Chapter 56: The Ominous Orb and the Impossible Mission

Deep within the central region of the Origin Star Universe, in the primary world controlled by the Yurtez Tribe, the 14th child world of the World Tree, a palpable tension hung heavy in the capital’s assembly hall.

Flo found himself struggling to breathe under the oppressive atmosphere. Yet, this was not the true source of his dread. What truly instilled terror and unease in the Yurtez Tribe’s prodigious young general was the object he cradled in his hands: a pure black orb, recently received from Fleet Marshal Jacksa.

The orb emitted no spiritual energy fluctuations, but it radiated an unsettling, sinister aura. Anyone with even a modicum of knowledge would instantly recognize it as a Sky Prison Beast’s Soul Orb, also known as a Prison Stone.

Sky Prison Beasts were ferocious behemoths from the Outer Domain, possessing the might of a Battle Sovereign. Their nature was notoriously tyrannical and unpredictable. Fortunately, invasions by beasts of such caliber into the Origin Star Universe were infrequent; otherwise, countless civilizations would face utter annihilation.

This pure black orb was the solidified soul of a Sky Prison Beast, brimming with ominous power. It offered nothing but harm to the lifeforms of the Origin Star Universe, and its accidental shattering could contaminate vast starfields. The Anska Alliance had explicit regulations: such Soul Orbs *must* be destroyed in the Lawless Zone, the border between the Origin Star Universe and the Outer Domain. Bringing them into the Origin Star Universe was strictly forbidden.

This was precisely why Flo was so terrified upon recognizing the orb. ‘If other Alliance members or the Original Battle Sovereigns discovered our tribe possessed such an item, the Yurtez Tribe would undoubtedly face a severe diplomatic crisis, or even war.’

Flo was also deeply perplexed. Why would the Marshal keep such a thankless, burdensome item, let alone entrust it to him?

It defied understanding.

‘Was this some sort of conspiracy? Or was he meant to dispose of this thing?’ As Flo’s thoughts raced, beads of sweat began to trickle down his forehead.

(The following dialogue is in the Yurtez Tribe language)

Noticing Flo’s fear and apprehension, the other influential figures in the assembly hall chuckled, seemingly mocking his ignorance. It was only when the man seated at the head of the table raised a hand that the hall fell silent.

The man at the head slowly began, “General Flo, do you know the purpose of a Sky Prison Beast’s Soul Orb?”

Flo, startled by the chief’s address, immediately dropped to one knee, replying with utmost reverence, “This subordinate does not know. I implore Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

The man addressed as ‘Your Majesty’ unhurriedly took a sip of tea before speaking again. “This pure black orb is indeed useless to us. However, creatures from the Outer Domain, especially those of Battle Sovereign rank, covet it intensely.”

“Then why would you entrust such a precious item to your subordinate?” Flo asked, his voice trembling with apprehension. Already, a terrifying hypothesis had begun to form in his mind.

His subsequent reply confirmed his worst fears.

Fleet Marshal Jacksa, Flo’s direct superior, seated to the left of the council table, spoke, “Because we need you to use this item to attract Outer Domain ferocious beasts—specifically, Sky Prison Beasts!”

‘Just as I thought,’ Flo mused.

Jacksa then instructed a subordinate to activate a holographic projector, continuing to outline Flo’s mission. “General Flo, you will lead a team through the Lawless Zone and into the Outer Domain. There, you will use this Soul Orb to lure the Sky Prison Beasts and guide them to Blue Star.”

Flo’s face drained of color. Was this not a suicide mission?

Moreover, it was utterly unfeasible!

“Lord Jacksa, this mission is impossible! It’s beyond our capabilities to lure Sky Prison Beasts to Blue Star!”

‘We’d be dead on arrival! Not to mention the Realm Beasts and fleets from other civilizations watching. We couldn’t even reach the border!’ Flo shouted, on the verge of hysteria, for the mission truly felt like a fantasy.

Leaving aside everything else, they could never pass the Realm Beast checkpoint. These beings, created by the Creator, were no weaker than the Original Battle Sovereigns in strength. The five great Realm Beasts guarded and monitored the four starfields of the Origin Star Universe—east, south, west, and north—as well as the World Tree. Consequently, they possessed unparalleled perceptive abilities. How could they possibly allow them to proceed to the border? Once detected, patrol teams from other races would immediately surround them. At that point, all efforts would be in vain, and if they were discovered carrying the Prison Stone, the consequences would be unimaginable.

‘But now, it’s over. I’ve openly opposed the Marshal’s plan…’

‘I’m dead…’

Flo was convinced he would either be relieved of his duties or secretly executed, having just learned such a crucial secret.

Before Jacksa could respond, a burst of unbridled laughter echoed throughout the conference room.

“Hahahahaha!”

Flo turned his gaze towards the source of the sound, to the person beside His Majesty. His pupils constricted. It was a figure entirely cloaked in a grey robe, their face obscured, their spiritual energy undetectable. However, the iconic staff they carried made their identity unmistakable.

It was Thunder Emperor Felik, the strongest individual of the Yurtez Tribe and His Majesty’s master.

‘Even a Battle Sovereign is involved…’

With Thunder Emperor Felik’s laughter, the hall instantly became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Even the usually arrogant Marshal Jacksa behaved like a child receiving instruction from his father in the Thunder Emperor’s presence. Flo’s heart pounded even harder; this was his first encounter with such a powerful being.

“You’re Flo, aren’t you?”

At Thunder Emperor Felik’s question, Flo was startled and quickly prepared to kneel in homage. However, just as his knees began to bend, Flo was astonished to find his body supported by an unknown force.

Flo was immediately overwhelmed with gratitude.

He was about to offer his thanks when Thunder Emperor Felik’s voice again halted his thoughts. “There’s no need for such formalities. I dislike them.”

“Yes,” Flo respectfully replied.

“It’s good that you voiced your concerns. And your worries are not unfounded. But rest assured, I will handle the Realm Beasts.”

‘???

Hearing this, Flo quickly tried to dissuade him. “Lord Felik, you cannot attack the Realm Beasts! The entire Yurtez Tribe would be targeted by the Alliance!”

Thunder Emperor Felik merely waved his hand, signaling Flo not to be anxious. “Naturally, I cannot directly attack the Realm Beasts, but I can allow the Sky Prison Beasts to do so.”

Flo grew even more bewildered, his face a picture of utter confusion.

Thunder Emperor Felik continued to explain, “The Fourth Defense Line in the eastern Lawless Zone is garrisoned by our tribe. If all goes as planned, three Sky Prison Beasts will attack some time from now. The Emperor of Law and I have already reached an agreement. We will feign defeat and allow the Sky Prison Beasts to pass. The Realm Beasts will then naturally lift their surveillance mode to intercept the Sky Prison Beasts. That will be your opportune moment to cross.”

‘!!! I can’t believe the Emperor of Law is involved too! Is it because of that mercenary incident last time? But wasn’t that supposedly caused by the Tianyu Tribe? They even found traces of Emperor Yu Bisika’s spiritual energy at the scene.’

“But… after that, we still can’t cross the Lawless Zone. There are forces from other civilizations there. And guiding Sky Prison Beasts to Blue Star… is that even possible?” Flo hesitantly voiced his doubts.

At this moment, Jacksa, who had been silent, spoke. “Someone will rendezvous with you then, so you needn’t worry about that. We have also prepared an anti-reconnaissance high-speed vessel made from Black Origin Stone. After you use the Soul Orb to guide the Sky Prison Beasts into the Lawless Zone, you will hide inside the ship. With their intelligence, they won’t discover you. Then, you will make a light-speed jump to a position near Blue Star. After that, I trust you know what to do.”

“Yes, this subordinate understands,” Flo nodded in acknowledgment.

‘Then, by simply taking out the Soul Orb again, the Sky Prison Beasts will track it to Blue Star. What a brilliant scheme to borrow a knife for murder.’

‘”Won’t discover you” sounds easy enough,’ Flo couldn’t help but inwardly grumble.

“If that is the case, then all the better,” the Yurtez King, who had been silent for a long while, finally spoke. “General Flo, you may proceed to the designated location and await further orders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Flo saluted and then exited the conference room.

As he gazed at the black gem in his hand, an ominous premonition continued to fester within him.