Settling Accounts with Carl

The Emperor devoted himself wholeheartedly to developing the new engine.

He had been planning this project for a long time.

The theoretical design had been completed long ago.

Now, he merely had to turn theory into reality.

The Celestial Computers possessed by the angel civilization, Lieyang Star, and the Super Academy were all mobilized to assist him with the development.

After more than two months, a Dimensional Engine integrating dimensional knowledge and Warp properties was successfully developed.

Considering the engine's tremendous power, the Emperor had no intention of equipping it publicly.

Instead, he planned to equip just one person with it, allowing that person to safeguard this newborn empire.

Until the empires of every universe entered an era of great integration.

He summoned Angel Queen Yan, Lieyang Star's chief deity Lena, Xiong Bing Lian warriors such as Ge Xiaolun, and Huaxia's upper echelons, including Dukao.

"The Dimensional Engine integrates multidimensional knowledge. It can freely control dimensional ascension and descent, wield magic-like Warp power, and ensure the soul remains indestructible."

"In this universe, you call the Warp the Void."

"It can house souls. When the physical body is destroyed, the soul can dwell in the Warp. Once the body is reconstructed, it can be resurrected."

The Emperor opened a data projection and introduced the Dimensional Engine's related functions to everyone.

"The Dimensional Engine is far more powerful than any Gene Engine currently developed in the known universe."

"To undergo enhancement of this level, the chosen candidate must receive a Thought Imprint to protect Shenhe Body civilization and the Human Empire."

"This Thought Imprint acts simultaneously on the physical and spiritual levels. Once implanted, it can never be removed."

As the Emperor explained, he packaged and sent them the relevant data.

He allowed them to understand the Dimensional Engine's specifications, as well as the Thought Imprint targeting both body and soul.

"A Thought Imprint?" Dukao frowned. "Isn't that inappropriate? It strips a person of their emotions and selfhood, leaving them to protect Shenhe Body civilization and the Empire alone."

"We don't know how the ultimate fear will descend," the Emperor said. "What if those so-called Void creatures possess unimaginable powers of temptation?"

"If the candidate implanted with the Dimensional Engine cannot hold fast to his heart, is tempted by the Void creatures, and defects to their side, the consequences will be catastrophic."

"The Gene Engine we use to protect civilization and the Empire will become a sharp sword the enemy uses against us."

"The Thought Imprint is an insurance policy to ensure nothing so terrible happens."

"That is also why the Dimensional Engine will not be equipped publicly."

"We need one devout martyr, and only one."

Those who had been summoned looked at each other.

No one dared step forward.

The Thought Imprint was too heavy a burden.

Once they chose to accept it, they would have to uphold their mission for the rest of their lives, without any chance to regret it.

"I'll do it."

A voice rang out.

Everyone turned and saw that it was Ge Xiaolun.

"I am the Galaxy Force, the blade that pierces fear. Wasn't I born to fight Void creatures?!"

"Xiaolun," Zhao Xin said quietly beside him, "think this through. This isn't child's play."

"I've thought it through," Ge Xiaolun said. "War always requires sacrifice. One person's sacrifice is better than everyone else's."

"I've witnessed too much death. Back at North Star, I kept wondering when my turn would come."

"Perhaps my turn should come now. No one is more suitable than me, and no one needs this power more than I do."

Ge Xiaolun was resolute.

He passed through the crowd and walked up to the Emperor.

"Upgrade me, boss. I'm ready."

Raven appeared before Ge Xiaolun.

Time in the surrounding area froze as well.

"You'd better think this through, Ge Xiaolun. Once you put on the golden hoop, you will lose the ability to feel love and affection."

Raven said, "You will never be able to fall in love with anyone again, because your remaining years will contain nothing but duty."

"This crow can talk?!" Ge Xiaolun's eyes widened in astonishment.

"He is my companion, Xiaolun," the Emperor explained. "What he says makes sense. Can you truly do it?"

"Abandon everything, leaving only loyalty and protection for the rest of your life."

Ge Xiaolun fell silent for a moment, then nodded firmly.

"I can."

Seeing Ge Xiaolun's resolve, Raven could say nothing more.

The stopped time was released and began to flow again.

Raven vanished with it.

He did not want too many people to see him, lest it cause unrest and needless waste of time.

After discussion, those attending the meeting confirmed that Ge Xiaolun would be implanted with the Dimensional Engine.

He was sent into the laboratory.

It took two days to complete his comprehensive upgrade.

After leaving the laboratory, Ge Xiaolun displayed his new abilities to the expectant crowd.

He raised a hand, and a brilliant flash of light appeared before him.

The space within a radius of over twenty meters instantly collapsed into two dimensions.

Then he waved his hand again, restoring the two-dimensional space to its original state.

Everyone was left dumbfounded, their faces filled with shock.

"Xiaolun, you're incredible."

"That's fucking awesome. Hua Ye definitely won't be your match this time."

The two close friends, Chen Yaowen and Zhao Xin, spoke excitedly.

"This time, I'm going to beat that bastard to a pulp," Ge Xiaolun said.

His personality was not much different from before.

Yet people still noticed Ge Xiaolun's change, especially Qiangwei.

When Ge Xiaolun had looked at her before, there had always been a trace of lecherous fawning in his eyes.

Now, Ge Xiaolun's gaze was utterly calm, no longer like before.

Qiangwei had truly never considered being with Ge Xiaolun.

Yet she inexplicably felt somewhat disappointed, unable to put the feeling in her heart into words.

After establishing the Empire and equipping Ge Xiaolun with the new engine to grant him greater power,

the Emperor decided to complete one final task before leaving.

That was to settle accounts with the God of Death, Carl, who was hiding in the Dark Nebula.

That woman had caused a whole string of events.

If he did not settle accounts with her, she would certainly continue stirring up trouble.

They had to deal with her. Even if they could not eliminate her, they had to severely weaken her so that she could never cause trouble again.

More importantly, he wanted Raven to go to the Dark Nebula and acquire the technology behind spatial displacement.

This technology altered relative positions to achieve teleportation.

Perhaps it could replace the Warp and become the Empire's mainstream method of faster-than-light travel.

The angel civilization possessed the coordinates of the Dark Nebula.

Using those coordinates, they opened a wormhole leading to Styx World.

They prepared to go settle accounts with the God of Death, Carl.

However, the wormhole was cut off.

They failed to enter it and fell into the cold, boundless void of space.

In the distance was a planet shrouded in black mist: their destination, Styx World.

"The Styx Civilization has activated a spacetime-severing shield," Zhixin said. "The computational load is immense. We need to mobilize Celestial Computers, and it will take a long time to crack."

"During that process, we must also guard against Carl using the Great Clock to interfere. If we are disrupted, all our efforts may be wasted and we'll have to start over."

"Can't we just break through it by force?" Zhao Xin asked.

"This shield uses wormhole technology to connect to a star, giving it an inexhaustible energy supply. Blasting it open is simply impossible." Zhixin shook her head.

The Emperor said, "We do not have much time. Let's destroy the energy source directly."

Zhixin nodded. "That is a good suggestion. Lena can detonate the star, but she needs some time to prepare."

The Emperor stepped forward and extended a hand toward the distant star burning like a fireball.

"Lena is too slow. I'll do it."

"According to relativity, an object with very little mass can possess the power to destroy a star if it is accelerated to a sufficient speed."

Destroying a star was a simple matter for the Emperor.

He could extinguish it with psychic power, throw it into the Warp, or destroy it through pure physical laws.

Specks of light gathered at the Emperor's fingertips. Then, the ball of light shot toward the distant star at light speed.

"Do you know what day of the week it is today?" Raven asked suddenly as he stood on Waldo's shoulder.

"By the original universe's calendar, today should be Thursday on Terra and Friday on Earth in this universe."

"Wrong." Raven shook his head.

Waldo fell silent for a moment, then spoke with absolute certainty.

"I possess perfect memory. I cannot be wrong."

"The sun is about to be shot dead by Big Guy, so today should be Monday," Raven said.

Waldo: "?????"

PS: Countless Big Guys and Mechanicus Cultists hold up the Empire.

As always, please keep reading, everyone. This is a critical time for getting recommended.

There will be a massive update once it goes premium. I guarantee you'll have a blast.