Chapter 140 Laki

Laki’s expression became even more depressed, his wrinkles as deep as if carved with knives and axes, his face seemingly etched with a large character for "bitter."

Han Xiao reacted, his mouth twitching. "Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. Your name is… quite good."

"Unfortunately, my father thought so too," Laki sighed.

*Why is this guy so polite…* Han Xiao thought awkwardly, barely suppressing the urge to unleash the torrent of snark bubbling inside him.

No wonder this guy was pessimistic. Introducing himself to others, the first thing he said was, *I’m Laki*. How could anyone face life with a smile? Anyone would be depressed, unable to see any hope in life!

"It's okay, I'm used to it."

Laki waved his hand, indicating that he didn’t take it to heart, and muttered, "Anyway, we’ll all eventually be decomposed into dust by microorganisms. Nothing will remain. I’ll take my name and disappear into the river of history, and no one will ever remember me again."

Han Xiao's forehead was covered in black lines.

This guy's negative energy was about to overflow!

Laki was an A-grade mage. Besides researching magic, he didn’t want to do anything else, like a salted fish without ambition.

He accepted Han Xiao's recruitment, firstly because he owed Han Xiao a favor. He didn’t have anywhere else to go, so he followed along. Secondly, joining a faction would cover his magic research expenses, saving him the trouble of earning money everywhere, which was much easier.

The Black Star Army had its first A-grade advanced combatant. Although Laki had a strange personality, Han Xiao was still quite happy and planned to learn more about this new companion. However, Laki didn’t like to talk much. When asked about his past, he always hummed and hawed evasively. After chatting for a while, Han Xiao still knew nothing about his past.

"Do you not have any friends or family?" Han Xiao couldn’t help asking.

Laki sighed, his temperament melancholic, with a "I have a story, but you have no wine" expression, and slowly said, "Just pretend I don’t."

Han Xiao rolled his eyes.

If Laki had some stubble and a half-burnt cigarette, the image would be complete.

Speaking of which, how did this guy become an A-grade in this state? Did he experience a setback that drastically changed his personality, or has he always been a salted fish? If it was the latter… Han Xiao didn't dare imagine Laki's talent.

"Could it be that I’ve picked up a protagonist-type character…" Han Xiao raised his palm, hesitating whether to slap Laki to see his stats.

At this moment, the factions present finished dealing with the returning officers, and the main force prepared to set off. Before leaving, they all bid farewell to Han Xiao.

Through this joint operation, Han Xiao had established good relationships with them, and his personal influence spread beyond the Colton Star Cluster.

Allies and collaborators were also part of the faction’s development. Han Xiao’s goal was to have friends all over the star field, so that someone would hand him the toilet paper no matter where he pooped. He had now taken a solid step towards this goal.

Among them, the Star Beast faction was very grateful to Han Xiao for rescuing their leader, Gorobil. They didn’t usually trade with outsiders, but they were now willing to cooperate with the Black Star Army in business.

In Version 3.0, the Star Beast faction began to hire outsiders, and players could do faction missions to increase their favor, and purchase many rare biological gene potions here, and even buy pets and mounts… Although they had spaceships, the only use of mounts was to increase fashion value.

Han Xiao wanted to purchase some extremely rare interstellar biological materials to upgrade his template specialty, [Intermediate Tough Life].

Last time, taking the Void Overlord’s core proved that the idea was feasible. Han Xiao needed rare biological materials that met the requirements, and the Star Beast faction was an expert in this area. They readily agreed, saying they would fulfill the request and notify him when the time came.

Among the rescued people, there were many lone rangers. Although they refused Han Xiao’s recruitment, they all left their contact information, promising that if Black Star needed help in the future, they would not hesitate to assist.

Han Xiao regarded them as potential allies. The credibility of A-grade powerhouses was still reliable. It was never a loss to build a good relationship.

Albert and his six companions became Han Xiao’s prisoners. After dismantling Albert’s headquarters, Ames also left with Han Xiao.

…

A few days later, the large-scale operation orchestrated by Han Xiao spread, and this time, instead of being buried in the many news stories, it caused a great uproar in the Shattered Star Ring!

Countless factions in the Shattered Star Ring, including the seven star cluster civilizations, were frightened by the commotion Han Xiao had caused.

Numerous factions from all over the galaxy responded to Black Star, forming a force that even star cluster civilizations dared not underestimate, and obeyed Black Star’s command. This made countless people feel shocked and surprised—when did Black Star have such powerful appeal?!

Ames also participated in the operation, which made many people’s imaginations run wild.

All along, the impression given by the Dragon Emperor’s faction in the Shattered Star Ring was neutral, weak, and salted fish. The appearance of the Black Star Army slightly increased Dragon Emperor’s deterrence, but it was not enough to change the inherent image of Dragon Emperor in many people’s minds.

However, this time, it made many people mistakenly believe that this was Dragon Emperor’s doing, deliberately showing their strength, which was greatly surprising.

Unbeknownst to them, Dragon Emperor had already formed alliances with so many factions, and the seven star cluster civilizations had to reassess Dragon Emperor’s position.

As a Super-A grade powerhouse, Ames had always appeared to be aloof from the world, but in recent years she had become increasingly active. This all started after Black Star joined Dragon Emperor. Black Star was like a catalyst, transforming Dragon Emperor. In just a few years, he had helped Dragon Emperor rise rapidly.

After this incident, Dragon Emperor showed strong competitiveness, and some private organizations couldn’t help but have ideas.

A faction with a Super-A grade expert at its helm had a bright future. As long as they raised their arms, they could attract many people to join voluntarily. The news created by Han Xiao had an effect. If it could attract more allies to Dragon Emperor, he would also benefit from it.

This operation also had another impact. The "truth" revealed by Albert brought bad luck to Klent, and all the targeted factions spoke with one voice, accusing Klent’s actions.

In fact, most civilizations had done similar things, and everyone had a tacit understanding. However, once exposed, they would become the target of public criticism.

The Klent Empire was very uncomfortable. They were sitting at home, and the pot fell from the sky. They were just innocent bystanders and suddenly got caught in the crossfire.

The official spokesman naturally resolutely denied it, but it was not of much use. Of course, Klent was, after all, a powerful star cluster civilization, and all the affected factions could only condemn them.

The potential impact was not small, and more factions became wary of Klent. At the time of the impending chaotic era, every faction was very vigilant.

In fact, Albert did have a cooperative relationship with Klent, but Klent was only providing them with intelligence. Albert and the others came from other star fields, and Klent was not their master. In an accidental encounter, Klent took a fancy to their strength and decided to provide intelligence, indeed harboring the intention of using them to stir up trouble, so it was not entirely wrong to accuse Klent.

To have this incident exposed at a time when they were targeting the Purple Crystal Civilization was equivalent to indirectly increasing the Purple Crystal Civilization’s strength and giving them more bargaining chips in the secret war. The Klent people suffered a silent loss and were very angry about it.

Black Star’s actions made it more difficult for Klent and disrupted their planned schedule.

The War Realm had to fine-tune its strategy, and the start of the war was postponed.

…

The Blacklight Stealth was heading to the Garton Star System. On the ship, Han Xiao extracted the superpowers of Albert and his six companions, drawing dozens of tubes of gene potions, weakening the six, and began interrogating them in the prison.

The [Prey] quest was not yet completed, the third stage had not been refreshed, and the mastermind would also be an enemy. Being able to command six A-grade powerhouses, and with almost A+ strength, the force behind them must not be simple.

"I’ve said it, Klent ordered us to do it," Albert said weakly.

Han Xiao shook his head. "I didn’t stop you from framing Klent, because it’s also in my interest. That doesn’t mean I really believe it. I know that torture may not be useful to you, but luckily, I brought a professional."

As soon as he finished speaking, Isolde walked in. He had also followed Ames to join in the fun and had been staying on the ship. His ability was suitable for probing intelligence. Even if Albert and his companions didn’t confess, it didn’t matter. Isolde didn’t mind doing Han Xiao this small favor.

"It’s up to you, old man." Han Xiao stepped aside.

Isolde hummed, touched the six of them, closed his eyes, and used his ability. After a long while, he opened his eyes, and his expression was a little strange.

"Old man, any results?"

"I didn’t expect it to be them…" Isolde muttered to himself, his tone becoming serious. "Black Star, this time you’ve really provoked some terrible guys."

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "I didn’t provoke them, they’re the ones who targeted me."

"You’re right, a big tree attracts the wind. You can only blame yourself for being unlucky." Isolde sighed and muttered, "I thought I would never have anything to do with these people again. Anything related to them will become very troublesome."

"Stop beating around the bush, who are they?"

"Have you heard of the Ancient Ones?"

Han Xiao’s expression suddenly changed, and he became serious.

Of course, he knew this famous organization. Even in his previous life, the Ancient Ones were a well-known force in the eyes of the players. Rhysda’s mentioned Manison, the [Machinery Country], was a member of the Ancient Ones.

This organization was very special, with few members, located in different star fields, all of whom were top figures in the Star Sea, and most of them had long lifespans, having lived for many years, dating back to the end of the Exploration Era. Among them were not a few Super-A grade powerhouses. The organizational structure was loose, and it could be understood as a top-level social circle, with a respected status in the universe, and even the three great civilizations had to treat them politely.

In the [Superpower Calamity] version, several Super-A grade members of the Ancient Ones formed their own factions, and Manison was one of them.

Isolde used to be a member of the Ancient Ones, but later he quit.

"You’re saying the Ancient Ones are the mastermind?"

Han Xiao said solemnly. The Ancient Ones were indeed a force that he couldn’t afford to provoke at present.

"I’m not sure. I didn’t foresee the specific details. I only saw that this matter was somehow related to the Ancient Ones."

Isolde explained.

Hearing this, Han Xiao looked at Albert. Albert had a calm expression and did not show any abnormality because Isolde mentioned the Ancient Ones, as if he had nothing to do with them at all. He didn’t know if he was acting.

After thinking about it, Han Xiao squatted down, looked directly into Albert’s eyes, and asked, "Are the Ancient Ones your real masters?"

"No." Albert frowned. "I’ve said more than once that it’s Klent, whether you believe it or not."

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "If it really has nothing to do with the Ancient Ones, with your style, I think you would be very happy for me to provoke them."

Albert suddenly fell silent and stopped talking.

Although he retorted, Han Xiao couldn’t be 100% sure that the Ancient Ones were the final enemy that the [Prey] pointed to. Moreover, the Ancient Ones were a loose organization, so it might just be a plan of one of the members of the Ancient Ones.

"What a coincidence. This is the second time I’ve interacted with the Ancient Ones. First Aroshia, now this group of people…"

Han Xiao had a thoughtful expression. This was too coincidental.

"Whether it’s the Ancient Ones or not, I can’t deal with them now… at least not yet. Without reaching Super-A grade, it’s difficult to even protect myself."

Han Xiao felt a little heavy. The enemy had already targeted him. Albert and the others had fallen, and there would inevitably be new powerful enemies appearing, but he hadn’t even discovered the true identity of the enemy.

This sense of crisis put a lot of pressure on him.

However, worry couldn’t change anything. Han Xiao adjusted his mood. At this time, a problem was placed in front of him… how to deal with these six prisoners.

Keeping them at home to squeeze them for information was not a good choice. They were not those trashy and embarrassing star pirates. If they were to escape, he would not be able to suppress them. He probably wouldn’t be able to force too much information from the six. Letting them live was asking for trouble.

Ellert sensed Han Xiao’s killing intent and trembled.