Chapter 1 The World Tree Moves Overnight

The World Tree moved overnight, and the idea of making a big scene naturally fell through. Han Xiao left a batch of mechanical troops in this empty and desolate star field, and then retrieved the Overlord Avatar.

With the World Tree's mechanism, as long as it is not disturbed, the main camp can basically be built in any area of the universe. Over the years, they have eliminated many civilizations and mastered the coordinates of many areas, so they can just find a place that has been turned into a barren universe belt and move there.

The migration process has a certain impact on their invasion offensive on the front line, causing a slight gap in support. Han Xiao relayed this situation to the three major civilizations.

Upon learning that the World Tree was so frightened by Han Xiao that it carried its old home away overnight, the three leaders were surprised and instructed the strategic command to make corresponding adjustments.

War raged throughout the explored universe. More than a month passed quickly. Under the obstruction of the Interstellar United Army, the first wave of the World Tree's full-scale invasion finally subsided.

Although the World Tree came aggressively and caused no small panic in interstellar society, in terms of actual benefits, the first wave of the World Tree's invasion did not cause much damage. Most of the invading teams were intercepted by the Interstellar United Army. Although some planets were swallowed, this number was only a drop in the bucket for the entire explored universe, and they were scattered in a disorganized manner, appearing insignificant.

Although the three major civilizations do not have powerful home-guarding configurations such as the Information State Warning Network and the World Tree Express, the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter is equally sharp, giving the Interstellar United Army extremely strong military mobility. As soon as invaders are discovered somewhere, support troops can be deployed in an instant.

If it were any other civilization without this rapid support mobility technology, they would be extremely passive and exhausted in the face of the World Tree's unpredictable harassment and invasion. This is precisely the war of attrition that the World Tree is good at, but the technology of the three major civilizations restrains the World Tree's usual tactics, preventing it from achieving the best results.

Of course, although the first wave of the World Tree's invasion was repelled, there are still many World Tree fleets remaining in the interstellar society, lurking in the dark. This is the weakness of the three major civilizations. Without sufficiently sharp monitoring devices, although the support speed is very fast, as long as the World Tree fleets hide and do not show themselves, it is difficult for them to lock onto the enemy troops within their borders.

After the current emergency situation was resolved, the high-level officials of the Interstellar United Army invited officers from various departments and high-level officials from the Super-A Grade Association to hold a strategic meeting to analyze and summarize the current situation and discuss subsequent actions.

"...Although the traitor leaked intelligence, leading to the World Tree's invasion of the entire territory, our current situation is not as bad as we imagined. The vast territorial depth and extremely fast support speed are our two major pillars for maintaining the situation, and they have already demonstrated their significant role in the war."

Taini pointed to the three-dimensional star map on the table, summarizing the current situation.

The same star map model floated in front of many participants, showing the strategic deployment at this time.

"According to statistics, the targets of the World Tree's invasion are mostly military industrial facilities, resource planets, civilization mother stars, and Super-A Grade ethnic group territories. From this, we can see that the World Tree's primary strategic intention is to disintegrate our productivity and social stability... However, at present, the World Tree has not succeeded many times. We secretly relocated important facilities in the early years, and some of the information leaked by the traitor is outdated."

Taini spoke eloquently.

The Star Alliance Observers' method of lurking was too low-key, which led them to only be able to obtain general information from the network. Therefore, the information was lagging. Some confidential information from advanced civilizations was naturally unknown to the Star Alliance Observers. The most valuable intelligence they leaked to the World Tree was still the star map and space coordinates.

"Does this prove that the traitor is not of high status?" an officer asked.

"Not necessarily, maybe it's just a disguise," another retorted.

Taini interrupted the two, coughed lightly, and said, "Ahem, regarding the traitor, we have other people responsible for it. We don't need to discuss this matter. Let's get back to the topic... Our interception efficiency is good, thanks to the strong support of Your Excellency Black Star and the Super-A Grade Association. Otherwise, the World Tree's high-level combat power would still be rampant for a long time."

Hearing this, many officers turned their heads and nodded to the representatives of the Super-A Grade Association, sending out friendly signals.

Han Xiao nodded and said, "This time, we annihilated many World Tree powerhouses. They will need at least one or two years to make a comeback."

His Mechanical Apostle, in cooperation with the Super-A Grades from the Association, the Direct Lineage, and the Covenant, wiped out a large number of World Tree high-level combat forces, sending at least two or three hundred people to water the trees. They won't be back for a while.

Some of the alien powerhouses encountered Han Xiao's Overlord Avatar and were hit by [Virtual Purification · Restoration], detonating themselves on the spot and turning into fireworks.

In addition to normal combat deaths, some World Tree high-level combat forces were taken by Han Xiao to test the effect of [Information State Annihilation], or were sealed up by the Time-Space Amber and became his collection. The number was around thirty people. The World Tree permanently lost these powerful individuals and could no longer be resurrected. It was considered a loss.

Due to the division of the front line, some Super-A Grades on the side of the three major civilizations also died in battle, and their names were engraved on the memorial monuments erected by the three major civilizations, adding another death to their battle records.

Taini turned to Mannison and said in a deep voice, "This time, the Mechanical Race's territory was also a key target of the invasion. Our support was not timely. Fortunately, Your Excellency Mechanic God defeated the enemy. I apologize to you here."

"It's all a small matter, not worth mentioning," Mannison waved his hand, his tone indifferent.

Everyone showed strange expressions.

If there was any force that performed brilliantly in this response to the invasion, Mannison was one of them. He hid a surprisingly large armed mechanical legion in the Mechanical Race's territory. Without the support of the Interstellar United Army, he annihilated the World Tree invaders on his own, and the strength he showed attracted much attention.

Although Mannison is no longer the face of the Mechanic class, the accumulation of years is not just for show. Among the Super-A Grade groups, his weight is still very heavy.

At this time, an officer suddenly said thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, the Super Star Cluster Alliance also made a great contribution this time. They sent a large number of troops to provide support."

"When you mention this, I remember some abnormal things. This wave of the World Tree's invasion seems to have deliberately avoided the Super Star Cluster Alliance's territory, only harassing them on a small scale, so the Super Star Cluster was able to free up its hands to help."

"It is indeed a bit strange..."

Many officers looked strange.

In their opinion, it was somewhat strange that the World Tree did not regard the Super Star Cluster Alliance as an invasion target, giving them a feeling of collusion. They suspected them of being traitors. However, the Super Star Cluster Alliance did not stand idly by, but took the initiative to provide troops to support the Interstellar United Army. This was another good deed, which confused many senior military officials and reduced the degree of suspicion.

The Super Star Cluster Alliance did this because it was fulfilling its agreement with Han Xiao. If it hadn't taken the initiative to support, the three major civilizations would have suspected them even more, but now it was more confusion than doubt, and there were no signs of internal strife for the time being.

Listening to everyone's discussion, Han Xiao's expression was normal at this time. He had persuaded the Super Star Cluster Alliance, barely suppressing the intensification of internal suspicion, but he did not intend to say it, keeping his achievements hidden.

At this time, Commander Simon took over the conversation, stopped the discussion on this topic, and brought it back to the main point, saying:

"Currently, there are two issues that we need to pay the most attention to. One is to clean up the lurking World Tree invaders. Their main force has been driven away, but there are still small groups of troops remaining in our territory. These are some hidden dangers, and they are putting a lot of mental pressure on the interstellar society. What are your thoughts?"

The three major civilizations resolved the first wave of invasion, but the aftereffects were serious. Because the defense line was suddenly crossed by the World Tree, causing panic among the people and riots everywhere, the three major civilizations had to devote more energy to dealing with the refugee problem.

In this regard, the three major civilizations are no different from normal civilizations. The World Tree's social system, which has almost no internal friction, is, after all, a minority.

Everyone discussed it for a while, and the result was nothing more than strengthening the military control of wartime policies. Now is not the time to talk about freedom.

Seeing this, Simon said again, "In addition, we have to speculate on the World Tree's next move and make some preparations in advance. They did not invade the Central Star Sea this time, but they will eventually attack. They need to seize the time more than we do now and cannot wait too long."

A group of senior military officials had a heated discussion around this topic.

Han Xiao and others did not participate, listening silently on the sidelines.

After discussing for a while, the military finally reached a consensus, and the meeting temporarily adjourned. Many participants passed down the orders.

...

Sub-dimensional world, the World Tree's Dependent territory.

Tree roots were gnarled and twisted into spiral towers, standing in the center of the earth, while the surrounding area was a tree city formed by giant trees, where countless Dependents multiplied and lived.

Spatial rifts opened from time to time, and Dependent battleships came and went, flowing endlessly.

Two figures floated in the blue-green sky, overlooking the tree city below. One was the Ancestor Tree King, and the other was a female figure wearing a gorgeous robe, her skin like tender leaves, glowing with emerald light. Her head was covered with white hair scattered behind her, and there was a complex and mysterious mark on her forehead. This person was named Hailian and ranked among the Thirteen Ancestral Spirits.

"Your Excellency Tree King, what are you looking for me for?"

"I have a mission for you."

"Speak."

"The Secret Tree King will not return. His Crown Position needs a new owner, and we also need a new Tree King. Are you interested?"

Hearing this, Hailian couldn't help but turn her head to look at the Ancestor Tree King, her eyes flashing with surprise.

"Am I qualified to become a Tree King?"

"Of course, your magic power has reached the standard for this position," the Ancestor Tree King nodded.

Hailian narrowed her eyes, "I am indeed interested... but there are stronger magicians than me, why choose me?"

"I just said you are qualified, I didn't choose you," the Ancestor Tree King said lightly, "Under normal circumstances, the position of Tree King would not be yours. What I mean is, if you want to become a Tree King, I can give you a chance. As long as you complete one thing, you can inherit the Secret Tree King's Crown Position, which stores the magic left by generations of Tree Kings. I believe you will be interested."

"...What do you want me to do?"

"I know that you underwent a genetic mutation in your early years and fused your magic power with yourself, entering the rare 'Warlock' branch, forming some peculiar talent spells that can hide your existence in a very mysterious way, making you very good at stealth and detection... Now that civilization is facing an unprecedented threat, we need your ability to assassinate the Pivot Serpent cub protected by Black Star," the Ancestor Tree King said in a deep voice.

"Are you asking me to die?" Hailian frowned.

The Ancestor Tree King shook his head, raised his palm, and a mass of black-green liquid substance suddenly oozed out of his palm, floating in mid-air. Then, a phantom of a golden leaf appeared next to it. The two objects revolved on his palm.

"These are the two key items for carrying out the mission. One is a deadly toxic substance synthesized by the Mother Tree specifically to restrain its nemesis. As long as it is used on the Pivot Serpent, it can quickly deprive the other party of its vitality. Whether it is injected or poisoned in food, it can be effective. And this golden leaf is a sub-body treasure evolved from the Mother Tree, called the Cloak of Hidden Leaves, which can conceal your tracks on all levels and enhance your stealth ability."

Hailian's expression changed, hesitating to take the two items.

Seeing this, the Ancestor Tree King said lightly, "The Pivot Serpent is growing fast, and the Mother Tree's perception of him is becoming clearer. By following the guidance, you can find his tracks. As long as you can kill the Pivot Serpent, you will be a hero of civilization. After you return, this Tree King Crown Position will be yours!"

Hailian played with the two items, struggled for a while, and finally nodded.

"...I can try."