Chapter 1 Ambiance Change

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Everyone looked towards the speaker, a neutral Super A-class named Lu Qi, nicknamed "Ancient Serpent," a Transformation-type Esper who occasionally served as a mercenary for advanced civilizations, and frequented the black market.

Gao De stared at him, secretly surprised.

He had only taken action a handful of times, showing his abilities during the Kunde Clan War decades ago. He hadn't sparred with anyone since becoming a Super A-class. His specific abilities should only be known to a few within the empire. The information was controlled and hadn't spread. He didn't expect that on his first day at the association, someone would reveal his abilities…

Where did the information leak from?

Before Gao De could speak, someone asked curiously.

"Lu Qi, where did you get this information?"

"The black market. I overheard it by chance," Lu Qi said casually.

"Is the information accurate?" another person asked.

"How would I know? Isn't that what I'm asking? You're not telling me none of you heard anything?" Lu Qi asked, puzzled.

Secretary Lord frowned and said slowly, "When I had my subordinates collect information, I also received similar reports. But there was no concrete evidence, just rumors. On the black market network, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of such speculations. No one knows who spread them. Most are just wild guesses."

Seeing this, several big shots who frequented the black market also spoke up in agreement, saying they had seen similar claims but hadn't taken them seriously.

Han Xiao watched the show from the sidelines, secretly relieved.

The information about Gao De's abilities was precisely what he anonymously fed into the black market network. With his virtual technology skills, he wouldn't leave any traces. To others, the rumors seemed to appear out of thin air, spreading from one person to ten, then to a hundred, until no one could trace the source. Such things were common on the internet.

The black market network was a magical place where countless pieces of information were traded every day. False news was abundant, but occasionally some secrets would surface. It was incredibly powerful, and sometimes even advanced civilizations didn't know how their secrets were leaked.

Using an ultra-high-risk Esper ability that only existed in theory as a selling point made the topic highly topical and easily spread. Now, all the major forces were using their own intelligence channels to collect information about Gao De, this new Super A-class. So, forces like Secretary Lord who frequented the black market were very likely to discover this claim.

But there were too many speculations and no concrete evidence. These big shots wouldn't ask Gao De about these unsubstantiated rumors to his face. So, Han Xiao chose a few targets and gave them some "real stuff," enticing them to bring up the topic when everyone was gathered. Lu Qi was one of them.

This target wasn't chosen at random. Others thought Lu Qi was a neutral Super A-class, but in the later versions of his previous life, this person's identity was revealed. He was an undercover agent of a Super Star Cluster civilization, just like the Traveler back then. Han Xiao knew him inside and out.

Because of the sensitive competitive relationship between the three major civilizations, Han Xiao was confident that he could entice the agitator left in the association by the Super Star Cluster civilization to take the initiative… If it didn't work, he had backup plans.

On the other side, after some discussion, everyone turned to look at Gao De, their eyes revealing strong curiosity.

"What exactly are your abilities?"

Looking at the curious expressions on everyone's faces, Gao De exhaled and said slowly, "Which of you here has a habit of revealing your secrets? I certainly don't. You don't need to be curious. You'll find out later."

Lu Qi curled his lip and pressed, "Everyone here is a member of the association now. What's there to hide? You joined the association but aren't giving any information. That's not very sincere. It's not fair to us. Could it be that your ability really is energy manipulation?"

Hearing this, many people nodded in agreement.

This was the treatment new Super A-classes received. Everyone wanted to find out the newcomer's secrets to avoid being caught off guard by unknown abilities in future conflicts. Most newcomers went through this.

Gao De's eyes twitched slightly.

He could tell that Lu Qi was an agitator, deliberately targeting him and forcing him to reveal his hand.

"No need to ask. I won't answer."

Gao De shook his head, not directly denying it, avoiding the question.

Secrecy was only temporary, not a permanent task. The empire's goal in cultivating him was to give him deterrent power. Once he grew to a certain stage, the empire wouldn't just stop being secretive, but would vigorously promote his Esper ability as the first case in history, deterring the Super A-classes of other civilizations.

So, the empire's current requirement was just not to directly answer questions about his abilities, not to lie, otherwise it would be difficult to explain when promoting him in the future.

Moreover, denying his abilities would make him seem like he didn't have the mentality of a strongman, which would be detrimental to establishing prestige. If it damaged his image in the Super A-class community, it would be much more troublesome to fix, so he had to avoid the topic.

"So, you're not giving us face?" Lu Qi narrowed his eyes. "Our true bodies aren't here. Otherwise, we could just spar with you, and your abilities couldn't be hidden. I don't know why you're being so secretive. It seems the rumors aren't groundless. Your ability should be energy manipulation. Even if it's not, it must be something very special, which is why you're keeping it a secret."

"Think what you want." Gao De didn't want to argue with him anymore and looked away.

Seeing this, many people's eyes flickered, and they became suspicious to varying degrees.

In their opinion, Gao De's ambiguous and non-committal approach added credibility to the claim of energy manipulation. If that wasn't his ability, wouldn't denying it be the most straightforward thing to do?

If Gao De really had this kind of perverted, ultra-high-risk Esper ability…

At this thought, many people's thoughts raced, and their eyes gradually changed.

At this moment, Han Xiao, who had been watching from the sidelines, smoothed things over and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, if Gao De doesn't want to say, don't force him. Today is supposed to be welcoming the newcomer. Don't make the atmosphere so tense."

The best outcome was for Gao De to admit his abilities, but there was nothing they could do if he refused to answer. However, it was also within Han Xiao's calculations. As long as he conveyed the information about "energy manipulation" to all the Super A-classes on this occasion, whether Gao De admitted it or not, he would have achieved most of his goal.

Hearing the vice president, who had the most say, speak up, everyone dropped the topic, and the atmosphere became harmonious again.

Gao De glanced at Han Xiao and saw him nodding. He smiled back, feeling a little emotional.

He had never enjoyed the taste of having popular support. He had always been the one being besieged. At this moment, he had to admit that it felt quite good to have someone speak up for him.

The welcoming meeting was relaxed, mainly to have the newcomer show their face, for everyone to build rapport, and to help them understand the association's purpose, rules, and regulations, or to help solve some problems, such as helping newcomers develop their forces, borrow resources, provide strategic support, and so on. However, Gao De was a direct descendant of the empire and didn't need help with building his forces.

Everyone chatted casually, pulling Gao De around, asking him this and that. Mainly, the people from the empire's faction were more active, while members of other factions only chimed in with a word or two occasionally.

As they chatted, Han Xiao glanced at Manison, chuckled, and said casually:

"Gao De, you just joined the association, so there are many things you don't know yet. Let me remind you, you must be careful of our dear Lord Mechanic. He's most interested in tender newcomers."

"Oh? Why?"

Gao De turned his head and saw that Manison was expressionless, as if he was used to it.

Hunters-of-the-Sky laughed like thunder, "Haha, Black Star is right. Manison has never been willing to give up the criminal slave technology. If you really have an ultra-high-risk Esper ability, then you need to be careful. He might set his sights on your delicate body and turn you into his puppet."

"Hmph, ridiculous."

Manison simply closed his eyes to rest, not wanting to see or hear.

Seeing this, everyone laughed, and the room was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Black Star teasing Lord Mechanic was already a regular program at the meetings. Hearing Han Xiao say this, everyone just thought it was normal and were used to it, without any doubt.

Everyone was busy, so the welcoming meeting didn't last long. It soon ended, and everyone logged off. Gao De also got up and left, returning to the imperial fleet.

As soon as he returned to his room, Gao De received a communication from the empire's upper echelons, who immediately asked.

"We already know about the Super A-class Association. You haven't revealed your abilities to anyone, have you?"

"No."

Gao De shook his head.

He wasn't surprised that the empire had received the news so quickly. After all, there were many direct descendants of the empire in the association, who were the empire's sources of information.

"That's good. We'll investigate where the information was leaked. It's strange that they accurately named your abilities. There must be something wrong… The content of today's meeting will definitely be passed on to the Glorious, the Void Spirit, and some Super Star Cluster civilizations. It may cause them to suspect your abilities. Come back as soon as possible. The Shattered Star Ring is too dangerous."

"Are you saying someone might take the risk and try to assassinate me?" Gao De raised an eyebrow.

"Not necessarily. The era now is different from the past. Because of the existence of the Super A-class Association, as long as the rules aren't broken, it's basically impossible for bloodshed to occur… But it's better to be cautious."

"Alright."

Gao De casually replied and hung up the communication.

He didn't think any forces would take action. Now that the war was still going on in the Shattered Star Ring, the Glorious and the Void Spirit wouldn't turn against each other, and the Super Star Clusters wouldn't dare to send out Super A-classes first, fearing that it would attract the direct descendants of the three major civilizations. In addition, there was the guarantee of the Super A-class Association. He felt that his situation was very safe.

Times were different now. Black Star and others had established the association, which was a blessing for all Super A-classes.

Back then, Black Star was too flamboyant and was targeted by the Glorious and the Void Spirit every now and then. But now, with the association's guarantee of Super A-class lives, this situation would basically never happen again.

Gao De also enjoyed the benefits. Moreover, he had the identity of a direct descendant of the empire as a protective talisman. He didn't think anyone had any motivation to deal with him. The risks and benefits were completely disproportionate.

"Now is really a good era for Super A-classes…"

Gao De sighed for a while and ordered the fleet to set sail.

One imperial ship after another rose into the air and entered the galaxy, flying towards the direction of leaving the Shattered Star Ring.

At the same time, the content of this meeting was relayed by Super A-classes to the ears of different forces.

…

Glorious Federation Mother Planet, Presidential Palace.

"An energy manipulation Esper suspected to only exist in theory?"

Glorious President Badr browsed the report sent by his direct descendant Super A-class, his expression slightly changing.

The chief council elder next to him paused on his crutch and said in a deep voice, "This is just speculation. The news may not be true. It's too rash."

"But it's at least a discovery. This new Super A-class from the empire is being secretive. Whether his Esper ability is energy manipulation or not, it's definitely not simple… The report said the news came from the black market. Order the intelligence department to collect relevant information on the black market network and try to verify it."

Badr paused, then suddenly sighed:

"If the news is correct, then the empire is really lucky. They actually obtained this kind of Esper with infinite potential. In the future, he will definitely replace Clotti as the pillar of the nation… They already have Black Star, and now they have another Gao De. In the field of individual power, the empire can guarantee its advantage for hundreds and thousands of years to come, alas."

The chief council elder raised his white eyebrows. "You're not going to take action, are you? Don't do it. It's penny wise, pound foolish."

"Don't worry, one Super A-class isn't important. I won't ruin the current good situation for this little thing. The Void Spirit probably has the same decision."

Badr waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject: "But others… I don't know."

"Don't think too much." The chief council elder shook his head. "The times are different. Nothing will happen."

Badr thought for a while and nodded.

"Yeah, that's right. No one will take action unless they're stupid."