After seeing off the expedition team, Han Xiao stood at the dock for a while. At this moment, Guzar, dressed in a smart imperial military uniform, walked up from behind and stood side by side with him.
With a full beard resembling Zhang Fei, Guzar pulled a thick, red cigarette from his shirt pocket, lit it with his fingers, took a deep drag, exhaled a puff of bluish smoke, smacked his lips, and said:
"This is just the first batch. There will be a second and a third expedition later. The deeper Secondary Dimension unpredictable dangers. I hope the World Tree you mentioned truly exists, and that the sacrifices won't be in vain."
"Don't be too pessimistic, it might just be a close call," Han Xiao replied casually.
Guzar remained noncommittal, then pulled another cigarette from his pocket and offered it to Han Xiao, "A premium product specially supplied to the Imperial High Command, unavailable on the market. Want to try some?"
"I don't smoke anymore," Han Xiao waved his hand in refusal.
"Is that so?" Guzar put away his cigarette and shook his head. "By the way, I've never heard of you having any hobbies. Don't you mechanics have any need for entertainment?"
"Smoking and drinking are nothing compared to the fun of robots." Han Xiao glanced at him. "Just say what you want to say."
"Can't I just chat with you if there's nothing wrong?" Guzar shrugged.
Although Black Star had recently given their loyal followers a beating, the two sides had now made peace. Fighting on the battlefield was official business, and there was no personal grudge between them.
Most Beyond Grade A beings admire the strong, and the direct descendants of the Three Universal Civilizations are no exception. They all hold Black Star's achievements and abilities in high regard.
"Maybe next time, I'm pretty busy." Han Xiao patted Guzar on the shoulder.
Guzar sighed and said, "Alright, I'm here to tell you that His Majesty the Führer is online and wants to speak with you about something."
Why didn't you say so earlier?
Han Xiao turned and walked into the Imperial outpost base, went to the private communications room, and answered Mabrus's call.
"President Mabrus, what is it?"
"Our exploration has made some progress. The probes have collected the exact coordinates, and the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter can now reach the territory of the World Tree Civilization. However, we have no intention of sending troops at the moment."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao nodded.
The Federation of Light's High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter has extremely high strategic value and is very useful; its use here is inevitable.
Unfortunately, the Three Universal Civilizations currently limit his involvement, mostly treating him as an advisor and preventing him from using the World Tree Passage to send anything.
Is there anything I can help you with?
"We plan to deploy some detection equipment and strategic weapons in uninhabited areas. For this, we need more intelligence, such as the enemy's star map and power structure... It's inefficient for us to detect these things slowly, and the risk of encountering World Tree Civilization creatures will increase as the detection range expands."
"So?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Mabrus pondered for a moment and said, "We plan to try connecting to their network and steal some basic information once we're ready, so we're asking for your opinion."
Han Xiao thought for a moment and said, "If it's just superficial data, as long as we enter from an unimportant terminal node, properly disguise the data and erase traces, and then have Beyond Grade A expert analyze the opponent's network basic compilation language first, the risk will be within control."
This is not about hacking into someone else's network, but rather about browsing online information under a pseudonym, so it's not very difficult.
The World Tree Civilization also possesses a communication system in the form of a quantum network, which is basically standard for advanced civilizations. However, the cornerstone of its communication method is not the quantum network, but a Psychic Network called "Treetop Connection" that comes with the World Tree. However, the latter is too transparent and public, and its functions are monotonous, unlike the quantum network which is more diversified.
"Then let the Beyond Grade A mechanic take the lead, supplemented by the main AI's computing power, to gather superficial information about the opponent's network. The intelligence obtained will be shared with you later."
After discussing business for a while, Mabrus hung up the call, mainly to inform them of the exploration plan.
Han Xiao put down the communicator and pursed his lips.
"Aside from the Secondary Dimension Expeditionary Army, they won't let me actually get involved in any other exploration work. It seems they're still wary..."
The current situation is far from the stage where everyone was united in the past. Although there is no infighting, it is also impossible to completely trust each other and cooperate without any concerns as in the past.
After leaving the Imperial outpost and returning to the Legion base, Han Xiao summoned Phillip and issued a special summons to the hundreds of Beyond Grade A Seed within the Legion.
Because the Three Universal Civilizations strictly control the World Tree Passage, there's not much preparation I can make at the moment. Apart from enhancing my Void Divine Transformation and keeping the production line constantly producing troops, I can only wait for the players to work hard and become wealthy, slowly supplying experience points.
Therefore, he planned to use the advantages of the panel to provide long-term special training to the hundreds of Beyond Grade A Seed who had switched to the legion a year ago, hoping that new Beyond Grade A would emerge from this group and strengthen the association's high-end power.
After sending the message, Han Xiao left the room and walked around the base for a while, when he suddenly ran into Jenny.
Han Xiao stopped and asked in confusion, "Ames has already returned to Dragon Calm, why are you still here?"
Jenny crossed her arms and snorted, "I finally got a vacation because of the refuge, I don't want to go back to work so soon. Let Ames manage things herself, I'll have some free time for a while."
Han Xiao suddenly realized.
"So you've had a good rest. No wonder your hairline has recovered a bit; I almost didn't recognize you."
"If you can't speak, you don't have to. Nobody will think you're mute."
Jenny rolled her eyes.
"Then you can rest here with me, but if Ames comes asking me for people, don't expect me to help you."
Han Xiao shook his head and smiled, then walked past him.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard Jenny speak again behind him, this time with a hint of hesitation in her voice:
"Um... I haven't seen Harrison in a while, and he's not replying to my messages. Where did he go?"
Han Xiao turned and glanced at her, somewhat surprised.
"You two are really hooking up? I thought you rejected him. Looks like you and Ames are both the type whose actions speak louder than words."
"Bullshit!" Jenny retorted angrily. "I have absolutely nothing to do with that annoying guy! I was just curious!"
Han Xiao didn't believe it at all, and casually said, "He went on a secret mission, you probably won't see him for a long time."
"A secret mission?" Jenny hesitated for a moment. "Is it dangerous?"
"Of course," Han Xiao replied readily.
Jenny choked for a moment, hesitated for two seconds, and whispered, "Then please tell him for me..."
"What message should we relay?"
Han Xiao immediately became alert.
Hey little sister, watch out! Don't just jump on the bandwagon and lower Harrison's chances of survival.
Jenny gritted her teeth, turned her head away, and said stubbornly, "Just ask him when he's going to pay me back the money he owes me."
"Tsk, you're just saying that." Han Xiao exposed Jenny without any mercy.
"Fine, don't bother asking for me then!" Jenny retorted angrily.
"Ask, ask... but I might not be able to get in touch with him right now, let's talk about it another time."
Han Xiao waved his hand and turned to leave.
As he reached the corner, he glanced back and saw Jenny still standing there, looking lost and forlorn.
"Tsk, still saying there's no affair."
Han Xiao clicked his tongue and was about to walk away when Phillip suddenly jumped out, his little face full of surprise.
"Master, another legion officer has become Beyond Grade A!"
"Hmm? Let me see!"
Han Xiao was immediately delighted and switched to the monitoring interface.
In the scene, a figure engulfed in martial arts aura sits cross-legged amidst the starry sky, resembling a small, radiant star—this is Rotel, who has been in seclusion for decades.
"After holding back for so long, this guy has finally given birth... oops, he's advanced."
Han Xiao was greatly gratified.
He originally thought it would take Rotel a few more years to complete his transformation, but he broke through that barrier so quickly... Could it be that he was Inspiration by my heroic feat of defeating the Three Universal Civilizations?
Immediately switching to the Sovereign, Han Xiao teleported to Rotel's private dojo, where he looked up and saw Rotel completing the final step of his evolution.
Han Xiao summoned his mechanical troops and deployed energy shielding devices around them.
After waiting for a while, the martial arts aura on Rotel's body slowly receded, becoming almost like a solidified crystal, extremely dense, and one could feel a compelling sharpness just by looking at it.
Martial artists possess a wide range of strength properties, while Rotel's core strength attributes are "sharpness" and "armor-piercing," with a primary focus on lethality.
Rotel opened his eyes, saw the scene around him, immediately looked down and spotted Han Xiao, then quickly flew down and landed in front of Han Xiao.
"Lord Black Star, I have not disappointed you."
Rotel remained respectful, not becoming arrogant or lost due to the surge in power.
Han Xiao patted his shoulder and laughed, "You're already Beyond Grade A, so I'll call you an equal. So, what are your plans? How about starting your own business?"
"I am still willing to be the Blades in your shadow. Without your guidance, I would not have achieved what I have today." Rotel shook his head, still using honorifics.
Beyond Grade A generally don't continue to be subordinate to others, but Rotel had the idea of repaying a debt of gratitude. Moreover, the Black Star Army was an anomaly, already having two Beyond Grade A serving within it. With such a precedent, newcomers were more accepting.
Don't underestimate yourself. I'm helping you because you have potential.
As Han Xiao spoke, he punched Rotel in the chest with a dull thud.
Rotel couldn't help but take a step back, rubbing his aching chest.
Seeing this, Han Xiao shook his head, "You need to continue training your physique; you're still too weak... In the eyes of ordinary people, Beyond Grade A is the peak, but in the eyes of us veterans, this is just the beginning. You've only just stepped into this realm; there's still a lot to learn. I could take on dozens of fresh Beyond Grade A like you."
"I watched your live broadcast of your confrontation with the Three Universal Civilizations, and I have no doubt about it."
Rotel nodded; he too was impressed by Han Xiao's performance and filled with awe.
"Now that you've become Beyond Grade A, I'll give you a gift. I'll get you a Universal Treasure- level weapon in a while. What type do you want? If you don't want mechanical equipment, I can also ask a mage to create an enchanted weapon for you," Han Xiao asked.
Rotel thought for a moment, "A pair of daggers will do."
"Okay, once you've thought it through, send me your specific requirements, and I'll customize it for you."
Han Xiao smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, saying:
"By the way, speaking of which, I have a task for you."
"Where to? Who to kill? What's the deadline?"
Rotel immediately became serious, displaying his professional demeanor.
"Hey, let's not always be fighting and killing, it's not good." Han Xiao coughed and said, "There's a Pugilist Class genius with extraordinary potential who's receiving special training here. He already has a Beyond Grade A teacher. I hope you can train him for a while and pass on your experience to him."
Carrot's bottlenecks are all in the early stages. Only by accumulating insights can he level up quickly. However, the insights provided by different strong individuals are different. Silver Shadow has been almost completely drained, while the newly minted Rotel is a field of leeks that has not yet been harvested, a new tool.
"Okay, I will do my best to teach him."
Rotel nodded in agreement, feeling a bit curious as well.
The potential of Pugilist Class genius who could have the legion commander specifically find Beyond Grade A to be his teacher must be astonishing.
This is a blue-green space, with the intertwined blue-green tree roots forming the ground. The roots are semi-transparent, and you can see luminous, bubble-like energy flowing and transmitting within each root, exuding a vibrant, verdant life.
In the center of the space, numerous gnarled roots rose up, forming a huge throne upon which sat a tall figure, his eyes closed as if asleep. Vines of roots climbed all over his body, and blue-green fluorescent light flowed across his surface like lively little sprites.
Suddenly, the figure trembled slightly, slowly opened its eyes, and gently patted the armrest of the seat.
The next moment, the roots on the ground moved on their own, intertwining and deforming, as if they had become a flower bud. Then, the flower bud opened, and a tall figure appeared out of thin air, walking out of it, wearing a magnificent robe.
Upon appearing, the tall figure performed a strange bow towards the figure on the throne and spoke in a low voice:
What are your orders?
Upon hearing this, the figure on the throne leaned forward slightly and slowly said:
"The Information State Warning Network has shown an abnormal reaction. There may be an unknown set of information interacting with us. Perhaps someone is spying on us. Go and find out."
"Understood, Your Majesty the Tree King."