Chapter 1 Screening Area

The Superpower Security Department, Warehouse 001 screening area.

A long conveyor belt began to turn, and a hexagonal mechanical device was transported in from the delivery port, looking like a small shield.

Soon, the device was transported into a transparent safe in the center of the room, which had various functions such as space stabilization anchors, electromagnetic interference, biochemical disinfection, anti-explosion, and high-temperature resistance.

Two staff members stood in front of the safe, operating a virtual screen to view the information about this object.

"This is an item sent by the Leyton Star System branch. Its purpose is unknown and it has not been given a code yet. The item code is C57003A. It will be temporarily transferred to the headquarters warehouse. Hmm, it has the authority authorization from the high-level leaders of the Star Cluster Alliance, and has passed the inspection and approval of the supervising AI. The procedures are complete, and the remarks require that no detailed testing be performed on this item..."

After checking it, the permissions and procedures were correct. The two staff members only performed some basic tests to confirm that the object was not a dangerous explosive or high-energy polymer. Then they operated on the main control screen, arranging the item in a blank warehouse and pressing the confirm button.

Clack, clack...

In the next moment, four smart mechanical arms stretched out from the wall, clamped the safe, and threw it into the delivery port on the wall. The internal cargo pipeline quickly operated, sending the safe to its destination.

The cargo pipeline network covered the entire warehouse, extending in all directions. Simple maglev tracks were laid, and white indicator lights were installed every so often. The high-speed transportation of the safe was like traveling through a white light.

The Superpower Security Department's warehouse was very large, divided into multiple areas. Each item's storage room was set up separately, built side by side, and isolated from the outside world by high-strength transparent materials, looking like some kind of high-tech prison. Each warehouse had a display stand, and the base of the stand was connected to the cargo pipeline network, directly transporting the stored items. Storage and retrieval did not require opening the door.

Moreover, space stabilization anchors, magic interference devices, automatic defense weapons, full-function detectors and other devices were operating in the warehouse at all times, making it as solid as a rock. Any disturbance would be detected.

Soon, the display stand in an empty warehouse suddenly opened, and the safe was transported here. The "throne" lay quietly inside.

...

On the other side, the Superpower Security Department was holding an emergency meeting.

More than a dozen people with different appearances sat around the conference table, and the medals on their bodies showed their identities. The lowest was a vice-director of the Saint Body level.

Since losing track of Han Xiao and Kesuye a few months ago, the Superpower Security Department had transferred more manpower to form a task force, with a full nineteen strong individuals, including the original Milton and his team of three. This time, there were a total of five Beyond Grade A powerhouses, making for a luxurious lineup.

It was not only to capture the two and bring them to justice, but more importantly to find out why the targets could shield the detection of the Positioning Star Map. That was why the Superpower Security Department spared no effort to organize a large number of experts, wanting to be foolproof.

"...Several months have passed, and we still haven't found any trace of Black Star and Kekezi. These two seem to have evaporated, disappearing without a trace. If we continue to allow such extremely dangerous individuals to move freely outside, it will eventually lead to disaster!"

A high-level department official spoke with dissatisfaction, constantly tapping the table, and intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Milton.

Milton's face was gloomy.

He led the team but lost track of the target, so the responsibility naturally fell on his head.

He felt that he was just acting according to the rules, but who knew that the target could get rid of the Positioning Star Map's lock. He could only bear the blame, and had been hoping to capture Han Xiao and his companion to wash away his shame.

However, after several months, the task force had made no progress, and Milton had become the target of everyone's dissatisfaction, complaining that he had not seized the opportunity at the time. He wanted to refute, but was speechless and could only sulk.

"Di Di..."

Just as everyone was discussing, a communication request came in. It was a call from the department leader.

A virtual screen popped up on the conference table, and the department leader said in a deep voice:

"Everyone, just now, the effect of the Positioning Star Map has recovered, and we have locked onto the coordinates of Black Star and Kekezi again. The reason is temporarily unknown, but in any case, this is the only clue in several months. Be careful and be sure to bring them back."

"Understood! We'll set off immediately!"

As soon as the words fell, Milton stood up abruptly, looking impatient, wanting to immediately bring Han Xiao and his companion to justice and make up for his mistakes.

Moreover, this time, even if his side had an overwhelming advantage in combat power, he decided to act cautiously, using the advantage of the Positioning Star Map to ambush the target's inevitable route in advance, catching them off guard, all for the sake of foolproofness.

...

In a certain area of space, a small spaceship maintained low-warp speed, and Han Xiao, Kesuye, and Jess were sitting in the cockpit.

"We've deactivated the Sky Shield for so long, why haven't the pursuers come yet?" Kesuye looked at the star map and asked.

Han Xiao glanced at it and said casually, "They're probably ambushing us. Having learned their lesson from last time, the enemy won't attack us this time unless they're completely sure."

"Last time, nine people came. I wonder how many pursuers there are this time."

"It shouldn't be less than twelve, right? To be on the safe side, maybe fifteen?" Han Xiao guessed.

At this time, Jess slowly said, "Between eighteen and twenty people, including five Beyond Grade A's. I know their modus operandi."

"Tsk, that's a lot of manpower..." Han Xiao clicked his tongue.

Jess remained noncommittal and said:

"It will be the same after your universe iteration. Unless your advanced civilization conducts regular purges, otherwise the number of people will only be more than ours. Moreover, even if existences above the Saint Body level die, they will not easily disappear at the information state level, so purging is actually of limited use..."

Hearing this, Han Xiao's heart moved, and he suddenly thought of the Sanctuary organization.

"Are you saying that transcendents who reach the Beyond Grade A level can be resurrected in some way, such as through the Sanctuary?"

Jess glanced at him and nodded.

"The Sanctuary focuses on recording information that can optimize the universe, such as some new universal treasures, some advanced technologies developed by civilizations, and breakthroughs in individual power also belong to this valuable information. Once an individual reaches the Saint Body level... that is, what you call the Beyond Grade A level, you will be noticed by the Sanctuary and recorded as a key target.

And every Saint Body level is a unique existence in the universe. When your life level sublimates, your projection at the information state level will also undergo a transformation, imprinted in the Sanctuary. Death is not your end. The information state allows you to achieve another form of immortality. If someone else successfully establishes a connection with the Sanctuary, he can use a medium containing the information of a certain Saint Body level creature, and then revive a dead Saint Body level transcendent through methods such as information state interference, disturbance, and projection, using the Sanctuary to reshape the body and soul."

Hearing this, Han Xiao was secretly amazed.

According to his understanding, Beyond Grade A was a watershed. Reaching this level allowed you to back up data in the Sanctuary, so even if you died someday, you would still have a chance to be resurrected through the Sanctuary in the future. This was also the goal of the Sanctuary organization.

"Some of the nearly ten thousand Beyond Grade A's here should have come this way."

"Some?" Jess shook his head. "More than eighty percent of them were resurrected through the Sanctuary. Some have been resurrected more than once!"

"Tell me more about it." Han Xiao was quite interested. This kind of news could not be found online and was classified.

"It's very simple, because the targets of the Sanctuary's resurrection are chosen by later generations. Advanced civilizations will inevitably resurrect their direct descendants and obedient allies. Some people, in order to be resurrected in the future, will join advanced civilizations or other major forces, working hard in exchange for this resurrection agreement. In comparison, arranging for their own descendants to carry out the resurrection is too uncertain, and the Sanctuary is not so easy to communicate with. Once it fails, it's completely over. After all, only a few people are willing to take the risk. Over time, this kind of person has gradually disappeared, and basically everyone will choose a reliable advanced civilization as a cooperative partner..."

"I see."

Han Xiao suddenly understood.

No wonder the Star Cluster Alliance had such good security and the Beyond Grade A's were so obedient. It turned out that most of them were well-behaved babies who had been resurrected after screening. As for those troublemakers, no one was willing to help them resurrect, so they were left to die.

In order to continue to be resurrected, most of the Beyond Grade A's here buried their ambitions.

Moreover, advanced civilizations were constantly resurrecting their direct descendants and staunch allies. As time went by, the number of powerhouses under their command would only increase, and their control over the universe would naturally gradually increase.

Under the influence of various factors, fewer and fewer people were causing trouble.

Thinking of this, a term suddenly popped into his mind.

'Sounds a bit like the Investiture of the Gods...'

Han Xiao's heart stirred slightly.

The three major civilizations had not yet come into contact with the Sanctuary, but when they developed to this point, would the future situation of the Beyond Grade A's also become like this? A balance would form between the individual and the group.

Han Xiao couldn't help asking: "Are there any restrictions on the Sanctuary's resurrection?"

"Of course there are restrictions, and many."

Jess said in a low voice:

"First, only creatures with a life level of Saint Body level and above can be resurrected through the Sanctuary. Weaker transcendents are not qualified. You can also understand the Beyond Grade A level as a resurrection permit.

Second, the paradox of personality. We generally believe that subjective consciousness is the standard for distinguishing individuals. For example, if there are two people who are exactly the same in both body and memory, as long as their subjective consciousness is separate, then they are considered two different individuals. Although the powerhouse resurrected by the Sanctuary inherits the memories before death, whether he is the original individual has always been a topic of debate. If the subjective consciousness changes, then this form of resurrection must be marked with quotation marks. It's more like cloning.

Third, individuals resurrected through the Sanctuary will randomly lose some abilities, which seems to be related to their own strength. The level of life affects the strength of the information state. The stronger you were before you died, the more complete your abilities will be when the Sanctuary resurrects you, but the more times you are resurrected, the more serious the loss of information will be.

Fourth, the Sanctuary resurrection has unique existence. Only one of you can exist in the universe at the same time. If you have not died, the Sanctuary resurrection is invalid and will not become a copy.

Fifth, it is impossible to cross iterations, only individuals of the same iteration can be resurrected. First, there is a lack of media, and second, there is some kind of limitation that I don't understand. I even suspect that the Sanctuary resurrection is not the original ability of the Sanctuary, but the ultimate plan of a certain iteration that survived the Great Reset, which eventually mutated into this form... Because of the immortal characteristics of the Sanctuary, including us, many iterations of civilizations have regarded the Sanctuary as a breakthrough. No one knows how many functions the Sanctuary has mutated into."

Listening silently, Han Xiao secretly remembered these things in his heart.

From a certain point of view, Beyond Grade A's seemed to have the same characteristics as players and could be resurrected continuously.

In this case, mastering the Sanctuary was equivalent to mastering the lifeline of most Beyond Grade A's?

'I feel like strange knowledge has increased again. I have to find time to ask the Oathkeeper about it later.'

Han Xiao thought to himself.

Boom!!

At this moment, the hull of the ship shook violently, and suddenly exited warp. A piercing alarm suddenly sounded.

"Woo woo woo—alarm! Alarm! Space stabilization anchor detected, warp has been forced to terminate! Unknown energy sources are rapidly approaching, please pay attention to avoidance!"

The radar showed that nineteen Beyond Grade A energy sources were surrounding them from all directions.

"Looks like you guessed right, it's really nineteen people." Han Xiao raised his eyebrows.

"Standard operating procedure." Jess didn't care.

The three looked out the window and immediately saw Milton and other acquaintances. They saw that the spaceship had fallen into a spatial trap and could not escape.

At this time, Milton's sonorous and powerful voice sounded in the wide-area channel.

"Black Star! Kekezi! Surrender and leave yourself some dignity!"

"Call me Void Sovereign!"

Kesuye was annoyed.

Han Xiao opened the hatch, and the three flew out together, standing in the center of the encirclement. A strong sense of oppression came from all directions.

"Hmm? Another accomplice?"

Seeing Jess, Milton frowned, but then relaxed.

In his opinion, the prey had nowhere to run.

He was full of confidence in this operation. With nineteen people acting together, they would definitely be able to capture them without fail. There was no possibility of failure.

After chasing for several months, he could finally arrest these wanted criminals today!

"Immediately give up resistance and obediently return to the Superpower Security Department for interrogation. Explain your method of shielding the Positioning Star Map, and you can still strive for leniency."

Milton was confident and unhurriedly launched a psychological offensive, intending to weaken the target's desire to resist.

Han Xiao smiled meaningfully, his tone inexplicable:

"No need to trouble you, we'll go ourselves."

Hearing this, Milton frowned, looking puzzled.

"What are you say...Where are they?!"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw a set of mecha suddenly unfold, enveloping the bodies of the three. With a flash of light, they disappeared.

In the next moment, the nineteen agents who had been watching eagerly were all stunned.

Where did they go?!

We've deployed space stabilization anchors and teleportation interference devices. How did these people escape?!

Milton was stunned for two seconds, then burst into anger, his face bulging with veins.

These people had run away again!

This was a great humiliation!

He immediately took out the communicator and looked at the real-time coordinates shared by the Positioning Star Map, intending to lock the location where Han Xiao and his companion teleported before they shielded the Positioning Star Map again.

However, the moment he saw the coordinates clearly, Milton's expression, which had been filled with anger, suddenly turned into panic and disbelief.

The other party's coordinates were actually the headquarters of the Superpower Security Department!

This was... a surrender?

Bullshit, it didn't look like they had good intentions at all!

Their target was actually the headquarters?!

"Are these people crazy!"

Milton was shocked and furious.

He could not understand why these people were so daring.