Inside the Black Star spaceship.
"Really? Ames has arrived. Let her stay at my place for a while... Oh? You've got her sorted out. Well done! I'll give you a little red flower as a reward when we get back."
Han Xiao looked at Aurora's puffed-up face on the communicator and smiled broadly.
After settling Ames, Aurora immediately informed Han Xiao, explaining the situation with a hint of resentment in her words... He deliberately stood her up, leaving her to deal with it on her own; Black Star was such a scoundrel.
"You'd better talk to her, otherwise His Dragon Emperor will definitely be even angrier."
"I have my own plans. I'll treat her well, use your cuteness to calm her down, and then I'll explain to her when I get back."
Han Xiao chatted for a few minutes, then hung up the call, shaking his head and smiling.
Inviting Ames to the Black Star Palace was a deliberate act by him, intended to deepen others' misunderstandings and make them believe that his true self was at the base camp. He also wanted to take advantage of his absence to strengthen the base camp's armed forces, primarily to protect Aurora and the others.
After all, there are many methods of mysticism. Now that Hila has shown her prowess, someone will definitely try to divine her fate. It's hard to say whether someone will divine the strengthened life connection between Aurora and Hila. It's always good to be on guard against others trying to steal your base.
Putting that matter aside, Han Xiao pulled up a document sent by the Empire a few days ago and began reading it again.
After advancing, he inquired with the Empire about the "Divine Transformation" and the "First Sanctum," and obtained some related classified information.
Data shows that after reaching the Peak Beyond Grade A, one needs to delve deeper into the essence of the superpower system and one's own genes. At this stage of life sublimation, some changes occur, and a new, additional path of sublimation emerges, known as "Divine Transformation."
Each stage of the transformation is a unique sublimation, bestowing new power, as if life itself has transcended a certain boundary, giving birth to new "supernatural abilities." Most Peak Beyond Grade A individuals believe this is a crucial factor in reaching that unknown, higher realm. However, Divine Transformation seems to have no end; no one has yet been known to have completely completed Divine Transformation, and it remains a mystery.
When Han Xiao inquired about Divine Transformation, the Empire wasn't surprised. Given Black Star's current status, it wasn't unusual for him to have come into contact with this field. Moreover, Han Xiao had just convened the Meeting of the Gods not long ago, and it was very likely that he learned about this term from other Peak Beyond Grade A, so he turned around to look up information.
This information cost some faction contribution points. It includes not only an introduction, but also the Empire's research on this topic, as well as the insights and experiences left by the Peak Beyond Grade A of previous generations, which made Han Xiao understand the effects of Divine Transformation better.
However, he couldn't find any other way to obtain Divine Transformation Points here; it seemed that the only way to obtain points was through Life Level Sublimation (Advancement).
However, it still has its uses. Han Xiao sorted through the data and vaguely discovered a pattern: the number of Divine Transformation points brought about by each life level sublimation is uncertain and seems to depend on multiple factors.
Although others do not have panels and cannot quantify their attributes, Han Xiao calculated and guessed based on the data that the following conditions might affect the points for each advancement in Divine Transformation: the highest attribute exceeds 20,000 points, the secondary attribute exceeds 15,000 points, the energy level exceeds 85,000, all professional knowledge is at max level, and there is a soul link with Universal Treasure, etc.
For each of the above conditions met, the Divine Transformation Points gained with each advancement will increase by 1. Since I gained 2 points on my first attempt, I have met two of the requirements.
"Does accumulating points require a gradual, long-term approach?" Han Xiao wondered to himself.
I gained 2 points of Divine Transformation on my first try, which is neither the best nor the worst, just average.
So, at the Peak Beyond Grade A stage, keeping the level low is actually the mainstream strategy, and advancing to the next level after meeting more conditions is the most profitable.
"If I'm not mistaken, the subsequent advancement quests might require me to reach a certain level of Divine Transformation..."
Han Xiao's mind raced, and he secretly guessed what the difficulty lay in.
If a normal Peak Beyond Grade A does not accumulate enough strength for a breakthrough, resulting in insufficient Divine Transformation Points for advancement and failing to reach the required transformation level for the next advancement, then the path of advancement will be completely blocked, and further evolution will be impossible!
That will be the limit of your strength!
"No wonder, this is too difficult. There can be no mistakes. Perhaps this is the main reason why all the Peak Beyond Grade A cannot reach a higher realm." Han Xiao clicked his tongue in amazement.
One wrong step and you'll fall into an abyss from which you can't escape—it's terrifying.
However, after thinking about it, he abandoned his plan to hold back his level for a long time in order to gain points for Divine Transformation.
The existence of the Mission Settlement Card allowed him to ignore various stringent advancement requirements...
Not many points are gained from each advancement?
Why not just take it a few more times?
Leveling up is your greatest advantage; suppressing your level is putting the cart before the horse. While Divine Transformation is good, the improvement from advancement is much greater.
Han Xiao's thoughts were very clear:
--It doesn't matter how high or low the level of Divine Transformation is, as long as you can fight better than anyone else, that's all that matters!
The information about the Divine Transformation was obtained smoothly, but the news from the First Sanctum surprised Han Xiao.
Even the empire didn't know what this was!
"I only found out I had the [First Sanctum] skill fragment after advancing because of the improvement in my stats. So, no other Peak Beyond Grade A in history has obtained this ability, which is why no one has discovered this thing?"
Han Xiao was secretly amazed. Even the Three Universal Civilizations had no relevant information. This was probably a groundbreaking discovery.
What does "Sanctuary? It sounds like a location... and since there's a first Third Sanctum?
"If only [Bold Explorer] could be used on this." Han Xiao felt a little regretful. This ability could only be used on unknown tools and locations, and couldn't be used on the skill fragments in the panel.
Putting away the communicator, Han Xiao looked out the porthole. Outside, instead of the pitch-black outer space, was a dazzling sea of light.
This is a location in the central region of the Emerald Star Cluster, where a large, cloud-like bright nebula exists, filled with gas and dust. The gas is ionized by stellar radiation, releasing light, while the nebula also reflects, scatters, and projects the light of nearby stars in the region on a cosmic scale. The entire star field is predominantly green and red, giving it a dreamlike beauty.
In a universe where most areas are pitch black, this is a rare and beautiful sight.
"The origin of Chaos Mysterious Energy lies within this nebula; we can begin making arrangements now."
Han Xiao piloted the Stealth spaceship, found a place to hide, and implemented the strategy of lying in ambush in the bushes, intending to lurk in the shadows and catch the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
As the date of birth draws near, more and more fleets are arriving at this nebula, all drawn by the Chaos Mysterious Energy.
Most of these forces were ordinary organizations, some determined to win, others simply wanting to test the waters. They were wary and antagonistic towards each other, as if facing a formidable enemy. However, when they saw the arrival of the fleets of two cosmic-level civilizations, the hearts of these contenders sank to the bottom.
Ravenlaude arrived with the Imperial fleet, while Sisko, though only with his own fleet, was seen by the forces present as having been authorized by the Arcane due to his Arcane background.
With the intervention of two cosmic-level civilizations, the chances of obtaining the Chaos Mysterious Energy have undoubtedly become extremely slim, but no one intends to back down at the last minute.
After all, we've come all this way... Even if we don't manage to get anything, the point is to participate.
However, a small group of fleets from advanced civilizations, including the Modo Civilization, were not discouraged. On the surface, only two Beyond Grade A beings were involved. If the two restrained each other, they believed they still had a chance to succeed.
"You'll have to play it by ear later."
In the communications channel, Roddick solemnly instructed a large number of elite troops composed of Calamity Grade units.
On the other hand, in the eyes of Ravenlaude and Sisko, all other contenders were mere nobody, and they only regarded each other as their biggest rivals on this trip.
On the Imperial fleet's flagship, Ravenlaude gazed at Sisko's fleet from afar, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Sisko didn't bring the Arcane fleet. He didn't report to the Arcane and wanted to seize it himself, didn't he? Heh, he's much bolder than me."
He initially thought this trip would be easy, but with the intervention of Beyond Grade A expert, the difficulty immediately increased significantly.
However, Ravenlaude didn't seem particularly nervous; he appeared quite relaxed.
With just Sisko arriving, Ravenlaude was more than confident in handling this seven-eyed guy. With his own strength, dealing with Sisko wouldn't be difficult; this guy wasn't someone he was particularly wary of.
Ravenlaude is determined to obtain the Chaos Mysterious Energy, driven by the promise of Universal Treasure from the Empire.
Judging from the current situation, he feels confident of victory.
Meanwhile, Sisko in the opposing fleet found himself in a difficult situation.
"Ravenlaude is here too..."
Sisko looked rather grim.
Upon seeing this, the Calamity Grade who had surrendered and offered information about Chaos Mysterious Energy spoke up, "Star Pupil, the situation doesn't seem too good for us..."
Sisko forced a smile and reassured him, "Don't worry, whether we get it or not, I'll remember your contribution of providing the intelligence."
He not only cared about his own strength, but also valued the power of his clan. He tried every means to cultivate more talents for his clan to compete for the Chaos Mysterious Energy. He didn't want it for his own use, but rather to find a suitable host among his clan members and create a new strongman for his clan.
I believe you.
Upon hearing this, the surrendered Calamity Grade being appeared trusting, but secretly began to plot.
His Sisko wasn't truly out of gratitude, nor was it intentional; it was more a matter of chance.
Despite possessing information about the Chaos Mysterious Energy, he wasn't blinded by greed. He knew very well that it was virtually impossible to obtain the Chaos Mysterious Energy on his own, so he simply used this information to curry favor with a powerful patron and leverage their strength to compete for it.
However, he hadn't completely given up. If he had the chance, he would steal the Chaos Mysterious Energy from his backer and keep it for himself. If not, he would obediently rely on contributing intelligence to advance his career. This way, he could extract more value from the intelligence, which was better than being a gambler and betting everything on seizing the Chaos Mysterious Energy.
His original target wasn't Sisko, but he ran into him by chance. After thinking about it, he realized that Sisko had considerable influence and was also Beyond Grade A, but ranked lower, which actually increased his chances of success in stealing from him. So he changed his target and chose to use Sisko as his backer.
Ravenlaude and Sisko were hostile to each other and each harbored their own ulterior motives, but at this moment they failed to notice that among the other forces, there was another Beyond Grade A individual residing in a fleet without any faction markings— the Secret Master.
"Both the Empire and the Arcane have sent people..."
A glint of light flashed in the Secret Master's eyes.
He is stronger than both of them.
But since the enemy was in the open while he was in the dark, he decided to hide in the shadows and wait for both sides to be exhausted before jumping out to take advantage of the situation and fish in troubled waters.
"This plan is feasible, and the chances are very high!"
With this in mind, the Secret Master cast a series of invisibility spells on himself, suppressing his energy fluctuations and hiding himself even deeper, a faint sneer on his face.
Chaos Mysterious Energy must be mine!
With Ravenlaude and Sisko locked in a standoff, and the remaining forces not driven away, they tacitly agreed to jointly set up a spatial stabilization trap in the area, which was not yet activated.
Chaos Mysterious Energy is Primordial Esper Ability Entity with independent thought and the ability to travel through Secondary Dimension. This move was to prevent it from discovering the ambush and escaping, thus letting the cooked duck fly away.
Having completed this step, the various factions waited quietly in the area, maintaining a brief period of peace.
The date was already close, and a few days later, the day the intelligence indicated arrived.
Many factions perked up, keeping a close eye on the area marked by the coordinates, like seasoned fishermen waiting for their prey to bite.
Aside from a few individuals, most people present were unsure whether the Chaos Mysterious Energy would appear here, feeling a mix of anticipation, tension, and uncertainty.
Buzz!
At that moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone, dazzling red energy suddenly overflowed from nothingness, rapidly expanding in size to form a misty red energy cloud, radiating unique energy fluctuations.
Upon seeing this, everyone present was instantly invigorated, and their emotions were all boiling over!
"This is the right location; the Chaos Mysterious Energy has finally been born!"