Snap...
Han Xiao opened the cabinet, took out an unopened box of special-supply cigarettes from the Crimson Dynasty, tore open the packaging, pulled out a black cigarette with a gold-flecked pattern, rubbed it with his finger, a spark flashed, lit it, put it in his mouth, and slowly took a puff. The bluish smoke rose and spread, obscuring his complex expression, and his melancholy eyes were faintly visible in the smoke.
Since entering interstellar space, Han Xiao had basically quit smoking and hadn't tasted a cigarette for nearly a century. Today, however, he lit one after a long time.
This is no easy choice. If the home planet is the Real Universe of the current iteration, then once the Dark Side Universe returns, it will be like a cuckoo taking over a nest, with a torrent of countless powerful civilizations sweeping across the interstellar space. Han Xiao doesn't know if there are advanced civilizations in the Real Universe of the current iteration, because the home planet is just a surface-level civilization, unable to explore the entire universe. However, as an information interface, the home planet will inevitably be the first to face the changes.
Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing for their hometown is unknown. The only certainty is that their hometown can no longer develop freely and will inevitably be interfered with by advanced civilizations, just like the various small civilizations and surface civilizations in interstellar society.
However, the Three Universal Civilizations, having already undergone four Dark Side Iteration, have taken a half-step into the Real Universe, just one step away. They have the opportunity to truly survive the Great Restart, the ultimate dream passed down through countless iterations by each ultimate civilization. Now, I have the ability to help them succeed... Should I sit idly by and watch the efforts of the Three Universal Civilizations go to waste? Or should I offer them a final push?
Although Han Xiao was conflicted, he knew in his heart that he already had the answer... Revealing the information about the Sanctuary to the Three Universal Civilizations was to help him make up his mind and not look back.
This is a monumental undertaking that has been passed down through countless iterations, and it is a great honor to be a part of it. Moreover, it is related to the survival of a universe... The time I have spent living in interstellar society has far exceeded the length of my life in the Real Universe. It would be impossible for me to say that I have no feelings for interstellar society.
Moreover, given Han Xiao's current experience, he felt that the possibility of his hometown becoming the ultimate civilization of the current iteration was extremely slim, and perhaps even becoming a star system-level civilization was a pipe dream, with a bleak future.
In the mid-21st century, before he entered the Dark Side Universe, the social problems in his hometown had become extremely acute, like a train that had been running under Overload for many years, with various malfunctions following one after another.
Due to the complex geopolitical situation, the entire civilization wasted and squandered its precious "birthplace resources," resulting in low resource utilization efficiency. Many problems could only be minimized by resolving them before entering the interstellar age. The homeland failed to develop an efficient collective will of civilization during its low-tech period, and once this opportunity is missed, it is unlikely to come again. As the saying goes, a small boat is easy to turn around, but the larger the scale, the more difficult it is to reverse its course and make further changes. Even the slightest movement could trigger an internal crisis that could destroy the entire civilization.
Although his hometown might see a turnaround in the future, based on the trend before Han Xiao entered the Dark Side Universe, its development trajectory, analyzed on a civilizational and cosmic scale, was truly precarious and barely clinging to life. Therefore, after the birth of the virtual network in his previous life, it quickly became a haven for countless people to escape reality.
Following this trend, the ultimate fate of his hometown might be natural extinction, or it might be destroyed or captured by an unknown alien civilization. In his eyes, most areas of his hometown do not have the qualifications to grow into a cosmic overlord... unless there are no competitors.
However, given the existence of the Sanctuary, this is clearly unlikely.
Therefore, Han Xiao felt that since his hometown was unlikely to be a "winner" in a single iteration, when the Dark Side Universe was transformed, it would bring not only risks but also a successful solution for surviving the Great Restart, as well as countless resources and technologies.
The ultimate civilization of the current iteration may not have matured yet, Three Universal Civilizations will most likely replace it and rule it for a long time. This is somewhat unfair to the current civilization, but in this respect, civilizations will not yield. The weak have little say in choosing their own destiny... Of course, the possibility that a powerful civilization already exists in the Real Universe cannot be ruled out, but the civilization level in our home universe is too low to know.
Furthermore, Han Xiao felt that his arrival in the Dark Side Universe was seemingly thanks to the efforts of the Three Universal Civilizations, and perhaps he should return the favor.
"Ultimately, I still have my own selfish motives..."
Han Xiao squinted, then suddenly shook his head and chuckled, his tone somewhat self-deprecating.
He never considered himself a selfless person. Besides these concerns about the big picture, the driving force that led him to choose to transform the Dark Side Universe was also personal interest.
It seems that I've used up all my luck by being randomly selected as a "stable interference bridge." If I stand idly by, the Dark Side Universe will simply go through another cycle Restart, which may not have much impact on this place. However, in the next Dark Side Iteration, the Dark Side Universe will bring in a new Real State carrier to become a new "stable interference bridge," replacing me.
Due to his unique identity, Han Xiao couldn't guarantee that he would become a part of the Dark Side Universe's cyclical development after the Dark Side Iteration. Becoming Beyond God Grade didn't necessarily mean transcending the iteration; the Dark Side Universe's "Small Restart" could still cause him to vanish into thin air... Rather than saying that his choice was to save the Dark Side Universe, it was more accurate to say that he was saving himself.
Therefore, this might be the only chance, and Han Xiao didn't want to gamble.
"Phew... So this is what Invasion of the Entire Territory is all about? www. hetushu. com. com"
With this in mind, Han Xiao calmed himself down, stopped smoking, and stubbed out the cigarette, which was only a third of the way burned, in the ashtray without hesitation.
Several days later, in a military restricted area in the Central Galaxy.
Three small spaceships hovered outside the space fortress, ready to launch.
In the military command tower to the side, the remote projections of the Three Universal Civilizations leaders stood in front of the window, staring intently at the three spaceships outside, their expressions tense yet expectant. Meanwhile, the operators in the room were adjusting parameters in front of various instruments.
At this moment, Han Xiao's remote projection appeared in the room, causing the three of them to turn their heads.
How are the preparations going?
"We have loaded the Sanctuary Key into the synthesis device according to the Sanctuary method you provided, and it's ready for use," Mabrus replied immediately.
Han Xiao nodded. "Then who will be selected to enter the Sanctuary?"
Louis said in a deep voice, "We have selected a fleet of elites with reliable loyalty. My side will be led by Oulu, and the Crimson Dynasty will be led by Clottey."
Han Xiao looked at the leader of the Arcane Cult, "And what about you? Will you let Urnos lead the way?"
"I originally planned to send Urnos to the Sanctuary, but he left recently, so I didn't choose him and found another direct disciple instead." The leader of the Arcane Sect shook his head.
"... Really? Well, he left at a really bad time."
Han Xiao's expression was somewhat subtle.
Because Sanctuary access requires accumulation, it's uncertain whether the Arcane Church will allow him to become a Sanctuary Explorer again after Urnos returns...
Well, Old Wu missed out on another great opportunity. It always seems like he misses out on all the good things. He's such an unlucky guy.
Seeing that Han Xiao didn't speak, Louis said, "If there are no problems, shall we begin?"
"Go ahead and do it. I'll just watch from here." Han Xiao nodded.
Upon hearing this, Mabrus nodded and gave the order through the command channel.
Soon, several beams of light shot out from the military fortress, converging in mid-air and slowly transforming into three Sanctuary passages— the Sanctuary Key provided by Han Xiao led to different Sanctuary, and now they opened together, allowing each of the Three Universal Civilizations to enter one.
Han Xiao had seen this scene many times before and didn't react much, but the Three Universal Civilizations stared wide-eyed at the changes in the scenery outside the window, as if trying to memorize every detail of the creation of the Sanctuary Passage.
The next moment, the three spaceships started up and entered different Sanctuary passages. Then, the Sanctuary light spun and contracted, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.
Only now did the leaders of the Three Universal Civilizations relax their tense mood and breathe a sigh of relief. A mix of anticipation and trepidation welled up in their hearts, fearing that something unexpected might have happened to the three teams' trip to the Sanctuary, or that they might not have brought back the information they wanted.
"This is their first time entering the Sanctuary, their access level is very low, and the time flow is significantly different; it will take them a long time to return."
Han Xiao explained from the side.
Mabrus nodded absentmindedly, then suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Han Xiao, and said:
"Since it will be a long time before they return, we shouldn't just wait around. Let's use this time to solve some urgent problems."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to do?"
Mabrus pondered for a moment and said, "Originally, we planned to wait until interstellar society had recovered most of its strength before launching a military operation against the Star Alliance, but the intelligence you brought has overturned our strategic plans, so I think it's better to resolve this hidden danger as soon as possible... However, we alone cannot resolve the war most efficiently, so..."
"So you want to ask me for help?" Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and continued the conversation.
"That's exactly what I meant." Mabrus nodded quickly.
Han Xiao turned to look at the other two, "You think the same thing?"
"We hope that Lord Black Star can lend a helping hand."
Louis and the leader of the cult of the Arcane nodded calmly.
Since learning the truth about the Universe Iteration, their mentality has become quite straightforward... They're all in the same boat now, helping each other is helping themselves. They're no longer as reserved as before, and are practically ready to cling to Han Xiao's leg and call him "daddy."
"... You guys are really not being polite. Let me take a look."
Seeing the three men's stoic expressions, Han Xiao's lips twitched.
He originally didn't want to get involved, but then again, given the current situation, if the Star Alliance isn't dealt with quickly, the plan to transform the Dark Side Universe will face even more uncertainties, which is indeed not a good thing.
Han Xiao thought for a moment, then slowly said:
"If we can resolve this issue with minimal bloodshed, that would be ideal. Hopefully, my intervention will help them accept reality more quickly..."