“What do you want?” Han Xiao raised his eyebrows, feeling strange.

He had only met Mading once, a month ago when Mading was privately recruiting mercenaries. Because he was picky and thought Han Xiao lacked combat experience, he rejected the application. It was a small matter, and if he hadn't seen this iconic blue-skinned dwarf, he would have forgotten all about it.

Mading rubbed his hands sheepishly, his tone eager. “W-well… are you interested in accepting a commission? The same task as before, our research team is going to explore a planet…”

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. “It’s been a month, and you still haven’t found anyone?”

Mading looked embarrassed, finding it hard to speak. During the private recruitment, only some weak mercenaries applied, and he rejected them all. He became more and more picky, and the process dragged on. Later, he finally couldn't help but publish a formal commission through the Mercenary Alliance, but because the reward was too low, no qualified mercenaries applied, so the mission had been shelved.

A few days ago, the mercenaries who participated in the Sunil mission returned and mentioned the name Black Star. The team with the ability to revive aroused the interest of many mercenaries and became famous in the Jubely Hub.

Mading learned by chance that he had rejected a powerful team that had not yet made a name for itself, missing a good opportunity. He regretted it very much, so when he encountered Han Xiao again, he immediately ran over.

“It’s still the same price, 400 Enas per person, let’s get going quickly.” Mading's face was full of hope. Han Xiao had applied once before, and he thought Han Xiao wouldn’t refuse.

“Find someone else.” Han Xiao shook his head, turned around, and walked away. Last time, he wanted to earn some extra money because he was going to Sunil Star anyway. Now that the opportunity was gone, he didn't care about such a small reward and wouldn't make a special trip.

Mading grabbed Han Xiao's arm and said quickly, “Do you think the price is not right? We can add money, five hundred… how about four hundred and eighty?”

His arm was tightly grasped by Mading, and Han Xiao looked helpless. His application was rejected by Mading back then, but now Mading took the initiative to come over, and this cheapskate even raised the price. The difference in treatment was too obvious.

The trip to Sunil Star had greatly increased the reputation of the Black Star Mercenary Group, which led to this scene. Interstellar mercenaries with a certain amount of strength and the ability to revive would inevitably attract a certain amount of attention.

As the two were tugging and pulling, a voice rang out from the side, saying, “Are you Black Star?”

Han Xiao turned his head, and the speaker walked over, wearing a set of pure white metal combat uniforms, the surface texture resembling smooth enamel, but actually a high-strength alloy.

“A member of Heavenly Ring?” Han Xiao's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Mading's collar and pulled him away.

The person was wearing a combat uniform from the Heavenly Ring Allied Forces, a mercenary from [Heavenly Ring].

The Heavenly Ring Allied Forces was one of the top-tier, super-large mercenary groups in the Shattered Star Ring's mercenary industry, with over ten thousand members. The leader of the legion was an A-grade Calamity Grade Super, and its business covered several star clusters such as Goron and Colton.

He currently had no interaction with Heavenly Ring. Han Xiao was a little curious and asked, “What does Heavenly Ring want from me?”

“You have a good team. My squad leader would like to discuss cooperation with you. Do you have time now?”

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. Cooperation… sounded good, but with Heavenly Ring's power, there was no reason to take a fancy to his small team of dozens of people, unless some special quality attracted Heavenly Ring. After thinking about it, he roughly guessed the reason.

“No mistake, the other party is probably interested in our undying characteristic…”

Han Xiao smiled secretly. He really had to thank his peers for spreading the word.

He was very curious about what kind of cooperation Heavenly Ring would talk about. Such a large force must have high requirements.

“I have time, let’s go.” Han Xiao threw Mading aside and left with the Heavenly Ring mercenary.

Mading sat on the ground, dumbfounded. Heavenly Ring's reputation in the mercenary industry was extremely high. In just one month, the Black Star Mercenary Group, which he had rejected, had gained the attention of Heavenly Ring and received an invitation to cooperate. It was simply unbelievable.

Mading thought about how he had rejected hiring Black Star because he was picky and couldn't help but regret it even more, with a look of heartache on his face.

“I was here first…”

…

Han Xiao walked into the Heavenly Ring mercenary's base and saw twenty or thirty Heavenly Ring mercenaries sitting or standing. There were various races. When they saw him come in, their eyes gathered on him.

“I’m Gashlier, the captain of this squad.” A mercenary with golden eyes and purple skin stepped out from the crowd. He was burly, reaching a height of 2.2 meters. He was from a race from the Goron Star Cluster.

Gashlier's combat uniform was slightly different from that of other members. A circle of gold rings surrounded the triangular crystal on the chest of the combat uniform. This ring was a grading mark within the Heavenly Ring Allied Forces. Although such a large mercenary organization was very free, there were also differences in status. The more rings there were, the higher the status, and the status was determined by strength.

The squad leader had one ring, increasing level by level. The highest level was the Heavenly Ring Legion Commander, who had one more ring than the four rings.

“Black Star, Han Xiao.”

After a brief introduction, Han Xiao went straight to the point and asked, “You want to cooperate with me, what exactly is going on?”

Gashlier said slowly, “Our Heavenly Ring is committed to recruiting excellent warriors. You have a very powerful team. We would like to extend an invitation to you and your Black Star Mercenary Group – to join Heavenly Ring.”

The way for a mercenary organization to grow is to recruit other mercenaries. The Heavenly Ring Allied Forces is a relatively free organizational structure, and members have the right to recommend other mercenaries. If they successfully recruit a strong person, the recommender will receive a reward from the organization, so Heavenly Ring mercenaries pay close attention to powerful newcomers in the industry, just like part-time talent scouts.

Gashlier's team happened to be stationed at the Jubely Hub and heard the rumors of the Sunil Star battle – “The Undying Black Star Mercenary Group.” This name entered their sight. After verifying that this was not a rumor, Gashlier immediately decided to send an invitation to Han Xiao, wanting to recruit the entire Black Star Mercenary Group into Heavenly Ring.

He mainly valued the characteristic of “revival”. Otherwise, Black Star, with its average C-grade strength, would not be qualified to be treated differently by Heavenly Ring. Gashlier would not even look at Han Xiao twice. Because among the tens of thousands of Heavenly Ring mercenaries, the average strength was C-grade, and there were dozens or hundreds of B-grade cadres. There were even two Calamity Grade experts who were feared by civilizations.

Heavenly Ring's sudden invitation surprised Han Xiao a bit. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was reasonable. Mercenaries who could revive were the best vanguards and cannon fodder, and even a large organization like Heavenly Ring would not ignore them.

He weighed the pros and cons in his heart. Joining Heavenly Ring would allow him to enjoy privileges, enjoy the power relations that Heavenly Ring had built over the years, and he would be able to obtain new promotion paths and a wide range of exchangeable goods…

However, if the Black Star Mercenary Group merged into Heavenly Ring, it would become an appendage of others, and his own camp would perish. The long-term loss would be too great, and he could not give up his own camp for a little convenience.

“Your proposal is very attractive, but I don’t really want to join other organizations.” Han Xiao politely refused.

The Heavenly Ring mercenaries watching murmured and whispered to each other.

“He actually refused.”

“There are all kinds of benefits, why not accept it? I didn't hesitate at all when I was invited.”

Gashlier looked surprised. He thought that Han Xiao didn't understand the benefits of joining, so he patiently explained, “You may not be clear about the convenience of joining Heavenly Ring. First of all, Heavenly Ring's management of members is very free. You can choose to be a solo mercenary or join a team. You only need to complete at least two commissions each year. Secondly, Heavenly Ring members can enjoy many privileges, such as…”

“I’m sorry.” Han Xiao interrupted him and shook his head. “Heavenly Ring is indeed good, but I believe that benefits are equal to risks. Independent action is more suitable for me, but I still thank you for your invitation.”