Chapter 167 They Really Did It!

Outside the Black Star Palace, the Traveler sat cross-legged in the air, his staff resting across his knees, gazing into the distance at the heavily guarded Black Star Palace, while in front of him was the defense fleet, standing ready.

"I've arrived at the right time." Seeing this scene, the Traveler narrowed his eyes slightly.

According to the information provided by the Super Star Cluster Alliance, Black Star was a guy who liked to accept challenges, but now he couldn't refuse, and he wasn't even willing to use his Sovereign Avatar to fight him. Sure enough, Sorokin's information was correct—Hela had already been attacked, and Black Star had to maintain his Sovereign Avatar to protect her, so he was stretched too thin.

Apostle Weapons and Mechanical Units could fight on multiple fronts at will, but the Sovereign Avatar shared the main body's combat power, and only one avatar could descend at a time.

"But Black Star isn't using Apostle Weapons to fight me. It seems Sorokin was right; Black Star took his main force away. He's likely been pretending to be at the main camp all along."

The Traveler calculated in his mind, "Since the Dragon Emperor is meeting the challenge, I have to quickly resolve her, so as to force Black Star to take action. Even if he only sends Mechanical Units to fight me, I've achieved my strategy, distracting his energy."

If he wanted a quick victory, he would have to resort to extraordinary means, beyond the scope of a friendly match, which would inevitably offend Black Star.

However, the Traveler didn't care much. His relationship with some Super Star Cluster civilizations was special, exceeding the scope of personal interests. On the surface, he was accepting employment, but in reality, as long as it helped the civilization he belonged to, he would do anything.

The Super Star Cluster Alliance hoped that the actions of the Arcane Church or the Crimson Dynasty would be successful, wanting to see these Beyond Grade As fighting among themselves, not wanting them to unite... This seemed to give the three Universal Civilizations a headache and seemed more beneficial to the Super Star Cluster, but the effect depended on the timing. Right now, the Super Star Cluster was unwilling to see this scene.

In the eyes of the Super Star Cluster civilizations, Beyond Grade As were important tools that could be used, but this era was too early. There weren't enough Beyond Grade As yet, and even if they united, their usefulness would be limited.

The Super Star Cluster Alliance hoped to find a more suitable time. If, by then, the universe had accumulated enough Beyond Grade As, they might even turn around and promote the unity of Beyond Grade As—so they didn't want to waste this "opportunity" in advance.

In addition to considerations of balancing power, another reason the Super Star Cluster Alliance thought this way was that they were worried that the early unity of Beyond Grade As would lead to a reckoning by the three Universal Civilizations, another "Twilight of the Gods." And if the three Universal Civilizations started reckoning, the outsiders would definitely be the first to suffer, so their Super Star Cluster civilization's allies would be bloodbathed again under some pretext, and they would be the ones to lose the most.

The Traveler waited silently for a while. Finally, Ames flew out of the base and came before him, the two facing each other from a distance.

"You want to challenge Black Star? What's your motive?" Ames squinted.

"It's nothing more than admiring the strong and wanting to challenge the peak. Where does the motive come from?" The Traveler's expression was calm.

"Hela's matter is related to you, isn't it?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about." The Traveler shook his head.

"Hmph, keep pretending."

A green light flashed in Ames' eyes, and her force field erupted, manipulating several satellite bricks, which crashed over with a bang.

The Traveler remained calm, holding the staff in both hands, and a hazy mana spewed out, turning into one rune array after another, large and small, which combined to form a super-large rune shield, looking as complex and exquisite as clockwork gears, blocking the satellite bricks' path.

Crack!

Several satellites crashed into the rune shield, and cracks appeared in the shield, but it stopped the attack. At the same time, Ames reached out remotely and yanked hard at the Traveler, and a powerful suction force directly pulled the Traveler toward her.

Flying in mid-air, the Traveler's eyes narrowed, and his strength erupted, stabilizing his figure. Then, he turned his head and unleashed a series of high-powered spells. Multi-dimensional energy turned into colorful magic, which slammed through the position where Ames was, but it hit nothing.

A flash of spatial fluctuation, and she had already used Void Blink to change position, arriving not far behind the Traveler, raising her eyebrows and staring at the Traveler's back, the center of her eyebrows bursting out a circle of energy shockwaves.

The next moment, the Traveler's figure froze in mid-air, unable to move.

Force Field·Dragon Gaze!

At the moment of controlling the enemy, the black dress suddenly fluttered, and Ames' long legs lashed out like a whip, swinging out a force field, heading straight for the Traveler's back.

The force field emitted from the main body was the most powerful. This force field was highly compressed into a line by her, becoming a slashing nature, looking like a slash wave swung out with her leg.

Force Field·Reaper Blade!

Swish!

The slash wave force field swept past, actually cutting the Traveler in half.

However, the next moment, the severed Traveler suddenly shrank, and with a bang, turned into an alchemy golem. And in the distance, a small clay-made puppet appeared out of thin air, rapidly deforming, and transforming back into the Traveler's appearance.

"Puppet Replacement Technique, a simple trick." The Traveler said lightly.

Ames frowned slightly. She was an old acquaintance of Austin and knew some knowledge of magic.

The Puppet Replacement Technique was an unpopular spell belonging to the alchemy and curse branches, with great side effects. In terms of the panel's intuitive representation, each time the Puppet Replacement Technique was cast, Health and Energy would be reduced by 50%, and all attributes would temporarily decline by 20%, which was very damaging.

Because its practicality was limited, it was generally only used by low-level mages to save their lives, while high-level mages had various shields and many defensive methods, so they basically didn't need such unpopular spells.

With that kind of attack just now, a Beyond Grade A mage had dozens of ways to dodge or block it, and even if they took the damage head-on, the damage would not be as great as the side effects of the Puppet Replacement Technique. As the saying goes, something strange must be up, and Ames felt that the Traveler's actions must have a special purpose.

She carefully observed and found that the Traveler's aura seemed to have undergone a strange change. The corners of his mouth curled up in a faint, eerie smile, and his whole person inexplicably had a more filthy and evil aura.

"Tsk tsk, force field manipulation is a common ability. It's rare that you can practice it to the level of Beyond Grade A. You have a very good talent in force field manipulation. Maybe one day, you can develop this ability into an ultimate form, turning it into a super-high-risk ability—Force Control. Although there is only one word difference, the meaning is vastly different." The Traveler's aura changed, and he suddenly started talking a lot.

"Something's fishy." Ames secretly became alert, clenching her fist and suddenly crushing a corner of a satellite brick. A large number of fragments, under the manipulation of the force field, shot out like a meteor shower.

Force Field·Dragon Breath Meteor Fist!

While using spells to resist and counterattack, the Traveler observed a faint purple brand on the back of his hand, and a purple evil light faintly shone in his crystal yellow eyes.

"Life force is not enough, more sacrifices are needed..."

The two fought fiercely on the periphery of the Black Star Palace. The Traveler's fighting style was strange, occasionally selling blood, while Ames used the force field in various properties: traction, compression, vibration, blasting, slashing, and so on. In her hands, the force field ability showed powerful control.

While training Hela outside, Ames herself had also improved, and her control over her ability had reached a new level.

Just as the two were fighting fiercely, Melos, who was watching the battle from the base's watchtower, quietly directed the fleet to leave in separate directions, forming a huge encirclement.

"All of you, perk up." Melos' tone was low. "Preheat the space stabilization device. When I give the order, you will activate the device and trap the Traveler."

When it came to the deputy legion commander, who cared about martial morality? They just went all out. Even Ames didn't plan to have a proper one-on-one with the Traveler.

Regardless of whether it was a misunderstanding or not, it was best to take down the Traveler first. Ames went up to fight the opponent mainly to distract the other party's attention and facilitate the fleet's secret deployment of traps, lest the other party open a teleportation gate and run away.

...

At the same time, the Crimson Dynasty received Han Xiao's message and immediately mobilized. The Beyond Grade As who were staying in the Dynasty's territory received missions one after another, setting off from their respective territories and taking ships to the Star Gate Station to jump.

In Kant's vehicle, the few Beyond Grade As who had been urgently assembled this time gathered here using remote projections, holding a meeting and discussing while on their way.

"The Arcane Church really doesn't learn from past mistakes. More than twenty years ago, during the Beacon Star battle, I... and Black Star taught them a lesson, and they only calmed down for less than thirty years before they came out to cause trouble again." Beyoni curled his lips, and a few sparks leaked from between his teeth.

"The other party's actions are very sudden, and the target is Hela. Right now, only a few of us are the closest. It's best to go and provide support as soon as possible." Kant also became serious.

Most of the Dynasty's allies had been assigned territories in the Shattered Star Ring, and many people were participating in free competition outside, so they were too far away to make it in time to provide support.

Currently, the Beyond Grade As who remained within the Dynasty's territory could arrive at the Black Star Army's frontline stronghold battlefield the fastest. Temporarily, there were only Kant's Sovereign Avatar, the injured Ravenlaude, the slacking Beyoni, and the idle Kohler.

"I heard that Kesuye's avatar has also gone. Isn't it a bit dangerous..." Kohler whispered.

Kant's big, glittering eyes glared fiercely. "So useless. With me here, what are you afraid of? I can beat all of the Arcane Church by myself!"

"Really?" Kohler looked suspicious.

"Nonsense, of course it's fake. You know that and you still ask? Can't I just say it to satisfy my craving?" Kant rolled his eyes. "If I had that ability, Dark Emperor would be my follower."

Ravenlaude didn't interrupt, remaining silent, his expression uncertain.

He had just been beaten up by Han Xiao not long ago, and he was actually unwilling to help.

But each time he provided support, the Dynasty provided very considerable rewards and merits...

He had to earn a living.

"Forget it. I heard that the Black Star Army is in a critical situation this time. If I help him overcome the difficulty, he will owe me a favor. At that time, I can ask Black Star to get me a Universal Treasure..."

Thinking of this possibility, Ravenlaude's spirit perked up, and his fighting spirit instantly ignited.

...

At the same time, after dispatching reinforcements, the Dynasty's upper echelons also paid close attention to this matter.

In the conference room of the Dynasty's Capital Planet's Administrative Building, Head of State Ulan Riel looked at the frontline battle images sent back by the Black Star Army, his expression stern. The remote projections of the Dynasty's senior officials on both sides also turned their heads to look at the images, without speaking, the atmosphere solemn.

"The Arcane Church is incorrigible and wants to persecute our ally again." Ulan Riel coldly swept his eyes around. "What are your opinions?"

Everyone looked at each other. After a while, Bekrodi raised his hand and slowly said, "Your Excellency, according to intelligence, the Arcane Church's target is Hela, and Hela is not our Beyond Grade A ally."

"Hela is the vice legion commander of the Black Star Army, and the Black Star Army is, of course, our ally."

"But she herself has always refused to join the Dynasty... Your Excellency, I suggest one thing be treated as one thing. Black Star is Black Star, and Hela is Hela. Now Black Star is asking for help in his own name, and we are helping out of our alliance, but this is equivalent to him using the Dynasty's power for nothing, allowing his own camp to benefit. My idea is... we can help allies, but we can't be used without cost. Protecting Black Star is what we should do, but protecting a Beyond Grade A who is not our ally? No, I think we should propose conditions and not provide assistance for free." Bekrodi said righteously.

"Then what are your ideas?" Ulan Riel frowned slightly.

"If Black Star is able to overcome the difficulty because he accepted our assistance, I think we should make a request, that is, Hela must join the Dynasty... Of course, she herself can continue to serve in the Black Star Army, but her identity must become a Dynasty ally and conclude a treaty."

"Hmm... there's some truth in that." Ulan Riel pondered for a while. "What if Hela is killed?"

"It's a loss for the Dynasty, but there are still other benefits. If Hela dies in battle, Black Star will inevitably stand on the opposite side of the Arcane Church, the Council of Gods will basically be invalidated, and the Beyond Grade As will not be able to unite, eliminating a threat. At the same time, having an external enemy will help to bring the Dynasty and Black Star closer, and his loyalty will be consolidated, so regardless of whether the rescue is successful or not, the Dynasty will win either way." Bekrodi said.

Many senior officials nodded, and from a rational point of view, they felt that Bekrodi's analysis was reasonable.

Ulan Riel was noncommittal, tapping his fingers on the table. Seeing that no one else had anything to say, he said in a deep voice, "In any case, first provide full support to the Black Star Army. We'll talk about the rest later."

"Yes."

The remote projections disappeared one after another.

Ulan Riel left the conference room. Dark Emperor Klotti, who had been waiting outside the door, put the Head of State's coat on him and followed behind.

After walking for a while, Ulan Riel suddenly opened his mouth, "Klotti, what do you say is the probability that Hela will be safe and sound this time?"

"Very low." Klotti said expressionlessly.

"Even with the Dynasty's help?"

"That's right."

"Reason?"

"The Crimson Dynasty will not stand idly by."

"How do you know?"

"The Mechanic Emperor told me."

Ulan Riel was speechless.

Okay, this reason is very good and very powerful. I have nothing to say.

"It seems that the Mechanic Emperor really values the issue of the Beyond Grade A battle line."

Ulan Riel stopped and turned to look at Klotti.

"You are also a Beyond Grade A. Do you have any opinions on this?"

Klotti's expression was calm. "My first identity is a Crimson Dynasty person, my second identity is the Dynasty's Head of State's personal guard captain, and my third identity is only that of a Beyond Grade A."

Ulan Riel shook his head and turned back.

He was silent for a moment before speaking softly:

"You've been my personal guard for too long. Take a break from your duties in a while. Go out and kill a few Beyond Grade As and come back. Don't let this universe forget the name of the Dark Emperor."

"Okay."

Klotti replied indifferently.

...

At the same time, the Beast Ancestor's base.

"Hahaha, they really did it!"

In the main hall, Gorutan laughed loudly, and the powerful lung function erupted with sound waves that almost materialized, shaking the entire base.

Just now, he had learned from Sorokin that the information he had revealed had pushed Hela into a desperate situation.

The plan was successful, repaying him for the arrow, and Gorutan couldn't help but feel very happy.

Sorokin's possessed body stood in front of him, with a smile on his face. "Your Excellency Beast Ancestor, your territory is not far from the battlefield. Do you want to join in the fun?"

Hearing this, Gorutan stopped laughing and stared straight at Sorokin with his sharp eyes, his voice rough and angry, "You want to bewitch me again?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare." Sorokin hurriedly waved his hands.

"Hmph." Gorutan snorted coldly, casually picked up the special large wine glass next to him, and drank it all in one gulp. "Anyway, I'll just watch the show here, waiting for the news of Hela's death in battle, and I won't go anywhere."

"Don't worry, I'm not encouraging you to join the battle. The Dynasty must have sent reinforcements by now, and they're on their way. If the Dynasty's reinforcements arrive, Hela might be able to escape. So instead of sitting here, why not help a little in secret?"

"What other tricks do you have?"

"Hehe, according to my calculations, the first step in the Arcane Church's attack on the Black Star stronghold must be to eliminate the Star Gate Station and activate the space stabilization device, cutting off Hela's retreat route. So if the Dynasty's reinforcements want to come over, they can only take the nearby Star Gates... Your Excellency Beast Ancestor, if you close or dismantle the nearby Star Gate Stations, the Dynasty's reinforcements will have to take a detour. In this way, the situation of Hela being isolated and helpless will be prolonged for a lot of time, and the success rate of the plan will greatly increase."

A flash of light flashed in Gorutan's eyes, and he put down his wine glass. "Hmm, what you said seems to make some sense..."

Sorokin smiled lightly.

...

Ancient Star Desert, territory of the Mechanic Race.

Manison slowly opened his eyes and opened an encrypted communication channel.

"Mornisa, have you set off yet?"

"Teacher, the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Device has already begun to guide and will depart at any time."

"Understood."

Manison nodded, switched channels, and spoke to the Apostle Weapon Unit:

"Keep an eye on the Beast Ancestor. He might take action. No matter what he wants to do, stop him."

"Understood."

After issuing a few orders, Manison closed his eyes again and murmured to himself in a low voice.

"Black Star, I'm helping you this much today, so don't let me down."