Han Xiao sighed for a moment, then calmed himself down and shook his head to clear his mind of those thoughts.
No matter how vast the Unexplored Universe is, or how many powerful unknown civilizations exist, they are at least temporarily irrelevant to us. The most important thing is to deal with the current problems, and the focus remains on the war between the Three Universal Civilizations and the World Tree.
As for the issue of iteration, there's no point in thinking about it too much right now; I can't handle it for the time being.
"Although I sensed the presence of the Beyond Divine Remnant Power, I only knew its direction; the distance was unknown. In that case, it would likely be like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Han Xiao pondered to himself.
However, the field of vision is static, but people are dynamic, and distance is not impossible to measure. After all, the direction of perception can be roughly regarded as a straight line. As long as one keeps changing one's own position for positioning, by perceiving the deviation of the straight line, it is still possible to roughly calculate which one is closer.
However, on a cosmic scale, it's unclear how far one would need to move to shift the perceived direction; it would likely be measured in galaxies or star clusters. While this method would take some time, it is currently the most effective approach.
The only concern is that if the recent Beyond Divine Remnant Power isn't around the Explored Universe, that would be a real pain, as the journey would take an unknown amount of time.
"In any case, at least we have preliminary solutions for all three conditions. Let's proceed according to this plan."
Han Xiao felt relieved.
The three conditions varied in difficulty, with the second being the easiest, requiring only prior communication and the activation of the Face Fruit. The third condition, however, was uncertain in terms of time. He decided to start with the first condition and make contact with Urnos.
Han Xiao immediately pulled out his communicator, found Urnos's private number, and dialed it.
The two became acquainted after their last battle, and after the ceasefire, they exchanged personal phone numbers.
The bell rang twice, and a projection of Urnos appeared on the screen, dressed in a solemn priest's robe, as if his daily prayers had been interrupted.
"Black Star? It's rare for you to contact me. What do you want?"
Urnos asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
Han Xiao smiled, but didn't immediately get to the point. Instead, he made small talk. "It's been a while since we last met. I suddenly missed you."
"Yeah?"
Urnos remained calm and unmoved, merely glancing at Han Xiao without speaking, conveying the unspoken message, "Are we really that close?"
Han Xiao stroked his chin, his tone quite interested. "Speaking of which, I've been wondering lately, as the strongest among the direct descendants, why didn't Arcane let you participate in the Interception Circle battle?"
"This is an internal secret, I cannot disclose it. If you're here to persuade me to join the war, then forget it." Urnos's tone was calm and collected. "Is there anything else?"
Tsk, so mysterious. Perhaps the Arcane were worried you'd die in battle and lost their national treasure...
Han Xiao secretly grumbled to himself.
Seeing that Urnos's attitude was lukewarm, he didn't beat around the bush any longer and stated the main objective of the trip:
"I've come to see you today because there's something I want to discuss... I'd like to borrow a Arcane National Treasure once."
Upon hearing this, Urnos's eyes flashed, but he did not immediately refuse; instead, he asked a question in return.
What do you want to use it for?
"I want to try breaking through to a new level. I feel that the Arcane National Treasure can come in handy." Han Xiao did not hide his goal.
"Oh? You're going to try taking this step? No wonder you're the most talented superhuman in history..."
Urnos's eyes brightened slightly; he was not surprised but rather pleased. He looked Han Xiao up and down, a strange smile on his face.
He had always been optimistic about Black Star, believing that Black Star was currently the most likely person to unlock a higher level and break through what he saw as the "obstacle to advancement."
As long as a pioneer paves a path, those who follow will have a trail to follow. Whether they succeed or fail, it will become an important reference for future generations. Therefore, when Urnos learned that Han Xiao was going to try to reach a higher level, he was very happy.
"From my personal perspective, I'd be happy to help you with this. Perhaps you can become a pioneer in exploring the path of individual greatness, and I can benefit as well. There's no reason for me to refuse you..."
Urnos smiled.
But before Han Xiao could answer, he changed the subject and shook his head, saying:
"However, the Arcane National Treasure are not my private property. If you want to borrow them, you need the Arcane Church's permission. If they don't agree, I can't lend them to you without their consent."
Hearing this, Han Xiao was not surprised and nodded.
"Of course I understand. Please pass on my message to the higher-ups at Arcane Arcane: the terms are negotiable. Also, please put in a good word for me and try to persuade them."
"... Okay, I'll put in a good word for you."
Urnos hummed in agreement, without refusing.
Aside from the higher-ups in the Arcane, no one could order someone like him around, but considering Black Star's attempt to reach a new rank, he didn't mind helping him out.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Han Xiao hung up the call and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The initial negotiations went well; Urnos himself had no objections, so all that's left is to appease the higher-ups of the Arcane Church.
Of course, the higher-ups of the Arcane wouldn't give in easily, and we'd have to offer some leverage that they value. Now we just have to wait for the Arcane to come to us for negotiations.
On the other side, the Arcane Church, the Temple of All Gods.
After receiving Han Xiao's call, Urnos swiftly contacted the leader of the Arcane Cult, showing great interest in the matter.
Given his status, he could speak directly with the leader of the Arcane Arcane, and soon a projection of the leader appeared on the screen.
"High Priest, what is it?"
The leader of the Arcane was somewhat surprised. Urnos almost never contacted him proactively; usually, he was the one who called to issue orders. Receiving the communication suddenly was a bit of a surprise.
Urnos had no intention of small talk and went straight to the point. "Black Star just contacted me, wanting to borrow Arcane National Treasure. I've come to discuss it with you."
The leader of the Arcane Sect was slightly taken aback, looking at Urnos in astonishment, almost unable to believe his ears.
"Lend our national treasures to foreigners?! Do you even know what you're saying?!"
Black Star said the terms were negotiable.
Urnos spoke calmly.
The leader of the Arcane Sect suppressed his emotions and asked with a frown:
"... Why did he borrow a national treasure?"
"Black Star said he wanted to use the power of the national treasures to try and reach a new level of individual great power."
"A new rank? You mean above Beyond Grade A?!"
Upon hearing this, the leader of the Arcane Sect was taken aback.
This is big news. If Black Star, as the current leader of the Beyond Grade A group, successfully opens up a new level of personal power, it will have an unknown and profound impact on the internal structure and the World Tree war.
In fact, because of Black Star's record-breaking growth rate, Three Universal Civilizations were mentally prepared for Black Star to reach a higher level, but they did not expect it to happen so quickly. After all, Black Star is strong, but it has only been a few decades since it entered the Beyond Grade A. It is too young on the life scale of the Beyond Grade A, and is only in the stage of infancy to adolescence.
"... You want to help him?"
The leader of the Arcane Sect spoke in a somber tone.
Even borrowing a national treasure requires consulting Urnos's opinion. Since he came to relay Black Star's message, he has probably already agreed, which displeased the leader of the Arcane Sect.
Urnos kept his eyes straight ahead and spoke calmly:
"Why not? Wouldn't having an extra, exceptionally powerful expert on our side be advantageous to the battle?"
"That's what they say, but do you know the significance of national treasures, and the level of threat Black Star poses..."
The leader of the Arcane Sect paused, and although he didn't finish his sentence, the meaning was clear enough.
Because of the exposure of the truth about the Sanctuary Revival, the Three Universal Civilizations ' wariness of Han Xiao has increased further. Although they are currently focused on war and will not engage in internal strife, they do not want to see Black Star continue to grow stronger, especially given his unprecedented new level of power. No one knows what level this level of power is.
Moreover, he had more concerns. During the exploration period, after the First Ones successfully broke through to the next level, other Beyond Grade A emerged one after another like mushrooms after rain. No one knew whether Black Star's advancement to a higher level would drive other Beyond Grade A, and the importance of individual power would further expand.
Urnos didn't seem to care and said slowly, "In my experience, breaking through to a new rank isn't easy. Black Star is still in the experimental stage. He'll basically fail several times before he succeeds. Whether the national artifact will be of any use is still unknown. His chances of failing to advance are very high."
The leader of the Arcane Sect narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
Seeing this, Urnos paused for a moment, then continued:
"... Therefore, I think that lending out the national treasures may not necessarily benefit Black Star, but we will definitely gain something from them."
"Then what conditions do you think we should propose?" the leader of the Arcane Sect asked quietly.
"What I mean is to demand the unsealing of the Scepter of All Gods; it has been sealed for far too long."
"Hmm... it's not something I can't consider."
Upon hearing this, the leader of the Arcane Sect narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
The Scepter of All Gods was frozen by Han Xiao using the Space-Time Amber a long time ago. It was originally seized by the Federation of Light and was returned during a joint operation. However, the research department of the Arcane Church was also unable to unseal it, so it could only be viewed but not used. Currently, only Black Star can unseal it.
The allure of liberating this Universal Treasure is undeniable; it's a powerful weapon capable of destroying individual forces, useful both internally and externally.
At this moment, Urnos pressed his advantage, speaking slowly and deliberately, "I know you're worried about unforeseen circumstances, but the national artifact has already merged with me. Even if Black Star has ulterior motives, he can't do anything underhanded. The risk is very low, and under the current circumstances, the chances of Black Star turning against us are very small."
As a prominent figure among the Arcane, he wielded considerable influence, but rarely offered advice or took a hands-off approach. Yet, at this moment, he took the initiative to speak for Han Xiao, eager to facilitate cooperation between the two and observe Black Star's method of advancing to a new rank, using it as a reference.
Urnos was quite curious as to why Black Star would think that the Arcane National Treasure would help him break through to a new rank, something he had been clueless about for so many years.
He's possessed this national treasure for so many years and never discovered its function. Could it be that the Arcane National Treasure has some function he's unaware of?
In the Netherland Dimension, a flash of light appeared, and Han Xiao was teleported to this place.
Neither of the sisters were there at the time. Hila was cultivating in seclusion in the Remnant Soul Terminus, Aurora initially resisted and buried herself in her own training. However, she eventually couldn't resist going to the Remnant Soul Terminus with Hela, allowing Hila to supervise her special training while she cultivated in seclusion.
Therefore, of the Legion's four Beyond Grade A officers, three are currently in the Remnant Soul Terminus, while only Rotel remains outside, training Carrot.
Han Xiao his Beyond Divine Remnant Power Vision and quickly scanned the Netherland.
"There's no Beyond Divine Remnant Power here... Looks like I was overthinking it. Let's have Hila and the others check again later."
Han Xiao shook his head and sighed, holding out little hope.
After talking with Urnos, he immediately came here to look for clues, planning to start by searching around him. If the handsome guys around him really didn't have the Beyond Divine Remnant Power, then he would conduct location calculations.
"Beep beep beep--"
Just then, the communicator rang again; it was Urnos calling.
"They retaliated so quickly? It's only been a few minutes?"
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow and answered the call.
Urnos appeared on the screen and said directly, "Black Star, the Arcane Church wants to make a deal with you. You can borrow the national artifact once, but you must break the seal on the Scepter of All Gods, and the next three Sanctuary Revival will be free."
"Wow, three free uses are too much. I only need to borrow the national treasure once; this price is too high. I think unsealing the Scepter of All Gods is enough."
Han Xiao didn't actually mind the Sanctuary Revival for free a few times, but since it was a negotiation, he naturally had to try to negotiate.
The request from the Arcane for the Scepter of All Gods was one of several possibilities he had considered. Due to factors such as the war, he had originally planned to unseal it, and now using it as a bargaining chip was just right.
After negotiating for a while without much haggling, the two quickly reached a consensus: the price would be 30% off the cost of unlocking the Scepter of All Gods and the subsequent three Sanctuary Revival.
"Then it's settled. Let me know when you need to borrow the national treasures."
"Okay, besides that, I might need your help a bit. We'll talk about that later."
"OK."
Urnos hung up the call immediately after speaking, acting swiftly and decisively.
Han Xiao put down the communicator, lost in thought.
"This guy is really efficient, and he's quite enthusiastic about reaching higher levels. But he's so eager to help me break through to a new rank, could it be that he wants me to be his guinea pig...? Heh, whatever he's thinking, as long as we confirm that the Arcane National Treasure can act as a 'stabilizer,' the first requirement is met, which is a good sign."
Han Xiao revealed a relaxed smile. Fortunately, he had the Scepter of All Gods as a bargaining chip, which he had not used, otherwise he would not be so relaxed.