Chapter 1 The Stronghold

At the dock, more than a hundred thousand players dispersed in twos and threes. The tutorial quests released by Han Xiao had ended, and everyone decided to explore the Black Star Army headquarters on their own and learn about the facilities here.

The players knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this planet fortress would be their base of operations in Version 3.0.

The Black Star Army headquarters was vast, and the hundred thousand-plus people didn't seem crowded. They quickly dispersed and integrated into the Black Star Army's normal member population.

Kuang Dao, Hao Tian, and a few professional players with good relationships acted together, accompanied by Rou Bao and Feng Yue. The group walked and stopped, observing the passing NPCs while discussing the main quest they had just received.

"The new version's plot is really exciting. We're actually going to experience a super-large-scale interstellar war between two Star Cluster civilizations. I checked the forums, and the foreigners in other Star Systems didn't get the main quest as soon as they entered the game like us. They're still exploring," Kuang Dao said curiously.

"Isn't this the first time? The main quest in our Shattered Star Ring always appears the earliest in each version. This should be a unique feature of our area," Flashing Fried Rice shrugged.

"That's right. We were the same in Version 2.0. We learned about the main quest as soon as we went online, while other Star Systems were a few months to a year behind us," Hao Tian nodded.

"Judging from this, Black Star should still be a major NPC in Version 3.0. He's been a constant presence through three versions, and the three main quests are all related to him," Rou Bao said, stroking his chin.

"Not just three versions..." Kuang Dao said excitedly, "I saw this NPC character during the closed beta. I didn't expect him to become so powerful later."

Rou Bao's eyes lit up. "Black Star has so many scenes. I don't see any other Star Systems having a plot character like him. Black Star is the only NPC who appears in every version, continuing for three versions. I think Black Star is probably the protagonist of the entire Shattered Star Ring plot, our Chosen One... That's right, this content is great, my next video is definitely going to be a hit!"

Han Xiao was extremely popular among the Chinese players, and the recent video also introduced his achievements over the past ten years. The players' interest was at its peak, and Rou Bao felt that he could ride the wave again. Using the "Protagonist of the Shattered Star Ring" as a starting point to make a new video about Black Star would definitely become a hot topic.

In the previous two versions, players had experienced many moving plots in the galaxy and had seen all kinds of NPCs. Among them, many characters were sought after by players, but so far, the NPC that players remembered the most was Black Star. Even players in other Star Systems knew his name. Currently, Han Xiao was the most popular and well-known NPC.

Creating articles, videos, and fan content about Black Star was a business opportunity in the eyes of many players.

The "Black Star Series" video was Rou Bao's claim to fame, and it was still a must-watch series for new viewers. It had been serialized to this day and had created many widely spread memes.

Because this series had brought him a huge amount of popularity, Rou Bao was the most dedicated to shaping Han Xiao's character image. However, because the Black Star business opportunity was huge, other video creators also saw Han Xiao's popularity and followed suit, creating various videos about the Black Star Army.

However, Rou Bao had already seized the market in Version 1.0 and was the "authentic" one in the eyes of the players.

It could be said that the players' love for the Black Star Army today was largely due to Rou Bao's videos—everyone was a member of Black Star, watching the faction grow through their efforts, and being made into a TV series format, which was very immersive.

Video creators like Rou Bao profited from the popularity of NPCs, but conversely, they didn't know that Han Xiao was also using them and benefiting greatly. No matter how strong an NPC was, they had to be spread through various entertainment works to be recognized and accepted by more players and become a popular character.

The group echoed a few words and returned to the main topic, continuing to talk about the new version's main quest, which was what professional players cared about.

"Speaking of which, with our strength, we shouldn't be able to influence the outcome of this level of interstellar war, right?" Kuang Dao said.

Feng Yue nodded and said seriously, "Yeah! I just checked. The agents of the two sides of the secret war are the War Realm and the Black Star Army, led by the Zero Organization. The leader of the War Realm is called Heber, who is one of the four Beyond Grade A existences in the Shattered Star Ring. His strength is even higher than Calamity Grade. There's no need to talk about the army. They are so powerful, and the number of participants is probably in the hundreds of millions. Even if all the players participate, I don't think it will have much impact on the outcome of the war..."

Hao Tian thoughtfully analyzed, "In that case, the secret war is just the big background of the new version. Our main area of activity should be in the small battlefields of the war. Our level of participation in the war itself will definitely not be high."

"I'm afraid it's another cutscene..." Flashing Fried Rice said with a wry smile.

"But that's not necessarily true..."

Kuang Dao's eyes darted around, and seeing everyone looking over, he explained, "Think about it, in the three versions, our level cap has been constantly increasing, and the level of the plot has happened to experience changes in the Planet level, Star System level, and Star Cluster level. And the combat power level in the galaxy has a stable system. For example, Grade C is the quality of basic interstellar warriors, and Grade B is the backbone. This system doesn't change because of version updates, and our ranks are constantly increasing, which means that our position in the galaxy, and our influence on the galaxy's plot, have been growing with the version!

Now that the level is open to Level 120, the first batch of players should be able to reach Grade B. According to this theory, our importance in the new version must be greater than the previous two versions, so I think that in Version 3.0, we can participate in the galaxy's plot to a greater extent, and there will definitely be new changes in the gameplay."

Everyone tilted their heads and thought for a while. Hey, what this guy said seems to make sense.

Rou Bao's eyes lit up. "Can I copy...cough, quote this analysis?"

"I beg you, can you act like a human?" Flashing Fried Rice said speechlessly.

"That's right, although we triggered the main quest, how do we participate in the war? Do we listen to the army's arrangements, or do we accept the quest ourselves?"

Just then, Kuang Dao and the others suddenly noticed that the Black Star Army members around them were suddenly gathering in one direction. Their communicators also vibrated, and Phillip issued a reminder, asking all members of the headquarters to go to the headquarters square to announce something.

Kuang Dao and the others mixed into the crowd and came to the square. At this time, it was crowded with people. Other players arrived one after another, mixed in with the Black Star Army members and waited together.

The ground in front of the crowd rose and turned into a high platform. Virtual screens appeared in the sky above the square, broadcasting the scene on the high platform so that the crowd in the distance could see clearly.

More than twenty high-level army cadres appeared on the high platform one after another. Many of them were familiar faces, and the players below whispered to each other.

"Ten years have passed, and the army cadres from Version 2.0 are still here. That's great."

"There seem to be quite a few new cadres."

"Oh, is that beautiful woman Sylvia?"

"Damn, I'm getting excited!"

"I'm being polite, what about you?"

"Hmph, so what if she's a beauty? I'm a scholar... The Dragon Emperor Simps' Association will never be slaves!"

"Historical laws tell us that in the end, you'll get nothing."

Seeing the familiar NPCs from the previous version, many players were relieved. They habitually threw probes at the cadres above, and other than knowing the cadres' names, everything else was a question mark. All of them were extremely deadly and capable fighters.

It was not until now that the players had a personal experience of the Black Star Army's current strength, and their impression was much more direct.

Buzz!

The space in the center of the high platform fluctuated, and a figure appeared out of thin air, walking out of the void. It was Han Xiao.

The hundred thousand-plus players present finally saw Han Xiao after ten years. He was still wearing the familiar and friendly clothes, but he was taller and more imposing.

Kuang Dao and his group noticed that many of the Black Star Army members around them had expressions of worship on their faces.

From this detail, the group was even clearer about the leader's position in the hearts of his subordinates. Rou Bao turned on the camera function and frantically filmed to collect material.

Including the players, countless people in the square stared at him expectantly. Han Xiao cleared his throat, and his voice spread throughout the square through the machine.

"In half a month, we will cooperate with the main force of the Zero Organization to launch a large-scale counterattack against the War Realm. At that time, a large number of people will be conscripted to participate in the war. In addition to the soldiers who have already been conscripted, the army will accept voluntary participation applications from other members. In addition to the rewards paid by the Purple Crystal Civilization, the army will provide additional subsidies for the participants. The specific amount will depend on the responsibilities. Please check the announcement in the army's internal system for details..."

When they were a mercenary group, they only needed to share the employer's rewards with their subordinates. At this time, the Black Star Army had completed its transformation and become a private armed organization. They needed to pay salaries to the official members, which was equivalent to supporting an army. Participating in the war was also a very risky job, so they had to provide additional subsidies. War was all about money.

Fortunately, the Black Star Army was not what it used to be. It had channels to earn money, such as mining resource planets, financial group funding, selling goods, hiring services, and resource support from the Purple Crystal Civilization. Its assets could afford the current scale.

Kuang Dao suddenly understood, "So, we can participate in the war through this method. We have to apply in the army."

"Only participating in the war can improve the evaluation of the main quest, but we can choose to slack off. So it's not a compulsory plot quest. It's quite free."

The players discussed with great interest, and the square became noisy.

At this time, Han Xiao looked around and smiled secretly, continuing:

"All participants will enjoy a 50% discount on all products produced by the army. In half a month, the participants will gather at the headquarters and board the fleet to go to the battlefield. If you have any questions, you can ask the army's sub-AI."

Everyone was stunned.

50% off?

50% off on all faction products?!

Damn, there's such an extra benefit?

What a steal!!