by <unknown>
Since you treat me like a state scholar, I’ll be sure to repay this country with my life!
…
In Black Star Palace’s office, Han Xiao shut down the remote projection, smiling brightly.
“Karlot was really worth training. Just a year and his growth is already so high. If we follow this trend, he might even surpass Lothaire and reach the Beyond Grade A realm first.”
He could not be more satisfied with Karlot. This guy was indeed the poster boy of the future Pugilist system.
Lothaire was still stuck outside the door of the Beyond Grade A realm. This final step was the most difficult, and it was unknown how long he would take.
On the other hand, Evans had been cultivating diligently for several decades. Because the players were not online, he could not absorb any new abilities. He had only been polishing his core abilities and upgrading his realm. He had finally realized his potential, succeeding in entering the Calamity Grade as well.
Han Xiao was full of expectations for this new ‘EsGod’. Since the players had returned, they could finally add some new abilities to Evans.
In addition to these potential stocks, the army had expanded its advanced combatants by many times, hosting a large number of Beyond Grade A seeds, including many talented people worth training.
Oh, that’s right, there’s still that balding baby Sylvia.
A pity, that with her potential, the most she can reach will probably be the Beyond Grade A realm.
Han Xiao felt that she should actually just remain as the Chief Administrative Official…
Shaking his head, Han Xiao took out the communicator and scanned it.
Right now, the universe is reacting to the players’ return, worrying that if they continue to grow, they’ll become more lawless, shaking the order of the Galactic Society. It is actually true to think so. The fuse has already been lit.
The ancients used this phrase in the past: a pugilist could use his strength for evil. This trait was perfectly demonstrated by the players; as their strength grew, they became harder to control. This would allow one to understand why the Calamity of the Supers was named thus, which was accurate if looking from the players’ perspective.
“The three Universal Civilizations will be moving soon. I keep feeling that something is about to happen.”
Han Xiao rubbed his forehead as he frowned.
At this moment, a black flame suddenly appeared in front of his eyes, rapidly expanding into a projection of Oathkeeper’s soul.
Han Xiao raised his brows. “Why are you not saying hi? Did you come to me because you’ve collected another set of keys?”
“Not yet.” Oathkeeper’s tone was solemn. “Black Star, I have two pieces of bad news for you.”
“Oh? Say them.”
“There’s a traitor that has appeared among the group of avengers, who wishes to sell out the Holy Accord in return for the assistance of an advanced civilization’s help to seek revenge.”
Han Xiao’s expression sank. “How did this happen? Has the news been leaked?”
“Pangon is currently in pursuit of the traitor, and we’ve managed to intercept the intelligence temporarily.”
Han Xiao furrowed his brows. “Then the other bad news?”
“Someone used magic to spy on the Holy Accord. We’ve traced the source and discovered that it came from the secondary dimensions. Most likely, we’ve been discovered by some existence hidden in the secondary dimensions, but we’re still unclear as to who it is,” Oathkeeper said in a heavy tone.
Hearing this, Han Xiao calmly stood up, putting on his cloak.
“Give me the coordinates. I’ll go take a look.”
Chapter 1273: Traitor |
Grains of black sand swirled along with the raging tempest, covering the sky in darkness. This high-speed sandstorm was akin to a grinder that could smash apart steel. It was prevalent on the surface of this barren planet all year round, causing this planet to be unable to give birth to any life.
All of a sudden, blue brilliance flashed in the sandstorm, and a figure appeared out of thin air, falling to the ground.
This person wore a broken mechanical suit and was covered in blood, as if he was seriously injured. He struggled to stand up, raising his hand to eject a thin energy shield to ward off the surrounding high-speed sandstorm.
The next instant, a few rays of light flashed behind him, and Pangon as well as a few other Beyond Grade As quickly surrounded him.
Pangon coldly stared at the person, his tone full of murderous intent.
“Kotlin, you betrayed us!”
This Primordial One named Kotlin gasped for breath as he looked around the people surrounding him. He sadly smiled.
Everyone present was at the Beyond Grade A realm, so the spatial fluctuations and folds left by the teleportation and transitions were all clues for them to track him, leading to his inability to get rid of them. His communicator network was locked by the Mechanics around Pangon, so there was already no way for him to escape.
Pangon’s expression was stone cold, as he raised his fist and shouted, “I’ve said this before. Our principle of action is to not drag Black Star and Holy Accord down in our affairs. For you to try to exchange intelligence on them to the Super Star Cluster Alliance in exchange for assistance has already broken the original agreement. I can only get rid of you!”
He felt heartache yet grateful. Kotlin was a member of the Avengers, so he was saddened that his companion had deviated to another path, but he was also grateful that he managed to discover this before he and the Super Star Cluster Alliance formed deep bonds.
Kotlin exhaled before solemnly speaking. “Pangon, can’t you see it. With our meagre manpower, even if we develop ourselves silently for hundreds of years, we basically cannot complete the revenge plan. It is whimsical to hope so without external help. I can’t do it just by following you; it’s a waste of time!”
Pangon was silent for a moment before resolutely replying, “Even if hope is slim, I will not use this method of betraying Oathkeeper and Black Star. They’ve carried out the mission of the Holy Accord, reviving us and giving us a second life. You’re ungrateful to do so!”
“We’re all founders of the Holy Accord, and without our efforts in the early years, how could they be able to grasp the Sanctum Revival method now? I indeed owe Oathkeeper, but for Black Star… heh, he’s just an opportunist. How dare he put on a front as though he’s our savior? His position now was obtained through us!” Kotlin’s eyes flashed, and his attitude remained stubborn.
Another Beyond Grade A by the side coldly said, “Black Star is merely planning for the future of the entire class. While we’re not participating in it, we should not try to backstab him or get in his way. You’ve crossed the line.”
Kotlin did not seem to approve as he raged immediately. “What does the bullsh*t class struggle have to do with me‽ I only had one goal from the beginning, and that is to avenge my compatriots! For that, I could give up everything, including my life. This time, I didn’t even think about getting back alive! Since there’s only one chance for us to undergo the Sanctum Revival, to me, the Holy Accord and Black Star are now useless!
“If they did not affect me, I could have given them face and helped them keep their secret, but Black Star is obviously trying to find ways to coexist peacefully with the three Universal Civilizations, my enemy! In the future, he might even show his loyalty and destroy us! If he dares block my way, he can only scram!”
Hearing this, Pangon and the rest frowned.
The goals of each of the founding Primordial Ones in the Holy Accord were different. Not everyone did this to escape the war, and people such as Pangon and Kotlin wished to leave a lifeline to protect their civilizations one day after the war as assurance.
Pangon shook his head. He felt that there was no point wasting his breath on Kotlin anymore. The guy had been completely corrupted by his hatred, unable to accept any other advice. He just wished to take revenge
at all costs.
He did not wish to waste his time by arguing over Kotlin’s personal beliefs. He changed the topic and coldly asked, “What benefits did the Super Star Cluster Alliance promise you?”
“We haven’t negotiated.” Kotlin did not hide anything either.
The secrets such as the way to open the Sanctums as well as the formula for creating the keys were firmly held by Oathkeeper and Black Star, and they had never been disclosed to the other Revivors. Kotlin could only trade a shallow layer of intelligence, such as the composition of the Holy Accord and the private deals between Black Star and the Holy Accord. However, just that was already very valuable.
Before negotiating conditions that fit both parties, Kotlin would naturally remain a stranger to them. It was not the first time he had dealt with such organizations, so he would not reveal his bargaining chips, otherwise he would lose his negotiation value.
Pangon mutely nodded before the Pugilist flames on his body re-ignited. He coldly said, “Alright, there’s nothing more to say. I’ll send you off personally.”
“I never intended to wait for death. If you wish to kill me, then come and try!”
Kotlin burned his life without reserving any, frenziedly exciting his fatigued cells.
The next instant, several silhouettes blurred and smashed into each other.
Boom!
Fierce shock waves swept across the surface, causing the planet to shatter.
…
In the secondary dimension world, Han Xiao shuttled forward at high speed, jumping through secondary dimensions repeatedly as he headed deep in.
After receiving the news from Oathkeeper, Han Xiao had taken the coordinates and gone straight in to track the peeping Tom.
Over the years, Han Xiao had constructed many new machines, and this mechanical suit he was currently wearing was a model that specifically allowed him to move through the secondary dimensions at high speeds.
As for the traitor on Pangon’s side, Han Xiao had no control over him for the time being. Pangon and the others could not take a Throne along as well, so he could not go there even if he wanted to. He could only leave it to Pangon to settle… While this person was a little reckless, his combat strength could not be faulted.
Moreover, none of the revivors knew any key information such as the method to open the Sanctums. Even if intelligence was leaked, the outside world would at most know of the existence of the Holy Accord and his connection with them. Such problems could be controlled, and there might even be advantages among the disadvantages.
The Holy Accord in his past should have met with a similar matter, but the offender was not anyone who was currently a Revivor. In the Calamity of the Supers version during his previous life, Kotlin acted normally, and it seemed that no information about the Holy Accord had been leaked.
“This could be the butterfly effect caused by me. In the past, the Sanctums were not exposed, nor was there an association, so he must’ve made a different choice.”
At this moment, a black flame materialized beside him, which took on the shape of Oathkeeper. As he followed Han Xiao, he spoke.
“Black Star, the problem on Pangon’s side has been resolved. The traitor has been killed.”
“Quite efficient.” Han Xiao nodded. “Did you manage to find out the reason?”
“Oh, Kotlin spoke like this…”
Oathkeeper recounted the incident to him.
Hearing this, Han Xiao silently nodded.
“No wonder…”
This was indeed related to him. In his previous life, the Holy Accord had always kept to the shadows, not participating in these political storms. The Revivors had all maintained a neutral stance in the past, but they had all been converted by Han Xiao to join the Beyond Grade A war. Thus, Kotlin’s mentality was altered.
However, this was a rare situation. Basically, the Revivors would not risk leaking any intelligence, as they knew that once the plan of Black Star and the Holy Accord was known, they would be hunted down and might even cost Black Star his life, wasting his ‘precious second life’.
People like Kotlin who were ungrateful and did not care about their lives were few. This binding of class interest and the safety of one’s life was enough to suppress most of them.
In actual fact, Law and Fay had privately suggested in the past that Oathkeeper use the Soul Flame as a way to seal their mouths. While it might not be a strong restraining factor, it could be used to sense when a Revivor was leaking intelligence. However, this suggestion was rejected by Oathkeeper.
Han Xiao also did not agree with this proposal. It would be easy if things could be that simple… The Holy Accord was able to suppress the second batch of Revivors, mainly because they relied on the support of the Primordial Ones in the first batch. Their identities were people who had originally founded the organization, so if this suggestion was carried out, the nature of the Holy Accord would change, and the Revivors would run away.
Han Xiao shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Traitors are hard to avoid; we just have to be more careful.”
“Kotlin was not like this… Sigh, hatred can really change a person completely. The next time we activate a Sanctum, let’s not count him in.”
“That’s only natural.” Han Xiao nodded.
The two of them were the only people who knew the true mechanism of the Sanctum Revival function. After this incident, they had removed Kotlin’s name from the list, and they would no longer consider reviving him in the future.
This b*stard thought that the revival only worked once, so he felt that the Holy Accord and Black Star were of no use to him, deciding to kick them to the curb since they had outlived their usefulness. As such, Han Xiao decided to grant him his wish, so Kotlin’s Sanctum Revival was limited to that once. He would never know what he had missed out on!
At this moment, the built-in secondary dimension coordinate tracker on the mechanical suit pinged.
Han Xiao followed its instructions and jumped through a few more secondary dimensions, after which he broke into the chaotic space stream, moving until he abruptly stopped outside a secondary dimension.
The outer wall of the secondary dimension in front of him was inscribed with countless magic array circuits, which protected the place tightly. This was obviously an artificial transformation, and the coordinates that were given to him also indicated this place.
“… It looks like a dimensional Mage Pagoda at first glance.”
Han Xiao carefully scrutinized his surroundings.
Because he possessed the coordinates provided by Oathkeeper, he had arrived very quickly. The Holy Accord had long deployed countless countermeasures against prying eyes. Once someone tried to snoop on them, they would be tracked. The magic and technology involved in this was akin to how one’s IP address could be tracked.
Han Xiao flew over and placed a hand on the magic protective shield on the outer wall of the secondary dimension, feeling the strong repulsion. This indicated that the strength of the shield was extremely tough.
“A barrier of this level would only be arranged by a Beyond Grade A, and not just a normal Beyond Grade A…”
Han Xiao secretly nodded to himself, his eyes gleaming.
This meant that it was likely secluded experts within the secondary dimension had known of his presence but did not take the initiative to greet him.
Tsk, were they pretending to be tortoises? Thinking it was safe so long as they remained within their turtle shell?
“It seems like I need to utilize some brute force.”
Han Xiao did not plan to use any force, but seeing the other party’s attitude, he could not help but raise his palm, a lump of psionic energy gathering.
At this moment, Han Xiao acutely felt the magic barrier of the secondary dimension fluctuate, opening a gap.
Buzz!
The next moment, a figure flew out of the gap, arriving near him. This person wore a platinum and gold mage robe, with a pointy mage hat, and had a l
ong flowing white beard. His appearance was very similar to a famous violent, dual-wielding battle mage.
A mental message surged into Han Xiao’s mind. “How do you do, guest from afar?”
Looking over, Han Xiao raised his brows as a look of surprise flashed across his face.
This was simply because he recognized the ‘stranger’ that he had met for the first time.
Turns out to be this guy… Isn’t he the Beyond Grade A in seclusion who fought with the World Tree Army in the secondary dimension during the World Tree War in my previous life?
Chapter 1274: Negotiations |
‘Mystery Mage’ Joey Terrain, a secluded expert who lived in the secondary dimension world, was a person from the same era as the foul-mouthed ‘Elf King’ Dylan.
There was, however, no such person within the galactic history. He had avoided the universe for a long time without leaving any record. The first time he appeared before the universe in Han Xiao’s previous life was during the World Tree invasion.
The Mage class was similar to the Mechanic class in that they grew stronger the more they accumulated and learned. For most, their age was directly correlated to their strength. Having stayed in the secondary dimension world for so many years, Joey had slowly accumulated his knowledge like how water droplets slowly accumulate in a bucket to the point that he had reached the pinnacle Beyond Grade A realm. However, due to a lack of talent, potential, and other factors involved, his level was likely lower than the pillars of each Universal Civilization. He would barely qualify to rank as a top-tier combatant in the universe. If one did not count the Revivors, however, he would definitely occupy a spot as one of the strongest Beyond Grade As in the world.
Han Xiao had a deep impression of him. During the World Tree invasion, the secondary dimension world was reduced to a battlefield, and all the secret organizations and hermits turned into objects of conquest, being bombed out of their hiding places. Unable to remain secluded, they banded together to resist collectively.
