Chapter 1 The Clash

Dong!

Two giant wooden tankards collided, and amber-colored liquor spilled down the sides.

Hamon threw his head back, gulping down two or three mouthfuls, and exhaled comfortably.

Han Xiao smiled and shook his head, also taking a sip. The spicy liquor went down his throat, and the alcohol was broken down as soon as it entered his body. It was no different from water to him.

At this moment, the group was on the return trip from the Collapsing Rock Tribe on a warship, and Hamon had invited Han Xiao and his party to his hometown as guests.

Generally, the fight for the position of chieftain was unavoidable, but the appearance of Han Xiao made the other candidates despair and give up. There was no suspense that the position of chieftain fell to Hamon. Hamon was happy, and he started a banquet on the ship.

They were all old friends, so Han Xiao naturally wouldn't refuse to show his face.

"Congratulations, next Collapsing Rock Chieftain." Lu Han, the chieftains of other interstellar tribes of the Beastman Civilization, also came up to toast Hamon, congratulating him, and looked at Han Xiao with envy.

He didn't know how Hamon could have such a good relationship with a Super-A Grade. The tribe chieftain's war alliance also symbolized his connections. With a Super-A Grade friend, many chieftains knew that after Hamon took over, the Collapsing Rock Tribe would probably rise and have a greater say.

Looking at Hamon accepting the congratulations of his tribesmen, Han Xiao secretly pondered. In his previous life, this plot mission was simple and crude, fighting from beginning to end. Hamon obtained the position of chieftain through combat. Now, due to his intervention, no fighting occurred. He felt that a copy of the crystal might not be generated.

However, this didn't matter to Han Xiao. He didn't care about the mission rewards. He came to help because of his decades-long friendship with Hamon. Hamon joined when he was still in the Black Star Mercenary Group. Han Xiao wasn't stingy with helping old friends like this, just like he treated Meros back then.

At the banquet table next to him, Hadaway stuffed a large piece of charred roast meat with a Beastman style into his mouth while his eyes glanced at Hamon. He moved his butt and moved to Hela's side, whispering, "Black Star has a good relationship with that Beastman. Is he always so concerned about his subordinates?"

Hela was frowning and staring at the sediments at the bottom of the cup, which resembled a certain beast's eyeball. Hearing this, she glanced at Hadaway expressionlessly, her indifferent eyes seemed to say "stay away from me".

Hadaway was bored and moved his butt to Fording's side, whispering, "Brother Fording, is Black Star always so good to his subordinates?"

Fording rolled his eyes.

"Go away, I'm Morning Star."

Not far away, a group of players gathered together, scanning the many well-known Guards and whispering to each other.

"I heard that Black Star is going to the headquarters of the Association of Gods this time. Could it be to cause trouble?"

"I'm not sure, but Black Star and Overlord are going to meet again. There's definitely going to be a good show."

After Hamon's war alliance mission was settled, Han Xiao used the Faction panel to issue a new mission to the group of players who followed, asking them to follow his actions.

Although he didn't originally intend to bring the players to the Overlord's meeting, it wasn't appropriate to leave the group of people halfway in the Sol Star Cluster. It wouldn't be good if he lost this bundle of leeks, so he simply threw out a rewarding follow-up mission to keep them from running around.

There were no Roubaos in this group, but some people posted on the forum, publicizing his whereabouts. Now all the players knew that he and Ames were going to the headquarters of the Association of Gods. Some people even said that they were on their honeymoon, specially looking for Overlord to fight. This was very Super-A Grade.

Since Han Xiao and Ames formed an alliance, there has been a trend of forming CP (couples) on the forum. They believe that two Super-A Grades are well-matched, and there must be something fishy between them. Some people even compiled a small yellow novel about Black Star's counterattack to conquer the female powerhouse, and it was quite popular.

"Your Excellency Black Star…"

While drinking, someone suddenly called him. Han Xiao looked over and saw that it was Haleta who had come to his side, looking hesitant.

"What's the matter?" Han Xiao smiled. After all, he was Hamon's old father, so his attitude was much more approachable.

Haleta coughed and said, "Can we talk alone?"

Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He nodded, put down his glass, and walked out of the banquet hall with Haleta to a deserted corridor on the warship.

"Just say what you want to say."

"Your Excellency Black Star, I wonder what the specific relationship between Hamon and you is." Haleta asked cautiously.

"He joined my command more than a decade ago and helped me a lot. When my mother planet suffered a disaster, he contributed a lot. I had already agreed to become his war ally before I was even a Calamity Grade, so you can rest assured that I have no other intentions for your Lu Han Beastmen." Han Xiao smiled. He knew Haleta's concerns.

After all, a Super-A Grade specifically helping someone fight for the position of leader of a branch force within a Star System Civilization seemed to have ulterior motives.

Haleta hesitated and suddenly bit his teeth, asking, "Your Excellency Black Star, I have a request… I wonder if the Black Star Army undertakes race relocation services?"

Han Xiao blinked and signaled him to continue.

"Our Lu Han Beastmen originated as a wandering civilization. Although we have developed into a Star System Grade joint civilization today, each tribe is actually an independent country. We have great differences in the direction of civilization's development. I hope to relocate the Collapsing Rock Tribe and leave the Sol Star Cluster."

"Why?" Han Xiao asked curiously.

"The Sol Star Cluster is the territory of the Klent Empire. Their desire for control is very strong. There are several Star System Grade civilizations in this star cluster, and our Lu Han Beastmen Civilization is only one of them.

"The other civilizations have more or less Klent backgrounds. They are working together to exclude us, squeezing our resource space, and the purpose is to force us to become Klent's vassals. A hundred years ago, we had a total of three Star Regions, but now we only have one and a half. The Lu Han Beastmen are brave and good at fighting, and the proportion of Espers in the clan is very high. Klent has always had ambitions for us.

"Our Collapsing Rock Tribe is an independent faction, hoping to maintain autonomy and unwilling to become a vassal, but most tribes want to compromise with Klent. We, the few independent factions, have no choice but to seek other ways out."

Hearing this, Han Xiao stroked his chin and pondered. This kind of thing was common in the universe. There were multiple regimes in a civilization, and when it came to the future direction of the entire race, such differences often occurred.

This kind of political system was actually not suitable for a Star System Civilization. In the Star Sea where forces were everywhere, a civilization's decision needed to be responsible for the entire race, but a branch regime had its own interests and positions, which could easily cause conflicts. Unfortunately, due to the historical reasons of the Lu Han Beastmen, they were forced to form this system. Even if they realized the problem, it was difficult to reform, and no tribe was willing to give up the power in their hands.

The Lu Han Beastmen Civilization was a weaker Star System Civilization, with each tribe controlling several colonial planets, adding up to only about a hundred planetary territories, scattered in different places.

A Star System often had more than ten Star Regions. For example, a powerful Star System Civilization like Godora could dominate a Star System and rule all the Star Regions. Some Star Systems had multiple Star System Civilizations, each occupying some Star Regions and competing for resources. These Star System Civilizations were naturally weaker at the same level.

"You want the Collapsing Rock Tribe to be independent, leave the joint civilization, and develop on its own as a branch of the Lu Han Beastmen in another Star Cluster?" Han Xiao nodded.

"That's right." Haleta hurriedly echoed.

"Are you clear about the consequences? If you do this, a large part of the tribe's people will choose to stay and will not relocate with you." Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

"I will handle this. There are quite a few members of other tribes who are dissatisfied with Klent." Haleta said in a deep voice.

Hearing this, Han Xiao stopped asking and slowly said, "Alright, as long as you have made up your mind, you can contact me at any time."

Other people's tribes were their own responsibility. He only cared about collecting money and doing things. With the current capabilities of the Black Star Army, it was not difficult to relocate a tribe.

In the universe, it was not uncommon for a branch regime of a civilization to seek independent development, so he was not surprised by this.

Haleta nodded repeatedly. The relocation process was very dangerous and required military protection. He had been hesitating, but when he saw the relationship between Hamon and Black Star, he felt that the Black Star Army might be able to realize this idea.

The relocation needed to be discussed with the next chieftain, Hamon, but with Hamon's character and experience, he would probably refuse to become a vassal of Klent like him.

The group took the warship to the planet of the Collapsing Rock Tribe and stayed for three days before Han Xiao bid farewell to Hamon, taking the others on the road and continuing to the Association of Gods.

Hamon went back to be the Great Chieftain, but if the Collapsing Rock Tribe really wanted to relocate, there would be opportunities to deal with them in the future.

…

Ten days later.

A thin blue stream of light streaked across the dark space, warping at high speed.

Hebrew Star came into view, and the blue stream stopped, revealing the appearance of a spaceship, slowly flying towards Hebrew Star. At this moment, a large number of spaceships were already taking off and landing on Hebrew Star.

"It's been more than ten years since the last time I came here." Looking at the constantly enlarging Hebrew Star in his sight, the scenery was still the familiar base group. Han Xiao turned his head to look at Ames, who was standing shoulder to shoulder with him, "I came with you last time."

"You were much cuter back then." Ames smiled gently.

"Time flies so fast." Han Xiao sighed and had Philip control the spaceship to land.

This was his second time stepping on the Association of Gods' headquarters. More than ten years ago, he was Ames' follower, but today he was a Broken Starlink overlord who had officially received an invitation.

The spaceship had already reported its identity and entered the port according to the instructions. After the warship stopped, Hela and other Guards led the way in front. Han Xiao and Ames stepped onto the dock.

Both of them were dressed in black. Han Xiao was used to wearing a black cloak and windbreaker, and several mechanical floating guards were playfully swimming around him.

Ames was still wearing a high-slit black dress. The hem of the dress dragging on the ground was like a blooming black flower, setting off a pair of slender and round jade legs, making her look tall and graceful.

"Your Excellency Black Star, Your Excellency Dragon Emperor."

Vanguard Officer Captain Froster was waiting at the dock to receive the two of them, giving a stiff greeting.

"Oh, isn't this an old opponent." Han Xiao laughed and chuckled: "I remember you clamoring to kill me during the war, why aren't you arrogant now?"

Froster gritted his teeth, glaring at Han Xiao, but did not dare to respond. This time, Overlord invited Black Star and others, obviously with the intention of reconciliation. The Association of Gods' cadres were actually resentful in their hearts.

However, this was Heber's order, and they could not disobey. They could only swallow their anger.

"Please, follow, me!" Froster squeezed out word by word from his tightly clenched teeth, directly turning his head and leading the way in front, determined not to respond to Han Xiao.

Seeing this, Han Xiao was too lazy to tease him. He walked side by side with Ames, following Froster straight to the guest room castle.

He had participated in an Overlord's meeting last time and knew the process. He would probably stay in the guest room castle for a few days, communicating with representatives of other forces to expand his network, while waiting for the guests to arrive before the meeting.

The players who followed behind looked around curiously, observing. They were at the Association of Gods headquarters for the first time, feeling quite fresh and secretly curious about Han Xiao and others' intentions. The Overlord's meeting was an activity for the upper echelons, and the players had no idea about this.

Everything went smoothly, and they arrived at the guest room castle. There were already many representatives of various forces inside. When they saw Han Xiao and Ames, their expressions changed slightly, and the atmosphere was subtle.

Many people showed eager expressions, seemingly wanting to rush up immediately and show off their asses, doing some py (dirty deals).

Han Xiao, who possessed the Evolutionary Cube, was now a popular figure in the eyes of the various forces, a veritable py magnet. Everyone wanted to get close to him.

"Isn't Overlord planning to see us now?" Han Xiao did not immediately walk in, asking playfully.

"I don't know, don't ask me." Froster's face was livid.

He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped, looking at Hadaway, who was distracted, with an unkind tone: "You are a member of the Black Star Army now?"

"Hmm?" Hadaway came back to his senses and nodded, "Yes, I am now Black Star's Guard, and the treatment is good. Do you want to come too?"

Hearing this, Froster felt ridiculed and was furious.

Hadaway had cooperated with the Association of Gods, but later ended the cooperative relationship because Jod used him. After that, he threw himself into the fatherly embrace of Han Xiao.

But in Froster's eyes, this behavior had a feeling of "abandoning darkness for light". He was already holding back his anger, and now he was even more furious, wanting to vent it. He shouted coldly, "In the identity of the Vanguard Officer of the Association of Gods, I challenge the Guards of the Black Star Army. Who dares to fight me?"

Hearing this, Han Xiao and Ames' expressions suddenly became strange. They looked at each other and saw a tacit understanding in each other's eyes, as if communicating with their eyes.

Han Xiao: Have we seen this scene before?

Ames: Isn't this the scene where you challenged the traitor Kailong?

Han Xiao smiled helplessly.

He had taught the traitor of Longtan a lesson for Ames' sake, but now it was the Association of Gods' cadre who was upset and wanted to challenge his Guards to kill his prestige. It was really the wheel of fortune turning.

Froster was loyal and supportive of Overlord. Although it was not as exaggerated as the master being humiliated and the ministers dying, after Heber's failure to establish his prestige, Froster was thinking of getting back at him, so he set his sights on Han Xiao's cadre. Although Han Xiao was an invited guest, the relationship between the two sides was so subtle that he was unwilling to please an enemy who had slaughtered hundreds of high-level combat forces of the Association of Gods.

A fair challenge, even a Super-A Grade would not be able to protect his shortcomings, and more than ten years ago, the Association of Gods did not stop Han Xiao from challenging Kailong.

His voice was like thunder, immediately arousing the interest of the representatives of the various forces in the hall.

Hela narrowed her eyes, stepped forward, and said lightly: "Stop talking nonsense, where do we fight?"

"Who are you?"

"Black Star's Guard Captain, Hela!"

A fierce light flashed in Froster's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, a shadow suddenly covered his head, and a deep and thick voice came from behind.

"Come back."

Everyone looked up, and their faces changed. The person who came was actually Overlord Heber.

Hearing Heber stop his challenge, Froster's face was ugly. He turned and left, quickly disappearing from sight.

Seeing this, Hela also restrained her edge and took a few steps back.

Han Xiao's eyes narrowed, looking up at the mountain-like Heber. Heber also lowered his head to look at him, expressionless.

The atmosphere around them seemed to condense, and everyone in the hall except Ames found it difficult to breathe.

The atmosphere became more and more tense. At this moment, Heber suddenly spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Black Star, Dragon Emperor, come with me, let's have a good chat between the five Super-A Grades."

After saying that, he turned and strode into his palace.

It seems that how the two families should get along in the future, this time we have to talk about the results… Han Xiao's eyes flashed, and without hesitation, he instructed Hela and others to stay in the guest room to rest, and followed Heber into the palace.

"All five are here?"

Ames smiled noncommittally and followed into the palace.