Chapter 753: Old Acquaintances and Rank Breaking

Chapter 753: Old Acquaintances and Rank Breaking

Registering with the Ember Ancestral Court significantly boosts an Annihilator Ship captain's access to the Ember Seed network.

The most immediate benefit is that the connected Ember Seed local network can span an entire galaxy, covering a region of a million light-years in diameter, making communication between Annihilator Ship captains extremely convenient.

Additionally, the four Ember Ancestral Courts can directly contact Annihilator Ship captains through special means. This is why the Ember Human Civilization, over its 300,000-year history, has been able to rapidly mobilize and precisely allocate its peak combat forces in the shortest time possible, minimizing frontline casualties each time.

However, every advantage comes with a drawback. While this system is beneficial for the civilization as a whole, it inevitably exposes the secrets of the Annihilator Ship captains to others.

Can the four Ember Ancestral Courts use these special means to see all the secrets bound to the Flame-Ember Starships through the Ember Seeds?

This has never been proven, and no such incidents have been reported in the 300,000 years of the four empires. However, human nature being what it is, who would willingly expose all their secrets to others?

Even if the possibility is extremely small, no one can accept it.

Before this, Song Chi had the same concerns.

However, the current situation has made him realize the significant drawbacks of being a "blacklisted" individual.

If he had come two or even four to five years later, even with the high-quality jump components on the Skygale of Tianxu, it would have been too late.

The result would have been a wasted opportunity to bathe in the Ninth-Rank Floating Continent's energy tide.

Would the higher-ups at the Ember Ancestral Court make reasonable adjustments based on the situation?

Such a good thing would never happen to a "blacklisted" individual.

In the eyes of the four Ember Ancestral Courts, those who register voluntarily are the model citizens. As for those who hide and refuse to register, they are all troublemakers and unruly youngsters who need to be disciplined.

They would love to use this method to teach the troublemakers a lesson, making them understand the benefits of being part of the system.

Not only does it affect the future opportunities for his family to bathe in the Ninth-Rank Floating Continent's energy tide, but Song Chi has more to consider.

Once the operation against the ancient insect queen is successful, the Skygale of Tianxu will begin its push to become a Galactic Ship within the next few hundred years. When the Skygale of Tianxu successfully ascends to a Galactic Ship, the high-level interactions and meetings he will need to attend within the Ember Human Civilization will only increase.

Completing the registration will reduce at least 90% of the unnecessary trouble in the future.

However, there is one more critical point.

Regardless of whether the Pantheon Market is close to Ascension, once it Ascends, the Market Projection Token will summon a Market of All Heavens Projection with true Ninth-Rank combat power.

Even if the Skygale of Tianxu reaches the level of an Ultimate Galactic Ship, such strength will make it a significant power within the entire Ember Human Civilization.

Even if some secrets of the Skygale of Tianxu are exposed, so what?

Don't forget that besides the Skygale of Tianxu itself, he also has the Asura King as a trump card. Additionally, the family's ongoing construction and assembly of the Truth Mechanical War Star will continue. Once the Truth Mechanical War Star is unveiled, Song Chi will effectively control four Ninth-Rank combat forces:

- Skygale of Tianxu
- Market of All Heavens Projection
- Asura King
- Truth Mechanical War Star

Facing such a formidable presence, even the Ember Emperors would have to give him due respect.

...

Crimson Yu Divine Dynasty, Dantai Galaxy.

This galaxy is vast, with a diameter of nearly 1.9 million light-years, ranking it among the top five of the over 200 galaxies under the Crimson Yu Divine Dynasty.

However, despite its size, the number of Floating Continents within the galaxy is not particularly high, with over 70% of the star systems being barren.

If not for this, the Crimson Yu Clan would not have almost entirely entrusted the management of this galaxy to the Dantai Clan, which contributed the most during its initial development over ten thousand years ago.

Initially, it was thought that the Dantai Clan would rise to prominence by controlling an entire galaxy. However, fate was unkind. Soon after obtaining the Dantai Galaxy, the Dantai Clan's galactic patriarch, who had been a pioneer in the exploration, met an untimely demise during an exploration of an alien star system.

Since then, the once rapidly growing Dantai Clan gradually declined. It was only because the clan had already cultivated two new Annihilator Ship captains by the time of the patriarch's death that they managed to stabilize their position in the vast galaxy.

Over a hundred thousand years had passed, and the Dantai Clan of the Crimson Yu Divine Dynasty had never regained its status among the Immortal Overlords. They were now merely considered a pseudo-Immortal Overlord faction, and even their ancestral land, the Dantai Continent, had only just touched the Eighth Rank.

In the main control room of the warship, Song Chi’s gaze swept over the information about the Dantai Clan displayed by the Skybrain. His brow furrowed, and a hint of undisguised confusion flickered in his eyes.

Why were they in such a hurry to push a resource-type Floating Continent to the Ninth Rank when their own ancestral land had yet to Ascend to the Eighth Rank Floating Continent?

For any faction, an Eighth Rank life-bearing Floating Continent was undoubtedly of greater importance.

'Unless, the Dantai Clan wants...'

Seemingly having an epiphany, the confusion in Song Chi’s eyes dissipated, replaced by a glint of intrigue.

If his suspicions were correct, the situation the Dantai Clan faced might not be optimistic at all.

...

The Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral!

After announcing his identity and presenting the credential token issued by the Yanhuang Ember Ancestral Court, the Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral encountered no resistance as it entered the interior of the Crimson Copper Continent.

Compared to a life-bearing Floating Continent of the same rank, the resource-type Crimson Copper Continent was devoid of any greenery. The endless expanse of reddish-brown copper soil formed the primary landscape of this Floating Continent.

However, this did not dampen the bustling activity on the surface. Thousands of Flame Ember Starships were scattered across the red wasteland, awaiting the arrival of the super energy tide.

Ignoring the commotion, Song Chi, guided by the token, directed the Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral straight to his designated origin energy tide bathing site.

Regardless of the reasons behind the Dantai Clan’s actions or the troubles they faced, none of it concerned him. As long as it didn’t affect the Asura King’s Ascension, he didn’t care.

Where there are people, there is a world of intrigue; where there is light, there is shadow. Even with the four great empires exerting control, these issues could never be completely eradicated.

However, while he didn’t want to get involved, it didn’t mean trouble wouldn’t find him.

...

In the depths of the Crimson Copper Continent, at the core of the Floating Continent’s origin.

Several key members of the Dantai Clan had gathered here.

In the encrypted group chat formed by three Annihilator Ships, the voices of the Dantai Clan members echoed continuously.

"We can confirm that the Gong Family, Yanhuang Consortium, and Chunyu Clan have all sent Ultimate Annihilator Ships."

"Too much of an affront! The Ascension of the Crimson Copper Continent has been officially registered with the four great empires, and many Captains who have made significant contributions during the Civilizational War have applied to partake in the subsequent Ascension energy tide. Do they dare to act under such circumstances?"

"No, those families are renowned Immortal Overlord-level factions within the Divine Empire. They won’t make such a foolish mistake. They will likely cause trouble after the Floating Continent’s Ascension."

"Or more likely, they will use some covert means to prevent the Ascension of the Feng Ancestor!"

"In recent years, we have sought help from many powerful factions, but upon hearing the names of the Yanhuang Consortium and the other two Immortal Overlord-level factions, they all politely declined."

"Are we to sit here and await our doom?"

Amidst the ongoing discussion, Dantai Feng, the captain of the Ultimate Annihilator Ship, glanced at the captain on his left.

The two exchanged a look, and Dantai Xuan, a core clan member who had recently Ascended to Annihilator Ship Captain, nodded and said:

"I have already enlisted several people, and according to the reports from our patrol fleet two days ago, the most crucial individual has arrived!"

"Good, Xuan, handle it immediately. You have access to everything in the clan’s treasury. Since your friends are willing to assist, the Dantai Clan cannot be stingy!"

...

In the Falling Star Valley, the origin energy tide bathing site assigned to Song Chi by the Yanhuang Ember Ancestral Court.

The Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral had been quietly hovering over the valley for several days, awaiting the moment of the Floating Continent’s Ascension.

Buzz!

In the warship’s main control room, the sudden rumbling sound forced Song Chi to exit the Wasteland Market.

"Beep, incoming external communication request. Connect?"

"Huh?"

A large question mark flashed through his mind. In this distant region of the Crimson Yu Divine Empire, he couldn’t recall knowing anyone.

However, seeing that the caller was also an Annihilator Ship, he decided to connect the communication.

"Long time no see, Awakening!"

Song Chi’s brow arched in surprise. Before he could respond, the man’s voice in the communication channel continued:

"Let me introduce myself. Dantai Xuan, codename—Blood Soul."

"Blood Soul? You’re actually from the Crimson Yu Divine Empire?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Song Chi’s eyes. When the man called out his codename, he didn’t react much, as his identity as a member of the Shaking Light Star Order was no longer a secret after the Civilizational War.

But when the man identified himself as Blood Soul, he was genuinely taken aback.

He was very familiar with this fellow Star Order member. Back then, when he obtained a golden-quality Superb Blood Law Crystal, it was through a mutual trade with this person and Bai Mei. Later, this person had also provided him with various forms of assistance multiple times.

After taking out the familiar Shaking Light Star Order, the two finally relaxed, the previous distance between them now gone.

After a pleasant conversation, Dantai Xuan’s expression suddenly changed, and he turned to Song Chi with a serious look.

"Awakening, the true purpose of my visit is to ask for your help!"

Song Chi, who had already guessed, showed no surprise. He nodded lightly, waiting for Blood Soul to continue.

"My Dantai family’s ancestor is preparing to use the Crimson Copper Continent’s Ascension to advance to the Galactic level..."

Dantai Xuan didn’t hold back, explaining the entire situation, including how the Yanhuang Consortium and two other families had secretly eroded the Dantai Galaxy over the past hundred thousand years, and how they had used various means to suppress the Dantai family.

After hearing this, although Song Chi felt a sense of empathy for the Dantai family’s plight, his eyes darkened, and he remained silent for a long time.

He had a good relationship with Blood Soul, but the Dantai family was facing three Immortal Overlord factions, with the Yanhuang Consortium being a top-tier Immortal Overlord consortium on par with the Xian Qin Heavy Industries. Even he was reluctant to provoke such a superpower without a good reason.

It was only because there were no reports of any Yanhuang Consortium Galactic Ship Captains attempting to advance to the super-dimensional flagship level that Song Chi didn’t instinctively refuse.

"Awakening, please lend a hand to the Dantai family. In return, please accept this Seventh-Rank Blood Core and a strand of Black Ember Seed. Additionally, regardless of whether our ancestor succeeds in Ascension, the Dantai family will owe the Dragon Spine Song Clan and the Xian Qin Lord of the Vast Skies three favors!"

Song Chi’s gaze moved away from the Seventh-Rank Blood Core, and he broke his silence with a light nod.

Whoosh—

The hatch of the Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral opened, and a figure rushed out.

Recognizing the figure, Dantai Xuan’s expression relaxed, and he expressed his gratitude once more.

This figure was one of the two Eighth-Rank Star Sea Apes under Song Chi’s command.

With the assistance of this powerful Eighth-Rank Star Sea Ape, Dantai Xuan’s confidence surged.

The presence of an Eighth-Rank being as a bodyguard made him confident that, unless a Galactic Ship arrived, Dantai Feng would be almost impossible to interfere with from the outside.

...

Watching Dantai Xuan leave in a hurry, Song Chi’s expression remained calm, showing no signs of inner turmoil.

Then, a beam of light shot out from the Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral, pulling the Seventh-Rank Blood Core and the Black Ember Seed into the ship.

His willingness to help was partly due to his relationship with Dantai Xuan, but the two items before him also played a significant role.

The Black Ember Seed, though not capable of converting into a higher-grade ember, was still highly valuable to him, given his need for the True Immortal Breakthrough Pill and the Threefold Golden Body Pill.

As for the Seventh-Rank Blood Core, it could be considered an additional Ascension resource. Although it could only increase the Ascension success rate by 2% during the Annihilator Ship’s Ascension to Galactic Ship, its value was undeniable.

After all, only the vampire race could produce it, and a Seventh-Rank Blood Core came from a Seventh-Rank Vampire Prince, which was quite rare in the Ember Human Civilization.

After this, he was completely convinced of his thoughts.

The Dantai family had clearly decided to go all in, not choosing to Ascend their ancestral continent first.

If they succeeded in Ascension, they would easily reclaim control over the entire Dantai Galaxy and eliminate the eroding forces. If they failed, they would not be able to resurface for tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years.

Given the high stakes, they had chosen the Crimson Copper Continent.

The Ninth-Rank Floating Continent’s origin energy tide and the Eighth-Rank Floating Continent’s origin energy tide.

Though they differed by only one rank, the difference in Ascension success rate was enormous.

While an Eighth-Rank energy tide might increase the Ascension success rate by 5% to 10% when advancing to Galactic Ship, a Ninth-Rank energy tide would increase it by at least 20%, making them incomparable.

With a 20% Ascension success rate, plus the 10% from the special Ascension resource formula, 8% from Eighth-Rank sovereign blood, and 10% to 20% from bathing in alien blood, along with the Seventh-Rank Blood Core, the success rate could easily reach over 50%.

This was just a basic calculation. If the Dantai family had more preparations, breaking 60% was not impossible.

Such a high Ascension success rate explained why they were willing to take such a risk.

Shaking his head, Song Chi didn’t dwell on it further and returned to the Wasteland Market to practice the Guidance Technique.

After that, there were no more troubles, allowing Song Chi to enjoy a peaceful year and a half.

Well, due to the law of energy conservation, his peace meant that someone else was in chaos.

In the depths of the clouds above the Crimson Copper Continent, several Annihilator Ships were suspended.

"Who can tell me why the Dantai family suddenly has an Eighth-Rank enslaved being?"

"With an Eighth-Rank enslaved being present, our previous plan has no chance of success!"

"Quick, report to the consortium headquarters!"

"It’s too late, the Crimson Copper Continent has already begun its transformation to the Ninth Rank!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Roar! Roar! Roar!

The earth trembled, and the sky howled.

Beyond the Astral Land, numerous fragments of Floating Continents and asteroids were captured by the powerful gravity of the Crimson Copper Continent, transforming into fiery meteors that plummeted toward the surface of the Floating Continent.

However, under the control of the Crimson Copper Continent's primordial will, which was already half a step into the Ninth Rank, these fiery meteors disintegrated just before impact, causing minimal damage to the Floating Continent itself.

As more and more Floating Continent fragments and asteroids merged, the diameter of the Crimson Copper Continent began to expand continuously.

Originally, it was only 400,000 light-years in diameter, but in a short time, it surpassed 500,000 light-years.

This expansion continued for half a month, until the diameter of the Crimson Copper Continent reached 860,000 light-years, marking the completion of its Ascension.

A Ninth-Rank Floating Continent typically starts with an average diameter of around one million light-years. The Crimson Copper Continent, now at 860,000 light-years, clearly had the lowest foundation among Ninth-Rank Floating Continents.

However, this made sense, as the Dantai Family only wanted to use it to push the Galactic Ship to the Ninth Rank, not to fully cultivate the Crimson Copper Continent. Therefore, they didn't need to be overly meticulous.

Although the Floating Continent's foundation was not high, it did not affect the subsequent energy tide.

At a certain moment, when a vast, gentle energy tide swept across the entire continent, it marked the official formation of the Ninth-Rank Energy Tide of the Crimson Copper Continent.

At this moment, the Ember Captains, who had been waiting for a long time in various parts of the continent, held their breaths and focused intently on the [Ship Ascension Mission] panel, their gazes unwavering.

They would wait for the peak of the energy tide, and at that moment, they would unhesitatingly initiate the final Ascension of their ships.

Compared to these Captains, Song Chi was much more relaxed.

The Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral still hung high above the valley, not absorbing any of the concentrated energy tide.

Following his gaze downward, one could see a massive blood-colored creature sitting cross-legged. All the energy tide that converged in the valley was drawn to its surroundings, and as its dominant power rapidly circulated within, the energy tide was rapidly infused into its body.

Seeing this, even Song Chi, who had experienced much, could not help but slow his breathing and feel a sense of tension.

The success or failure of the Asura King's Ascension to the Ninth Rank was of great importance.

Time ticked by, and the energy tide continued, showing no signs of weakening.

After all, this was a super energy tide derived from a Ninth-Rank Floating Continent. In terms of volume, it was no less than a typical Tenth-Rank mythological existence.

Thus, the duration of the energy tide was naturally much longer than any Song Chi had experienced before.

As a result, Song Chi felt that this energy tide was particularly long-lasting.

"Hmm?"

At a certain moment, he precisely sensed the weakening of the surrounding energy tide.

Although the energy concentration was still far higher than at the beginning, his perception was correct. Compared to the previous moment, the concentration had indeed decreased slightly.

Although the change was small, it clearly indicated one thing.

The duration of the energy tide had passed its midpoint. While the subsequent energy tide would continue for some time, it would only get weaker and not surpass its previous intensity.

However, the key was that the Asura King in the valley below remained seated, with no significant change in his aura.

Seeing this, Song Chi's brows furrowed.

He knew very well that every second that passed would reduce the Asura King's chances of breaking through.

"Is it going to fail? Is the Ninth Rank barrier truly so terrifying? Even with half-step Ninth Rank strength and a Ninth-Rank primordial energy tide, it's not enough..."

Just as he was thinking this, his heart suddenly paused, and his gaze was entirely drawn to the intense energy fluctuations in the valley below.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The intense energy continued to oscillate, forming a gradually expanding energy vortex centered around the Asura King's body. As time passed, the pressure emitted by the energy vortex grew increasingly powerful.

After just a few minutes, Song Chi had to maneuver the Celestial Wasteland Sky Cathedral upward to avoid the gravitational pull of the energy vortex.

"Phew!"

Seeing this, he finally felt relieved. Although it was later than expected, the final result had not changed.

The Asura King was breaking through to the true Ninth Rank.

Half an hour later, the energy vortex reached its peak, and the pressure it emitted, as confirmed by Song Chi, indeed reached the formal Ninth Rank level.

Having personally encountered Ninth-Rank beings multiple times, Song Chi was very familiar with the aura of Ninth-Rank life.

Once the energy vortex completely dissipated, the Asura King, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, finally opened them.

A flash of Asura Blood Light swept across the sky, and Ninth-Rank pressure filled the air.

Due to the recent Ascension, the Asura King could not yet fully control his aura and needed to seclude himself for some time to consolidate his strength before he could be considered a true Ninth-Rank Sovereign.

Without rushing to retrieve the Asura King, the Crimson Copper Continent had now Ascended to the Ninth Rank. Compared to the Dragon Spine Continent, the Asura King would consolidate his strength much faster here.

As for the action against the ancient Empress, there was no need to rush. With the Dragon Spine Anchor Point on the Dragon Spine Continent, he could return in an instant and would not miss the timing.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end