Chapter 1 Times Have No Feelings

The interstellar society in the era of war was filled with countless upheavals, changing the lives of billions of people in different ways. Some actively plunged into the tide of the times, some were involuntarily swept into the vortex, and some steadfastly muddled along, hiding in their ivory towers, caring not for spring, summer, autumn, or winter.

Parades, independence, rebellions, political infighting… endless chain reactions spread across various star fields. If each bursting event were a blooming flower, the universe would be a riot of color, a tapestry of blossoms.

The root of the storm was the "Shining Wars" between the three great civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance. After the disappearance of the Undying, the war intensified, gradually transitioning from proxy wars to the participation of regular armies.

Even though both sides tacitly maintained low-intensity operations, the large-scale operations of advanced civilizations were not something ordinary forces could participate in.

The various front lines of the fourth phase of the Exploration Era have become forbidden zones. When the war machines of advanced civilizations start up, it is a vast power different from individual strength, as if conquering the stars.

Faced with the regular army offensives of the three great civilizations, the Super Star Cluster Alliance gradually weakened due to limited supply lines, and territories were repeatedly seized, compressing the battle lines.

In this era's great wave, the Beyond Grade A's were able to remain unmoved, living a comfortable life, developing in a low-key manner, adjusting to each other, and slowly improving the association's network of interests, connecting Beyond Grade A forces in various industries to form a vast united body of interests.

While the outside world was in a heated battle, Han Xiao pretended not to see it, announcing his retreat early on. Except for each Beyond Grade A meeting, he basically didn't go out, staying in the factory to study Jess's technological treasures.

The Black Star Army's operations were already on track, with various departments running independently, without requiring his frequent attention. The army, with its own resources and cooperation from various parties, silently expanded its branches in various star fields, continuously growing its strength. The rich profits turned into Han Xiao’s expenses for researching technology, almost inexhaustible, making his “money power” even more powerful.

At his current position, few dared to provoke him at will, except for some ignorant or opportunistic guys, whom the army itself could handle, without troubling Han Xiao.

The Holy Covenant's many Initial Ones were all in seclusion, and Manison, Sorokin, and others with grudges were also busy with their own affairs, with no one disturbing him.

In this harmonious environment, Han Xiao was finally able to settle down and study technology behind closed doors for several years.

During his research, he also won a Stuart Peace Prize, gaining 1 point of Legendary Points, and maintaining a period of public attention.

The sense of time for advanced lifeforms is different. A second can be subjectively lengthened many times, or ten days or half a month can pass in the blink of an eye. Therefore, Han Xiao never felt bored wandering in the sea of knowledge, and became more and more patient.

The universe changed, and the days passed in the flames of war, and in the blink of an eye, it was Star Sea Year 738.

…

Central Star Sea, within the Red Empire, a secret military training base.

Today, all courses were suspended, and all students and instructors gathered in the largest square, looking up at the large virtual screen covering the sky.

The screen was divided into dozens of small windows, each with a different picture, most of which were monitoring a glowing figure from different distances and angles.

One of the most macro overhead pictures showed a spherical mechanical satellite covered with energy circuits, extending densely packed chimney-like devices, some constantly absorbing the ubiquitous dark energy in the universe, and some spewing out incandescent plasma energy. The energy circuits on the surface flickered like breathing, as if it were some kind of energy cycle and conversion device.

If the people in the square looked to the other side of the sky, they could see several similar satellites suspended above the base. One of them was in operation and was the individual in the picture.

This was a supporting facility of the training base, officially called the "High-Energy Lifeform Ascension Device," and referred to by the students as the "Energy Gathering Tower." Its purpose was singular, creating a special environment through specific energy conversion and accumulation methods to assist Calamity Grades in crossing the crucial step, slightly increasing the chance of breaking through to Beyond Grade A.

Generally speaking, this kind of device was not used even once in many years, and now it finally welcomed a suitable user, the famous Gode in the base.

After training in the base for many years, he finally accumulated enough, and the quantitative change reached a qualitative change, officially taking this step.

All the students and instructors ran over to watch, holding their breaths, waiting for the birth of a new Beyond Grade A.

In the picture, the glowing figure was in the center of the energy vortex created by the device, his body devouring the surrounding energy, pulling out colorful energy streams, with a texture like fluttering gauze, and like changing smoke, looking like a dream.

After an unknown amount of time, the figure seemed to have reached a state of saturation, gradually stopping the absorption of energy. The brightness of his body decreased, and the energy was locked in his body, no longer released.

The next moment, Gode opened his eyes, and light spewed out of his eyes, but it retracted a second later.

His body moved, and he suddenly turned into a shooting star, flying out along the device's internal escape channel, descending from the sky in full view of the public, and suspended above the crowd.

"He succeeded!!"

A soaring cheer rose from the square. Everyone present witnessed the birth of a Beyond Grade A, and at this moment, they were all excited and yearning, extremely excited.

At this time, Gode controlled his body to descend. As soon as he landed, the base director and the chief instructor greeted him, their faces full of smiles.

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations on entering the realm of Beyond Grade A. You really didn't disappoint the Empire!"

At first, the two thought that Gode had a chance to break through to Beyond Grade A in two to eight years. Now, Gode succeeded in four or five years. The promotion process was smoother than expected, and the two were happier than anyone else at this time.

Gode moved his fingers, seemingly familiarizing himself with the power after the promotion, and casually asked, "The Empire's higher-ups should want to see me, right? When?"

"Yes, His Excellency the President is already waiting for you."

"Lead the way."

Gode's tone was indifferent.

The students present were driven away by the instructors. Gode changed his clothes and followed the base director to a high-standard remote communication room.

Then, the base director retreated by himself, leaving Gode alone in the room.

Gode operated the communication device, turned on the remote projection to enter the set channel. The next moment, his vision changed, and he had already arrived in the President's office, and at a glance, he saw Ulan Riel sitting and Clotti standing.

"Congratulations on becoming a Beyond Grade A. The Empire is proud of you," Ulan Riel said in a kind tone.

"Hello, Your Excellency the President," Gode nodded in greeting.

"You did a great job. Your growth rate exceeded our expectations…"

Ulan Riel encouraged him, which was the patriotic education that every direct Beyond Grade A had to accept, to motivate them to serve the Empire.

After talking for a while, Ulan Riel quickly got down to business and said:

"Regarding your authority, treatment, and position, the Empire will adjust them as soon as possible. Do you have any ideas about your position?"

"My strength is not yet consolidated, so I don't want to take a position for the time being. In the future… I think my abilities are very suitable as an assistant to scientific research. I hope to work at the Imperial Academy of Sciences."

Gode smiled meaningfully.

"Well, the Empire will consider your opinion," Ulan Riel nodded.

At this time, Gode's eyes narrowed and he said, "Speaking of which, I'm already a Beyond Grade A. I wonder if the plan targeting the Evolution Cube can be started?"

Hearing this, Ulan Riel paused.

Many years ago, the Empire's higher-ups secretly planned a plan, that is, after Gode entered the Beyond Grade A realm, they would use his ability to analyze the energy structure of the Evolution Cube. In this way, there was a chance to secretly crack part of the principle of the Evolution Cube, so that the Empire could obtain the technology as insurance.

It's just that plans can't keep up with changes. In recent years, the Black Star Army has been developing rapidly, and the risk cost has become higher and higher. After Black Star became a special security consultant for the three major civilizations, the plan was shelved indefinitely.

Ulan Riel was silent for a few seconds, and shook his head, "This plan will not be implemented for the time being. We don't want to have a rift with Black Star at present, even if the probability is very low."

Gode narrowed his eyes and asked, "Okay, then is the treatment of accepting the Evolution Cube's baptism still there?"

"Yes, if you want it, submit an application and we will arrange you to the next fleet to go to the Flickering World to find Black Star to accept the Evolution Cube's baptism."

Speaking, Ulan Riel paused and added, "When you arrive at the Flickering World, go to Feyn Star by the way, join the Beyond Grade A Association. The Empire needs more direct descendants in the association to help keep an eye on their movements."

Gode's eyes flashed, "Okay, I'll go."

The two continued to communicate for a while before disconnecting the communication. From beginning to end, Clotti did not speak, like a statue.

Canceling the remote projection, Gode returned to the room, his eyes flickering, not knowing what he was thinking.

He thought in place for a while, and was about to push the door out, but at this moment, the private communicator on his body suddenly rang, receiving an encrypted communication request, which turned out to be from Beikedi.

Gode had connected with the hardliners early on. Beikedi was one of the high-level hardliners in the military. After the plan was shelved, the two sides had not been in contact for a long time. He was a little curious about the other party's intentions.

Soon, the communication was connected.

"Gode?"

"It's me, what's the matter?"

"Congratulations on becoming a Beyond Grade A. Do you remember the original plan? Everything remains the same. When you accept the Evolution Cube's baptism, use your ability to analyze the principle of evolutionary energy." In the encrypted channel, Beikedi's voice was very blurred.

"Oh? That's not what the President said," Gode said with interest.

Beikedi seemed to have expected it, and lowered his voice, "The Shining Wars won't last too long."

This answer seemed irrelevant, but Gode understood what the other party meant.

Now everyone in the Empire knows that Ulan Riel is about to step down, and this will inevitably happen after the end of the war. At that time, the new president who has been appointed within the system will take office and complete the transition of the highest power.

Therefore, at the end of his term, Ulan Riel's control over the top was uncontrollably declining. The identity of the new president was strictly kept secret from the outside world, but it was not a secret to power holders like Beikedi.

Although Gode did not know the identity of the new president, he could probably be sure that Beikedi had him continue to implement the plan to analyze the Evolution Cube, and had secretly received the authorization of the new president.

Through this incident, Gode vaguely saw that the next president seemed to have a stronger desire for control. No wonder he mixed with the hardliners.

From another perspective, maybe the new president did not want to implement this risky plan during his term, so he transferred the risk to the end of the previous term.

Gode squinted his eyes and pondered for a while, and slowly said, "Got it, I'll find a way."

"Very good, it's up to you."

Beikedi was concise and hung up the phone.

Gode didn't take this matter to heart at all. His expression was like recalling something. He played with the communicator in his hand, and his eyes showed a strange emotion.

'Black Star, we're finally going to meet again…'

…

A few days later, Black Star Palace, the commander's private factory.

Han Xiao, who was debugging the machinery, suddenly received a report from Phillip.

"Master, I have received the Empire's new list of those who will accept the Evolution Cube's baptism, buzz."

Han Xiao did not raise his head, and operated the instrument on his own, casually saying, "Is there anyone worth noting?"

"Yes, yes, yes, a new direct Beyond Grade A from the Empire has appeared on this list, called Gode, buzz!"

Han Xiao's movements suddenly stopped.

"Gode?"

He put down his work and pulled out the list to take a look at Gode's basic information. His eyes suddenly narrowed, and the memories immediately came to his mind.

"I seemed to have met him a few times when I was fighting the Kundas decades ago. I have a little impression. At that time, he seemed to be just an adjutant…"

Strange, this guy actually became a Beyond Grade A. There was no such strong person in the previous life. Could it be my butterfly effect again.

Han Xiao curled the corner of his mouth.

"Interesting. When this guy arrives, I'll check what's going on."

Anyway, no matter who the other party is, since this Beyond Grade A has never appeared in his previous life, it means that there must be a secret to dig out from this person. Maybe he will encounter a hidden mission, and he has no reason to let it go.