Han Xiao and his group withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the main base of the interception circle in the rear. The World Tree army had not yet advanced here and had not been affected by the war.
The rear forces of the Three Universal Civilizations and various powers have formed long lines, being deployed in batches to different High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter to withdraw from the Explored Universe.
The group boarded an evacuation ship and, while waiting for their turn, kept an eye on the real-time battlefield surveillance.
The Three Universal Civilizations on the screen began to withdraw their forces to minimize losses, and the battle lines formed by starships receded like a receding tide.
Kant observed for a while, then shook his head. "It seems the Three Universal Civilizations have completely decided to abandon the interception perimeter."
"Fighting to the death is useless and will only increase casualties, so we must retreat," Manison said calmly.
"But this retreat will not stop the World Tree from approaching our territory, and sooner or later we will have to fight on our own soil, falling into their pattern of using war to sustain war."
Clottey shook his head. Since Rive and the others were revived, he had become more talkative and rarely displayed the aloofness he used to have.
A group of people chatted casually about the battle, trying to calm their emotions after the fierce fighting.
Han Xiao did not join their conversation, but watched from the sidelines as numerous psychic beings performed the ritual to unseal Aurora.
After watching for a while, he suddenly noticed that many of the Beyond Grade A had started sweating, and he couldn't help but wonder, so he asked:
How's the progress now?
"Something's strange." Kasuyi rubbed his forehead, his tone surprised. "We've weakened the seal by over 95%, leaving only a thin layer, but we've encountered unprecedented resistance. The last bit of the seal's crystal wall has suddenly become indestructible, as if it's supported by an infinite power."
Is that so?
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, immediately thinking of the characteristics of the Illusion Heart's Lock.
It seems that those who fall victim to this trick will be trapped in a dream woven from desire; the more they take it seriously and the more attached they become, the stronger the seal will be.
He looked closely at Aurora. As the seals were broken layer by layer, her expression was no longer blank. She closed her eyes, her brows furrowed, revealing a slight pain, as if to say, "Don't disturb my daydream."
Could it be that the subconscious senses the threat of the dream's impending disappearance, thus taking the illusion more seriously and actively reinforcing the seal to resist the one who breaks it?
What kind of dream could make this woman wish she could sleep forever and never wake up?!
Han Xiao's lips twitched, and he helplessly withdrew his gaze, patting Kasuyi on the shoulder, "So, are you guys able to lift the seal or not?"
"Don't worry about that. Although the sealing barrier has become much stronger, with so many of us working together, we'll wear it down sooner or later." Kasuyi said without turning his head.
Han Xiao had no choice but to believe him and wait patiently by his side.
After a while, Kasuyi and his group suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with joy, just about to say that their mission was accomplished.
But before they could speak, Aurora suddenly opened her eyes, awoke from her unconsciousness, and let out a piercing cry of despair:
"No--"
The shrill shout startled everyone, even the many Beyond Grade A who were analyzing the situation nearby stopped chatting and looked over in surprise.
The nanny waking up should have been a happy occasion, but everyone was startled by her shout and completely bewildered.
Seeing the pairs of surprised and uncertain eyes staring at her, Aurora came to her senses and quickly stopped talking. However, her expression was still somewhat dazed, as if she had not yet adjusted to the feeling of leaving the dream and was trying to figure out whether what she was seeing was real or an illusion.
However, Aurora slowly became certain that she was truly awake this time.
At this moment, Han Xiao stepped forward from the crowd, stood in front of Aurora, raised his hand to touch her head, and asked with concern, "Your mind seal has been broken. How are you feeling?"
Aurora glanced up at Han Xiao, her delicate face suddenly burning red. She quickly turned her head away, her gaze darting away, and stammered:
"I'm fine... How are you?"
"What could be wrong with me?" Han Xiao noticed her unusual expression and couldn't help but ask curiously, "What did you dream about while you were in the seal?"
"I... I..."
Aurora remained silent, fidgeting, as if she didn't want to speak.
At this moment, Hila walked over, raised her hand and patted her on the head, her voice tinged with displeasure:
"I'm asking you a question. What were you dreaming about? Why won't you even open your memories to me?"
"Don't, don't ask! It's nothing important anyway..."
Aurora glanced at Hila, then looked away in surprise, remembering her experience in the dream. Her face turned even redder, as if it were about to bleed.
Seeing her strange behavior, Han Xiao and Hila exchanged a glance, their eyes showing surprise.
However, since Aurora didn't want to talk about it, they were too lazy to force her. Anyway, she was already awake, and there was no need to delve into those minor details. Perhaps it was a secret she couldn't tell anyone.
Han Xiao gave Aurora injection to check her condition. Seeing that Aurora's attributes had returned to normal, he stopped worrying about Aurora's dream.
Seeing this, everyone rushed forward to offer their concern and warmth, pushing Han Xiao and Hila aside.
Aurora gradually regained her composure, but still dared not look Han Xiao in the eye. Suddenly remembering something, her expression turned serious, and she asked, "You're all here, so is the battle over? What are the casualties?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's expressions stiffened slightly, and they began to sigh. The atmosphere quickly became somber as they recounted the battle that had taken place after she fell unconscious.
Upon hearing about the battle losses, Aurora was taken aback, then felt a pang of guilt and said dejectedly:
"I'm so sorry, I was caught off guard and fell into the enemy's trap, so I couldn't be used and caused more people to sacrifice themselves..."
"It's not your fault, it's all the enemy's doing. You're just a victim." Han Xiao gently rubbed her head, her soft blonde hair sliding through his palm.
"But if that enemy uses that trick again, I'll..."
Han Xiao waved his hand, interrupting her, and laughed, "Don't be afraid, the Tree King that attacked you has been imprisoned in amber by me, and it will no longer be a threat to you."
"You're still so good to me... cough cough."
Aurora to speak subconsciously, but then suddenly remembered that this wasn't a dream. She quickly stopped, lowered her head, and coughed to hide the unusual emotions in her eyes.
However, no one paid attention to her expression, and they continued to sigh to themselves.
"Thanks to Black Star for capturing that Tree King, otherwise, if they sealed Aurora again in the next battle, we would suffer heavy casualties like today." Milizaus shook his head.
Guzar sighed softly, "From this perspective, Black Star has done a good job by eliminating future threats. It's just a pity about those comrades who sacrificed their lives..."
"We can't say that. Since the enemy has this method, they will use it sooner or later, so our casualties are inevitable. When the enemy first showed up and used this move, Black Star seized the opportunity to capture him, which was already minimizing the cost to prevent future losses. It's a huge achievement," Baigel immediately said.
Upon hearing this, everyone thought about it and agreed that it made a lot of sense.
This was the enemy's trump card, and Black Star couldn't have stopped them from using it beforehand. There's no one to blame Black Star. The fact that this hidden danger was eliminated in the first reveal is already the best outcome.
As everyone sighed with emotion, Ames stepped forward, patted Aurora's head, breathed a sigh of relief, and chuckled softly:
"I'm so glad you're alright. That's more important than anything else."
"Teacher, I... I'm so sorry."
Aurora lowered her head timidly, her face flushed with shame and guilt, and dared not look up at him.
Ames misunderstood, and comforted her, "It's alright, don't blame yourself. Although you didn't use your abilities to protect me, it wasn't your fault. I'm perfectly fine."
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Aurora became even more embarrassed, twisting her hands together and burying her head even deeper, almost like an ostrich burying her head in the deep cleavage of her chest.
Just then, the evacuation line finally reached them, and everyone stopped chatting.
The spaceship, along with the fleet, entered the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter. Two enormous mechanical rings began to rotate, their light merging into one, then flashed briefly, sending everyone back to the Shattered World.
After Han Xiao and his group withdrew from the battlefield, the situation developed just as Simon had predicted. Defense lines in one war zone after another were breached, and the World Tree army advanced rapidly from various regions, spreading quickly and creating a snowballing vicious cycle. The interception perimeter was gradually riddled with holes, as if it were being eroded.
Since the interception zone was beyond saving, the Three Universal Civilizations did not continue to recruit Beyond Grade A soldiers for the battle, nor did they insist on direct confrontation. Instead, they continued to shrink and withdraw troops and equipment to recover costs and avoid being completely wiped out by the World Tree Fleet.
This process lasted about ten days before the World Tree army finally broke through the interception zone. The Three Universal Civilizations also withdrew all the fleets and equipment that needed to be retrieved, and the fortifications that could not be taken away were destroyed on the spot. The interception zone, which had been built for a year, was now just a bunch of metal debris floating in space, like a man-made asteroid belt.
In the Explored Universe, the high-ranking officials and command centers of the Three Universal Civilizations held a follow-up operational meeting regarding the disappearance of the interception zone.
Of all the Beyond Grade A, only Han Xiao was chosen as a representative to listen in.
In the vast conference room, the leaders of the Three Universal Civilizations listened with stiff expressions to the military's report, while Simon, the commander-in-chief of the interception zone, read out the strategic analysis:
"... The interception zone has been completely dismantled. We have lost the greatest barrier to stop the World Tree's advance, and the war has entered a new phase."
Throughout the year, we dispatched engineering teams, moving from the interception zone towards the Shattered World, constantly setting up traps and fortifications along the way, all for this day. Once the World Tree advances into our territory and enters our vast strategic depth, we can harass and intercept it.
While it can't stop them from advancing, it can at least slow down their journey...
At this moment, Mabrus interrupted him, tapped the table, and asked:
"This only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Can't we find a way to build another layer of defense?"
Upon hearing this, Simon shook his head and sighed:
"Forgive my bluntness, but until we find the World Tree itself, all tactics are merely stopgap measures... Establishing another interception perimeter will require a massive investment of resources. I believe that with this experience, the World Tree will use the same methods to launch a strong attack next time, causing our forces to suffer another large-scale loss, which plays right into their hands."
Furthermore, site selection is also an issue. Most areas in this strategically deep region are places we have never set foot in before and cannot go there at will. The earliest engineering teams can only establish a new interception perimeter at most a year's journey away from the World Tree, which is too time-consuming.
However, if a new engineering team were to depart from the edge of the Shattered World, there would be ample time to construct an interception perimeter, but...
"But what?"
Louis asked the question.
Simon frowned and truthfully replied, "The General Staff doesn't entirely agree with this plan. Based on the speed and drifting time of those Kunde Race survivors, we've calculated the approximate distance of the World Tree from us. At their current speed, it's estimated to take them about eleven years to Tu Shu our territory. With our interception and delays, this timeframe will be extended, but not by too long."
The leader of the Arcane Cult immediately questioned:
"Eleven years... that's enough to build a more robust defense perimeter, what's wrong with that?"
"It's possible, but the General Staff believes that a scorched-earth policy in the border areas is a better option. We should use destructive methods to develop the unexplored borders of the Shattered World, drain the planetary resources of these areas, and then actively turn at least five star clusters into Desolate Universe Belt, leaving not a single thing for the World Tree, and establish a defensive line here."
After all, this is our home ground. This will facilitate rear mobile support, significantly reduce the area of the defensive line, save unnecessary troop consumption, and bring the battlefield closer to our homeland, which will also inspire the entire universe's will to resist.
Setting up new interception zones in unexplored areas countless distances away would result in enormous losses of our forces, inevitably dragging us into the World Tree's preferred war of attrition, which would be even more disadvantageous...
Simon explained in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, many high-ranking officials present whispered among themselves, discussing the pros and cons of the plan.
The leaders of the Three Universal Civilizations hesitated for a moment, then turned to Han Xiao beside them and asked:
"Black Star, what are your thoughts?"
Han Xiao shook his head and said, "I don't have much of an opinion, but the scorched earth approach is necessary. Rather than leaving those planets for the World Tree Devour, it's better to drain the pond to catch all the fish. We can use the planet crusher to develop the planets on the edge of the Shattered World, so that the enemy can't replenish their supplies. That way, even if they attack, we won't suffer too much loss."
He had done all he could. Compared to the disastrous start of his previous life, the situation of the Three Universal Civilizations was now infinitely better, and he could offer no further advice on the war.
After all, the course of the war between the Three Universal Civilizations and the World Tree is completely different from that of his previous life, and he cannot be certain about the final outcome of every plan. The best option at present is to trust the professional military personnel.
'In as little as eleven years, the World Tree could invade the homelands of the Three Universal Civilizations... This period is the final preparation phase, and we must make the most of it.'
Han Xiao exhaled, his emotions churning.
During the World Tree's journey, the Three Universal Civilizations ' harassment and interception operations will likely not require high-level combat forces, meaning that these Beyond Grade A will not need to be on standby all the time and can arrange their schedules freely.
He planned to dedicate some time to nurturing those Beyond Grade A Seed, hoping to produce more Beyond Grade A individuals, and at the same time, to help Carrot grow up as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, I can also take this opportunity to consolidate my experience. The experience provided by the players will definitely be enough for me to break through level 360 and advance within a year.
The mechanic is at their strongest not at the moment they first advance in rank.
Only after fully upgrading their mechanical army and equipment with the power of advancement can a mechanic reach their peak!
The final eleven years of preparation were a rare opportunity for him to digest his advanced power!
After these two encounters with the Tree King, Han Xiao has realized his current weaknesses. Although he can definitely win a one-on-one fight against the Heart Tree King or the Tranquil Tree King, they are all strong at the same level and have their own trump cards. It is almost impossible to defeat the opponent quickly. Moreover, the battlefield environment is complex, and the mechanical troops are the biggest targets. There are too many interfering factors that affect the performance of combat power.
Although my energy level is very high, I am still essentially at the Peak Beyond Grade A and have not undergone a qualitative change. Only by possessing the power of sublimation can I solve this problem.
"I hope to give the World Tree a 'surprise' next time we clash!"
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.
However, these thoughts only flashed through his mind for a moment before he suppressed them.
He was well aware that the primary task at hand was not these plans, but to wait for the Oathkeeper to gather the new Sanctuary Key, enter the Sanctuary again, and use the truth of the resurgence to strengthen the entire Beyond Grade A group's belief in participating in the war!