Chapter 1 Shattered Star Ring, Scarlet Empire Military Stargate Station

The Black Star Army transport ships sailed out of the blue, vortex-like stargate one after another. The blue spatial energy entwined on the hull shields dissipated quickly like mist.

"We're back." In the command room of the main ship, Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Central Star Sea was prosperous and stable, the shadow of universe-level civilizations loomed over the star field, like a mountain, bringing him invisible pressure. Although the Shattered Star Ring was remote and chaotic, he had stayed here for more than twenty years. It was the main base of the legion, giving him a sense of peace, and his mood relaxed.

Ames walked to his side with her long legs, looking at the cosmic scenery outside the porthole, and said, "I was very happy to travel with you these two months. Now that we're home, I'll leave first."

"So urgent? Come with us."

"Dragon Emperor recently drifted to another star cluster, and I'm not going the same way as you."

Hearing this, Han Xiao had no choice but to nod. "Okay, I'll have someone give you a spaceship. By the way, the empire's preparations are almost complete. I'll be setting off soon, leading a large army to explore the Flickering World. Do you want to come along? We should encounter a lot of novel and interesting things."

Ames waved her hand. "That's the Scarlet Empire's mission. I won't be joining."

Iso, who was on the side, stroked his beard and interjected, "Yesterday, I happened to have a new prophecy, related to the Flickering World."

Another prophecy? Han Xiao's eyes lit up, and he asked curiously, "Old man, did you foresee something for me again?"

"Well, let me explain first, I didn't specifically help you. Anyone who is closely related to me will have some kind of entanglement of fate lines with me. My ability can randomly sense some things that these people may encounter in the future, like a dream, very vague, basically just a premonition.

Yesterday, I had a feeling about your exploration of the Flickering World, and I had a feeling…"

Speaking of this, Iso paused, his tone becoming serious, and reminded, "You better be careful of the Arcane Church."

The Arcane Church? They're still not giving up on taking back the Evolution Cube? That seems to be the only possibility.

Han Xiao blinked, and when he saw that Iso had nothing more to say, he couldn't help but ask doubtfully, "Just this one reminder? No useful information such as time and place?"

Iso spread his hands. "The future is so far away, and the situation can change at any time. How can there be accurate predictions? Just this little intuition, nothing else."

"Understood, I'll keep an eye out and have people monitor the Star Pupils' movements. If the Arcane Church wants to deal with me, Sisko certainly won't be idle."

Han Xiao nodded and patted Iso's arm.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing." Iso scratched his beard and said, "I heard that some Ancient Ones are secretly inquiring about your information. A few Ancient One members seem to be quite interested in you."

Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he scanned Iso from top to bottom, asking suspiciously, "Where did you hear that?"

"I was once one of them, is it strange that I have a few friends?"

Iso clicked his tongue and shrugged, saying:

"I followed you to the Empire's capital and showed up in front of that group of Empire allies. Ravenlaude shared my information with the other Ancient Ones. Now those guys all know that I, a former member, am currently by your side and Ames' side. Some friends have contacted me."

Hearing this, Han Xiao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Iso, this old geezer, had unfathomable qualifications and connections, and could always get some information that ordinary people couldn't get.

It's really like having an old man at home is like having a treasure…

"Who exactly is inquiring about me?"

"Machinery Country, Sun Hunter, Void Sovereign…" Iso's tone suddenly sank, and he whispered, "And also Wan Ying."

Han Xiao had not had any interaction with the previous Ancient Ones, except for Machinery Country. Sun Hunter was a Gunner, and Void Sovereign was a Void creature. He didn't know why they were inquiring about him, but as soon as Iso mentioned Wan Ying, Han Xiao's eyes immediately narrowed.

It was Iso who helped interrogate Wan Ying's "Shadow Warrior" back then, and Iso also knew that Wan Ying had once plotted against him. By mentioning this matter proactively, he was reminding him.

"Maybe he still wants to deal with me. He's in the Glorious Federation's star field, and I can't do anything about him for the time being. I'll settle the score with him later." Han Xiao's expression remained unchanged, and he kept this matter in mind.

The [Prey] mission had been silent all this time. He didn't know if Wan Ying had given up on dealing with him before, but now it seemed that this guy was suspected of having evil intentions. However, his strength was not what it used to be, and it was not something that Wan Ying could easily deal with.

At this moment, Ames suddenly spoke, and said softly, "Black Star, I've been thinking about something recently, and I want to discuss it with you."

Han Xiao turned his head to look at Ames, and caught a hint of hesitation on her face, which was rare on Ames, so he couldn't help but ask curiously:

"What do you want to discuss with me? Are you going to borrow money? Is 50 million Enas enough?"

"Who's borrowing money from you? Do you think I'm very poor?" Ames' smoky eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. "Actually… I've been thinking about the development plan for Dragon Emperor recently…"

Han Xiao and Iso's eyes widened at the same time, with expressions of astonishment.

"You've changed your nature? Is this a problem you should be considering?"

"Am I that unreliable in your eyes?" Ames said helplessly, "I'm the leader of Dragon Emperor, is it strange that I occasionally worry about the faction?"

"It wouldn't be a problem if it were on someone else, but on you… it's really too strange! Who doesn't know how lazy you are… cough, how indifferent you are by nature."

Han Xiao hurriedly changed his words, concealing his smile. Ames had been a hands-off leader for so many years, guarding Dragon Emperor and living her life as a homebody. She had never thought about developing the faction. Her image of being a salted fish had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Who knew why she suddenly had this whim.

"Don't joke around, I'm serious this time." Ames swept her beautiful eyes and glared at Han Xiao.

She had never been enthusiastic about developing her faction, but after such days had continued for a long time, she had a desire to move after a long period of stillness. In the past ten years or so, she had personally witnessed Han Xiao leading the Black Star Army to rise step by step. With such a role model, she had developed a little interest in developing her faction, wanting to imitate Han Xiao and manage Dragon Emperor well. This had nothing to do with ambition. Ames mainly regarded it as a fun thing.

After being a salted fish for a long time, you always have to find something to do.

However, Ames would not admit to Han Xiao that her interest was aroused by Han Xiao's deeds.

"Okay, I'll take it as true…" Seeing Ames' unfriendly eyes, Han Xiao held back his laughter and waved his hand. "I'm not laughing, let's talk about business. You want to develop Dragon Emperor, what do you want to discuss with me?"

Ames was silent for a while, then slowly said, "Dragon Emperor has been drifting in the universe for a long time, I want to find a place to settle down."

Han Xiao thought for a while and nodded.

"Yo, that's a pretty reliable idea. With a fixed location for the main base, it's easier for people to have confidence in Dragon Emperor. As a Beyond Grade A, you have extraordinary appeal. As long as you reverse the Shattered Star Ring's Super's fixed impression of you and show a serious momentum of expansion, the number of people willing to work for you will definitely be dozens or hundreds of times more than it is now."

Han Xiao touched his chin, looked Ames up and down, and joked, "What's more, you're so good-looking, your appeal is probably stronger than mine."

Hearing this, Ames' expression became strange, and she stared at Han Xiao, her tone suspicious:

"So you think I'm good-looking?!"

"What's so strange about that…"

Han Xiao was confused and didn't know why Ames had such a big reaction.

Shaking his head, Han Xiao returned to the topic and asked, "Have you chosen the location for Dragon Emperor to settle down?"

"This is what I want to discuss with you…"

Ames sorted out her mood, seemed to hesitate for half a second, then slowly said, "I'm planning to have Dragon Emperor stationed on Aquamarine for a long time, what do you think?"

Han Xiao was stunned.

"Is that not okay?"

Ames raised her eyebrows, smiling noncommittally, "More than ten years ago, your home planet suffered a disaster. You announced through the interstellar media that Aquamarine was a planet that Dragon Emperor had taken a fancy to. With Dragon Emperor's reputation, Aquamarine has received a lot of investment from consortiums over the years, and its development is not bad. Even the Gothdor Civilization has acquiesced to Dragon Emperor's control over Aquamarine… You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"

Han Xiao shook his head helplessly. Back then, the Black Star Mercenary Group was just a rookie-level force, and it had not separated from Dragon Emperor. By using Dragon Emperor's banner, Aquamarine had the opportunity to develop rapidly and enter the interstellar era.

After the separation, the Black Star Army took over the management of Aquamarine, and Dragon Emperor did not interfere. He thought Ames did not care, but he did not expect her to suddenly mention it now.

"Since Aquamarine is nominally a planet under my Dragon Emperor's control…" Ames' beautiful eyes smiled, Han Xiao's painful expression made her feel happy, and she chuckled, "Then it's only right that my Dragon Emperor chooses Aquamarine as its main base, right?"

"You're not going to drive my people away from my home planet, are you?" Han Xiao asked in surprise. Aquamarine was the foundation for him to obtain a seat in the Shattered Star Ring Civilization Council, and it was impossible for him to give it away.

"Do you think I'm such an excessive person?" Ames said unhappily, "Don't worry, I'll stay in the outer space of the planet, just like your army headquarters, and I won't interfere in Aquamarine's regime. Isn't that what I'm discussing with you?"

Han Xiao's eyes moved slightly. If that was the case, it would not only not be a bad thing, but also a great thing.

The army headquarters had been stationed on Golden Gate Star for so many years, bringing unparalleled development opportunities to Golden Gate Star. Its economy and security had greatly improved, and it had become a first-tier prosperous colony of the Gothdor Civilization.

If Ames did this, the development speed of Aquamarine would also skyrocket again, indirectly obtaining more resources. Moreover, with Ames, a Beyond Grade A, as a neighbor, the safety of Aquamarine would also increase greatly, reducing worries.

As his thoughts flashed, Han Xiao understood Ames' thoughts. Choosing Aquamarine as the main base of Dragon Emperor was far more than just for the sake of being righteous. He sighed, "It seems I owe you another favor."

"It's good that you know. You got a good deal." Ames' eyes curved.

"I agree to it. At that time, I'll have the army's branch on Aquamarine cooperate with you. I'll have Sylvia and the others handle the specific details…"

"Mm, then I'll have Jenny help me handle it…"

Speaking of Jenny, Han Xiao suddenly remembered something, "By the way, did you notify Jenny about this beforehand?"

"No."

Hearing this, the two of them stared at each other, silent for a long time.

So you still had this idea on a whim… Han Xiao complained inwardly. He thought Ames had really given it serious thought. As expected, this was her style of doing things.

"Cough, the matter is settled, then I'll leave." Ames covered her mouth with her fist, coughed twice to cover up her embarrassment, and then turned and left.

Han Xiao watched Ames and Iso get on a small spaceship, leave the fleet, and disappear into the distance as a stream of light. Only then did he order the fleet to continue moving forward and return to the army headquarters.

The cross-star field had been completed, and Han Xiao opened the forum to see the players' reactions.

They had just passed through the stargate, so the 700,000 players in the fleet didn't have any special reactions. Instead, the players in the Shattered Star Ring had a bigger reaction, precisely because players from other star fields had come to their territory, and they couldn't wait to get in touch.

The first example of players crossing star fields was of great significance. Players from various star fields recorded this moment in their own chronicles:

"Star Sea Calendar, March 18, 705.

Guided by the Black Star Army, 700,000 players left the Star Cluster Corridor and arrived at the Shattered Star Ring. This was the first successful cross-star field action by all the players in the Star Sea."

The recruitment of players in the Star Cluster Corridor this time was very smooth. Han Xiao knew the reason for this. Because there were not enough factions for the players of version 3.0 to choose from, and he understood the players' needs, the Black Star Army was a leader among the factions at this stage, and it was more attractive. Even if the players regarded him as a transitional faction, he was still the first choice.

As the players' levels increased, there were more and more powerful factions to choose from, such as the three universe-level civilizations and the super star cluster-level civilizations. At that time, it would not be so easy for the army to attract and recruit players. This was inevitable. For the sake of a novel experience, some people would always try new factions.

Han Xiao tirelessly expanded the army and improved the faction's competitiveness, which was also a precautionary measure. In a sense, the remote and chaotic Shattered Star Ring as a main base was actually a good thing, reducing direct competitors.

…

After more than ten days of sailing, the fleet finally returned to the army headquarters.

The army headquarters had gathered millions of players from the Shattered Star Ring, looking forward to contacting the foreign players from the Star Cluster Corridor. More people were just here to watch the excitement.

The 700,000 players from the Star Cluster Corridor in the fleet were looking at the satellite base of the army headquarters, which was gradually enlarging outside the porthole, and their excitement was like feathers, constantly stirring their hearts.

After waiting on the ship for so many days with anticipation, they had finally arrived.