As soon as this was said, the atmosphere changed. Everyone looked over and saw that the person who asked the question was a neutral Beyond Grade A named Lucie, nicknamed 'Ancient Snake'. He was a transformation type Esper and would occasionally appear as a mercenary of the advanced civilizations. He had always been in the black market.
Gaud stared at him with surprise.
The number of times he had fought could be counted on one hand. He had only shown a few moves during the Kunde Race battle decades ago. After becoming a Beyond Grade A, he had never sparred with anyone. Only a few people in the dynasty knew about his abilities. The news was controlled and had not spread. He did not expect someone to expose his abilities on the first day he came to the association …
Where did the news leak?
Gaud did not say anything, but someone asked curiously.
"Lucie, where did you get the news?"
"The black market. I heard about it by chance," Lucie said casually.
"Is the information true?" another person asked.
"How would I know? I'm just asking. Don't tell me none of you heard about it?" Lucie was confused.
Secret Master frowned and slowly said, "When I asked my subordinates to collect information, I also received similar information, but there was no real evidence. It's just a rumor. There are hundreds of such guesses on the black market network. I don't even know who spread it. Most of them are just wild guesses."
Seeing this, a few other big shots who were in the black market also agreed, saying that they had seen similar rumors before but did not take it seriously.
Han Xiao watched the show from the side and secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
He was the one who had anonymously sent the information about Gaud's abilities to the black market network. With his Virtual Technology skills, he would not leave any traces. To others, the rumors seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and spread from person to person. In the end, no one could trace back to the source of the rumors. This kind of thing was common on the internet.
The black market network was a magical place. Countless information transactions circulated there every day. There was a lot of fake information, but there were also some secrets that appeared occasionally. Sometimes, even the advanced civilizations did not know how they leaked the information.
Using a Super High Risk Esper Ability that only existed in theory as a gimmick, it was a hot topic and spread very quickly. Right now, all the organizations were using their own intelligence channels to gather information about Gaud, this new Beyond Grade A Super. Therefore, organizations like Secret Master who were active in the black market had a high chance of discovering this information.
However, there were too many guesses. Without concrete evidence, these big shots would not ask Gaud face to face for these groundless rumors. Therefore, Han Xiao chose a few targets and gave them some "solid information", luring them to take the initiative to bring up this topic when everyone was gathered. Luqi was one of them.
This target was not chosen randomly. Others thought that Lucci was a neutral Beyond Grade A, but in fact, in the later versions of his previous life, this person's identity was exposed. He was a spy of a Supercluster civilization, just like Traveler. Han Xiao knew everything about him.
Due to the sensitive competitive relationship between the three Universal Civilizations, Han Xiao had a certain degree of confidence in luring the troublemakers left in the association by the Super Star Cluster Civilizations to take the initiative. If it did not succeed, he had a backup plan.
On the other side, everyone discussed for a while before turning to look at Gaud. Their eyes were filled with curiosity.
"What's your ability exactly?"
Looking at everyone's curious expression, Gaud exhaled and slowly said, "Who here has a habit of revealing their background? I don't, so you don't have to be curious. You'll find out in the future. "
Lucci curled his lips and asked, "We're all members of the association now. What's there to keep this a secret? You joined the association, but you didn't give us any information. That's too insincere. It's unfair to us. Don't tell me your ability is really energy control?"
Hearing this, many people nodded in agreement.
Among the Beyond Grade As, this was how newcomers were treated. Everyone wanted to know the background of the newcomer so that they would not be caught off guard by an unknown ability in the future. Most newcomers went through this process.
Gaud's eyes twitched.
He could tell that Lucci was a troublemaker, purposely targeting him and forcing him to reveal his background.
"Don't ask. I won't answer."
Gaud shook his head and did not deny it directly, avoiding the question.
Keeping it a secret was only temporary and not a permanent mission. The dynasty's goal in raising him was to make him a deterrent. As long as he grew to a certain stage, not only would the dynasty no longer keep it a secret, they would even publicize his first-ever Esper Ability to intimidate the Beyond Grade As of other civilizations.
Therefore, the dynasty's current request was only for him to not answer questions about his ability directly. They did not ask him to lie, or it would be difficult for him to publicize it in the future.
Furthermore, denying his ability would make him seem like he did not have the mentality of a strong person. It would not be beneficial for him to build his reputation. If it ruined his image among the Beyond Grade As, it would be much more troublesome to make up for it. Therefore, he could only avoid it.
"So, you're not going to give me face?" Lucci narrowed his eyes. "Our real bodies aren't here. Otherwise, as long as we spar, you won't be able to hide your ability at all. I don't know why you're being so secretive. It seems like the rumors aren't baseless. Your ability should be energy control. Even if it's not, it must be very special, which is why you have to keep it a secret."
"Think whatever you want." Gaud did not want to argue with him anymore, so he looked away.
Seeing this, many people's eyes flickered. They were more or less suspicious.
In their opinion, Gaud's ambiguous and not direct answer made the energy control statement more believable. If this was not his ability, it would be best for him to deny it.
If Gaud really had such a sick Super High Risk Esper Ability …
Thinking of this, many people's thoughts flew, and the look in their eyes gradually changed.
This time, Han Xiao, who had been watching from the side, tried to smooth things over. He smiled and said, "Alright, alright. If Gaud doesn't want to say it, don't force him. We're welcoming a newcomer today, after all. Don't make the atmosphere so tense."
The best result would be for Gaud to admit his ability, but there was nothing they could do if he refused to answer. However, this was also within Han Xiao's calculations. As long as he sent the message of 'energy control' to all the Beyond Grade As on this occasion, regardless of whether Gaud admitted it or not, he would have achieved most of his goal.
Hearing that the vice president, who had the most authority, had spoken, everyone changed the topic, and the atmosphere became harmonious again.
Gaud glanced at Han Xiao and realized that Han Xiao was nodding at him. He smiled back and sighed in his heart.
He had never enjoyed the feeling of being supported and was always the one being surrounded. He had to admit that it felt pretty good to have someone speak up for him.
The atmosphere of the welcoming meeting was relaxed. The main purpose was to let the newcomers show themselves, so everyone could get to know each other, help them understand the purpose of the association, rules, and regulations, or help them solve some problems, such as helping the newcomers develop their forces, borrowing resources, strategic support, and so on. However, Gaud was a direct member of the dynasty, so he did not need help in developing his forces.
Everyone chatted casually and asked Gaud all sorts of questions. It was mainly because the people from the dynasty were more active, and the members of the other factions only occasionally spoke a sentence or two.
As they chatted, Han Xiao glanced at Manison, chuckled, and pretended to say casually, "Gaud, you just joined the association.
"Gaud, you've just joined the association, so there are many things you don't know yet. Let me remind you, you must be careful of our dear Mechanic Emperor. He's the most interested in newbies."
"Oh? Why? "
Gaud turned around and saw that Manison's face was calm like he was used to it.
Sun Hunter laughed thunderously. "Haha, Black Star is right. Manison has never given up on the Felon technology. If you really have a Super High Risk Esper Ability, you have to be careful. He might target your delicate body and turn you into his puppet."
"Humph, what a joke."
Manison simply closed his eyes and rested. Out of sight, out of mind.
Seeing this, everyone laughed. The room was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Black Star insulting the Mecha Empire was already the highlight of the meeting. Hearing Han Xiao say this, everyone felt that it was normal. They were used to it and did not have any doubts.
Everyone was busy. The welcoming meeting did not last long and ended very quickly. Everyone went offline. Gaud also got up and left, returning to the dynasty's fleet.
As soon as he returned to his room, Gaud received a communication from the dynasty's upper echelons.
"We already know about the Beyond Grade A Association. You didn't reveal your ability to anyone, right?"
"No."
Gaud shook his head.
He was not surprised that the dynasty received the news so quickly. After all, there were many dynasty members in the association who were the dynasty's sources of information.
"That's good. We'll investigate where the news was leaked. To be able to accurately identify your ability, there must be something wrong … The contents of today's meeting will definitely reach the ears of Radiance, Ethereal, and some of the Supercluster civilizations. They might be suspicious of your ability. Come back as soon as possible. The Flickering World is too dangerous."
"You're saying that someone might take the risk and try to kill me?" Gaud raised his brows.
"Not necessarily. The era now is different from the past. Because of the Beyond Grade A Association, as long as the rules are not broken, bloodshed is unlikely … but it's better to be careful."
"Alright."
Gaud replied casually and hung up the communication.
He did not think that any organization would make a move. The Flickering World was still at war, so Radiance and Ethereal would not turn against him. The Supercluster did not dare send out Beyond Grade As first, fearing that it would attract the direct members of the three Universal Civilizations. Furthermore, with the protection of the Beyond Grade A Association, he felt that his situation was very safe.
Things were different now. Black Star and the others had established the association, which became the gospel of all the Beyond Grade As.
Back then, Black Star had shown off his abilities and was often surrounded by Radiance and Ethereal. Now that the association was protecting the lives of the Beyond Grade As, such situations would not happen again.
Gaud also enjoyed the benefits. Furthermore, he still had his identity as a direct member of the dynasty as a protective talisman, so he did not feel that others would have any motive to attack him. The risks and benefits were not proportional at all.
"This is really a good era for Beyond Grade As …"
Gaud sighed and ordered the fleet to set off.
The dynasty's spaceships took off one after another, entered the galaxy, and flew in the direction of leaving the Flickering World.
At the same time, the contents of this meeting were relayed by the Beyond Grade As and spread to the ears of the different organizations.
…
On the mother planet of the Radiant Federation, in the presidential palace …
"An Esper suspected to be an Energy Control Esper that only exists in theory?"
President Bader of the Radiance browsed through the report sent by the direct Beyond Grade As, and his expression changed slightly.
The Chief Elder beside him tapped his walking stick and said with a deep voice, "This is just a guess. The news might not be true. It's too hasty."
"But it's at least a discovery. This new Beyond Grade A of the dynasty is being very secretive. Whether his Esper Ability is Energy Control or not, it's definitely not simple … The higher-ups said that the news came from the black market. They ordered the intelligence department to collect relevant information on the black market and find a way to verify it."
Bader paused for a moment before sighing.
"If the news is correct, then the dynasty is really lucky to have obtained such a Super with endless potential. He'll definitely replace Clottey as the National Pillar in the future … They already have Black Star, and now they have Gaud. In the field of individual strength, the dynasty will have an advantage for hundreds of years to come."
The Chief Elder frowned. "You're not going to take action, are you? Please don't. You're losing the big picture for the small. "
"Don't worry, one Beyond Grade A is not important. I won't ruin the current situation for such a small matter. Ethereal will probably make the same decision."
Bader waved his hand and suddenly changed the topic. "But as for the others … I don't know."
"Don't think too much." The Chief Elder shook his head. "Times are different. Nothing will happen."
Bader thought for a moment before nodding.
"Hmm, you're right. No one will do anything unless they're an idiot."
: :
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
