Razer danced wildly, lightning flashed, and the surging energy fluctuations were like a hurricane, scattering the Beyond Grade A clones and mechanical troops present.
Han Xiao was blown a short distance away, but he quickly regained his footing and stared intently at his opponent.
Manison was enveloped in golden arcs of Mechanical Force, radiating an astonishing aura. He was unleashing the full power of Peak Beyond Grade A. Even though he was just a Dominion clone, Han Xiao felt a heavy sense of oppression from him.
Manison's piercing gaze remained fixed on Han Xiao as he repeated his earlier question:
Do you even know what you've done?!
Are you angry?
Han Xiao offered no explanation, responding simply.
"I'm very disappointed in you. Do you even realize what opportunity you've squandered? You destroyed the core of the virus—what was the point of doing that?"
"Eliminating the Intelligence Plague is our goal for this trip, and I was just doing my duty... Also, I told you on the first day we arrived that stopping the chaos in the universe is our historical responsibility, but you don't seem to have taken it seriously."
Manison hovered in place, his tone unreadable. "It seems my understanding of you isn't deep enough."
"Many people can't even see themselves clearly, how many dare to say they fully understand others... Mechanic Emperor, you think we're the same kind of people, but in reality, we're not."
"... There's no point in saying more now. When you let me down, you'll know how this will end!"
Manison's Mechanical Force surged skyward, piercing the heavens and connecting to the mechanical forces deployed in outer space, the sound waves reverberating loudly.
"Let me see how much you've improved!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a massive, dark mechanical force pierced through the atmosphere, unleashing a dense barrage of beams of light that descended from the sky like a meteor shower, covering the area where Han Xiao was located.
"That suits me perfectly!"
Han Xiao slammed his left fist into the sky, and light spread out, forming an arc-shaped Psionic Energy shield that unfolded in the air.
Dense beams of light, like rain, struck the dark blue protective shield, resembling raindrops pattering on banana leaves. Accompanied by crackling explosions, clusters of light lit up the sky.
His Mechanical Force also soared into the sky, holding back the mechanical troops waiting in outer space.
The mechanized forces moved instantly, breaking through the atmosphere. Manison's forces immediately shifted their target and engaged Han Xiao's forces in a high-altitude firefight. The crisscrossing beams of light reflected an ever-changing glow across the sky.
Han Xiao and Manison's Dominion clones were not idle either; they quickly closed the distance between them and collided with a thunderous crash.
BOOM!!
Like a comet hitting the Earth, the impact created a blue-gold circular shockwave at the center.
Immediately afterwards, the two figures crossed paths hundreds of times in an instant, entangled as they ascended into the air.
Thump thump thump thump--
Metal rubbed against each other, countless sparks flew, and shockwaves continuously erupted in mid-air with each collision between the two.
Just as the two were about to start fighting, the other Beyond Grade A clones and troops present quickly distanced themselves and went to the side to watch, avoiding getting involved.
Seeing that Black Star and the Mechanic Emperor were fighting, everyone finally snapped out of their shock at Han Xiao destroying the virus's core.
"I really didn't expect... Black Star would actually do this." Maxiler was astonished.
"By doing this, he has eliminated any possibility of any force obtaining the complete technology of the Virtual Mutiny Virus. Neither the Three Universal Civilizations nor we can restore this technology. Everyone has gained nothing. It was far too impulsive," Mornisa said with some dissatisfaction.
"Impulsive? I think Black Star is the most level-headed guy among us." The Sun Hunter said in a deep voice, "Although his actions have dashed our hopes of obtaining the virus technology, from a cosmic perspective, he has made a selfless choice."
Kant nodded and remarked with emotion:
"In a way, we didn't lose out, the Three Universal Civilizations didn't lose out, the only ones who lost out were Black Star and the Mechanic Emperor. The Mechanic Emperor was tricked, and its stance made the Three Universal Civilizations wary, while Black Star gave up this readily available benefit."
If it were me, I would never destroy it. I would definitely negotiate with the Three Universal Civilizations to obtain a great deal of benefits. But Black Star was willing to give up this benefit and choose to destroy the root of the disaster. This may be most beneficial to the peace of the universe... I always thought Black Star was just a simple profit-seeker. I never expected him to do something like this. Maybe I misjudged him."
"Yes..." Judith sighed, "Our understanding of Black Star seems to be very limited; he wasn't as profit-driven as we thought."
The crowd was filled with mixed emotions. At this moment, Black Star's image in their hearts rose rapidly. None of them had expected that Black Star could do something so noble.
Even Jack Gonitz and others who had past grudges had to look at Black Star with new respect.
Although the hope of restoring the virus technology was lost, and everyone felt regretful, the die was cast, and they were not too disappointed. On the contrary, they breathed a sigh of relief and could accept the outcome.
In reality, everyone harbored a hidden worry: what if the Three Universal Civilizations obtained the Virtual Mutiny Virus and then turned against them? Everyone present was a mechanic, and the Virtual Mutiny Virus was most destructive to them. Moreover, if this weapon were to be used again in the future, it would be a heavy blow to the entire universe's mechanical industry, and their businesses would enter a period of severe hardship.
In comparison, destroying the virus's core was a good option. From this perspective, most people present did not oppose Han Xiao's Choice and even believed it was a compromise that was equally beneficial to Beyond Grade A individuals.
It's unclear whether Black Star considered this aspect when making this decision.
"So what do we do now?" A neutral Beyond Grade A fighter, watching the two locked in fierce combat, asked, "Should we intervene?"
"Black Star and the Mechanic Emperor have deep-seated conflicts. They are the president and vice president of the Development Federation, respectively. This is a dispute over policy; let's wait and see."
Kant was speaking when he suddenly paused slightly and said:
"Hmm... it seems the Imperial fleet has deactivated its spacetime anchor."
After a brief struggle, Han Xiao and Manison realized that the spacetime anchor had been released, and they suddenly separated, facing off high in the sky.
Their mechanical forces ceased their battle and returned to the two figures, guarding their respective Dominion avatars.
"Your strength has improved rapidly," Manison said calmly, "But without unleashing your potential, you are no match for me."
You'll only know if you try.
Han Xiao replied casually, remaining focused and filled with fighting spirit.
Battle of Deification, it was believed that Black Star had two modes: a regular form and a burst mode that unleashed its full potential.
Han Xiao did not have "burning potential" at this time. He had received the bonuses of [Mechanic Great Sage] and several levels of Divine Transformation, as well as several powerful feats he had drawn during the Hila Rescue Battle. His combat strength under normal conditions was already quite considerable, enough to go toe-to-toe with Manison.
However, it cannot be denied that Old Manison still has the upper hand in terms of the Mechanic Class's core competencies.
The Mechanic Emperor has a higher level of Divine Transformation and more mechanical skills and expertise, but its own mechanical forces are currently inferior in both quality and quantity to those of the Mechanic Emperor.
Han Xiao intended to challenge Manison, but since both sides were clones, he wouldn't use character cards right away. After all, both of them were legion-style mechanics, and the fight would be a battle of resources, so it wouldn't be a quick victory.
From the previous exchange, he realized that Manison's clones were difficult to defeat. The opponent had taken protective measures against the face-rushing clones, with thick armor and shields, and superb melee skills. Living a long time really does make you versatile.
Old Manison is, after all, Peak Beyond Grade A Mechanic, so he's not that fragile. Besides, for a Mechanic, it's normal for the Dominion's clone to be tougher than the main body... Only Han Xiao is an exception.
At this moment, Manison spoke again, his voice unusually cold:
"I haven't used this move in a long time... Black Star, you deserve my full strength."
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand.
Buzz!
The Secondary Dimension Army Box suddenly burst open beside him, and an endless mechanical army descended instantly, blotting out the sky.
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who!"
Han Xiao immediately saw through the Mechanic Emperor's plan. Not to be outdone, he also opened his Secondary Dimension Army Box, and countless mechanical soldiers surged out to guard him.
The size of their mechanical forces continued to increase rapidly, soon filling the sky. On one side was a dense mass of Black Star mechanical forces, and on the other side was a vast expanse of white mechanical forces from the Mechanic Emperor. The two sides faced each other from a distance, clearly separated by a narrow strip of sky, like the Chu River and Han Border.
At this moment, a portion of the mechanical forces converged towards their respective clones, quickly forming a massive mechanical construct.
Boom!
The next moment, two towering Mechanical Deity, one black and one silver, descended upon the world with a thunderous roar!
The black Mechanical Deity wielded a long, dark-black hilt sword, wore a long robe, and was enveloped in the blue light of Psionic Energy.
The silver Mechanical Deity wielded a silver-purple trident, wore a cloak and armor, and was enveloped in golden arcs of electricity.
Two Mechanical Deity faced each other, surrounded by countless mechanical soldiers of all kinds, like a fleet of aircraft carriers.
"Mechanic Emperor!"
"Black Star!"
The sound waves swept across the entire planet.
A long sword slashed downwards, a trident thrust straight forward, and the two Mechanical Deity simultaneously brandished their weapons.
Its enormous body appears to move slowly, but its actual movements are so fast that they distort one's sense of time.
The longsword struck the side blade of the trident, and the two Universal Treasure -level weapons jammed together.
Clang!!
The deafening clang of metal seemed to resonate in everyone's soul, sending shivers of terror through them.
In that instant, a dazzling ball of light appeared at the point of impact, suddenly bursting open and transforming into a silvery-white bolt of lightning that stretched Infinite towards both ends and the book.
At first glance, it looks like a glowing slash, leaving a burning mark on the retinas of countless people, as if it had cut through the curtain against the backdrop of the dark universe!
Meanwhile, in the surface-level settlement of the Mechanic Faith, everyone—priests and ordinary believers alike—looked up, gazing blankly at the sky, watching the two gods engage in a cataclysmic "divine war."
Seeing Black Star swing his blade at the universally acknowledged Mechanic Faith, every follower of the Mechanic Faith was deeply shocked.
Witnessing two Mechanical Deity they worshipped fighting, only one sentence can describe their feelings at that moment...
"Wife, come out and see God!"
Meanwhile, in the outer space of Cloud Magnet Planet, on the flagship of the Crimson Dynasty.
The commander, who had just gone out to receive an urgent message, hurried back to the bridge command room, went to the crew without saying a word, and loudly ordered:
"The Führer has ordered an immediate engagement in the battle! Open fire on the entire [library/book]!"
The pilots, who were staring blankly at the battle between the two mechanical giants outside the porthole and the rapidly rising energy fluctuations on the radar, jolted at their commander's words and instinctively asked:
Which side should we... help?
Snap!
The commander raised his hand and slapped the questioner on the back of the head, angrily saying:
"Are you fucking stupid? You're helping the villains!!"