Chapter 182 I Have Someone Better

Kailuo flew higher and higher.

Whoosh—

While the other spectators were still stunned, Shouliren was the first to react. He leaped up, soared into the sky, and caught up with Kailuo, who had been sent flying out of the arena. He grabbed him with both hands, as if pinching a chick, not giving Kailuo a chance to shout, "I'll be back."

The two landed in the arena filled with mechanical wreckage, raising a cloud of dust.

Shouliren released his grip, and Kailuo pitched forward, supporting himself with one hand on the ground while clutching his chest with the other, coughing violently.

"Cough cough..."

Blood foam spilled from the corner of Kailuo's mouth, and his face was pale. Although he was wearing a simple single-soldier combat suit, the punch had still caused him considerable damage.

But after all, he had a Calamity Grade physique. Even if he couldn't compare to martial artists, he wouldn't lose his combat power with just one blow. He had only broken a few bones and almost burst a lung...

Although Han Xiao's punch was unreserved, he also knew that a Calamity Grade with qi-force protection wouldn't be easily seriously injured. Moreover, this spar was just to the point; it was impossible to openly kill someone on the territory of the War Realm. Defeating his opponent decisively was enough.

Virtual intrusion created an opportunity, and Han Xiao had always been good at seizing opportunities. And he was very cautious. In order to prevent accidents, he didn't play around with Kailuo but directly sent him flying with thunderous force, laying the foundation for victory.

Kailuo's injuries weren't too serious, and he still had the ability to continue fighting. However, he had been knocked out of the arena, and the mechs he controlled were temporarily paralyzed. Even if their combat power could be restored after the system rebooted, in the current situation, it was obvious that he had been publicly defeated by Black Star.

The battle had ended, concluding with his defeat.

"You..."

Kailuo looked unwilling, clutching his chest and coughing a few more times, staring intently at Han Xiao, who had also landed not far away.

"Oh dear, that was close. I almost lost."

Han Xiao retracted the Mad Ape, revealing his face, and shook his head with a tsk.

Bullshit! You were clearly handling it with ease!

Many spectators roared in their hearts.

Han Xiao glanced at the virtual intrusion interface. Time was running out, and the other party's artificial intelligence was about to reboot. So, he swept his gaze around, and said playfully, "You lost. So many people are watching. You wouldn't welch on the debt, would you?"

Kailuo noticed that the eyes of the spectators were all on him and couldn't help gritting his teeth. His mentality collapsed. He had a huge home-court advantage, but he was easily defeated by Black Star. This guy's combat power was really too strong...

The difference in status between the two sides intensified the impact of his defeat.

Black Star was the current cadre of Longtan, but he was seen by others as a traitor. Now that the traitor was defeated by the people of Longtan, it was simply a drama that the people loved to see. Not to mention that he had provoked Ames a few days ago, and today he was defeated by Black Star. Various thoughts were intertwined, and Kailuo felt extremely disgraced.

Kailuo subconsciously looked in the direction of Ames, but found that Ames didn't even look at him, the loser. Instead, she kept staring at Black Star, which made him feel even more uncomfortable and angry.

Outside the arena, in the "spectator seats," Ames lightly exhaled and revealed a relaxed smile.

When Black Star sent Kailuo flying with a thunderous blow, she felt that the stuffiness she had suffered these days had been swept away. Along with Han Xiao's fist, it all vented out, and her mood suddenly became bright and sunny.

For a time, Ames felt that the more she looked at Han Xiao, the more pleasing he became, staring at him intently.

As for Kailuo, who she had been "concerned" about, Ames didn't want to look at him again. The traitor's position in her eyes had become insignificant, and she had already let go of this traitor in her heart.

"I have someone better..."

Ames murmured.

"The Dragon Emperor really found a powerful guy."

Not far away, Leif sighed. He had only met Black Star these few days, and at this time, Han Xiao's position in his heart had slightly risen.

If there was a chance in the future, perhaps he could outsource some sensitive tasks to Black Star… Leif pondered, and the idea of hiring him surfaced. The Purple Crystal Civilization controlled Colton, and the Black Star Mercenary Group's base was also in Colton, so there was a natural basis for cooperation.

Rossos rubbed the tentacles on his chin, remaining calm on the surface, but secretly thinking, "I heard that the Norilos Consortium invested in the Black Star Mercenary Group. It does have potential. Hmm... it seems worth investing in."

After a few days of socializing, he also knew Black Star. Because the guests at the party were full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, he didn't express any special thoughts about Han Xiao at the time. Only now did he have the intention to invest.

A Krent official narrowed his eyes, a strange look flashing across his face, and suddenly said, "Black Star defeated the Overlord's people in the War Realm. I wonder what Heber will do?"

The eyes of the other two narrowed.

Not far away, Mazat and a group of vanguard officers were also thinking about this issue.

"Will His Excellency the Overlord intervene?" Someone frowned.

Mazat shook his head and remained silent. "This is a spar. He probably won't..."

Kailuo's defeat was a foregone conclusion. The vanguard officers were used to battles, so they didn't have too much surprise or shock at the result. They were merely surprised by the combat power displayed by Black Star.

Many vanguard officers felt excited and eager to try, wanting to have a real fight with Han Xiao.

The most important question they were concerned about now was Heber's attitude.

At the same time, in the palace.

"Your man lost."

Austin's tone was mocking.

"I have eyes." Heber frowned slightly and waved his hand. "Don't watch it. Turn it off."

"Oh, aren't you going to respond?"

"No need." Heber wasn't angry. Since it was a fair duel and Black Star had won fair and square, that was his ability.

Hearing this, Austin had no choice but to end the broadcast, and the two stopped paying attention to the matter.

The Overlord didn't intervene. No one present thought that Heber didn't know about this. Seeing this, they understood that Heber had acquiesced to the outcome of the battle.

The War Realm believed in the strong being respected, and Kailuo was openly defeated, so others also felt ashamed.

Many spectators shook their heads and turned to leave. Mazat and the others looked disappointed, glared at Kailuo, and then disappeared on the spot.

Kailuo knew that the overall situation had been decided. His face was ugly, and he had nothing to say.

"Don't forget our bet," Han Xiao kindly reminded.

"...What blueprints do you want!" Kailuo gritted his teeth. The Overlord must know about the bet. If he went back on his word, he would be smearing the War Realm.

He had no choice but to reluctantly part with something he loved and fulfill Han Xiao's request.

"Let me think. The mechanical fortress you had before, and that Giant Soldier mech, I want both of those."

Han Xiao grinned.

"Okay!" Kailuo's face twitched, and his heart was bleeding.

Then, Han Xiao gave the requirements for three other blueprints. He had peeked into Kailuo's weapon depot and had many favorite items, but Kailuo didn't use them all in the battle, so Han Xiao couldn't directly specify them.

As a virtual mechanic, although he couldn't fuse some exclusive mechs for the job advancement, the knowledge of the Mechanic class was the same. If he got the blueprints, he could learn them directly. After all, when betting on blueprints, a combination of knowledge had dozens of blueprint possibilities. Job advancement only made it impossible to fuse some of the blueprints, but if he had the blueprints first, as long as the knowledge met the blueprint requirements, he could manufacture the mech from that blueprint.

"I will give you the blueprints tomorrow. You don't have to worry about me going back on my word. I still have that much credibility."

Kailuo said with a sullen face, abandoning these words, and didn't even bother to clean up the arena. He left in disgrace, not even daring to look at Ames again.

Han Xiao didn't take it to heart and looked at the panel prompt:

[【Ames's Anger】is complete!]

[You have gained 15 million experience, Popularity +15]

[Longtan faction relationship +2500]

[Ames's Favorability +30, current relationship is: 【Close Friend】]

[Heber's Favorability +2, current relationship is: 【Indifferent】]

At this moment, Ames floated down beside Han Xiao, with a smile on her face.

"Not bad."

"I can't just watch you get bullied." Han Xiao chuckled and found a reason to explain his behavior.

"I know."

Ames smiled noncommittally, suddenly feeling a little emotional.

——Since she became a Super A Grade, she hadn't experienced the feeling of being protected for a long time. She didn't expect to have that feeling again today.

I'm clearly much stronger than Black Star, but in the end, he helped me vent my anger... Ames smiled inwardly.

Aurora raised her head, looked at Han Xiao, and then looked at Ames. She tugged on Hela's clothes and whispered, "Sister..."

"What?" Hela looked straight ahead, her tone indifferent.

"N-nothing..." Aurora shrank her neck.

...

After retrieving his mechs and putting them into the Blacklight Stealther, Han Xiao and his party returned to their room.

This challenge didn't cause any subsequent investigation, but after being spread by the spectators, soon all the guests at the party knew about the battle between Han Xiao and Kailuo.

Black Star fought for Ames in the War Realm, openly defeating Longtan's former traitor on someone else's territory, and the Overlord actually acquiesced to it. It could be considered that Black Star had regained face for the Dragon Emperor, and many people took notice of it.

After ending the duel, the day passed peacefully.

The next day, the official party finally began.

Everyone had been waiting for a few days for today's official party.

All the guests were dressed neatly and gathered in Heber's palace hall, which had been decorated into a banquet venue, with all kinds of novel and precious food and drinks, and musicians on standby.

Not only the hall, but half of the palace was used as the venue for the party, all decorated. Guests could visit at will, and there were many private small rooms upstairs, provided for some guests who wanted to communicate privately.

The goal of this party was to invite figures from the top forces of the Shattered Star Ring to discuss various topics, expand contacts and exchange feelings, exchange intelligence, outline the development prospects of the Shattered Star Ring, and so on. Its function was similar to a networking event, but it was more serious, pragmatic, and high-end.

The guests were talking to each other, Ames stood aside, ignoring anyone. Hela and Aurora were brought by her side, and didn't know what to say in this occasion, so they simply didn't say a word.

Han Xiao was socializing around Ames, and from time to time, people took the initiative to chat with him, with a very enthusiastic attitude. While dealing with the guests, he observed the others and silently collected intelligence.

Without waiting long, Heber, the initiator of the party, finally appeared. The field suddenly became quiet. Everyone stopped talking and looked at Heber, waiting for him to speak.

"I am very happy to see so many familiar faces again this time."

Heber looked around and said slowly, "I hope this time, as always, will allow you to have sufficient gains, so... let the banquet begin."