Chapter 1 The Evolution

Regardless of their feelings of astonishment and uncertainty, Han Xiao's evolution steadily progressed.

The ceaseless torrent of golden mechanical force formed a massive vortex of energy, expanding in rotating circles, dazzlingly bright, and blindingly white. Han Xiao's figure was at the center, already submerged in endless light. As for the unfortunate planet, it had been utterly obliterated, not a single speck of matter remaining, all reduced to nothingness.

Scalding hot energy coursed through his body, as if his cells and soul were being intensely incinerated together. He felt like a piece of steel, undergoing repeated smelting.

Han Xiao endured the pain of transformation, his golden eyes fixed on the panel's flowing prompts, taking in every detail of the advancement.

[You meet the prerequisites: Initiate Divinity Ascension]

[【Species Divinity】 is activated!]

[Your life level has reached its peak, and upon that peak, you have opened up a new world. The realm of true gods is slowly unfolding before you...]

[Your exclusive race 【Black Star Divine System · Royal Bloodline】 gains two new exclusive racial talent slots]

[Please choose an exclusive racial talent preference]

A plethora of options popped up on the panel, including attack, resistance, mechanical, attribute enhancement, and many more, all potential directions for the two new exclusive racial talents, which could be chosen freely.

When Han Xiao advanced to Beyond Grade A, he created an exclusive racial talent, 【Mechanical Genius】. Now, Species Divinity offered two more opportunities to create exclusive talents, which could also be awakened in future generations as hereditary talents.

After thinking for a moment, he chose ability intensity and attribute enhancement, which were more comprehensive boosts.

Since these newly acquired exclusive talents hadn't undergone multiple enhancements like 【Mechanical Genius】, the effects wouldn't be too powerful, which he anticipated.

After randomizing a few times, Han Xiao finally settled on the effects of the two new exclusive racial talents.

[【Divine Power Gene】: Ability intensity +10%, +2% with each advancement]

[Current cumulative bonus: 46%]

[【Born Elite】: All attributes +10%. From Lv1 to Lv100, gain an additional 4 free attribute points per level. From Lv100 to Lv200, gain an additional 8 free attribute points per level. From Lv200 to Lv300, gain an additional 12 free attribute points per level. Above Lv300, gain an additional 16 free attribute points per level.]

[Current cumulative bonus: 3360 free attribute points]

"These two new talents aren't bad, both are growth-oriented abilities."

Han Xiao's spirits lifted.

Having grown to the late stages, he could receive the accumulated bonuses all at once, immediately completing them, so settling on these two new talents granted him a decent boost right away.

Although his own attributes were currently in the tens of thousands, three or four thousand free attribute points were still significant, most importantly because they could be freely allocated. Furthermore, ability intensity was an important boost needed for any system, with a considerable increase in effectiveness.

【Mechanical Genius】, 【Divine Power Gene】, and 【Born Elite】 were now the inherited talents of his race. Individuals with these three racial talents undoubtedly possessed higher growth potential and were excellent super-powered seedlings, almost certainly overwhelming super-powered individuals of the same grade.

"It would be great if I could level up a bunch of alts..."

The thought flashed through Han Xiao's mind.

He didn't have a lineage yet, perhaps it was time to start thinking about procreation.

As he pondered, the panel continued to display subsequent prompts in an orderly fashion:

[Two new exclusive racial talents have been confirmed]

[Life level sublimation, molecular structure improvement, organ structure strengthening, metabolic changes...]

[Based on the talent preference of 【Black Star Divine System · Royal Bloodline】, you gain additional attribute completion: Strength +795, Dexterity +680, Endurance +1030, Intelligence +1146, Mystery +1050, Charm +742, Energy +11200, Energy Realm bonus attribute change]

[【Species Divinity】 has been completed, your grade has been raised to x (unknown grade)]

[S-grade bonus disappears]

[You gain x-grade bonus]

[x-grade bonus: Endurance bonus +240, All resistances +75%, Highest attribute +50%, Remaining attributes +30%, Additional 1500 free attribute points, 60 awakening points]

[You can choose two of the following seven inclinations to form Grade Perks]

[1. Physical Resistance]

[2. Mental Resistance]

[3. Might Amplification]

[4. Health Points]

[5. Burst Power]

[6. Energy Value]

[7. Status Amplification]

"As expected, there are new Grade Perks!" Han Xiao's eyes lit up.

This was an important factor in widening the combat power gap between two grades. He could choose two when he advanced to Beyond Grade A, and it was the same now, but the effects would definitely be stronger and could stack with previous Grade Perks.

Might Amplification was a must-have. As for the other, Han Xiao still preferred Health Points. It seemed like only he had reached this level, so his durability seemed sufficient, but most of the boosts were basic bonuses brought by this advancement. Normally, one could obtain such Endurance value by completing Divinity Ascension. His current health might only be at a mid-level at the new grade.

He couldn't guarantee that others wouldn't ascend later, and maybe there were already x-grade characters in the universe. Continuing to promote the advantage of being both able to deal damage and withstand it wouldn't be wrong.

[You gain Grade Perk 【Overwhelming Divine Might】!]

[You gain Grade Perk 【Cosmic Divine Body】!]

[【Overwhelming Divine Might】: You have mastered the might of the gods, and all your abilities will receive a massive enhancement. The bonus effect depends on the character's total level: Below Lv300, +8% every 10 levels; Above Lv300, +12% every 10 levels]

[Current ability intensity increase: 312% (This increase can be added and accumulated with 【Extraordinary Power】 and 【Supreme Might】)]

[【Cosmic Divine Body】: Your body is extremely strong and contains incredible vitality. Your lifespan will continue until the end of the universe. Every time the total level increases by 1, Endurance bonus +1]

[Current effect: Endurance bonus +360 (This increase can be added and accumulated with 【Eternal Body】)]

"What powerful buffs!"

Before Han Xiao could even feel excited, an even more intense energy erupted from within him, and all his cells began a new round of transformation. Han Xiao felt the agitation of each cell growing more and more intense, as if they were all about to break away from his body and flee on their own.

But as the EsGod Artifact vibrated, the struggle of the cells was suppressed, which brought him even greater pain.

Although Species Divinity was completed, this advancement was not yet over. There was one last wave of transformation remaining.

[Your class advancement mission has been completed]

[You have obtained the new class—【The Legendary Mechanic】!]

[【The Legendary Mechanic】 Lv1, Energy +700, Strength +8, Dexterity +8, Endurance +22, Intelligence +30, You gain 25 free attribute points, 1 awakening point]

[You gain Perk 【Beyond Artifact】!]

[You gain Perk 【Energy Foundation · God of Myriad Machines】!]

[You gain Perk 【Information Singularity · Conceptual Immortality】!]

[You have comprehended skill 【Mechanical Deity · Supreme Celestial】!]

[You have comprehended skill 【Virtual Genesis (Pseudo)】!]

[You have comprehended skill 【Life Transformation · Virtual】!]

[You have comprehended skill 【Life Transformation · Myriad Machines】!]

[The effect of all your virtual technology skills or perks is increased by 80%]

Han Xiao's breath suddenly hitched.

The new class stage was equally unfamiliar to him, and 【The Legendary Mechanic】 had no class level cap, proving that this was the final stage of the Mechanic class, which he could continue to level up, but there would be no further advancements.

He looked at the various new abilities gained from this advancement and couldn't help but constrict his pupils. The skill effects were as flamboyant as the names, but the bonuses were astonishing.

Han Xiao wanted to analyze the new abilities in detail, but the intense pain of evolution struck wave after wave, almost freezing his thoughts. Now was not a good time for careful study.

Seeing that the panel prompts finally stopped, Han Xiao knew that all the bonuses from this advancement were in hand. He quickly calmed his mind, silently feeling his own evolution, and his sense of time quickly blurred.

...

A full two days later, the enormous energy vortex, which had expanded many times over, seemed to have reached its limit, slowly contracting back toward the center, pouring into Han Xiao's body in waves.

At the edges, Urnos and the other three had been guarding the place, watching Han Xiao's advancement from beginning to end, not daring to blink for fear of missing a single moment.

Because this was Black Star Army territory, Han Xiao had given prior notice, forbidding anyone from interfering. So, even though this place had become a source of cosmic-level energy fluctuations, triggering radar alarms from many forces, no one had come to observe in the past two days.

After a long while, the energy vortex was completely drawn back into Han Xiao's body, the dazzling light faded, revealing Han Xiao's current appearance.

He was suspended in the air with his eyes closed, seemingly in a meditative state and not yet awake. A unique aura rippled around him, and his skin emitted a soft glow. Several ribbon-like pale golden particles flowed slowly around his body.

Seeing this, Urnos and the others hesitated, unsure of Han Xiao's current situation, and didn't immediately approach.

At this moment, Han Xiao finally opened his eyes, the light on his body subsided, and he floated toward the three of them, smiling:

"My advancement went smoothly. Thank you, everyone."

Hearing this, the four were deeply shaken.

Although they had vaguely guessed it in their hearts over the past two days, the confirmation from Han Xiao's own mouth still filled them with disbelief.

"You really succeeded? You've opened up a higher level of individual power?!" Milizaus blurted out.

"That's how it seems."

Han Xiao nodded and released a trace of his pressure.

The four present stiffened, immediately feeling a vast pressure and unable to resist a sense of palpitation.

But it only lasted a moment before Han Xiao withdrew the high-level pressure of his life level, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief, their moods complex.

After the incredible shock, they were filled with intense excitement and awe.

They were all peak Beyond Grade As, and Urnos and Kloseye considered themselves to have one foot over the threshold of a higher level. Now that they had watched Han Xiao's entire advancement process and witnessed a successful case of impacting a higher level, could this method also work on them?

Was this a special benefit that Black Star was giving them?!

"I didn't expect you to succeed in one go... Congratulations."

Urnos was filled with envy.

He had tried so many times, but stopped because he was worried about the risks. Black Star, on the other hand, just went for it and succeeded in one shot. It seemed people's constitutions really couldn't be generalized...

But while Urnos was feeling sour, he was also filled with excitement and elation. He felt that his judgment was indeed good, and he hadn't misjudged Black Star. In fact, this guy was even more awesome than he had expected, truly reaching a higher level and pointing him in the right direction!

With Black Star paving the way, he could replicate his success today in the future.

The EsGod Artifact was his, and the EsGod Sect didn't lack direct descendants of the five elements. Furthermore, the two major civilizations would provide assistance in order to counter Black Star... So, among the Beyond Grade A group, only he could easily replicate the method Black Star used today. He was undoubtedly the biggest winner!

Although Black Star hadn't failed, which was beyond his expectations and made his little calculations fall through, as if he had worked for someone else, he still felt that this trip was worthwhile!

With this in mind, Urnos felt extremely comfortable and decided to start preparing for his own advancement after returning.

But at this moment, he suddenly remembered that the EsGod Artifact was still in Han Xiao's hands. Now that Black Star's strength had progressed to an unknown level, what if he had malicious intentions...

Urnos' heart tightened, and he secretly tensed up, slowly saying, "Black Star, can you return my thing to me?"

"Oh, take it."

Han Xiao glanced at him, saw his nervous look, shook his head and smiled. He took out the EsGod Artifact from his chest and casually threw it back to Urnos, with no intention of occupying it.

Since the other party hadn't caused trouble and had come specifically to help him, he wouldn't easily betray them. He still had this basic principle. There was no need to antagonize them, he could just borrow it again next time. Besides, there was more than one type of "stabilizer" than just the EsGod Artifact. After completing the advancement, Han Xiao had some new ideas.

Urnos took the EsGod Artifact, put it back into his body, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then became overjoyed.

Kloseye gave the EsGod Artifact a fiery look, reluctantly averted his gaze, and looked back at Han Xiao, curiously asking:

"Your advancement is a good thing for the entire Beyond Grade A group. I wonder if you have any plans to make this method public?"

"Let's keep it a secret for now. Just the few of you know about it. Don't spread it around, lest there be any trouble. To be honest, this advancement is quite dangerous. If it fails, it might not be possible to revive in the Sanctuary."

Han Xiao waved his hand.

He didn't really care about this matter. The four of them only saw the surface. Even if they imitated his method, it wouldn't be possible to trigger Divinity Ascension because they were missing an important factor: the Transcendent Divine power.

Now that he had successfully advanced and was no longer in a critical state, he had also lost his sensitivity to the Transcendent Divine power. Even if he wanted to look for it, he couldn't find it. Unless he specifically reminded them, others might not be able to activate this sensitivity on their own, and without detailed panel prompts, others might not know what this sensitivity represents.

Most importantly, the only copy of the Transcendent Divine power left in the explored universe had already been consumed by him. Even if someone learned about the role of the Transcendent Divine power, they would have to run to the unexplored area to find it, which would take who knew how long.

Hearing this, Kloseye and the others, except for Urnos, were shocked and suppressed their inner impulses.

Milizaus suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, the new grade hasn't been defined in the interstellar society yet. Why don't you give it a name?"

Sierraon also echoed, "Indeed, the name Beyond Grade A was to commemorate the Exploration Era. Now that a new level has appeared, it also needs a new name. It will definitely be recorded in history. You are the pioneer, only you are qualified to name it."

Han Xiao stroked his chin and didn't refuse. He immediately thought of the name of his class, raised his eyebrows, and said:

"How about... calling it Beyond God grade?"

"Sounds good."

The few of them naturally wouldn't have any objections to a name, and nodded one after another.

"Then it's settled. Above Beyond Grade A will be called Beyond God grade."

Han Xiao nodded with a smile.

At this moment, Kloseye couldn't resist his curiosity, sized Han Xiao up and down, and tentatively asked:

"Black Star, what powers does the new level have, and how strong is it exactly?"

Han Xiao's eyes flashed, he shook his head and smiled.

"Anyway, it's very, very strong..."

As he said that, he glanced at the attribute panel, and a hint of strangeness flashed in his eyes.

[Total Level: 360]

[Main Class: Mechanic]

[Race: Black Star Divine System · Royal Bloodline]

[Attributes: Strength 33810, Dexterity 29423, Endurance 44310, Intelligence 81744, Mystery 26854, Charm 12560, Luck 1]

[Free Attribute Points: 5105]

[Awakening Points: 101]

[Health Points: 122, 694, 490]

[Stamina Value: 98, 274, 600]

[Energy: 481200]

[Lv29 Energy Total Bonus: Strength +12480, Dexterity +13640, Endurance +17200, Intelligence +22845, Mystery +13590, Stamina Limit +11427000, Mechanical Affinity +14670%]

[Energy Level: 148800 Ona]

[Grade: x]

[x-grade bonus: Endurance bonus +240, All resistances +75%, Highest attribute +50%, Remaining attributes +30%, Additional 1500 free attribute points, 60 awakening points]

[You have cleared the mist ahead, and a brand-new path extends beneath your feet. From now on, the heavens and the earth are born with you, and all things are one with you... You are the universe!]