Chapter 1 An Unexplored Universe, Somewhere

Somewhere in the unexplored universe.

A flash of light appeared, and Han Xiao's figure materialized out of thin air in the vast and boundless starry sky.

"So this is where the exploration team passed through..."

Han Xiao glanced at the coordinate data and muttered to himself.

The World Tree took all intelligence about the exploration team as a means of prediction, which naturally included their route. The Child of Destiny also intercepted detailed coordinates. Han Xiao used the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter, inputting the coordinates to teleport to this unexplored area, untouched by the three major civilizations.

The exploration team passed through here not long ago, so they would naturally be far away by now.

"According to the navigation coordinates from the Kunde Race, the exploration team is heading this way..."

Han Xiao took out an interstellar locator, calibrated his position, and turned his head to lock onto a direction.

With navigation coordinates, the exploration team was likely to be traveling in a straight line, so he could determine their heading. Although the exploration team was fast and had already gone far ahead, out of sight, he could use this method to chase after them.

With a flash of Mechanical Force arcs, the gate to the Sub-Dimensional Legion Barracks opened, and a large number of mechanical troops surged out. Han Xiao himself led a unit, chasing along the straight line of the navigation coordinates, while the remaining mechanical troops scattered and left, exploring in different directions.

On the one hand, it was for insurance, in case the exploration team took a detour. On the other hand, it was to set up Star Gate terminals nearby—the three major civilizations would set up terminals on this side of the already explored universe to create a spatial connection and activate the long-distance Star Gate channel.

This involved the next strategic step discussed before departure. Due to the World Tree's devouring mechanism, the three major civilizations did not want to fight within their own territory, as that would be too passive. So, they decided to use the Star Gate to transport a large number of troops to this area, building a defensive circle along the exploration team's travel route, keeping the enemy outside their national borders, and intercepting the World Tree's subsequent exploration legions, minimizing the difficulty of their infiltration.

Between the defensive circle and the Shattered Star Ring, there was still a large unexplored area as a buffer zone. Even if the World Tree broke through the defense line, they would not be able to immediately attack the territories of the explored universe. In this way, the three major civilizations could bombard the area to their heart's content, using strategic weapons for fire coverage, and try to eliminate the World Tree's living forces, defeating the enemy halfway.

These were all necessary preparations, but in Han Xiao's opinion, a full-scale war would not break out all at once. He learned from Barbasan that the World Tree's usual habit was that even if they discovered they had established a defensive circle, the World Tree would not rashly attack. They would most likely take a detour, trying to infiltrate their rear to steal intelligence.

The World Tree focused on invasion, which seemed reckless, but it was not. According to Barbasan's explanation, the World Tree's greatest advantages were, first, an endless stream of troops, and second, amazing detection technology—that is, hard power and intelligence capabilities. Why were they always able to launch devastating invasions? It was not by recklessly charging with brute force, but more by having detailed information about the enemy before the war, understanding their weaknesses, accurately hitting the mark, attacking their vitals, and winning from the start.

Han Xiao thought to himself as he led his mechanical troops to full-power warp, turning into streams of light across the starry sky. Everyone was equipped with high-warp engines, and with the blessing of Mechanical Force, their speed was even faster than the exploration team.

After chasing head-on for an unknown amount of time, the exploration team's two spaceships appeared on the radar.

"Sure enough, they're in this direction..."

Seeing the target appear, Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. The Child of Destiny was really helpful, or it wouldn't have been so smooth.

The exploration team had activated cloaking devices, but they couldn't avoid his detection, and he wouldn't be easily discovered by a small exploration team.

Han Xiao didn't plan to go up and communicate. He waved his hand, ordering a batch of mechanical troops to detour ahead to set up spatial anchors, forcing the exploration team out of warp mode. He himself, without saying a word, set up long-range weapons and locked onto the two spaceships.

Before long, the exploration team's two spaceships crashed into the trap set up by the mechanical troops, shaking violently and slowing down sharply, returning to conventional navigation mode. Han Xiao fired without hesitation, and a thick stream of high-energy particles shot out from the muzzle, sweeping across the two spaceships.

In the next moment, the shields of the two spaceships shattered in the blink of an eye, and the hulls melted instantly, disappearing without a trace. The people and ships were instantly killed. A small exploration team naturally couldn't withstand Han Xiao's attack.

Seeing the target successfully eliminated, Han Xiao shook his head, but couldn't be happy, knowing that this was just the beginning.

Due to the World Tree's mind network connection, it was basically impossible to mislead this exploration team. Now, the World Tree's main camp must be paying close attention to the exploration team's progress. If anything went wrong here, the World Tree would be able to detect it. It was equivalent to the "host" backing up all the data. He could hack the exploration team, but he couldn't hack the World Tree itself. Tampering with data would easily be detected, so he could only eliminate the exploration team to buy some time.

Han Xiao didn't leave immediately. Instead, he collected the surrounding spatial coordinates and summoned the engineering troops to set up here.

...

At the same time, in the World Tree civilization.

"...The exploration team's mind network link has been disconnected. The team members have been killed and all turned into seeds. They are suspected of being attacked."

In the Tree King's Palace, Teledrin stood below the throne, reporting the situation, his tone surprised and suspicious.

Because they had discovered prey, the World Tree civilization was currently paying close attention to the exploration team's progress, maintaining constant mental communication with the team. As soon as the exploration team lost contact, the higher-ups noticed.

"An attack? Could it be done by this unknown civilization? How did they discover the exploration team?"

The Town Tree King frowned slightly.

At this moment, another Tree King, seated on a throne beside him, laughed and slowly said:

"It seems that this unknown civilization is not simple. Either they have special anti-surveillance methods similar to information-state warning networks, or they have established outposts outside their territory... It is also possible that the refugees discovered by the exploration team are just a trap."

There were five thrones in the hall, corresponding to the five Tree Kings. At this time, three thrones were empty, and only two Tree Kings had manifested. One of them was the "Town Tree King" Saint-Glares, and the other, who was speaking at this time, was the "Mind Tree King" Minajor, a peak Super-A Grade esper.

After Han Xiao made a big scene, the World Tree civilization entered a state of alert. The Mind Tree King woke up from his slumber, and now two Tree Kings were on standby at any time. The other three Tree Kings were also dividing their attention to observe the outside situation.

At this time, there were also several Executives waiting for orders in the hall. Hearing this, one of the Executives asked:

"A trap? Are you saying there is a problem with the coordinates obtained by the exploration team?"

The Mind Tree King remained noncommittal, casually saying:

"The coordinates and information provided by these refugees may have been deliberately fabricated by the unknown civilization, with the purpose of luring the enemy deep, guiding outsiders into a trap they have prepared... After all, the universe is so big, and we are not the only hunters."

The expressions of the many Executives became even more solemn.

The exploration team had just discovered the coordinates, and then they were wiped out. This made them have to be wary, and their evaluation of this unknown civilization rose sharply.

In the process of conquering the universe, they had also encountered tough opponents and seen civilizations that also focused on aggression. For such existences, they had always maintained the necessary vigilance.

At this moment, Teledrin exclaimed, "That's not right. If this is a trap to lure the enemy, this unknown civilization wouldn't need to attack the exploration team. That would only alarm others. They should show weakness instead."

The Mind Tree King smiled and nodded, speaking slowly:

"That's right, so the possibility of a trap is not high. This unknown civilization probably doesn't want to come into contact with outsiders, fearing exposure. But their actions have also revealed some information... After the unknown civilization discovered the exploration team, they launched an attack directly, with no intention of capturing them alive. Isn't that a suspicious point?"

Hearing this, many Executives' eyes flickered, as if they were thinking about something.

Teledrin pondered, "According to common sense, when a civilization discovers an exploration team of unknown origin, they would most likely capture them alive and try to obtain intelligence..."

The Mind Tree King nodded and slowly said, "That's right, but this unknown civilization didn't do that. Perhaps it's because they are cautious, but more likely it's because they have information about us, knowing that the World Tree has a mind network connection, so they don't dare to show their faces, fearing being observed... Think about it, if they didn't understand our mind network, what are the chances that they would so rashly wipe out a foreign exploration team?"

Teledrin was shocked and said in a deep voice, "So you mean, this unknown civilization is likely to be the home of that outsider who stole a lot of our secrets?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's faces changed slightly.

Han Xiao had left a considerable psychological shadow on them, which was still fresh in their minds and not so easy to fade away. Just mentioning him would make many World Tree members feel pressured.

"All of this is just speculation. We'll have to investigate further to find out what's going on." The Mind Tree King waved his hand and said lightly, "The next step is to locate the most recent coordinates passed by this exploration team, open the wormhole channel, and send a vanguard force to continue the unfinished exploration, advancing towards the navigation coordinates... Regardless of whether it's a trap or not, this is the only clue we have, and we must investigate it thoroughly."

"That's what I think too." The Town Tree King nodded steadily.

"Understood, we will mobilize the fleet immediately."

Many Executives bowed and responded at the same time.

...

Somewhere in the explored universe, in the Central Star Sea.

Several huge Star Gate devices stood between the galaxies. At this time, the channels were not open, only giant circular mechanical devices.

In front of these Star Gate devices, a boundless joint fleet was suspended. The legions of the three powers—the Federation of Light, the Crimson Empire, and the Void Spirit Religion—were clearly separated and had been waiting here for a long time.

These Star Gates were paired with the Star Gate terminals that Han Xiao had taken away. As long as Han Xiao completed the terminal connection on his side, a fast channel could be established between the two sides.

After learning about the existence of the World Tree, the three major civilizations had been secretly mobilizing their troops. Currently, most of the group armies were in standby, ready to move out at any time.

While Han Xiao set out to deal with the exploration team, the three major civilizations efficiently recruited a batch of mobile troops, waiting here to depart.

"With Black Star's efficiency, it should be soon."

In the flagship of the Federation of Light, Commander Simon was playing with an antique-style handmade flip pocket watch, occasionally looking down to check the time.

The crew around him all had solemn expressions, and the atmosphere was grim.

Just then, the Star Gates outside the window were activated one after another. A faint blue spatial vortex appeared within the circular device, with starlight twinkling, mysterious and unpredictable, leading to an exit on the other side.

Seeing this, Simon snapped the watch cover shut and put the watch into the pocket on the chest of his uniform with a straight face.

"All troops, move out!"