Chapter 1052: Outburst

Chapter 1052: Eruption

The moment the words fell, the countenance of every Super A-rank present shifted, their silence heavy as they rapidly weighed the shifting tides of battle, sensing the treacherous complexity of the present moment.

Their sudden strike upon the forward outpost had been calculated to eliminate Hela while Black Star’s true form remained absent, for none among them desired a direct confrontation with his physical vessel.

Black Star commanded the pinnacle of Super A-rank might, his indestructible physique a maddening liability, compounded by his singular status as the master of the Evolution Cube, an asset of paramount consequence to the Empire, and should his true self arrive, he would undoubtedly wield cosmic treasures like the Spacetime Amber, rendering him a formidable adversary.

To forcibly slay Hela beneath the gaze of Black Star’s true form would elevate the difficulty by countless orders of magnitude.

"The window has likely closed; I never anticipated he would descend in his true form." Sagman fixed his wary gaze upon Han Xiao hovering in the heavens, a bitter reluctance stirring within his chest.

For any other Super A-rank mechanic, manifesting one’s true body would be a reckless gamble, yet Black Star had long proven himself a rare exception among the fragile ranks of his craft.

For a breath, hesitation gripped the assembly, eyes exchanging silent queries as indecision clouded their resolve.

Meanwhile, Seragon finally arrested his backward momentum, his face a mask of seething fury laced with underlying dread, one hand pressed against his severed limb as he locked his stare upon Han Xiao.

How could I, a martial artist standing at the zenith of Super A-rank, fail to parry a mere mechanic’s close-quarters charge and suffer grievous wounds in a single exchange?!

The sheer devastation of that prior strike sent shockwaves crashing through Seragon’s mind like a tempestuous tide.

Such devastating singular destructive power was exceedingly rare, even by his own exacting standards.

In that suspended moment, doubt and alarm warred within Seragon, his thoughts narrowing to a single, relentless query:

—What manner of palm technique had Black Star just unleashed?

"He actually possesses such a devastating trump card..."

The weight of his apprehension toward Han Xiao instantly climbed several tiers higher.

Glancing at the stump, he commanded his muscles and vessels to contract, halting the hemorrhage in an instant, then channeled martial qi to catalyze cellular proliferation; a fresh limb erupted from the wound with a wet rush, its skin markedly paler and distinctly separated from the rest of his body.

With a casual gesture, Seragon reduced his floating severed arm to atomic dust, leaving no trace, then drifted slowly back into the combat zone, suppressing his shock and wrath, choosing instead to observe the shifting expressions of the crowd with a contemplative gaze.

Ksuye remained suspended quietly nearby, his eyes fixed on Han Xiao, showing no intention to break the silence.

An eerie stillness descended upon the arena, Han Xiao, Seragon, and Ksuye forming a tense triangular standoff among the three peak Super A-ranks, while the gazes of all remaining elites rested solely upon them.

Every mind understood that whether blood would be spilled or parley would commence depended entirely upon the negotiations between these three titans.

Black Star’s true form had entered, delivered a single threat, and then held his ground, a development that surprised no one among the Super A-ranks; outnumbered as they were, they knew he would not act rashly.

Standing alone and unsupported, he would surely hesitate to clash directly with the dozen or so Super A-ranks arrayed against him, forcing him to swallow his rage and seek resolution through negotiation.

Grasping this reality, the expressions of the assembled Super A-ranks visibly relaxed.

With Black Star’s true form present, retreat was indeed prudent, yet not out of fear, but because the probability of mission success had plummeted, rendering further entanglement pointless.

Though they feared his combat prowess and cosmic artifacts, the combined might of their numbers negated the need for dread; in Sagman’s eyes, Black Star was but a solitary figure, capable of self-preservation but utterly incapable of turning the tide.

As these silent calculations unfolded, Han Xiao quietly awaited the arrival of his mechanical legion while reviewing his interface.

The moment Hela came under assault, the panel had triggered an urgent directive, structurally reminiscent of the Lighthouse Star campaign yet distinctly different in nature.

[Urgent Directive: Operation Hela Extraction]

[Briefing: Hela’s anomalous abilities have provoked the profound dread of numerous Super A-ranks; her formidable talent has summoned a calamity of fate, compelling Void Spirit and Radiance to act and eradicate this latent threat.]

[Requirement: Hela must survive the assault.]

[Rewards: 750e to 920e experience, Legend Status +1, four random rewards, four unknown character cards, one blank character card.]

[Additional Requirement: Coordinate with Imperial reinforcements to capture the invading Super A-rank elites.]

[Additional Rewards: For each Super A-rank elite captured, you may extract one of their abilities.]

"This must be the most arduous directive issued to date..." Han Xiao muttered under his breath, struck by the sheer scale of it.

The number of Super A-ranks present mirrored the Lighthouse Star campaign, yet Han Xiao currently lacked Imperial reinforcements, standing with only Hela against over a dozen elites; the last soul to face such a predicament was the Alien Deity, whose fate had been a five-century lease on a luxurious Imperial solitary confinement cell.

Yet the compensation was unprecedentedly lavish; capturing a single target granted one ability extraction, with the tally multiplying with every additional prisoner.

"With my true form present, the likelihood of Void Spirit and Radiance forcing Hela’s death is minimal; they will likely retreat immediately, and since the Imperial reinforcements’ arrival remains uncertain, fulfilling the additional objective will fall entirely to my own shoulders..."

Han Xiao had already formulated his strategy en route, and his resolve remained unshaken.

Steadying his thoughts, his mind inevitably drifted to another matter.

During his journey, a report from the Black Star Palace had reached him, detailing a Super A-rank challenger at the gates already engaged by Emrys, the whole affair reeking of deliberate orchestration.

Master Technician Han had maintained constant contact with his headquarters, fully aware of the unfolding skirmish; the Traveler was unveiling his true strength and stirring chaos, while the Dominator clone shared the host’s combat power, limited to a single concurrent existence, meaning any diversion of Han Xiao’s attention to the base would leave his true form vulnerable.

"Intriguing; deliberately siphoning my focus to pave the way for Void Spirit and Radiance’s operatives... Hmm, the Traveler."

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.

The Traveler publicly maintained a neutral Super A-rank stance, yet secretly harbored profound ties to a Super Cluster civilization, a truth known only to a select few.

To Han Xiao, however, the Traveler’s identity held no secrets, having been fully exposed in his previous life.

Could Void Spirit and Radiance have allied with the Super Cluster civilization for this endeavor?

"No, that does not align." Han Xiao’s gaze flickered, swiftly discarding the hypothesis.

The Traveler’s origins remained concealed from the outside world; even if Radiance and Void Spirit collaborated with the Super Cluster, the Cluster would never risk deploying the Traveler, lest his true affiliation be laid bare.

"It seems deeper currents are at play..."

Han Xiao’s brow furrowed slightly.

The precise truth mattered little to him at this juncture; he knew only one certainty: the Traveler’s involvement inextricably bound the Super Cluster civilization to the conspiracy.

While others remained ignorant of the Traveler’s origins, Han Xiao possessed absolute clarity, rendering investigation unnecessary; he could simply assign the blame to the Traveler’s patron civilization, a course of action that was both infallible and efficient.

"Daring to stir trouble at my doorstep requires considerable audacity; the Throne is still en route, but once I reach headquarters, I will settle the score." Han Xiao vowed silently.

At that moment, Hela drifted to Han Xiao’s side.

The other Super A-ranks made no move to intercept, merely following in quiet formation to regroup with their respective commanders, forming a standoff against Han Xiao and the mechanical legion arrayed behind him.

"In truth... you should not have come." Hela’s eyes held a tangled depth.

In her view, Han Xiao’s decision to arrive in his true form to rescue her amounted to voluntarily stepping into a snare, surrounded by over a dozen Super A-ranks and risking everything.

Hela understood that compared to herself, Black Star was the true thorn in the side of Void Spirit and Radiance, carrying cosmic treasures like the Evolution Cube and Spacetime Amber; should these enemies abruptly alter their plans and seize this opportunity to target Black Star... would she not be the one who had doomed him?

Initially, Hela had accepted her inevitable demise, longing only for a final glimpse of Han Xiao, yet now that he had truly arrived, anxiety for his safety consumed her.

Throughout her life, Hela’s guiding principle had been relentless forward momentum, rarely allowing herself the luxury of hesitation or fear of loss.

"If I do not come, who will save you?" Han Xiao turned to offer her a gentle smile. "You are safe now. As for why, simply because I have arrived."

Hela gently bit her lip, then suddenly reached out to take Han Xiao’s hand.

Han Xiao’s brow lifted, about to speak, when he suddenly felt waves of vital energy flowing from Hela’s grasp, causing his interface to flood with a cascade of buff notifications.

"Aurora’s ability can now amplify the combat prowess of living beings; I cannot do much else, so I can only share my vital energy with you." After a few seconds, Hela released his hand, brushed a strand of hair from her temple, and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"...Thank you."

Just then, Seragon’s voice cut through the air, low and resonant:

"Black Star, since your true form has arrived, I will grant you a measure of respect; I have a proposition here, and I wonder if it might pique your interest."

Believing Han Xiao was merely stalling for reinforcements, he saw no point in prolonging the standoff and thus initiated the dialogue.

Hearing this, Han Xiao turned his gaze back to Seragon, his smile vanishing as he replied coolly, "Speak."

"How about we strike a bargain? All you need do is promise to unseal the Staff of the Myriad Gods for Radiance, and we shall not only withdraw but turn our blades upon the Phantom Spirits for you." Serion's gaze, heavy with ill intent, lingered over Ksuye.

Han Xiao's preceding strike had drawn upon the technique [Charge: Endless Accumulation], seamlessly woven with Silver Shadow's character card, [Comet Glide].

In truth, he had long since circled the periphery of the battlefield, pacing his steps to gather momentum, intending first to lay low a merely adequate Super-A rank foe; yet when Serion stepped forward to intercept, Han Xiao had no choice but to pour his hoarded fury upon that thick-skinned, hulking brute.

Though the devastation of that blow fell far short of crippling a Super-A martial artist at their zenith, it nonetheless sowed seeds of dread in Serion's heart; seeing his original scheme falter, he promptly abandoned the hostage gambit and pivoted toward negotiation to secure his ends.

Unaware that Ksuye was merely playing a part, Serion assumed Black Star stood alone upon a crumbling pillar, in desperate need of an ally.

Ksuye feigned utter indifference. "Then the Phantom Spirits shall withdraw at once, leaving your schemes in ashes and handing the victory straight to Black Star."

With that, Ksuye's eyes flickered with a sudden glint. "Since Radiance has put forth an idea, I shall, on behalf of the Phantom Spirits, counter with a proposal of my own."

"Speak," Han Xiao replied, meeting his gaze with unwavering calm.

"Black Star, I am well aware of the wondrous properties of your Chrono-Amber, capable of binding even Super-A ranks. Here is my offer: you and I join forces to hunt down these Super-A elites of the Radiance Federation, then sell them to the Phantom Spirits. With such leverage, we can reclaim the Staff of the Myriad Gods. What say you?"

At these words, Serion's countenance darkened instantly, and he fixed Ksuye with a glacial glare.

As the two men locked in silent hostility, Han Xiao drew a slow, measured breath and spoke at last:

"There is no need for such elaborate schemes. I reject every bargain you offer... You come to strike me down, yet dare to propose terms? Do not even entertain the thought. All of you, a dozen Super-A ranks, attack together if you dare."

Serion's eyes widened in sheer disbelief, his stare fixed upon Han Xiao.

Ksuye, too, turned his head in astonishment; this deviation was entirely absent from the script.

Not only they, but the ten other Super-A combatants of Radiance and Phantom Spirits who watched from the sidelines were struck dumb, their incredulous gazes locked upon Han Xiao.

Was this man... utterly mad?!

To face a dozen Super-A ranks alone, two of them at their absolute zenith, was nothing short of courting death.

In the wake of their profound shock, a seething wrath began to kindle within them.

Did he truly underestimate them so profoundly, mistaking their Super-A might for mere paper tigers?!

Had Black Star lost his grasp of reality? That his true form stood before them was one matter, but did he genuinely believe a single man could stand against their combined might? Had they yielded out of fear?

"You speak in earnest?" Serion's face hardened into an iron mask.

"You razed my forward stronghold, plotted to assassinate my vice-commander, and now expect to withdraw with your heads held high while I stand idle... Do you truly believe that is possible?!"

A deep, resonant boom echoed through the air.

Han Xiao's voice rang out like forged steel, as his aura surged upward in relentless, climbing waves.

At his words, the hostility in their eyes deepened into something venomous.

Serion's fury boiled over. "Think carefully before you answer! Given the present circumstances, we need not hesitate to make you our primary target!"

Upon hearing this, Hela's expression tightened; she instantly stepped half in front of Han Xiao, her aura of death spreading outward once more as she braced for battle.

Whatever choice Han Xiao made, whatever foe stood in their path, she would stand shoulder to shoulder with him without a moment's hesitation.

At that moment, Han Xiao placed a steadying hand upon her shoulders, gently pressing her behind him, and spoke slowly:

"There is no need for such tension. I alone shall suffice."

Before their wrath could fully ignite, a cataclysmic surge of power erupted from Han Xiao's very core.

A sharp, crackling hiss tore through the silence.

Fierce, golden mechanical energy lashed out like whips of lightning, flashing wildly as Han Xiao's aura climbed toward an endless zenith.

Facing a dozen Super-A ranks, Han Xiao dared not grow complacent; without a second's hesitation, he unleashed the deepest reserves of his character card arsenal!

[Mechanized Realm Descent Card: The Ancient One]!

[Sovereign Descent Card: Extreme Path: Cellular Limit Breaker]!

[Dragon Throne Descent Card: Force Field: Draconic Physique]!

[Nilo Descent Card: Perfect Mechanical Resonance]!

As the effects of multiple character cards layered upon one another, the energy radiating from Han Xiao in that instant was so terrifying that even the zenith Super-A ranks found it overwhelming, a pressure sharp enough to pierce the senses of every soul present.

Sagman and the others saw their faces pale dramatically, the fury in their eyes melting entirely into sheer dread!

The sheer majesty Han Xiao now commanded far exceeded their every estimation of his strength!

Even Ksuye, who had maintained his composure throughout, was struck with profound awe at this moment!

A profound, azure luminescence ignited within Han Xiao's eyes, blazing so brightly they resembled twin miniature suns.

"Let us see how many of you manage to flee!"

Before the Super-A ranks of Radiance and Phantom Spirits could recover from their stupor, Han Xiao's body trembled with a sudden surge; bolts of mechanical energy shot forth, instantly linking with his mechanical legion to form a lightning-spider web that blotted out the heavens.

And in the very next instant, the iron tide forged from his mechanical legion crashed down with earth-shattering force!