The atmosphere in the room changed instantly upon hearing this. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the person who asked the question was a neutral Beyond Grade A user Lu Qi, nicknamed "Ancient Snake." He was a shapeshifter who occasionally acted as a mercenary for a higher civilization and frequented the black market.
Gaud stared at him, secretly surprised.
He has only fought a handful of times, showing his skills a few times during the Kunde Race war decades ago. Since reaching Beyond Grade A, he hasn't sparred with anyone. His specific abilities are likely known only to a few within the Empire, and the information is tightly controlled and hasn't spread. He never expected that on his very first day at the association, someone would expose his abilities...
Where did the news leak out?
Before Gaud could speak, someone asked out of curiosity.
"Lu Qi, where did you get this information from?"
"The black market? I found out about it by chance," Lu Qi said casually.
"Is the intelligence accurate?" another person asked.
"How should I know? Isn't this a question? You guys didn't all get a heads-up, did you?" Lu Qi asked, puzzled.
The Secret Master frowned and slowly said, "When I had my subordinates collect information, I also obtained similar intelligence, but there was no real evidence, just speculation. On the black market network, there are at least eight hundred or a thousand such guesses, and we don't even know who spread them; most of them are just wild guesses."
Seeing this, several other bigwigs in the black market chimed in, saying they had heard similar claims before, but hadn't taken them seriously.
Han Xiao watched the show from the sidelines, secretly relieved.
Gaud's intelligence was precisely what he anonymously put into the black market network. With his expertise in virtual technology, he wouldn't leave any trace. To others, the rumors seemed to appear out of thin air, spreading from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. In the end, no one could trace the source of the rumors. This kind of thing is common on the internet.
The black market network is a fascinating place where countless intelligence transactions circulate every day. There is a lot of false information, but occasionally some secrets also emerge. It is incredibly powerful, and sometimes even advanced civilizations don't know how they leaked their information.
Using an extremely high-risk superpower that only exists in theory as a gimmick, the topic is highly topical and easily spreads. Currently, various forces are using their intelligence channels to collect information about Gaud, this newly emerging Beyond Grade A, so there is a high probability that forces like the Secret Master, who operate in the black market, will discover this claim.
However, there were too many speculations, and without solid evidence, these big shots wouldn't directly question Gaud about these unfounded rumors. So Han Xiao selected a few targets, gave them some "substantial information," and lured them to bring up the topic when everyone gathered. Lu Qi was one of them.
This person wasn't chosen randomly. Others thought Lu Qi was a neutral Beyond Grade A, but in the later version of the previous life, his identity was exposed. He was actually a spy for a supercluster civilization, just like the Traveler back then. Han Xiao knew him inside and out.
Because of the sensitive competitive relationship between the Three Universal Civilizations, Han Xiao was confident that he could lure the troublemakers from the Supercluster Civilization who remained in the Association to take the initiative... If that failed, he also had alternative plans.
On the other side, after discussing for a while, the group turned to look at Gaud, their eyes filled with intense curiosity.
What exactly are your abilities?
Seeing the curious expressions on everyone's faces, Gaud exhaled and slowly said, "Does anyone here have a habit of revealing secrets? I certainly don't, and you don't need to be curious; you'll find out later."
Lu Qi curled his lip and pressed on, "Everyone's a member of the association now, what's there to keep secret? You joined the association but didn't give us any information, that's so insincere and unfair to us. Could it be that your ability really is Energy Manipulation?"
Upon hearing this, many people nodded in agreement.
In the Beyond Grade A group, this is the treatment newcomers receive. Everyone wants to find out more about the newcomers to avoid future conflicts and being caught off guard by unknown abilities. This is how most newcomers go through the process.
Gaud's eye twitched slightly.
He realized that Lu Qi was a troublemaker, deliberately targeting him and trying to force him to reveal his true colors.
"Don't ask, I won't answer."
Gaud shook his head, neither denying it directly nor addressing the question directly.
The secrecy is only temporary, not a mission to be carried out indefinitely. The Empire's goal in training him is to make him a deterrent. Once he has grown to a certain stage, the Empire will not only stop keeping it a secret, but will also vigorously publicize his unprecedented superpower to intimidate other civilizations' Beyond Grade A.
Therefore, the Empire's current requirement for him is simply not to answer questions about his abilities directly, so as not to make him lie, otherwise it would be difficult to explain himself in future propaganda.
Moreover, denying one's own abilities makes one seem lacking in the mindset of a strong person, which is not conducive to establishing prestige. If one's image within the Beyond Grade A group is damaged, it will be much more troublesome to make up for it, so he had no choice but to avoid talking about it.
"So you're not giving me face?" Lu Qi narrowed his eyes. "Our real bodies aren't here, otherwise, if we sparred with you, your abilities wouldn't be so hard to hide. I don't know what you're hiding. It seems the rumors aren't unfounded. Your ability must be Energy Manipulation, or at least it must be very special, which is why you're keeping it a secret."
"Think what you want." Gaud didn't want to argue with him anymore and looked away.
Seeing this, many people's eyes flickered, and they became more or less suspicious.
In their view, Gaud's ambiguous and non-direct response added credibility to the Energy Manipulation claim. If this wasn't his ability, wouldn't denial be the most straightforward solution?
If Gaud really possesses such a monstrous, extremely dangerous superpower...
Thinking of this, many people's thoughts wandered, and their eyes gradually changed.
At this moment, Han Xiao, who had been observing from the sidelines, tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "Alright, alright, if Gaud doesn't want to talk, don't force him. Today is a day to welcome the newcomers, let's not make the atmosphere so awkward."
The best outcome would be for Gaud to admit his abilities, but there's nothing that can be done if he refuses to answer. However, this is also within Han Xiao's calculations. As long as he conveys the message of "Energy Manipulation" to all Beyond Grade A in this setting, regardless of whether Gaud admits it or not, he will have achieved most of his goal.
Once the vice president, who had the most influence, spoke up, the topic was dropped and the atmosphere became harmonious again.
Gaud glanced at Han Xiao and saw that Han Xiao was nodding to him. He smiled back and felt a little emotional.
He had never experienced the joy of having many supporters; he was always the one being besieged. Now, he had to admit that it felt really good to have someone speak up for him.
The welcoming meeting was relaxed and mainly served as a chance for newcomers to make their debut, for everyone to get to know each other, and to help them understand the association's mission, rules and regulations, or to help solve some problems, such as helping newcomers develop their influence, borrow resources, or receive strategic support. However, Gaud is a direct descendant of the empire and does not need help with influence building.
The group chatted casually, pulling Gaud aside to ask him all sorts of questions. The Imperial faction was the most active, while members of other factions only occasionally chimed in with a word or two.
As the conversation got more interesting, Han Xiao glanced at Manison, chuckled, and said casually:
"Gaud, you've just joined the association and there are many things you don't understand yet. Let me remind you, be very careful of our dear Mechanic Emperor's lord; he's most interested in fresh-faced newcomers."
"Oh? Why?"
Gaud turned his head and saw that Manison looked calm, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.
The Sun Hunter beside him burst into thunderous laughter, "Haha, Black Star is right. Manison has never given up on the Convict technology. If you really have extremely dangerous abilities, then you need to be careful. He might target your delicate body and turn you into his puppet."
"Hmph, laughable."
Manison simply closed his eyes to rest, out of sight, out of mind.
Seeing this, everyone laughed, and the room was instantly filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Black Star's confrontation with the Mechanic Emperor was a regular feature of the meeting. Hearing Han Xiao say this, everyone thought it was normal practice and they were used to it, without any doubt.
Everyone was very busy, and the welcome meeting didn't last long before it ended. Everyone logged off, and Gaud also got up and left, returning to the Imperial Fleet.
He had just returned to his room when Gaud received a communication from the Empire's high command, who immediately began asking questions.
"We already know about the Beyond Grade A Association. You haven't revealed your abilities to anyone, have you?"
"No."
Gaud shook his head.
He wasn't surprised that the Empire received the news so quickly, after all, there were many of the Empire's loyalists in the association, who were the Empire's sources of information.
"That's good. We'll investigate where the information leaked. The fact that they accurately identified your ability is suspicious... Today's meeting will definitely reach the ears of the Glory, the Arcane, and some Supercluster civilizations, which might arouse their suspicion about your abilities. You should come back as soon as possible; the Shattered World is too dangerous."
"You mean, someone might take the risk and try to kill me?" Gaud raised an eyebrow.
"That's not necessarily true. Times have changed. Because of the existence of the Beyond Grade A Association, as long as the rules aren't broken, it's unlikely that bloodshed will break out... but it's still better to be cautious."
"Okay."
Gaud replied casually and hung up.
He didn't think any force would make a move. The Shattered World was still at war, and the Glory and the Arcane wouldn't turn against him. The Super Star Cluster wouldn't dare to send out Beyond Grade A beings first, for fear of attracting the direct descendants of the Three Universal Civilizations. In addition, there was the protection of the Beyond Grade A Association, so he felt that his situation was very safe.
Things are different now. Black Star and others have established an association, which has become a boon for all Beyond Grade A.
Back then, Black Star was too sharp and arrogant, which made him a target. He was frequently besieged by Glory and Arcane. But now, with the Association's protection of Beyond Grade A life forms, this situation will basically no longer occur.
Gaud also benefited, especially since he had the status of a direct descendant of the empire as a shield. He didn't think anyone had any motive to deal with him, and the risks and rewards were completely disproportionate.
"This is truly Beyond Grade A age..."
After a moment of reflection, Gaud ordered the fleet to set sail.
One after another, imperial ships took off, disappeared into the galaxy, and flew towards the direction from the Shattered World.
At the same time, the contents of this meeting were relayed to the ears of different forces through a series of Beyond Grade A informants.
The Presidential Palace, home planet of the Federation of Light.
"A suspected Energy Manipulation ability user who only exists in theory?"
President Bader, the Glory, glanced at the report sent by his direct subordinate, Beyond Grade A, his expression subtly shifting.
The chief council elder, standing to the side, tapped his cane and said in a deep voice, "This is just speculation; the news may not be true. It's too hasty."
"But it's at least a discovery. This new Beyond Grade A in the Empire is being very secretive. Regardless of whether his ability is Energy Manipulation or not, he's definitely not simple... The higher-ups said the news came from the black market, and they've ordered the Intelligence Department to gather relevant information on the black market network and find a way to verify it."
Bader paused, then suddenly exclaimed:
"If the news is true, then the Empire is truly fortunate to have acquired such a superhuman with boundless potential. In the future, he will surely replace Clottey as the Pillar of the Nation... They already have Black Star, and now they have Gaud. In the realm of individual power, the Empire can guarantee an advantage for hundreds or even thousands of years to come. Sigh."
The chief councilor frowned. "You're not going to take action, are you? Please don't, that would be penny-wise and pound-foolish."
"Don't worry, one Beyond Grade A isn't important. I won't ruin the current favorable situation for such a small matter. I guess the Arcane will make the same decision."
Bader waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject. "But as for the others... I don't know."
"Don't overthink it." The chief council elder shook his head. "Times have changed. Nothing will happen."
Bader thought for a moment and nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. Nobody's going to make a move unless they're an idiot."