Three Hundred Years

The birth of the Seed of Eternity and the selection of its plane were predetermined tens of thousands of years ago.

Unless the situation is certain death, nothing will be changed.

This super tree species will cause waves in any dimension.

The Lord of Qingteng has not been idle over this long period of time.

It's just that their strength is insufficient, so they can't communicate with the strong.

Therefore, for a long time, we were still focused on improving our own capabilities.

Unfortunately, even now he can only talk to some veteran Hegemon.

She can at most conduct some transactions with the seven super powers, but as for winning them over... she's not qualified.

The original plan was for the seven Hegemon to jointly form a force to protect the birth and cultivation of the Seed of Eternity.

Even knowing that the chances of survival are slim, especially given that the Emerald Royal Court is bound to intervene.

But this is already the limit for the Lord of Qingteng.

Fortunately, they discovered Lister, a strange and powerful figure capable of World Annihilation, at this time.

You can sense someone's youth just from their life force...

Even if its rank is lower, World Annihilation is World Annihilation!

She had no doubt about this; their strength and qualifications to engage in dialogue far surpassed those of these Hegemon who were merely there to make up the numbers.

This is why she offered the Eternal Branch in the council chamber, rather than the Seed of Eternity.

After some thought, he finally nodded.

I agree!

No matter how harsh the conditions, Lister's strength is undeniable.

Suddenly, the fingertip of the Lord of Qingteng cracked open, revealing its true form—a jade branch. Seven drops of blue-gold sap floated in the air and condensed into ancient tree-shaped runes.

The next instant, a powerful surge of energy erupted.

The emerald walls of the entire conference hall lit up simultaneously, and countless ancient runes surged forth from the Lord of Qingteng.

The Phantom of the Tree of Eternity slowly emerged between the two, its ancient trunk revealing seven amber vertical pupils, each reflecting a different dimension of starry sky.

Notification: Side quest discovered: Guardians of the Seed of Eternity.

"Do you accept?"

"Yes."

"Contract established."

The aged voice resounded directly in the depths of his soul, Lister felt a burning sensation in his right palm.

A jade tree-shaped mark is slowly taking shape under the skin.

At the same time, the crystallized leaf on the forehead of the Lord of Qingteng suddenly fell off and shattered into three hundred and sixty points of light in the air.

"These are the interdimensional keys to three star systems."

The points of light converged into three prisms, sealing a miniature nebula within.

When Lister received it, a series of system prompts popped up.

"Obtained: Ash Corridor Star Core (SS-grade)"

"Obtained: Scarlet Rift Star Core Key (SS-rank)"

"Obtained: Key of the Eye of the Dark Abyss (SS Rank)"

It is indeed a resource-rich galaxy, and like the Milky Way Galaxy, it also has additional barrier spaces.

As the contract was established, the energy grew increasingly powerful, and with the perception of the Killing Intent Wave, it could be confirmed that this was the so-called power of rules.

The Eternal Branch transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into his left arm, forming jade veins beneath his skin.

Until one moment, the soul space suddenly trembled.

The Saber Soul no longer sat cross-legged, but stood up from within its body.

The floating scarlet longsword was coated with a layer of emerald light, and then it was completely obliterated in the next instant.

Furthermore, tree-shaped patterns appeared in the pupils of the Phantom Saber Soul spirit.

"The Tree of Eternity Contract has taken effect."

Side Quest - Guardian of the Seed of Eternity: Plant the Seed of Eternity and protect its growth to its juvenile stage (Note: Protection can be extended later depending on mutual agreement).

Mission countdown: 740 years, 7 months, and 9 days.

"Consequences of Default: Soul Wither. (Note: Current soul strength of the life form cannot be completely exempted)"

The branches of the Lord of Qingteng suddenly Wither, then instantly regenerated into a dark gold color.

"You can now summon the 'vine' forces of the Eternal Sea of Trees at any time, including 120,000 Tree Speakers and 3,000 World Tree Guardians."

She suddenly tore open the front of her clothes, revealing a budding tree seedling throbbing in her chest, and handed it over.

It resembles the Tree of Eternity, but it is not the true Tree of Eternity.

"This is a token; holding it grants free access to all factions within the Eternal Sea of Trees system."

Three hundred years is but a fleeting moment on a cosmic scale.

But for the Merrick Civilization, it was a cataclysmic change.

When Lister stood on the orbital ring of Merrick's second ruling star and looked down, the entire star field was bathed in a glow that was a mixture of deep blue and silver.

"The Seventh Central Army has completed its re-equipment."

Sariel's voice came from behind.

Wearing a standard black uniform, with the rank of colonel.

He still carried the Black Leaf Laceration Blade that Lister used to use at his waist.

Of course, compared to the one he used, this sword has been forged many times and is now an S-grade weapon of level 18.

At the same time, Sariel was equally imposing.

In three hundred years, not only has his rank reached level 16, but his combat power has also truly entered the S-level.

It is the newest Quasi-Hegemon of the Merrick Galaxy, a rising star!

Lister's Killing Intent Wave across the area below the orbit—more than twenty brand-new large ships were patrolling in formation.

The streamlined hull surface is adorned with the Merick Family's gear emblem.

Each warship is also equipped with Kavin's latest "Mechanical Energy Jump Engine," which enables short-distance space jumps between star systems.

It's in a class of its own among the Galactic Federation's warships.

It's just not comparable to the other three major Level 4 civilizations.

Within the top ten units of the Federation Military District's Central Army, there are also special-type warships that can only be equipped by officers of the rank of lieutenant general or higher.

These are warships that are a level above large ships, equipped with the core technologies of each of the four-level civilizations, and each is independent.

Since each civilization has different standards for building specialized ships, it is impossible to compare the specific differences in combat capabilities.

The star cores that Lister brought from the Divine Rise Galaxy were used to build new special-type ships, in addition to the construction of these dozen or so large ships.

Unfortunately, the required skill level and quantity of craftsmen far exceeded expectations.

Even now, it has not yet been officially completed.

Regardless, the current Seventh Central Army Group is far stronger than the Seventh Army of yesteryear.

They no longer need Roland's mission support and can complete Federation Military District missions independently.

Suddenly, a figure appeared beside Lister.

Upon seeing this, Sariel became wary and immediately gripped the red Wounding Saber in his hand.

Only after sensing a familiar presence did he sheathe the knife.

"Lister, Speaker Wang Yue!"

"Okay, you can go back to the military region first."

"Reorganize the newly formed fleet again, lest we make a fool of ourselves."

Only after seeing Sariel step back did Lister turn his gaze to Wang Yue.

Congratulations on your progress in your spiritual practice.

"We can prepare for the breakthrough to the Overlord Tier very soon."

"I can't compare to you; the premonition of the fourth evolution has yet to come."

"It may take hundreds of years to accumulate."

Although both are genius natives of this world, his talent for cultivation is far inferior to Kavin's.

Despite having access to countless resources from the Merrick Civilization, Wang Yue still managed to reach the 18th rank after more than a hundred years.

Even today, it's just that the skill level and basic attributes have been slightly increased based on the 18th tier.

The timeline for the true fourth evolution and the opportunity to ascend to Hegemon is difficult to measure.

"Witchcraft, how are things on Beta's two sides? Any new little tricks?"

"Have!"

"Aside from the first few decades, as the Merrick Civilization has continued to develop, the methods of probing have become increasingly numerous."

"Especially in terms of surveillance."

With a casual wave of his hand, Wang Yue marked several areas on the star map.

"These Expeditionary Army's small ships would 'just happen' to pass the edge of the Merrick Star Region every 72 hours."

"I've already sent people to investigate; it's mainly the people from the Beta Civilization."

"The same applies to the technology of civilization's development."

"Sailuo just rejected our request to share some of the technologies needed for our special-purpose ship."

On the Beta Civilization document in Wang Yue's hand, the veto seal still flowed with stardust-like particles of light.

The reason given was "to prevent the proliferation of galactic-scale weapons."

Lister glanced at the contents and nodded calmly.

I was somewhat resentful; the excuse was so clumsy it was laughable.

The Beta Civilization sold the Annihilation Cannon to thirty-three factions in the Maizhe Galaxy just last year.

Now, when they need to share, this is the kind of thing they pull.

It's obvious they're unhappy that the Merrick Civilization built a special type of ship.

Three hundred years ago, when he had just killed Vidal, the other party had explained that, apart from the Soul Barrier, all his permissions and resources were the same as those of other level four civilizations.

As a result, in just a few years, various constraints have become increasingly rampant.

"More and more technologies are being subject to restrictions, and are no longer shared and used in accordance with the original 'Level Four Civilization Convention'."

What Wang Yue said was something Lister had somewhat anticipated.

After all, he had killed a Beta Civilization Hegemon and a core member, not just a mere "nourishment."

It's normal for that Sailuo resentment or even hostility.

The eventual advancement to a Level 4 civilization was ultimately driven by Zion Witchcraft Civilization.

He had no doubt about the possibility of retaliation, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so impatient.

"I understand. Tell Quint to proceed as planned and make preparations in advance."

"Now is not the time to take action."

Lister had long harbored ideas for redefining the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy.

They have all become Hegemon, Merrick Civilization has also advanced to level four.

Even among all the lower-level civilizations, the Galactic Federation is already jointly governed by four major civilizations.

But in reality, their Merrick Civilization, like the Leviathan Civilization, was inferior.

The Leviathan Civilization had accumulated over seven or eight thousand years.

The Merrick Civilization has existed for less than four hundred years.

It can be said that once technological resources are gradually blocked...

The Galactic Federation's structure has never changed; therefore, the only option is to break the dominance of these two major civilizations and start from scratch.

Over three hundred years, his strength increased extremely slowly.

He personally intervened multiple times within the vast universe, but compared to the experience bar after the Fourth Advancement, it was a drop in the ocean.

So far, the level has only increased by three levels.

Even at this speed, it is definitely among the fastest in terms of advancement for life forms at the Overlord Tier and above.

However, it would be somewhat difficult to completely annihilate these two Hegemon civilizations in one fell swoop.

"I see."

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

Wang Yue was equally patient; she greatly admired Lister's philosophy of striking with a single, decisive blow.

Just as the two were about to leave, Hoffman sent a message to Lister.

The next moment, a smile involuntarily crept onto Lister's lips.

"Looks like our chance has come!"

"Let's go, get ready, and head to the Babylon Galaxy!"

Ripples suddenly appeared in the dust belt on the outer edge of the Babylon Galaxy, as a special-type ship bearing the Merrick gear emblem tore through the folds of space.

The flowing dark matter coating on the ship's surface Twist the starlight into eerie iridescent colors, like a ghost intruding into the real world.

"Arrived at the designated coordinates."

The mechanical adjutant's voice rang out inside the cabin, and the earliest space beacon appeared on the holographic star map.

Lister tapped his fingertips lightly, and even though he had returned several times over the past three hundred years, the view outside the porthole was still breathtaking.

The surface of the core planet in the BN Star Region is covered with metallic runes, and its twelve gear-shaped rings rotate day and night, providing energy for the entire star system.

The form of mechanical lifeforms has long since broken through the limitations of humanoid shapes—there are Star Forgers with wingspans of thousands of meters suspended in orbit.

Gravitational tendrils are used to melt asteroids, and nanoscale mechanical clusters are used to reconstruct matter in quantum laboratories.

The "Mechanical Spirit Academy" established by Kavin became the core of civilization, where mechanical scholars from thirty-seven factions within the galaxy exchanged ideas.

The strongest class in the entire Babylon Galaxy is also the Mechanical class.

All kinds of rare resources are dedicated to serving the mechanical system, especially the mechanical life forms of the Church of Mechanical Truth.

"Hoffman? You've finally created a new puppet!"

Outside the ship, Hoffman's figure had already appeared.

He had green hair, which complemented his green suit.

He is no longer a puppet using someone else's body, but a new "master puppet" cultivated over the past three hundred years based on his own original self.

[Target: Hoffman's SS-type doll (Master doll status, Leviathan Civilization)]

[Occupation: Alchemist Puppeteer (Mechanical)]

[Level: Lv180]

[Health Points: 2910412/2910412]

[Strength:592232/592232]

[Attributes: Strength 360, Stamina 360, Intelligence 360, Agility 360]

[Skill:...]

[Overall Rating: SS]

As expected, they received resource support from the Divine Rise Galaxy.

Hoffman also regained his original peak condition, and his combat power reached the World-Ending Level master puppet.

The strength that was diminished during the Galactic Federation era to save the Kavin Mechanical Civilization has now been fully restored.

Although he is still at the Third Advancement, with Hoffman's talent, it's only a matter of time before he becomes Hegemon.

"Where's Kavin? Is he already breaking through?"

"Yes, as soon as his premonition of evolution came, he went into that nurturing barrier."

It has been two weeks so far.

Hoffman was also quite excited about Kavin's upcoming promotion!

All of them came from the earliest Merrick Planet.

In particular, he was the one who discovered, valued, and nurtured Kavin.

Now he has entered the true Fourth Advancement stage, and may even become a World-Ending Level powerhouse.

This small group of people finally gained a certain degree of influence within the vast universe.

Unlike today, Lister still has to constantly navigate between the Babylon Galaxy and Divine Rise Galaxy.