, continuing to lead the way with brisk steps.

Passing through the living area, the decoration style ahead noticeably underwent some changes.

Traces of some faded decorative paintings remained on the walls, and the ground had also been replaced with terrazzo tiles.

"This place should have been rooms where officers lived previously, and the environment is much better."

Lin Chuqiao pointed to several suites on the left with independent bathrooms:

"I plan to convert this place into senior cadre rest rooms, reserved for you and future core members."

Following closely, she pointed to an open area opposite:

"This piece, I will convert it into an entertainment and leisure area. I want to set up a small bar here, place a few billiard tables, and make a multimedia audio-visual room."

"After all, everyone will be active underground for a long time in the future, and the psychological pressure is heavy. Proper relaxation is essential."

The two of them walked deeper like this while planning the future base construction.

The further inward they walked, the more open and desolate the surrounding environment appeared, and the air became even quieter.

Several diesel generator sets crouched in the corners like silent steel behemoths, covered with thick dust.

Walking to about the middle section, they saw a concrete isolation wall lying horizontally ahead, forcibly dividing the air-raid shelter into front and rear sections.

Embedded in the center of the wall was a heavy double-leaf explosion-proof iron door.

The complex and precise mechanical structure at the door lock's position proclaimed its extremely high protection level.

"This wall can be considered a natural dividing line."

Lin Chuqiao pointed to the deep and secluded space behind the door, her tone turning solemn:

"This independent area behind the door has an area of nearly one thousand square meters and is a fully enclosed structure. No one is clear about what this place was specifically used for previously, but I surmise it is very likely a biochemical laboratory or ammunition depot from the war preparation period."

"I plan to install a biometric recognition System at the access control, adopting a dual-verification mode of iris plus fingerprint."

"The area behind the door will be designated as the restricted zone of the Illuminati, establishing an armory, equipment supply station, and high-standard laboratory."

"In the future, the maintenance and upkeep, modification and development of firearms and ammunition acquired by the organization, and even the research and preservation of some special supernatural items, will all be completed within this enclosed space."

Speaking of this, she deliberately pointed to the pipes covering the ceiling:

"For this reason, I will independently renovate the ventilation System of the second half, adopting a negative pressure design."

"Even if a sympathetic detonation occurs in the armory or a biochemical leak appears in the laboratory, it will not spread to the living area outside, ensuring foolproof safety."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng nodded slightly.

Lin Chuqiao's conception regarding the laboratory could be said to precisely hit his needs.

If the Illuminati acquires wondrous items with strong radiation similar to "ancient remains" and "crimson eye" in the future, they can completely store them in this place.

Even if no results can be researched, it can avoid causing pollution to the outside world and can also enhance secrecy.

Saving him from worrying about not finding a suitable storage location; after all, he couldn't keep these dangerous things at home all the time.

After viewing this core area concerning the organization's military force, the two walked step by step up the iron ladder on one side, arriving at a suspended steel-structured platform.

This platform was erected on top of the experimental area, connecting the front and rear parts of the air-raid shelter like a bridge.

Beside it was also a dispatch room; through the large observation window covered with accumulated dust, one could overlook the entire first half space from a commanding height, with an excellent field of vision.

Lin Chuqiao pushed open the creaking door, walked into the dusty room, and continued to introduce:

"I plan to convert it into an intelligence center and a high-level conference room, but the engineering aspect will be quite troublesome."

"Deep underground here, the heavy concrete and rock strata will bring natural signal shielding effects. Although it can avoid information leakage to a certain extent, for intelligence command and combat, it is a fatal flaw."

She raised her head, pointing to the ventilation shaft overhead that led directly to the ground, and then threw out a solution:

"So, I need to use this shaft to pull in a high-capacity dedicated fiber optic line, connect it to the ground-level satellite relay terminal, and install a high-power signal booster."

"Of course, we also can't do without the necessary all-band anti-wiretapping and anti-signal tracking equipment to ensure this place is a one-way transparent safe house at all times."

Listening to Lin Chuqiao's introduction, Fang Cheng surveyed the impregnable underground fortress, and an unprecedented sense of control welled up inside him.

It felt as if he now possessed an independent kingdom, an underground world completely ruled by the Dominator.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This sense of security, buried deep underground and wrapped in tens of thousands of tons of rock and concrete, was truly something no high-end office building could ever provide.

After lingering for a moment, the two of them walked along the stairs at the other end of the suspended platform and arrived at the deepest part of the air-raid shelter.

Before them lay an extremely vast rectangular space, its floor exposing a rough yet unimaginably hard high-strength concrete foundation.

One could even see the fixing bolt holes for heavy machinery left over from back then.

"The space here is very large, and it's the final functional area."

Lin Chuqiao pointed to a large area against the left wall and said:

"Brother Cheng, I plan to build an underground shooting range first."

"The side walls will be bulletproofed, paved with multi-layer rubber pads to prevent ricochets, and combined with sound-absorbing cotton and flame-retardant boards. Even if automatic rifles are fired inside, not a sound will be heard outside."

Afterward, she turned around and pointed to the remaining open space of several hundred square meters:

"As for here, it will be planned as a comprehensive mixed martial arts training ground."

"I will procure the top-tier professional equipment, dividing it into a cardio zone, a strength zone, and an actual combat sparring zone. Whether it's daily physical training or combat sparring between members, this place will be more than enough."

After listening to Lin Chuqiao's plans and arrangements, Fang Cheng didn't speak immediately.

He slowly walked to the center of the venue, and in the exceptionally quiet space at that moment, he suddenly bent down and untied his shoelaces.

Then he took off his leather shoes and socks, stepping barefoot onto the cold, rough concrete floor.

Lin Chuqiao watched this scene with some confusion, not making a sound to disturb him.

Fang Cheng took a deep breath, gripped the ground with his soles, and stamped slightly with some force.

"Bang!"

A muffled echo came from beneath his feet, the vibration spreading up the soles of his feet, while the hard ground remained motionless.

"The hardness is indeed not bad."

Fang Cheng muttered to himself in a low voice, then his eyes narrowed, and the muscles in his right leg instantly tightened.

Those originally smooth muscle lines suddenly bulged like steel cables.

This time, he held nothing back; his power coursed through his spine all the way to his heels, stomping down heavily!

"Boom—"

A loud noise like a muffled thunder exploded within the enclosed air-raid shelter, shaking the dust on the ceiling down in rustling flakes.

Seeing this, the high-grade concrete floor under Fang Cheng's feet instantly shattered like ceramic tiles struck by a heavy hammer.

Countless fine cracks spread wildly around in a cobweb pattern centered on his soles, gravel splashing everywhere and exposing the twisted steel bars underneath.

The entire expanding diameter was unexpectedly several meters wide.

Lin Chuqiao subconsciously took half a step back, her beautiful eyes wide open, her red lips slightly parted, and her face filled with shock.

This was C50-grade blast-resistant concrete!

Even if smashed fiercely with a large sledgehammer, it might not leave a mark, yet he shattered it with a single stomp?

But only a second later, the shock in Lin Chuqiao's eyes turned into habitual trust.

This was the man she deeply admired, the most powerful president of the Illuminati!

No matter how astonishing the destructive power before her was, to this man it was merely something done casually.

Fang Cheng felt the rebound force coming from the soles of his feet and nodded with satisfaction.

Then he calmly put his socks and leather shoes back on, stomped his heels on the ground again to adapt to the wrapping feel of the shoes.

"Although it will still crack, compared to the shoddy projects outside, it's already very formidable."

He looked at the shocking cobweb cracks under his feet, a relaxed smile hooking up the corners of his mouth:

"At least, I finally don't have to worry about stepping through the floor with a little force like in the apartment at Haitian Garden, or worrying about the floor collapsing and crushing the neighbors downstairs."

Finished speaking, he turned around, looked at Lin Chuqiao who hadn't recovered yet, and his gaze was blazing:

"The training ground is planned very well, but it's not enough for me. These can only be considered basic configurations."

"Chuqiao, I want to specifically carve out an area inside for further upgrades as a 'Strength Enhancement Zone'."

"A Strength Enhancement Zone?"

Lin Chuqiao was slightly startled.

"Right, this isn't a gym for ordinary people."

Fang Cheng reached out and pointed to the deepest part of the air-raid shelter, his tone revealing a trace of wildness:

"Ordinary commercial fitness equipment is no different from toys for my current physical condition."

"I want you to contact nearby steel mills or heavy machinery factories to help me order a batch of special equipment."

While gesturing, he described the vision in his mind:

"First are the weight blocks. Don't want those barbell plates of tens of kilograms; they're too light. I want solid industrial steel ingots or cylindrical cold-rolled steel coils."

"The weight has to start at one hundred kilograms, then three hundred kilograms, five hundred kilograms, and at most I want one-ton or even two-ton levels."

"Then weld handles on top, and these will be my dumbbells and barbells."

Watching Lin Chuqiao's beautiful eyes gradually widen, Fang Cheng didn't stop and continued to throw out a more impactful plan:

"Secondly, I want a customized 'hydraulic power rack'."

"Find someone to weld a reinforced four-pillar steel structural frame, and install it all with high-strength steel cables and industrial pulley blocks dedicated to dock cranes."

"For the resistance source, don't use those useless weight plates; directly connect several groups of heavy hydraulic cylinders. I want the steplessly adjustable kind that can provide a peak pressure of five to ten tons, and in the future, it can continue to increase weight depending on the situation."

Fang Cheng clenched his fists emptily, as if holding a thick steel cable in his hands strong enough to hoist a container, and pulled it down fiercely:

"Only this kind of industrial-grade hydraulic device can simulate an extreme antagonistic environment sufficient to crush ability users, and can truly tear my muscle fibers to achieve the training effect."

Hearing these jaw-dropping demands, Lin Chuqiao couldn't help pushing up her glasses to conceal her inner shock.

Use steel coils weighing several tons as barbells? Use a hydraulic press for resistance training?

Although she had long known that their president wasn't a normal person, this style was simply too hardcore.

Lin Chuqiao took a deep breath and quickly noted down these 'perverted' requirements in her notebook:

"No problem, this place is originally an industrial park; getting these steel materials and hydraulic parts is the easiest thing."

"As long as the money is in place, let alone a one-ton steel ingot, even if you want to drag a scrapped locomotive in to practice weightlifting, I can get it in for you."

After recording the equipment, her gaze swept across the concrete isolation wall:

"However, Brother Cheng, since you want to get these big guys, our construction sequence will have to be adjusted."

"The sealed isolation wall must be broken through. While the inside hasn't been renovated yet, we must first transport the multi-ton steel ingots and hydraulic equipment inside and install them well, otherwise these giant equipment won't be able to get in at all later."

"Okay, let's do as you say."

Fang Cheng nodded, then lowered his head to take another look at the cracked cement floor under his feet, and added:

"Also, the ground in the training area needs to be re-processed."

"Ordinary cement foundations can't withstand my tossing, nor can they bear the pounding of those tons of equipment, not to mention that in the future there will definitely be many monsters among our organization's members."

He ground his toes against the cracks and put forward specific requirements:

"The entire venue should be paved with emery wear-resistant flooring, lined with a layer of shock-absorbing steel plate underneath. I want this place to be as hard as tank armor, able to withstand any destruction."

"Understood."

Lin Chuqiao neatly noted it down, then closed her notebook and showed a confident smile:

"Leave it to me; I guarantee to build a reinforced gym that satisfies you."