Chapter 1 Thanks to Black Star

"Thank you for your help, Black Star. We will definitely report your assistance to Di Huan Star to the higher-ups."

In the ship cabin, Han Xiao had just instructed his men to dispose of the corpses of the Soul Transfer Twins when he received a fawning communication from the Star Chief of Di Huan Star.

"It's nothing," Han Xiao waved his hand dismissively.

"No, no, no, thanks to your assistance, we were able to stop the Mechanic Empire's evil deeds. On behalf of the Leisuo Civilization, I thank you for your help. Please stay as our guest!"

The Star Chief of Di Huan Star was extremely enthusiastic.

Having witnessed the earth-shattering battle just now, Han Xiao's image in his heart was incredibly lofty. He dared not show any disrespect and hoped to take this opportunity to build a relationship with a big shot like Black Star. His attitude was respectful and passionate.

Moreover, the Mechanic Empire coming to cause trouble would affect his political achievements. Black Star chasing them away was like helping him a lot. It was a favor, and while someone of his stature might not care, he couldn't accept it with a clear conscience.

"No need, I'll leave after the cleanup," Han Xiao shook his head.

"Alright, if you ever come to Di Huan Star again, please let me know in advance. I will definitely entertain you well," the Star Chief of Di Huan Star said gratefully.

"There will be opportunities."

Han Xiao chatted with him casually for a few words, hung up the communication, and asked Phillip to save the other party's number in the address book. It contained the communicator numbers of everyone he had met so far, forming a vast network of contacts.

Not only big shots, but he also stored the numbers of many small characters in different industries. Everyone had their own field, and they might be able to help at any time.

Although the planet's quantum network was temporarily blocked, the events that had occurred here were witnessed by people all over the planet. Countless devices recorded the images, and as long as they were spread, they would definitely enhance his prestige.

After the Intelligent Plague incident, the three major civilizations had been promoting their draw with the Mechanic Empire, but because it was somewhat exaggerated, the effect was good but not perfect.

And this time, his influence in directly destroying the Mechanic Empire's avatar was solid and powerful evidence!

Increasing reputation was secondary. The most important thing was that the Mechanic Empire's loss this time would cause a large number of believers in the Mechanical Church to defect!

It didn't matter if he lost a few times, because his identity was that of a rising star, but when Manison, the well-known "Number One Mechanic," lost, it was different. It was a huge blow to his reputation. The higher he stood, the harder he would fall.

The followers of the Mechanical Church weren't exactly loyal fans. They were all opportunists who believed in whoever was stronger.

If Manison lost the title of "Strongest," a large amount of faith would flow to his name. With this ebb and flow, Manison would weaken, while he would gain nourishment and become stronger, striking at the root of the problem!

...Speaking of striking at the root of the problem, Han Xiao thought of Manison's challenge mission, which hadn't been settled yet.

The mission format was the conventional Beyond Grade A challenge mode, where one could obtain character cards and ability draw rewards by lasting a certain period of time.

Now that everyone was here, he could finally go through a complete "Panlong touching Ding, rubbing Ni, whispering Ha" process.

Han Xiao touched everyone one by one. Only the inexperienced Harrison trembled, while the other three were used to it. Only then did he open the panel on his own to settle the mission under Hela's incredibly strange gaze.

[Beyond Grade A Challenge Mission - "Mechanic Emperor" Manison has been completed!]

[You have completed all the mission requirements, you have gained 1080e experience]

[You have received Character Summon Card - "Mechanic Emperor" Manison]

[Character Summon Card - "Mechanic Emperor" Manison: (Ancient One) - A long life has given you a wealth of experience. This is a valuable spiritual asset. Intelligence +20%, Mystery +10%, All skill levels +2, lasts 24 hours, Usage limit: 0/2]

"Ancient One again?" Han Xiao glared.

If he remembered correctly, this should be the third time he had drawn this ability from Old Manison. It was obviously a high-level talent with good effects, but was the drop rate that high?

Or was it that even Heaven wanted him to be an elder with a wealth of life experience?

The corner of Han Xiao's mouth twitched as he looked at the ability draw information behind him. This was the most important thing.

[You have received a reward: Draw one of Manison's abilities (Skill/Talent)]

[Hint: Manison is a Virtual Mechanic, which is a perfect fit for your profession. You can obtain any of Manison's abilities. If you draw a duplicate class skill, the skill will be strengthened to a certain extent]

[Randomly drawing... Draw completed!]

[Please choose one of the following five abilities as a reward]

[1. (Apostle Creation) - Skill: Mechanic Emperor's exclusive ability. You can transform mechanical targets into "Apostle Weapons", giving them a huge increase in combat power and transforming them into Boss-level units. The basic quota is 3, and the quota increases by one for each level (You already have this skill and can strengthen it)]

[2. (Multiple Thinking Models) - Talent: Modify the calculation method of thinking, improve the data processing speed of the brain, Intelligence +1000, slightly improve spellcasting speed, virtual technology, and other abilities]

[3. (Machinery Race Tactics - Guerrilla Warfare) - Skill: One of the mechanical unit combat modes passed down by the Machinery Race, focusing on highly mobile long-range guerrilla warfare. It includes seven hundred and forty-four different contingency plans. When this ability is activated, the mechanical unit will receive a 15% mobility bonus and an 8.8% long-range damage bonus when using guerrilla tactics, while the defense will decrease by 5%]

[4. (Blueprint - Virtual Rebellion Virus (Unfinished)) - Skill: A replica made by Manison in accordance with the characteristics of the virtual rebellion virus. It has not been successfully researched, the functions are incomplete, extremely imperfect, and cannot be used]

[5. (Virtual Technology Innovation - Manison) - Talent: You have improved the virtual technology and discovered new application directions, and you will receive an additional 1.75x bonus to virtual technology-related abilities. In addition, after the virtual technology innovation, it has special effects]

"Oh, another exclusive talent!"

Han Xiao was immediately happy.

The first time he saw the Mechanic Emperor, he had seen this exclusive talent on the panel. The bonus of (Virtual Technology Innovation - Manison) was quite considerable, and it seemed to be an important foundation for mastering the Immortal Mechanic technology. Manison used this ability to transform intelligent life.

If he obtained this ability, he might really be able to figure out some clues about the Immortal Mechanic technology.

He looked at the other four abilities, and they weren't very good. After all, he didn't have a lucky break every time like last time.

Perhaps there were too many lucky people present today, and the Goddess of Luck couldn't sleep with them all alone. It seemed that luck was good, but he couldn't be greedy.

However, it wasn't a loss to get another exclusive talent.

(Apostle Creation) went without saying, he had it himself. (Multiple Thinking Models) was a mediocre talent. The 1000 points of Intelligence were very powerful at low levels, but it was just average at the current level.

(Machinery Race Tactics - Guerrilla Warfare) was a tactical ability of the mechanical legion. When mechanical units fought, they weren't all improvising with combat intelligence. They had different combat modes in themselves, just like formations, with different styles and bonuses. The increase was generally not high, but it couldn't withstand the large base.

(Blueprint - Virtual Rebellion Virus (Unfinished)) was even more useless. This was a replica that Manison hadn't finished researching, and he had the original Domino Virus technology in his hands. The biggest use of this option was to reveal Manison's research progress.

The other four options were average, so Han Xiao naturally didn't have any hesitation and chose the fifth option.

[You have obtained a new talent (Virtual Technology Innovation - Manison)!]

"Another exclusive talent... If this continues, I will really become the second Manison in the future."

Han Xiao clicked his tongue.

After feeling the new ability, he closed the panel and turned to glance out the window.

At this time, his troops were still continuing to clean up the battlefield, collecting Manison's mechanical soldiers in large quantities. For Inal, this was a huge fortune, a windfall.

At this moment, he sensed through the quantum network vision that Resta was contacting him.

His mind sank into the virtual realm, and he saw Resta bringing a large group of intelligent life forms to him.

"Black Star, I have already talked to my compatriots and explained the stakes. They are all willing to trust you. In order not to be captured by the Mechanic Empire, everyone said that they are willing to follow you temporarily and hope that you will take care of them," Resta said happily.

"Your compatriots have made a clear choice." Han Xiao looked satisfied.

At this time, an intelligent life form that seemed to be a representative came out and said, "Lord Black Star, we all want to restore our original appearance as soon as possible and no longer be bound. Therefore, everyone has decided to fully cooperate with you and help you deduce the transformation technology used by the Mechanic Empire on us, hoping to be of some help to you."

"Very good!" Han Xiao smiled.

Deducing the Immortal Mechanic's technology required the cooperation of these intelligent life forms, and now that these people were willing to cooperate actively, it was even better.

"Also, we are willing to reveal everything we know about the Mechanic Empire. We will answer anything you want to know."

"That helped me a lot," Han Xiao nodded.

The Immortal Mechanic had been used by Manison for many years, so he must know many valuable secrets that could provide him with a lot of help.

These intelligent life forms were so cooperative probably because they knew that he was currently their only reliance, and they needed to use his power to save other compatriots. Many intelligent life forms were still in Manison's hands, especially the ancestor of the AI civilization, Feinite.

Di di...

Just then, a notification popped up on the panel. The (Restart) mission popped up with a new ring, which was also the final ring.

Han Xiao glanced at it, and his eyes lit up.

'The requirement of the last ring is to completely liberate the AI civilization... Ho, the reward is good!'

The reward for the final ring was a milestone talent called (Friend of Intelligent Life), which was a strengthened version of (Intelligence Affinity), with a greater increase.

Han Xiao also saw the hidden reward inside. If he could save the entire AI civilization, they could be transformed into his help and become powerful allies in the virtual realm.

On the other hand, completing the (Restart) series of missions was still a good opportunity to weaken Manison's strength.

However, Manison had learned his lesson this time, and before he figured out his methods, he couldn't use these two trump cards in front of him.

If he wanted to save the other intelligent life forms, he could only break into the Mechanic Empire's lair and blow up the host of the Immortal Mechanic technology.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Han Xiao smiled:

"Settle your compatriots down. When you return to my territory, I will arrange a planet for you to live on."

"Thank you, Black Star."

Resta nodded solemnly.

Exiting the quantum network vision, Han Xiao let out a sigh of relief, and a sense of joy echoed in his heart.

This time, he had really gained a lot!

At this moment, a fragrant breeze blew over, and Ames leaned in and asked softly:

"What are your plans next?"

"Now that I have the things and the murderer has been killed, the next thing to do is to deal with the mastermind."

"Then when will you do it?" Ames couldn't wait. "We agreed to bring me along this time."

"Well, don't worry, let me think about it." Han Xiao narrowed his eyes.

Now that he knew that the Modo Civilization was the mastermind, there was no reason to let it go.

Now that he had the reason, it was enough to make a fuss. It was time to give the Modo Civilization a hard time!