Return

Mechanical voices came from the figures, their cold gazes locked onto Ku Xi as if they could see straight through him.

Suspended in midair, Ku Xi was stunned by the densely packed figures that had suddenly appeared before him. Then he noticed the black substance clinging to their bodies—the same kind that covered the Core.

"Balance... must not be broken. Now... leave." The mechanical voices rang out from the group again, pulling Ku Xi and Yi Chen back to their senses.

"Balance? So their purpose is to make Earth and the aliens slaughter one another? Then the prerequisite for that goal to succeed is for both sides to have equal strength? So they absorb the aliens' Cores for the same reason—to prevent the aliens from growing stronger and breaking this so-called balance?" Yi Chen couldn't help thinking of all this.

"Could it be that they've always been maintaining the balance between humanity and the aliens? Could humanity's survival to this day also be connected to them?"

"However, even so, as the System said, they've disrupted the development of civilization in this universe."

On the other side, the mechanical behemoth Ku Xi and the Outsiders had reached the point of open confrontation. Because the Outsiders had revealed themselves, Yijin also noticed the strange creatures. Their bodies were concealed beneath an eerie black substance, leaving only their bizarre silhouettes visible.

"Ku Xi, what's going on?" Yijin asked in confusion. Ku Xi didn't answer and instead hurriedly ordered, "Return to the ship. Now."

"What exactly is going on?" Yijin persisted.

"Damn it, get back to the ship!" Ku Xi roared anxiously. Without waiting for Yijin, he flew toward the ship first, moving at an incredible speed. As it turned out, his decision had been extremely wise.

On the ground, Yi Chen detected the dark matter in this universe being continuously absorbed by the Outsiders. Then, it began gathering in their vague hands, gradually transforming into lightning. As the lightning formed, a terrifying magnetic field also took shape.

Inside the ship, Ku Xi could likewise detect the existence of dark matter. At that moment, all that remained in his heart besides shock was fear.

"Yijin, return to headquarters. Now!" Ku Xi shouted anxiously at Yijin.

"No. The magnetic field is in chaos, and both the navigation and communications equipment have failed. The ship can't take off normally." Yijin answered anxiously while operating the complicated equipment. Only now did he sense that something was wrong.

"Damn it, I'll fight them!" With that, Ku Xi flew straight out of the ship.

"If you get the chance, run. This isn't something you can deal with. Take the information back. This matter isn't simple," Ku Xi said.

"Boss..."

Meanwhile, Yi Chen silently watched this scene. He knew he had to save them—not out of sympathy, but because the mission required him to do so.

"Hmph. They're getting off easy." Yi Chen snorted coldly. Then, he activated his spatial power and appeared behind one of the Outsiders. Dark Energy covered his right hand, which he shaped like a blade and easily swept through the Outsider's neck.

The lightning released by the Outsiders was indeed terrifying, but they were at their most vulnerable while charging it. During that process, they couldn't perform any unnecessary movements, such as defense. That was why Yi Chen, having discovered this weakness, could easily kill them.

Then came the second and third. In just a few seconds, all the Outsiders had fallen. The lightning they had been charging in their hands was also dispersed by Yi Chen in time, preventing it from exploding.

Afterward, Yi Chen turned his gaze toward the Core covered in the strange black substance. A pale blue radiance emanated from its surface, intertwining with the radiance from the black substance. However, the blue light was gradually weakening and fading, while the energy within the Core continued to be absorbed by the black substance.

As the Core's energy was continuously absorbed, the black substance on its surface began emitting an even stronger radiance than before. The light flashed rhythmically, like a beating heart. When Yi Chen looked again at the figures whose heads he had severed, the black substance covering their bodies had also begun flashing and pulsing in rhythm. Large amounts of dark matter surged into their bodies, repairing their damaged tissues and organs.

"It's actually regenerating." Even Yi Chen, who had once survived in a cultivation world, couldn't help feeling a chill run down his spine at this bizarre sight.

Yi Chen fixed his gaze on the Core. He clearly detected that the figures who had originally died were about to regain their vitality along with the flashing radiance on the Core.

"So this is the true 'core'?" Yi Chen guessed inwardly. Then, he gently touched the Core with his right hand, which was covered in Dark Energy. The "core" showed no sign of aggression, but the Dark Energy in his hand was instantly absorbed.

Yi Chen then poured in even more Dark Energy. The energy was still completely absorbed by the "core," which showed no sign of reaching saturation.

"Could it simply be a container for absorbing and storing energy? If so, it must have accumulated quite a lot of dark matter." Looking at the recovering figures, Yi Chen fell into a dilemma. If he wanted to eliminate the threat completely, he had to destroy this "core." Otherwise, it was equivalent to a ticking time bomb. But if he destroyed the "core," the aliens' Cores would probably not escape destruction either. If their Cores were destroyed, then according to the mission restrictions, he would have indirectly interfered with this world's civilizational development and might suffer some kind of punishment. If his mission rewards were deducted, all his work over the past several days would have been for nothing.

"Invaders are always so irritating, no matter the world." Thinking of Earth facing the Taotie invasion in the Super God Universe, Yi Chen couldn't help feeling a surge of anger.

"Hmph. Even without the mission rewards, I can't let these aliens obtain the Core. Earth in this world probably has no way to withstand planet-destroying firepower..."

"Star Departure, analyze this storage device." Yi Chen spoke calmly to Star Departure in the Dark Dimension. Before long, Star Departure finished its analysis:

Analysis complete. The target's primary component is Yijin, formed by mixing meteoric material into a carbon alloy. After smelting and cooling, it can withstand temperatures of 500,000°C without showing any signs of melting. It can even endure a nuclear strike. The use of physical methods to destroy it is not recommended. Spatial power can be used to separate its structure.

Warning: The device stores a large amount of dark matter. Once destroyed, it is highly likely to release radiation and vast quantities of dark matter. Please take protective measures in advance.

Following Star Departure's recommendation, Yi Chen wrapped himself in the Power of Stars. As for the two mechanical behemoths, Ku Xi and Yijin, they had already piloted the ship away after Yi Chen finished hunting the Outsiders, so he didn't need to concern himself with them.

Yi Chen then began using spatial power to separate the Core device. As Star Departure had said, the moment the Core was separated, radiation began pouring out of it. The intense radiation left Yi Chen dizzy and light-headed despite using the Power of Stars to resist it. Meanwhile, the strange black substance that had originally clung to the Core lost its energy source when the Core was destroyed and consequently lost all its "vitality."

"Star Bolt Power detected. Yi Chen is suffering a powerful Dark Energy impact. Immediate departure from this location is recommended." Star Departure's voice rang out in the Dark Dimension. Along with the device's destruction, the dark matter released radiation while also unleashing a massive amount of Dark Energy. That energy continuously battered Yi Chen. Just then, the System's long-silent voice rang out in his mind once more:

System Mission: Unknown End completed

Mission rewards:

Starfall Blade ×1; Light and Shadow Sword trial use ×1; Combat Power Value ×500,000 issued and deposited into the System Backpack. Purchase authorization for the Light and Shadow Sword unlocked. Third Generation Divine Body upgrade technology recorded by "Star Departure."

Mission penalty: Due to violating the mission restrictions, the System will no longer issue System Missions for the next nine months. System Missions will resume after nine months, at which point the host may continue completing missions to obtain rewards.

Warning: The System Mission has been completed. Return to the Super God Universe immediately. Available coordinates: Earth's Super God Academy; Brahma Star in the Angel Nebula; Fei Leize, where Angel Yan is located. Please choose.

"So I really did violate the restrictions. But those aliens have lost their Cores too, so at least I've made some contribution to this planet. Heh heh~ It's time to go back." While resisting the radiation and Dark Energy's assault, Yi Chen thought to himself.

"Let's go to Fei Leize. It's been quite a while since I last saw her." Yi Chen spoke.

"Coordinates confirmed: Fei Leize, where Angel Yan is located. Teleporting immediately."

In another stretch of starry space, this night seemed unusually long. In the cold night, the bonfire still blazed brightly. Beside it, an Angel with pristine white wings on her back was looking up at the stars filling the sky, murmuring:

"Another day has passed, kid. Where are you, exactly...?"

Ah! Ah!! Ah!!! I finally managed to finish this side story, though it was a real struggle. Writing this side story was practically like starting a new book for me, so it turned out rather rough. I mainly wanted to move on to the main plot sooner. From here on, the story will revolve around the main plot. I get to write Yan again—great!!! ^_^

(The End)