"The body is reborn, and the soul remains strong... Is this some kind of possession ability?"
Looking at Gaud's black cocoon, Han Xiao was amazed, and his brain started working at lightning speed.
According to the description of [Superpowers and Books - Rebirth], the effect is similar to the Psychic Parasite of a telekinetic master, and also like Sorokin's disguise-changing technique. Judging from the various anomalies on the Gaud panel, the other party is probably a big shot who changed his disguise and started over.
The specific mechanism of this ability is still unclear. It should be that the body is changed while the soul is inherited. Based on the intelligence and the mental strength reflected in the mysterious attributes, it can be judged that the person was a Beyond Grade A before reincarnation.
The problem is that the [Special Ability - Rebirth] seems to have no combat power, limited uses, and low growth potential, so it's unlikely to reach Beyond Grade A.
Either the person didn't possess this ability and received help from another superhuman with the [Superpower: Rebirth] ability, thus completing the reincarnation; or, the person possessed the [Superpower: Rebirth] ability and also became Beyond Grade A.
The former is impossible to predict, but if it is the latter, among the people Han Xiao knows, it seems that only one person possesses this ability...
Sorokin!
"Could it be this guy? His body was imprisoned in the Space-Time Amber, but his soul escaped?"
Han Xiao's eyes flickered; as a scientific researcher, he was used to making bold hypotheses.
First of all, the probability of the Sorokin breaking through the Space-Time Amber is not high, so it must have left a backup plan before being captured.
This possibility is not low. Given how reckless the Sorokin is, with enemies everywhere, he would most likely have prepared an escape route in advance. Moreover, having absorbed so many strange and unusual superpowers, the probability of him possessing soul reincarnation abilities is not low. Perhaps this is the source of his confidence to act so recklessly; when his main account is gone, he simply changes his identity.
However, the reincarnation method for [Superpower Rebirth] is different. Sorokin as an example. No matter how the "Fake Smile Boy" changes his identity, his abilities will not change; the foundation lies in his soul. The ability to absorb superpowers, on the other hand, is based on the genetic chain of the physical body. The Sorokin's body is trapped in Space-Time Amber. If Gaud is truly Sorokin, then he has changed bodies, and his abilities have changed accordingly. Absorbing superpowers is gone; he has become simply [Energy Manipulation].
"Could it be that Gaud of the Sorokin is a vessel he secretly prepared for himself... Hmm, I remember Sorokin has been working on synthesizing extremely dangerous superpowers, and Energy Manipulation might be the result of his years of efforts. This guy might have actually succeeded, fusing a bunch of superpowers and creating a monstrous ability, which he then implanted into God of the Gaud's body through some means..."
Han Xiao pondered to himself.
Gaud didn't appear out of thin air; he has a complete life resume. Since the Empire is willing to cultivate him, it must have confirmed that his family background is clean.
If this was the work of Sorokin, then he must have started planning it a long time ago, and somehow managed to cultivate a persona with a clean background.
Following this hypothesis, the Sorokin's rebirth and subsequent joining of the Three Universal Civilizations was probably not a frivolous "if you can't beat them, join them" approach, but rather a well-thought-out and long-term strategy.
The reality might be like this:
[In his pursuit of initial accumulation, the Sorokin committed countless sins, becoming an enemy of the world. Ultimately, he synthesized a superpower with Infinite potential and immense danger. However, the identity of "Sorokin" is already infamous; even with the power, he will never find peace and cannot redeem himself. Moreover, the indiscriminate absorption of superpowers has resulted in an overloaded genetic code. He may have already planned to abandon this identity!]
Therefore, the Sorokin placed the extremely dangerous superpower he had synthesized into a "container," waiting for the day he would use the superpower "Rebirth" to transfer his soul into it, thus gaining a new life. Carrying the achievements of his previous identity, he would join the ranks of the Three Universal Civilizations, receive nurturing from the advanced civilizations, and completely cleanse himself of his past sins!
Han Xiao's thoughts raced, and he pondered to himself, "The Sorokin is absolutely capable of doing such a thing. He doesn't care whether he's a wanted criminal or a civilized thug. The division of factions is just a means for him to gain benefits. He has only ever had one goal: to reach a higher realm..."
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. The Sorokin had been a wanted criminal for so many years, he must understand the principle of having multiple escape routes. This plan was probably just one of the Sorokin's schemes.
However, all of this reasoning is based on the idea that "Gaud is Sorokin." In fact, the single [Superpower: Rebirth] specialty cannot perfectly prove this claim. What Han Xiao is doing at this moment is simply setting up an assumption and then inferring the cause from the effect.
Although he felt there was a high possibility that Gaud was Sorokin, he didn't dare to blindly believe his own assumptions at this moment. What if Gao De really was someone else? That would be a huge misunderstanding.
"Make bold assumptions, verify carefully... It's a pity that Bold Explorer are useless to the characters, otherwise there would be new clues."
Han Xiao shook his head.
Regardless of the other party's identity, in terms of reincarnation alone, Gaud probably did it flawlessly, leaving no clues and believing that no one could discover it. That's why he acted so relaxed and at ease in front of me, without any guilt.
Fortunately, my level was higher than theirs, allowing me to see all their abilities. Perhaps I'm the only one who discovered Gaud's Secret...
Han Xiao did not leave, but sat aside and waited silently, secretly making plans in his mind.
After a while, the black cocoons in the room broke one after another, and the imperial elites completed their baptism, feeling refreshed and invigorated. They were somewhat flattered to see Han Xiao here with them.
Gaud underwent the longest baptism, and was the last to emerge from its cocoon.
"How are you feeling?" Han Xiao asked, appearing completely normal and speaking in a friendly tone.
"The effect is good." Gaud glanced at Han Xiao. "When I was evolving, I felt someone prick me with a needle. Was it you?"
"Haha, don't worry about it. Those are probes specifically used to Detection whether the evolution process is going smoothly. You're a direct descendant of the empire, so of course I have to care about you. After all, evolution is full of randomness and risks, and I don't want anything to happen to you." Han Xiao smiled and casually made up an excuse to brush it off.
Hearing this, Gaud couldn't take it seriously and calmly said, "Thank you for your concern. I still have to go to Planet Fein, so I won't bother you any longer."
Seeing that Gaud had expressed his intention to leave, Han Xiao did not stop him, and smiled, "Alright, then I won't keep you any longer. Let's meet at the association."
After saying that, Han Xiao turned and left the hall, his the Sight of Father's Back quickly disappearing from everyone's sight.
Gaud's eyes flickered as he followed the receptionist back to the dock, leading the imperial elites back to the fleet.
The Imperial fleet quickly glided out of the airport orbit and shot into space, rapidly splitting into two groups. One fleet carried the Imperial elite back, while the other fleet carried Gaud to the Planet Fein, deep within the Shattered World.
Inside the spaceship, Gaud gazed at the Black Star Palace gradually receding into the distance outside the porthole, a smile slowly creeping onto his lips.
"Black Star, Black Star, I told you we'd meet again someday, but you never expected that when I stood before you again, you wouldn't recognize me and would even try to befriend me so enthusiastically... Ha."
Seeing Black Star's cluelessness, Gaud couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
With the enemy in the open and us in the dark, we roamed around right under Black Star's nose, experiencing a unique kind of thrill.
During the evolution, he used his abilities to try to analyze the Evolution Energy, and thanks to the advantage of his abilities, he has already made some progress.
"As expected of a terrifying ability in theory, given enough time, I have a 60% chance of figuring out the principle. Then I can hand it in, and my status in the Empire will rise. Seeing my contribution in this area, the higher-ups are more likely to grant my request to transfer to the Imperial Academy of Sciences. That way, I can get closer to the Empire's research results on that data from back then..."
Gaud sketched out his plan in his mind, a playful smile appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, in his office, Han Xiao gazed at the departing Imperial fleet, his eyes gleaming.
"I didn't alert him. Gaud probably doesn't know I've seen through his secret yet. The most important task now is to find out who this guy really is; he's a potential threat..."
Han Xiao frowned slightly.
The current situation is unfavorable to him. Gaud is a direct descendant of the empire, and this identity is his shield, so he can't act recklessly.
The most urgent task is to obtain evidence to prove that Gaud is involved in something shady, so that we can have a legitimate reason to act.
Otherwise, if they simply force their way in and completely destroy the newly formed Beyond Grade A that the empire has placed so much hope in, the empire's reaction would be predictable.
The empire needs to give an explanation to all its loyal followers, so it will never tolerate or compromise. If he does not give in, the worst outcome will be an instant falling out with the empire, which will destroy all the arrangements made so far. Even if he is very useful to the empire now, there is no room for negotiation when it comes to this kind of issue. The empire will not hesitate to abandon him as an ally.
Without evidence, any explanation for such behavior is weak and baseless.
If we must act without evidence, it must be a clandestine raid, eliminating all clues, leaving no witnesses, no leaks, no suspects, and absolutely no failure...
"This is too risky. The slightest oversight could lead to endless trouble."
Han Xiao shook his head.
To sacrifice a long-cultivated network of interests and connections for the sake of Gaud would undoubtedly be a huge loss, and he would never do it unless absolutely necessary.
There is another, more suitable route, but Han Xiao certainly doesn't want to take that risk.
"If the Sorokin is indeed Gaud, then his body, which remains in the Space-Time Amber, must be in trouble... It seems I must request permission from the Empire to visit the Sorokin."
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Gaud needs to stay in the Shattered World for a while longer. It's best to discover the problem before others return, otherwise it will be difficult to do anything once Gaud returns to the Empire.
"Ding~"
Just as he was pondering this, the panel suddenly reacted.
[You have triggered the hidden quest [Gaud's Secret]!]
[Mission Brief: Gaud, a newly emerging direct descendant of the Crimson Dynasty Beyond Grade A, you have discovered his unusual behavior during your interactions with him. Perhaps this contains some astonishing secret.]
[Task requirement: Unravel the Gaud's Secret]
[Reward: Character Card x1, randomly select one of the opponent's abilities]
[Note: This task may affect your relationship with the Crimson Dynasty faction, please choose carefully.]
Han Xiao snapped out of his daze and glanced at the panel.
"Did I trigger a hidden quest...? The trigger was that I saw the other person's abilities? The trigger conditions are a bit high. Only those with a level higher than Gaud can see all of the other person's abilities. I'm afraid no one else could trigger this quest except me."