The Legendary Mechanic, page 901
However, this self-detonation had only just started when a holy light shot out from the spaceship again. Sweeping past, the fragmenting bodies of this group of people re-bonded and were restored to their original state.
The pupils of these people shrank, and they once again imploded without hesitation, only to have the same scene occur again. The moment they felt the pain of their bodies tearing apart, another light would shoot out and heal their injuries.
After trying a few times, the results remained unchanged. The faces of these people were now filled with despair as they understood that their lives were no longer theirs to control.
They could not live how they wanted, but they could not die when they wanted to either!
“That’s enough. Don’t fool around with them anymore. I’ll do it.”
Feidin shook his head in resignation.
He took out the Soul Swapper, replacing the souls of a few of them into prepared containers of animals.
In this period, Feidin had also reached the rank of a Beyond Grade A seeds. With this weird Soul Swapper, it could be said that it was rare for him to meet an enemy that could threaten him in the Calamity Grade.
The bodies of those whose souls were transferred turned into empty husks, collapsing where they stood and were easily captured. The Hero Spirits set about cleaning up the battlefield.
Seeing this scene, Kevin finally relaxed. He was full of joy at being able to escape from the dead and quickly broadcast through the wide area communications channel.
“My name is Kevin. Esteemed ones, you have saved my life. May I know if I may have the honor of thanking you face to face?”
After a few seconds, a voice sounded from the channel.
“Let’s talk on the spaceship.”
Kevin was energized. As he approached the spaceship, the door opened, letting him fly in.
After following the guiding robot to the command room, he saw the eye-catching Aurora at a glance. He did not hesitate to salute in excitement and surprise.
“Turns out that it’s the new Deputy Army Commander of the Black Star Army, the Goddess of Life, Aurora. It’s my blessing to be able to meet you!”
When Aurora had made a move, Kevin had vaguely guessed her identity, but only now did he dare confirm it when he saw the person in flesh.
Kevin’s happiness only grew.
Fortunately, he had met Aurora, who was a master of life. If it were someone else, they would probably not have been able to pull him back from death.
In the vast universe, I actually managed to encounter a Beyond Grade A that could save me. What sort of probability was this?
My luck is too good!
“Eh, when did I get this moniker?” Aurora actually intended to act high and mighty like Hila, but hearing this, she stopped in shock.
“Don’t you know?” Kevin said. “This is because you’re the sister of the ‘Goddess of Death’ and hold the exact opposite powers, so the world has started calling you this.”
“Not bad, I’m also someone with a moniker now.” Aurora giggled.
While it was only one compared to the multitude Hila had, it was a good start. Sooner or later, she would be able to defeat her sister and crush her under her own feet proudly!
Fantasizing about this scene, Aurora’s emotions were surging with joy.
Glancing over, Feidin immediately guessed that Aurora was distracted again, so he could only take the reins. “Anyway, we received your call for help, so we came over just in time. Could you please explain what exactly happened?”
“It’s like this. I was actually journeying but suddenly came across a bunch of galactic pirates…”
Kevin explained the whole process truthfully without hiding anything.
After hearing this, Feidin squeezed his perfectly shaped chin as he guessed, “It seems more than meets the eye. These people are by no means just galactic pirates. I think they specifically aimed at you. Could it be a vendetta?”
“It doesn’t make sense. I’m typically a do-gooder and have avoided any struggles of the factions. Even if I have to kill, I make sure I get rid of the roots as well. I have also never provoked an organization that could release seven or eight Calamity Grades at once.”
Kevin drew a blank.
Hearing this, Feidin was lost in thought for a while before he muttered, “If it’s not a vendetta, then it’s likely related to the current storm.”
“What is it about?” Kevin was curious.
“Oh, I’m still not sure, but we managed to capture a few live ones, so some interrogation will reveal everything…”
Feidin shook his head, but he suddenly paused, and his words grew sharp.
“You just mentioned that you were journeying over to the Flickering World to join the Black Star Army?”
“That’s right…”
“Great!” Feidin’s eyes lit up. “You don’t need to travel so far to the Flickering World. The Deputy Army Commander is right in front of you and is definitely qualified to accept newcomers. You could just stay and become part of her Guard Corps.”
“Huh?”
“This…”
Kevin paused for a while.
His original objective was to become a Black Star Guard, to enjoy the benefits of a favorable position, but Aurora had practically saved his life. While she was a new Beyond Grade A, her Esper Ability was unique, which would guarantee the safety of his life under most circumstances.
Even if he went over to the Flickering World, he might still encounter more dangers. Temporarily staying by Aurora’s side was not too bad.
“Yes, yes, yes, come under my command. As long as you come, I can give you the position of Guard Captain!” Aurora’s eyes lit up.
While she was the Deputy Army Commander, fully qualified to employ her own Guards regiment, she had been busy travelling ever since she was promoted. She had not recruited anyone, and thus, she had no Guards under her.
The talents in the army had mostly been divided by Black Star and Hila, so even if she tried recruiting from the inside, it would be difficult to find any masters. She had always envied the Guards that Hila had.
Now that she had encountered a Beyond Grade A seed in trouble, Aurora immediately had this thought.
Kevin struggled for a while before being tempted.
“… Alright, I’m willing to be the Captain of your Guard Corps.”
He had also done some research on the organizational structure of the Black Star Army. From his point of view, there were three factions, each with the respective Beyond Grade A as the leader.
Black Star was undoubtedly the ruling faction, but there were too many talents within, and there was no opportunity to show off, which made his chances of standing out remote. Hila’s faction was mainly comprised of women and had already been formed with no intention of expanding. Furthermore, Hila was also not known to be a good leader. In contrast, Aurora’s faction had just been established, so if he became one of her early followers when she had a shortage of people, his status would naturally be extraordinary.
While Kevin’s original intention was to obtain the Sanctum Revival, since he had decided to join an organization, he would not be satisfied with being a marginal person without any sense of existence.
“That’s great. I’ll help you register for your army authority! Phillip, come out!”
Aurora was overjoyed, immediately summoning Phillip. She could not wait to register Kevin as her Guards Captain.
Why is she even more excited than me?
Kevin felt a sinking feeling, but he had no choice but to cooperate.
However, this feeling of being appreciated by his boss made him feel more moved.
Seeing this, Feidin did not bother them, simply walking to the side and entering the spiritual realm to interrogate the prisoners.
After a while, Aurora had completed the procedures for Kevin, and the Hero Spirits had also cleaned up the battlefield.
At this moment, the two saw Feidin walk back with a solemn expression.
“You’re done interrogating? How’s the situation?” Aurora was curious.
“… The situation has exceeded our expectations. The matter is more serious than we thought.”
Feidin shook his head, speaking in a steely tone.
“Immediately report to the Army Commander. This matter is out of our league!”
Chapter 1266: Travelling Feidin |
“Oh? You’re saying that someone is hunting down the Beyond Grade A seeds?”
In his personal machinery factory in Black Star Palace, Han Xiao looked with surprise at the communication screen where Feidin was speaking to him.
He had been too busy digesting his technology recently. Only when Feidin called him and told him that they had captured a hunting team that specifically targeted the Beyond Grade A seeds did he then notice.
“Speak in detail, I want to know everything.” Han Xiao put down the parts in his hand, his expression turning solemn.
“It’s like this…” Feidin explained the entire process.
After capturing these assailants, he had dug up the amazing intelligence through interrogation and reading of memories. All the Calamity Grades that attacked Kevin were acting on orders and had quietly controlled the galactic pirates that had been wandering nearby, waiting to intercept Kevin.
“Do you know which organizations they belong to?” Han Xiao was curious.
Feidin nodded. “I’ve already checked. These Calamity Grades did not leave any information within the universe. At the same time, they have no relevant memories, and they do not know which organization they work for, only unilaterally accepting direct orders from an account. The account for tasks for each person is also different. When I reviewed their memories, I discovered that they had been receiving some sort of thought-shaping training since young, specially to create warriors with weak self-awareness.
“Death warriors without any history? To be able to train up eight Calamity Grades as Death warriors from an early age, this is no small organization. The thought training should be a form of brainwashing that can maintain a long-term effect on the Calamity Grades. This should be technology at or above the Star Cluster level.”
Han Xiao furrowed his brows, pondering silently for a while before he asked, “Any other clues?”
“I’ve found some safe houses and codewords, as well as their activities. When I finish sorting them out, I’ll send you the report containing the top-secret accounts of these people for receiving tasks. It may be useful to you.”
Han Xiao’s brows rose. “To think you’re placing so much importance in this matter. It seems like you also know the problem in this.”
Feidin sighed. “If I could not guess the potential ramifications, then I would not have called you at first notice… People who can cultivate so many Calamity Grade Death Warriors will not be a small organization, and this team might not have been sent to only kill one person. Add that to the Sanctum Revival issue, this situation is obviously not simple.”
Han Xiao nodded. “That’s right. Organizations who have the motivation and the abilities to do such a thing are few and far between. The Super Star Cluster Alliance is also suspicious.”
While he did not manage to get their origins, through the analysis of different factors, Han Xiao first thought of the three Universal Civilizations as well as the Super Star Cluster Alliance, both of whom intended to do such a thing.
The former wished to reduce the impact of Sanctum Revival, secretly reducing the source of new Beyond Grade As joining the association in the future. The latter had more hidden motives, mainly to aggravate the situation and pin the blame on others, creating opposition and forcing the three Universal Civilizations and the association to turn hostile.
Of course, he could not ignore the possibility that there was someone fishing in the muddied waters, so Han Xiao did not immediately jump to a conclusion. Rather, he only assumed it to be the secret operation of the three Universal Civilizations or the Super Star Cluster Alliance.
As inferred, there was a high probability that there existed more than one hunter team. At present, there were many Beyond Grade A seeds rushing to the Flickering World from each Star Field, so the orchestrators behind the scenes were likely to deploy interception troops. These Beyond Grade A seeds would be at risk, as not all of them would be so lucky to run into the top milkmaid of the universe.
Feidin scratched his head in puzzlement. “Forget about the Super Star Cluster Alliance, but the three Universal Civilizations… would they really do such a thing? Conducting such a crazy plan, are they not afraid of facing the backlash of all Supers? It’s too radical.”
Han Xiao shook his head, not looking surprised at all.
“This sort of behavior is crazy but effective. The Beyond Grade A seeds in the entire universe are not many to begin with, and the cost of them going hands-on is not high. Even if all these people disappear, the backlash can be easily suppressed.
“Moreover, the three Universal Civilizations were clear that they had lost the monopoly advantage of having Ultimate Knowledge. The association can give whatever they can give, and with the addition of the Sanctum Revival, it will be difficult for them to attract new talents. On the other hand, the association did not even require any advertisement to attract new talents. If they do nothing, the situation will only get worse, so instead of sitting and watching, it’s better to send these Death Warriors to kill people and ruin what they can’t get.
“As for the methods… as with the Tragedy of the Pinnacles, the three Universal Civilizations have never been good people. Don’t be mistaken. As winners of the exploration era, none of them would have survived if they were not cruel. Once they panic, they can do anything.”
Feidin pursed his lips. “Aren’t they afraid of being revealed?”
Han Xiao stroked his chin. “I feel that they would be afraid, but I can’t be sure since I have to look at their overall picture.”
There was no Beyond Grade A Association in his previous life, and Sanctum Revival was kept under wraps, so the Beyond Grade A seeds were not intercepted. This was the first time Han Xiao had encountered such a situation, without knowing what the three Universal Civilizations would even do.
Han Xiao was also helpless to the fact that the Beyond Grade A seeds were targeted. He could only treat it as collateral damage.
“This storm is getting bigger and bigger.” Feidin’s expression was worried. “What do you intend to do?”
“The purpose of the association is mainly to solve the conflicts between the Beyond Grade As, so the Calamity Grade is not within our scope. Nominally, it is not suitable for us to cross the boundary and provide assistance…”
Han Xiao stroked his chin as he thought aloud.
“However, if we don’t stop this, the seeds will suffer great casualties, which is not conducive to our recruitment of new Beyond Grade As. How about this? Don’t they wish to join the various Beyond Grade A organizations? We’ll ask those organizations to secretly send people to protect and escort them. This can be justified in name.”
“Alright.” Feidin paused for a moment. “However, this response force will encounter battles with the hunting squad. Do we wish to spread the news and make the seeds vigilant, at the same time giving a warning to the person behind the scenes?”
Han Xiao thought for a while but finally shook his head.
“Secretly spreading it to the seeds is enough. This news should not be spread out on a large scale… If we expose it now, the happiest would be the Super Star Cluster Alliance. I don’t wish to tear off all pretenses with the three Universal Civilizations, nor do I want to be used as a weapon by the Super Star Cluster Alliance. Let’s focus on protection first. For the time being, we will avoid conflict if possible.”
While the Sanctum Revival was in name his, the Holy Accord had yet to be able to collect the second set of keys, so Han Xiao did not have much to rely on for now. Causing trouble was not his favorite action; it was better to be low-key.
“I understand. What else do you need me to do?” Feidin asked.
“For you guys… how about you search for more Beyond Grade A seeds in the vicinity. They will be safer with Aurora around them. Then, we can just bring all of them back.”
As he spoke, Han Xiao smiled in a praising manner.
“You’ve earned yourself a great merit this time. Without your warning, we might have had to wait till many seeds went missing before we realized something was wrong. My decision to have you go along with Aurora was a good move!”
He felt that Feidin was the perfect intelligence officer. Most people had to search for things, but it was the exact opposite for Feidin. Even if he were only to lie down every day, he would still be able to run into key intelligence, as though it was an automated process for him.
This Feidin is really useful!
Feidin showed a helpless expression. He had already resigned to the fact that he was a tool to be used.
“By the way, what should I do with the captives after the interrogation? They could serve as evidence.”
“What else can we do? Send them to the Underworld.”
Han Xiao waved his hands casually.
The two further discussed the details before hanging up. At this moment, Han Xiao suddenly noticed that his interface was blinking.
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You have triggered the mission [Stop the Hunting]!
Mission Introduction: For some reason, some unknown organizations are trying to hunt down talents who wish to join you. As a well-known organization, protecting the personal safety of your candidates is a basic requirement.
Mission Objective: Try to prevent the hunting of the Beyond Grade A seeds.
Remarks: The reward depends on the Mission Rating, which is correlated to the number of people successfully rescued.
Basic Reward: 8 billion Experience, +20 Favorability of rescued targets, 2 Random Rewards, 1 Blank Character Summon Card.
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“The experience is a little stingy, but the blank Character Summon Card is pretty good stuff.”
