Getting a Shot

Deep space.

Inside the Quin Shuttle's cabin, Tang Chuan lay reclined in a seat, brow furrowed, expression twisted, holding a remote control. Not far away, a lifelike holographic projection played television programs from nearby civilized star systems.

Yes, this too was the work of the Fantasy Weapon.

Among the stars, the conscious pursuits of countless civilizations varied. Some disdained filming television shows to satisfy their meager fantasies—they were absolutely objective life forms!

But many civilizations, like the Azure Star people, had their own entertainment pursuits. There were just as many civilizations that produced entertainment films.

The holographic projection before him was the result of Quintessa intercepting cosmic signals from nearby star regions and creating for Tang Chuan: Cosmic Television.

Because the Fantasy Attribute could no longer draw on much power, Quintessa struggled to crack the cosmic signals of mid- to high-level civilizations.

So she had no choice but to let Tang Chuan make do with what was available.

At that moment, on the holographic projection, two monsters combining Leviathans and Cronenberg Creatures were performing a "thrilling" "romance film."

Their sweet nothings, to human ears, sounded like the roars of ancient primordial beasts, covering the listener in goosebumps.

Paired with the lifelike holographic imagery, Tang Chuan could almost make out the pustule-like body tissue on their skin.

He had originally wanted to watch some cosmic television to relax his mind...

But the dual assault of sight and sound—shocking and jarring—shattered his hard-won worldview into dust once again...

"Quintessa, are you sure this is a romance film and not a horror film? The last time I felt something similar was when I was eight, and the older girl next door first took me to watch 'Ring of the Night'... Is that a kiss? Ugh—"

Tang Chuan covered his face and dry-heaved, quickly changing the channel to an advertisement segment and averting his gaze.

Quintessa said with a smile, "How could I deceive you, Master? This is indisputably a romance film. Though you find it hard to accept now, previewing the holographic Cosmic Television will greatly pave the way for your future interactions with diverse cosmic civilizations."

Tang Chuan took a long while to recover, downing several gulps of ice water before he could breathe again, cold sweat soaking his collar.

He waved his hand wearily, shutting off the holographic projection, and said, "Forget it, I'll stop watching for now. I need to soothe my wounded psyche... How long have we been traveling through space? How far are we from the Heckarian civilization?"

Quintessa replied, "Fifty-six hours since departure. We're still four Cosmic Nations away from the Heckarian civilization. If you're impatient, I can increase our flight speed."

Tang Chuan shook his head. "No need. Let's continue at the Main Universe's 'Seventh Sequence Light Speed.' It won't be long anyway; we'll arrive soon."

"Very well."

The Main Universe's Seventh Sequence Light Speed was the ordered rule of this entire star region.

In the Main Universe, light speed was divided into ten sequences, corresponding to the will of the ten Main Gods.

Originally, light speed fell under the category of "unordered rules." The Main Universe was far too vast—immeasurably larger than any Sub-Universe—and the energy composition of each star region differed.

Thus, light speed varied slightly between every major star region.

Ununified, it was called an unordered rule.

Later, the Main Gods were born and consolidated the rules of light speed. Within each Main God's sphere of influence, regardless of energy differences between star regions, light speed became a fixed speed set by the Main God.

Because the ten Main Gods had different thoughts and intentions, once light speed was transformed into ordered rules, it was also divided into ten sequences.

Word of Law Follows Action—reversing unordered rules into ordered ones—that was the privilege and power of the Main Gods!

For example, in a certain star region, if you fled at light speed, but a Main God wanted to catch you, they could simply declare that the light speed in that region was one meter per second!

Then your so-called light-speed escape would only be a crawl at one meter per second.

Even an Azure Star human could catch up in an instant.

Of course, divine combat involved an unimaginable clash of billions of rules, far beyond what a single light-speed rule could describe.

Tang Chuan asked Quintessa, "In the Origin Universe, on Cangmang Star, how far has biological evolution progressed?"

Quintessa's eyes flashed blue as she answered, "It has evolved from single-celled organisms to multicellular ones, and multi-system marine life is about to emerge. Before we reach the Heckarian civilization, multi-species land organisms should evolve.

Additionally, plants are growing wildly, and green patches have already dotted the yellow continent.

Soon, the planet's colors will be a mix of blue, green, and yellow."

Tang Chuan nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "What level of life strength do the Heckarians have? I need to be prepared."

Quintessa replied, "The Heckarian civilization is a relatively high-tier Level 9 Civilization, relying on their possession of a low-tier Fourth Cosmic Speed-level powerful life form.

However, most of them have a body strength similar to yours, Master—perhaps slightly stronger, but not by much.

Moreover, we're heading to the fringe of the Heckarian civilization, far from their home star. The chance of encountering powerful life forms is low.

With the Fantasy Weapon, even though the Fantasy Attribute is nearing full-power operation, I can still ensure that on the planet I've chosen, no creature can harm you, Master.

After all, civilization level doesn't equate to biological level.

A high-tier Level 9 Civilization could annihilate any Planet Butcher, but civilization represents collectivity, while biology represents individuality. As long as we don't choose to engage their home star's civilization and only live on a fringe planet, your body strength is fully capable of handling daily life similar to a Heckarian's.

Because, like the Azure Star people, they rely mainly on technology, not biological strength. So you can rest easy, Master."

Tang Chuan thought it over and said, "I'm still too weak. I don't feel entirely secure. There's still some divine power left—enough to last until Cangmang Star gives birth to intelligent life, I reckon. So now, I'll use the Divine Transformation Device to slightly elevate my life level."

I'm going to a fringe planet of a Level 9 Civilization to lie low and avoid the dangers common in most higher civilizations.

And maybe see if I can borrow from their ecology to add a bit of biodiversity to Cangmang Star.

I won't do anything risky.

But that doesn't mean I want to be overly cautious even in such a low-tier civilization.

After all, he was a Supreme God.

He still had to maintain some dignity.

Besides, a Fantasy Weapon was, ultimately, just an external object.

Having now witnessed the true power of a god, Tang Chuan felt more insignificant than ever before.

Damn it. Even just a feeling close to a "psychological gap" had nearly caused his worldview to collapse and driven him to suicide.

So, no matter what, raising his own level was the most practical course of action.

Quintessa weighed the situation and said, "Indeed, as you say, Master. Before Cangmang Star establishes a sapient civilization, there will be some residual divine power. So next, let's elevate your life form, Master... Shall we begin?"

Tang Chuan spread his arms and said, "Begin. Bring it on."

Hum!

Suddenly, the floor beneath Tang Chuan's feet became soft and pliable, surging and forming into a small pod that enveloped his entire body.

The pod gradually tilted into a horizontal position, and a white mist began to fill its interior. At the same time, a continuous series of clicking sounds echoed within the pod as needle injectors slowly extended from all directions.

Inside the injectors was a liquid that glowed with a faint blue fluorescence, like a radioactive element.

Tang Chuan looked around, watching the long, sharp metal needles drawing closer, and felt a pang of kidney pain. He quickly said, "Hey, we're Fantasy Weapons produced by the Main God Hall. Can't we have a little more class?

We've already entered the Main Universe civilization, my friend. Why are we still using such primitive needle injections?

How about some particle radioactive elements that I can absorb through my nasal passages and skin pores? Let me raise my life form a little more comfortably!"

Quintessa laughed and said, "Master, the Fantasy Attribute is already running near overload. And building such an instrument would waste a lot of Diluted Divine Power. For a better tomorrow, please bear with it!"

As she finished speaking, the dozen or so needles pierced Tang Chuan's skin from all directions.

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle...

The liquid gene solution, propelled by the semi-metallic injectors, began to flow into Tang Chuan's body.

"Ahhh~~~"

A scream like a pig being slaughtered rang out in the deep void of space.

But it couldn't penetrate the Quinjet, only echoing endlessly within the cabin.

Chiliu...

Chiliu, who had been dozing off, suddenly raised its head curiously. Using the tips of its tentacles, it "looked" at Tang Chuan, who was convulsing inside the hibernation pod.

It seemed puzzled. What kind of thing could make a clone of the Calamity Supreme God wail in such agony?

Hmm, it must be some super, mega horror. I'd better keep my distance.

Chiliu wiggled its slender waist and crawled into a dark corner of the cabin, curling up into a ball.