The fierce battle between the World Tree army and the Interstellar Joint Army at the border lasted for two months. The World Tree was unable to completely penetrate the territory of the Shattered World. Although it broke through the Interstellar Joint Army's defenses several times and allowed its fleet to break through, the defensive perimeter built by the Three Universal Civilizations over more than ten years was far more complete than the temporary interception perimeter at the beginning. The mutual support network was incredibly dense, like an extremely tight elastic net.
The deeper they sank, the stronger the rebound became, making it impossible to gain a foothold. All World Tree forces that invaded the Shattered World were either driven out or annihilated. The best record they ever achieved lasted less than three days, and they didn't even manage to cross the outermost star systems.
The border battle reports that Shattered World kept coming back to the Central Galaxy and spread throughout interstellar society. Countless interstellar citizens had been living in fear for more than a decade. Now that foreign enemies had truly invaded their homeland, many people were even more terrified. However, because the Interstellar Joint Army had consistently kept the foreign enemies outside its borders and performed outstandingly, most interstellar citizens had gained some confidence.
At Sibert Fortress, numerous Beyond Grade A have been on standby for two months.
"Hey, didn't the World Tree used to like using its individual power to trade blows with us? Why is it so cowardly now? It's getting more and more backward as it gets older."
In the lounge, the Sun Hunter stood on the table, his tone full of disdain.
"I guess they're afraid of Black Star. They captured a Tree King more than ten years ago, and they must have really hurt them," Kant laughed.
For the past two months, no matter how they provoked or tempted, the World Tree has consistently refused to send any individual super-powers into battle, calmly watching as the Three Universal Civilizations ' Beyond Grade A caused trouble on the battlefield.
The Beyond Grade A warriors, eager for a fight, were somewhat helpless. No matter how strong their fighting spirit, they were helpless if the other party wouldn't take the challenge. They even tried to seduce him with their bodies, but the World Tree expert remained unmoved and refused to come out, just like a turtle hiding its head in the sand.
"You're overthinking it. The World Tree isn't that afraid of me. They're probably just observing the number of our individual powers. They won't give up their exchange tactics easily, and they'll probably make their move soon."
Han Xiao played with Ames's hair and answered casually.
He stayed with the others, waiting for them to catch a big fish.
In recent days, the Three Universal Civilizations have concealed the true scale of individual power. Most of the dozens of newly recruited Beyond Grade A warriors have not participated, and powerful individuals with special abilities or who have made great progress, such as Hila, Fording, and Evans, have also not made a move. At the same time, the Beyond Grade A warriors who "sacrificed" themselves in the final battle of the interception circle have not appeared, allowing them to continue to maintain their status as "fallen" in the eyes of the World Tree.
Unbeknownst to others, the Sanctum Organization harbors dozens of resurrected individuals ready to fight at any moment. The individual power they display before the World Tree is merely the tip of the iceberg, designed to make the World Tree believe that the exchange tactic is effective and to lure it into a trap.
After more than ten years of collecting, the Oathkeeper have accumulated several Sanctuary Key, which Han Xiao has never used, keeping them as strategic reserves. This is all part of his capital for his recklessness.
"Buzzing--"
While everyone was chatting, the alarm suddenly sounded, and the World Tree launched another attack on the outermost defensive perimeter, relentlessly.
Everyone paused, and before they could act, a remote projection of an officer suddenly appeared in the room, speaking in a deep voice:
"Everyone, the World Tree's Beyond Grade A has finally appeared. Please get to the battlefield as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao's eyes flashed.
"They've finally arrived... Is the Tree King among them this time?"
"Have!"
Who's here?
"Two, namely the Dominion avatars of the Tranquil Tree King and the Anchor Tree King."
Kasuyi couldn't help but chuckle and interjected, "Having learned their lesson last time, the World Tree doesn't dare send the Tree King out alone anymore. However, this time the setup is similar to last time. They probably think that as long as they're cautious, they won't fall into the same trap as the Heart Tree King."
At this moment, a freshman with Beyond Grade A spoke up curiously:
"The Tree King has appeared. So, Lord Black Star, shall we go into battle?"
"Just one Tranquil Tree King... Never mind, you can have it."
Han Xiao stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and clicked his tongue.
He hoped to catch a big fish, at the very least a Anchor Tree King, and preferably an Ancestral Tree King. Exposing his strength for a mere Tranquil Tree King didn't seem worth it... He just disliked the Tranquil Tree King as a martial artist, finding its function too singular and its importance far less than that of other Tree King.
Moreover, the Beyond Grade A Association is now full of powerful figures. He doesn't need to take action; he can kill the Tranquil Tree King. As long as he eliminates this tool and prevents him from reviving in the short term, he should be able to lure out the Ancestral Tree King and the Secret Tree King. Those are the better prey in Han Xiao's eyes.
Hila's eyes lit up, as if afraid someone would snatch her opponent away, and she immediately said, "Then I'll take this guy!"
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow and bluntly poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "While you've made considerable progress, you're still a long way from killing the Tree King."
"We'll only know if we try." Hila's eyes flashed with a cold light.
"Alright, as long as we don't let him get away." Han Xiao pouted.
Urnos was originally the most reliable opponent for the Tree King, but this hanged man hasn't left the Temple of All Gods for over ten years and still shows no intention of joining the war. However, now that the Netherland has its big brother, there's no shortage of powerful men.
At this moment, Han Xiao noticed that Evans's hand was trembling slightly, and couldn't help but ask, "Are you afraid?"
"It's my first time on the battlefield, especially in an interstellar war of this scale. I'm actually a little scared," Evans said frankly.
Lagi muttered under his breath, "What's the use of being afraid? Does being afraid mean I won't die in battle...? I've only been Beyond Grade A for a few years, and I'm already going to die. Sigh, as expected, someone like me doesn't have the right to enjoy life..."
"Shut up."
Han Xiao interrupted this chattering genius with an annoyed tone.
If it weren't for your fighting strength, I would have locked you in amber today, you demoralizing bastard!
At this very moment, on the border front.
The massive World Tree fleet is launching a fierce attack on the defensive perimeter, Interstellar Joint Army fleet is coordinating with various space fortress strongholds to counterattack. Countless rays containing terrifying power can be seen shuttling back and forth in the vast cosmic battlefield, forming a dazzling yet deadly rain of light that strikes into each other's formations, causing ships to explode into fireworks in space.
This wasn't the first time the two sides had clashed, and they quickly became bloodthirsty, with the battle rapidly escalating to a fever pitch. Units moved under the command of various military intelligence systems, and from a macro perspective, it appeared to be just a large-scale exchange of fire, but in reality, both sides were constantly adjusting their tactics and performing micro-management.
In the midst of the battlefield, a group of World Tree Beyond Grade A beings, radiating astonishing energy, were observing the battlefield from afar, protected by their own starship fleet.
With his hands behind his back, the Tranquil Tree King surveyed the Interstellar Joint Army's formation with sharp eyes.
Before long, the Beyond Grade A groups from the Three Universal Civilizations also arrived at the battlefield one after another. The two sides faced each other from a distance. Because only a portion of them appeared, their numbers seemed to be fewer than those of the World Tree powerhouses.
The group that appeared at this time were mainly Beyond Grade A who had participated in the Interception Circle battle; the others remained hidden and observed.
Seeing this, the Tranquil Tree King narrowed his eyes and nodded secretly.
"Hmph, they lost a lot of men last time, they're no match for us this time."
For the past two months, he has been observing the situation of the Three Universal Civilizations' Beyond Grade A. Most of the people he has met are old rivals. Although there are some new faces, their numbers are limited, and they are probably the newly formed Beyond Grade A in recent years.
He wasn't surprised by this. The World Tree had also been vigorously cultivating superhumans for the past ten years, which had also given rise to some new Sacred Tree Envoy and Ancestral Spirit, and their individual power had also increased.
Some of the enemy's individual heroes died in a battle more than ten years ago, while their World Tree's fallen warriors have now all been resurrected. The strength of both sides has shifted, and the Tranquil Tree King is quite confident.
However, the Heart Tree King has already failed. As a martial artist, it is difficult for him to kill the enemy's healer in an instant. Last time, he tried to kill the Tu Shu King but fell into Black Star's trap and was unfortunately killed. Therefore, the Tranquil Tree King does not intend to repeat the same mistake. This time, he gathered the World Tree experts just to test the waters and did not intend to make any immediate moves.
Scanning the enemy, the Tranquil Tree King's gaze suddenly sharpened as he discovered that there was no trace of Black Star.
"That guy didn't even go into battle? No, he must be hiding, planning a sneak attack."
The Tranquil Tree King became alert.
His only worry was Black Star. The Heart Tree King had been sealed away, and he didn't want to follow in his footsteps. He was on guard, fearing that Han Xiao might suddenly jump out and stab him in the back.
As the saying goes, enemies are bound to be furious when they meet. The two Beyond Grade A fighters met face to face and charged at each other without saying a word, immediately engaging in a fierce battle that created a large area of chaos.
Without saying a word, the Tranquil Tree King activated its Released form, its entire body radiating green light. It originally intended to crush weaker opponents and force out Black Star, but it was unexpectedly intercepted by a red-haired woman.
"Your opponent is me."
Hila stood in front of the Tranquil Tree King, her expression icy, her eyes filled with intense killing intent.
The Tranquil Tree King's eyes flickered; he did remember Hila. He said calmly:
"It's you? Hmm, your Self-Healing ability is not bad, but do you think you can stop me with your combat strength?"
Apart from Black Star, the Tranquil Tree King fears no one. Thinking of Hila's performance on the battlefield more than ten years ago, he takes her even less seriously.
Hila wasn't one for empty talk; upon hearing this, she snorted coldly and unleashed a powerful aura, with crimson death energy roaring out.
The Tranquil Tree King suddenly felt threatened, his expression changed abruptly, and he looked at Hila with surprise in his eyes.
"It's gotten this strong?"
Without a doubt, this red-haired woman has reached the Peak Beyond Grade A, and her energy fluctuations are even at the upper level of the Peak Beyond Grade A... Has she improved so much in just ten years?!
The Tranquil Tree King's expression turned serious. Although there was still a gap between them, he had to admit that the woman before him was now qualified to fight him.
He sensed the battle situation of his other companions and found that the progress of the enemy's Beyond Grade A was far greater than that of their World Tree's strongmen. Although they were at a slight disadvantage in terms of numbers, they were not at a disadvantage.
"How did they train?!" Tranquil Tree King was immediately shocked.
Such remarkable progress in just ten years! How could Beyond Grade A fighter improve their combat power so easily?! Could it be that the enemy's territory is so rich in talent that everyone is a genius?!