Chapter 379: Battle Banquet

Chapter 379: Battle Banquet

As soon as Jack flew out of the starship, a familiar blue screen unfurled in his vision.

You have returned to the New World. Welcome!

Uh Thanks?

Who you talking to? Brock asked.

The System. It seems were-entered.

That last word was spoken apprehensively. Jack was a fugitive. As far as he was concerned, being outside System space acted to his safety. Since he still hadnt found a way to deactivate or isolate the mini System core inside himor even clearly discovered itwho knew what capabilities System space offered to his enemies.

Its fine, Shi Mo reassured him, floating beside them. The Elders wouldnt bring us somewhere too dangerous. There shouldnt be a fall-out. Besides, the Church has all sorts of ways to escape the Systems surveillance even inside System space.

Yeah, Jack replied with a sigh. Youre right. I just have bad memories.

Dont worry. Our Elders are as high-value targets as can be. If they dare enter System space, so do we.

Jack nodded. The Heaven Egg galaxy had long ago been integrated to System space, save for some remote corners. This place was one such corner, but given the hidden realms significance, it wasnt weird for the Hand of God to expend some resources and expand System space to here.

Being in System space was a refreshing, almost nostalgic feeling. Jack had access to the System scanning again. The first thing he did was look at Brock.

Brorilla, Level 263 (King)

A gorilla variant from planet Green. Brorillas usually live with Gymonkeys and train them in the ways of working out. It is due to the Brorillas unmatched pecks that Gymonkeys use poop to fightthey consider themselves too weak for anything else.

Brorillas are usually calm, measured animals. However, if anyone harms their little cousins or invades their territory, they go bananas.

This particular brorilla is a variant that visually resembles a gymonkey. Through cultivation, it has achieved a degree of power at the C-Grade, far surpassing the par for its species. Extermination is advised.

Extermination is advised Jack thought, his eyes shimmering with wrath. I didnt miss you, System.

He also inspected other people he was curious about. Min Ling was really a human, as was Shi Mo, while the second ranked Salazar was indeed a space monster.

Space Monster, Level 399The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

Experts speculate that, when large quantities of the Dao are left undisturbed for a long time, they can spontaneously coalesce into a Space Monster. While this is a very rare occasion, the vastness of the void lends itself to the phenomenon. Space is filled with such monsters, especially outside System space.

However, due to the phenomenons relative rarity and the requirement of a long-time undisturbed Dao, it has never been observed in controlled environments. The exact procedure of a Space Monsters birth has never been documented in the Immortal Archives.

Space Monsters are mostly mindless existences that seek only to feed on sources of the Dao, like natural treasures or cultivators. They grow larger and more intelligent in proportion to their strength. This specimen has developed to a very high level and attained complete sapience. Extermination is advised.

How cute the System was. To anything that wasnt a System cultivator, it advised instant extermination.

As for the Elders Jack failed to scan them. It was like the System didnt register their presence.

These all happened very quickly. The Church group was still flying towards the Hand of God group, Elder Heavenstar holding a chair in the lead. Jack was tense; not only were these two opposing organizations, so anything could happen, but it was also his first time coming in contact with the high-level figures of the Hand of God. All previous interactions in the Milky Way galaxy were with people who didnt even qualify to be outer disciples.

The Hands line-up was similar to the Churchs. Thirty C-Grades and twelve B-Grades, accompanied by two A-Grade Elders. Their composition was even richer in humans than the Churchs, while their two Elders were a blue-haired man and a silver-haired, silver-eyed woman who radiated extreme holiness.

Back in the Milky Way, Jack had been chased by a B-Grade member of the Hand of God; a woman called Eva Solvig who cultivated Purity. Despite that chase lasting many months, the two had never metbut, if they had, Jack would have noticed a striking resemblance to this silver-haired Elder before him. Were they related?

Whether by coincidence or not, that B-Grade was also in the crowd, her eyes glued to Jack. He, of course, did not recognize her.

Jack had no idea what was going on. He expected to dive into the hidden realm. Wasnt this too peaceful?

The two groups had connected their tables, forming a large pi shape. Eighty-four people sat there, with two large starships and the hidden realm as their background. The two different organizations were clearly separated, their members not mingling; the tables of one were stitched with a green-shaded black hole, while the others with the Hand of God insigniaa palm with an open eye in the middle.

At the back of the pi was the Elders table, large and filled with snacks. They were the only ones whose table was not connected to the rest.

Of course, all these tables werent set on solid ground. They floated freely through the void, only held in place by the participants supernatural powers.

As for the food and drinks, those were all extraordinary. Not much could survive the void of space, but this was taking it a step further. The two factions were competing over which could offer the most luxurious, most extravagant snacks, and each faction insisted on the other tasting their offerings.

Jack hadnt tasted anything yet, but the Hand of God was clearly winning on that front. Just sensing the auras of the different dishes was proof enough.

What exactly is going on? he asked Shi Mo. Why are we celebrating now?

Its a custom, the old swordsman replied. Every time there is a joint expedition anywhere, the two factions hold a banquet beforehand. It symbolizes their willingness to cooperate and not just exterminate each other inside.

But I thought we were going to exterminate each other inside.

Not necessarily. Hidden realms are full of resources, treasures with greater value than anything youve seen before. Compared to them, Dao stones are nothing but currencythe real treasures would never be so widely distributed. Hidden realms are the only opportunity for people like us to get those things, butits not that easy. Opportunities come with danger. Once inside, the two expedition teams will work together to explore and secure as many benefits as possible. After that, if the harvest is something small, we can divide it. Only when the benefits are too large will blood be spilled.

I see Jack replied, deep in thought.

Shi Mo leaned back. Of course, that mostly refers to the B-Grades. We will just split up and explore the periphery of the mystic realm. If two people happen to meet out there and one of them dieswho would ever know? Killing others to steal their belongings is a very common practice. Keep an eye out.

Jack couldnt help but grin. Finally, this was something he was used to. Have you been to a hidden realm before, Shi Mo?

I have, once. It was three thousand years agobut it was not pleasant. My best friend died inside.

Im sorry to hear that.

Its fine. Us cultivators should be used to death. It was a long time ago, anyway.

Jack nodded. Before he could reply, a Hand of God six-fruit cultivator stood up and flew towards the open side of the pi formed by the banquet tables. It was the place where everyone could see him, including the Elders.

Everyone, he said, my name is Evrart Jin, and I would like to demonstrate my Dao to your entertainment.

Haha! A six-fruit man from the Church side flew out to meet him, laughing uproariously. What a great idea! However, demonstrating by yourself would be too lonely. How about I, Kinfer Ain, accompany you?

Please, be my guest.

The two men flew one mile deeper into space. Of course, everyone present was a master, and their perception could easily capture everything at that distance. As soon as the two people made some distance between them, Jack felt excitement rise all around him as people turned to watch the show.

Whats going on now? he asked.

Shi Mo had a wide grin on his face. Youre going to love this. In banquets like this, its customary for the weaker cultivators to spar against each other, demonstrating their power and earning fame for their faction.

Really? We just go at it?

Mhm. It goes from the weakest to the strongest. First come the six-fruits, then the seven-fruits, then the eight-fruits. The nine-fruit and B-Grade cultivators will not fight in this case. They are the main force of each exhibitionnobody wants to demonstrate their hidden cards to the enemy.

Jacks eyes shone. Can I participate as well?

Hah! Its not whether you can or not; with your strength, you absolutely have to participate. You are a great opportunity for the Church to display its superioritythough you shouldnt expose your full strength. In fact, if you dont step up, I suspect that the Elders will be quite unhappy!

Jack laughed. Then, dont mind if I do!