Why didn't Xiao simply use Cyber Aura to steal the Relic technology?
The answer was simple.
From the moment Cyber Aura was discovered by the megacorporations, their headquarters and restricted facilities had been enveloped by extremely subtle detection fields.
These fields were nearly imperceptible—yet terrifyingly effective.
The instant even a trace of Cyber Aura appeared within their range, it would be detected.
And the response?
Immediate eradication.
All related data would be wiped. All systems purged. Every trace of technology destroyed without hesitation.
The corporations would rather burn everything to ashes than allow even the slightest leak.
They were the worst kind of merchants—
Those who would harm others even if it brought them no benefit.
Under such circumstances, even if Xiao chose to turn against them completely and attempt a forceful seizure, success would be nearly impossible.
So, he waited.
Patiently.
Waiting for the timeline to unfold.
Waiting for Yorinobu Arasaka to steal the Relic.
Waiting for Hanako and Herman to be drawn out of Arasaka headquarters and into Night City.
Because the moment they stepped into Night City—
They would be on Xiao's turf.
No matter what methods they used to destroy data, it would be meaningless.
As long as their memories remained intact, Xiao could extract everything he needed.
Stepping across the endless void, Xiao once again descended into the Da Luo Arena.
Without hesitation, he flicked a seed of Cyber Aura into the Elden Ring World, completing what had long become a routine action.
The seed carried more than just energy.
It carried curiosity.
Expectation.
And a quiet hunger for the unknown.
Based on past experience, Xiao had assumed the same outcome as always—
That the moment the seed appeared, it would be noticed by the Supreme Will and erased instantly.
But this time—
Something changed.
The seed did not vanish.
It fell.
Took root.
And blossomed into radiant, shimmering aura flowers.
Xiao's pupils contracted.
For a moment, even he found it difficult to remain calm.
Within the Cyber Dimension, a vision unfolded before him.
A colossal Erdtree pierced the heavens, standing tall in the Lands Between.
Yet above its once-glorious domain, a strange black mist now lingered.
Something was wrong.
Profoundly wrong.
Those who should have died…
Did not rest.
Though their souls returned to the Erdtree as they should—
Their bodies rose again.
Twisted.
Corrupted.
They became abominations that wandered the land—Those Who Live in Death.
Driven by resentment, they attacked the living without reason, spreading fear and chaos across the Lands Between.
Xiao narrowed his eyes, then suddenly laughed.
"So, it's begun… Godwyn the Golden has already fallen?"
There was no trace of concern in his voice—
Only delight.
"Good. Excellent."
Everything was aligning perfectly.
He had just grasped the true nature of his power, and now the story of the Lands Between had reached its critical turning point.
Opportunity and danger were arriving together.
If the Supreme Will truly abandoned this world—
Then the Lands Between would become a battlefield of limitless potential.
A place ripe for conquest.
For plunder.
For ascension.
But just as that thought crossed his mind—
A voice appeared.
Not in the air.
Not in space.
But directly within his Cyber Dimension.
"My treasure has a flaw. Does that amuse you?"
A single sentence.
Yet it carried a weight that made even Xiao pause.
For the first time—
Something had invaded his consciousness.
Xiao's expression froze for a brief instant, shock flashing through his eyes.
But he quickly regained control.
This was not the first time the Supreme Will had interfered with him.
Only—
This was the first time it had spoken.
It seemed even the Supreme Will was troubled by the emergence of Those Who Live in Death.
Xiao looked at the flickering text before him and smiled faintly.
"Supreme Will?"
The response came immediately.
"That is merely what mortals call me."
"I am the God of the Erdtree… and the progenitor of the High Elves."
The voice was calm, confident—tinged with an undeniable majesty.
The Supreme Will had long been aware of Xiao.
A minor Outer God, repeatedly probing the boundaries of the Lands Between.
Ordinarily, such an existence would not be worth its attention.
But now—
Things were different.
Xiao's strength had grown.
Rapidly.
Violently.
To the point where he could no longer be ignored.
Now, he was worth speaking to.
Perhaps—
Even worth consulting.
Xiao wasted no time.
"Respected Erdtree… can you locate me?"
This was the question that mattered most.
His safety.
The secrecy of the Da Luo Dao Fruit.
If the Supreme Will could pinpoint his true location—
Everything would change.
The answer came, measured and deliberate.
"I cannot directly locate your true body."
Xiao exhaled silently.
But before relief could settle—
The voice continued.
"However, I can destroy everything within your dimension."
The words struck like thunder.
For the first time in a long while—
Xiao felt pressure.
Real pressure.
To destroy a dimension meant crossing the boundaries of worlds with ease.
It meant power on a level that could not be ignored.
Even for him.
So, he chose honesty.
"I have seen your future."
"You will abandon the Lands Between."
"And when that happens… I intend to take it."
He spoke plainly.
Without concealment.
"To you, it may have lost its value."
"But to someone like me… it is priceless."
There was no point in deception.
Not before an existence like this.
Truth, at times, was the better weapon.
Xiao had never hidden his desire for the Lands Between.
And strangely—
The Supreme Will had never taken offense.
If anything—
It found a certain satisfaction in it.
After all—
What kind of treasure is not desired?
And what greater proof of value is there—
Than being fought over?
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