Chapter 1 A Prisoner in a Dark Cell

The gloomy cell held a man shackled by electromagnetic restraints, sitting cross-legged on the floor. A sliver of light leaked through the bars of the alloy door, illuminating his enraged face.

"The world outside must be in chaos. I can't stay here!"

The man's voice was hoarse, filled with deep worry.

If Han Xiao were here, he would recognize this as an old acquaintance. The imprisoned man was none other than his former superior from seven or eight years ago, the former director of the Xinglong National Homeland Strategic Defense Bureau, Gu Hui.

He had survived the异化之灾 *yihua zhi zai* (Alienation Disaster), and in the three years of Haïlan Star's rapid development, he had been promoted from the director of the Thirteenth Bureau to become a high-ranking government official.

However, just a few days ago, he was stripped of his position and thrown into jail.

Gu Hui took a deep breath, the scene from a few days ago replaying in his mind.

He was invited to attend a high-level meeting. At the meeting, the national leader put forward a decision that stunned everyone: to unite with the other six nations to declare war on Black Star City. No matter how strongly the majority of officials present objected, the proposal was not withdrawn. The leader's attitude was extremely firm, and several deputy leaders remained silent, surprisingly not opposing.

Because the two sides were deadlocked, the meeting ended inconclusively. However, before Gu Hui could react, he was secretly arrested an hour after the meeting ended and thrown into prison.

"It's definitely not just me who was arrested. All the opposing officials must have been imprisoned as well. The higher-ups are going their own way, determined to declare war. This is simply dictatorship!"

Gu Hui still couldn't understand the reason. He was quite familiar with the national leader, and this kind of arbitrary and extreme approach was as if he had become a different person.

Black Star was now Haïlan Star's protector. How could they want to deal with their own guardian? Was this not madness?!

Gu Hui had been imprisoned for many days. He was deeply concerned about the changes outside. Since they, the dissenters, had been arrested, the leader would face no resistance. He couldn't imagine the consequences of declaring war. He could only secretly pray that the military troops would be independent-minded and not foolishly carry out orders. Even if it meant staging a rebellion, they mustn't execute such a stupid decision that would implicate the entire nation!

"This is ungratefulness! It will inevitably invite Black Star's revenge!" Gu Hui couldn't imagine Black Star's reaction.

That person was no longer the weak Black Phantom of the past!

He alone could suppress the entire Haïlan Star!

...

"The six nations have declared war on Black Star's forces. This planet is his backyard. He must have received news of the internal strife."

In a city of one of the six nations, Stephanie and her group walked down a crowded street, coldly observing the turmoil.

Just a few days ago, this city was a picture of harmony and stability. Now, a massive crowd was demonstrating, angry and excited, strongly protesting the government's declaration of war on Black Star.

Military troops cooperated with the police to maintain order. Roars, shouts, and cries of pain filled the air. The chaotic footsteps sounded like popping beans, making the ground seem to tremble. Some people even held Molotov cocktails and threw them at various buildings, flames raging, and heat waves rolling, as they fought with the police.

Chaos was everywhere!

This scene was happening simultaneously in cities across the six nations.

Stephanie looked at the chaotic scene before her, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Good. Black Star will definitely return to investigate, but he won't know that we are the masterminds behind this internal strife. He won't know that we have our eyes on him, so his vigilance won't be too high. We'll hide in the shadows and just wait for the right opportunity to give him a 'surprise'!"

With that, the group turned and walked away. A flash of light flickered, and the nine people disappeared without a trace.

This team had a total of ten members, but only nine had appeared here.

...

Ten days later.

A streak of light approached an uninhabited planet, Han Xiao's designated rendezvous point, not far from Haïlan Star.

The Blacklight Stealth craft circled the planet for a short while, receiving a signal from the ground. Arriving at the signal location, the helpers from Purple Crystal and Godora had arrived before him, waiting for Han Xiao's arrival.

The spaceship landed, Han Xiao walked out of the cabin, and several helpers greeted him. He glanced at them; there were a total of six people.

"Hello, Black Star. I am Wilton, one of your assistants this time, a Purple Crystal Calamity Grade combatant. These are my two teammates..."

Wilton seemed to be the leader. Han Xiao nodded in greeting and shook hands with the six people in turn. All six were Calamity Grade. Purple Crystal and Godora had each sent three. The leader from Godora was an acquaintance, Nagokin.

Even in Star Cluster level civilizations, Calamity Grade was a rare high-level combat power. Purple Crystal sending three at once could be said to be full of sincerity.

"The higher-ups have ordered that you are the commander this time and can command us fully. Tell me, what do you want us to do?" Wilton said expressionlessly.

Han Xiao keenly sensed Wilton's impatient attitude. His eyes darted, and after a moment's thought, he had a guess.

Wilton was a high-level combat force from a Star Cluster level civilization. He probably felt a sense of superiority and was quite arrogant. Now he had to obey the orders of a non-official, same-level Super, although he wouldn't defy the higher-ups' orders, he probably wasn't too willing in his heart.

Han Xiao didn't mind. He didn't need others to be sincerely convinced, as long as they obeyed orders and were useful.

"I suspect that the internal strife on Haïlan Star is a conspiracy, and there are masterminds behind it. Their goal may be to assassinate me..." Han Xiao repeated the story he had told Leylin.

"What do you want us to do?" Wilton asked.

Han Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Since the enemy is attracting my attention by stirring up internal strife, they'll probably hide in the shadows and wait for me to appear. Let's not alert the snake in the grass. Let me go back alone first, acting as bait. You guys wait near Haïlan Star, and when the hidden enemies show themselves, you can come and support me."

"Alright."

Wilton had no objections. Although he didn't like Black Star, that didn't include Han Xiao's body. This was the strong body that had withstood the Eight Vanguard Officials; it could definitely hold out until they arrived to support him.

After discussing for a while, Han Xiao settled on a plan. The enemy set a trap to wait for the rabbit, and he could use the same method to lure the snake out of its hole. This was a contest between camping and anti-camping.

Confirming the tactic, Han Xiao glanced at the few people, and suddenly an idea struck him. He said, "I have a small request. I hope to spar with each of you individually to test your combat abilities, so I can have a better understanding of the overall combat power of our team."

Six Calamity Grades were gathered here, just the opportunity to earn trial points. At this time, the advancement mission progress was 24/50. If these six teammates were strong enough, he might be able to complete the advancement here, increasing his odds even more.

Wilton frowned.

Han Xiao's request was reasonable, but it was too direct, as if he was doubting their strength. This gave him the feeling of being looked down upon. Wilton was expressionless, but he couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.

However, he didn't have the childish idea of competing with Han Xiao in a spar. For him, the mission was the priority. He suppressed his anger and sparred with Han Xiao. This time it was simpler than the previous matches with the Forbidden Witches. The two stopped when the point was reached, neither going all out.

Han Xiao took turns fighting with his six teammates. The process went smoothly and didn't take too much time. Everyone was temporarily under his command and had no objections.

Among the six Calamity Grade helpers, only Wilton exceeded his level by 20, earning him 6 trial points. The level difference between him and four others was within 20, and Han Xiao found an excuse to spar twice, earning 4 trial points per person, for a total of 16 points.

The total was 22 trial points.

The progress of the advancement mission increased significantly, jumping to 46/50, only 4 points short. Unfortunately, the level of one of the Godora Calamity Grades was three levels lower than his, so he couldn't get any trial points.

"Only four points short, I still need an opponent of the same level..." Han Xiao hesitated. He wanted to find one more person to spar with and complete the advancement before returning to Haïlan Star.

However, finding a new opponent would take several more days. Bennett had been reporting to him every day that the situation was deteriorating very quickly and kept urging him to go back. Han Xiao didn't want to delay any longer.

Moreover, once the advancement was completed, there would be a race sublimation, and the Observation Mark talent was likely to disappear. This was a very useful special skill that could be used to great effect against this group of elusive hunters.

After thinking it over, Han Xiao made a decision. "The enemy is ambushing me and will fight me sooner or later. I have helpers now, and it won't be easy for the enemy to succeed. When the time comes, it won't be too late to complete the advancement mission during the fight. It's better to keep the 'Chaos Observer' talent for now. It might come in handy."

Sorting out his thoughts, Han Xiao left a subprogram of Phillip to prevent the enemy from cutting off communications. Phillip could call for support in his place.

After making all the preparations, Han Xiao no longer lingered, boarded the spaceship, and headed to Haïlan Star.

...

At the central base's landing platform in Black Star City, the remaining mercenary executives and some of the officials under Bennett received the notice and waited for Black Star's return. Their expressions varied as they talked amongst themselves.

Bennett paced back and forth in front of the crowd, occasionally looking up at the sky, looking quite anxious.

Whoosh—

The sound of air being torn apart rang out, gradually approaching. The crowd hurriedly looked up at the sky, seeing Black Star's signature vehicle slowly descending. Everyone's spirits lifted, and they breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had found their backbone.

The Blacklight Stealth Craft came to a stop, and Han Xiao once again set foot on Haïlan Star. He immediately saw Bennett and the others and walked over.

"You're finally back!"

Bennett's shoulders relaxed as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden. He had been under great pressure recently. With Black Star's return, he suddenly felt no pressure at all. If the sky fell, there was a tall man to hold it up. Black Star was the guardian of the entire Haïlan Star, able to cut through the mess with a swift stroke.

Han Xiao nodded and strode into the base, with Bennett and the others following beside him.

"How's the situation now?"

"The six nations have openly declared war. Whether it's their people or our people, everyone is panicking. My intelligence agents in the six nations tell me that the six nations have started preparing missile attacks on Black Star City. I haven't dared to turn off the protective shield these past few days, fearing a sudden attack from the six nations. They're crazy! I can't use logic to judge their actions!" Bennett said urgently.

Han Xiao curled his lips. "Do all the officials in the six nations' governments agree with the declaration of war? I don't believe everyone has gone mad. Do you have any information on this?"

Bennett's tone was heavy. "You're right. The six nations' decision to declare war was very sudden. It's said that many officials didn't know about it beforehand. Many people objected, but within a few hours, all the dissenting officials were arrested. The six nations are simply engaging in dictatorship."

"Collective dictatorship? Haha, how novel." Han Xiao pretended to be curious and asked, "Have you talked to the leaders of the six nations?"

"No, they have consistently refused to speak to me. I have no idea what their intentions are in doing this," Bennett said helplessly.

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Then I'll have to pay them a personal visit to talk about life."

And to see what tricks this group of hunters had played on the six nations to make them collectively lose their minds.

Bennett looked worried. "The six nations have already broken with us. They won't allow you to get close. Be careful, they might launch missiles at you."

"Then let them try," Han Xiao said coldly. "I've had enough of internal friction. Civilization has been divided for too long. It's time for unification."

Since he was going to be bait, he had to act more convincingly... Han Xiao secretly curled his lips and quietly glanced at the officials following behind him.

—The enemy might be watching him.