Chapter 622 - Visitors from the Divine River Civilization

Han Wu had returned to the Divine Civilization for quite some time, but his friends still hadn’t returned from the Heaven Stair Civilization.

One day, he unexpectedly received a request to meet a group of delegates from the Divine River Civilization. Apparently, they were stronger than the Divine Civilization. Han Wu rarely encountered experts from the Divine River Civilization, so he had no clear sense of their true strength.

The delegates briefly explained the purpose of their visit. A month earlier, they had received a final message from the Genesoldier Eagle Eye, who claimed to have discovered the Origin of Mutation at Imperial College.

Within the Divine River Civilization, the Origin of Mutation was also known as the Ultimate Terror. Its ability targeted genes, the civilization’s very foundation. Its existence loomed like a guillotine suspended above the civilization’s head.

Once the higher-ups received the message, they issued an absolute order to bring the Origin of Mutation back. Ideally, they wished to avoid offending or clashing with the Divine Civilization. However, if the Divine Civilization refused to surrender it, the Divine River Civilization would take countermeasures, regardless of the price.

Under this mandate, the delegates came to Imperial College to meet with Han Wu. They promised that as long as he was willing to hand over the Origin of Mutation, they would give him a single vial of first-series Gene Catalyst.

The Gene Catalyst was one of the Divine River Civilization’s most renowned creations. Even the weakest ones, those of the fifth series, were highly sought-after commodities. A first-series Gene Catalyst was far rarer, an almost priceless resource.

Han Wu declined. The Origin of Mutation wasn’t merely his subordinate but a friend who had saved him numerous times. Although the first-series Gene Catalyst was tempting, he wouldn’t betray his friend.

The delegates’ representative tried to persuade him. “Mr. Han Wu, you haven’t even heard the name of the Gene Catalyst we are willing to part ways with. I believe you would reconsider once you see it.”

Han Wu smiled and gestured for the delegate to continue.

The delegate presented the Gene Catalyst they had brought. It was the first-series Void Hunter. Once activated, it would allow Han Wu to traverse different layers of space. It also contained four genetic seals, and each unlocked seal would grant him a power befitting of a first-series Gene Catalyst.

A single Void Hunter meant that Han Wu would receive four powerful Divine Powers at once. The offer was tempting. Han Wu had survived so many perilous adventures precisely because he had many powerful Divine Powers, and there were clear reasons for that advantage.

First, each ascension granted him a random Divine Power. Second, his Chosen One talent allowed him to gain another powerful Exclusive-grade Divine Power per ascension. Third, he always ascended in foreign civilizations, which granted him another Divine Power for free. Finally, some of his Divine Powers came from the specific Laws of the foreign civilizations, such as his 256 Martial Castes from the Warring Kingdom Civilization.

Those four factors explained how he accumulated so many Divine Powers and why he easily outpaced the other students. With one Void Hunter, he would obtain four new Divine Powers. The temptation was immense, but he still shook his head. He didn’t want it.

The delegate stared at him in confusion, then came to the wrong conclusion.

“Do you want more resources?” the delegate asked. “With my authority, I can add another thirty vials of fifth-series Gene Catalyst. You can use them to nurture your units. Is that enough?”

Han Wu smiled bitterly. “I’m sorry, but the Origin of Mutation is my brother. No amount of resources will change my mind. Please give up.”

Han Wu rose to leave. The delegate tried to stop him and resume the negotiations, but Han Wu ignored him and returned to his divine realm.

The delegate frowned. If he failed to bring the Origin of Mutation back now, he would face a harsh punishment.

“We have no choice,” he muttered coldly. “We will declare war and use our might to take the Origin of Mutation back forcefully.”

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The next day, Imperial College sent Han Wu a personal message. The Divine River Civilization’s delegates had issued him a formal challenge.

If he accepted and won, the Divine River Civilization would stop harassing him and even give him the Void Hunter for free. If he lost, the delegates would take the Origin of Mutation back. Should Han Wu decline, the delegates stated that they would return home and issue an official declaration of war between the two civilizations. In that case, war would be unavoidable.

Imperial College faced a delicate decision. Xu Hai was the one who delivered the news to Han Wu.

In truth, Han Wu had little choice. To protect the Origin of Mutation, he would have to accept the challenge and win. The only alternative was to surrender the Origin of Mutation immediately to prevent the war.

Imperial College had already decided for Han Wu that declining was not an option. Han Wu was a genius, and as long as he didn't die, he was destined to become a God King. Still, the college couldn’t drag the entire civilization into a war solely for his sake.

Naturally, Han Wu understood the college’s dilemma and his own position. Acceptance was the only path forward. After he agreed, the challenge’s rules were formally presented to him.

Both parties were required to choose five champions to enter the specific arena that the Divine River Civilization had prepared. The objective was simple. The two parties would defend the crystal located at their base. Victory would go to the party that destroyed the opposing crystal first.

All champions that entered the arena would have their powers sealed. They had to kill the opposing champions or mobs to gain experience before they could unlock portions of their powers.

Han Wu then noticed a special rule. Any chosen champion had to be a World life form. This condition left him at a loss. Within the Divine Civilization, most World life forms were God Kings or their powerful units.

Calling a unit to fight felt undignified, so he needed to find God Kings who were willing to help him. The problem was finding one. With no clear options, he decided to test his luck.