Chapter 134 A New Era

"A newcomer suddenly pops up to compete with me for the position of president? What gives you the courage?"

Han Xiao looked at Rawls' confident appearance, his mind racing, flashing through many guesses in an instant.

But after remembering the other party's class, the surprise in his heart dissipated.

*Oh, so he's a martial artist. Never mind, then.*

Han Xiao shook his head and stopped trying to fathom Rawls' motives.

Martial artists have rather peculiar thought processes. Most of the time, you think they're on the first or second level, but in reality, they're on the negative first level. There's no need to analyze too much.

Han Xiao had considered the possibility of a peak Super A Grade coming out to run, but he didn't expect a newcomer to barge in, forcing him into a voting process. However, it wasn't a big deal. A mere newcomer didn't have the qualifications to disrupt the situation.

Although he didn't know where the other party's confidence came from, well, he was a martial artist. It was understandable…

"Is there anyone else who wants to run?" Han Xiao shifted his gaze and scanned the room.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one responded.

Seeing this, Han Xiao nodded. "In that case, it's just Rawls and me running for the position. Everyone can vote to express their opinion."

Everyone present was a Super A Grade big shot, and no one's opinion could be ignored, so everyone could express their opinion without being overly formal.

The members who usually stood on the Black Star's side immediately expressed their support for Han Xiao as president. The direct descendants of the three Universal Civilizations also cast their votes in favor. Some peak Super A Grades who were high-level members of the association also spoke up in support.

For a time, except for Heber, Sisko, and Manison, a few people who abstained, almost all the members of the association supported Han Xiao as president. The supporters gathered, and the momentum was great.

In contrast, Rawls stood alone, not receiving a single vote, giving off a sense of desolation.

Han Xiao couldn't help but glance at him, his expression becoming even stranger.

*Seriously?*

*He didn't win over anyone, and he still dared to run for president…*

*What are you showing off?*

Just looking at Rawls' unpredictable expression, Han Xiao couldn't help but feel embarrassed for him.

*What are you doing, little brother? Did you really think someone would vote for a newcomer? Do you really enjoy humiliating yourself so much…*

The vote was overwhelmingly in his favor. Han Xiao calmed himself down, cleared his throat, and said,

"Then the situation is obvious. Rawls, do you accept the result?"

Everyone looked at Rawls, their eyes filled with a complex array of emotions, including mockery, pity, and disdain.

Rawls opened his mouth, sat down, and said in a muffled voice, "I accept."

Although he was just gambling on the chance without any risk, even if he wasn't elected, he wouldn't lose anything, but seeing such a huge gap, he still felt a little embarrassed.

Rawls had a good plan. He knew that he probably wouldn't become president, but if he could get some votes during the election process, at least he could show some influence. In the future, he wouldn't have to be a nobody like usual. He could participate more deeply in the affairs of the association.

In his opinion, this was the first step for a newcomer to rise to the top.

To achieve this goal, he had contacted other association members in private, expressing his intention to run in phone calls. Some people had clearly promised to support him, which was why he was confident in running.

But when it came down to it, these people all reneged on their promises!

In fact, what he didn't know was that most people thought he was joking and just perfunctorily dismissed him, giving Rawls the illusion that "I can do it."

Because everyone was a big shot, Rawls didn't dare to get angry and could only sulk, cursing in his heart that verbal promises were indeed unreliable.

Han Xiao wasn't interested in Rawls' inner thoughts.

He understood martial artists too well. It wasn't that their brains were really full of muscles. The martial heart itself was a challenging mentality that didn't allow for retreat. Those who could become Super A Grades must have an even more obvious personality… In other words, martial artists who weren't stubborn would find it difficult to step into the Super A Grade.

And that was why Han Xiao was particularly optimistic about Luo Tai'er. After all, that tough guy was quite stubborn…

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Han Xiao regained his composure, looked around the room, and revealed a smile.

"Thank you for thinking highly of me. Then I won't decline the position of president."

Aurora was the first to applaud, her face full of excitement.

Seeing someone take the lead, the others hesitated for a moment and also clapped symbolically. Most people were more reserved and not very used to this kind of behavior.

For a time, there was a series of light applause in the room, and Han Xiao returned the greeting with a smile.

Although he had guessed beforehand that this would be the result, he was still happy when he succeeded.

From now on, he would be the helmsman of the Super A Grade Association, able to legitimately lead the Super A Grade group, and his influence would rise to a higher level.

The effect of \[Proof of Leadership] was also updated in real time. When he was the vice president, he could only get a portion of the bonus, but now that he had become the president, the bonus effect was finally complete. Although it wasn't a qualitative change, it was still icing on the cake and adding wings to a tiger.

After the election of the president, the position of vice president became vacant, and another election was held. This time, the system was changed, and the vice president was changed from one to two, who were respectively Keshuye and Seraron.

In addition, the association also finalized several new directors, and Hela was elected and took a seat on the board of directors of the association.

The voting process was very concise, and the process was completed smoothly, and the change of term was smoothly transitioned and completed.

Han Xiao finally sat in the main seat, with Keshuye and Seraron on his left and right.

Even in the Super A Grade circle, inauguration speeches were unavoidable. Seeing everyone looking at him expectantly, Han Xiao pondered for a few seconds and slowly said,

"Since I have been elected as the new president, then I will say a few words simply… The Super A Grade Association has been established for fifty years. It has established a foundation from scratch. So far, we have done a good job. This is inseparable from the contributions of the former president Manison and everyone present.

"The original intention of the association was to unite all Super A Grades and become a community of interests to maintain the entire class. This purpose will continue to be maintained, and any decision made in the future cannot deviate from this principle. All individuals or forces that want to split the Super A Grade group are enemies of the association.

"I… will also do my best to make the association develop better and build it into a safe harbor for all Super A Grades. There is no need to say more. Everyone knows my character. I will definitely do my best to meet everyone's expectations."

At this moment, no matter how they felt about Han Xiao, every Super A Grade nodded in approval.

Everyone present knew that from this second on, the Super A Grade Association had officially entered the era of Black Star!

Looking at the faces with different expressions, Han Xiao paused and spoke again, his tone inexplicable:

"Perhaps in the near future, we will usher in a change. Everyone should be mentally prepared."

Hearing this, many people's hearts stirred, feeling that Han Xiao's words had a deeper meaning, but they didn't understand what it meant.

Han Xiao didn't explain now either.

When the Sanctum members were born, the upheaval would come.

He had already vaguely seen that the storm of the era was about to rise again!

…

Old Star River, a secret base somewhere in the Arcane Nation.

The election meeting ended, and Manison canceled the remote projection, his vision returning to the dim room.

He picked up another communicator, which had been in communication, and the communication partner was Keshuye.

"Thanks to you for taking the initiative to withdraw, the change of term went smoothly," Keshuye said with a smile.

"I want to make it clear that I didn't give up running because you asked me to," Manison said expressionlessly, his tone flat.

Outsiders didn't know that the two had privately negotiated. Keshuye secretly came to Manison and asked him to give up the idea of re-election, secretly reaching an agreement.

Keshuye smiled. "In any case, you helped me."

"Hmph, a good election, made it seem like Black Star's word is law," Manison snorted coldly, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

"That's called popular support," Keshuye chuckled.

"I really don't know what benefits Black Star gave you that you would help him so much. If I ran, even if I couldn't be re-elected, at least I could be a vice president," Manison frowned.

Keshuye shook his head. "He didn't give me any benefits. I'm willing to."

"Ever since you went to a secondary dimension with him decades ago, you've always been speaking up for him. Did Black Star use his personal charm to convince you? Hmph, anyway, it's none of my business. Just don't forget that you owe me a favor."

Manison snorted lightly.

"I remember, old friend."

Keshuye smiled, and his figure disappeared from the screen.

Manison hung up the communication, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He gave up causing trouble in the election. Keshuye's request was a small factor. He was just doing a favor. In fact, Manison had already planned to do so.

The first reason was that he knew himself. He knew that the general trend was unstoppable and that he couldn't win against Black Star, so he didn't want to humiliate himself. The second was to lie low and let Black Star stand at the forefront, while he would be even more low-key, secretly looking for opportunities to turn the tables in the future election.

The third reason was the main reason why Manison made this decision. That was that after forty years of fermentation, the independence of the Super A Grade Association was getting stronger and stronger, which led to the three Universal Civilizations not receiving any new allies. He saw the crisis brewing in it and believed that the three Universal Civilizations would soon take further action.

Retiring at this time was partly to avoid the pressure and let Black Star take the blame.

On the other hand, Manison also understood that Black Star was the best candidate to lead the association at this time. He could speak to the three Universal Civilizations, which could alleviate the pressure from the three Universal Civilizations to a certain extent, and was more likely to lead the association through the difficulties and prevent the emergence of the "Great Cleansing."

He had a private feud with Black Star, but maintaining the safety of the Super A Grade group was more important to him. For this reason, he chose to give way and not cause trouble for Han Xiao's succession.

Manison lowered his eyes.

"The three Universal Civilizations won't sit idly by and watch us grow indefinitely. After more than forty years of recuperation, they should take action… Black Star, I don't know if your method can cope with the new round of 'Peak Calamity'?

"Your idea is wrong. Peaceful development won't lead to compromise. If you don't make overlords like the three Universal Civilizations afraid, how can they allow us to grow freely? If you can't hold on, don't blame me for releasing a modified smart rebellion virus…"

…

Black Star replaced the Arcane Nation and became the president of the Super A Grade Association. This news spread like wildfire and quickly spread throughout the interstellar society that had been paying attention to this matter.

A large number of reports appeared on the Internet, all announcing the arrival of the "Era of Black Star"!

For a time, Black Star, who had been low-key for forty years, once again stood at the forefront of public opinion, his prestige and fame soaring. His legendary deeds were once again dug out by various media, hyped up, and attracted enough attention. Even the stock price of the Bud Group rose a lot because of this.

Overall, the interstellar society had a positive attitude toward this change of term. Black Star was a cosmic hero who solved the smart plague, the winner of the Stewart Peace Prize, the recipient of the Star Sea Medal, the joint consultant of the three Universal Civilizations… This series of reputations was much better than the Arcane Nation. Most people believed that the Super A Grade Association would develop harmoniously under Han Xiao's leadership.

While the outside world was expressing various opinions on the change of term of the Super A Grade Association, Han Xiao had quietly used the Emperor's Descent to teleport to the Ancient Star Desert and found the Sanctum organization.

Not only was it to discuss the initial agreement for the Ancient One to come out, but also for another major event…

The keys to open the Third Sanctum had been gathered once again!