Chapter 1 Heber Invited Me to His Party?

At the Black Star Army headquarters, Han Xiao stared with interest at Mazax, who looked rather restrained before him.

"Yes, His Excellency Overlord said so." Mazax's palms were sweaty.

Only because of the Crimson Dynasty's reputation had the two sides become allies in name, but the relationship was very subtle. The emotions of ten years of opposition were not so easy to resolve. Mazax's visit to deliver the invitation had a sense of tension, as if he were trapped in the enemy's camp.

Looking at Han Xiao on the mechanical throne, Mazax was filled with mixed feelings.

He had once tried to recruit Han Xiao. More than a decade had passed, and he was still a vanguard officer under Overlord, while Black Star had leaped to become a Super-A grade existence at the same level as Overlord.

Han Xiao tapped the armrest of the seat with his finger, his eyes narrowed in thought.

He had previously followed Ames to an Overlord gathering once. This was a high-level gathering in the Shattered Star Ring created by Heber, and figures from all major forces would participate to give him face.

Recently, due to the failure of the challenge, Overlord's reputation had been hit. War Realm and Klent had been silent for a while, and Heber was anxious to convene a new round of gatherings, possibly with the intention of stabilizing his position.

Since Overlord wanted to maintain the influence of the gathering, it was impossible not to invite himself, a new Super-A grade. Perhaps Heber was responding to the Crimson Dynasty's request, holding his nose to reconcile with him, or it might be a hostile meeting, but the chances were not high.

The Secret War had not been over for long, and many conflicts of interest were not yet clear. Perhaps this gathering was to clarify these matters.

With a thought, Han Xiao nodded.

"Go back and tell Overlord that I will be there at that time."

Mazax breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said goodbye and left. He felt a lot of psychological pressure in front of Han Xiao.

Looking at the time, the date of the gathering was in a month. The Secret War had just ended, and Klent had swallowed a mouthful of anger and was negotiating with the Purple Crystal Civilization to lift the Star Gate blockade on the border of the star cluster, so that the fast channels between the two star clusters could be reconnected.

According to news he had gathered from his contacts in the Purple Crystal Civilization, due to the intervention of the Crimson Dynasty, the negotiations between the two star cluster-level civilizations were going smoothly. It was expected that the Star Gate connecting the two star clusters would be officially opened in a little over ten days.

"One month, hmm, by that time, the Black Star Army's expansion will be almost complete. The first batch of elites sent by the Crimson Dynasty to accept the Evolutionary Cube transformation should also arrive after that. The time is quite ample."

During this period of expanding the army, Han Xiao didn't have too many things to do besides cultivating Heber's Stellar Furnace Training Method and building a mechanical army. It was good to have free time to participate in the Overlord gathering to discuss matters with various forces.

At this time, Harmon suddenly pushed the door open and walked in.

"Black Star, I'm leaving," Harmon said loudly.

"Oh?" Han Xiao remembered. "That's right, you're going back to compete for the chieftainship, aren't you?"

Harmon was a protagonist-type figure of the Luhan Orcs. The Luhan Orcs were an interstellar civilization, but they retained a tradition of being warlike, martial, and barbaric. The way they governed was a tribal alliance system, with each tribe controlling several colonized planets.

This system had a special origin. The Luhan Orcs were not indigenous, but wanderers who had fled from other star systems many years ago and scattered on different planets in the same area. They developed independently, forming different tribes. Although they inherited the same origin tradition, the various tribes developed different cultures over a long period of evolution. Finally, they united as one, retaining their respective tribal independence, thus forming this system.

The way to compete for the position of tribal chief was to randomly throw all the candidates onto different planets in the universe, let them temper themselves in the interstellar space, and form their own "War Alliance."

After a specified period, each candidate would bring his War Alliance back to fight for the right to inherit the chieftainship. The election date for Harmon's Collapsing Rock Tribe was approaching. His mercenary career was coming to an end, and he was preparing to go back and inherit the property of an interstellar tribe.

More than a decade ago, in order to recruit Harmon, Han Xiao had also joined his War Alliance. The mission was still hanging on the panel.

"Black Star, you are my War Alliance. You have to come and help me," Harmon said in a muffled voice.

"The Luhan Orc civilization is located in the Suol Star Cluster…" Han Xiao stroked his chin. "Going to the Overlord gathering is convenient. Okay, I'll take people with me then."

This was an ancient tradition of the Luhan Orcs. He had already agreed to it, and Han Xiao did not intend to break his promise.

After Harmon left, Han Xiao took out the communicator and sent a message to Dragon Emperor.

"Ames, Overlord is preparing to hold a gathering. Have you received an invitation? Come to my place, we'll go together."

Soon, Ames replied.

"Okay."

…

A few days later, Ames arrived at the Black Star Army headquarters by spaceship.

The two were now allies, sharing the same breath and fate. They were also old acquaintances, so there was no need for formalities when they met. It was as easy as visiting a neighbor.

This time, Han Xiao only brought the close-guard officer team and left the headquarters in a spaceship. Harmon and his War Alliance also acted together. Among them were some players who had accepted the War Alliance mission. The group went to the Suol Star Cluster where the War Realm was located.

There were two Super-A grades and a large group of high-level Calamity grades in the spaceship. The lineup could be described as very luxurious.

Arriving at the border of the star cluster, the Star Gate that had been closed for ten years due to the Secret War reopened. Countless spaceships lined up in a long queue, entering the Star Gate one after another to cross the barren universe belt.

During the war, most of the people in the two star clusters could not go to each other's territory, and transportation was restricted. Now it was restored.

Entering the Suol Star Cluster, Han Xiao changed direction and went straight to the territory of the Luhan Orc civilization.

At the same time, Luhan Blood Star.

This was a gray, barren planet with a special status in the traditions of the Luhan Orcs. Every tribal election was held on this planet as a battle arena.

There were stone-made, broken Colosseums on Luhan Blood Star. Each tribal election would build a new Colosseum. Over the years, many ruins and relics were left behind.

In a certain area of the planet, rough-looking Luhan Orc spaceships were parked on the surface, surrounding a newly built Colosseum, which was the battlefield that the chieftain candidates of the Collapsing Rock Tribe would use to compete for inheritance soon.

The current chief of the Collapsing Rock Tribe, Haretta, was a burly and strong Luhan Orc. In the aesthetics of the Luhan Orcs, the amount of hair on the body was an important criterion for judging age. Haretta had sparse hair and was covered with old scars, looking quite old.

He was Harmon's father, and Harmon was a legitimate second-generation chief.

"Mogo, Gotto, Taller… Twenty-five chieftain candidates, only six have returned. The others should have died in the universe."

Haretta looked at the candidates who were staying with their respective War Alliances not far away and shook his head.

Most of these candidates were descendants of the tribe's high-level members. The Luhan Orcs were a martial race and believed that only the strong were qualified to lead the tribe. When all the candidates were expelled from the home planet, except for the War Alliance partners they had brought with them, they could not accept any form of assistance from the tribe. This was to examine the candidates' comprehensive survival ability. Only candidates who could survive and return to the Luhan Orc territory were qualified to compete for the chieftainship. This was a selection in itself.

Candidates could not actively contact anyone in the tribe, otherwise, they would be disqualified. The candidates' relatives could not casually contact each other either, or they would be ridiculed. Candidates could only passively accept the tribe's notifications. Therefore, Haretta was not sure about Harmon's current situation. He only knew that he had joined the Black Star Army and was still alive.

"I wonder if his War Alliance is strong enough…" Haretta worried secretly.

Competing for the chieftainship was a matter of life and death. There was no tradition of showing mercy to the enemy in the culture of the Luhan Orcs. The six candidates who had returned had powerful War Alliances after more than ten years of management. Among them, Mogo and Gotto were the strongest.

Mogo had joined the War Realm and brought back tens of thousands of friendly warriors, many of whom were Grade B Supers. Gotto seemed to have become an important partner of a consortium, with a large group of mercenaries dressed as interstellar warriors standing behind him. The number was far fewer than Mogo's.

The two stared at each other from a distance, regarding each other as the biggest competitor.

"Don't worry, Mogo, we are all elite warriors of the War Realm. The enemy is just a group of unheard-of miscellaneous mercenaries. They are fewer in number than us and are not our opponents." An officer from the War Realm patted Mogo on the shoulder. They had fought side by side for many years and had a deep friendship.

Mogo grinned, swung his warhammer twice in the air, and said in a deep voice, "Among all the candidates, only Harmon can beat me. It's a pity he hasn't returned yet. Maybe he died in the universe. Other than him, no one else can beat me. People like Gotto, I can smash him to death with two or three hammers."

On the other side, Gotto quietly whispered to a mercenary-dressed man beside him.

"Boss, I'll have to rely on you later."

"Heh, with me here, I can definitely make you the chief." The man sneered. His name was Riel, and his true identity was actually the leader of a wandering organization in the Suol Star Cluster, with a notorious reputation.

Gotto had joined this wandering organization. There was a rule for competing for the chieftainship that candidates would be disqualified if they went astray, after all, a tribal chief could not be a cosmic wanted criminal. Gotto was unwilling to give up the position of chief and tried to disguise the identity of this group of wanderers.

His reliance was Riel, the only Grade A Super among all the candidates' War Alliances.

Riel agreed to help Gotto become the chief. In exchange, Gotto was required to provide them with supplies and logistics in the future.

Although the Collapsing Rock Tribe was only one of the tribes in the Luhan Orc civilization, it controlled several planets and was still wealthy, better than some but not as good as others.

Time passed while they waited. The chiefs of the other dozen or so Luhan Orc tribes brought their subordinates and took their seats, coming to witness the election of the Collapsing Rock Tribe's chief. Haretta saw that the time was almost up and said loudly.

"The time is almost up, Mogo, Gotto… All candidates bring their War Alliances into the battlefield, choose an area for the camp, and prepare for battle."

The crowd filed into the battlefield, stood in position, and confronted each other.

Haretta frequently looked at the time, a little anxious. Candidates who returned after the official start of the war would be considered late and directly disqualified, but Harmon had not arrived yet.

At this moment, Riel, at Gotto's signal, stepped out of the crowd and released Grade A's energy fluctuations, his momentum soaring.

"Calamity Grade?!"

The other candidates' expressions changed drastically.

Haretta was also shocked. As a galaxy-level civilization, the Luhan Orcs also had a dozen Calamity Grades. There were three on the platform now. Gotto was able to turn a Calamity Grade into his War Alliance, and his strength immediately overwhelmed all the candidates.

At this time, two candidates on the battlefield suddenly dropped their weapons and raised their hands. This action represented surrender. Before the fight even started, the two had given up their qualifications to compete for the chieftainship. Although this was embarrassing, at least they did not have to fight the Calamity Grade and could save their lives, and they did not have to let their War Alliance brothers die.

There was an uproar on the platform.

"Are we really going to fight a Calamity Grade?" Seeing this, the War Realm officer immediately retreated, throwing his bold words to the winds.

"Fight!" Mogo's expression changed several times. He gritted his teeth and gripped the warhammer in his hand.

"That… can I abstain now?" A War Realm warrior behind him suddenly dropped his weapon and slowly retreated.

They were willing to become Mogo's War Alliance and fight for him. This was affection, but they were unwilling to die for it.

Mogo's face turned ugly.

On the other side, Gotto raised his eyebrows, a smug expression on his face, looking down on the audience. Standing beside Riel, he felt like he was borrowing power.

Haretta on the platform looked surprised and tangled. At this time, Gotto's father beside him spoke.

"Chief, don't deliberately delay. Start quickly."

Gotto's father was also a high-level member of the tribe. He was usually very low-key, but at this time, he could not wait.

It would be good if Harmon didn't come back… Haretta sighed and was about to speak when a spaceship fell from the sky, attracting the attention of the audience.

Chi—

The spaceship landed in a corner of the battlefield. The hatch opened, and Harmon walked out with a group of War Alliance partners.

"Harmon is back!"

Many members of the Collapsing Rock Tribe were invigorated. Harmon had a high reputation in the tribe, and his bravery was recognized by the tribal members.

A trace of panic flashed in Gotto's eyes. He had been beaten by Harmon since he was a child, leaving a deep psychological shadow. But then he thought of Riel beside him, and he regained his confidence, gritting his teeth and glaring at Harmon.

"It's useless even if you're back. If you dare to compete with me today, you're dead!"

Hearing the cheers on the platform, Riel knew that Harmon should be a strong competitor. He snorted coldly, mustered all his strength, raised the Calamity Grade momentum to the highest level, released the pressure of the life level, and slammed it towards Harmon and his group, trying to imitate it, deter these people, and make them retreat in the face of difficulties.

At this moment, a voice sounded.

"Yo, little brother, you're a bit arrogant."

Several people suddenly walked out from behind Harmon. Han Xiao walked in the front, looking at Riel in the distance with a funny look, as if he was looking at a peacock with its tail feathers spread. The close-guard officer team, which had expanded to nine people, followed behind him.

Hela raised her eyebrows, took a step forward, and burst out with momentum, sweeping the audience and pushing back Riel's pressure.

The other side also has a Calamity Grade?!

Riel's chest tightened, and he was startled. He rubbed his eyes, saw the faces of Han Xiao and his group clearly, and was stunned for a second. Then, he was suddenly shocked and took several steps back, bumping into Gotto's arms.

"Bl-Bl-Black… Black Star?!"

His out-of-control shout came out, and everyone's eyes focused on Han Xiao and the others, and their faces changed drastically.

There was an uproar on the platform, and everyone was stunned, with disbelief on their faces.

This is… Black Star?

Super-A grade?!

Harmon actually invited a Super-A grade powerhouse?!

Haretta was dumbfounded.

Clang Clang Dang—

At this moment, all the candidates threw away the weapons in their hands.

Even Gotto obediently abstained, feeling extremely aggrieved in his heart.

He thought that with a Calamity Grade as his backer, he would be sure to win the position of tribal chief, but who knew that Harmon would suddenly appear and bring a Super-A grade.

Who can stand this!!

Mogo whispered, "If His Excellency Overlord could come and help me…"

"Are you dreaming?" The War Realm officer stared at him with a look of looking at an idiot, "What is Overlord's status? Would he care about you?"

Mogo pointed at Han Xiao, and the War Realm officer was speechless.

Seeing this, the audience from various tribes on the platform stirred. This was the only time in the history of the Luhan Orcs that all the chieftain candidates had abstained, and it was also the first time that a Super-A grade had become a chieftain's War Alliance!

"Huh?" Harmon looked inexplicable, scratched his head with a battle axe, and was confused. "Why aren't they fighting anymore? Is it over?"

Hearing this, the others hated him so much that they wanted to kick him to death.

A Super-A grade is here, the gap is so huge, what are we fighting for! Are you trying to send us to our deaths!

"That's it?" The panel popped up a notification that the mission was completed, and the players who had come over were stunned.

So we didn't do anything, watched a cutscene for a while, and the mission was completed?!

We thought there would be a hard fight!!

Seeing everyone staring at him, Han Xiao shook his head helplessly. With his current status, many low-level missions could be completed directly by showing his face.

Coming over to help Harmon get the position of chief was really just a matter of convenience.