The Great Purge Begins

Hoffman's figure slowly emerged from the depths of the Blue Cluster Temple, surrounded by a gray-purple energy vortex.

The energy Twist and wriggled like living things, sometimes coalescing into blurry, eerie faces, and sometimes collapsing into chaotic geometric shapes.

With each step he took, energy continuously emanated from beneath his feet.

Having just advanced to the Fourth Advancement of the Hegemon, he hadn't yet been able to perfectly control his energy and aura.

The tattered green standard dress she was wearing was constantly repairing itself.

Hoffman's face was exactly the same as before, except that the grayish-purple energy constantly emanating from his temples was mixed with some small black spots.

If there are no surprises, it should be an impurity on the owner's doll.

At this moment, the whites of the pupils have been invaded by chaotic matter, and the pupils themselves have split into three constantly rotating triangles.

The speed of the triangle's rotation gradually decreased until the chaotic matter disappeared, and the pupil returned to its original appearance.

[Target: Hoffman SS-type Doll (Master Doll Status, Leviathan Civilization)]

[Class: Master of Puppetry (Mechanical)]

[Level: Lv183]

[Health Points: 14,910,412/14,910,412]

[Strength:3572232/3572232]

[Attributes: Strength 363 (Base 183 + Bonus 180), Stamina 363, Intelligence 366, Agility 366]

[Skill: Alchemical Mechanical Bestowal (SS-rank) LV183: Alchemical Mechanical Bestowal with new spirituality, increasing health and stamina by 366% for a certain period of time, and also increasing the damage dealt by all alchemy machines by 366%.]

Alchemical Puppet Bestowal (SS Rank)...

Radiance of Alchemical Life (Passive, No Grade)

The Fallacy of the Alchemical Enigma Puppet (Passive, No Rank)

Mystic Puppet Symbiosis (Passive, No Grade) LV1: The master puppet shares life link and experience gain with other puppets. When the master puppet suffers fatal damage, it can be randomly transferred to several other puppets to share the damage. After each transfer, the new master puppet's attack power is temporarily increased by 1.5%, but its defense power is reduced by 1% (stacks up to 3 times).

Holy Grail Faith (Passive, No Rank) LV1: Automatically triggers when HP drops below 5%, instantly clearing all negative status effects and restoring 50% of maximum HP (30-day cooldown).

...]

[Overall Rating: S]

"Kavin, thank you for sharing my Holy Grail energy."

"What a pity! It was still just one step short."

Having just finished evolving, Hoffman thanked Kavin, but couldn't help but sigh.

Although I had sensed the opportunity for promotion long ago, I had been unable to make the breakthrough for a long time.

Several attempts to isolate myself ultimately ended in failure.

This advancement was truly thanks to Kavin's modification of Hoffman with the Holy Grail's energy.

Although Hoffman controls puppets, he has always belonged to the Alchemy-Mechanical category.

The Holy Grail's energy can also enhance it to some extent, but not as much as Kavin's.

However, even this level of improvement immediately made Hoffman realize that his evolutionary opportunity had truly been born.

Now, he has achieved his goal, completed his fourth evolution, and entered the level of the Hegemon.

"I can feel... that I'm only a hair's breadth away from truly World-Ending Level..."

"Don't rush, you've only just completed your evolution."

"The master puppet's improvement is never something that happens overnight, and it's definitely different from what happened to me and Kavin."

"The Federation is now rich in resources; it's only a matter of time before you face the World Annihilation."

Lister immediately comforted Hoffman.

Based solely on his observations through the system, the opponent's strength and current potential are arguably on the verge of reaching the World Annihilation.

Originally, at the 18th tier, it was a puppet with SS-level combat power.

After the fourth promotion, the evaluation score will naturally drop significantly.

The fourth evolution is quite difficult. Only a few Quasi-Hegemon can truly step into the Hegemon after breaking through, while most will still fall to A-level combat power.

After Hoffman's Fourth Advancement and the Holy Grail upgrade, he has many new passive skills, but they haven't been improved yet.

If it is properly refined over the next century and the master puppet is further improved, it should have a chance to reach the World-Ending Level.

Of course, even if one were to reach the World Annihilation... they would probably only be at the bottom among World-Ending Level powerhouses.

"Have you gained any insights?"

After finishing his conversation with Hoffman, Lister turned to look at Wang Yue.

His own advancement comes from the players; for the Fourth Advancement, he only needs to complete the job advancement quest.

In contrast, for the original inhabitants of this game world, the fourth evolution is a truly major challenge.

Even for Wang Yue, it was still difficult.

The only thing Lister could do to help her was to show her how others broke through, so she could better grasp the fourth evolution.

"I've learned a lot!"

"I feel that the day when the true opportunity for evolution arrives is not far off."

"Has the situation with the Berry Family been resolved?"

Wang Yue has now reappeared as Lim Evan, the former Galactic Noble who was killed by the two of them in the recruit camp.

As for the Aiven Family, to which Lim Evan belonged, they Destruction along with the Beta Civilization in the explosion.

The Merrick Civilization, including Lister, has now established the Machine-Slaying Federation.

Wang Yue had long since lost interest in the identity of Porzingis, which he used to frequently use.

Rather than being constantly harassed by the Berry Family and serving them, she ultimately took the initiative to reveal her true identity to the Berry Family.

The Berry Family was indeed one of the major super-families of the Leviathan Civilization.

This meant nothing to Lister; the other party didn't even have the right to speak to him.

However, the Merrick Civilization and the Leviathan Civilization are now on good terms, in addition to their relationship with General Boren.

Wang Yue's previous actions had taken advantage of the Berry Family, so naturally she hoped to compensate them for their losses and let the matter drop.

"There's no problem; they didn't intend to cause me any trouble."

"In fact, they discovered the anomaly a long time ago, but they just pretended not to know and took advantage of me to extract more benefits from the Merrick Civilization."

Sure enough, not many of the major families of the original Galactic Level 4 civilization were fools.

Especially since he became Hegemon, Wang Yue has devoted himself entirely to the Construction of the Merrick Civilization.

In the former Federation Government, they only sought to secure more benefits for the Merrick Civilization.

It's estimated that the Berry Family sensed something was wrong around that time.

"Now that things are out in the open, whether I agree or not, they still acknowledge that I am a member of the Berry Family."

"They just hope to establish a family branch in Merrick through my connections."

Upon hearing this, Lister asked no further questions.

As expected of a major power, their vision is indeed different; everything is geared towards strength and profit.

Wang Yue's Quasi-Hegemon strength, coupled with his close relationship with Lister, Kavin, and others, forced them to consider the matter carefully.

The final choice was also pragmatic, prioritizing maximizing benefits.

Returning from the Babylon Galaxy to the Milky Way Galaxy.

Wang Yue is once again adjusting her mindset, seeking an opportunity for her fourth evolution.

Lister, on the other hand, focused more on cultivating talent and competing for more resources from outside.

At the same time, we eagerly await the start of the next scene of the game and the arrival of the players.

In the blink of an eye, more than three hundred years have passed.

The Machine-Slaying Federation, New Calendar 359.

Even now, the Machine-Slaying Federation is recognized as the eighth largest superpower in the entire universe.

However, for most cosmic powers, the Machine-Slaying Federation is still a new force.

Three hundred years is only a short period of time for most Hegemon powers.

However, for the rapidly developing and expanding Machine-Slaying Federation, all star systems in the Federation have entered a fast track of development in both construction and talent cultivation.

Especially in the core of the Machine-Slaying Federation — the Milky Way Galaxy —countless resources converged, and artisans from various star systems poured their efforts into its creation.

The speed and prosperity of the development of Merrick First Governing Planet in the Milky Way Galaxy, far exceeded anyone's imagination.

The orbital rings surrounding the planet have now expanded to a seventh layer, each ring shimmering with a different energy.

The innermost quantum shield rippled with a deep blue light, the middle layer flowed with a defense matrix forged from dark matter, and the outermost layer was filled with tens of thousands of scarlet killing intent crystals.

Like stars embedded in the surface of the ring, as the killing intent crystals slowly dissipate, the extreme killing intent also envelops the star field near the planet.

It can be said to be both decoration and a deterrent deliberately left by Lister.

The surface is no longer accessible to ordinary people.

Even those from the Merrick Civilization must possess a certain level of strength and status before being allowed entry.

Anti-gravity vehicles shuttle between towering metal buildings, and despite numerous restrictions on entry, the streets are still bustling with people.

Representatives, delegations, and powerful immigrants from dozens of star systems gathered here, their clothing and languages from different civilizations creating a bustling and vibrant scene.

The holographic projection in the central square continuously played the grand occasion of the Federation's founding, and the scene of Lister cleaving through the void with his sword was played on a loop, stirring the hearts of countless gazing onlookers.

At this moment, within the restricted area on the surface, in a newly completed tower named "Scarlet Peak," Lister is temporarily residing.

The second-highest level of the "Scarlet Peak" tower is an entire spherical space sculpted from a single piece of dark matter crystal.

Liquid energy flows through the inner walls, sometimes transforming into galactic vortexes, and at other times various celestial anomalies emerge within them.

This is the only meditation room in the building, Lister is currently suspended in the very center.

His eyes were slightly closed, and the killing intent surrounding him had solidified into a tangible form, transforming into fine, scarlet threads that wrapped around every inch of space.

Lister only opened his eyes when he sensed the commotion outside due to the Killing Intent Wave.

In an instant, all the strange phenomena that had arisen during meditation vanished from the spherical space of the meditation room.

These unusual phenomena are an amplification effect of this giant dark matter crystal on the Class Holder' cultivation.

"Click--"

The specially designed dark matter door still made a sound when it opened.

A young girl stepped in from outside.

The young woman was dressed in a well-tailored Federation Government uniform; the dark blue, tight-fitting uniform accentuated her slender waist and the smooth curves of her chest, while the collar and cuffs were adorned with silver patterns symbolizing the Intelligence Agency.

Holding a semi-transparent data panel in her hands, her high heels tapped crisply on the dark matter floor.

It finally came to an abrupt end three meters from Lister.

"Grown ups..."

The girl's face showed both reverence and nervousness, and her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

Lilina, relax.

Lilina, Lister's new personal maid.

Tim's original cultivation level was insufficient, and even with more resources to increase his lifespan, he couldn't sustain it.

After all, many resources that increase lifespan require a certain level to take effect, and he ultimately passed away thirty years ago.

Of his descendants, his granddaughter Lilina eventually took over his job and resumed her role as Lister's servant.

"Sir, this is an S-level intelligence report from the Federal Intelligence Service. The Emerald Royal Court has made unusual movements."

Lister, who was sitting cross-legged, casually waved his hand.

The data from the specially encrypted data pad in Lilina's hand had already been transmitted to his personal terminal.

"Seventeen days ago, the four elders of the Emerald Royal Court led the Third Guard Corps to attack the N77, M91 system..."

The intelligence was very detailed, including the strength, names, and past achievements of the four elders.

The operational plans and processes for the N77 and M91 star systems are described in great detail.

After looking at the report and pondering it for a moment, Lister had a clear understanding of the situation.

"Go and inform Quint to order all the war squadrons of the Machine-Slaying Federation to prepare for full assembly within half a month."

"Awaiting the federal central government's order for conquest."

"Notify the Director of the Intelligence Agency to intensify intelligence work on the other seven major powers, effective immediately, and to closely observe and record their methods of warfare."

"Yes, Lord Lister!"

"I'll get on it right now!"

Although Lilina was just an ordinary staff member of the Intelligence Agency, no one in the agency thought so.

Even the director didn't dare to give her orders, allowing her to access all sorts of information within the department.

Lilina was often responsible for conveying Lister's decrees.

At the same time, the communication projection between Hoffman and Kavin also appears.

Once the call is connected, all messages are about actions taken at the Emerald Royal Court.

"It was Emerald Royal Court that couldn't hold back any longer."

"There are still 41 years until the birth of the Seed of Eternity."

Hoffman has improved significantly over the past three hundred years, but he still hasn't reached the World-Ending Level.

The current topic is evaluation and opinions on Emerald Royal Court.

"Lister, shall we act now, or wait a few more years?"

"Since the Emerald Royal Court has already made its move, let's follow suit."

"How about you take command of this mission?"

The actions of the Emerald Royal Court are not a preemptive initiation of a World-Ending Level war.

Instead, they are doing crucial prelude work for this World Annihilation War.

This refers to the pre-battle cleanup!

The Emerald Royal Court is the first to take action, and the remaining seven superpowers will follow suit.

Starting from their own sphere of influence, they wage war against those seasoned Hegemon.

As super powers about to wage this war of the century, we naturally share this tacit understanding.

Losing a battle between rivals is one thing, but if another Hegemon or powerful figure were to ascend to the position of World Annihilation midway through, disrupting the plans of the various factions, it would be bad for everyone.

Not to mention that if a major war breaks out, all the powerful figures of the factions will perish in the later stages of the battle.

It's not impossible that these established Hegemon around them might launch a sneak attack to swallow up their respective territories.

Therefore, on the eve of this World-Ending Level war, a necessary "clean-up" is needed, and no one will hesitate to do it.