The range of this magic tide’s invasion is too large; not only the Second Universe but even here in the First Universe has been affected.
At this key moment of the fusion between the two universes, during the actions of the Demon Clan from the Second Universe, naturally, some will inevitably be integrated into the First Universe.
Under the vast numbers of the Demon Clan, the First Universe has suffered quite a bit.
Karon Star System, Eye of the Starry Sky.
Here lies an enormous vortex galaxy cluster, at its core position, a towering giant tree takes root in the void.
The tree’s branches and leaves are lush, and its massive size is akin to a planet; looking closely, each region seems to show signs of human activities and many man-made palaces, this entire tree is conspicuously a "planet" habitable for humans.
This planet is the World Tree.
The Star Alliance has developed rapidly, yet it soon reached a bottleneck, and this bottleneck is the size of its headquarters.
Now, the Star Alliance is an immense organization spanning multiple worlds; such a large organization naturally requires a large enough place to consolidate and govern all of this.
The current Water Blue Star headquarters is too small, relative to this giant, indeed it’s somewhat insufficient.
Simultaneously, for certain reasons, the Star Alliance cannot unify Water Blue Star and turn it into their headquarters; they can only take a different path.
Therefore, the Star Alliance established their new headquarters in the Karon Star West which has already reached interstellar scale.
The transplanted World Tree from Water Blue Star was moved here, just as Water Blue Star’s size is no longer suitable for the growth of the World Tree, it’s time to relocate it.
Of course, Rebirth Island on Water Blue Star is not to be abandoned; it holds significant importance as the birthplace of the Star Alliance and will be preserved as a branch and site of unique commemorative significance.
At this moment, located at the top of the World Tree, within the Sky Dome Top where the Extreme Star Lord resides, Zhang Xiaoman is quickly browsing through the report in his hands.
These are important matters personally delivered by the organization’s Inspector Su Changqing after careful selection; ordinary minor issues do not require his attention at all.
"Mentor, this magic tide occurrence feels a bit too coincidental; the Great Fusion has just entered a heated stage, and the magic tide appears timely over there—I feel there might be some trickery involved..."
Su Changqing stands respectfully beside Zhang Xiaoman, discussing the situation of the magic tide with him.
His mentor rarely has the time to return to the headquarters, so Su Changqing seized the opportunity to pose the doubts in his heart.
Zhang Xiaoman sits in the main seat, moving his gaze from the report to fall on Su Changqing.
"Changqing, why do you think this magic tide appeared?"
Su Changqing hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Actually, I suspect it might be related to that being..."
"You mean Yan?"
"Yes..."
Su Changqing pauses slightly, then firmed his tone before continuing:
"Mentor, based on the intelligence I’ve gathered, the magic tide’s invasion is not entirely random or disorderly; they seem to have some targeting, their main targets are civilizations with Dark Spirits, or planets that once produced Dark Spirits."
"Moreover, currently during the Great Fusion, several star domains will be reshuffled after the fusion of the two Universes; the Demon Clan probably wants to take this opportunity to annex all territories, thoroughly liberating themselves from places like Outer Domain."
Su Changqing speaks, pulling up a series of light screens that support what he just mentioned, indeed appearing to be the case.
Zhang Xiaoman doesn’t immediately express agreement, instead, he ponders silently, as if thinking over something.
Su Changqing, not daring to interrupt, stands quietly beside him.
After a long while, Zhang Xiaoman finally speaks.
"What you mentioned earlier does have some logic, like the timing of the magic tide’s appearance; it indeed seems too coincidental, coming right when we’re in full-scale war with the Insect Race, which means someone is helping them hold off the tremendously threatening Desert Worm Clan, and meanwhile, the Beller Clan and Spiritual Wisdom Clan barely have time to concern themselves with them. Entering now is indeed well-timed; if it were me, I’d choose so too..."
Here Zhang Xiaoman suddenly shifts his tone.
"However, precisely because it is me, I would choose this way; but if it were Yan, does he really need to do all this?"
Zhang Xiaoman stands up.
"Changqing, you probably know the framework structure of the Demon Clan. Rather than calling it a race, it’s more appropriate to say they’re a group of beasts without civilization or clan consciousness; never mind highly unified Desert Worm Clan, even the Spiritual Wisdom Clan is more united than them."
"For such a race, does Yan truly need to use them to dominate this universe? If he wanted to do so, he likely would have acted long ago; you know that there’s nothing in the Outer Domain that can restrict those Demons from barging in."
Su Changqing focuses intently, listening without blinking.
Zhang Xiaoman takes a few steps, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
"But Yan hasn’t done that, claiming to use the Great Fusion for the purpose of unifying the universe—this clearly contradicts his earlier actions..."
"Then mentor, could it be that he was previously held up by something, or perhaps needed to enhance his skills, hence he hadn’t had the chance? Now he initiates the magic tide because he completed that task...?"
"Unlikely, when you reach my level, you should understand how terrifying the power of an Upper God is; whatever he wants to do, presumably wouldn’t be affected by anything or anyone..."
Zhang Xiaoman shook his head initially, then suddenly paused and gazed at Su Changqing, shocked.
"Wait, you just suggested that Yan might have been held up by something... Yes! That’s possible!"
Su Changqing was slightly stunned, a bit confused by his mentor’s sudden change in reasoning.
Zhang Xiaoman paid no mind, rapidly casting hundreds of spells, his eyes suddenly emitting dazzling star light, as if peering through time and space to the distant depths of the starry sky, attempting to deduce something.
After a long time, he withdraws from the previous state, his gaze becoming more complex.
"The mist is too thick, many things I cannot see clearly; the application ability of the Lord of Light still requires further development. Before that, I might need another person’s help."
"Another person’s help?"
Su Changqing was a bit unclear about the situation.
He knew his mentor’s power well; possessing abilities of the Lord of Light yet failing to deduce, is there really someone who can help him in this world? If someone truly exists, what realm would that person be in?
Zhang Xiaoman did not offer further explanation on this front.
His expression turned incredibly serious, a ball of water appeared before him, morphing continuously with Zhang Xiaoman’s intention, compressing all the internal moisture into the water’s edge.
Finally, under constant pressure impact, the ball of water shattered spectacularly, and Zhang Xiaoman also retracted his control over the sphere at this moment; the moisture squeezed to the edge rebounds instantly, converging together, then follows to explode into countless small droplets, vanishing into the air.
Zhang Xiaoman’s gaze deepens, his face stern as he murmurs to himself.
"Maybe... we were wrong from the start; the appearance of the magic tide... might not be an invasion... but rather an..."
His voice grows quieter, Su Changqing fails to hear the latter part clearly, and Zhang Xiaoman’s figure thoroughly disappears from view.
Yet, he seems to read the meaning of those last two words from the other’s lip movements.
"Return...?"
He also enters a daze, then his expression suddenly changes dramatically.