Chapter 1259 Back to Base

"My current fighting style is quite complete. I have both defense and output, strong bursts, and many control-type mechanical devices. The mechanical army is huge, capable of hundreds or thousands of tactical combinations, as well as advanced machines like the Sovereign's Avatar and Apostle Weapons, which are great for containment. My mental resistance is high enough, and I have skills like \[Supreme Virtual\]. The Void Bloodline also grants me powerful mobility and special control techniques..."

Han Xiao secretly analyzed his current fighting style. The more he thought about it, the more he felt he was awesome, practically an all-around achiever.

Among the five major superpower systems, Esper formed the earliest and had the highest combat power in the early stages. However, in the later stages, Mechanic and Mage shone brightly. Compared to the other three systems, Mechanics and Magic, which use knowledge as their source of power, were very comprehensive in all aspects and had few weaknesses. For Mechanics, being fragile and having low mental resistance were more prominent weaknesses.

However, in Han Xiao's dictionary, there was no such word as "fragile." The weakness of mental resistance had also been mostly compensated. Now, without any obvious shortcomings, he was comprehensively strong, almost a hexagonal warrior.

Now, obtaining the \[Charge—Endless Momentum\] skill, which provided an extremely high burst of single-target damage, made his fighting style even more complete—because in legion warfare, Han Xiao's main body or Sovereign's Avatar usually roamed and did not immediately engage in close combat. Now, with this momentum-building skill, the distance traveled could be converted into damage, giving the main body or Avatar an additional tactical role.

After happily admiring the golden skill for a while, Han Xiao finally closed the interface.

Returning to his room, he suppressed his joy, took out his communicator, pondered for a moment, and then dialed the private line of the Federation of Light's President, to probe the situation.

After a few rings, Uranrell's delicate and dignified face appeared on the screen, seemingly expecting Han Xiao's call.

"Black Star, you've come."

"Your Excellency President," Han Xiao nodded in greeting, getting straight to the point. "Do you know about Beikold's matter?"

"Yes," Uranrell nodded.

Seeing her calm expression, Han Xiao confirmed that the Federation's decision-making level did indeed want him to hand it over, and the president was on that side as well.

Han Xiao paused and asked, "Do you have any advice?"

"I hope you can hand over the Evolutionary Totem. This concerns the Federation's important strategy."

"Does this 'important strategy' mean you finally plan to publicly sell totems? If I give you the totem, I'll be losing a huge amount of profit," Han Xiao probed.

Uranrell shook her head and slowly said,

"The Federation does not plan to publicly sell totems for the time being. This decision is based on risk considerations, and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for you. The pressure from the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church is increasing. Although the Federation has withstood most of the pressure, if you continue to hold the Evolutionary Totem, it's hard to guarantee that the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church won't take risks again and launch another attack...

"I believe you also understand that the Evolutionary Totem in your hands is always a risk. Dealing with you is much easier than forcing the Federation to compromise. If it's handed over to the Federation for safekeeping, then the enemy will have no chance."

"You don't seem to have much confidence in me?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were very optimistic about me."

"I am indeed very optimistic about you, but you are only one person after all," Uranrell explained. "After the last lesson, if the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church take action, they will definitely send top-tier Beyond Grade As of the level of Manison and Kessuye. You are currently no match for the Machinery Country, and adding other top-tier Beyond Grade As, the risk is too great."

"What you say makes some sense, but they haven't taken action in recent years, and the future is hard to say," Han Xiao said noncommittally.

"The situation is different now. Beyond Grade As are generally distributed in different Star Fields, and once they are mobilized, we can basically receive news and prepare in advance. However, the opening of the Flickering World is an excellent opportunity for the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church. The vast majority of Beyond Grade As in the universe are rushing to the Shattered Star Ring. With so many people gathered, the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church can easily gather high-level combat power to quickly attack your base camp, because the other party has a legitimate reason to gather, and it will be difficult for us to guard against a sudden attack by the enemy like last time."

Han Xiao stroked his chin. Indeed, due to the news that the Flickering World was about to open, major powers were gathering in the Shattered Star Ring, which naturally included many Beyond Grade As from other Star Fields, all rushing over.

Previously, those Beyond Grade As were distributed in other Star Fields, far away, making it difficult to deal with him. But now, taking advantage of the opening opportunity, the Beyond Grade As of other forces were flocking in. Being closer, his situation did indeed become much more dangerous.

It was foreseeable that during the period before the Flickering World officially opened, the already chaotic Shattered Star Ring would become even more chaotic. Everywhere would be newcomers, and it was really hard to say whether he, the local tyrant, could suppress them.

Seeing that Han Xiao did not speak, Uranrell advised, "Black Star, although the future profits of the Evolutionary Totem are great, giving it away easily seems like a loss, but it's better than losing it altogether."

"I'll consider it," Han Xiao shook his head, not making any firm commitments for the time being.

"No need to rush to give me an answer," Uranrell did not force him either, changing the topic. "By the way, I happen to have something I need you to do."

"What is it?"

"Currently, the Federation is building a large-scale inter-Star Field Star Gate connecting the Shattered Star Ring to the Flickering World. Before the official opening, a large number of forces from all over the universe will be stationed in the Shattered Star Ring, causing an impact on this Star Field. So, I need you to maintain order, suppress all foreign forces and Beyond Grade As, and prevent them from messing around in the Shattered Star Ring."

Han Xiao was intrigued. "I remember the Shattered Star Ring is nominally the territory of the Crimson Dynasty, right?"

"Yes, but the Federation's forces there are stronger. Maintaining stability is also beneficial to us, and I don't want any accidents to affect the opening of the Flickering World."

"You can find Herber for this job."

"The Overlord doesn't have your deterrent power. Only you are qualified to suppress all foreign Beyond Grade As."

Hearing this, Han Xiao could not help but smile.

He loved hearing these words. He did not expect the high and mighty Federation President to flatter him.

At the same time, his interface showed an extra camp mission for the Flickering World main quest, requiring him to maintain the stability of the Shattered Star Ring before it opened. The rewards were mediocre, giving experience and Contribution Points, as well as some money and resources promised by the Federation.

"Alright, I will go to the Shattered Star Ring to keep watch. I hope the other Beyond Grade As will give me some face."

Han Xiao agreed.

Even without this mission, he would do it anyway. The Shattered Star Ring was the legion's base camp, and stabilizing the rear was equally important to him. He would not allow outsiders to gallop through his vegetable garden.

Especially those new Beyond Grade As. At this stage, they needed to make a name for themselves and loved to cause trouble the most.

Hanging up the communication, Han Xiao let out a breath and activated Sovereign's Descent, sending his consciousness to the Mechanic Civilization's planet.

Since he was going back to watch the place, the troops left in the Shattered Star Ring's headquarters were not enough, and a new wave of troops needed to be transferred.

Fortunately, the Mechanic Civilization had been developing steadily for twenty years and was on the right track. He was preparing to bring a group of Apostle Weapons back.

The scene in front of him changed. He was inside a mechanical palace, with the Sovereign's Avatar sitting on the palace's throne.

Han Xiao had a long-term Avatar left in the Mechanic Civilization, and he would occasionally descend to inspect it. Therefore, Youzu and the others had built a towering palace thousands of meters high, enshrining his Sovereign's Avatar body there.

Han Xiao controlled the Sovereign's Avatar to stand up, walked out of the towering palace, and looked down at the earth. His eyes beheld a continuous, densely packed mechanical city, with countless mechanical lives streaking across the sky.

This was the Mechanic Civilization's main planet—Apostle Star—which was even more complete than it had been more than a decade ago.

After more than twenty years of tireless development, the Mechanic Civilization had completely transformed this planet, building countless facilities on the surface and underground, gaining powerful productivity, and beginning to explore other surrounding planets.

At the same time, it branched out, with the population increasing geometrically—all of this was in preparation for the mechanical legion's manpower.

From the scale of civilization, the development speed of the Mechanic Civilization was like boarding a quantum spaceship, unbelievably fast. Compared to that, the development of the Black Star Race was not slow either.

After years of learning, a batch of scholars emerged from the Black Star Race and began to integrate the knowledge of various fields taught by the legion. Due to the characteristics of the Black Star Race, as long as someone learned a skill, it could be quickly popularized.

Moreover, with the resources and equipment generously provided by the legion, the Black Star Race did not need to slowly accumulate productivity. As long as they learned the knowledge, they could get the tools to apply it. Thus, in just twenty years, they directly jumped from the tribal era to the electrical era, completing a three-level jump with astonishing efficiency, and the race's terrifying talent began to emerge.

In his opinion, if the Black Star Race and the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church were on the same starting line, the ones ruling the universe now might have been four universal civilizations.

The Black Star Race's racial talent was almost entirely focused on learning and education. To exaggerate, this was a race qualified to achieve a "everyone is like a dragon" golden age, which was a bit awesome.

As for the Kundas, they were still undergoing cultural transformation, but Han Xiao also had people stuff some good stuff into them.

Now, a mechanical god worshiping cult had emerged within the Kundas. Although the impact of the defeat only a little over a decade ago was still fresh in their minds, and they had not yet officially converted into believers, there was already this trend.

Han Xiao watched the scene on the planet for a while. Before long, more than a dozen black dots flew in from afar, rapidly increasing in size in his vision, revealing the figures of the Apostle Weapons.

And behind these small black dots, a mountain-like giant shadow slowly approached, which was none other than Megatron, known for its size, with its head aligned with the gate of the towering pagoda where Han Xiao was.

"Greetings, Master."

Youzu led more than a dozen Apostle Weapons into the gate, stopping in front of Han Xiao in unison to salute.

Over the years, Han Xiao had used up all his Apostle Weapon slots, expanding the Apostle Weapon team. Because of special skills and abilities such as \[Perfect Mechanical Sense\] that enhanced the upper limit of mechanical skill levels, he had far more than twelve Apostle Weapons.

Han Xiao glanced at them. The Apostle Weapons in front of him had richer weapons and armor than they did twenty years ago. At the same time, in his perception, the Apostle Weapons' Fire Seed energy source had also grown a lot.

Mechanical lives had growth potential and knew how to actively strengthen themselves, especially the first-generation mechanical lives, which contained the purest mechanical Fire Seed energy and had excellent growth potential.

With his current mechanical affinity, these Apostle Weapons were all capable of standing alone, able to fight general Beyond Grade As (referring to Kohler and Beyoni) even more inextricably.

"Youzu, Silver Flash, Mad Sky Hunter, Red Fire Corps, Golden Supreme, Invisible Ghost, Town Sky Banner, Violet Sky Spirit... you will lead a batch of troops and return to the Shattered Star Ring headquarters. I may need you to fight," Han Xiao ordered.

"Understood," Youzu replied. To him, Han Xiao's words were divine mandates, only to be fully obeyed.

...

At the Star Gate on the edge of the Shattered Star Ring, a fleet marked with the Arcane Church slowly sailed out of the Star Gate.

Currently, Beyond Grade As from all over were pouring into the Shattered Star Ring. This fleet was specifically escorting a new Beyond Grade A who joined the Arcane Church a few years ago to this Star Field.

"Red Devil" Tolein, a Beyond Grade A born in the Bright Silver Star Cluster a few years ago, had been a wanted criminal for a long time. He was recruited by the Arcane Church, and his criminal record was cleared. Now, with the support of the Arcane Church, he had a place in the Bright Silver Star Cluster.

In the main ship's conference room, some of the Arcane Church's Beyond Grade As were in the room. Only Tolein was present, while the others were remote projections.

"Haha, it seems I'm the first to arrive. When will you guys get here?" Tolein looked around and said casually.

"Soon, you behave yourself there." Sun Chaser was small in stature, but his voice was like a cannon.

"Hmph, what's the point of just waiting?" Tolein's eyes flashed. "Since I'm free anyway, I might as well find someone to spar with."

He had not been a Beyond Grade A for long before he was recruited by the Arcane Church. As a newcomer, he had never achieved any notable results. Now that he had arrived in the Shattered Star Ring, he could not help but be tempted.

"Don't cause trouble in the Shattered Star Ring," Kessuye said faintly, his voice ethereal and empty. "Give Black Star some face.

In the past, the Shattered Star Ring only had four Beyond Grade As—Herber, Ames, Austin, and Sisko—making it very remote and weak, not something he, a top-tier Beyond Grade A, would care about.

But now it was different. Black Star had risen strongly and become the representative figure of the Shattered Star Ring, representing the Federation in guarding this place.

The reputation of a top-tier Beyond Grade A still had some influence. General Beyond Grade As were willing to give Black Star some face, restraining themselves in the Shattered Star Ring and not causing trouble. Even those who were also top-tier Beyond Grade As did not want to provoke Han Xiao casually.

Hearing the name of Black Star, several Beyond Grade As present had unnatural expressions. They were all members who had participated in the Beacon Star battle and had suffered at Han Xiao's hands. They came with great momentum but retreated in disgrace.

The taste of the time-space amber was not good. Especially Di Lun, now whenever he heard Han Xiao's name, he could not help but recall that feeling, involuntarily shivering.

"Haha, just because you were defeated once, you're so afraid? Kessuye, you wouldn't be afraid of Black Star, would you?"

Tolein also knew about this and could not help but mock. As a former wanted criminal, he was not the type to restrain himself.

As soon as these words were said, many Beyond Grade As felt embarrassed and snorted coldly.

"I'm not afraid of him," Kessuye said calmly. "It's just that it's not the time for me to meet him yet. I advise you not to provoke him either."

"Hmph, I'm not stupid," Tolein waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I'm not so arrogant as to choose Black Star as my target."

"Then who do you want to spar with?"

"Heh, I can't beat Black Star, Herber is from the Federation and not easy to provoke, Sisko is weak but one of our own, so I'm only left with those two neutral guys."

A hint of excitement flashed in Tolein's eyes.

"Austin is hiding in the Secret Law Temple, so I probably wouldn't be a match. But Ames... Heh, she's easy to deal with. I'll just use her as my stepping stone and turn her into my first Beyond Grade A record!"