Chapter 465 Reunion and Inspection

Iso, Virna, and Jenny were chatting when a spaceship familiar to all three of them approached from afar – Han Xiao's ride, the Blacklight Stealther.

"Why is he back?"

All three were stunned. They had just been talking about Han Xiao, about Black Star, and now Black Star had arrived?

The Blacklight Stealther squeezed into the Dragon Tain floating island's dock. The hatch opened, and Han Xiao landed on the ground. He glanced at the Star Pirates huddled in the corner of the dock, trembling like quails, and curled his lip. Then he turned his gaze to Iso and the others, walking over to greet them.

"Yo, everyone's here."

"What are you back for?" Jenny snorted.

"I haven't seen you in so long, I missed you, especially that charming hairline of yours, it kept me up at night… By the way, have you had time to sleep lately?"

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. After so long together, he knew Jenny's sensitive spots and how to get a rise out of her.

"You're such a jerk!" Jenny snapped, her teeth gritted as she felt the sting of his words. She didn't bother talking to Han Xiao anymore, turning to leave with heavy steps, as if she wanted to use her heels to stomp Dragon Tain floating island into a crater.

Watching Jenny walk away, Han Xiao turned to Virna, "What were you guys doing?"

"W-we were inspecting the Second External Forces…" Virna stammered, her face flushed. Han Xiao had funded the creation of this force, and Iso had just told her it was a symbol of Han Xiao's firm intention to leave. Now that the person in question had suddenly appeared, she felt uneasy, a strange sense of being caught in the act.

Iso had seen plenty of ups and downs, so he wasn't at all embarrassed. He moved past the topic, "Are you looking for Ames? She doesn't know you're back, she should be in the palace cultivating her abilities. You can go find her there."

Han Xiao nodded, casually ruffling Virna's hair. Seeing her face turn as red as a ripe tomato, almost ready to burst into flames, he left satisfied.

Even though Virna was a Calamity Grade, this girl was too soft and cute. Every time Han Xiao saw her, he couldn't help but want to pat her head and tease her. After all, she was his future successor, so he didn't stand on ceremony and acted casually.

He had just finished an assignment, and Dragon Tain floating island happened to be nearby, so he decided to drop by and take a look around. He also planned to use the Blank Character Summon Card to record one of Ames' abilities.

Making his way to the vicinity of the palace, Han Xiao ran into Hela and Aurora, and his eyes lit up.

Hela was wearing a high-strength nano-fiber red bodysuit. Compared to three years ago, her chest was fuller, her figure more fiery, and her appearance and temperament were getting closer and closer to the "Goddess of Death" from his previous life. She was extremely cold and aloof, her asexual style combined with a charming and alluring face created a contrasting temptation.

Aurora, standing beside her, had also grown taller. Her frame was still smaller than Hela's, but their milk output was evenly matched. It was clear that she had developed her life-energy abilities very well, her skin was fair and tender, and she was full of vitality – obviously overnourished.

Both of them had sweat on their foreheads and were walking out of the palace, as if they had just finished a workout. When they saw Han Xiao, they both stopped in their tracks.

"Wow, are you here to see us?" Aurora asked with a delighted expression, throwing herself into Han Xiao's arms and wriggling around.

Hela's eyes twitched, and she slowly walked over.

"Okay, okay, that's enough, that's enough." Han Xiao quickly pushed Aurora away by the forehead and sized up the two of them, a look of gratification on his face. "It seems like you've been practicing well, following Ames."

Both sisters had S-Grade potential in their abilities, and they were growing rapidly. The energy waves they emitted had reached B-Grade standards, with Hela's being even stronger. Han Xiao estimated that Hela's energy level was around 6,000.

'In the original storyline of version 3.0, she reached Calamity Grade. Although she isn't increasing her strength by slaughtering, given her potential and hard work, there's a high chance that she'll advance to Calamity Grade in these seven years.'

A thought flashed through Han Xiao's mind. He paused for a moment, then rubbed Aurora's head while asking Hela, "When you become a Calamity Grade, come back and help me, okay?"

With her achievements in his previous life as a foundation, Hela's combat strength was definitely not weak. When she reached A-Grade, she would definitely be a great help. And Aurora's milk production was amazing. With this powerful healer, he could effectively reduce the casualties of his officers, which would be a great contribution.

"Okay." Hela nodded, giving a very decisive answer this time, without a hint of tsundere.

"I thought you'd hesitate for a while. After all, it's very safe here with Ames, and you've always prioritized safety."

Hela was expressionless, "This was what we agreed upon in the first place. When I reach Calamity Grade, I'll naturally be able to protect Aurora. We can't stay in one place forever. Now that we've come to the universe, of course we want to see all its corners. Besides, she has some ability to protect herself now."

Han Xiao sized Hela up, "I somehow feel like you're not being entirely honest?"

"Hmph." Hela turned her face away.

She was working hard not only to protect Aurora in the more dangerous Star Sea but also to gain the qualifications to help Han Xiao as soon as possible, in order to repay his kindness. She had a strong personality, and she always had to repay those she owed.

Besides, working for Han Xiao meant that she could see him often, while cultivating on Dragon Tain meant that she could only see Han Xiao once in a long while. She missed him.

"Are you here to see Her Excellency Dragon Emperor?" Hela asked.

"Yup."

"…She should be in the garden. You can go find her there."

Hela lowered her eyes.

Han Xiao was about to step into the palace when Hela suddenly stopped him from behind and couldn't help but ask, "What level has your strength reached?"

She hadn't reached Han Xiao's level yet, and the news reports all contained exaggerations, so she had always been curious about Han Xiao's true combat power.

"Hmm, probably if I let you use both hands, I could still beat a hundred thousand of you." Han Xiao smiled.

Hela secretly gritted her teeth.

She was the first to meet Han Xiao, but now she couldn't even keep up with his pace. Her competitive spirit was stimulated once again.

…

Arriving at the garden, Ames was floating in the air, gazing at a dim star on the horizon.

Hearing footsteps, she lowered her head and glanced over. She slowly descended and landed in front of Han Xiao, her smooth long hair and gauze-like black dress fluttering in the wind.

"You're back, Black Star." Ames' eyes curved into a smile as she praised, "I heard about your funding of the Second External Forces. You did a good job."

"It's easy to do anything when you have money." Han Xiao chuckled, secretly using the Blank Character Summon Card on Ames. The new Character Summon Card immediately took shape, turning into an Ames Character Summon Card.

"Are you back to see me because there's something you need?" Ames blinked.

"Can't I just come back to see you if there's nothing wrong?" Han Xiao naturally wouldn't directly say it was for the Blank Character Summon Card.

Ames suddenly said with emotion, "You're becoming less and less restrained in front of me."

"Isn't that because we're very familiar with each other?" Han Xiao laughed.

"Is that all?" Ames stared into Han Xiao's eyes, a smile playing on her lips.

Black Star was getting stronger and stronger, his status, strength, and position were constantly improving, and the gap between the two of them was rapidly narrowing. Black Star was becoming more and more casual when facing her, no longer treating her as his superior, but more like an equal.

As the thought flashed through her mind, Ames suddenly said, "How long has it been since I last visited your territory?"

Han Xiao was stunned for a moment, then thought about it, "It's been several years, right? What's wrong?"

The last time Ames visited the Black Star Army was at the beginning of version 2.0, when she took in the Hela sisters as her students.

"Only a few years have passed, and your forces have grown to what they are today. Black Star, take me to visit your territory again." Ames tilted her head, her eyes filled with a smile that Han Xiao couldn't understand.

Han Xiao was a little surprised, but he was used to Ames' capricious nature, thinking that Ames was probably just restless (bored). So he nodded, "Okay, since you want to inspect the troops, I'll accompany you. I'm on vacation lately, so let's go to the Black Star Army headquarters, how about it?"

"Okay, you decide." Ames smiled.

The two of them left as soon as they said they would.

Iso was still inspecting the troops at the dock and hadn't left. When he saw that Han Xiao had only left for a short while before tricking Ames into boarding a spaceship and taking her away, he had a helpless expression on his face.

…

Outer space orbit outside Golden Gate Star, Black Star Army headquarters satellite.

The Blacklight Stealther returned to headquarters. The two stepped off the spaceship, and Han Xiao took Ames to visit the various areas of the headquarters. The Black Star Army members they passed along the way cast strange glances.

The rumors that the two were separating had never disappeared. Now that they saw their Army Commander and Ames appearing together, many people felt strange. Currently, Ames was still the Black Star Army's immediate superior, as if she had come to inspect the troops.

Han Xiao was introducing everything along the way, while Ames listened silently without saying a word. Soon, they had finished visiting all the areas of the headquarters and finally arrived at Han Xiao's office. All the Black Star Army officers who were staying at the headquarters had been summoned by Han Xiao and were waiting in the office to meet Ames and be inspected.

As soon as Ames entered the door, the Black Star Army officers who were waiting stood up one after another, nodding and paying their respects, giving the Beyond Grade A powerhouse enough respect.

Ames glanced around, saw Milos and the others, and smiled slightly, "I still remember a few of you, you're all Black Star's old subordinates."

"You're called Milos, right?" Ames came to Milos and nodded with a smile, "I can see your potential, you should be able to reach Calamity Grade."

Milos was overjoyed. He had been troubled by this matter, and now he felt much more relaxed. He trusted the judgment of a Beyond Grade A.

Ames then came to Aroshia, and seeing that she was still so indifferent, she smiled slightly and didn't say much. Then she moved to Sylvia and reached out to touch Sylvia's head.

"What a clever child, I think you also have the potential to become a Calamity Grade."

Sylvia blinked her big eyes, feeling strange.

She always felt that Ames seemed to like guessing other people's potential, not knowing if it was her quirk.

Ames paused for a while in front of each officer, saying a few words. Each officer reacted differently. Fording smiled gently, Hammond looked dazed, Reynold was serious, Rosaline was neither humble nor arrogant, and the three Calamity Grades who had joined them, Kampe, Marion, and Mischeche, were trembling with excitement.

Finally, she came to Laqi and took a few more glances, "I didn't expect that you were actually the Forbidden Witch Commander under Austin."

"Alas, what's the use? I was still fired."

Laqi sighed. He had seen many Beyond Grade A powerhouses, and his attitude was the most casual among the officers. He was clearly a salted fish who had seen the world.

Ames smiled and returned to Han Xiao's side. She had just finished inspecting them, and now none of the officers in the army were speaking, their aura completely suppressed by Ames.

"Alright, Black Star, I want to go back."

"You're leaving already?" Han Xiao was stunned. She had come all the way here, taken a stroll, and was leaving? Wasn't she going to stay for a few days?

"I've already seen what I wanted to see." Ames shook her head.

The rise of the Black Star Army was too rapid. Observing the Black Star Army was the same as observing Han Xiao's ambitions. She had already figured out what she wanted to know and had the answer in her heart.

Perhaps… I'm really not suitable to be his leader.

Han Xiao's eyes flickered, understanding something. He sighed inwardly and had the officers dismissed. He took Ames back to the dock, the two of them silent along the way.

"Send me a spaceship, I'll go back myself. You don't need to make another trip." Ames said.

"Okay, I'll have someone arrange it." Han Xiao called the person in charge of the dock and asked him to bring over a spare spaceship.

The two of them waited for the spaceship at the dock. Ames didn't turn her head and suddenly spoke.

"A few years ago, you informed me that you were going to participate in the Secret War, but you didn't ask me for help. Why didn't you do that?"

Hearing this, Han Xiao coughed, "Your identity is sensitive, you're not suitable to participate in the Secret War, right? I notified you, and you didn't stop me, so I took it as your tacit agreement. And at that time, you didn't show any intention of getting involved, so I didn't ask you for help."

"But why not try?"

What does this mean… Han Xiao frowned, only able to see the back of Ames' head. She still didn't turn around, so he changed the subject.

"A few years ago, when I was ambushed by Wan… cough cough, Klent, I asked you for help, but you didn't agree."

Han Xiao was referring to the third stage of the [Prey] mission, when he had applied for Ames' assistance, but was rejected.

"If you had insisted at that time, I would have still agreed. If you had insisted on inviting me to join the Secret War back then, I might not have refused… Although I don't like getting involved in these things." Ames' tone was indifferent.

Han Xiao couldn't see her face and could only analyze from her tone. He tentatively asked, "Are you saying that you wanted to get involved in the Secret War?"

"There's no need for me now."

Ames paused, then changed the subject, "From the first day I met you, I've never seen you stop moving forward. Why?"

Is she trying to speak to me in riddles? When did you become so cryptic… Han Xiao's lips twitched, and after thinking about it, he said helplessly, "It's not time to stop yet. You have the capital to stop, I don't."

"…What are you afraid of?"

Han Xiao's eyes moved slightly, but he didn't answer.

Just then, a spaceship finally stopped in front of Ames. The hatch opened, and a gangway was lowered, inviting her to board.

Ames stretched, her clothes tightened, outlining her gracefully curved waist. She sighed and said softly, "I hope that one day you'll be willing to stop and look at the scenery along the way… This universe is vast, but it has an end, while ambition is endless."

After saying that, she strode up the gangway, closed the hatch, cutting off Han Xiao's view. He couldn't see her expression at all.

Watching the spaceship shoot out from the orbit and disappear into the horizon as a stream of light, Han Xiao retracted his gaze, let out a breath, and rubbed his temples.

He always felt that Ames had changed, her temper becoming more and more fickle.

When exactly did she start to change… Han Xiao pondered.

…

The Crimson Dynasty and the Radiant Federation were bickering, and their influence spread throughout the Star Sea. The entire galaxy was affected, and the interest landscape was gradually reshuffled in the midst of various conflicts, and small or large battles also broke out in various Star Clusters in the Shattered Star Ring.

The Red Tide swept through the entire Star Sea. In comparison, the chaos in the Shattered Star Ring was just the tip of the iceberg under the trend of the Red Tide.

The situation of the Secret War was several times more complicated than in his previous life. There were more participants, and even many "unexpected" events that didn't happen originally. But on the whole, the War Realm and Zero Organization were still evenly matched, and the situation was in a deadlock.

Scenes of ion cannons crisscrossing, battleships shattering, and Superhumans fighting one another occurred one after another. Countless battles, negotiations, assassinations, plunderings, and rebellions were staged in turn.

War was also an opportunity. No one was fighting for the sake of fighting. The Black Star Army absorbed nutrients from it and expanded steadily.

Han Xiao was active in the Secret War, sustaining the war with war, becoming the most dazzling rising star on this stage.

The trend was like a rushing river, never able to stop or go back. The secret war between Klent and the Purple Crystal in the Shattered Star Ring also intensified in this chaos that swept through the entire universe.

The raging flames of war took away seven years of time from this universe.