Chapter 1045: Undercurrents and Carriers (Revised)

Chapter 1045: Undercurrents and Vessels (Revised)

In the Free Competition Zone, within another star cluster, lay the dominion of the Radiant Federation.

A fleet hung suspended in the cosmic void, comprising roughly two million warships, its greatest flagship being an Eternal Light class vessel, while around the armada, two colossal mechanical metal rings encircled the entire formation, one horizontal, one vertical, intersecting at right angles.

These twin supermassive mechanical rings, dwarfing even the star gates in sheer bulk, were the Radiant Federation's strategic cosmic treasures: the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Transmitters.

The rings' components were exquisitely precise, with countless engineering vessels currently docked along every segment, engaged in fine-tuning and maintenance.

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship's bridge, the assembled Super-A rank elites of the Radiant Federation stood in a row before the observation windows, gazing out at the spectacle.

"To deploy equipment of such strategic magnitude... it seems the Federation's high command truly values this operation," mused a heavily muscled, green-skinned bald brute, his head wrapped in a purple rune-embroidered turban.

This was Wormer, nicknamed "Vigor," a Super-A martial artist of the Radiant faction, exceptionally adept at qi-force assaults. A mutated descendant of a Super-A heritage lineage, he possessed superior martial aptitude; standing with hands clasped behind his back, his posture was as steady as a mountain, radiating the aura of a grandmaster.

"The unsealing of the Staff of Ten Thousand Gods is at stake; it warrants the massive resource expenditure to activate the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Transmitter," said Haidis. "The Ethereal Sect will certainly make a move. Once they strike and pin down Black Star's avatar, we shall use the transmitter to drop directly into the fray."

"Precisely. The fleet carries a second set of transmitters. Once we secure Hera, we beam back, and the operation concludes."

The fleet commander, standing guard nearby, spoke up.

Unlike the Ethereal Sect, the Radiant Federation's objective was to capture Hera alive and force Black Star to unseal the Staff. Possessing the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Transmitter granted them a natural advantage; success would allow for an immediate and swift disengagement.

The transmitters could only send personnel out, not retrieve them, hence the fleet carried a second set equipped with self-destruct mechanisms. Upon completing the transmission, they would annihilate themselves to prevent enemy reverse-engineering.

Should the Staff be unsealed, sacrificing one transmitter was an acceptable cost for the Radiant. Though exorbitantly priced, a cosmic-tier civilization lacked no funds; having mastered the technology, fabrication was trivial. Warehouses likely held countless surplus units, endowing the Radiant with a terrifying strategic deterrent.

"Easier said than done. Though the fleet carries a spare transmitter, deployment, alignment, and charging require considerable time, during which interference is inevitable," remarked a man clad in mechanical battle armor beside them. This was Jack Gonitz, a Super-A mechanized warrior of the Radiant Federation.

"Which is why we brought the fleet. Many are unmanned vessels, serving to accelerate the transmitter's setup and shield it from disruption. Furthermore, Lady Mornisa's mechanical legions will provide cover, more than sufficient to secure our retreat," Haidis replied.

"Affirmative." A mechanical figure to the side nodded. This was the sovereign avatar of Mornisa, a Super-A engineer of the Radiant. She had brought a host of mechanical troops, the ideal candidates for rearguard duty; their total annihilation would bring her no sorrow.

"Do not forget, Black Star is a virtual mechanic. He can infiltrate our fleet's systems."

"Rama and I will provide remote virtual defense assistance. The Radiant's Prime Intelligence will also allocate massive computational power to fortify our firewalls. Though Black Star stands at the pinnacle of Super-A, he cannot breach our blockade while distracted by combat," Mornisa stated.

The Rama she mentioned was another Super-A virtual mechanic of the Radiant, who perennially guarded the quantum network and protected the Prime Intelligence's database. Though not participating in the operation, he would offer remote virtual aid.

"A pity Lord Mechanus declines to join the operation. With him presiding, we would harbor no fear of Black Star's virtual incursions," Haidis sighed.

At that moment, Serion, standing at the center with all four arms crossed, let out a soft scoff. "Hmph. Manixson will not come, and Oulu remains far in the Central Star Sea. Thus, I shall lead this expedition. I care not for the rest; Black Star is mine. Should the Ethereal faction attempt to halt us, I shall handle their strongest as well."

Serion, the "Star Shatterer," a pinnacle Super-A martial artist, served as the Radiant's Super-A commander for this campaign, and was a member of the Ancients.

On the opposite side, a multifaceted crystal hovered in the air, its entire form a profound blue, emitting psychic ripples. "Leave the capture of Hera to me."

It was a crystalline lifeform known as "Crystal Soul," a high-tier combatant of the Radiant and a Super-A telekinetic.

The Radiant had mobilized seven Super-A elites for this endeavor: "Vigor" Wormer, "The Lone Walker" Jack Gonitz, "Mechanical Queen" Mornisa, Haidis, Crystal Soul, "Star Shatterer" Serion, and "The Warden" Rama, providing remote assistance.

The lineup was formidable, boasting one more combatant than the Ethereal faction.

...

In the Gleaming World's Gaolu Star Cluster, within a branch office of the Infinite Consortium, Sorokin's vessel stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of a penthouse suite, gazing at the dense streaks of meteors—trails left by the constant flow of starships engaging in spatial jumps.

This world served as an interstellar trade hub, situated within the Black Star Legion's territory. Not far away lay one of the star gate transport nexuses, a bustling thoroughfare that could lead directly to the vicinity of Black Star's palace.

"The grand spectacle should be nearing its premiere."

Sorokin narrowed his eyes, murmuring to himself.

Acting as an information broker between the Radiant and the Ethereal, he knew precisely how the intelligence regarding Hera would stir the two civilizations. In his estimation, both factions had a high probability of taking action.

As he admired the view, he silently calculated the potential scenarios in his mind.

"The Radiant holds the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Transmitter, granting them the initiative. They prefer to scheme before striking, so they will likely wait patiently for the Ethereal to move first. Lord Mechanus will probably abstain, making Serion the most likely commander. As for the Ethereal, whether Ksuye or the Sun Hunter leads, they will likely hold back... Heh, the Gods' Conference truly altered many minds, Black Star."

Just as he pondered, a magical portal suddenly materialized in the room. A figure stepped through, positioned itself behind Sorokin, and with a backward flick of his hand, pinched the portal shut.

Sensing the magical fluctuation, Sorokin turned around, fixed his gaze on the newcomer, and plastered a polite, artificial smile upon his face.

"You have arrived, Lord Traveler."

The visitor was a humanoid creature with ashen-gray skin, devoid of a nose. His eyes were a crystalline yellow, slit-pupiled and eerie. Tangled gray hair cascaded from his head, bound by a golden circlet. His hands bore only three fingers, gripping a staff twisted like ancient wood. Clad in a brown hooded robe, he exuded an aura of weary wanderlust.

The Traveler, a Super-A mage, spent his years wandering lesser dimensions, rarely appearing in the outer realms. Ostensibly a neutral Super-A, he secretly maintained ambiguous ties with several super-cluster civilizations. He had attended the Gods' Conference, remaining taciturn and utterly unremarkable.

"The Super-Cluster Alliance has hired me to assist you." The Traveler tapped his staff, eyeing Sorokin with keen interest. "Intriguing. What bargain have you struck with the Alliance to compel me to personally challenge Black Star?"

"Certain events are unfolding. If my predictions hold, the Radiant and the Ethereal will strike at Hera in the coming days. At that time, I would like you to proceed to Black Star's palace and formally challenge him." Sorokin offered a faint smile.

He had secretly contacted the Super-Cluster Alliance, leaked a fragment of intelligence, and brokered a new deal, preparing to insert himself into the fray.

"Oh, you mean..."

"Precisely. You issue a direct challenge. If Black Star accepts, even if he can split his focus to command a sovereign avatar, that avatar's combat efficacy will plummet, leaving him unable to tend to Hera's situation. If he declines, it implies his primary body is absent from the stronghold. You will then have to engage Dragon Throne Emrys. As far as I know, their bond is intimate. Thus, Black Star gains another front requiring his attention... Either way, he will be effectively contained."

The Traveler listened in silence, then spoke slowly. "You seem eager to ensure the success of these two civilizations' operations. What benefit do you derive from this?"

"Hera's existence is a threat. I am certain the vast majority of Super-A elites would prefer she did not draw breath." Sorokin chuckled softly. "Moreover, should she align with any civilization, she would undoubtedly choose the Empire, posing a far greater danger to your Super-Cluster civilizations."

"It is not merely that," the Traveler dismissed. "Dragging the Super-Cluster civilizations into this implies you harbor a grander objective."

"Heh, very well. There is no harm in telling you." Sorokin narrowed his eyes. "Do you truly believe the Radiant and Ethereal high commands are stirring up such a storm solely for one woman? Nay. Hera is merely the catalyst. The other crucial factor is the Gods' Conference held not long ago."

"Oh?" The Traveler's eyes flickered.

"Consider this: the Radiant and Ethereal dispatch Super-A elites for such an endeavor. Once successful, how will Black Star react? Their secondary aim is to incite infighting among the Super-A ranks. Should they succeed, the Gods' Conference will become a hollow shell..." Sorokin's lips curled. "I even dare to speculate that either faction secretly hopes to leave a couple of Super-A allies dead in this operation, using the resulting blood feuds to shatter their unity."

The Traveler frowned. "Unlikely. The situation is not yet that dire."

"Heh, who knows? I have learned a truth from my lengthy existence... Never assume you are indispensable to a higher civilization."

Sorokin offered neither confirmation nor denial.

The Traveler fixed him with a steady gaze, speaking leisurely. "And you? You too belong to the Super-A echelon, yet you stand apart from their ranks."

"Are you not the same?"

"My circumstances are excusable. You, however, are merely a neutral party."

"Heh, if pressed, I simply disdain the ideology that places individual might above all else. I am a merchant. I believe in the collective. I believe in the market."

Sorokin's expression hovered between amusement and seriousness. "No matter how potent a Super-A may be, they remain merely an individual. Only diverse civilizations can bring prosperity to this frigid cosmos. Civilizations are the bedrock of society, the protagonists of the universe. We anomalous individuals are but expendable cogs in the interstellar machine. Without us, the world might well be more peaceful and thriving."

"The privileges held by Super-A elites are already vast. If they lack contentment and insist on reaching into realms beyond their purview, they will only sow fresh chaos across the cosmos. I have no desire to see such events unfold. The fewer Super-A beings in the universe, the better."

The Traveler appeared somewhat taken aback. "I assumed your vision was solely fixed on profit. I did not expect to see this side of you."

"You may regard me as a warden maintaining the cosmic equilibrium."

Sorokin turned away, paused for a moment, and added:

"...Of course, profit must still be pursued."

...

Somewhere within the Emerald Star Cluster, inside the stealth vessel where Han Xiao lay concealed, in the mechanical workshop.

"Chaos Secret Energy Vessel, seventeenth trial."

A silver-and-red mechanical chassis stood upon the testing platform. A cylindrical containment vessel for the Chaos Secret Energy was secured above the mechanical body by four robotic arms, with a dense web of transmission cables linking the container to the vessel.

Philip perched upon Han Xiao's shoulder, reporting in a soft, childlike voice: "Vessel self-diagnostic complete, hum. Status optimal. Chaos Secret Energy behavior docile. Link activated. Shall I initiate energy conversion?"

Han Xiao nodded. "Begin."

The words had barely faded when the apparatus hummed to life, the chaotic arcane energy within the vessel stirring awake and surging swiftly along the transmission conduits into the mechanical chassis.

A deep, resonant hum.

The mechanical frame shuddered violently, its ocular sensors igniting with a crimson glow that sharpened to a blinding intensity, the entire chassis trembling at a high frequency as it bore the crushing weight of the primal ability entity.

Han Xiao fixed his gaze upon the mechanical chassis, unleashing his full mechanical empathy, his attention dissecting every minute detail of the trial.

Through his sight, the frenzied chaotic arcane energy gradually fell under the chassis's restraint, beginning to merge with specialized conversion modules deep within the frame, components designed to function much like a host's own cells, meant to cradle and refine the chaotic power.

After a long while, the final trace of chaotic arcane energy surrendered itself to the chassis.

A sudden rush of displaced air.

The frame abruptly expelled a ring of pale crimson shockwave, whipping a violent gale through the chamber.

"Integration complete, synchronization at seventy-two percent, compatibility at seventy-five, chassis load at forty-one percent..." Philip recited a rapid cascade of figures.

"It is finally done." A flush of relief broke across Han Xiao's features.

The chassis had previously failed to even achieve the initial stage of integration, yet now it had at last become one with the chaotic arcane energy; though further refinement would be required, the foundation was laid, and it was ready to be deployed into combat.

Forging a mechanical vessel for primal abilities differed vastly from crafting ordinary war machines, demanding exquisite precision; it required not only the harmonization of chaotic energy but also the prevention of that very power from seizing control of the frame.

Fortunately, Han Xiao had secured Evans's cellular samples, sparing him ninety-nine percent of the treacherous detours.

——

(The new month has dawned, and during this double-reward period, I humbly solicit your monthly votes (?￣?￣?)