"How about a trade?"
In a space of pure white, Mei's figure had just appeared when this information naturally arose in her mind. Mei looked ahead and saw an enormous sphere of light.
The Endless Space.
Its true form?
She wasn't sure.
The Endless Space's words carried no discernible emotion, but Mei still detected a hint of impatience in them. She asked in return: "What kind of trade?"
Information from the Endless Space continued to surface in her mind.
"The conquest of tiered worlds ends here. Your conquest actions have caused immense damage to the tiered worlds. Some voids have sustained irreversible, permanent damage. Our dialogue is based on a relationship of equality. I will state my demands, and you may also state yours."
As expected. The content of this "equal dialogue" was exactly as Mei had anticipated. It boiled down to two possibilities: either it concerned her conquest of the tiered worlds, or it was to inquire about her willingness to transfer.
Without any circumlocution, the Endless Space very straightforwardly laid out the topic of this equal dialogue. One of Mei's dilemmas seemed to have found a solution.
She immediately made an exorbitant demand.
"Help me raise my power to Tier 10."
The Endless Space flatly refused. "Your demand is too high."
"Tier 9."
"If it were an ordinary Tier 9, or even a unique Tier 9, I could agree to your request. But your situation appears extremely peculiar. I cannot comprehend the essence of your power; your Veritas seems to have entered an unknown domain."
"An unknown domain?"
"Yes."
This was troublesome.
Mei fell into contemplation. Even the Endless Space couldn't comprehend what Veritas's domain was after it transcended its limits.
This implied that the Endless Space had never encountered such an existence. Not just in Tier 8, but not even among Tier 9 or Tier 10, had there been an existence that surpassed Veritas. She wondered if Hyperdimensional Space and Transcendent Space had such powerhouses.
Since this was the case...
Mei retreated and requested something else: "If I endlessly accumulate strength in the tiered worlds, conquering all 100 floors is just a matter of time. You hope I stop here, simply because you don't want the tiered worlds to be destroyed. If that's the case, I won't take any equipment, items, or rewards. You can directly let me bypass this process and simply conquer up to the 100th floor. How about that?"
"Agreed."
A very simple request, so simple that the Endless Space didn't need any time to consider it: "However, our dialogue is one of equality. Our requests must be of equal value. Therefore, I will offer you additional compensation. I will choose the content of this compensation, and I hope it will satisfy you..."
Information from the Endless Space flashed in her mind. The pure white space before Mei gradually stretched, becoming distant. In an instant, her figure transformed into a white light and flew toward the higher-tier worlds.
In a flash.
Mei ascended to the 81st floor at extreme speed. The conquest condition was directly deemed complete by the Endless Space, and she continued her ascent like splitting bamboo.
Next was the 82nd floor.
The 85th floor.
The 90th floor.
The 95th floor.
Until the 100th floor.
This was an official speedrun. Unimaginably fast. In one breath, Mei directly, under special dispensation from the Endless Space, completed the conquest process up to the 100th floor.
The 90th and 100th-floor Upgrade Tasks were completed on the spot.
[Upgrade Task 9 · Completed]
[Upgrade Task 10 · Completed]
[Energy Level Leap Charges: 0 ➡ 2]
Above the 100th-floor Void World's Timeline, she immediately allocated the two acquired Energy Level Leaps entirely to [Veritas]. The moment Veritas stepped into LV10, Mei touched an entirely new tier.
[Energy Level Leap Charges: 2 ➡ 0]
[Veritas · LV10 ⬆]
[Veritas ➡ Apeiron]
[Ability: Apeiron]
[Level: None]
[Description: Apeiron, a transcendent unique tier independent of the Grade system. Those who enter this stage absolutely reign over their current grade. They cannot be eliminated unless by an Apeiron, and cannot be obliterated by anything other than Apeiron.]
[Supplement: Transcends Veritas, transcends the very Concept of Dimensionality.]
A power so immense it defied imagination erupted from within her body, more ethereal and mystical than mere concepts, transcending all worldly rules and shackles.
It was as if, in an instant, she could annihilate the void.
The essence of this ancient power was not just a quantitative or qualitative increase in force, but a fundamental redefinition of existence.
To Mei, the void had become a secondary effect: a mere ripple on a surface she had already stepped beyond.
Existence was no longer a thing to be manipulated, but a consequence of a deeper, unmoving reality.
When she determines a truth, she is not altering the reflection, but redefining the Archetype that casts it.
Reality has no mechanism to disagree, for a shadow has no strength to persist once the light that grants it form has moved on.
Beyond Veritas.
This was Apeiron.
If not for being on the same level of Apeiron, regardless of whether they were Tier 9, Tier 10, or even higher-dimensional existences, they could not stand equal to Mei, nor could they eliminate her.
Conversely, even a Tier 10, as long as they were not an Apeiron existence, could be crushed by Mei. She was the supreme monarch and sovereign of the infinite void.
"This is the power beyond Veritas..."
This strength surpassed Mei's predictions. Setting foot into Apeiron, the transcendent aura surrounding her became ever deeper—undefinable, unpredictable, unfathomable, unobservable, unbound—as if such a person fundamentally did not exist within the reality.
...
The 100th floor.
The moment Mei stepped into Apeiron, she released a trace of her aura. Yet, that single trace of aura was so heavy that the Void could not bear it, almost reducing everything to nothingness.
This immediately alerted all the Tier 10s on the 100th floor.
"Who is that?!"
However, when the Tier 10s leaped up above the Void World's Timeline, what they saw was an indescribably terrifying entity. As Mei's gaze swept over them, the supreme minds were violently shaken.
All submitted.
WHOOSH!
A flash of white light, and Mei vanished. The Endless Space quickly sent her away. If it had been a second later, this void would have been in grave danger.
Had a war erupted, not even the Endless Space, every Tier 10, or any Higher-Tier existence across the infinite Voids could hope to restrain her.
In truth, if Mei were to turn serious, the battle would be over before it even began.
Countless Infinities would simply cease to exist.
...
Mei returned to reality.
On the university campus, the bright sunlight fell, making it feel exceptionally warm. Mei appeared on the small path under the trees. Everything was so peaceful and tranquil.
CHIRP!
The sharp cries of small birds echoed by her ears. Leaping figures darted through the forest, their shadows gliding across the ground. During this time, Mei had been conquering the Endless Space.
Snapping back to attention, three years had passed in the real world since she entered the mission.
Mei received the compensation from the Endless Space.
[Infinite Secretary · Successful Enhancement]
[Item: Infinite Secretary]
[Type: Item]
[Description: Automatically anchors any traversed void. Through this item, one can achieve instantaneous, cross-void teleportation regardless of distance.]
[Anchor Record: Endless Space's Void]
Previously, the Infinite Secretary was merely a Tier 8 item. After the enhancement from the Endless Space, it had likely advanced to Tier 9. After all, the original Infinite Secretary could only anchor universes, but now it could anchor voids.
This compensation satisfied Mei greatly. She had been planning to spend a Tier 9 ticket later to upgrade the Infinite Secretary anyway; the Endless Space compensation saved her that ticket.
[Main Mission · Phase Three · Completed]
[Points Acquired: 20,000]
[Remaining Points: 25,001,508,100]
"..."
[Main Mission · Phase Four: An unknown cause has led to a sudden leap in the manifested world line, resulting in an invasion by parallel worlds. Please defeat enemy powerhouses to the best of your ability and receive a multiplier reward based on the final battle results.]
[Mission Reward: 30,000 Points (? times)]
Phase Three of the Main Mission had actually been completed long ago, back when Mei began conquering the Hero's World in ten loops, but Mei was so absorbed in the conquest that she couldn't stop herself. She hadn't paid attention to the notification.
The hidden event reward was a Tier 7 item, which was useless to Mei. It was directly stuffed into her Personal Spatial Storage to gather dust.
Mei checked her haul.
By the time she reached the 80th floor, she had farmed 318 Tier 8 items and 261 Tier 7 items along the way.
The number of Tier 6 items exceeded one million: this was mainly attributed to the countless times Mei had farmed the Hero's World, destroying it countless times.
Tier 5 and below items were too numerous to count. Although they weren't worth much individually, having so many meant she could probably exchange them for a few Tier 8 tickets after returning.
Including these recent gains, Mei could now redeem a Tier 9 ticket.
Most importantly, she had broken through the limit of Veritas, stepping into Apeiron.
The difference in power compared to before was like heaven and earth. She was now a forbidden Tier 8; the next step was the forbidden Tier 9.
The stage for Phase Four of the Main Mission was no longer within the tiered worlds but in the manifested reality of the mission world.
30,000 Points was the base reward, with the final reward being a multiplier based on the battle achievements.
"Unknown cause..." Other Void Wanderers probably had no idea what caused the jump in the manifested world lines.
However, the only thing this world could hide from Mei was the Endless Space itself; everything else, she knew clearly.
All things in the world. All world lines. Past, present, future. Nothing was unknown to her.
...
Simultaneously.
In the Space-Time Distortion Laboratory.
"Wave distortion values normal!"
"All indicators nominal!"
Tanbo and Yoinge, wearing white scientific research uniforms, walked through a massive and complex machine, continuously checking various parameters.
Once all other researchers reported their confirmation, the two arrived at the control console, taking in the entirety of the machinery spanning thousands of square meters.
Space-Time Distortion Device.
That was the name of this machine.
Tanbo and Yoinge spent three years repeatedly conquering the tiered worlds, farming all the necessary items and tools, and then bringing them into the real world for research and assembly.
Today was the day to test the results of their research. While their combat prowess might not be dazzling, their innate genius shone in research.
Yoinge said to Tanbo: "We don't have much experience regarding space-time distortion research. The results of rashly conducting experiments are unpredictable. We still can't confirm the outcome of triggering space-time distortion. It could be time reversing to the past, or it could be jumping to the future."
"But if we don't experiment, we can't accumulate experience. Since we've come this far, there's no way we can choose to stop the test now. We've prepared as much as possible for the different possible outcomes."
Tanbo countered Yoinge: "If we choose to stop now, and look back fifty years later, will you regret not choosing to proceed with the experiment today?"
"Yes." Yoinge gave a definite answer.
3!
2!
1!
The countdown ended. Tanbo pressed the final activation switch without hesitation.
In an instant.
HUMMMM!
The Space-Time Distortion Device generated a ripple-like wave that expanded rapidly, covering all directions with lightning speed.
Then, calm returned.
Tanbo hurriedly commanded: "Report the results."
The research personnel reported: "Space-time distortion values showed a violent fluctuation 1 second ago, peaking at 100 times the normal value 0.5 seconds ago, and have now returned to normal."
This meant: "The experiment was successful!"
However, the experiment seemed to cause no ripple effect on space-time. Time had not reversed, nor had it accelerated; everything in time and space appeared normal.
"It seems..." Tanbo turned to say something to Yoinge, but his words died in his throat. His pupils contracted; Yoinge had vanished, as if she had never existed.
"Who is Yoinge?"
Faced with Tanbo's inquiry, the researchers in the lab looked at each other, utterly confused. In their memories, this person had never appeared before.
"World line fluctuation!" Tanbo understood. The space-time distortion experiment had caused a change in their current world line. In this new timeline, Yoinge had never existed.
He looked at the Space-Time Distortion Device before him, realizing he might have made a grave error: he might have opened Pandora's Box.
The world did not grant him time for further reflection.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion echoed deafeningly. A shockwave swept over, pushing Tanbo back. A massive hole was blasted open in the laboratory wall.
A figure entered the laboratory. Tanbo focused his gaze.
"Licing?" No, that wasn't right! He immediately realized this wasn't his classmate Licing. The person before him radiated an undisguised arrogance that was completely different from the Licing he knew.
Connecting this to the world line fluctuation that just occurred: if the new world line didn't have Yoinge, then it was equally possible that someone else existed, or perhaps a variant of Licing from a different world line whose personality and character were completely altered from the original.
Licing, or rather, Jumper Licing, admired the massive piece of equipment before him, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face, his smile arrogant. "Space-Time Distortion Device. You actually managed to build it. We were almost out of patience."
Something major had happened! Tanbo knew that this device absolutely could not fall into the hands of others; the consequences were unimaginable. However, before he could store the equipment in his Personal Spatial Storage:
Time stood still in that moment.
Licing, or Jumper Licing, moved. He was prepared for this inevitability. This Space-Time Distortion Device was assembled by Tanbo using his own items; no one else should be able to use it.
However, if one could obtain the specific structure and principles, replicating one might not be impossible. Jumper Licing used an item to freeze time in the immediate vicinity, then retrieved another item from his Personal Spatial Storage.
This was a hidden item he had obtained ten times over in repeated conquests of a certain tiered world. It had the ability to recreate any phenomenon below Tier 7 and forge it into an item or piece of equipment.
Jumper Licing wasn't certain if this Space-Time Distortion Device, assembled from so many items, surpassed Tier 7, but he was willing to risk exposure and gamble on it.
CLICK!
The metal sphere in his hand cracked open, rapidly scanning the entire structure of the Space-Time Distortion Device. A dazzling light erupted in the eyes of the jumping Licing as he waited.
Moments later, a ring engraved with the circuit diagram was formed.
It worked!!!
Jumper Licing was ecstatic.
...
In this world line, Jumper Licing could be called the Chosen Son. Both his talent and luck were superior to the Licing of the original world line.
Furthermore, compared to the original Licing, Jumper Licing's ambition and arrogance had expanded drastically due to his superior strength, turning him into a complete megalomaniac.
Just one year after entering the academy, Jumper Licing conquered the Tier 3 tiered worlds. During his tenth conquest of the 30th floor, he obtained a hidden event reward: the Observer's Appraisal effect.
As his strength increased, he could observe more possibilities in the future, and he even had a certain probability of guiding one of those observed possibilities into reality.
Based on this ability, his strength entered a period of high-speed growth, conquering worlds up to and beyond the 50th floor in one unstoppable sweep.
He possessed the substantial strength of a genuine Tier 6. He was only one step away from surpassing the strongest beings in the manifested world.
After that, he set his sights on Tanbo's research, plotting long in advance to obtain the Space-Time Distortion Device, preparing so that every observation would lead to a foolproof outcome. This day was precisely what he had aimed for.
The strongest in the manifested world? No. He wanted to become the strongest in all parallel worlds!
"It's finally mine!"
With the Space-Time Distortion Ring in hand, Jumper Licing was ecstatic. He couldn't suppress the smile spreading across his face; it seemed even the world itself was favoring him.
Space-time distortion phenomena were highly unstable. No one could guarantee the outcome of triggering it. However, the Observer's Appraisal effect eliminated this instability factor. Now, Jumper Licing possessed Tier 6 strength.
Even if he couldn't guarantee a satisfactory result with every time jump, at least there wouldn't be any major errors. At worst, he would just jump a few more times. He was certain to find a suitable future and world line.
He put on the ring. With a mere thought, Jumper Licing vanished. After waiting for so long, he could no longer contain his restless heart. He urgently wanted to see the other parallel worlds.
Simultaneously.
A burst of violent power instantly erased the entire laboratory, leading to the complete destruction of Tanbo and the Space-Time Distortion Device.
They ceased to exist.
...
The original world line.
Tanbo and Yoinge's space-time distortion experiment had caused a massive commotion. The entire space-time distortion laboratory jumped to an alternate world line.
In the eyes of the people on this world line, they had vanished into the void, leaving only a massive, deep pit at the original location of the laboratory, baffling everyone.
"What exactly happened during the experiment?" The investigation team found no clues around the pit.
Suddenly, a figure appeared inside the deep pit. The investigators were stunned. Someone recognized the person's appearance: "Licing?"
Hearing this, Jumper Licing returned a cruel smile and raised his hand.
BOOM!
A deafening tremor echoed across the school grounds. The immense power made the ground beneath their feet seem to shake uncontrollably. The teachers and students instantly changed color and rushed towards the source of the disturbance.
Birds in the nearby forest took fright and flew away. They scattered above Mei's head.
"Hmm? Are those other planets?"
On the small path in the woods, a hedgehog-haired man dressed in the style of a wasteland dweller appeared. In his hand, the man held a chainsaw, its design extremely crude.
An invader from a desolate world. This was the creation of Jumper Licing. He alone had jumped to this world line and subsequently thrown many people from other parallel worlds over here.
"Whatever." Thinking about things he couldn't understand was useless. The chainsaw man took off his protective goggles. His eyes fell upon Mei, and his face suddenly contorted into a look of madness.
VROOM!
He revved the chainsaw and immediately lunged toward Mei, aiming to chop her down.
"Let's have some fun first by chopping down this one!"
The screeching sound of the chainsaw tore through the air. The chainsaw man's speed was like a lightning strike. At such close range, Mei could clearly see the twisted, savage smile on his face. A thug who had lived long-term in a wasteland world already had a warped psyche.
The killing thrill never arrived. The chainsaw man's twisted smile froze in that instant.
BANG!
Flesh and blood scattered. Bright red blood sprayed everywhere, dyeing the small forest path crimson. The chainsaw man was instantly and cleanly dispatched, his weapon clattering to the ground.
Merely Tier 2.
Mei stepped over the chainsaw, showing no interest whatsoever in the chainsaw man.
This was just the beginning. As more invaders from parallel worlds appeared, this world would soon fall into chaos and perpetual war. Honestly, these weaklings weren't even worthy of Mei's attention. Only Jumper Licing warranted a slight notice; everyone else was truly uninteresting.
She wondered if eliminating Jumper Licing would be enough to secure the required rewards for Phase Four of the Main Mission. If not, it would be fine to crush every single rogue invader.
...
One day later.
BOOM!
A figure was slammed into the ocean from the atmosphere with the most violent force, causing colossal splashes to erupt high into the air. Before long, a Tier 3 invader from some parallel world floated to the surface, lifeless.
"Huff..."
A young man let out a sigh of relief. This was clearly Luo Changkong from the Raitei Legion. He had once experienced the Star Beast world and the Self-Awareness world with Mei, and he had now grown into a Tier 3 Void Wanderer. However, they had only met a few times in total.
They weren't exactly acquaintances.
Not only Luo Changkong, but Claude from the Raitei Legion was also present: a strong, bear-like middle-aged man with short black hair, whose strength was slightly greater than Luo Changkong's. Claude had once commanded a legion in the Willpower world.
If Mei hadn't intervened, he might have died at the hands of the Bone Dragon. He could be considered someone who had faced Mei before.
Besides them, there was one more acquaintance.
Civet.
He was still cloaked in a black robe, his gender indiscernible. After reaching Tier 3, his ability to capture manifested information within the void had grown stronger. Among the present group, he and Mei had met the most times.
Luo Changkong looked at the floating corpse on the ocean, sighing in relief. "Thank goodness the three of us struck together, otherwise, we really wouldn't have been a match for him."
Claude nodded. "We are all Tier 3, but his strength surpasses any one of us."
Entry-level Tier 3 power was comparable to a human-shaped nuclear bomb, while peak Tier 3 could shatter a continent.
The difference was incomparable.
Therefore, this Tier 3 invader was the strongest type of Tier 3. Otherwise, even if the three of them attacked together, they would likely just end up delivering sustenance.
With that settled, Luo Changkong and Claude looked toward Civet. Both had cooperated with Civet on intelligence gathering in other mission worlds before, so they highly trusted his ability to collect information.
Civet was currently tracking the traces of other invaders, but while capturing manifested information from the void, he stumbled upon a certain truth.
"Gentlemen, a new piece of intelligence. Do you want to hear it?"
Luo Changkong looked puzzled. "What intelligence?"
Civet replied: "It concerns part of the truth behind why parallel world invaders are appearing in this world."