Chapter 161 All Parties

* * *

With a *pa ta*, Han Xiao deactivated the remote projection, his vision returning to his own body, and shook his head with a slight smile.

He had just finished a conversation with the heads of the three great civilizations, and judging from their expressions, they probably didn't believe his revised explanation, leaning more toward the Sanctuary Revival being limited to only once.

But as things stood, Han Xiao didn't care whether the three great civilizations believed him or not. The reasons he had once claimed that the Sanctuary Revival was limited to one use were firstly, to make it easier to control the Super cluster Revivers, reduce their ambitions, and lower the possibility of the Sanctuary being exposed; secondly, to deal with the three great civilizations who were targeting the Super A Grades at the time, keeping a trump card up his sleeve so that the three great civilizations would feel they could still hold their lives in their hands; and thirdly, to buy time to wait for the Oathkeepers to collect a new set of Sanctuary Keys.

Now, however, both sides were in the same boat. The World Tree Civilization was the primary conflict, and the three great civilizations couldn't do without his help. In the current situation, no matter how wary the three great civilizations were of the Super A Grades, they still had to rely on their combat power. Han Xiao didn't mind revealing his hand, but unfortunately, they didn't believe him for the time being.

"A monopolistic business is always easier to run."

Han Xiao chuckled, put away the communicator, turned, and returned to the cabin, preparing to display his traditional skill: building rapport with these newly acquainted Revivers.

*Shua*—

The alloy door slid open automatically, and Han Xiao walked into the hall, looking around.

The various Super A Grades in the room had spontaneously formed several small groups. The direct descendants of each power sat in one pile, the neutral Super A Grades sat together according to their era, and occasionally some lone wolves sat alone in the corners, clearly separated. Those who wanted to inquire about information and those who liked to make friends circulated between the various groups. Everyone was on the same level, and there were plenty of common topics, so the atmosphere was quite lively.

As soon as Han Xiao entered, he noticed that the Revivers in the various groups were frequently looking at him, their eyes filled with curiosity and amazement.

At this moment, Niferia took the initiative to walk over, sizing up Han Xiao, and got straight to the point. "So, you are the strongest Mechanic of this generation. When I recover my state, we'll have time to exchange pointers."

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Sure, you're welcome anytime."

He roughly knew why these Revivers were looking at him with such eyes. Most likely, while he was having a remote conversation with the heads of the three great civilizations, these Revivers had inquired about his life story from other Super A Grades and were amazed by his achievements.

Niferia's proposal for a spar was definitely not just for exchanging pleasantries; he probably wanted to regain the position of the Main God of the Mechanic God Church.

Han Xiao knew a thing or two about Niferia's thoughts. If he had remained dead, it wouldn't have been bad to leave the legacy to his descendants, but now that he had cheated death, he planned to take back the "legacy" and was unwilling to let others continue to occupy the foundation he had laid, as it was originally theirs.

Scanning around, Han Xiao estimated that he wasn't the only one with such thoughts. He had long anticipated such conflicts of interest between the revived high-ranking Super A Grades and the contemporary Super A Grades.

‘Heh, now I've become the old Manison of back then, the one being challenged.’

Han Xiao smiled inwardly.

Igna was not enough to make him show his full strength, so Niferia still had the confidence to spar, but the guy was currently a blank slate without equipment, so now wasn't the time to spar.

Niferia nodded, exchanged a few polite words, and then walked aside, returning to the group of the first generation.

At this moment, someone from the neutral Super A Grade group spoke, addressing Han Xiao in a loud voice:

"By the way, you said you are the current leader of the Super A Grade Association. Is your association still recruiting?"

Han Xiao followed the voice, nodded, and smiled at the speaker.

"Of course, our association always welcomes new members. If you don't want to fight alone, joining the association is the best choice. This is a united body of interests for the contemporary Super A Grades. We are always happy to help new members build their own forces, but now is a time of war, so we will temporarily refrain from such actions…"

Saying this, Han Xiao turned to look at Hilbert and the others, smiling:

"Also, we welcome former direct descendants who are unwilling to work for the three great civilizations. If you feel uncomfortable staying with the three great civilizations, the association is also an option."

"Hey!" Oulu called out in dissatisfaction.

You're poaching our talent right in front of our faces; aren't you being too arrogant!

This feeling was like an honest man watching his girlfriend have her WeChat ID asked by a strong, scummy passerby.

"Keep these jokes to a minimum." Clotti's expression was indifferent, his aura cold. As a Pillar of the Nation, he couldn't remain unmoved by Han Xiao's attempt to poach talent.

Reeves, who was on the side, stared intently at Clotti, and said with a surprised “Yo,” “Little Clotti, you've been carrying the burden all these years, and you've cultivated a good aura.”

Clotti's stern and tense expression immediately collapsed, losing his composure. In front of this group of seniors, he really wasn't used to putting on airs.

Not far away, Kesuye’s ears twitched. He almost thought they were calling him, and he immediately recalled some bad memories, glaring resentfully at Han Xiao’s back.

Hilbert didn't respond directly, shaking his head. "Thank you for your invitation, but maybe later."

He just didn't want to continue risking his life; that didn't mean he didn't want the retirement benefits of the three great civilizations. After all, it was a contribution earned with his life.

Han Xiao smiled, not minding. He wandered between the various groups, communicating briefly to deepen his understanding of everyone.

After chatting for a while, the spaceship finally arrived at the location of the High-Dimensional Sky-Opening Device. Entering the ring-shaped area, they activated the device, and with a flash of light, they were quickly transported to the main base of the interception line.

The three great civilizations were already prepared, welcoming the many Revivers to their temporary residences. To prevent accidents, most of the Super A Grades accompanied them along the way.

Han Xiao, however, didn't follow along. Instead, he went to the Underworld with Hela.

On the way to the temporary residences, the crowd chatted casually.

At the back of the line, Manison and Niferia walked side by side, maintaining silence.

After a while, Niferia slowly spoke.

"You are the leader of the Arcane Race of this generation?"

"Yes." Manison replied indifferently.

"Not bad. I didn't expect that among my descendants, there would be someone as capable as you." Niferia nodded with satisfaction.

Manison stared straight ahead, ignoring him, without answering.

Niferia was not only the first ever God Seat Mechanic and the founder of the Mechanic God Church, but also the ancestor of the Arcane Race.

Out of certain considerations, Manison had no interest in acknowledging an ancestor. His interactions with Niferia were limited. Niferia had already died before he became a Super A Grade. Moreover, after advancing to Super A Grade, his own race had sublimated, becoming a new species. Genetically, the two were no longer considered the same organism.

After sighing for a while, Niferia raised his hand and patted Manison's shoulder, asking, "How is the Arcane Race doing now?"

"You'll find out when you get back. Anyway, they're doing well enough." Manison was too lazy to report to him.

"That's good." Niferia gave a hum and instructed, "In a while, I'll trouble you to announce my return to the entire Arcane Race. Tell them that the ancestor has returned."

After saying that, Niferia quickened his pace, leaving Manison's side.

Manison watched his back, raising his palm to brush the side of his shoulder that Niferia had patted, as if sweeping away dust.

‘If it were in the past, according to my former temperament, I would definitely have found a way to kill you…’

Manison snorted coldly in his heart.

Although Niferia didn't explicitly state his intention to take back the leadership of the Arcane Race, the clan would definitely have its power diluted with the addition of an ancestor.

The Arcane Race was his important base of operations, and he didn't want to see anyone interfere with his interests, even if it was an ancestor.

Relying on seniority and high status, you want to take away the ready-made cake?

Dream on!

You want to step on my head? Who do you think you are, Black Star!

However, Manison had restrained himself a lot now. Although he was unwilling to give up his interests, he didn't plan to do anything to Niferia. At most, he would send him off to develop a new Arcane Race.

Anyway, the old Arcane Race had long been his possession after so many years of reproduction. Relying solely on the name of the ancestor was not enough to easily shake his foundation as leader.

On the other side, Milizaus was also with the ancestor of the Astral Spirit Dragon race, but the atmosphere was completely different, very lively.

"Old man, are you serious? Do you really have a way to compress my body size while maintaining all my combat power?!" Milizaus was astonished.

"Heh, this is my unique secret technique, only those with my bloodline can use it, but well, after you became a Super A Grade, you actually diluted my bloodline, sublimating into a new species. This won't do! Later, I'll release a few hundred tons of dragon blood. You take it back and use magic to refine it, integrating it into your body to increase the concentration of your bloodline. The next time you come, let me give you a good physical examination, and I'll help you adjust this secret technique, custom-made for you."

A small blue dragon, only a dozen meters long, was lying on Milizaus's huge body. Its body was graceful, its crystal-clear blue dragon scales shimmering, and its golden dragon horns were as jade-like, shaped like a crown, with thick, hoary whiskers on both sides of its dragon head.

"Dragon Magister" Marsebo Dittmilit, was originally a blue dragon with a bloodline mutation. After advancing to Super A Grade, he sublimated his genes and possessed amazing magical talent, creating countless draconic magic. The Astral Spirit Dragon Race was just one of the bloodline branches he left behind.

Many of the draconic spells used by Milizaus today were Marsebo's legacy. Practical ability aside, Milizaus was at least inferior in terms of magical research ability.

Magicians and mechanics consumed resources in different ways. Milizaus didn't care much about who ruled the clan. As soon as he saw his learned ancestor, he rushed over to exchange experiences. The two dragons happened to have bold and forthright personalities, and they chatted quite happily. Marsebo also didn't hide anything, saying that between the two of them, they were practically family, and he would teach Milizaus as long as he wanted to learn, because he was his ancestor. The scene was one of ancestral affection and filial piety.

Once he learned this secret technique, he wouldn't be used as a target anymore, and his combat power would increase greatly. Just thinking about such a future set Milizaus's heart ablaze.

He could finally get rid of the fate of being a meat shield!

This promising profession should be left to that bastard Black Star!

This ancestor was worth recognizing!

* * *

Underworld Dimension.

Han Xiao and Hela teleported over, checking on Igna's situation.

They saw that Igna had already transformed into a Heroic Soul, filled with shock and anger, surrounded by the eight brothers of the Underworld.

As soon as he saw Han Xiao descend, Igna's eyes bulged, and he roared, "You actually killed me, you…"

"Shut up. If it weren't for me, you would still be dead, not even qualified to be killed. You went too far; this is your punishment."

Han Xiao interrupted him, expressionless.

Hela turned to look at the eight brothers of the Underworld, asking, "Did you help him understand his situation?"

"I've already told him about the situation in the Underworld, but he doesn't seem to have accepted reality yet."

Sorokin shrugged.

Hearing this, Igna suddenly turned his head, glaring at Hela, his tone resolute:

"Don't think you can make me your slave. I will never be at your command!"

"Oh." Hela's face was indifferent, unmoved.

Han Xiao crossed his arms, saying casually, "It's better to live badly than to die well. You should think clearly. Although you're controlled by others, in a sense, this is an immortal body."

"Give me liberty, or give me death!"

Igna raised his head high, his iron bones ringing.

Han Xiao clapped his hands twice, turning to look at Hela. "Lock him up in solitary confinement. Release him when he changes his mind."

"Okay. I can adjust the Heroic Soul's sense of time, making him feel like he's living through years."

Hela didn't hesitate, directly using the authority of the Underworld, locking him up before Igna could speak.

Seeing this, the eight brothers of the Underworld all clicked their tongues, deeply sympathetic.

All the senses of the Heroic Soul were controlled by the controller of the Underworld, who could simulate all kinds of experiences. Offending the authority dog would definitely lead to suffering.

"From now on, the Underworld has nine Heroic Soul Kings. At least he's a peak Super A Grade, his strength only slightly inferior to Sorokin's. We've added another general."

Han Xiao nodded. He didn't doubt that Igna would eventually yield and accept his fate, because there was no other choice.

If this guy was really that unyielding, he wouldn't have begged for mercy when he was being beaten by him.

If Igna obediently listened, he would only be confined for a period of time, but since he was acting so recklessly, Han Xiao had no psychological burden in locking him up in the Underworld. He had to bear the corresponding price for messing around.

You chose it yourself, hero!

On the other side, Sorokin, who was watching this scene, was in a cheerful mood.

Finally, a new person had arrived, so he wasn't the smallest anymore…

Happy!

* * *

At the same time, in the World Tree territory.

Roots probed out of the space, constantly spawning troops, sending out batches of freshly produced fleets, transforming from illusory to real.

The Heart Tree King sat on his throne, looking at this scene from afar, and asked casually:

"How is the troop situation now?"

"Apart from some high-level combatants still in the process of revival, the warships and soldiers lost in the last battle have basically been replenished by the Mother Tree. In recent days, some troops have been reassembled. There are already 230 billion warships deployed to the secondary dimensional worlds, searching for the other civilization's territory in the secondary dimensions…"

The Executor on the side reported the current situation.

"Mm." The Heart Tree King nodded calmly.

The main universe's offensive route was blocked, and the World Tree began to prepare for two eventualities, intending to enter from the secondary dimension, invading through another route.

But the World Tree didn't give up on the idea of a strong attack on the interception line, and had been gathering larger-scale troops, while letting the advance guard consume the three great civilizations' forces and push the jump point forward.

"The other side is at a stalemate with our beyond-visual-range chain camp, and the expansion progress is blocked, almost stagnating. This plan has a significant effect. It is estimated that before our next strong attack, the jump point can be maintained in this area and will no longer be pushed away by the other side." Another World Tree Executor said.

"Not bad."

The Heart Tree King praised, then paused and asked:

"Have you found out the reason for the information leak? How did they find out about our strategic deployments?"

"Mm, we have some leads. It's suspected to be related to precognitive ability users."

An Executor took out a report, explaining:

"According to data statistics, 93.4% of the exposed tactical deployments share a common feature: they were all foreseen by future-state perceivers. We have reason to suspect that strategic deployments were leaked to the other side because of this behavior. As for what methods the other side used, we do not know for the time being. We have currently stopped all precognitive actions and are thoroughly investigating the ability details, awakening conditions, and origins of all future-state perceivers, searching for the cause…"

The World Tree couldn't remain indifferent to the fact that the three great civilizations had discovered many tactical deployments, and naturally noticed the anomaly.

Although they didn't know the ability of the Son of Destiny, the World Tree Civilization still found the reason for the information leak through data analysis. Even if it didn't cure the root cause, it could at least treat the symptoms.

The Heart Tree King patted the armrest, slowly saying:

"It's good that you found the cause, but don't seal off the other side's intelligence channels. When needed, this channel can come in handy and might catch them off guard."