142: Unified Free Star Alliance

"This..."

As everyone looked at the hazy light emanating from those unremarkable muzzles, their hearts suddenly skipped a beat.

The two 3S-rank Transcendents, in particular, felt their hair stand on end, as if some great horror was about to descend.

This sense of threat even far exceeded what they felt when facing a Galaxy Beast of the same rank.

The two instinctively wanted to dodge, but then they remembered the bet—to take one hit head-on—and they stopped themselves.

"Damn it, I'll take it! Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"

Igeus let out a furious roar as his deep blue combat suit appeared on his body. Mist swirled around his hands, and a majestic surge of psionic energy connected heaven and earth.

Suddenly, within the vast void, a boundless Sea of Nothingness crashed through the stars and arrived.

On the other side, Herilier was not to be outdone. Divine light blazed in his eyes like two shining stars, turning the surrounding starry sky into a brilliant white light.

Seeing these two going all out, the other Regents chose to retreat instead of advance, moving back to a safe distance.

No joke—if even Class 3S Experts felt threatened, wouldn't they be seeking death by stepping forward?

"Bring it on, kid!"

Igeus stood atop a wave condensed from the Sea of Nothingness, with boundless waves forming walls to guard him.

"Fine."

Zhang Huaiyuan pointed a finger, and invisible beams of light suddenly shot out from hundreds of modified Phase Hand Cannons.

They were like destroyers that erased all things; every obstacle in their path was disintegrated.

The brilliant white light Herilier had laid out was like glass pierced by bullets, letting out a piercing shattering sound.

Those phase beams seemed to transcend all abilities. No matter how he manipulated the light to compress them, he couldn't delay them for even a moment.

The waves formed by the Sea of Nothingness were the same, collapsing rapidly layer by layer.

"How is this possible!"

Igeus's pupils suddenly constricted.

His Sea of Nothingness could suppress almost all powers below the level of the Gods Chosen; whether it was powerful Transcendent abilities or high-output Star-Slaying Cannons, they would all be annihilated within the boundless tides.

And now, this infallible ability had actually failed!

However, the phase beams gave him no time to daze. In the blink of an eye, they broke through all obstacles and rushed toward the two men.

"I don't believe it."

A trace of ferocity appeared in Igeus's eyes as the boundless mist condensed into his right fist, which he swung out violently.

But at the moment of contact, he clearly felt the outermost layer of his skin being completely disintegrated by an unknown force. His psionic-filled cells died instantly and completely, unable to recover.

"I can't block it, I absolutely can't block it! I'll die!"

A fear he had only ever experienced in those powerful ruins surged into his heart.

At the critical moment of life and death, Igeus could no longer care about the bet. His figure flickered, and he reappeared dozens of miles away.

Herilier on the other side did the same, turning into points of light and reforming on another side.

"This... how is this possible! What on earth is that thing?"

The other Regents watching from the side looked at this scene with faces full of disbelief.

Though they had thought the opponent might have some tricks, these were Class 3S Experts with Gods Chosen talents! How could they be scared into a pathetic flight by some inexplicable means?

Did they really have to accept this mysterious guy as the Sovereign?

For a moment, everyone's expressions became uncertain.

Only Stan, from the Research Institute, suddenly stood up. He stared intently at those plain-looking Phase Hand Cannons, his eyes flashing with madness and heat as he finally murmured:

"This... this is definitely a weapon on the same level as the highest-level classified research... a problem that has plagued over two hundred top scholars for a century, and he actually researched it alone... incredible..."

"But how did he do it... it seems to exist independently of current space... how can it be made not to repel each other..."

Stan felt as if infinite inspiration was being triggered in his mind, but when he tried to grasp it, it was like the moon reflected in water—blurry and unreachable. He scratched his head in a frenzy of anxiety.

If he hadn't retained a shred of reason, he would have probably rushed up to ask right then and there.

Meanwhile, Zhang Huaiyuan took in everyone's reactions, his expression showing no fluctuation. He reached out and turned the empowerment stone in his palm, and the phase beams that were still dissipating forward instantly vanished.

Since successfully developing Level 2 Rule Weapons, his opponents were no longer the natives of this world.

Looking up at the two Class 3S Experts who had returned nearby with lingering fear on their faces, Zhang Huaiyuan said calmly:

"You lost."

"You set us up?"

Igeus shouted in annoyance, "I admit this weapon of yours is powerful, but it's impossible for it to actually hit us. In a normal fight, ten of you couldn't beat me."

However, Herilier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Second Legion who had been keeping his head down since just now, suddenly sneered, "You really are a fool."

"What do you mean, Herilier?"

Igeus turned his head, a dangerous light flashing in his eyes.

"Don't you get it yet? This is a technological weapon!"

Herilier emphasized the last two words.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes returned to the blue-glowing muzzles behind Zhang Huaiyuan.

The people who had been too shocked by the series of events to think clearly finally realized.

This was a technological weapon!

This meant... this thing could be mass-produced! It could be equipped on every starship, mecha, and even the weapons of ordinary soldiers!

A mass-produced weapon capable of harming 3S-rank Transcendents... Heavens... who could possibly block that?

"Finally figured it out?"

Zhang Huaiyuan looked at everyone's expressions and said calmly:

"To put it bluntly, with this weapon, eliminating you is only a matter of time. The reason I am standing here today is only because I hope to resolve the Star Alliance's internal strife in the shortest time possible."

"I believe that given your statuses, you know more or less about the causes of the Disaster Zones. The previous Sovereign fled without a fight, but I don't believe in fate. I want to gather the strength of the entire Star Alliance and have a go at them."

"Now, those willing to recognize my status as Sovereign, stand to the right. Those unwilling can leave. But the next time we meet, I won't hold back anymore. Make your choice."

As his voice fell, the entire space fell into silence once again.

Everyone looked at each other, seeing the reluctance and helplessness in each other's eyes.

However, not a single person left.

With their knowledge and status, once they calmed down, they naturally realized how vast the gap was.

Their weapons were obsolete. Even the Statue of Liberty was on the other side.

Resistance would only result in needless casualties.

Their current hesitation was merely a feeling of lingering dissatisfaction after working hard for so many years only to have it come to this.

"The Supreme Research Institute is willing to advance and retreat with His Excellency Zhang Huaiyuan."

A voice suppressed with excitement broke the delicate silence. Stan, the Vice President of the Research Institute, walked to the right without hesitation.

"Ever since meeting on Mawei Star, I knew His Excellency Zhang Huaiyuan was no ordinary person. My daughter Vera has been constantly mentioning how she wants to seek more guidance from you."

Regent Kolen smiled and stepped to the right.

And this was like the final straw that broke the camel's back.

The rest of the people gave bitter smiles and also walked to the right one after another.

"Very well."

Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on Zhang Huaiyuan's face. "In that case, I shall brazenly accept this heavy responsibility."

"Two months from now, at this very location. Every Regent above the Sector level and every military officer above the rank of Major within the Star Alliance's territory must attend in person. There shall be no mistakes. Those who do not comply shall be executed on the spot."

"We obey the Sovereign's decree."

...