After dispelling the Dominion clone, Han Xiao's consciousness returned to his main body, and the scene before him transformed back into the Mechanical Divine Throne room of the Black Star Palace in the Shattered World.
He took off the Evolution Cube he was wearing around his neck, held it up to his face and examined it closely; the small silver cube reflected a shimmering Glimmer.
"It's been over twenty years since I got you from Sisko..."
Han Xiao stroked the Evolution Cube, feeling its cool touch on his fingertips, and a sense of familiarity rose from the bottom of his heart.
According to the incomplete data on the Evolutionary Civilization in the legacy of the Sorokin, Han Xiao had already resonated with the Evolution Cube and formed a soul connection.
If he were to hand it over to the Empire, he didn't know if the Empire would require him to sever the connection and replace the spot with a direct descendant of the Empire, such as the Dark Emperor, who would be Beyond Grade A.
Shaking his head, Han Xiao put the matter aside for the time being and considered it slowly. He put the Evolution Cube back on, stood up and left the room, heading to the inner ring base outside the palace to find Fording.
After glancing at Phillip's surveillance footage, Han Xiao saw Fording chatting with Aurora, Hadavy, and others at the senior citizens' activity center. He then took a hovercraft and entered the base, arriving at the guard officer's private activity room.
As soon as he entered the room, he heard Hadavy's smug voice.
"... I sensed it. A few days ago, my ability strength improved again, and subtle changes occurred in my deep-seated genes. I feel that the door to Beyond Grade A has already opened a crack for me."
Aurora looked at Fording, "How many times has he said that?"
"The two hundred and thirty-third time," Fording chuckled.
"Exactly! They keep saying they're going to reach Beyond Grade A, but it's been over ten years and there's still no sign of it," Aurora couldn't help but complain.
"Don't you believe me? Every time I spar with the Legion Commander's Apostle Weapon, I improve, just a little bit," Hadavy scoffed.
"Sparring? You mean getting beaten up?" Fording shrugged.
"So what if I got hit? That's just how my ability is," Hadavy retorted. "At least I lasted longer than you. After all, I'm Black Star's ace."
Hadavy's superpower is to enhance his physical defense and become stronger. Being beaten is his way of Species Metamorphosis. He uses external forces to modify his own cells and genes, as if he is forging himself with the help of others.
Since he is already a peak- Calamity Grade superhuman, only attacks with Beyond Grade A power can now stimulate his transformation.
After the emergence of the Apostle Weapon led by Dark Emperor, Han Xiao handed over the task of beating up Hadavy to the Apostle Weapon. As he continued to grow stronger, the power of the Apostle Weapon also increased. Since they were able to fight against Beyond Grade A, they were naturally more than capable of crushing Calamity Grade. Hadavy would often go to the Apostle Weapon to spar and get beaten up.
Due to his outstanding defensive capabilities, he could withstand the attacks of the Apostle Weapon for a long time, surpassing other Royal Guard officers. Having endured over twenty years of brutal beatings, Hadavy's progress accumulated little by little, resulting in a significant improvement in his combat strength. As Beyond Grade A Seed, he always considered himself the Legion's number one warrior.
At this moment, everyone heard footsteps, turned to look at Han Xiao as he walked in, and stood up to greet him.
"Sit down, everyone. I just came to take a look." Han Xiao waved his hand and walked over to Fording, putting his arm around his shoulder.
"Not again?" Fording sighed, raised his hand and punched Han Xiao's chest, without struggling.
Over the years, he's gotten used to it—male friendships are simple; the more you touch each other, the better the relationship becomes.
As Black Star's reputation grows, more and more officers feel reserved in front of Han Xiao. Within the Legion, only a few old friends, including Fording, can be so casual with Han Xiao.
While contentedly basking in the good fortune, Han Xiao turned to Aurora, looked Aurora up and down, and asked, "How's your life energy accumulation going?"
Aurora smiled, as if sunshine had filled the room. "It's already huge. I can feel that if we accumulate for another six months, we can cross the threshold of Calamity Grade."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao nodded.
Aurora's life-giving ability causes her life energy to rise constantly, leading to continuous physical transformation, improved constitution, optimized genes, and eternal youth.
Once you reach Grade B, the way your life ability is upgraded is different. It's difficult for Aurora to train deliberately. She needs to wait for her life energy to accumulate automatically until the total amount exceeds the standard for the next rank, then she can advance smoothly.
This approach has both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that progress is slow. A certain amount of life energy is generated each day based on the level. Using special abilities to consume life energy will cause the upgrade progress to regress. Aurora has made a lot of life potions before, but has not yet reached the Calamity Grade. Now this work is rarely carried out.
But the benefits are long-term: there are almost no bottlenecks. As long as her life energy reaches the standard, she can advance naturally, which means that advancing to Beyond Grade A is only a matter of time for her, although it may take hundreds or thousands of years.
In fact, Hila absorbs the life energy of others to enhance herself and accelerate her advancement, while Aurora shares her own life energy with others, slowing down her own growth. Their abilities and advancement methods are completely opposite.
"By the way, Uncle, when will my sister be back?" Aurora couldn't help but ask.
"I don't know." Han Xiao shook his head. "I specifically sent them messages a few days ago, but they didn't reply or answer my calls. They've probably gone on an adventure to some Secondary Dimension and can't receive the quantum network's signal."
"Hmm, it's been so many years, I miss my sister." Aurora puffed out her cheeks, looking a little annoyed.
"I'm thinking about it too." Han Xiao nodded.
"Me too," Hadavy chimed in.
The two of them immediately turned to stare at him, their faces showing a look of astonishment, as if asking, "What's it to you?"
Hadavy crossed his arms and sneered, "She's been gone for twenty years, yet she still holds the honorary title of Captain of the Royal Guard. Fording is only temporarily in charge, and I'm still just a vice-captain. I can't even find anyone to challenge her position."
"So that's how it is." Aurora breathed a sigh of relief and patted her trembling chest. "I thought you had feelings for my sister."
"Your sister is so cold, how could she possibly be interested in me?" Under Han Xiao's gaze, Hadavy coughed and muttered under his breath, "Besides, how could I dare to say that..."
When Hadavy first joined Black Star's ranks, he had little experience, so even though he was a Beyond Grade A Seed, he was willing to temporarily serve under Hila as a vice-captain.
Now, so many years have passed, and Hadavy has gone from a newcomer to a veteran. His strength has improved, and he is more confident. In addition, Hila has been gone for twenty years. He feels that he is qualified and does not want to be subordinate to other Calamity Grade anymore. He wants a higher position and to become the captain of the Royal Guard.
This is beneficial to his reputation in the universe. The title of Captain of the Black Star Army's Guard, like that of the Chief Vanguard Officers in the War Realm, has an influence boost. While pursuing strength, Hadavy occasionally considers this aspect as well.
"Sure, once Hila returns, if you can defeat her, you'll be the captain of the Royal Guard," Han Xiao said with a smile.
"Okay, it's settled then." Hadavy perked up.
After chatting for a while, Han Xiao left the room and walked down the corridor. As soon as he stepped out, he opened the panel and selected to complete Silver Shadow's Beyond Grade A challenge mission.
[Silver Shadow] is complete!
[You have completed all task requirements and have gained 245e experience.]
[You have obtained the [Character Summon Card - Silver Shadow]]
[Character Summon Card - Silver Shadow: [Comet Glide] - For a short time, Agility +15%, Movement Speed +45%, Acceleration Efficiency +300%, removes speed cap, allowing unlimited acceleration, lasts 12 seconds, maximum uses: 0/4]
[You have received a reward: draw one of Silver Shadow's abilities (skills/feats)]
[Note: Silver Shadow is a martial artist; some of the abilities available for extraction have been automatically adjusted based on your class.]
[Randomly selecting... Selection complete!]
Please choose one of the following five abilities as a reward:
[1. [Charge - Endless Charge] - Skill: Your next melee attack will deal additional damage based on the sprint distance. The longer the distance, the higher the damage, with no upper limit. At the same time, you will suffer a recoil, taking 70% of the impact damage of this attack. It consumes 200 Qi and 3000 Stamina, with a 240s cooldown. -- To smash others or to smash yourself, that is the question.]
[2. [Dark Energy Absorption] - Skill: You can absorb free-floating dark energy from outer space, restoring 15%~25% of your stamina each time. Consumes 800 stamina. Cooldown: 24 seconds]
[3. [Nuclear Force - Structural Reinforcement] - Feat: The cellular particles that make up your body form a more stable distribution structure. You gain 12% absolute resistance to physical damage. You True Damage Immunity. Special attacks such as armor penetration and shockwaves are ineffective against you (not immune, but converted into normal damage)]
[4. [Self-Refresh] - Skill: Removes all negative status effects on the body (except [Silence] and [Energy Restriction]), consumes 300 Qi, cooldown 420s]
[5. [Heavy Speed Critical Hit] - Skill: Passive skill. When you begin to accelerate, your melee critical strike chance and critical strike damage multiplier will rapidly increase, providing up to 80% critical strike chance and 375% critical strike damage. This effect remains constant while you maintain speed. When your speed decreases and you do not recover to your peak speed within 2.5 seconds, this effect will begin to irreversibly decay after 8 seconds, returning to zero after 4 seconds. After returning to zero, it will have a 120-second cooldown to reactivate. -- Life is about movement, keep running!]
"The quality of this sample is quite high." Han Xiao's eyes lit up.
She has a template specialty, and her other skills are also excellent. Apart from luck, the main reason is that Silver Shadow's abilities are of average quality.
After a careful look, Han Xiao ruled out [Dark Energy Absorption] first. Martial artists rely on their strength, so this is a very important way to replenish their energy. However, he has a more efficient way to recover mana by taking hits, so he doesn't need this.
Generally speaking, Han Xiao usually draws templates after obtaining a template feat. However, the core effect of [Nuclear Force - Structural Reinforcement] is True Damage Immunity, which overlaps with the ability given by the Germinal Leader.
The additional 12% absolute physical resistance and immunity to shockwaves, armor penetration, and other damage are useful, but their cost-effectiveness isn't that high.
It's already very tanky, mainly relying on its terrifying regeneration to Grand Theft Auto. This slight increase in defense is negligible. Last time it ravaged the Little Tyrant, it gained [Legendary Fixed Damage Reduction], which is enough for it.
This time, the inner desire to express itself finally took hold, and the serfs sang songs of rebellion, rising up in revolt.
After thinking for a while, he made his choice.
[You have learned the skill [Charge - Endless Charge]!]
"This one suits me better," Han Xiao thought to himself.
[Heavy Speed Critical Hit] is good, but it is limited to the main body's melee critical strike rate and must be triggered by movement. It is very suitable for Silver Shadow's fighting style, relying on agile speed to strike repeatedly, like a flying sword coming and going. However, it is not so suitable for himself.
In comparison, [Charge - Endless Charge] is much more powerful. It provides unlimited additional damage based on the sprint distance, but the user also suffers 70% of the same amount of damage. It has great power, but also great side effects.
As the saying goes, heaven is to the left, and stubborn fools are to the right. Even if they die in battle, they will fall on the road to charge. This is a mutually destructive and suicidal attack tactic.
Coincidentally, in the field of Heaven and Earth Share the Same Lifespan, Master Han is undoubtedly an expert, leading the industry by at least eighty or a hundred years!
They have their own ways of recovering mana when attacked and can exchange health for mana, making them not only resilient but also unafraid of reflected damage.
Besides, I'm a rich, handsome, and skilled mechanic. I don't need to go in person at all. I can just use the Dominion's clone to crash into things. That way, there's no risk at all. I'm even more suited to this ability than the Silver Shadow himself!
As long as the movement distance is sufficient, a headbutt can potentially deal millions of damage, making it a potentially decisive move.
"This ability is reliable! Finally, I have a powerful attack skill. Silver Shadow is really generous, giving me such a great gift."
Han Xiao was secretly delighted.
This young man is a good friend; I'll have to look after him from now on.