Chapter 1 A New Issue

The *Star Sea Times* released a new episode.

As usual, players in various forum sections eagerly watched the latest installment.

Two familiar hosts appeared on screen, delivering their well-known opening remarks.

The male host said, "Hello, players! This is the *Star Sea Times*, dedicated to sharing firsthand game information and safeguarding your gaming career."

"Based on feedback from our viewers, this station has decided to cancel the joke segment. We are a serious news program, and in-depth reporting is our unwavering principle. We will never resort to humor to grab attention… *Pfft*." The female host solemnly read from the script, but couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Be serious." The male host sat upright, eyes fixed straight ahead, not even moving his lips as he spoke, as if the words were being forced out of his throat.

Many viewers were amused, and the comment section instantly became densely populated.

"Hey, hey, what do you mean cancel? This segment was originally a deadpan joke!"

"Hahaha, this is funnier than a deadpan joke!"

The show continued, and the female host said, "This episode is being released two days late. The original content was supposed to analyze the main quests of the various beginner planets in Version 2.0, but due to the recent events on Aquamarine Star, we had to temporarily change the script. Alright, let's take a look at this episode's content…"

This episode of the *Star Sea Times* explained the main quests of the various beginner planets in Version 2.0. At this stage, the main quests of most beginner planets had become clear, and they were progressing toward exciting moments, with the players of these planets participating actively.

However, Aquamarine Star was an exception. The reason the *Star Sea Times* changed its script was that the Heteromorphy Disaster suddenly ended, forcing them to replace their prepared content and seize the moment.

Players on other planets were happily following the storyline, while the main quest of Aquamarine Star players was completed ahead of schedule.

However, it was the players on other planets who were envious and jealous.

The last planet discussed on the show was Aquamarine Star.

"In the previous Version 1.0, Aquamarine Star was the only place where players came into contact with the interstellar world. Let's compare horizontally. Each beginner planet has its own characteristics, and Aquamarine Star's characteristic might be that it can enter the interstellar world sooner."

"This time, Aquamarine Star completed its planet's 2.0 main quest ahead of schedule. This also means that the time for players to enter the interstellar map on a large scale will be earlier than other Version 1.0 beginner planets. According to the storyline of Aquamarine Star, the NPC guiding the players is none other than the former Black Phantom… now Black Star. He is a legendary figure, and there are many channels to learn about his past deeds, so we won't waste time introducing him here."

Although the planet's main quest ended early, the fact that they could enter the interstellar world the earliest was, in the eyes of all players, far more important than the initial planet main quest storyline of Version 2.0.

Aquamarine Star players were very happy, and the Huaxia Club was even happier. Choosing Aquamarine Star was definitely the right choice. Entering the interstellar world ahead of time would allow them to lead the clubs of other countries in all aspects.

"From Black Star, we can see that other beginner planets will also have guidance camps. We will focus on introducing Black Star and Black Star Mercenary Group's actions on Aquamarine Star…"

The two hosts read from the script, analyzing Han Xiao's actions in the Heteromorphy Disaster from various angles. Then, they analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the Black Star Mercenary Group, giving it very high praise.

According to the experiences of Version 1.0 professional players under Black Star, it is known that the Black Star Mercenary Group has many benefits and is also a growing camp, which means that players' efforts for the mercenary group can improve various values of the mercenary group and feed back to themselves, increasing more benefits for the camp. The *Star Sea Times* believes that this guidance camp will be a camp where players can stay for a long time, and it is even possible that the Black Star Mercenary Group itself is a hidden main quest.

The Aquamarine Star players were already aware of this, so they didn't have much reaction. On the contrary, the players of other planets sighed and were extremely envious—why couldn't they meet such a good NPC?

"Not bad praise."

Han Xiao also watched this episode. The *Star Sea Times* contained complex content, unlike Roubao, which only collected eye-catching material. However, the *Star Sea Times* had a wider audience. They would only report on events with a relatively large impact. This had indirectly increased his reputation a lot, mainly attracting many players from other planets.

Turning off the forum, Han Xiao's attention returned to what was in front of him. At this time, he was in the shelter area on the outskirts of the No. 2 base. Bennett's resettlement of refugees was no longer just about protection, but about urbanization. Not long after the end of the Heteromorphy Disaster, some strong refugees had already begun to make a living, coming out to do some business—now they could no longer be called refugees, they should be called residents.

Han Xiao was sitting at a street stall. He heard that the owner of this roadside stall was a high-level chef before the disaster. He came to the shelter because of the escape. Although he used cheap ingredients, the taste was very good. The pot of meat soup was bubbling, and the aroma was overflowing. The chef was also using a spatula to pat the braised meat with a rich sauce on the side. His wife was helping, stir-frying green vegetables. The aroma of the food attracted many passers-by to look back frequently, their appetites whetted.

There was a long queue in front of the stall. Some people were holding bowls and devouring the food, almost swallowing their fingers. In the past few months, almost no one had eaten a good meal. They hadn't tasted any greasy food for a long time. Although the dishes were simple, they were no different from delicacies. These people ate comfortably.

This street was originally a dirty and messy refugee camp, but now it was much cleaner. The atmosphere was no longer oppressive, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Some refugees who decided to stay had dismantled their tents and began to build simple houses. Both sides of the street looked like construction sites, a scene of busy work.

"Sister, this is so delicious."

Across the small table, Aurora held a bowl, slurping as she ate, her cheeks bulging, looking a bit like a squirrel.

Hela took a few bites and stopped. She reached out and brushed the long hair hanging over Aurora's forehead behind her ear, gently patting Aurora's back, afraid she would choke.

The Great Technician Han wasn't reduced to the point of wandering the streets alone. He had invited the two sisters out together to inspect the situation of the shelter and to talk about the Dragon Emperor.

The Heteromorphy Disaster had ended for some time. The disaster on Aquamarine Star had been resolved. The Godora escort fleet guarding the outer space had already left, but Nagokin had stayed behind to be responsible for contact.

Han Xiao estimated that the players had already adapted to the end of the main quest. He decided to end it in the next few days and officially take the players away. Ames had instructed him to take the two sisters to Dragon Tamer, and he notified the two of them in advance. Hela and Aurora had no objection.

While eating, Han Xiao's thoughts drifted to Risda. Risda had been infiltrating a mothership for several days and had not yet completely cracked the database.

However, according to the signal sent by Risda, it was estimated that it would be soon. Only after completing the cracking could he obtain the locations of all the motherships, and then DarkStar would be finished.

*Recently, it was revealed that the degree of other disaster planets has been upgraded. Godora's disaster relief team's actions have been frustrated. It seems that DarkStar's lurking personnel used instruments to find those Primordial Ones and actively feed them energy, artificially accelerating the growth rate of the Heteromorphy Primordial Ones. They are still not giving up.*

Han Xiao pondered to himself and shook his head. He was afraid that Godora's current attention was no longer on disaster relief, and they were just waiting for his information to completely solve the hidden danger of DarkStar.

Wiping his mouth, Han Xiao stood up, preparing to pay. The stall owner wiped his hands on his clothes and hurriedly declined.

"Your Excellency, you are our savior. We all owe you a life. How can we accept your money?"

The stall owner's attitude was firm, and the people around him echoed him.

Hearing this, Han Xiao didn't insist and patted Hela's head. "Then you pay."

"Did I allow you to touch my head? Do you think I'm Aurora?"

Hela slapped Han Xiao's hand away unhappily, glared at him, and reluctantly took out her wallet.

*Beep beep…*

At this moment, the communicator suddenly rang. It was a message from Risda.

"I have successfully cracked the database and can locate the locations of all of DarkStar's motherships. I found that one of the motherships is heading towards Aquamarine Star and is very close. Three Calamity Grade cadres are traveling with it. Pay attention."

Seeing the first half of the message, Han Xiao's expression lit up with joy, but seeing the second half, his expression suddenly became serious.

A mothership is heading towards Aquamarine Star?!

The purpose was self-evident. The three DarkStar Calamity Grade cadres definitely weren't here for sightseeing!

*Could it be that DarkStar wants to destroy a planet that has successfully resolved a disaster?!*

Han Xiao had a flash of inspiration and immediately had a guess that was very close to the truth.

It was probably also partly to deal with him, otherwise, it would be impossible to send three Calamity Grades.

Could it be that DarkStar had sensed his actions?!

Han Xiao secretly thought that it was terrible. The Godora escort fleet wasn't here, and his own fleet couldn't resist a mothership.

The situation was urgent!

He immediately contacted Nagokin and asked for help as soon as possible, very rationally.

"I detected a DarkStar fleet approaching Aquamarine Star. They are likely trying to destroy this planet. The danger is imminent. Send someone to support us quickly!"

"What? I'll report it immediately!" Nagokin was shocked.

Now was the honeymoon period of cooperation, so Godora would naturally come to help.

Han Xiao didn't stop and contacted Bennett and the Six Nations, asking them to immediately arrange for people to guide the people in the city into the underground air-raid shelters for refuge.

DarkStar would launch a global strike. At this time, without an escort fleet to protect the planet, it was a hundred times more dangerous than the last time. It was like a delicate girl exposed in front of a group of strong men, who could only be rubbed at will. He could only try to reduce the losses as much as possible before the support arrived.

This was Aquamarine Star's biggest crisis. DarkStar was an external enemy that this planet could not resist. If something went wrong, the civilization would be destroyed!

Just like Sunil once was.

"What's wrong?" Hela frowned when she saw Han Xiao's expression.

"A fleet is coming to attack us. Don't stay here. Quickly take your sister to the base to take refuge. I'll open the base's protective shield later." Han Xiao said quickly.

"Aurora, go back. I can stay here to help you." Hela said in a deep voice.

"Help my ass. This battlefield is too early for you."

Han Xiao was impolite. The other side had three Calamity Grades. Even he would feel a lot of pressure. If it weren't for the two perpetual motion machine-like Template talents he had recently obtained, he would not be willing to risk fighting the enemy. The current Hela was far from qualified to intervene in this level of battle.

Hela's face stiffened, and she bit her teeth angrily, but she knew that Han Xiao was not someone who liked to be brave. If he said she couldn't do it, it must be the truth. Without hesitating, she took her sister and ran towards the No. 2 base, her speed extremely fast.

Han Xiao's current status allowed him to command the entire Aquamarine Star. The Six Nations and Bennett were all shocked when they received the news and immediately mobilized the masses to take refuge.

The entire shelter was filled with alarms, and the city became noisy and chaotic. Groups of residents were guided to the air-raid shelters.

The residents of this street also hurriedly set off, crowded and unbearable.

*Whoosh—*

Just as Han Xiao was preparing to go to the No. 2 base to coordinate the overall situation, a whistling sound suddenly came from the sky.

More than a dozen DarkStar assault ships entered the atmosphere and headed towards the shelter, diving at high speed. Without saying a word, the ship-borne light cannons fired wildly, and beams of laser hit the outer urban area of the shelter, causing dozens of explosions in an instant.

*Boom boom boom—*

Flames and thick smoke rose into the sky. The peaceful shelter from the previous second was plunged into war in the blink of an eye!

Not only the shelter, but at the same time, the Six Nations were also attacked by other DarkStar assault ships.

Aquamarine Star was under attack!

"Why are they here so fast?!" Han Xiao's expression was grave, and he secretly cried out that it was bad. It had only been a few minutes since he received the news, and Aquamarine Star had just started mobilizing for refuge, and the enemy had already appeared?!

The DarkStar assault ship streaked across the sky, bringing a whistling wind. Han Xiao glanced at it, and his eyes suddenly froze.

That's right, the mothership wasn't here. These must just be the vanguard troops!

"We must take down these assault ships immediately!"

Han Xiao quickly contacted the mercenaries in the base to open the protective shield. At the same time, he activated the ground-to-air electromagnetic railgun and ordered Melos and other cadres to take off in the assault ships seized from the last attack to deal with the DarkStar vanguard troops.

The shelter had a protective shield, so the situation was slightly better than the Six Nations. The Six Nations needed emergency support.

While issuing orders, Han Xiao suddenly sensed danger approaching and quickly dodged from the spot. He saw a pitch-black arrow tens of meters long heavily inserted into the position where he had been standing.

*Bang!*

The street sank and cracked!

The next moment, the pitch-black arrow collapsed and turned into countless black particles, surrounding a figure in the sky.

Ash lowered his head and looked down at Han Xiao. He was expressionless and snapped his fingers.

*Snap!*

This move wasn't aimed at me… Han Xiao's heart tightened, and he quickly turned his head. Behind him were the residents of this street, running away into the distance. The next moment, some of the people running away suddenly turned into a pile of dust. The stall owner's family was also among them. One second they were still running away, and the next second they turned into sand all over the ground.

The people next to him who weren't hit fell to the ground, all frightened silly, and a warm stream overflowed from their crotches.

At this time, Ash looked down condescendingly and said coldly.

"Remember me, Black Star."

Damn it, this guy's ability is too terrifying for ordinary people. I must hold him back!

Han Xiao frowned and retracted his gaze, staring at Ash, and said sarcastically, "You've been defeated by me several times. Of course I remember you. Do you want to taste the feeling of failure again?"

Hearing this, Ash's face showed annoyance, but thinking that his mission was to force Black Star to stay and fight, the anger quickly turned into a sneer.

"Hehe, do you think I'm here to deal with you this time?"

Ash raised his head and looked into the distance. He saw fires burning everywhere in the shelter city, assault ships constantly attacking, streets being blown into ruins, and waves of people fleeing in panic.

His gaze swept over the chaotic crowd and locked onto Hela and Aurora, who were running away in the distance.

"I already know your background. Those two women are friends you value, right… Go collect their corpses! If they still have corpses left!"

Ash suddenly activated his ability and clenched his five fingers.

In the distance, Hela and Aurora's bodies began to turn into ashes!