Chapter 1 The Departure

With the evacuation of the Super Starcluster Alliance and the abandonment by the three major civilizations, the heavily protected Super-A seed candidates encountered no more hunting squads on their journey. They successfully arrived at the Black Star Army’s branch and, with the help of His Excellency the Emperor, instantly teleported to the Flickering World’s headquarters, several star systems away.

This large-scale movement of Super-A seed candidates drew the attention of the outside world. With the help of interested parties, all sectors of society became aware of the recent influx of Super-A seed candidates joining the association. News reports even created route maps showing these Super-A seed candidates converging on the Flickering World from various star systems, creating a strange sense of migration.

A typical star system usually has around a hundred or so Super-A seed candidates, with fewer in remote systems and a dense distribution in the Central Starsea and the areas where Super Starcluster civilizations are located. Most of them are "veterans." In the long run, the total number has been increasing, and after years of accumulation, the total number of Super-A seed candidates in the explored universe is around three thousand, roughly twenty times the number of Super-As in the same era.

Excluding the allies and direct subordinates of various civilizations, as well as those who already have affiliations, the number of neutral Super-A seed candidates is about two-fifths of the total, active in different regions. Now, this wave of collective allegiance involves just over five hundred people, nearly half of the total number of neutrals, with the largest number joining the Black Star Army!

In effect, this wave directly harvested most of the top talent reserves accumulated over the years in the explored universe, and it’s unknown how long it will take for the next crop to grow!

Both Super-As and Super-A seed candidates are at the top of the superhuman pyramid, naturally possessing the characteristics of leaders. Now that the two are merging on a large scale, the quantitative change is leading to qualitative change. The nature of the matter has changed; it is no longer simply the personal behavior of Super-A seed candidates. Many superhumans see it as a signal—even so many Super-A seed candidates are choosing to join the association at this time, which means it is a wise choice, and the association’s momentum is complete!

The large-scale influx of Super-A seed candidates triggered a wave of joining the association in the following months, with a large number of superhumans rushing to follow suit… As the strongest at the top of the pyramid, their words and actions influence those below, which is the effect of role models.

The matter itself was also regarded as a "movement" with special significance and was given a name by the outside world: "Scattered Stars Return to the Stream," comparing the Super-A seed candidates to scattered new stars, finally finding a home, and joining the ranks of association members on a large scale, completing the key merger of pioneers and successors.

Regarding the Scattered Stars Return to the Stream, interstellar society is analyzing the impact of the event from various aspects. A conjecture has gradually spread, believing that the functions of the Super-A Association will gradually change from now on, and its influence will gradually radiate to all superhumans. One day, the association will no longer be just a Super-A group but will become a new force leading all superhumans, becoming another pole independent of the three major civilizations, and becoming another ruler of the universe!

This view has been endorsed by a large number of superhumans, who are cheering and excited, vaguely looking forward to it. In the eyes of most people, the Super-A Association is truly qualified to lead them.

Although there are so-called regional superhuman associations in the universe, the masters behind the scenes are the three major civilizations, which are just tools used to manage superhumans, and the nature of the organization is inherently problematic.

In the eyes of many people, if the Super-A Association one day evolves into a guild for all superhumans, it will be a truly service-oriented organization for the superhuman class, and its goals will obviously not be the same as those of the three major civilizations.

This mentality of the superhuman class stems from the fact that they have not had a unified voice speaking for them for too long, and they are eager for a "home," which can be simply explained as the sense of belonging from "finally finding an organization" at work.

In fact, this statement was not born naturally; someone was fueling the flames behind the scenes, pushing the Super-A Association to the forefront, and igniting public opinion.

While rumors were raging outside, Han Xiao received this group of Super-A seed candidates who were "joining the school with their skills" at the Black Star Palace.

…

Black Star Palace, Assembly Hall.

The huge palace was empty, with only three hundred or so Super-A seed candidates gathered in the center, either standing or flying, chatting in twos and threes, their eyes occasionally glancing at the surrounding doors, waiting for Han Xiao.

"Everyone should be here, right? Hasn't Black Star arrived yet? We've been waiting for almost half an hour."

"Tsk, wanting to see a peak Super-A is not something you can do without patience. Do you think you can see someone whenever you want?"

"Let's be patient. Maybe His Excellency Black Star is secretly observing us, testing our patience."

The crowd chatted casually, occasionally making eye contact, and many people's eyes revealed a faint sense of war.

Many of them knew each other, had sparred, and regarded each other as whetstones. Everyone knew that the number of places beside Black Star and other Super-As was limited, and now that so many people were joining the army, they would likely have to compete for places, and they were now regarding others as competitors.

At this moment, the door suddenly opened, and Han Xiao walked in, followed by other executives.

Seeing this, hundreds of Super-A seed candidates who were bickering subconsciously stopped talking, stood up straight, performed the etiquette of their respective cultures, and expressed the most basic respect to the top powerhouses in the universe.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Black Star!"

"Welcome everyone to join the army. We're all family from now on, so there's no need to be so polite."

Han Xiao waved his hand, with a friendly smile on his face.

Looking at the hundreds of Super-A seed candidates from different star systems in front of him, he couldn't help but feel a little excited. So many experts were a huge supplement to the army's high-end strength.

The number was so exaggerated, it seemed that he had underestimated the impact of the Sanctuary Revival on lower-level superhumans. If it weren't for this, let alone hundreds of people, it would be difficult to win over even one of them. Ordinary resources simply couldn't sway these people.

At this moment, Han Xiao inexplicably had a feeling of "all the heroes in the world are in my grasp." Of course, there was also more of a sense of joy at harvesting a wave of old leeks that had been accumulating for years.

Han Xiao glanced at the crowd and smiled as he saw everyone staring at him with fiery eyes: "I know what you all want. The threshold for Sanctuary Revival is Super-A. I will try my best to help you advance. As for whether you can ultimately succeed, it depends on your own soap..."

The crowd nodded, their eyes shining.

Han Xiao said another polite word, and then, according to the army's usual practice, arranged for everyone to come forward one by one to accept his inspection and browse everyone's attributes.

There were no mediocre people among the Super-A seed candidates. They were all experts, but in Han Xiao's view, most people's potential was almost exhausted, and only a few had a chance to advance. He had a set of criteria for judging potential, mainly the difference in specialties, skills, and levels, and he silently screened out these potential stocks and kept them in mind.

After completing this step, Han Xiao had a good idea of the situation. He took two steps back and said loudly: "I basically understand everyone's level. I will arrange positions according to individual abilities. Of course, you can apply to me, and I will consider your wishes accordingly.

"Let me state in advance that the number of positions is limited. If there are too many applicants, there may be competition for the positions. For example, the guard forces of me and the two vice commanders can be challenged again every once in a while, and the winners will be rotated. Everyone should be prepared."

In general, when people encounter this situation, the treatment is to obey the assignment, but for these experts, Han Xiao specifically adopted a competitive selection method to avoid anyone being unconvinced and dissatisfied. At the same time, he also gave the losers the opportunity to compete for the position again in the future, in order to stimulate everyone's motivation to train...

Although this kind of trick may not be useful for most people here, it will definitely be effective for the martial artists among them.

The crowd subconsciously looked at each other, and the fighting spirit in their eyes became stronger.

At this time, one person suddenly spoke and said, "Thank you, Commander, for your protection. If it weren't for your help, we might have died on the way. I want to ask, do you know where these hunting squads came from?"

As soon as the words fell, the room suddenly became quiet.

The expressions on everyone's faces were different. They hadn't mentioned this just now, but who wouldn't care about who wanted their lives? At this time, they all looked at Han Xiao.

Han Xiao restrained his smile, paused, and said meaningfully: "You already have the answer in your hearts, don't you?"

Hearing this, everyone's expressions became more complicated, and there was a slight commotion in the crowd.

"It's time to abandon illusions. It seems that it was really done by advanced civilizations. They want our lives."

"Has the relationship between the association and advanced civilizations reached this point? It's only been a short time, and who knows what will happen in the future..."

"Alas, the target of the Peak's Fall has changed from Super-As to us. Sanctuary Revival is also a double-edged sword."

"If I had known this situation earlier, I might have been scared off."

Everyone sighed in a low voice, and they were all a little frightened by the hostile attitude of the three major civilizations.

Before defecting, they didn't expect the reaction of advanced civilizations to be so intense, but now they couldn't regret it.

"Okay, don't think so much. The road has been chosen, just move forward."

Han Xiao clapped his hands and comforted everyone before letting the executives take everyone down to rest and wait for arrangements.

Watching everyone leave, Han Xiao's eyes flashed, and he turned and left the hall. After walking for a while, he came to a secret room.

Pushing the door open, the room was filled with a row of hibernation pods, most of which were empty, with only one containing a person.

Han Xiao stepped forward, pressed the button to stop the hibernation program, and with a swoosh, the hatch slid open, revealing the figure inside, who was sleeping peacefully. It was none other than Garrot, a sleeping hunk.

Garrot's eyebrows twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Han Xiao standing in front of him looking down at him, and he couldn't help but be stunned.

"Black Star... Your Excellency?"

Garrot was stunned.

When he was a child, he didn't understand Black Star's identity. When he grew up, he realized what kind of opportunity Black Star's care for him was, and he became a fan of Black Star. However, he knew that the status of the two was very different, and it would be difficult to have a chance to meet again in the future. He felt that Black Star might have forgotten him long ago, so he just silently followed Han Xiao's deeds in the universe.

But he didn't expect that the idol he had been dreaming about would suddenly appear in front of him.

The next moment, Garrot suddenly remembered what happened before he passed out, and his expression changed slightly.

"Did you knock me out and bring me here? Where am I?"

"This is my headquarters." Han Xiao smiled.

Now that his relationship with the empire was strained, it took some effort to track down Garrot's location, but Garrot had never fulfilled his potential, so he had never been valued. The operation to capture him went very smoothly.

"You..." Garrot hesitated, "Why did you bring me here? Do you still remember me?"

If someone else had caught him, he would have struggled long ago, but Han Xiao had a special place in his heart, and he found it difficult to be hostile to Han Xiao.

"Of course I remember you, and I have a deep impression of you." Han Xiao looked up and down Garrot, with an appreciative look on his face, "It's been seventy or eighty years since we last met. You've grown up, not bad, not bad."

Hearing this, Garrot couldn't help but feel a little moved. He didn't expect that after decades, Han Xiao would remember him so well.

Thinking of Han Xiao's optimism about him, Garrot suddenly felt a little ashamed and embarrassed: "I'm sorry, I've disappointed you. My potential may not be as good as you said."

He successfully entered the Grade A Super within forty years, but after that, his progress was slow, and it seemed that his potential was exhausted. He was stuck in the ordinary Grade A Super realm, and his strength was at the bottom of the same level.

Garrot didn't care about what outsiders thought, but in front of Black Star, he couldn't help but feel frustrated, feeling that he had failed Black Star's expectations.

"Are you saying that I misjudged you?" Han Xiao asked with a smile.

Garrot didn't speak, but defaulted.

Han Xiao smiled, raised his hand, and patted Garrot's chest. "Don't underestimate yourself. The empire doesn't value you, that's because they're blind. I've always believed in your potential."

Hearing this, Garrot was both moved and ashamed.

"Weren't you curious just now why I brought you here? That's the reason." Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and said righteously: "Actually, I've been paying attention to you. The empire has never seen your extraordinary qualities and doesn't give you resource support. Over time, it has affected your growth. I can't bear to see a talent being buried. You can't just get by in the empire. I brought you here to give you special training and help you unleash your potential!"

"...So you've been paying attention to me?"

Garrot's expression was very wonderful, and a warm current surged in his heart. He deeply doubted why he was so favored by Black Star.

Han Xiao smiled and poked Garrot's forehead with his finger.

"You, don't underestimate the great potential hidden in your body. You may think that Grade A Super is your limit. I'm telling you, Grade A Super is far from your end!"

"Do you think I can become a Super-A?" Garrot widened his eyes.

"Not only that... I even think you can become a peak Super-A, the top powerhouse in the universe!"

Han Xiao's tone was passionate and full of agitation.

"Do you really think so highly of me..." Garrot murmured to himself.

Seeing that he had almost fooled him, Han Xiao became slightly serious and said in a deep voice: "Now tell me, are you willing to stay here and accept my help?"

Garrot hesitated for a moment. He also watched the news and knew about the recent turmoil. He asked in a low voice, "You want me to stay here, which means you want me to leave the empire and join the army?"

"The situation has changed now. The empire is at odds with us. Only by staying by my side can I give you the most detailed guidance. But in that case, you can't stay in the empire." Han Xiao said vaguely.

Garrot was silent, seeming to be struggling. After a while, he nodded slowly, and his tone gradually became firm:

"I understand. I'm willing to stay by your side and accept your guidance!"

Although Garrot had worked for the empire for decades, in his eyes, it was just a job, which did not mean that his life would be bound to the empire forever. Years ago, his family passed away, and since then, he had been alone in this cold universe, with no more worries. Therefore, Garrot could follow his idol without any scruples.

The empire had never valued him. Although it had recruited him into the secret training base, it was because of Black Star's optimism. Otherwise, the empire would not have treated him differently, and in the end, it still kicked him out of the training camp... The root cause was that Black Star had indirectly brought him these opportunities, and Garrot had always been clear about this.

Moreover, Garrot didn't think that Black Star needed to plot anything against him. He wanted to repay Black Star for his favor, even if it was just to prove that Black Star had not misjudged him, he had to become a Super-A!

Hearing this, Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and laughed.

"I knew you wouldn't let me down."

Thanks to the good relationship he had made decades ago, if he hadn't left a bond in Garrot's childhood and become his life's benefactor, the difficulty of recruiting him now would have been dozens of times greater.

'This is the importance of knowing how to stake out your territory...'

Han Xiao smiled secretly. A golden leek he had been coveting for a long time was finally in his hands, and he was overjoyed.