Chapter 1037: Gao De's Pain in the Balls

Chapter 1037: Gao De’s Agonizing Headache

“Good heavens, it even conjured a quest for me.”

Han Xiao cast a curious glance over the details.

The Primal Anomaly was formidable, yet to his current self, it was merely a trivial snack.

Drawing upon a remastered anime from his past life that depicted brutal skirmishes between five villages, the Primal Anomaly bore a striking resemblance to the Tailed Beasts: heralded at the outset with sky-high praise, touted as invincible across the heavens, yet in the eyes of those late-game, reality-bending titans who casually shifted mountains and cultivated forests… Ha, could such a trifle even claim a life?

Likewise, the host mirrored a Jinchuriki; should a Primal Anomaly encounter a truly exceptional vessel, it held the potential to unleash far greater power.

Weighing the quest rewards, Han Xiao began to calculate.

“Judging by the difficulty, it demands a large raid of Calamity-tier players, placing it firmly in the late-game cooperative bracket. The experience payout aligns with standard expectations, and the two character cards are undoubtedly for the Chaos Secret Energy and the Holy Light Particle. For ordinary players, who can scarcely dominate a Primal Anomaly, such cards hold genuine value; yet I can subjugate them outright, rendering the cards mere trinkets to me… Only this special milestone quest seems to hold a spark of intrigue…”

Such endeavors typically remained concealed. Han Xiao had witnessed other special milestones in his previous existence, yet the [Primal Anomaly Collector] was a first for today, a trigger never pulled by any soul before.

“It carries a certain dignified aura, though its precise effects remain a mystery. Perhaps it leans toward the anomaly-affinity path?”

Han Xiao rubbed his chin with his knuckles, pondered for a few seconds, and let the matter rest.

Regardless, he intended to forcefully claim the Holy Light Particle anyway, primarily to secure another Primal Anomaly; the quest itself was merely an afterthought. He would assess the special milestone’s nature when the time came, for idle speculation now yielded no clarity.

“I give you my word on this matter. I shall ensure the Holy Light Particle comes to keep you company.”

“Then when do we depart?”

The Chaos Secret Energy brimmed with impatience, ostensibly eager to settle scores with a mortal foe, yet Han Xiao’s past-life memories whispered that it simply could not wait to reunite with an old flame.

Heh. Anomaly.

Han Xiao considered this, then shook his head. “Not yet. I have other matters to attend to. Once the moment ripens, I shall strike.”

His immediate priorities were clear: forging the two golden-tier armaments, the Sovereign’s Regalia and the Emperor’s Robe, while simultaneously engineering a specialized vessel for the Chaos Secret Energy, crafting an artificial mechanical host.

This would grant him a unique mechanical guardian harboring a high-risk anomaly. Its tier would be difficult to gauge, hinging entirely on the vessel’s specifications; should he succeed in transforming it into a mechanical lifeform, the anomaly’s influence would undoubtedly yield staggering combat prowess.

Precedents within the mechanical discipline were not unheard of; the Super-A class entities captured by the Mechanist Nation served as raw materials for specialized mechanical puppets. While Apostle Armaments were elite units bestowed by class progression, a true Mechanist could independently research and forge proprietary elite forces.

Furthermore, the intelligence divulged by the Secret Lord only reinforced Han Xiao’s conviction that Hera’s position was fraught with peril, necessitating that his true self remain concealed within the Emerald Star Cluster, biding his time.

Meanwhile, players across the cosmos were flooding into the Shining World, rapidly shaping the global server’s landscape. Knowing players as he did, Han Xiao recognized that while he currently harvested their resources with ease, a legion standing so starkly apart would inevitably draw the crosshairs of rival factions. He needed to observe the shifting tides from here—given the Black Star Legion’s presence, player movements in the Shining World would diverge sharply from his past life, demanding constant adaptation.

Compared to these pressing concerns, the Holy Light Particle’s affair would have to wait, let alone the fact that executing this quest required a distant expedition into a secondary dimension, not to mention identifying precisely which secondary dimension housed it.

“Very well. I shall wait.”

The Chaos Secret Energy felt no urgency; its lifespan spanned epochs, and it understood that Black Star was now a master, not merely another disposable vessel from the past.

Its sole regret lay in the likelihood of being sealed within a lifeless mechanical husk, cut off from conversation, which hardly compared to the amusement of being wielded by a living host.

Alas, it had only recently found a perfect match, yet fate had denied them union.

At that moment, Han Xiao severed the mental link, tucked the Chaos Secret Energy into his pocket, rose to his feet, dismissed the Mechanical Throne, summoned his starship, and set course for home alongside You Zu and the others.

……

With the Chaos Secret Energy’s ownership settled, the retreating combatants abandoned all secrecy, swiftly uploading footage of the skirmish to the net. Within mere hours, it dominated the headlines.

“Chaos Secret Energy Emerges, Falls into Black Star’s Clutches!”

The shifting tides of the Shining World now gripped the cosmos’s collective nerves. The emergence of the Chaos Secret Energy in the Free Competition Zone, followed by its capture by Black Star, transcended physical distance, rapidly spreading across the networks of every star sector.

Interstellar citizens knew little of Primal Anomalies, yet the [Ultra-High Risk Anomaly Registry] was legendary. Coupled with the trending keywords “Shining World” and “Black Star,” alongside raw combat footage embedded in the report, the surge in popularity was inevitable, swiftly becoming the staple of post-meal conversations across the stars.

Within hours of the report’s release, the Vane Card Corporation issued a proclamation, announcing the production of a new Chaos Secret Energy card, potentially slated for the Black Star Legion faction deck, while mulling a future “Primal Anomaly” series. Their mastery of capitalizing on trending topics was nothing short of audacious.

Players fond of browsing the net caught wind of the news as well, and alongside their astonishment, committed the novel concept of “Primal Anomaly” to memory.

Yet the fervor centered primarily on the Chaos Secret Energy itself. Black Star’s astonishing feats were so numerous that this incident, compared to past cataclysms, felt comparatively minor, leaving countless citizens and players utterly accustomed to the spectacle.

——We always knew Black Star was a monster. This is just standard procedure. Everyone, take a seat.

……

Central Star Sea, a clandestine military installation of the Empire.

One of its internal bars teemed with patrons, thick with noise. The air vibrated with boisterous cheers, hearty laughter, and the rhythmic glug of poured liquor. The atmosphere was electric, every guest clad in the Empire’s standard military uniform.

The base primarily functioned as a training ground, where vast numbers of imperial soldiers underwent instruction. Given its semi-sealed nature, it housed internal recreational facilities, predominantly bars. In this era, major civilizations spared no luxury for superhuman soldiers; compensation and benefits were generous, granting even those in closed training a degree of liberty to indulge in life’s pleasures.

Several elite superhuman training battalions also resided here, populated entirely by individuals on the Empire’s priority cultivation roster. Gao De was among them, dedicating himself to rigorous special drills within these walls.

At this very moment, a row of priority trainees occupied the bar counter, all Calamity-tier, raising their glasses in hearty toasts and exchanging easy banter.

Gao De sat among them, glass in hand, a calm smile gracing his features. He occasionally chimed in, projecting an affable demeanor that blended seamlessly into the harmonious atmosphere.

He was the most heavily favored among all trainees, his anomaly holding boundless potential, which had long cemented his status as the camp’s rising star.

“Among us, you, Gao De, are the most likely to shatter the Super-A threshold. Truly incomparable. We may well end up as your subordinates someday, relying on your guidance.” One companion shook his head with a laugh.

“Speaking of which, should you achieve Super-A, what post do you envision for yourself? Head of State protection is likely out of reach. I doubt the Empire would assign you to the frontier, so they’ll probably appoint you commander of an army group, fast-tracking you into the military high command.” Another remarked.

“I am indifferent to the title,” Gao De replied with a smile. As a direct-line Super-A of the Empire, his trajectory naturally diverged from that of external allies; like the Dark Emperor, he could step directly into the Empire’s innermost circles of power.

“By precedent, we’ll likely be assigned to your division someday… Hey, let’s just take turns toasting our future commander. You’re not leaving until we’ve gotten you thoroughly drunk tonight.” Someone roared with laughter, egging him on.

Gao De offered a faint smile, gracefully navigating his comrades’ enthusiasm.

Just as the mood reached its peak, Gao De’s gaze suddenly caught the news broadcasting on the bar’s virtual wall screen. His expression froze instantly, the smile vanishing without a trace.

His abrupt shift left his companions momentarily stunned. Following his line of sight, they saw the very report detailing Black Star’s seizure of the Chaos Secret Energy.

“Look at that. Black Star is making moves again.”

“Impressive. Truly worthy of being the Empire’s chosen successor.”

“Years ago, when I underwent the Evolution Cube baptism, I caught a glimpse of him up close. I nearly lost my composure and asked for an autograph.”

“Thankfully, he remains our Empire’s ally. Had Radiance or Void Spirit claimed him first, it would have been a tragedy. Truly a blessing for the Empire.”

The group could not resist diving into the topic. All present were Calamity-tier, naturally revering the mighty. Many were devoted admirers of the Empire’s various Super-A allies, with Black Star boasting a particularly fervent following.

At that moment, Gao De set down his glass, rose without expression, and stated coolly, “I have matters to attend to. I shall take my leave.”

Without waiting for a response, he cut straight through the crowd and exited the bar, leaving his bewildered comrades behind, exchanging blank stares and utter confusion.

——What on earth triggered him?

Elsewhere, Gao De departed the bar, swiftly returned to his quarters, retrieved his communicator, and dialed Bekorodi.

The line rang for a while before connecting. Gao De struck first:

“You told me to await good news. Is this your definition of good news?”

Bekorodi remained silent for a few seconds before replying slowly, “Black Star’s interference was unforeseen. The Chaos Secret Energy has indeed fallen into his hands.”

“Then what is your plan?” Gao De asked, his face unreadable.

“I will attempt damage control. Perhaps I can negotiate the Chaos Secret Energy back from Black Star.”

“…”

Gao De fell silent, making no inquiry about what would happen if the negotiation failed.

The Empire had offered him the Chaos Secret Energy to harness its anomaly, accelerate his ascent to Super-A, and thereby decode the principles of evolutionary energy for the state. Without it, the Empire could simply wait for him to mature at a natural pace.

Yet for Gao De, this meant losing a critical source of power. Deprived of the Chaos Secret Energy’s unique abilities, his meticulously crafted growth trajectory was severely disrupted, rendering his envisioned ultimate form unattainable.

It was as if the ceiling of his own future combat prowess had been sheared away outright!

"Black Star himself cannot wield the Chaos Secret Energy, so as long as we present sufficient bargaining chips, he will still make the exchange. There is not a lack of opportunity, I..."

Bekorodi was still dissecting the situation when Gao De spoke up directly, cutting him off.

"Let it be for now. Notify me once there is progress."

With that, Gao De severed the transmission, his brows drawing together in a faint frown.

His spirits were thoroughly dampened; he lacked the patience to dance around Bekorodi with hollow pleasantries, fully aware that the hope of reclaiming the Chaos Secret Energy was exceedingly dim.

The Empire would never expend premium assets for a dispensable primordial ability vessel, and Black Star was a wretched cur who never engaged in a losing trade. Given his understanding of both parties, the probability of a successful negotiation approached absolute zero.

Gao De shook his head, mentally striking the name of the Chaos Secret Energy from his ledger.

With his current strength, he possessed no standing to intervene in the scramble for the Chaos Secret Energy; his sole avenue lay in borrowing the Empire’s might. Now that the Empire had faltered, he was left utterly resourceless—a circumstance beyond his control.

He had not yet fully matured, while Black Star’s influence continued to swell. What was lost was lost; the hour to provoke Black Star was still a distant dream.

"I had assumed that with the Empire’s intervention, the matter would be as good as settled. I never expected you to swoop in and snatch it, forcing me to overhaul my entire ascension path... Tsk, Black Star, Black Star, you truly have a talent for weaving trouble into my life."

Gao De’s mood remained thoroughly soured.

...

The Emerald Star Cluster, Moduo Civilization Outpost.

Before the door of the long-range communications chamber linking to the Moduo homeworld, two sentries stood whispering to one another.

"How long have the Commander and the Inspector been inside?"

"Nigh on an hour, I’d say."

"It appears His Excellency the Tri-King summoned them. Heaven knows when they’ll emerge..."

"Hey, the door’s opening, the door’s opening. Snap to attention."

The chamber door slid apart, and the two guards hastily straightened their spines, ceasing their murmurs to stare rigidly ahead, projecting an air of dutiful vigilance, though their peripheral vision betrayed them as they darted glances toward Commander Rodic and Inspector Lagos.

Rodic’s countenance was ashen, his expression foul enough to curdle the air, teetering on the brink of eruption, while Lagos beside him hung his head in dejection, utterly deflated.

Because dozens of Calamity-tier elites had fallen to utterly futile ends, Rodic had been subjected to a blistering reprimand from the Moduo Tri-King, followed by a scathing dressing-down from his direct superior, causing his standing among the high command to plummet to an abyss.

Though he had merely carried out orders from above, and the slaughter of those Calamity-tier warriors was not his fault, he was forced to bear the blame, his fury simmering until he felt he might detonate entirely.

Lagos found no words of comfort, and after a hesitant pause, asked, "Our upper echelon forces have suffered grievous losses. His Excellency the Tri-King just made it clear that such incidents must not recur. What is your course of action?"

"It is all Black Star’s doing!" Rodic snarled, his fists clenched tight. "If we remain this reactive, Black Star will continue to devour our strength with impunity. Unless we eradicate this threat entirely, history will repeat itself."

If we could simply stop Black Star, we would have done so long ago. As if we needed your reminder...

Lagos offered a helpless, bitter smile and pressed on, "Then what are your thoughts?"

"If only we could slay Black Star..."

Rodic murmured to himself, but upon turning his head, he caught Lagos wearing an expression that plainly read you must still be dreaming. He swallowed the rest of his words, considered his footing, and amended his statement:

"Relying on our own strength, we cannot hope to oppose Black Star. We must leverage external forces... If we could manufacture a grave crisis for the Black Star Legion, forcing him to divert his attention away from us, it might yet alleviate our predicament."

"For instance?"

At this, Rodic parted his lips, a bitter taste rising in his throat.

If the solution were so readily apparent, how could they have fallen into this dire strait? Without securing some monumental merit, his prospects for advancement would likely vanish into thin air.

---

(In coordination with the official promotion, The Super God Mechanic is issuing its inaugural series credit card. Apply to instantly ascend to VIP status, receive 8,888 point coins, a 180-day premium membership, a 300-yuan bonus package, and an exclusive badge. The first 500 applications are free.)

(Application method: Qidian Reading APP - Personal Account Page - Qidian Star Exclusive Card - Scroll down to locate the corresponding series card and tap to apply.)