Chapter 1 World Tree Expedition

World Tree civilization territory, expeditionary force assembly area.

Dense wormholes were sustained in the starry sky, from which extended World Tree roots, with a constant stream of fleets passing through, continually expanding the scale of the expeditionary force, with a wide variety of warship types.

Nearby was a floating lookout platform formed from intertwined light-green roots, where the Zhen Tree King and Xin Tree King stood, surveying the ranks of the expeditionary force.

The Xin Tree King said blandly, "The high-level combatants dispatched this time include Three-Leaf to Nine-Leaf Executives, seven high-level Holy Tree Messengers, members of the Thirteen Ancestral Spirits ranked from second to sixth, four legion commanders, and other strong individuals, totaling one hundred and seven people. This scale is enough to test the opponent's strength and see how developed their individual power really is."

"Good," the Zhen Tree King nodded.

Hundreds of World Tree powerhouses were participating in the expedition, a solo venture with a low survival rate, but when the Xin Tree King sent out these members, they were already prepared for all of them to be sacrificed.

Sacrifice did not mean giving away for nothing. Using high-level combatants to trade pieces was their consistent tactic when encountering strong enemies. If the enemy's high-level combatants died, that was it. However, when their high-level combatants were killed, they returned to seed form and could reawaken after waiting a certain amount of time within the main body. For the World Tree, this was undoubtedly a profitable exchange—using attrition warfare to gradually weaken the enemy's forces, causing the strength of the two sides to rise and fall.

The World Tree had used this method to defeat enemy after enemy, and it had always been successful, with no one having cracked it yet. Now, naturally, there was no reason not to use it.

The Xin Tree King turned to look at the Zhen Tree King and said, "They lack a leader. This time, you will go as well."

"I have to go too? Three-Leaf Lynn, Four-Leaf An Ruiyin, and a few legion commanders are enough to lead the troops. There's no need for me to risk it."

The Zhen Tree King frowned. He was not too willing to participate in this exchange-oriented expedition. The experience of returning to seed form was not comfortable, and a Tree King required more time to recover than others.

The Xin Tree King shook his head. "The information collection of the other side has not been invaded or interfered with by our side. The Mother Tree's authority is difficult to penetrate the covered area of their information collection. Only the connection level of a Tree King can allow the Mother Tree's projection to descend, so you have to go."

"...Alright."

The Zhen Tree King nodded, not asking why it wasn't another Tree King going.

Among the five Tree Kings, he was the only one who had no abilities other than fighting. From a pragmatic point of view, sacrificing him was the most cost-effective. He had long been accustomed to acting as a vanguard.

"You might encounter that outsider on this trip. You'd better receive a baptism before you leave, otherwise you may not be his opponent," the Xin Tree King instructed.

"Then I'll go prepare."

As the words fell, the Zhen Tree King's figure disappeared.

...

Having obtained intelligence that the World Tree was preparing a strong attack, the three major civilizations quickly reacted. The highest-level military orders were transmitted level by level, like electrical signals traveling through a neural network, controlling the limbs of the "giant" that was a universe-level civilization. Each group army obeyed orders and rushed to the front lines, as if clenching a fist to gather strength.

Every few minutes to a few hours, a batch of fleets would arrive in the interception war zone. In addition to deploying their own direct line of regular troops, the three major civilizations also conscripted troops from other advanced civilizations, mobilizing the entire explored universe. The strength of the interception war zone thus increased rapidly, with daily increases in the billions.

Staying near the teleportation point, Han Xiao had spent these days practically seeing every model of the main warships of the various civilizations. The main warships of the three major civilizations at all levels, which were usually rare, were all here. One after another, the top main warships representing the strongest units stood out like cranes among chickens.

At the same time, the transportation troops of the three major civilizations ceaselessly delivered various stockpiled universe treasures, and the equipment for individual power was all temporarily lent to the numerous Beyond Grade As. Even members of the association could be distributed according to their needs, while other strategic universe treasures were handed over to different fleets for use.

At the lookout of the temporary base, many Beyond Grade As stood in front of the viewing window, watching the scene outside.

The vicinity had already become an ocean of warships, almost obscuring the starry sky. As far as the eye could see, it seemed as if only the metal-glossed hulls of countless warships remained. If the perspective was pulled back very far, this scene resembled the gradually opening and closing scales on a giant beast.

"What a massive military force. This is the first time I've seen such a scene."

Many people marveled in low voices.

Normally, the three major civilizations would not mobilize so many troops. Internal strife did not have such intensity, and only the Exploration Era war could be compared to the present.

A considerable number of people were experiencing a universe-level war for the first time. Seeing this scene, they had a new understanding of the mobilization capabilities of the three major civilizations.

Although they did not know what the World Tree army looked like, just looking at the military force of the three major civilizations boosted the morale of many people.

"In a war of this intensity, there isn't much we can do. Strangling the opposing high-level combatants is our mission."

Ksuye said in a deep voice.

"The enemy has a lot of high-level combatants. It won't be easy for us. Given their style, they will probably try to trade with us," a Beyond Grade A next to him said, worried.

"As long as you don't leave my healing range, I should be able to guarantee your safety."

Hearing this, Aurora interjected in a gentle tone.

"We're counting on you this time."

"It's a good thing you're here."

"Thank you."

Many people quickly responded politely, their tone of friendliness approaching max.

Through the World Tree's mechanisms, it was not difficult to guess that the other side was good at trading tactics. Everyone present was well aware that in a war of this intensity, a healer was the key to improving their survival rate. Many people flocked to Aurora like stars surrounding the moon, as if they were a support group.

Hela, on the other hand, watched coldly from the side, cold and desolate, a stark contrast.

Manison ignored the noisy crowd and approached Han Xiao on his own, slowly saying, "Black Star, you seem a little nervous. Are you worried that your Undying Body won't be able to withstand a battle of this intensity?"

Han Xiao turned his head, sized him up, then reached out and poked Manison's Avatar's chest, saying unhappily,

"If you have the ability, come over with your main body and let me see if you'll be nervous."

"Heh, laughable. I'm not an anomaly among Mechanics like you. I never do things that involve putting myself in danger," Manison said with a faint snort.

"Come on, just say you're a coward. With your little body, you still have the nerve to wander around in front of me."

Han Xiao expressed his strong contempt.

Manison chuckled disdainfully twice, paused, suddenly restrained his smile, and said in a low voice,

"Who's the strongest on the World Tree's side? You should know, right?"

"Mm, the most powerful should be the Ancestral Tree King, the leader of the five Tree Kings."

"Then can you deal with him?" Manison asked curiously.

"This person is unfathomable. I'm not confident either."

Han Xiao shook his head.

Among the five Tree Kings, the Zhen Tree King, as a martial artist, was at the bottom, and the Ancestral Tree King was the strongest. Even in the heated battles of his previous life, the Ancestral Tree King was an elusive existence, with only a handful of appearances, as if he were detached from the war. However, the Ancestral Tree King's battle record was extremely impressive. All those who died at his hands were peak Beyond Grade As, not a single weakling, as if ordinary opponents were not worth his attention.

At the same time, the Ancestral Tree King was the person with the deepest connection to the World Tree, bar none. In a sense, he was the World Tree's only "master," and Han Xiao was not sure if he could defeat the other party.

"Even you aren't confident..."

Manison was lost in thought.

Han Xiao was about to say something when his communicator suddenly vibrated.

The room immediately quieted down, and everyone's eyes gathered on Han Xiao, all realizing something, their expressions gradually becoming solemn.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, took out the communicator, glanced at it, and suddenly paused, taking a deep breath.

"They're here."