call--
Blue flames shoot from the bottom of the equipment box as it flies in from afar, the pendant assembles automatically, and the Flying Serpent switches to flight mode.
"Report your location." Han Xiao quickly donned full gear, grabbed Aroshia, and flew into the sky. He wasn't worried that Aroshia would get injured during high-speed flight; she possessed superpowers, and even if she didn't use them, her resistance was still protecting her.
Melos sent over the coordinates, and the tactical screen displayed a 3D map, marking Melos's aircraft. Han Xiao's twin-wing turbines revved up, spewing exhaust flames, and he went directly from a standstill to high-speed flight without any buffer phase. The mech could eliminate most of the load, and Han Xiao could withstand the remaining load.
Aroshia was held horizontally in front of his chest, her hair flowing, her eyes closed, and she was unharmed.
After Han Xiao launched the Butterfly Dragon aircraft, he improved the Bat Wing and added anti-gravity propulsion technology, causing its speed to skyrocket.
During the flight, Han Xiao pondered the other party's identity. The Ashes's Carbon Element Control reminded him of a theoretically existing superpower— Particle Manipulation. Far exceeding the limits of a single element, it was nearly omnipotent, capable of forming and deconstructing any matter. If the energy intensity was sufficient, theoretically, it could manipulate planetary splitting and recombination at will, or even create life. More powerfully, it could directly alter particle structure, creating antimatter out of thin air, or perform particle collisions without any machinery, simulating various physical phenomena, and even compressing particles to extremely high density, forming Black Hole with bare hands!
This type of superpower that touches the very essence of matter is terrifying, almost like an omnipotent creator. It has been included in the "Ultra-High-Risk Esper Ability Restriction Treaty" by the three major cosmic civilizations. The treaty contains hundreds of ultra-high-risk superpowers that may theoretically exist—some of which are inherently sinful!
However, individual pursuits have always clashed with collective desires. The extremely high-risk superpowers listed in the Treaty were ranked by busybodies and turned into a list of "most desired superpowers," which became widely accepted. Fortunately, most of these extremely high-risk superpowers never actually appeared.
Particle Manipulation consistently ranks among the top five abilities, with no eyewitness reports. Rumors suggest it cannot be awakened independently and must be fused into a form. Another rumor claims this ability is a conscious "living being," a kind of energy field-like life form manifesting as a vast, self-flowing energy that wanders throughout the vast universe. It's said that hosts with this ability have appeared, but none could withstand the immense energy, their genes collapsing and causing their deaths. However, there are no eyewitness reports, and no one knows the truth. After all, rumors in the universe are diverse; there's even a rumor circulating about the Shattered Star Ring that [Dragon Emperor] Ames is actually a man.
While manipulating carbon is far less effective than Particle Manipulation, the two share similarities, are highly distinctive and unique, and the name [Ashes] revealed in the combat information felt somewhat familiar to him.
Han Xiao racked his brains, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him; a memory surfaced from beneath the water.
"Codename: Ashes... Ability: Manipulation of carbon... DarkStar's top combat force!?"
Han Xiao was startled, quite taken aback.
Ashes was unaware that the information revealed in their hasty exchange was enough for Han Xiao to guess his identity. Ashes had intended to keep it a secret, but he had already failed in front of Han Xiao.
The reason he was able to pinpoint his target was because the codename "Ashes" and his abilities combined in one person were too iconic. In his previous life, with the Mutation Disaster line, the struggle between DarkStar and Goddora gradually shifted from darkness to light, Ashes emerged. His abilities were formidable, and his campaigns in the north and south spurred his potential. After reaching the Grade A, his superpower strength experienced a leap forward, making him the strongest superhuman combatant on DarkStar.
Tens of millions of Goddora died at his hands, and one of his famous lines was the most talked-about quote among DarkStar faction players in that version:
"I am destined to become Goddora's nightmare, to make them reflect on their backward traditions that have persisted for countless years through slaughter. Their insistence on bloodline theory violates the way of reproduction and the laws of nature. It is this distorted ideology that created us. Only after they repent will they swallow the bitter fruit brewed by thousands of years of pure-blood theory. DarkStar will rebuild a new Goddora on their ruins! At that time, there will be no more pure-bloods, no one will be superior because of their bloodline, discrimination will cease to exist, and no one will be born inferior! Mixed-bloods are inclusive, progressive, and equal. We will eradicate the rotten—may life and hope favor Goddora, and Gaol protect us."
Of course, while this statement sounds sophisticated and epic, the DarkStar, which bills itself as a revolutionary organization, believes that revolution requires sacrifice and is ruthless in its methods. Other races, such as the Sunil, have suffered greatly as a result. In the eyes of the Order faction, no matter how loudly the DarkStar's slogans are shouted, it is still a chaotic and evil terrorist organization.
Ironically, Ashes is not a hybrid Goddora; he belongs to another race. He was raised by DarkStar from a young age, which instilled in him a deep-seated hatred that has nothing to do with him. This shows how well DarkStar has managed its spiritual civilization.
Ashes is still in the secret development stage and hasn't reached its peak. Han Xiao is the first outsider to know Ashes's identity, which also raises a question— DarkStar's actions are always highly purposeful, with everything centered on dealing with Goddora. Why would they target the Silver Spirit People?
"DarkStar wants to use these Silver Spirit People to blackmail the Silver Spirit Civilization? Impossible. They're just a group of tourists; they don't have that kind of power. Even if they captured the entire Silver Spirit Council, they couldn't threaten the Silver Spirit Civilization. What exactly does DarkStar want?"
Han Xiao's eyes flickered, "Could it be... that these Silver Spirit People have other secrets?"
A spacecraft appeared ahead. Han Xiao opened the hatch and flew inside. Melos greeted him, saying, "The other side has no intention of retaliating. They don't have a fixed route, and we don't know their destination."
"Keep chasing."
Melos nodded, then turned to see Aroshia beside him and was immediately stunned, asking in surprise, "Who are you?"
"Don't ask anymore, I'll explain later." Han Xiao didn't have time to deal with Aroshia's problem for the moment, and stared intently at Ashes and the others on the ground through the porthole.
"We can't shake off this aircraft. Other guards are on their way to provide backup. We'd better get away as soon as possible," his subordinate said urgently.
Ashes's expression was grave; the tailing aircraft's reluctance to fire made him feel an imminent pressure.
The plan was perfect. The culprit behind the current situation was the eyewitness who suddenly appeared. If he could have killed him instantly, that would have been fine. However, the eyewitness was not only Grade B superhuman, but he was also immune to his Carbon Atom Deconstruction. Unbelievable! He had never failed when using this technique against any target weaker than himself!
It's common knowledge that Ames's power is Shattered Star Ring, but even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. The Dragon Emperor does indeed have some extraordinary talents under its command, and you can't deny that.
The witness's survival disrupted all plans. The other party must be a member of the Dragon Calm forces, which is why they were able to call in the guards. Ashes was quite helpless, and could only say that luck was not on his side.
Fortunately, they recruited other criminals to work together. With those thugs drawing fire, the Dragon Calm forces wouldn't know their DarkStar identities.
There was no way to wait until it was safe to interrogate Silver Spirit People alone. Ashes gave a signal, and the task force members exchanged coded messages with Silver Spirit People during their escape. This would increase the risk of exposure, but they couldn't worry about that now.
However, an accident occurred.
All the Silver Spirit People looked bewildered; no one knew the secret code.
--There are no cargo carriers among this group!
The DarkStar members' expressions changed drastically; they almost all fell over, completely dumbfounded.