Chapter 1030: Competitors' Movements

Chapter 1030: The Movements of Rivals

“You wish for me to seize that renowned Chaos Secret Ability on behalf of the Empire?”

Somewhere within an imperial ally stronghold in the Free Competition Zone of the Shining World, Ravenlaude received word from the imperial high command, his expression one of sheer surprise.

As a member of the elder vanguard and bearing the moniker “Arcane Fox,” Ravenlaude held considerable weight among the Empire’s Super-A tier allies, ranking above lesser figures like Cole and Beony who languished at the bottom of the food chain; positioned as a mid-tier combatant among the coalition, he harbored no deep enmity toward Black Star, their relationship merely a cordial acquaintance marked by mutual non-interference.

—Of course, Ravenlaude remained unaware that Han Xiao had already snatched the Temporal Amber originally destined for him; otherwise, he would likely have already joined the Empire’s anti-Black Star alliance, which currently boasted only a single member, Herber.

It was entirely customary for the Empire to seek his assistance, yet what truly startled Ravenlaude was the news of the Chaos Secret Ability’s emergence, an intelligence he was hearing for the very first time that day.

“The Chaos Secret Ability…” Ravenlaude’s gaze flickered with calculation.

To be honest, a spark of temptation ignited within him.

Such primordial ability cores, listed among the ultra-high danger classifications, were exceedingly rare, gifts of fate rather than pursuit; if secured, it could easily forge a formidable lieutenant, or, through binding incantations, be sealed within a specialized arcane automaton to harness its power, potentially elevating it to the caliber of a cosmic treasure and transforming it into a weapon of immense magical might.

Yet these covetous thoughts lingered in his mind for merely a few seconds before Ravenlaude extinguished them.

His dominion lay within the Constellation Corridor, deeply entrenched under the Empire’s shadow; for the sake of a single Chaos Secret Ability, it was hardly worth defying imperial decree.

The Empire had shared this intelligence precisely to enlist his aid; should he let greed take root, he would incur their wrath, a reckless gamble that offered far more peril than profit.

“Still, a cosmic treasure…”

A faint reluctance stirred within Ravenlaude, not from a lack of magnanimity to relinquish the Chaos Secret Ability, but because ever since witnessing Han Xiao’s Temporal Amber, a hollow ache had taken residence in his chest, a persistent sense of missing out that had crystallized into an obsession with cosmic treasures.

Such a mindset was akin to a young child spotting a delightful toy in another’s hands and feeling an irresistible urge to claim one for himself.

In a single word: envy.

“If the Chaos Secret Ability holds value comparable to a cosmic treasure, it is the perfect moment to negotiate terms with the Empire.”

A notion struck him, and he promptly relayed his demands to the Empire: should they require his assistance, they must offer a cosmic treasure from their vaults in exchange.

Not long after his proposal, the imperial response arrived, conceding to Ravenlaude’s terms but attaching stipulations.

Should the Chaos Secret Ability manifest elsewhere, Ravenlaude would receive only modest resource subsidies as compensation, a token acknowledgment of effort rather than merit.

However, if it emerged within the Emerald Star Cluster, and Ravenlaude successfully seized it, he would be granted the privilege of selecting a single cosmic treasure from the imperial armory.

Accompanying the reply was a ledger detailing the cosmic treasures available for exchange, predominantly combat apparatus, identical to the inventory once offered to Han Xiao in trade for the Evolution Cube.

Ravenlaude perused the list meticulously, nodding in quiet satisfaction.

Han Xiao might dismiss such items, but Ravenlaude held them in high regard… inevitably so, for as a magnate already wielding the Evolution Cube and Temporal Amber, Han Xiao’s satiated status blinded him to the hunger of others, rendering ordinary cosmic treasures beneath his notice.

With compensation secured, Ravenlaude finally found his motivation; he scrutinized the roster of rival factions provided by the Empire and allowed a confident smile to grace his lips.

—Plucking a prize from the grasp of mere minnows could hardly be difficult.

…

Somewhere within the uncharted expanses of the Emerald Star Cluster, a fleet surged forward at high-speed warp velocity, its hulls stripped of insignia, rendering its origins utterly indistinguishable.

Aboard the command vessel, a tall figure draped in violet robes stood before the navigation console, radiating an aura of untouchable authority, his gaze fixed silently upon the star chart where a crimson marker denoted the coordinates of the Chaos Secret Ability’s emergence.

Beside him, a fish-like creature bound by arcane cords trembled with anxiety, its voice quivering as it stammered repeatedly:

“Lord Arcanum, I swear upon my life that this intelligence is genuine, an absolute relic of the Alien Deities, not some fabricated falsehood of my own making!”

“I trust it is, for you are well aware of the consequences should it prove otherwise.”

The voice rang out with icy detachment as the violet figure turned his gaze upon him; his exposed flesh was a canvas of intricate, ornate magical runes pulsing with a faint luminescence, leaving not a single patch of unmarked skin, resembling a fervent devotee of extreme tattooing.

Like “Beast Ancestor” Gorutan, this individual served as a patron of the interstellar black market, renowned throughout the arcane circles as the “Lord Arcanum,” possessing staggering mastery in runic thaumaturgy, alchemical augmentation, and occult sciences; particularly in the latter, his epithet stemmed from widespread rumors that he commanded a sorcery capable of manipulating “fortune,” alongside unparalleled skill in divination and prophecy.

Every tattoo upon his body constituted a forbidden-tier personal runic enchantment, granting profound enhancements to his physical form; the faction under the Lord Arcanum’s command was distinguished by its extraordinarily advanced runic thaumaturgical technology, evident even in his subordinates, each clad in exquisite rune-infused arcane armor, their exposed skin similarly etched with complex magical sigils.

The Lord Arcanum turned his gaze back to the star chart, a subtle ripple disturbing his otherwise impassive eyes.

“The Chaos Secret Ability…”

Not long ago, a sudden divination had foretold a momentous event within the Emerald Star Cluster that might prove advantageous to him; leveraging the black market’s networks, he conducted a thorough investigation, and under the guidance of favorable fortune, uncovered a minor faction that had previously plundered Alien Deity relics, one that currently held the coordinates to the Chaos Secret Ability; after capturing and interrogating them, the Lord Arcanum found himself genuinely intrigued.

He was a man who harbored no qualms about augmenting his power through external means, his body brimming with personal enchantments serving as testament; furthermore, he commanded a vast arsenal of superior magical artifacts, driven by a compulsive hoarding instinct for rare curiosities, making it only natural that he would seek to insert himself into the pursuit of such a rarity as the Chaos Secret Ability.

Due to the vast distances involved, he had dispatched senior officers to monitor the other coordinates, but the Emerald Star Cluster, holding the highest probability, warranted his personal attendance.

“I wonder which factions will descend to claim it…”

The question flickered through the Lord Arcanum’s mind before swiftly dissipating; he possessed unwavering confidence in his own forces.

Whatever faction arrived would simply be crushed; how many could possibly stand against a Super-A tier powerhouse like himself?

…

Elsewhere within the Emerald Star Cluster, at a stronghold of the Modo Civilization.

An elite contingent composed of Catastrophe-tier superhumans assembled at a concealed dock, where Commander Rodic of the Modo Expeditionary Fleet and Overseer Lagos stood at the forefront, inspecting the ranks.

“The operation to secure the Chaos Secret Ability rests in your capable hands.” Rodic bowed his head solemnly toward the assembled troops.

Several advanced civilizations had also secured fragments of intelligence regarding Alien Deity relics, and the Modo Civilization, being among those privy to the Chaos Secret Ability’s existence, had no intention of letting such a prize slip away.

While other locations were assigned to different parties, the coordinates within the Emerald Star Cluster fell under the jurisdiction of Rodic’s Expeditionary Fleet.

Ever since the Expeditionary Fleet had suffered an ambush by a “mysterious faction,” Rodic, under pressure from the high command, had grown considerably more vigilant, exercising extreme caution in the deployment of subsequent supply convoys.

Yet it proved futile; reinforcements transferred from the Shattered Star Ring continued to fall victim to attacks by “unknown entities” en route, causing significant delays.

Fortunately, upon entering the Free Competition Zone, allied Super-Cluster civilizations, united in their interests regarding the Shining World, extended modest aid, easing the plight of the Modo expeditionary forces; with a substantial gathering of bodyguards, Rodic’s troops ceased to suffer further ambushes within the Emerald Star Cluster.

Thus freed from immediate threats, he mobilized his elite units, preparing to fulfill the high command’s directive and dispatch agents to capture the Chaos Secret Ability.

Super-Cluster civilizations boasted vast territories and abundant resources, maintaining deep reserves of high-tier combatants; with tens of thousands of Catastrophe-tier warriors at their disposal, they dwarfed galaxy-level civilizations that could muster merely a dozen or two.

The Modo Civilization placed immense value on its expeditionary forces, conscripting over a hundred Catastrophe-tier combatants for the endeavor; this elite detachment tasked with capturing the Chaos Secret Ability comprised forty percent of the fleet’s Catastrophe-tier officers, numbering roughly forty to fifty individuals, a formidable armed force capable of dominating any opposition below the Super-A tier.

For this operation, the Modo Civilization deliberately withheld notification from its allied Super-Cluster civilizations, intending to claim the prize alone… after all, there was only one Chaos Secret Ability, and it could not be divided.

Other civilizations might possess the same intelligence, but the Modo Civilization certainly had no intention of volunteering it.

Watching the fleet slip into stealth mode and depart quietly, Lagos approached Rodic, his voice laced with concern as he asked:

“Is it not too reckless to dispatch so many? Should any misfortune befall them, we would lose a vast number of elite talents, and as you know, cultivating a single Catastrophe-tier warrior is exceedingly difficult…”

“I have instructed them to exercise caution; should a Super-A tier entity intervene, they will proceed with utmost prudence, but if not, they will utterly overwhelm any competing factions.” Rodic replied in a grave tone.

“Yet with them gone, our stronghold’s defenses will be hollowed out; are you not afraid that the Black… the mysterious faction might launch an assault upon us?” Lagos’s eyes darted nervously.

“Hmph, our Super-Cluster alliance strongholds watch over one another, and we have even contracted several Super-A tier guardians; these individuals are far more reliable than Garoze. What does it matter if Black Star’s influence is vast? He dares not make a move against us.”

Rodic snorted coldly, his tone resolute.

This was no longer the time for solitary marches; back then, isolated and unsupported, they had been powerless against ambushes, but now with allies gathered and defenses impregnable, should Black Star dare to provoke them, he would face the united fury of the entire Super-Cluster alliance; Rodic did not believe Black Star would risk such a confrontation.

…

Meanwhile, within the Free Competition Zone, at a stronghold of the Star-Pupil Divine Clan.

Following the opening of the Shining World, Xisco naturally seized the opportunity, entering alongside the Void Spirit Sect to expand his influence and establish a foothold within the Free Competition Zone.

With the three major civilizations maintaining a tacit peace in the region, Xisco had faced no targeted hostility of late, enjoying a comfortably prosperous existence; watching his exploration fleets thrive, he felt a profound sense of contentment.

“Let us observe the situation for now; should we manage to secure a stable foothold in the Shining World, we can relocate a portion of our clan here to establish a new branch and continue our lineage.”

At the apex of the base, Xisco gazed upward into the heavens, quietly formulating his plans for relocation.

Just then, an officer hurried up the steps.

“Leader, the base radar has detected two fleets drawing near, seemingly engaged in combat. One side has only three warships left and is on the verge of collapse. Judging by their trajectory, the flames of war will soon engulf our outpost. What are your orders?”

Xisco cast seven glances at the radar display and issued a calm command: “Drive them off. Tell them not to brawl on my turf.”

The order was relayed, and subordinates moved swiftly to comply, yet after a short while, the same officer hurried back.

“Leader, the hostiles have been driven away, but the survivors we rescued refuse to depart. Among them is a Calamity-tier esper who believes you saved them and has declared his intention to bring his forces under our banner.”

“Surrender to me?” Xisco paused, a complex mixture of emotions stirring within him.

It suddenly struck him that since Black Star had relentlessly targeted him, no talents had come to his side for quite some time; he had nearly forgotten what it felt like to command the prestige of a Super-A rank.

How refreshing it was to feel that long-lost sensation again…

“Summon him. I wish to see him.” Xisco felt a quiet satisfaction, his demeanor softening considerably as he prepared to receive the man personally, a gesture meant to convey respect.

Moments later, the defector of Calamity rank was brought before Xisco, bearing considerable wounds that spoke plainly of a brutal engagement.

“I pay my respects, Lord Star-Pupil.” The man’s face was etched with gratitude, and despite his aching body, he bowed with solemn reverence. “You spared my life. I pledge myself to your command and shall serve you faithfully.”

“Indeed, it was merely a trivial matter.” Xisco maintained a placid expression, though inwardly he relished the compliment; the man’s deference once more restored to him the dignified aura of a Super-A.

“To repay your kindness, I wish to present a token of my allegiance: a piece of invaluable intelligence.”

“What intelligence?” Xisco asked, curiosity piqued.

“Clues to that legendary, ultra-high-risk ability: the Chaos Arcane Power!”

At these words, Xisco fell still, a spark of keen interest igniting simultaneously across all seven of his eyes.

……

At that very moment, within the Black Star Palace.

“What? He invited me here, only to step out himself?!”

Ames narrowed her eyes, and the temperature in the chamber seemed to plummet a hundred degrees in an instant. A mighty force field surged forth, rumbling like thunder, causing the high-strength alloy floors and walls to tremble violently, groaning with grating tears as visible distortions and fractures rapidly spread.

Aurora’s knees grew weak, and she lowered her head with a guilty conscience.

An angry teacher… so, so terrifying.

From the sheer, oppressive weight of that force field alone, she could palpably feel Ames’s simmering wrath.

To eagerly accept an invitation, travel all this distance, and only to be stood up… anyone would be furious…

No, it was worse than merely being stood up. To summon her here when he was clearly not home felt like a deliberate prank.

Even Ames, a woman as carefree and laid-back as they came, could not suppress the irritation of being toyed with.

Aurora swallowed hard and ventured cautiously, “Teacher, perhaps you could stay here for a while. Uncle will surely return.”

Ames shot her a cold glance and retorted instinctively:

“Do you think I have nothing better to do?”

The words hung in the air, and both fell into sudden silence.

Aurora hesitated, words catching in her throat.

Did she not know in her own heart how thoroughly she played the idle salted fish?

The two stared at each other in wide-eyed silence, the atmosphere growing steadily more awkward.

After a long, silent exchange of glances, Ames suddenly reined in her raging force field. Without so much as a flicker of emotion, she deliberately adopted a tone of casual indifference:

“Staying for a while isn’t a bad idea. I came primarily to see you. Whether Black Star is here or not matters little to me. The sight of him irritates me; his absence is preferable.”

Aurora: “…”

Swayed by the First Law of Self-Rationalization, she found herself believing it.