A small, silvery-white cube floated above the totem, spinning rapidly and spewing out energy like dark clouds, giving it the appearance of a magical artifact.
Evolution Energy spread throughout the nest, enveloping each Black Spirit Race. In an instant, the nest was filled with black cocoons, and rustling sounds could be heard, like shells cracking open and undergoing a second growth.
With a flash of Mechanical Force at Han Xiao's fingertips, the small silver cube clicked shut and obediently fell back into his palm, where he put it back around his neck.
"Now we just have to wait. I wonder what the Black Spirit Race will evolve into." Han Xiao nodded to himself.
Advanced civilizations possess, to varying degrees, secret technologies that others cannot decipher. The Evolution Cube is a relic of a near-cosmic civilization, and the technological essence it contains has been lost. Even when it was in Sisko's possession, the Arcane Church did not understand its principles, and Han Xiao had only measured the various parameters of the Evolution Cube.
This Universal Treasure has relatively few limitations. The Evolution Cube absorbs multidimensional energy and dark energy to automatically recharge. The method for large-scale use is to cover an area with Evolution Energy, which can simultaneously evolve the creatures within that area.
This Evolution Energy belongs to the realm of Cosmic Wonder; it is safe and harmless, surpassing all gene drugs and gene hormones, as if it has condensed countless years of natural evolution into an individual.
Before long, amidst the rustling sounds throughout the venue, a clear, crisp sound suddenly broke the silence.
Click!
One of the black cocoons cracked open, revealing the Black Spirit Race inside.
The original appearance of the Black Spirit Race was that of strange, pitch-black insects—with hairs growing between their carapaces, mouthparts like small awls used to chisel through rocks. They had no eyes, only four tentacles to replace sight, four muscular, retractable legs, and a shovel-shaped carapace tail, making them look more like wild beasts, extremely ferocious.
Now, the appearance of the Black Spirit Race has changed drastically.
The proportions of the carapace and muscles have become more harmonious, presenting a streamlined shape that is much more aesthetically pleasing. All the fuzzy hairs that used to grow in the gaps have fallen off, leaving the carapace smooth and clean, without a single hair.
The fangs in their mouthparts became neat and orderly, and the four tentacles on their heads—the two upper ones grew longer and thicker, drooping down their backs like hair—while the two lower tentacles disappeared, replaced by indigo eyes the size of mung beans. These sensory tentacles were organs formed to adapt to underground life. The Black Spirit Race had begun to adapt to sunlight and attempt to live on the surface. It would normally take many years for them to slowly evolve eyes, but the Evolution Cube greatly shortened this process.
The Black Spirit Race still primarily crawls, but the muscles in their two hind legs have become much stronger, seemingly allowing them to stand upright with ease.
Click, click, click—
With the first Black Spirit Race completing the transformation, it seemed to trigger a chain reaction. Large swathes of black cocoons shattered, and the newly transformed Black Spirit Race looked around in bewilderment.
The Black Spirit Race's surprise was transmitted layer by layer through the Psychic Network, and to Han Xiao, these inner thoughts sounded like the innocent voices of children.
"What... what is this feeling?"
"Such a clear view! Is this what vision is?"
"The sunlight is so bright..."
Having gained normal vision for the first time, countless Black Spirit Race felt a sense of wonder and adapted to their new organs.
Han Xiao was shocked to discover that the biggest change in the Black Spirit Race was not their appearance, but their spiritual bodies... They were born with a mind link, proving that the Black Spirit Race possessed extremely high mental talent, and now this talent had been amplified... The indirect effect was that the Black Spirit Race's brains had become more developed.
At this moment, a clear voice rang in Han Xiao's mind, making him slightly startled. This voice transmission did not go through the Whispering Stone group chat server, but was a mental transmission released directly with mental power.
"Black Star God, we will forever remember the gospel you spread."
Han Xiao looked over and saw that the Germinal Tribe leader was a size larger than the ordinary Black Spirit Race, quite conspicuous. Its beady eyes were staring at him, and the telepathic communication he had just received was from it.
"You can use your mental power now?" Han Xiao asked curiously.
The Whispering Stone is the base station of the Black Spirit Race's Psychic Network. Without this auxiliary tool, the Black Spirit Race cannot establish mental connections. However, the Germinal Tribe leader was able to complete mental communication without the Whispering Stone, which has extraordinary significance.
"I don't know either. I just suddenly feel like I can do it. I feel like I can do this." The Germinal Tribe chief shook his head, then suddenly picked up a small piece of the Whispering Stone, crunched it twice, and swallowed it. Immediately afterward, a ring of invisible energy emanated from his head.
Fording nearby, was slightly moved. "Such unique spiritual power, it has the aura of the Whispering Stone..."
The next moment, the Germinal Tribe leader's mental energy formed a new Psychic Network, turning itself into a chat server—it had undergone a benign mutation during its evolution, greatly stimulating its mental talents; there were dozens of other mutants like it.
Han Xiao's spirits lifted. Each Whispering Stone was essentially a separate Psychic Network server. Black Spirit Race within the same server could communicate with each other mentally, and the totem of the nest served as the main server for the entire tribe. Now, with the mutants capable of building their own servers, the tribe's collective mobility was further enhanced, making unified command and control easier.
This is of great significance to a race, as it has resulted in an overall enhancement of racial talents, enabling them to adapt to a wider range of environments.
"A race with such high potential might truly develop into an extremely powerful civilization in the future."
Han Xiao spoke from the depths of his heart.
Han Xiao had a feeling that preserving the Black Spirit Race was the right thing to do. He had a premonition that this casual investment would likely generate returns beyond his wildest imagination.
After bidding farewell to the Germinal Tribe, Han Xiao used the same method to complete the evolution of other tribes.
Because the Black Spirit Race migrated as a unified group, although the various tribes lived separately for ten years, they were very close to each other and scattered around the Germinal Tribe, so it didn't take much time.
Han Xiao brought about a transformation, and the Black Spirit Race was deeply grateful to him as a "god," their faith growing stronger, believing that they were a race blessed by the gods.
After Han Xiao left on his spaceship, the various tribes mobilized to carve new murals—a small figure representing Han Xiao floating in the air, with countless Black Spirit Race worshipping below.
This day was forever etched in the history of the Black Spirit Race.
The Black Spirit Race's evolution was completed faster than Han Xiao had anticipated. He traveled at a leisurely pace, searching for a stellar training method for Heber's strength cultivation, and eventually arrived at Planet Aquamarine.
Welcome home.
On the dock, Bennett watched Han Xiao step off the spaceship and smiled as if he were reuniting with an old friend.
go home...
Han Xiao was momentarily dazed, then came to his senses, suppressed certain emotions that suddenly welled up, and looked at Bennett in front of him.
Bennett's posture remained as upright as ever, his gray hair neatly combed.
Bennett was followed by a large group of executives who looked tense and fearful. Only Bennett could talk and laugh in front of Black Star, the Protector, while the other superiors were full of awe.
It had only been a few years since the Black Star's "one word destroyed a nation," and these people still remembered the example of the Six Nations governments. Faced with an interstellar figure who could decide the life and death of a regime with a single sentence, they couldn't help but feel nervous.
However, Black Star's approach has shown its effectiveness over the years. From the perspective of the entire civilization, a unified regime does have its advantages, significantly reducing internal friction and making decision-making more efficient. If a divided regime were to enter interstellar society, the current situation of the Luhan Beastmen would be a case in point.
"You look very energetic." Han Xiao nodded in greeting, then turned his gaze to the little boy next to Bennett.
Nero tilted his head back, staring at Han Xiao with a look of curiosity.
He had seen Han Xiao's image in textbooks countless times and had even recited his deeds, but this was the first time he had seen him in person.
"Call someone," Bennett said with a chuckle, ruffling Nero's hair.
"Godfather," Nero said timidly.
"Good boy." Han Xiao smiled, bent down and picked up Nero, holding him steadily in his arms, and tapped Nero's forehead with his finger.
Nero is Bennett's child. Bennett decided to stay on Planet Aquamarine and entrusted the child to him, so he was naturally willing to take care of his old friend's child.
Nero was initially nervous because of Han Xiao's high status, but Han Xiao was very kind to him, and he quickly relaxed and laughed.
"Here's a toy for you."
With a casual wave of his hand, Han Xiao sent nanoparticles flying out of his clothes, which quickly transformed into a black and gold shuttle-shaped floating guardian that hovered nimbly around Nero.
This is a high-level orange-tier item with a stable dark energy reactor as its energy core. It is versatile, capable of both offense and defense, and possesses multiple functions.
Han Xiao's palm ignited a ball of blue-gold electric sparks, which surged into the floating guardian. At this moment, he added the permanent amplification [Emperor's Gift] and [Mechanical Fusion·Enhancement] to this machine, giving it growth potential.
"This floating guardian is for your self-defense; you can name it."
Han Xiao pinched his fingers, creating a nanoscale Neural Link device, and casually implanted it into Nero's head. There was no pain. He then added, "It can act according to your thoughts, but this thing is very powerful. It's best not to use it on people, especially not to hit your dad."
This orange-grade machine, manufactured to Beyond Grade A, boasts extremely powerful performance. Even without Mechanical Force enhancements, this single floating guardian can easily deal with Grade C superhumans. These machines have no level restrictions, making them practically divine artifacts for low-level superhumans; he doesn't even sell them to players.
Nero tried to control the floating guardian. With a thought, the floating guardian acted according to his will, as if it were his own arm. His eyes lit up, as if he had discovered a new continent.
"Thank you, godfather!" Nero exclaimed with delight, hugging Han Xiao's neck and nuzzling him affectionately.
"Go have some fun." Han Xiao laughed, put Nero down, and turned to head towards the government building with Bennett.
As they walked, Bennett began to report on the situation.
"I've issued mobilization orders in various cities, and the gathering is almost complete. As for those who were missed, there's nothing I can do about it."
He explained the situation of the Evolution Cube to the people of Planet Aquamarine, and those who wanted to evolve would gather voluntarily, which would save a lot of time.
However, some people, harboring various motives, were unwilling to be summoned.
"Let those who missed it go. I'm not forcing everyone to accept evolution." Han Xiao shook his head. "By the way, I'll use it on you first."
Upon hearing this, Bennett gave a wry smile, "I actually didn't want to use it either..."
"You're different." Han Xiao waved his hand, speaking with conviction, "It involves the evolution of the entire civilization. Can you really trust us without personally experiencing it for the people?"
Bennett shook his head helplessly, offering no rebuttal.
"Oh, and Nero..." Han Xiao paused, "Let me take him to interstellar space this time, and I'll help him become a superhuman."
"He's still too young..." Bennett paused, taken aback.
"The sooner Nilo becomes a superhuman, the better. Since you want Nero to roam the universe in the future, it's best to let him get used to interstellar life as soon as possible, which will also improve his cognitive level."
Besides, with me here, what are you worried about? Do you think I would kidnap your child? He's my godson. I'll take him on a journey through space for a few months and then send him back."
Han Xiao smiled.
"Well, alright then." Bennett hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. He chose to stay on the home planet, but he didn't want to restrict Nero's future because of his own reasons.
At that moment, Han Xiao suddenly remembered something.
He knew he had to nurture his old friend's child, so he remembered he needed to check Nero's attributes.
Turning around, they saw Nero following behind them, happily playing with his new toy.
Han Xiao secretly released a weak Mechanical Force, causing the nanoparticles to deform into a thin metal needle invisible to the naked eye, and remotely controlled it to prick Nero's buttocks.
"Ouch!" Nero cried out in pain in his buttocks, feeling as if something had pricked him. He quickly looked around but found nothing.
Because 1 point of damage was triggered, the combat information popped up on the panel, and Nero's attributes were displayed to him without reservation.
Han Xiao glanced at it, his gaze suddenly freezing, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
Nero is currently just an ordinary child with an empty attribute panel and very few abilities. However, in the specialty section, there is a golden ability that moves Han Xiao.
Template Specialty - [High-Level Lucky Halo]!
"This... this is the same level of Lucky Halo as Fording's! Is this kid a high-level protagonist type?!" Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he almost wanted to rub his eyes.
Bennett's life trajectory in his previous life was completely different; there was no such person as Nero in his previous life, and this was the first time he had ever met him!
Bennett has Low-Level Lucky Halo, but his son has a high-level one? The probability is too low! Is this thing hereditary?!
At that moment, a bold guess came to mind.
"Could it be... that I played a part in Nero's High-Level Lucky Halo?"
Upon closer reflection, Nero's father is the leader of the Aquamarine Federation, and his godfather is the renowned Black Star. He received personal training from Beyond Grade A expert from a young age. Isn't that incredible luck?!
Han Xiao was completely surprised and delighted that such high-quality chives would grow in his own vegetable garden, and even the way he looked at Nero changed.
Although Nero is just a little kid now, in Han Xiao's eyes, this kid has already become a treasure exuding the aura of a lucky king.
If he had only decided to take care of Nero before out of courtesy, now he genuinely wanted to nurture this promising talent!
This kind of high-level protagonist character will achieve at least a Calamity Grade in the future!
"What a pleasant surprise..."
Han Xiao became excited.