Ten days later, somewhere in the Shattered Star Ring.
A flying saucer, trailing a long, fiery tail, flew through the universe. In the cockpit, Iso looked at the Shattered Star Ring map marked with countless red danger zones, his eyes filled with extreme solemnity.
The captain hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "We don't have many routes left. We're practically in a dead end. Given the current situation, I'm afraid we won't be able to get you out of the Shattered Star Ring. What are your plans?"
Iso's face was ashen, his hands gripping the table, veins bulging on the backs of his hands, as he hissed, "Aren't you professionals? How could this happen?!"
The captain smiled wryly, equally perplexed. "I can't help it. We haven't left any clues and have been operating covertly, but the Black Star Army seems to know our whereabouts. They always manage to set up precise encirclements around us. I don't know where they get their information from, it's so accurate... Could this be some kind of prophetic ability? Aren't you a prophet? How come you couldn't sense it?"
Iso gritted his teeth, speechless, and had nothing to say about Tu Shu.
He wasn't entirely without ability along the way, and he did manage to evade some pursuing forces. However, the Black Star Army was like a persistent leech; no matter how many times he shook them off, they would catch up again in no time. Even though the Mechanic Emperor's affiliated forces helped him change vehicles many times along the way, it still had no effect.
Moreover, the one currently controlling the body is not Iso himself, but merely a collection of the souls of the Modo Death Squad, which cannot exert 100% of his prophetic abilities. The secret stronghold that he deliberately revealed to the Black Star Army was not obtained through prophecy, but rather information they already knew and deliberately exposed to prevent others from doubting his "prophet" identity.
Iso's original voyage was to the edge of the Shattered Star Ring, but under the relentless pursuit of the Black Star Army, he had to continue to hide and evade, his route was forced to deviate, and he is currently circling endlessly within the star system, making progress increasingly difficult.
"If all else fails..." Iso looked at the star map, pointed to a nearby planet, and gritted his teeth, "Then cancel the plan to leave the Shattered Star Ring and send me to this planet."
The captain looked in the direction Iso was pointing, his expression changing slightly. "Planet Ash? It's been very chaotic here. Are you sure you want to go?"
"That's right." Iso nodded decisively.
This is a colony planet, currently belonging to a local galactic-level civilization, but due to a historical reason, sharp social conflicts exist on this planet.
Originally, the Planet Ash had a native intelligent race that developed a thriving surface civilization. However, during their exploration of the universe, they were discovered by a local galactic-level civilization. Due to the treaty prohibiting interference with lower-level civilizations, the local galactic-level civilization initially only observed and did not interfere much, much like the relationship between the Goddora Civilization and Planet Aquamarine.
However, Planet Ash is located in the border region between two star systems. The local star system civilization has always had armed conflicts with its neighbors, both of whom want to expand their borders. Therefore, they hope to completely control Planet Ash. The unspoken rule of the Peace Treaty is that only star system civilizations can get real guarantees. Surface civilizations are nominally within the scope of the treaty, but in reality, there will always be some advanced civilizations that outwardly comply but inwardly defy it, and then let it go.
The local galactic civilization did not employ direct attack; it mainly used two tactics. First, it contacted the Planet Ash Civilization under the guise of technological exchange, deliberately leaking some additional technology, and then falsely accusing the Planet Ash Civilization of stealing technology outside the scope of the exchange. The second tactic was to secretly incite the division of surface civilizations, providing "war support" to some of these regimes at crucial moments, and afterwards, under the pretext of suppressing rebellions and helping to the end, leaving its troops on Planet Ash and refusing to withdraw.
The vast gap in civilizational strength meant that surface civilizations were no match for galaxy-level civilizations. With the local civilization employing a two-pronged approach, the Planet Ash fell into their control without much difficulty.
The sharp social conflicts stemmed from the backlash from the Planet Ash Civilization, which frequently led to various demonstrations and riots. As a result, the local galactic civilization adopted a hardline policy of control, occasionally sending official troops to suppress civilian activities on Planet Ash, resulting in a perpetually chaotic planetary environment.
In the universe, there are many planets like Planet Ash. Order has created the seemingly peaceful interstellar society we know today. But beneath the rosy surface, the iron law of the jungle still prevails, only it is no longer so naked and bloody, and events like genocide rarely occur anymore.
Iso needs just such a planet. If it can die at the hands of the suppression forces of a galactic-level civilization, it will make the Dragon Emperor retaliate against the local galactic-level civilization, and the plan will be a success!
"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I'll find a way to sneak you in."
Seeing this, the captain stopped trying to persuade him.
He was a low-level employee sent by the affiliated forces of the Mechanic Emperor. He was unaware of the ins and outs of the matter and was only responsible for carrying out the transportation tasks assigned by his superiors. He did whatever his employer said and knew nothing else. He didn't even know that his superior was from the Mechanic Emperor.
"Remember, it must be kept secret."
Iso gave a brief instruction, then zoomed in on the image of Planet Ash on the star map, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
'It seems this is where I'll be buried...'
His mind wavered for a moment, but his expression hardened again.
As a collection of souls from a group of assassins, he was not afraid of death and was absolutely loyal to Modo.
He sacrificed himself and died a heroic death to buy the Modo Civilization a chance to breathe; this was the mission he always remembered!
However, while he was indulging in self-congratulation, no one on the ship knew that at that very moment, dozens of advanced spaceships were secretly following them not far behind.
It was Han Xiao's troops!
The fleet was equipped with the most advanced Stealth devices from the Logistics Department, maintaining stealth mode. They had been tracking for half a day and had not been detected by Iso's flying saucer.
Where do you think he's planning to go?
In the main ship's command center, Ames gazed at the flying saucer rushing forward with its head down, her voice tinged with doubt.
Han Xiao stood with his arms crossed, glanced at the star map, and said, "It's probably Planet Ash."
What was he doing there?
"How should I know?" Han Xiao shrugged.
By monitoring all the secret forces that the Mechanic Emperor had planted in the Shattered Star Ring, the Black Star Army's search became much smoother. He had completely locked onto Iso's trail yesterday and was secretly following him without immediately rushing in, wanting to see if the Mechanic Emperor had any backup plans.
This feeling is like someone secretly plotting something bad, thinking no one will notice, but little do they know that tens of thousands of people are following them, watching them with amusement, and seeing everything they do.
Ironically, if the Modo Civilization had insisted on using its own troops to transport Iso, Han Xiao might not have been able to catch up with them so easily. He is currently unaware that the real mastermind behind it all is the Modo Civilization.
The Modo Civilization believed that the Mechanic Emperor Mechanic Emperor's forces were more secretive, so they chose to borrow their troops. However, this backfired, as they ended up jumping right into Han Xiao's knowledge zone. To him, most of the Mechanic Emperor's affiliated forces in the Shattered Star Ring had no secrets whatsoever; it was as if he had full-view vision.
"Should we go up and grab him now?" Ames turned to look at Han Xiao.
"There's no need for all that trouble. Just let him come over on his own."
Han Xiao smiled, pinched his fingers, and emitted an invisible data.
Thump!
As Iso was studying the star map, he suddenly felt the ship shake, and the flying saucer seemed to suddenly shut down and come to a stop.
He couldn't help but look up at the captain, his face full of surprise and uncertainty.
"What happened? Has the spaceship malfunctioned?"
"I... I don't know either."
The captain looked puzzled. He used his superb home appliance repair skills to slam his fist on the control panel twice, but the spaceship's AI was completely unresponsive, as if it were dead.
laugh--
Just then, the hatch suddenly opened automatically.
Everyone was immediately startled. The UFO was in space; if the hatch was opened rashly, everyone inside would probably be sucked out.
However, the expected powerful suction did not materialize. It was quiet outside the hatch, and everyone looked at the porthole in bewilderment, only to see a Black Star outside.
"What's going on?!"
Iso and his group arrived at the hatch and peered out. The moment they saw the real scene outside, Iso froze on the spot, his face instantly filled with terror.
Outside, there was a huge metal hull. Black Star and Dragon Emperor, along with a group of their subordinates, stood outside the hatch, staring at him with ambiguous smiles on their faces.
Iso's eyes widened, his mind completely blank.
Where am I? Why am I here?!
Was I hallucinating because I opened the door incorrectly?!
At this moment, Han Xiao chuckled and said:
"You're quite the runner, aren't you? You didn't even say hello, that's going too far."
This was his doing. He easily hacked into the UFO, seized control without anyone noticing, and made the UFO turn and drive into the hull of the main ship, walking right into his trap.
He left misleading images through the porthole, keeping the people on the ship completely in the dark and unaware of what was happening.
Ames took two steps forward, narrowed her eyes, and said in an unfriendly tone, "Hmph, you've made us search for days! Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Upon seeing this, Iso's face turned ashen.
We're doomed! The plan has failed!
Damn it, it was so close!
All our efforts were in vain!
He was extremely resentful.
... No, there might still be a chance! Black Star and Dragon Emperor believe I am the real person, so I can continue pretending!
Iso hadn't completely given up and wanted to try one more time. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he quickly forced a smile and put on an embarrassed expression, "You actually found me... Black Star, didn't you promise to let me go? Why did you go back on your word?"
Han Xiao ignored him, instead turning to look at Ames, and said with a "I guessed it" tone:
"See, I told you so."
Upon hearing this, Ames glanced at Iso, nodded emphatically, and looked at him with complete agreement.
"You're right, his smile isn't lewd enough, it must be a fake!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Iso froze on the spot.
My mind went blank, and I was completely dumbfounded.
What?! They actually saw through my identity with such a detail!
... Pah! What a ridiculous reason! Even a ghost wouldn't believe it!
Iso's smile grew increasingly stiff; a bad premonition was already forming in his heart and in his book. He forced himself to speak:
"Are you kidding me...? Fine, I admit it was wrong of me to sneak away. I'll accept whatever punishment you give me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Han Xiao suddenly burst into a thunderous roar:
"Still trying to pretend?!"
Iso was startled, stunned for a moment, utterly horrified, and filled with nothing but despair.
By this time, he knew perfectly well that he had been exposed long ago, and that Black Star was playing a cat-and-mouse game with him!
The next moment, he gritted his teeth, suddenly drew his weapon, pointed it at his head, and pulled the trigger without any hesitation.
The plan had failed, and he had nowhere else to go. He chose to end his own life to prevent Black Star from following the trail, and incidentally, to eliminate Iso, the prophet, thus making a final contribution to Modo!
BOOM!!
However, just as he raised his gun, a beam of light flashed before his eyes. It turned out that Nero, who was prepared, had raised his hand and fired a shot, knocking the gun out of Iso's hand.
Immediately afterwards, the legionary soldiers swarmed forward and pinned Iso to the ground, rendering him unable to move.
Seeing this, Ames breathed a sigh of relief, released the force field she was holding, glanced at the struggling Iso with a complicated look, and then turned to Han Xiao and nodded her thanks.
"Thanks, things would have been very troublesome without your help."
"It's nothing. Iso is my friend too; it's only right that I help him."
Han Xiao waved his hand, not taking it to heart.
Ames smiled, her eyes crinkling, and gently punched Han Xiao in the chest before saying nothing more.
She knew very well that without Han Xiao's tireless help, she wouldn't have been able to find Iso so easily, and things might have turned out irreversibly. Iso was an extremely important family member to her, and she couldn't imagine what she might have done.
Words could not express the gratitude in her heart at this moment. Looking at Han Xiao's tall and strong figure, Ames felt very reliable and at ease.
At this moment, the trembling captain cautiously spoke up, "Um... Lord Black Star, you've found the person, can we leave now?"
Han Xiao glanced at him, snorted, and said, "Still trying to leave? Stay put and tell me everything you know before I let you go."
Although these people were subordinates of the Mechanic Emperor, they probably knew nothing. Han Xiao didn't intend to make things difficult for them. He would keep this score against the Mechanic Emperor; this matter wasn't over.
After saying that, Han Xiao went to Iso's side and squatted down, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Alright, now let me see what's wrong with you, you old geezer..."
Han Xiao had the soldiers beside him hold Iso down tightly. Nanoparticles slid out from his sleeve, condensing into a thin, long black needle, which he gripped in his hand.
He aimed at Iso's buttocks and, like a nurse giving an injection, forcefully plunged the needle in.
"Mmm~~"
A strange cry immediately rang out.
Han Xiao pulled out the black needle, looked at the battle information on the panel, quickly glanced at Iso's status, and his expression suddenly became strange.
"Soul-Switching Device? What is that?"