Chapter 3 A New Hunter

[Mission Brief: You shattered the first group of hunters, lifting a corner of this enormous force's iceberg. Now, a new group of hunters has arrived. They are stronger, more dangerous, hiding in the shadows, watching you, ready to make their move.]

[Mission Objective: Resolve the attacks of the new hunter team]

[Reward: 78.5 million experience, randomly draw an ability from one member of the new hunter team]

"The mastermind behind Albert's group has sent a new team to hunt me again?"

Han Xiao's expression turned serious. The high experience reward indicated the difficulty of the third stage.

The mission description was ambiguous, only revealing that a group of unknown, powerful enemies were watching him from the shadows, while their plans remained a mystery.

It was like a ticking time bomb with an unknown detonation time. The only good news was that the panel's mission prompt at least gave him a warning, letting him know of the bomb's existence.

"Based on the previous clues, the master behind the hunters should be an ancient being from another star cluster. They haven't given up, and this time they've sent a team that's definitely no weaker than Albert's team. Damn... this is troublesome."

Han Xiao felt quite troubled. The appearance of another group of powerful enemies during the critical juncture of the Secret War added an unpredictable variable, which was not a good thing.

After thinking about it, he felt that the most urgent task was to actively search for the enemy's trail, because once the enemy took the initiative to show themselves, it meant they already had enough confidence to deal with him.

It would be one thing if he didn't know about the enemy, but the mission prompt had given him a warning. Han Xiao was used to planning ahead.

"Since the third stage has appeared, it means the new hunter team has already targeted me. To deal with me, there are only a few possibilities: a surprise attack, setting up traps, a reckless frontal assault, or taking advantage of a crisis..."

Han Xiao frowned, lost in thought. He had almost no clues and couldn't judge anything. Who knew where the enemy would suddenly pop up from.

"Looks like I can only rely on some metaphysics..."

He boarded the spaceship, set the destination, and the Blacklight Submersible rose into the air, turning into a stream of light and disappearing, leaving behind only a scarred land, proving that someone had once been on this planet.

...

A few days later, Longtan Floating Island.

The spaceship landed at the dock. Han Xiao ignored the star pirates' fearful and shrinking gazes, heading straight for Old Man Yi Su's house.

Old Man Yi Su's life used to be all about drifting along, but maybe it was old age that triggered his fatherly instincts, and he'd settled down in Longtan to retire, making it easy to find him.

"You said another group of new hunters has appeared, and they're planning to deal with you?"

Inside the room, Yi Su wore gaudy floral pajamas, a crooked sleeping cap, and yawned as he rubbed his eyes, expressing doubt about the information Han Xiao had told him. He had been enjoying his old-age health sleep, but Han Xiao's series of urgent calls had rudely awakened him.

"That's right." Han Xiao nodded.

"So you came to me because you want me to predict what the enemy will do?" Yi Su stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, the enemy is hiding in the shadows, and I need your help."

Yi Su suddenly sized up Han Xiao, changing the subject, "I heard you've recently become a Super-A seed?"

Han Xiao was stunned, wondering why he suddenly brought this up, and could only nod.

"Hmm, that's something I didn't foresee." Yi Su smacked his lips. "But don't believe it too much. It's not that easy to become a Super-A. It's not just an increase in strength, but a sublimation of life form. Every Super-A is actually a new species..."

Yi Su had interacted with many Super-As in the past, and he didn't mind telling Han Xiao about some of his experiences.

Han Xiao listened patiently. Although he had the panel, listening to experience was always beneficial. As the saying goes, an old man in the house is a treasure.

After saying a few words, Yi Su suddenly shook his head.

"Assuming you really hit the one in ten thousand chance and became a Super-A, the ancient being behind the hunters would immediately stop chasing you. The Secret War that's been causing so much noise recently will also end because of you alone. The Shattered Star Ring will have a new Super-A, and you can immediately sit at the highest level of the table. Those Star Cluster-level civilizations will actively share their cake with you. As long as you express your intention, you can easily obtain a huge foundation. All the problems that plague you will be solved..."

Yi Su paused, sighing, "If that day really comes, you'll definitely leave Longtan. A Super-A can't be another Super-A's subordinate."

Han Xiao thought about it, but didn't answer.

Indeed, if he really became a Super-A, he would inevitably start his own business.

From the beginning, Longtan was his chosen short-term backer and stepping stone. He had helped Longtan a lot, so he could be considered to have worked hard. Even if he left Longtan, he wouldn't be an enemy of Ames.

Ames might be unhappy, but Jenny would definitely be eager for him to get lost as soon as possible and go cause trouble for others.

Yi Su rubbed his forehead, helplessly saying, "Old people like to ramble. Let's get back to the main topic. Your clues are insufficient, so I can't guarantee the accuracy of the prediction. It's only for reference, so you'll have to weigh it yourself."

As he spoke, Yi Su closed his eyes and began to predict.

Not long after, the old man opened his eyes.

Seeing Han Xiao still waiting patiently, Yi Su said, "I only saw a blurry image. A huge shadow covered you. You rushed left and right, but no matter what, you couldn't escape the shadow's grasp. In the end, the darkness completely swallowed you."

Han Xiao frowned, "What does that mean?"

"What I see may not be the specific reality, but perhaps just a symbol." Yi Su moonlighted as Zhou Gong, immediately starting to interpret the dream. "I think the meaning of this prediction should be that the mastermind behind the scenes will continue to hunt you, and you can't get rid of him. There's no escape. In short, it means it's very dangerous."

"...That's it?" The corner of Han Xiao's mouth twitched. Was he trying to fool him?

"I told you, there are too few clues, the prediction is very vague, and it may not be correct." Yi Su shrugged. "If I were omniscient, would you have been able to catch me back then?"

Han Xiao was speechless.

Wasn't that the same as saying nothing? He felt that the Child of Destiny character card was more useful than him. If he didn't only have one last use left, he would have used it already. He was unreliable, Old Yi.

With Yi Su dropping the ball, Han Xiao turned to Ames. Now that he was here, he naturally wanted to see her.

Ames was alone in the palace. She was quite happy to see Han Xiao. After chatting for a while, Han Xiao didn't see Hela and Aurora, so he couldn't help but ask about them, learning that Hela didn't know what had stimulated her, and had been dragging Aurora to train desperately during this period.

Han Xiao hadn't notified anyone else about his return, and he didn't plan to disturb the two sisters. He chatted with Ames for a few words and made a request for help.

He had a hunch that the third stage of the mission would be very dangerous. If he could get Ames to help, he could rest assured.

Unexpectedly, Ames smiled faintly, her temperament elegant and noble. She parted her red lips slightly and refused him.

"Black Star, this time I can't. I have other things to do. Besides, you can't always let me help you. Maybe this is a crisis, but you have the potential to become a Super-A. If you really want to become a Super-A, you must rely on yourself to overcome difficulties one by one."

Through recent rumors, Ames had seen the possibility of Han Xiao becoming a Super-A. She decided to reduce her help to Han Xiao. In her opinion, crisis was nourishment. Only by experiencing crisis would the seed sprout and finally break through the soil.

When Yi Su had trained her, he had used hawkish education, allowing her to grow up and become independent. Ames continued this method, and she had the same requirements for Hela and Aurora, except that the two sisters had not yet reached the standard for going out to practice and adventure.

As for Han Xiao, Ames had great trust in his strength. She believed that overprotecting Black Star was not a good thing, as it would reduce Black Star's opportunities to hone himself—she really wanted to see Black Star become stronger, and she would be happy for her friend.

Han Xiao was helpless. After all, Ames was a faction leader, and she wasn't willing to help every time, not to mention that the enemy hadn't even really appeared this time.

Applying for Ames' help was just to save trouble. If the Dragon Emperor didn't help, he would have to find a way himself. Over the years, he had encountered countless crises. It was impossible for him to be a coward. He couldn't be a coward in this life. He would just go all out.

Saying goodbye to Ames, Han Xiao left Longtan by ship, decisive and efficient, coming and going in a hurry.

This time, he hadn't gained enough from returning to Longtan. He was a little disappointed. As expected, he could only rely on himself.

However, with the progress of his strength and influence, the level of struggle was getting higher and higher, and the help that Longtan provided him now was not as great as before.

In the cockpit, Han Xiao drove the spaceship while thinking about countermeasures.

"Ames won't help, and Yi Su is a scam. I have to complete the advancement as soon as possible. The stronger I am, the better..."

After thinking about it, Han Xiao took out the communicator, ready to contact a friend to find someone to spar with.

Beep beep—

The communicator suddenly vibrated, and Bennett suddenly sent a message.

Han Xiao was shocked. After browsing through it, his expression immediately sank.

It wasn't good news.

Since Bennett established Black Star City, he had reduced communication due to being busy with work, and it had been a while since he had sent him a message. Bennett wouldn't bother him if there was nothing important.

Han Xiao had always attached great importance to this novice planet. Although most of the old players had joined the legion, there would be a steady stream of new players in the future.

At this critical moment, he was very sensitive and couldn't help but associate the sudden situation on Aquamarine with the [Prey] third stage mission.

Han Xiao frowned, his alertness greatly heightened.

"There must be a trap in this!"

...

A day ago, Aquamarine.

In the Black Star City government building, Bennett finished approving the backlog of documents, breathed a sigh of relief, and put down his pen to rub his temples, relieving the fatigue in his eyes.

"Alas, being a national leader is more tiring than fighting a war."

Bennett sighed, picked up the hot tea at hand, blew on the steam, and took a small sip. The warm tea entered his throat, and his stomach was warm and comfortable. The mental fatigue slowly dissipated, and the tightly furrowed brows softened and relaxed. He sighed comfortably.

He turned his chair, facing the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the city scene outside the window. Trains traveled along the tracks, and the streets were filled with pedestrians, chatting and laughing. A harmonious and lively scene was reflected in Bennett's eyes, and he couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.

Seeing that people had a stable life, Bennett felt that it was all worth it.

Ding ling ling—

Suddenly, the internal line phone on the table rang rapidly, as if urging him to his death.

"There's really no time to rest."

Bennett said helplessly, reaching out and picking up the phone.

"Y-Your Excellency, t-t-the big... something bad has happened!"

The person on the other end of the phone was a high-ranking official under Bennett. At this time, his tone was stuttering, and his voice was shrill. Bennett could clearly hear the other party's panic through the phone, and he only felt his eardrums ache. He held the microphone a little further away from his ear.

"What are you shouting about? What happened?" Bennett asked in confusion.

"Six... six countries have declared war on us at the same time!!"

Bennett suddenly froze, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he stood up abruptly!

"Have they all gone mad?!"

Clang!

The teacup fell out of his hand and landed on the ground, breaking a hole in the bottom. The hot tea spilled all over the floor.