"We've gone on a mission..."
Han Xiao glanced at the panel and immediately understood.
Based on the basic rewards, it can be judged that Hila should not have any difficulty taking over the Netherland Dimension. Only the additional requirements are quite difficult. It is unknown how much energy it will take to restore this dilapidated Netherland to its original state. It is estimated that even if Hila is drained dry, it will not be enough.
However, since it is the legacy of our predecessors, there is no reason to refuse it; at most, it will just take some more time.
The [Netherland Brand] was quite coveted by Han Xiao. Its effect was to grant him a certain degree of control over the energy of that Secondary Dimension. This thing was essentially a kind of operational permission, similar to the nature of the Fel Energy Aggregation Mark on the Traveler's body. Both were keys to unlocking Secondary Dimension and could also provide some strength boosts.
Moreover, when he kills an enemy, he can also drag the enemy's soul into the Netherland, increasing the number of members in "Valhalla," which is equivalent to obtaining a portion of Hila's powers and becoming a part-time soul-collecting messenger.
Considering the favorability reward from this quest, could the subtext be that we did Onicelu a huge favor, and in return, she's willing to offer herself to us?
Thinking about it this way, it seems quite exciting...
Han Xiao recalled that in his previous life, Hila had not shown any abilities related to the Netherland Dimension, which meant that the Netherland had probably already perished before he discovered it.
After all, Hila's discovery of the Netherland Dimension was the process of establishing a life link with Aurora. The Netherland, as a transit medium, intercepted most of the energy transmitted between the two. Without this energy replenishment, Onicelu would not have been able to awaken.
In her previous life, Aurora had already died long ago, and Hila was all alone. Since there was no energy transfer between the two sisters, she likely did not discover the existence of the Netherland Dimension and missed out on the inheritance.
Furthermore, without Aurora, it's impossible to summon powerful Netherland beings similar to those Impure World Reincarnation, and the revival energy from their fusion is also nonexistent. Therefore, even if Hila obtains the Netherland Dimension, she can only exert a weakened version of its effects...
So, in the end, the Germinal Leader is truly awesome.
Various thoughts flashed through Han Xiao's mind. Finally, he composed himself and nodded to Onicelu.
"Okay, I'll bring them over right away so they can meet you."
"It's all up to you now," Onicelu smiled.
Having said that, she vanished, concealing her dimensional consciousness once more. She had said everything she needed to say; now that dimensional energy was depleted, she wanted to conserve every last bit.
Only the two of them remained. Han Xiao turned to look at Ames, who was deep in thought, clearly still reeling from the shock.
This is understandable. The two originally just wanted to scout out the location for Hila, but they encountered a series of unexpected events. First, they ran into the Traveler and beat him up. Then, they were attacked by an unknown force, Clottey disappeared, and Chaos Mysterious Energy was crippled. Finally, they encountered the dimensional consciousness of the Netherland and learned such an astonishing secret. There was too much information to digest.
It's said that every lucky person seems to have a knack for getting into trouble. How come I never noticed that Ames had that potential before?
Overall, Han Xiao was more surprised than frightened. He captured the Holy Light Particle, triggered many new missions, and obtained some secret information, making it a very fruitful experience.
Although some of the Chaos Mysterious Energy was taken away, it can still be used. Thinking about it this way, it seems that I haven't lost anything.
As for the pain of the Chaos Mysterious Energy, Han Xiao didn't really care... Lu Zi really said this time that people's joys and sorrows are not shared, let alone those of people with superpowers.
Dealing with the Sanctum Organization requires a long-term plan; the immediate priority is to help Hila inherit the Netherland.
Thinking of this, Han Xiao patted Ames on the shoulder and said, "Stop spacing out, it's time to leave."
Ames snapped out of her reverie and laughed happily.
"I never imagined Hila and Aurora would have such an extraordinary encounter. They truly are worthy of being my students."
"Yes, yes, your students are wonderful."
Seeing that Ames had reverted to her disciple-obsessed mode, Han Xiao reluctantly interrupted her, saying, "Given this situation, we'll have to cut our schedule short. I'll have Chaos Mysterious Energy take you back to the Black Star Palace and bring Hila over. You don't mind, do you?"
"This is great news, how could I have any objections?" Ames chuckled.
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao nodded and instructed the Mysterious Energy Envoy to seize Ames. In a flash, they disappeared without a trace. The dimensional travel ability of the Chaos Mysterious Energy was much more convenient than mechanical devices, and it didn't take much time to go back and forth.
Left alone to wait, he thought for a moment, then opened the communication channel and called the Empire's Secondary Dimension outpost. This time, he was contacting the Empire's Guardian there.
After a while, the communication was finally connected, Guzar's face appeared before him.
Han Xiao was stunned for a moment when he saw that face.
Huh, Zhang Fei?
Oh dear, I must have mistaken you for someone else! You scared me! It looks so much like it, it's like they were made from the same mold...
At this moment, Guzar's loud voice rang out, his tone impatient.
"Black Star, I've suddenly lost track of Dark Emperor. Where did he go?"
"We were attacked by a mysterious fleet, and he was exiled into the spatial turbulence..." Han Xiao briefly recounted the events, emphasizing the Sanctum Organization's technology.
"These little fry actually made him suffer? Clottey is really getting worse as he gets older," Guzar grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"It's understandable, it's understandable..." Han Xiao coughed, trying to change the subject.
Guzar twitched his beard and muttered, "But these guys are really skilled. If I hadn't been on guard, I might have ended up like them... Hey, Black Star, do you know where they come from?"
"I don't know. If we're going to investigate them, I suggest the Empire start with the records of the emergence of Primordial Esper Ability Entity. This organization definitely controls more than one Primal Esper Ability; I don't know about the others."
This time, however, it wasn't a deliberate attempt to conceal it. Han Xiao's understanding of the Sanctum Organization in this era was indeed limited. Simply revealing the organization's name wouldn't be very effective and would only invite suspicion.
"Understood. I will upload your intelligence. These people dared to attack the Empire. We must find them and teach them a lesson," Guzar said in a deep voice.
Han Xiao nodded secretly.
Having the Empire investigate the Sanctum Organization will at least cause them some trouble.
With the power of an advanced civilization, they might actually discover something; I can consider this a way of taking advantage of their influence.
Guzar cursed a few times, venting his anger, before calming down. He looked Han Xiao up and down and couldn't help but extend a warm invitation:
"Black Star, I've always wanted to get to know you. Please come visit me sometime, and we can get to know each other better."
"There is a chance."
Han Xiao smiled and agreed on the surface, but inwardly he sighed with emotion.
--A powerful Beyond Grade A person actively befriending me proves that my years of practicing my "friendship skills" are finally nearing completion.
He remembered Guzar, an imperial powerhouse who had guarded the Secondary Dimension for many years, whom he had never met in person before. In Master Han's memory, this guy seemed to be quite capable, but unfortunately he died young, not even making it to the World Tree version.
The Secondary Dimension World is also one of the battlefronts of the World Tree War. The ferocity here is no less than that in the main universe. The research institutes and outposts of the Three Universal Civilizations in the Secondary Dimension were almost completely wiped out... Compared to the stable spacetime and art style of the main universe, the bizarre and colorful battlefront in the Secondary Dimension World is more dangerous in the eyes of many because of its endless changes.
They chatted for a while longer and found they got along quite well, leaving each other with a good impression.
Han Xiao hung up the communication, and the space around him fluctuated again. The Mysterious Energy Envoy, along with Ames and Hila, returned to Han Xiao's side.
He turned around and greeted them:
"Hey, you're here. Why didn't you bring your sister along?"
"There's no need to bring Aurora to such a dangerous place and book space. If I need her abilities, I can have her transmit them to me remotely," Hila explained, then looked around curiously at the Netherland Dimension, asking with some doubt, "You really didn't conspire to deceive me? This Secondary Dimension is the legacy of the First Ones?"
"Let her explain it to you herself."
Han Xiao snapped his fingers and almost subconsciously called out "Old Man Earth".
Onicelu reappeared, first smiling at Han Xiao as if praising his efficiency, then pulling Hila, who looked puzzled, aside to talk.
Seeing this, Han Xiao called out to Hila and said:
"Alright, you can chat with her all you want. Ames and I won't stay here with you. We'll leave you with a mechanical unit. Let me know if anything happens. You have the Sovereign Mecha, so just call me if you encounter any danger, and I'll teleport you back."
Hila turned her head and looked over, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, you go play with the teacher."
Han Xiao smiled at her, then had the Mysterious Energy Envoy carry the two of them away and disappear.
He wasn't worried about Hila's safety; after all, she was a Beyond Grade A, and she had her own troops protecting her, giving her sufficient self-defense capabilities in Secondary Dimension World.
Looking in the direction where the two disappeared, Hila's eyes filled with complex emotions.
There was both joy and disappointment.
The legacy of the First Ones was an opportunity to enhance her strength, which naturally delighted her.
But the thought that her promise to Black Star for a trip to the Secondary Dimension for two would be voided made Hila feel a little disappointed.
Although she doesn't usually say it, she actually really wants to go out and play with Black Star...
Void Dimension.
A faint red light flashed, and the two figures appeared instantly in Kirkmond's territory.
Having resolved the important matters concerning the Holy Light Particle and the Netherland Dimension, Han Xiao planned to complete the milestone mission of [Void Conqueror]. Thus, remembering his promise to Kirkmond, he rushed back.
But at this moment, the two looked around and couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
The once bustling Void Crystal Floating City was now completely empty; all the Void Legion stationed there had vanished.
"Strange, where did they all go? Did they go out for training?" Ames looked around.
"Just ask any void creature."
Han Xiao led Ames to Kirkmond's palace, where, as expected, some Void servants with little combat power remained. Upon seeing the two distinguished guests whom the lord had entertained arrive, they all came forward to greet them.
Han Xiao didn't stand on ceremony and asked directly, "Where did Kirkmond go?"
"The lord has led his legions into battle."
"Didn't we tell him to wait for us to come back before launching the war? Can't he even wait that little bit?" Han Xiao wondered.
The Void Servant said helplessly, "It wasn't Lord Kirkmond who started the war; rather, other Void Lord invaded us, and Lord Kirkmond was merely forced to fight back."
"Give me the battlefield coordinates." Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "It seems we've arrived at just the right time."
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Void Dimension, two massive void legions are engaged in fierce combat.
In the center of the battlefield, the two leading Void Lord were locked in a fierce battle.
One rode a young Void Dragon Race, wielding a giant Void Crystal Shield and carrying a dark black longsword; the other rode a Void Worm, which manifested more than twenty arms, all holding bronze short spears.
Each clash of their weapons unleashed a blue-purple aftershock of void energy, clearing a large area around them so that no one would interfere with the duel between the two Void Lord.
Kirkmond was the one wielding the sword. He was slightly at a disadvantage in the one-on-one fight, as his control over void energy was not as profound as his opponent's, and his strength was also much weaker. He was quite passive in the fight, with more defense than offense.
The enemy he faced was his long-time adversary and Han Xiao's mission target: Void Lord Bagdora.
Since they are all void creatures, they have a high resistance to void energy, which limits the effectiveness of ranged attacks. Therefore, most void creatures prefer close combat when dealing with their own kind.
Clang!!
More than a dozen short spears slashed down simultaneously. Kirkmond hurriedly raised his shield to block, and the impact created a series of circular shockwaves. The two sides were locked in a stalemate.
"Can you feel my growing power? You are no match for me now!" Bagdora laughed.
"You killed another Void Lord?!" Kirkmond exclaimed in shock and fury.
At their level, every bit of power growth is crucial; only by absorbing beings of the same or higher level can their abilities grow significantly.
For many years, the two have been evenly matched, but now Bagdora's power is clearly a level higher, which can only be explained by the fact that he has devoured the core of another Void Lord.
"Hmph, it just so happens that a newly born Void Lord passed through my territory, and I turned him into my nourishment. This is fate, destined for me to defeat you!"
"Damn it!" Kirkmond immediately felt envious. Why can't we have such good luck?
Bagdora thrust the pistol, leaving afterimages, his mental fluctuations tinged with impatience. He already saw Kirkmond as a nutritious feast, eager to devour him at any moment.
"If I eat you again, I can rise to the ranks of a lord. Resisting is useless; just obediently become my food!"
Kirkmond was unable to withstand the enemy's fierce charge and was finding it increasingly difficult to resist, Danger at Every Turn, while the surrounding legions also showed signs of weakness.
He knew he was doomed to defeat if things continued this way, and couldn't help but shout angrily:
"Don't get cocky! I have reinforcements!"
"So what if there are reinforcements? Do you think I'll be scared away by you?"
Bagdora laughed wildly and ripped a small piece off Kirkmond's body with her pistol.
"I'll just eat your so-called reinforcements too; consider it a tonic you gave me!"
Just then, Han Xiao's figure teleported to the edge of the battlefield. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at the Void Lord, his brows twitching slightly.
He released a vast spiritual message that suddenly swept across the entire area.
"Why don't you give it a try?"