Chapter 1 Nianli Poison

The Nianli poison sounded serious, and although Han Xiao felt troubled, he wasn't particularly flustered. He had always believed that there were more solutions than problems.

"You can't remove the poison either?" Han Xiao asked Laki.

"At most, I can inscribe rune arrays of mental defense on your body to slow down the erosion of the Nianli poison," Laki sighed. "However, these methods won't cure you. Choosing to be a mage was clearly a mistake."

Fording interjected, "I can also help you strengthen your mental barrier and suppress the Nianli poison, but as for completely dispelling it, we can't do that. You'll have to find another way."

Fording's talent was the highest in the legion, even entering the Heavenly Disaster grade earlier than Sylvia, but his position in the legion was similar to that of a guest elder, and he didn't hold a specific position.

"Then help me suppress the Nianli poison first. I'll think of other ways."

Han Xiao felt relieved. As long as he wasn't helpless, things would be easier.

The Nianli of a Super-A grade was powerful, but Heavenly Disaster grades could also perform a certain degree of defense.

Fording's spiritual body shone brightly, and a steady stream of invisible Nianli poured out like a tide, enveloping Han Xiao's mental brain domain. The mental barrier presented a stable shield structure with countless interconnected hexagons.

Soon, the activity of the Nianli poison significantly decreased. The purplish-black mist showed a certain inertia and no longer churned.

Han Xiao's spirit rallied, and the symptoms of weakness and mental harassment were greatly reduced. The attribute reduction from [Soul Poisoning] decreased from 20% to 14%, and the negative effects of [Whispering Hallucinations] and [Sensory Misdirection] were also significantly weakened.

"The rune array needs to be drawn on your body. Let's go out first," Laki's spiritual body withdrew from Han Xiao's brain domain chat room.

Han Xiao and Fording also retracted their spiritual bodies, and their senses returned to the outside world. Han Xiao's vision changed, and he was back in the spaceship's cultivation room. Fording withdrew his fingers and walked to the side.

Laki walked up, and with a flip of his hand, a short, forearm-length, emerald green crystal staff appeared. The end of the staff swayed with brilliant magical light, scattering specks of light.

He raised his hand, and more than a dozen thick spell books appeared in front of him, turning pages automatically, making rustling sounds. As they turned, pages filled with various magical languages would automatically detach and surround Laki. These were the recorded array models he had prepared for Han Xiao after searching through the spell books, brought out for reference.

"Take off your shirt. I need to draw the array on your body."

Han Xiao unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his strong upper body, tight abs, and knotted back muscles. While full of strength, it also possessed a streamlined beauty. Unlike martial artists who were so muscular, he was strong in just the right way. The talent he had drawn, [Golden Ratio Body], made his figure like a work of art.

"Draw it then," Han Xiao nodded.

Laki mobilized his mana, his eyes glowing, using the staff as a brush and mana as paint to outline the array on Han Xiao's body.

The cool mana flowed over his body, accompanied by bursts of tingling pain and a bit of itching, quite similar to the feeling of a tattoo.

After drawing for more than ten minutes, Laki exhaled, puffing out a cloud of magical breath. The light in his eyes gradually faded. For a grand mage of his level, spending more than ten minutes to inscribe an enchantment was already extremely serious.

Laki took a few steps back, examining Han Xiao, and said with emotion, "Although I don't know if it will work... I drew it beautifully."

Han Xiao looked down. At this time, his upper body was covered with extremely complex rune patterns, like a tattoo, impossible to erase.

The left pectoral muscle was a blue-gold circular array with multiple nested rings, the abdomen was several irregularly shaped arrays arranged like constellations, connected by chain-like runes, the arms were covered with patterns, as if rings of chains were wrapped around them, and the back was also full of arrays, with the spine as the trunk, extending lush arrays, like dense bushes and the fruits growing on them.

Except for his face and head, Han Xiao's upper body was covered with runes, emitting an flickering glow, the frequency like breathing.

"I used the technology of personal enchantment, using your body as the foundation to inscribe rune arrays on it. It will automatically absorb the wandering magical elements from the outside world to replenish energy and maintain operation."

Personal enchantment was an important technology in the enchantment system, enchanting living beings to strengthen certain qualities. Some magical civilizations would use this method to enhance the combat power of their soldiers, and some strong individuals would also enchant their own bodies to solidify certain spells. Han Xiao was no stranger to this form of enchantment. In his previous life, there were mages who specialized in this business, and players could receive the service as long as they paid.

This was also an important business for mages to earn money, just like mechanic players selling products.

Han Xiao curiously stroked his arm, his fingertips able to clearly feel the texture of the runes. Even with his experience, he felt that the personal enchantment on his body was extremely complex.

"The limitation of personal enchantment lies in the physical strength of the enchanted person. The more enchantments, the greater the load. Fortunately, your body is very tough, so I inscribed a large number of arrays for you."

Laki spoke eloquently, "The protection of Emperor Wei Sheng, the embrace of the Ancestor of White Magic, Liyebis' autism, and five other mental defense arrays, as well as the Kemorton Thirteen Ring Secret Technique Alchemy Array to stabilize the mind, and the Mind Furnace to enhance mental strength, and so on."

"The effect is good. I feel much better."

Various hallucinations were suppressed, and Han Xiao's brain was much clearer. He looked at the interface, and the effects of various negative states were weakened again. The reduction of all attributes from [Soul Poisoning] was reduced to 5%, and the impact was already very small.

On the interface, the effects of these personal enchantments were displayed, most of which were to increase mental resistance values. As the base number increased, his [Advanced Mental Resilience] bonus effect also increased.

"By the way, I also inscribed a mental detection array for you."

Laki pointed to a small array on Han Xiao's chest, "As long as you focus your consciousness on it, you can enter the mental brain domain yourself without our assistance. I think you might need this ability to frequently observe the erosion of the Nianli poison."

"That's practical."

Han Xiao was overjoyed. The mechanic class was relatively materialistic and didn't have any mental abilities. He couldn't detect his own mental brain domain. He couldn't always ask for help. With this enchantment, he could enter his spiritual world at any time.

He tried it out, and his vision instantly shifted, his spiritual body entering his own mental brain domain alone.

At this time, in the brain domain, layers of barriers blocked the Nianli poison. The area of the poison was suppressed and reduced in size, from ten percent to six percent.

"These methods can only suppress it. It seems that if I want to dispel the poison, I still need the help of a Super-A grade..." Han Xiao thought to himself.

He wouldn't mention Sisko, who was neither friend nor foe, and the two didn't have much friendship. Han Xiao didn't plan to look for him. It would be more convenient to ask Austin for help. Although Austin wasn't a professional Nianli master, both the magic system and the Nianli system belonged to the mystical side of professions.

Han Xiao left the spiritual world, took out his communicator, thought about it, put on his clothes first, and then contacted Austin.

"Black Star?" The child-like Austin appeared on the virtual screen with a curious look. "We haven't been in contact for years. What do you need me for?"

"Your Excellency Warlock, I hope to get your help..."

Han Xiao nodded and explained everything.

"To be hit by Sisko's Nianli attack, you're very unlucky," Austin smiled. "Okay, come find me. I haven't seen Sisko for a long time. Let me see what progress he's made."

Of the four Super-As in the Shattered Star Ring, Heber was domineering, Ames was willful, and Sisko was aloof. Only Austin was amiable and friendly, and his words were pleasant to hear. Upon hearing Han Xiao's request for help, he agreed immediately.

After hanging up the communication, Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Laki, "Do you want to go to Austin's territory with me?"

Laki shook his head. Now that he was out, he didn't want to go back.

"Okay, then you stay in the Black Star Army and cooperate with Melos and Sylvia to deal with the aftermath of this battle. I have to leave for a while," Han Xiao said solemnly. "Right now, only the two of you know my current situation in the army. Don't tell anyone else."

Even Joel didn't know the specific effects of this ball of Nianli poison on him. Han Xiao planned to block the news and didn't want to reveal his temporary weakness.

"Fording, you'll follow me for now," Han Xiao said.

With Fording by his side, he could leech off his Advanced Lucky Halo, and if the Nianli poison mutated, Fording could help him to a certain extent. Most importantly, personally fighting would cause his stamina to turn into nourishment for the Nianli poison, so he had to bring some thugs with him. Fording was now an A-grade Nianli master, and his combat power was reliable.

"Now that you're in trouble, of course I'll be by your side."

Fording smiled warmly, his handsome face seeming to radiate light.

Please, put away your magic powers and stop casting charm spells randomly... Han Xiao had a headache.

...

With the end of the counterattack campaign, the Zero Organization left some troops to guard the border of the Kant Star System, setting up a blockade to prevent the war realm from making a comeback, while the other participating forces returned fully loaded.

The million or so participating players reaped a great harvest and returned triumphantly with satisfaction. Han Xiao, on the other hand, took Fording and another thug, Marion, left the main force, and headed to Austin's Crimson Robe Hermitage.

The faction panel could remotely issue faction missions, and the necessary goods were placed on the faction store, so Han Xiao didn't need to stay by the players' side all the time.

The players had made a fortune this time, and with the 50% discount benefit still not over, some people would always spend money in the army, so Han Xiao didn't need to worry about it for the time being. Moreover, after this battle, there wouldn't be any large-scale military operations for a while, and he had enough free time to solve the problem of the Nianli poison.

The Crimson Robe Hermitage was located in another star cluster, quite a long journey away. Han Xiao and his group of three set out on their journey.

At the same time, at the headquarters of the war realm, Heber Star.

The command post was tallying the battle damage from this defeat. Joel listened to his subordinates' reports. The damage wasn't small, but he was smiling, not annoyed at all.

It was normal for them to be driven out by the Zero Organization, who had come out in full force. However, the biggest achievement this time was the successful assassination of Black Star, which Joel was very satisfied with.

Black Star was just one person, but he possessed overwhelming combat power at the high-level combat force level. In the past decade, the war realm had lost dozens or hundreds of Heavenly Disaster grades at the hands of Black Star. Even with an entire star cluster as a talent reserve base, this was no small number.

Heber's heart was as hard as iron, he didn't care about battle damage, and he was able to hold his breath, but Joel couldn't. He was the meticulous steward, and he felt the pain of losing high-level combat force more than anyone else. If Heber hadn't wanted to raise pigs, Joel wouldn't have dared to let Han Xiao continue to be active in the war.

He had used so many methods in the past and still couldn't kill Black Star. Even if Black Star had been assassinated, Joel didn't think he could threaten his life, so he didn't plan to carry out any subsequent assassinations. He would leave Black Star to be dealt with by the Overlord himself.

Joel was in a good mood. He was already very satisfied to be able to weaken Black Star.

Although he didn't know what kind of injuries Black Star had suffered, Joel secretly prayed for the best possible outcome—that Black Star would be unable to continue participating in the war, preventing the Crimson Dynasty from using this trump card.

Without Black Star, their war realm's high-level combat forces would be qualified to be reckless.

...

In a certain star system in the Colton Star Cluster, Longtan Floating Island was slowly drifting in the universe.

Compared to seven years ago, the terrain of Longtan Floating Island had undergone significant changes, turning into three floating islands, one large and two small.

The largest was the original floating island, which was now the main island. The other two small floating islands orbited the main island like satellites. These were the two newly added sub-islands, where Longtan's armed forces were stationed.

With the support of the Black Star Army, Verna had spent seven years expanding Longtan's Second Outer Patrol Fleet to a considerable size. Even the ports on the main island couldn't accommodate it all. The two sub-islands were military camps, land that Izo had used Ames' force fields to carve out from the surface of the planet.

After seven years of development, Longtan also had a new atmosphere.

At this moment, Ames, Izo, Verna, and Jenny were all gathered at the port of Longtan Main Island. Every Longtan member with a name and face was present.

A brand-new dark red small spaceship was docked at the port. Hela and Aurora, carrying their bags, stood in front of everyone.

The two still had the same temperament, but they were both more mature than they had been seven years ago. They were both wearing combat uniforms of different styles, with distinct colors. Hela's clothing was black and red, while Aurora's was white with gold trim.

"Are you really not considering staying to help me?" Verna said, her face full of regret.

Now that the Black Star Army was neither close nor distant and was approaching independence, the Second Armed Fleet led by Verna was Longtan's exclusive fleet. She was the fleet commander, and she had countless elite soldiers and powerful generals under her command.

She had worked for Longtan for seven years and had established a deep relationship with Longtan's leaders, and she was also very close to Hela and Aurora.

Today was the day Hela and Aurora left Longtan. After following the Dragon Seat for more than ten years, Hela finally planned to come out of the mountains.

Verna had asked the two sisters more than once to stay and become her right-hand women, but the two were determined to leave.

"I'm sorry, Sister Verna. We made an agreement with Uncle Black Star a long time ago that we would definitely go find him," Aurora said apologetically.

Verna sighed. The Black Star Army had helped her a lot, and the Hela sisters had a deep bond with Black Star, so she was embarrassed to keep poaching them.

Jenny snorted, "I transferred 200,000 Enas into your accounts. That's enough for you to use on the road. Black Star is the rich one. Once you join his command, you won't need me to give you money anymore."

"Thank you, Sister Jenny," Aurora said politely.

"Hmph." Jenny turned her head away. The two's insistence on joining the Black Star Army made her feel very depressed.

Visandre chuckled, "Remember to say hello to Black Star for me after you see him."

"Okay," Aurora nodded.

"By the way, say hello for me too, Ji Ji Ji—" Longtan's logistics manager, Hail, who was used to being a transparent worm, also spoke.

"I know."

Aurora shrank her neck. After being together for more than ten years, Hail's hideous insectoid appearance still made her a little scared.

Izo shook his head and said, "I've spied on your future. I don't know if it's right or wrong to let you find Black Star."

"Fate is always in an uncertain state and can change at any time. You told us that," Aurora blinked her big eyes and said crisply.

Izo sighed repeatedly, muttering words like "Black Star," "death," and "war."

Finally, the gazes of the Hela sisters converged on Ames.

Ames smiled faintly, opened her red lips slightly, and said softly:

"Be careful on the road."

Aurora smiled sweetly, "I know, Teacher."

Hela, who had been expressionless and silent, showed a hint of respect in her eyes, nodded, bowed, and gave a salute.

"Thank you very much for your guidance over the past ten years."

A look of kindness flashed in Ames' eyes. She nodded and said nothing more.

Hela straightened up, glanced at the friends she had been with for more than ten years, pulled Aurora, who turned her head every three steps, turned around, stepped onto the ramp of the dark red small spaceship, walked into the cabin, and closed the hatch.

Under the gaze of Ames and others, the spaceship slowly rose into the air, turned into a ray of light, and disappeared into the end of the stars.

Ames looked at the direction in which the spaceship had disappeared with her hands behind her back and whispered to herself, "So this is what it feels like to be a teacher..."

Izo's ears twitched, and he tiptoed away like a thief.