Chapter 49: Another Empire
"How dare you show such disrespect toward my God, Karl"
Snuo stepped forward to defend his master deity, his black cloak billowing as the skull mask concealed his features.
Though his face remained hidden, Hua Ye and his retinue could feel the weight of his furious gaze.
"Snuo, restraint." Karl's voice cut through the tension as he regarded Hua Ye. "What exactly transpired?"
"See for yourself."
Hua Ye transmitted the relevant combat footage from the Solar System war directly to Karl's personal database. The data transfer was swift, painting a complete picture of the engagement.
Karl processed the information with mechanical efficiency. Soon, he grasped the full scope of the disaster, the Emperor's return, the effortless defeat of Hua Ye's forces, the catastrophic rout that followed. His expression grew troubled.
"This being converted a black hole into a two-dimensional construct... then tore through the fabric of space itself. Such methods defy all known scientific principles."
Karl had dedicated his existence to studying void phenomena and forces capable of warping reality's fundamental laws. Yet the Emperor's demonstration transcended even his most advanced theories.
"I share your assessment," Hua Ye replied, still pacing with barely contained anxiety. "This entity makes our supposed divinity appear primitive by comparison. Fortunately, I maintained tactical awareness. A moment's delay would have meant complete annihilation."
"Deploy every void engine and anti-void material in your arsenal for my enhancement. I require immediate upgrades if I am to stand against this being."
Hua Ye's demands came rapidly. "And the phantom body project, I want access to that technology as well."
Karl fell silent at these words.
The phantom body represented the pinnacle of his research, vast knowledge and resources invested into a singular breakthrough.
The process would elevate the subject's consciousness into higher-dimensional space, leaving only a projection to interact with baseline reality.
It offered theoretical invincibility through dimensional displacement and true immortality through the severance of soul from flesh.
Once Hua Ye possessed such power, Karl's ability to control him would become questionable at best.
"Withhold nothing," Hua Ye pressed, desperation creeping into his voice.
"That entity's capabilities render all our previous advantages meaningless. Do not forget your actions against Earth, Angel City, and Liesun Star, do you believe they will not seek retribution? While mainstream civilizations remain helpless against your phantom body, can you guarantee that being possesses no countermeasures?"
Hua Ye's words gave Karl pause. The Emperor's various demonstrations had indeed proven deeply unsettling.
His scientific capabilities appeared to surpass even Karl's own achievements. Under such leadership, Earth's civilization would undoubtedly launch a devastating counteroffensive.
That impossible method of tearing apart a black hole... honestly, Karl possessed no confidence in his ability to defend against such power.
"I cannot provide the complete phantom body, but I can upgrade your black hole engine with some of its capabilities."
Hua Ye's expression darkened with displeasure.
"Damn it, we're already bound together by fate, yet you still guard against me."
If he didn't still require Karl's technology, he would have considered open hostility.
Karl remained unmoved by Hua Ye's emotions, his tone as calm and indifferent as ever.
"The choice is yours to accept or decline."
Hua Ye had no alternative but to nod in grudging agreement.
"Very well. It is better than nothing."
Through Ruisz's assistance, the Emperor established contact with Principal Kilan, who had ascended to become the cosmic consciousness.
After his transformation, Principal Kilan no longer possessed a physical form, manifesting instead as a luminous, ethereal presence of pure thought.
Learning of the Emperor's safe return, Principal Kilan's tone resonated with genuine joy.
"It brings me great relief to know you have returned safely."
"I should have provided adequate notice before my departure," the Emperor stated with divine finality, acknowledging the oversight without diminishing his authority.
"Think nothing of it. Your return is what matters," Principal Kilan responded. "Your wisdom surpasses even Ding Gehei's. Perhaps with your guidance, the mainstream civilizations of the known universe can finally address the ultimate fear."
The Raven, perched upon the Emperor's shoulder, studied Principal Kilan with keen interest.
"No physical form, yet maintaining perfect self-awareness, truly a fascinating evolutionary path," the Raven observed with casual curiosity.
"This is my companion, Raven," the Emperor introduced with formal dignity.
"Your companion possesses most unusual properties."
Principal Kilan attempted to scan Raven's information and found, like with the Emperor, that the data remained completely inaccessible.
Clearly, this creature's origins lay far beyond conventional understanding.
Raven tilted his head with mild amusement. "In this state, can you still taste the simple pleasures of fries and ketchup?"
"The sensation of taste requires physical form. Without a body, such experiences are no longer possible."
"Then what's the bloody point of existence?" Raven exclaimed with genuine horror. The thought of losing access to delicious ketchup and fries seemed worse than any conceivable hell.
"The pursuit of truth and knowledge provides the greatest fulfillment," Kilan replied with philosophical certainty.
Raven remained unconvinced. "People always romanticize what they've lost access to. But when you actually encounter ultimate truth and ancient knowledge, you'll find it's nothing special compared to a good plate of fries."
"This debate regarding life's meaning can wait," the Emperor interjected with divine finality. "I have matters of critical importance to discuss."
The Emperor then presented his vision, the unification of all Shenhe body civilizations within the known universe under a single imperial banner.
He sought Principal Kilan's influence to rally the Shenhe survivors and assist in this monumental undertaking.
"Form an empire?" Kilan's tone carried hesitation. "Such an endeavor may prove... problematic."
"This is not for the pursuit of tyranny or personal power, but to concentrate resources against the ultimate fear," the Emperor declared with unwavering conviction.
"This universe contains no civilizations older than two hundred thousand years. Having ascended to cosmic consciousness, surely you have observed the pattern?"
"Once any mainstream civilization breaches a critical threshold, it attracts cleansing from unknown forces. Like countless predecessors, they are completely eradicated, leaving no trace of their existence."
The Emperor's words carried the weight of terrible knowledge, of truths glimpsed across the span of galaxies and eons.
Principal Kilan found himself persuaded by this reasoning.
Gaining his approval effectively secured the support of the Shenhe survivors and Super God Academy. Next came negotiations with Liesun Star, Angel Civilization, and other major powers.
For the Emperor, Earth proved the simplest conquest.
He easily convinced the Xiong Bing Company and Huaxia's leadership of the necessity.
In the war's early phases, Earth's fractured nations state under Global Federtion had stood alone, resulting in devastating defeats against alien civilizations. This had led to an exceptionally brutal planetary defense campaign.
With Karl continuously advancing the void era's arrival, future conflicts would prove even more savage. Only through unity could they achieve final victory.
Liesun Star presented no significant obstacle. Karl's previous deployment of Nusa to destroy the Heavenly Dao Tower had already shattered their civilization.
The survivors had migrated to Mars, where they labored to rebuild their homeland.
Lena readily accepted the Emperor's proposal. Having experienced Karl's machinations firsthand, she understood the futility of standing alone.
If the Shenhe body civilizations could be unified under a single political entity, it would prove a blessing for all mainstream civilizations.
The Angel Civilization presented the greatest challenge.
They had once ruled as the most powerful force in the known universe, celebrated by countless civilizations across the stars.
With their two kings, Keisha and Hexi, now in slumber, the Angel race's strength had diminished significantly. Merlok Heavenly Court had fallen, forcing the surviving Angels to retreat to Ferraze.
Yet even in decline, they remained a formidable civilization of terrifying capability.
When the Emperor first presented his unification proposal, the new queen, Yan, rejected it outright.
"Angels will never bow to any external authority," Yan declared with absolute conviction.
Even when the Emperor offered to preserve the Angels' autonomy within the Imperial framework, Yan remained unmoved.
Recognizing the futility of direct negotiation with the new Angel King, the Emperor chose an alternative approach, direct contact with the Sacred Angel, Keisha herself.
Though Keisha remained in slumber, her consciousness stayed alert and aware. The Emperor employed psychic energy to enter her mental realm for direct communication.
He had expected prolonged negotiations, but to his surprise, Keisha agreed immediately after hearing his proposal.
"During this period of slumber, I have projected my consciousness throughout the universe and witnessed things of terrible significance," she explained with grave solemnity.
"The void era that Karl promotes will bring catastrophic disaster to the known universe. Only through the unity of all Shenhe body civilizations can we hope for ultimate victory."
With Keisha's support secured, Yan could only acquiesce to the greater wisdom.
After convincing all parties, the Emperor began establishing the New Empire, mobilizing resources from various civilizations to create revolutionary technology.
Drawing upon dimensional science, Subspace knowledge, and other acquired technologies, he commenced development of an entirely new class of Gene Engine.
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