Time has no emotions; no matter how the scenery changes, it never looks back, carrying the world forward at breakneck speed.
In the midst of war, interstellar society is filled with countless upheavals, changing the lives of billions of people in different ways. Some actively throw themselves into the tide of the times, some are involuntarily swept into the vortex, and some resolutely live a life of ease and waiting for death, hiding in their small buildings and becoming a world unto themselves, regardless of spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
Protests, independence movements, rebellions, political infighting... a series of chain reactions spread across various star systems. If each of these events were a blooming flower, the universe would be a riot of color and a tapestry of vibrant blossoms.
The root of the storm was the "Shattered World Battle" between the Three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance. After the Immortals disappeared, the war intensified and gradually transitioned from a proxy war to a war involving regular armies.
Even if both sides tacitly maintain a low-intensity war, large-scale battles between advanced civilizations are not something that ordinary forces can participate in.
The front lines of the fourth phase of exploration have become virtually forbidden zones. The war machines of advanced civilizations have been set in motion, unleashing a vast power far beyond the strength of any individual, as if they have conquered the stars.
Faced with the regular armies of the Three Universal Civilizations, the Super Star Cluster Alliance gradually became overwhelmed due to limited supply lines, losing territory time and again, and its battle lines were constantly compressed.
Amidst this era of frenzied activity, the Beyond Grade A remained steadfast, living a comfortable life, developing discreetly, working together, and gradually perfecting the association's network of interests, connecting Beyond Grade A forces from various industries to form a massive alliance of interests.
While the battle raged outside, Han Xiao pretended not to see it and announced his seclusion early on. Apart from the usual Beyond Grade A meetings, he basically stopped going out and spent all his time in the factory researching Jess's technological treasures.
The Black Star Army's operations were on track, with each department running independently without his frequent attention. Leveraging its own resources and collaborations with various parties, the legion quietly expanded its branches across different star regions, continuously growing its power. The substantial profits were used to fund Master Han's research and development, becoming virtually inexhaustible, and his financial power grew increasingly formidable.
Having reached his current status, few dare to provoke him. Only some arrogant or opportunistic individuals are dealt with by the legion itself, without needing to trouble Han Xiao.
Meanwhile, many of the First Ones of the Sanctum Organization were quietly in seclusion, and those with grudges, such as Manison and Sorokin, were also busy with their own affairs, undisturbed by anyone.
In this harmonious environment, Master Han was finally able to settle down and focus on the technology he had been researching behind closed doors for several years.
During his research, he also received the Stuart Peace Prize, boosting his Legend Points and maintaining public attention for a period of time.
Higher life forms have a different sense of time. They can subjectively extend a second many times, or they can spend ten days or half a month in the blink of an eye. Therefore, Han Xiao never felt bored while wandering in the ocean of knowledge and became more and more patient.
The universe was ever-changing, and the days passed by amidst the flames of war. In the blink of an eye, it was the year 738 of the Galaxy Calendar.
Central Galaxy, within the territory of the Crimson Dynasty, a secret military training base.
All classes were suspended today, and all students and instructors gathered in the largest square, looking up at the huge virtual screen that covered the sky.
The screen was divided into dozens of small windows, each displaying a different image. Most of these windows were monitoring a luminous figure from different distances and angles.
One of the most macroscopic overhead views shows a spherical mechanical satellite riddled with energy circuits, extending numerous chimney-like devices. Some of these devices continuously absorb the ubiquitous dark energy of the universe, while others spew out incandescent plasma energy. The energy circuits on its surface flicker incessantly, as if breathing, resembling some kind of energy circulation, transformation, and mapping device.
If the people in the square look to the other side of the sky, they can see several similar satellites hovering above the base, one of which is in operation and is the one shown in the picture.
This is a supporting facility of the training base, officially called the "High-Energy Life Form Sublimation Device," but referred to by the trainees as the "Energy Gathering Tower." It has a single purpose: to create a special environment through specific energy conversion and accumulation methods to assist those at the Calamity Grade in taking a crucial step and slightly increase their chances of breaking through to the Beyond Grade A.
Generally speaking, this kind of device is not used even once every few years, but now it has finally found a qualified user, namely the famous Gaud in the base.
After years of training at the base, he finally accumulated enough experience, and the quantitative change led to a qualitative change, allowing him to officially take this step.
All the trainees and instructors came to watch, holding their breath, waiting for the birth of a new Beyond Grade A.
In the scene, a luminous figure is positioned at the center of an energy vortex created by the device, its body absorbing the surrounding energy and pulling out colorful energy streams with a texture like a flowing veil or ever-changing smoke, appearing dreamlike and illusory.
After an unknown amount of time, the figure seemed to reach a state of saturation, gradually ceasing to absorb energy. The brightness of its body decreased, and the energy was locked inside, no longer being released outwards.
The next moment, Gaud opened his eyes, a light flashing from them, which he then withdrew a second later.
With a swift movement, he transformed into a shooting star, flying out through the escape passage inside the device and descending from the sky before everyone's eyes, hovering above the crowd.
He did it!!
A deafening cheer erupted from the square. Everyone present had witnessed the birth of a Beyond Grade A individual, and they were all filled with excitement and anticipation.
At this moment, Gaud controlled his descent, and as soon as he landed, the base supervisor and chief instructor came up to him, their faces crinkling with smiles.
"Congratulations! You've entered the realm of Beyond Grade A! You certainly haven't disappointed the Empire!"
The two initially believed that Gaud would be able to break through to Beyond Grade A within two to eight years. Now, Gaud has succeeded in just four or five years. The promotion process was smoother than expected, and their guess came true. They were happier than anyone else at this moment.
Gaud flexed his fingers, seemingly familiarizing himself with his newfound power, and casually asked, "The imperial high command should be seeing me, right? When?"
"Yes, the Führer is already waiting for you."
"Lead the way."
Gaud's tone was neither warm nor cold.
The trainees present were driven away by the instructors. Gaud changed his clothes and went with the base supervisor to a high-standard remote communication room.
Then, the base manager left, leaving Gaud alone in the room.
Gaud operated the communication device, turned on the remote projection and entered the set channel. The next moment, his vision changed, and he was already in the head of state's office. He immediately saw Urranrell sitting and Clottey standing.
"Congratulations on becoming Beyond Grade A. The Empire is proud of you." Urranrell said in a kind tone.
"Hello, Your Excellency." Gaud nodded in greeting.
"You've done a fantastic job; your growth rate has exceeded our expectations..."
Urranrell offered words of encouragement, a form of patriotic education that every direct descendant of Beyond Grade A was required to receive, inspiring them to serve the empire.
After talking for a while, Urranrell quickly got down to business, saying:
"The Empire will adjust your authority, benefits, and position as soon as possible. What are your thoughts on your current role?"
"My power is not yet consolidated, and I do not wish to assume any position for the time being. As for the future... I feel that my abilities are well-suited to assist in scientific research, and I hope to take a position at the Imperial Academy of Sciences."
Gaud gave a half-smile.
"Yes, the Empire will consider your opinion." Urranrell nodded.
At this moment, Gaud narrowed his eyes and said, "Speaking of which, I'm already a Beyond Grade A. I wonder if the plan targeting the Evolution Cube can be started now?"
Upon hearing this, Urranrell paused in his movements.
Many years ago, the Empire's high command secretly devised a plan: once Gaud reached the Beyond Grade A realm, they would use his special abilities to analyze the energy composition of the Evolution Cube. This would give them a chance to secretly crack part of the Evolution Cube's principles, allowing the Empire to acquire the technology as a form of insurance.
However, plans are subject to change. Over the years, the Black Star Army has developed rapidly, and the risks and costs have become increasingly high. After Black Star became the special security advisor for the Three Universal Civilizations, the plan was Infinite shelved.
Urranrell was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head and said, "This plan will not be implemented for the time being. We do not want to create any rift with Black Star, even if the chances are very small."
Gaud narrowed his eyes and asked, "Okay, so am I still entitled to the baptism of the Evolution Cube?"
"It's still there. If you want it, submit an application and we'll assign you to the next fleet to go to the Shattered World to receive the Evolution Cube's baptism from Black Star."
After a pause, Urranrell added, "When you arrive in the Shattered World, take a trip to Planet Fein and join the Beyond Grade A Association. The Empire needs more loyal followers within the association to help keep an eye on their movements."
Gaud's eyes flashed. "Okay, I'll go."
The two continued their conversation for a while before disconnecting. Throughout the entire exchange, Clottey remained silent, like a statue.
After deactivating the remote projection, Gaud returned to his room, his eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought.
He stood there for a moment, thinking, and was about to push open the door to leave when his personal communicator suddenly rang, receiving an encrypted communication request from Bekorodi.
Gaud had established connections with hardliners long ago. Bekorodi was one of the high-ranking hardliners in the military. After the plan was shelved, the two sides had not been in contact for a long time, and he was curious about the other party's intentions.
The communication was established quickly.
"Gaud?"
"It's me. What do you need?"
"Congratulations on becoming Beyond Grade A. Remember the original plan? Everything will proceed as before. When you receive the baptism of the Evolution Cube, use your abilities to analyze the principles of Evolution Energy." In the encrypted channel, Bekorodi's voice sounded very muffled.
"Oh? That's not what the Führer said." Gaud said with great interest.
Bekorodi seemed to have anticipated this, lowering his voice to say, "The Shattered World Battle won't last long."
This answer seemed completely irrelevant, but Gaud understood what the other person meant.
Now everyone in the empire knows that Urranrell is about to step down, and this will inevitably happen after the war ends. At that time, the new head of state, who has already been chosen by the system, will take office and complete the transition of supreme power.
Therefore, towards the end of his term, Urranrell's control over the top leadership inevitably declined. The identity of the new head of state was kept strictly confidential from the outside world, but it was no secret to those in power like Bekorodi.
Although Gaud was unaware of the new leader's identity, he was fairly certain that Bekorodi had secretly received instructions from the new leader to allow him to continue executing the plan to analyze the Evolution Cube.
Through this incident, Gaud vaguely sensed that the next head of state seemed to have a stronger desire for control, which explained why he was associating with hardliners.
From another perspective, perhaps the new leader does not want to implement such a risky plan during his term, so he is shifting the risk to the end of his predecessor's term.
Gaud squinted and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I understand. I'll figure something out."
"Very good, it's up to you now."
Bekorodi finished speaking and hung up the phone.
Gaud didn't take the matter to heart at all. His expression seemed to be recalling something. He was playing with his communicator in his hand, and his eyes revealed an inexplicable emotion.
' Black Star, we're finally going to meet again...'
Several days later, at the Black Star Palace, the legion commander's private factory.
Han Xiao, who was debugging the machinery, suddenly received a report from Phillip.
"Master, I've received the latest list of those to be baptized with the Evolution Cube in the Empire."
Han Xiao didn't even look up, continuing to operate the equipment, and casually asked, "Is there anyone worth noting?"
"Wow, wow! A new Imperial direct descendant Beyond Grade A has appeared on this list, named Gaud!"
Han Xiao suddenly stopped moving.
"Gaud?"
He put down his work, pulled up the list, glanced at Gaud's basic information, and his eyes narrowed as memories immediately surfaced.
"I vaguely remember seeing him a few times decades ago when we were fighting the Kunde Race. I think he was just an adjutant back then..."
This is strange. This guy actually became Beyond Grade A. There was no Number One strong person in my previous life. Could it be another example of my butterfly effect?
Han Xiao curled the corners of his lips into a smile.
"Interesting. I'll find out what's going on when this guy arrives."
Regardless of who the other party is, since this Beyond Grade A has never appeared in my previous life, it means that this person must have secrets to uncover, and I might even encounter a hidden mission. I have no reason to let this opportunity pass me by.