Chapter 1031: Difficult Path of Evolution and Emergence

Chapter 1031: The Arduous Path of Evolution and the Emergence

Within the Black Star vessel.

"So, Emrys has already arrived? Let her stay at my place for a while... Oh? You've already handled her? Well done. I'll reward you with a little red flower when I return."

Han Xiao gazed at Aurora's pouting visage on the comm screen, a broad smile playing on his lips.

After settling Emrys, Aurora contacted Han Xiao at once to explain the situation, her tone laced with quiet reproach... He had deliberately stood up their teacher, forcing her to face the situation alone. That scoundrel Black Star was truly wicked.

"You'd best have a word with her, or His Excellency of the Dragon Throne will surely be even more displeased."

"I have my own plans. See to her comfort, and let your charm work its magic to soothe her temper. I shall explain everything to her once I return."

Han Xiao exchanged a few more words before severing the transmission, shaking his head with a soft chuckle.

His invitation to Emrys to visit the Black Star palace had been deliberate, designed to deepen the prevailing misconception that his true form remained at the main base. It also served to bolster the base's defenses during his absence, primarily to shield Aurora and the others.

After all, the arts of mysticism were manifold. With Hela's brilliance now fully revealed, divinations upon her were inevitable. One could never be certain if some seer might pierce the veil and discern the fortified life-link now binding Aurora and Hela. It was always prudent to guard against opportunists striking at one's home front.

Setting that matter aside, Han Xiao summoned a dossier transmitted by the Empire a few days prior and began to read it once more.

Following his ascension, he had inquired of the Empire regarding the "Divine Metamorphosis" and the "First Sanctuary," securing a cache of classified intelligence.

The documents revealed that upon reaching the zenith of the Super-A tier, one must delve deeper into the essence of their psionic framework and genetic code. At this elevated stratum of existence, subtle shifts occur, birthing a novel, supplementary path of ascension known as the "Divine Metamorphosis."

Each stage of this metamorphosis constituted a unique elevation, bestowing novel powers. It was as if life itself had breached a threshold, giving birth to fresh "divine faculties." Most zenith Super-A entities regarded this as a crucial stepping stone toward that unknown, loftier realm. Yet, the Divine Metamorphosis seemed boundless; no one had ever been recorded as completing it entirely, leaving it shrouded in mystery.

The Empire expressed no surprise at Han Xiao's inquiry. Given Black Star's current standing, exposure to such esoteric domains was hardly unexpected. Moreover, having recently convened the Assembly of Gods, it was highly probable he had heard the term from other zenith Super-A figures and merely sought to verify it through official channels.

Acquiring this dossier had cost him a measure of factional contribution points. It contained not merely introductory lore, but also the Empire's own research, alongside the insights and accumulated experiences of successive zenith Super-A pioneers, granting Han Xiao a far clearer understanding of the metamorphosis's effects.

However, he found no alternative means within the text to acquire points for the Divine Metamorphosis; it appeared such points could only be garnered through the elevation of one's life stratum, that is, through ascension.

Yet, the information proved valuable. As Han Xiao sifted through the records, a pattern gradually emerged: the number of Divine Metamorphosis points yielded by each life-stratum elevation was variable, seemingly contingent upon multiple factors.

Though others lacked a status panel to quantify their attributes, Han Xiao cross-referenced the data with his own calculations and conjectures. The conditions influencing the point yield per ascension likely included: a primary attribute exceeding twenty thousand, secondary attributes surpassing fifteen thousand, an energy tier above eighty-five thousand, mastery of all class-related knowledge, and a soul-bond with a cosmic artifact, among others.

For each of these conditions met, an additional point would be awarded per ascension. His initial yield of two points indicated he had satisfied precisely two of these prerequisites.

"So, to amass more points, one must cultivate deeply before striking?" Han Xiao mused silently.

Securing two points on his first attempt was neither exceptional nor poor; it was merely adequate.

By that logic, within the zenith Super-A tier, deliberately suppressing one's level was actually the prevailing strategy, as ascending only after fulfilling more conditions yielded the greatest returns.

"If my suspicions are correct, the subsequent ascension trials will likely mandate that my Divine Metamorphosis reaches a certain tier..."

A thought struck Han Xiao, and his silent conjecture instantly illuminated the core of the difficulty.

Should an ordinary zenith Super-A entity fail to cultivate adequately, resulting in insufficient metamorphosis points upon ascension, and thus fall short of the tier required for the next breakthrough, their path upward would be utterly sealed, forever halting their evolution!

Their power would consequently be capped!

"No wonder. The difficulty is staggering, leaving no room for error. Perhaps this is precisely why no zenith Super-A entity has ever managed to step into that higher realm," Han Xiao thought, his mind reeling.

A single misstep would plunge one into an abyss from which there was no return. It was, indeed, terrifying.

Yet, after a moment's reflection, he abandoned any notion of suppressing his level for the sake of accumulating metamorphosis points.

The existence of the mission settlement card allowed him to bypass all manner of stringent ascension prerequisites...

Few points gained from a single ascension?

Then simply ascend multiple times!

Rapid leveling was his greatest advantage; suppressing his level was chasing shadows while neglecting the root. The Divine Metamorphosis was undoubtedly valuable, but the raw power surge from ascension far outweighed it.

Han Xiao's resolve was crystal clear:

——It mattered not how high his metamorphosis tier stood; what truly counted was being stronger than everyone else!

While the intelligence on the Divine Metamorphosis had been acquired smoothly, the news regarding the First Sanctuary left Han Xiao genuinely startled.

For even the Empire had no knowledge of what it was!

"Because my panel elevated, I learned that upon ascension I had acquired a skill fragment for the [First Sanctuary]. Does this mean no other zenith Super-A entity in history has ever obtained this ability, leaving it entirely undiscovered?"

Han Xiao was quietly astonished. Not even the Three Great Civilizations possessed records of it. This was likely a groundbreaking discovery, one that set a precedent.

What exactly did "Sanctuary" denote? It sounded like a location... And if there was a First, did that imply the existence of a Second or a Third Sanctuary?

"If only [The Bold Explorer] could be applied to this," Han Xiao lamented slightly. That ability functioned solely on unknown artifacts and locations, rendering it useless against skill fragments within his panel.

Stowing his comm device, Han Xiao turned his gaze to the viewport. Beyond lay not the pitch-black void of space, but a resplendent sea of light.

They were positioned somewhere within the central expanse of the Emerald Star Cluster, where a vast, cloud-like luminous nebula stretched across the void. Gas and dust permeated the region, the former ionized by stellar radiation to emit a radiant glow. Simultaneously, the nebula reflected, scattered, and projected the light of nearby stars, both regionally and on a cosmic scale. The entire sector was awash in hues of green and crimson, possessing a dreamlike, ethereal beauty.

In a cosmos where the vast majority of space was shrouded in darkness, this was a rare and breathtaking spectacle.

"The emergence point of the Chaos Secret Energy lies within this nebula. It is time to make my arrangements."

Han Xiao piloted his stealth vessel, seeking a concealed vantage point. He intended to execute a strategy of ambush from the shadows, lying in wait to strike like the oriole that follows the mantis and the cicada.

...

As the date of emergence drew near, an ever-growing number of fleets converged upon the nebula, all drawn by the promise of the Chaos Secret Energy.

Most of these factions were merely ordinary organizations; some arrived with an ironclad resolve to claim the prize, while others simply wished to test their fortune. They eyed one another with mutual suspicion, braced for conflict. Yet, upon witnessing the arrival of two fleets belonging to cosmic-tier civilizations, the hearts of these contenders sank to the depths.

Ravenlord had arrived commanding the Imperial fleet. Though Sisco brought only his own forces, his ties to the Void Spirits led the assembled factions to regard his presence as a direct mandate from them.

With two cosmic-tier civilizations intervening, the chances of securing the Chaos Secret Energy undoubtedly dwindled to near nothingness. Yet, no one intended to retreat at the eleventh hour.

After all, they had traveled such a great distance... Even if they could not seize the prize, participation itself was a reward.

Meanwhile, a handful of fleets from advanced civilizations, such as the Modo, had not yet lost heart. On the surface, only two Super-A entities were involved. If those two were to neutralize each other, they believed they still stood a chance to claim the prize.

"Adapt to the situation as it unfolds."

In the comm channel, Rodick's voice rumbled as he instructed the elite forces composed of numerous Calamity-tier operatives.

Conversely, in the eyes of Ravenlord and Sisco, all other contenders were mere chaff. Each regarded the other as the sole, paramount rival for this expedition.

Aboard the Imperial flagship, Ravenlord gazed across the void at Sisco's fleet, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Sisco has not brought the Void Spirit fleet. He must have withheld this from them, intending to seize it for himself. Hah, his audacity far surpasses my own."

He had initially assumed this mission would be a trivial affair, but the involvement of a Super-A entity had instantly escalated the difficulty.

Yet, Ravenlord felt no particular tension; his expression remained relaxed.

The arrival of merely Sisco did not unnerve him. Ravenlord was fully confident in dispatching that seven-eyed nuisance. With his own prowess, handling Sisco would pose little trouble; the man was hardly a cause for genuine dread.

For the cosmic artifact promised by the Empire, Ravenlord was determined to claim the Chaos Secret Energy at all costs.

Judging by the current landscape, he felt victory was already within his grasp.

In contrast, Sisco, aboard the opposing fleet, found the situation decidedly troublesome.

"Ravenlord has arrived as well..."

Sisco's expression darkened considerably.

The Calamity-tier operative who had defected and provided intelligence on the Chaos Secret Energy, noticing his demeanor, spoke up: "Lord Star Pupil, the situation does not appear favorable for us..."

Sisco forced a smile and offered reassurance: "Rest easy. Regardless of the outcome, I shall not forget your merit in providing this intelligence."

He cared not only for his own strength but placed greater emphasis on the power of his kin. He had devised numerous methods to cultivate more talents for his race. His pursuit of the Chaos Secret Energy was not for his own use, but rather to find a compatible host among his people, thereby forging a new powerhouse for his clan.

"I trust you."

Hearing this, the defected Calamity-tier warrior wore a mask of unwavering faith, though his mind was already weaving quiet calculations.

His allegiance to Xisco was born not of gratitude, nor of deliberate design, but rather of a fortunate convergence of circumstances.

Clutching intelligence on the Chaos Secret Energy, he remained clear-headed, fully aware that seizing it alone was a fool’s errand; thus, he chose to trade his knowledge for patronage, leveraging another’s might to enter the fray.

Yet he harbored no illusions of surrender; should his patron claim the prize, he would steal it if the moment presented itself, and if not, he would gladly climb the ranks on the merit of his disclosure. In this way, he could milk the intelligence dry, a far wiser course than casting all his chips on a desperate gamble for the Chaos Secret Energy.

Xisco had never been his first choice, but fate had placed them in each other’s path; upon reflection, he noted the man’s considerable influence and his Super-A rank, yet his lower standing in the hierarchy, which paradoxically increased the odds of a successful theft, prompting him to pivot and secure Xisco as his shield.

Ravinlord and Xisco glared at one another, each nursing hidden agendas, yet neither perceived that among the scattered factions lurked another Super-A, concealed within an unmarked fleet: the Secret Lord himself.

"Both the Empire and the Void Spirits have sent their envoys..."

A sharp gleam flickered across the Secret Lord’s eyes.

His power surpassed both of them.

Yet with his foes in the open and himself shrouded in shadow, he resolved to bide his time, waiting for them to bleed each other dry before stepping forth to plunder the spoils and profit from the chaos.

"This scheme holds promise; the odds are heavily in my favor!"

With this thought, the Secret Lord layered spell after spell of concealment upon himself, dampened his own energy signature, and sank deeper into the void, a faint, cold smile touching his lips.

The Chaos Secret Energy shall be mine!

...

As Ravinlord and Xisco stood locked in standoff, the remaining factions, left unchallenged, shared a silent understanding and together wove dormant spatial stabilization traps across the expanse.

The Chaos Secret Energy was a primordial entity of independent thought, capable of slipping through subsidiary dimensions; this measure was taken to prevent it from sensing the ambush and fleeing, lest a sure prize slip through their fingers.

With the preparations complete, each faction settled into a watchful silence, enjoying a brief and uneasy peace.

The anticipated date was already upon them, and within days, the moment foretold by the intelligence arrived.

Every faction sharpened its focus, eyes fixed upon the designated coordinates like seasoned fishermen waiting for a bite.

Save for a few, most present harbored doubts as to whether the Chaos Secret Energy would truly manifest, their hearts torn between anticipation and anxiety, caught in the throes of hope and dread.

A low hum resonated through the air.

Then, beneath a thousand watching eyes, a brilliant crimson energy bled forth from the void, swelling rapidly into a mist-like cloud that pulsed with a distinct, otherworldly resonance.

At the sight, every soul present jolted to life, their emotions surging to a fever pitch.

"The coordinates were true; the Chaos Secret Energy has finally awakened!"