Chapter 172 The Aftermath

Over the next month, Han Xiao remained at the headquarters, resting and sorting out the gains from his trip.

He had accumulated about 10,000 points of Imperial Contribution, bringing his total to 22,000. For the time being, he only exchanged it for one new Ultimate Knowledge.

Now that the Otherworld God, the most pressing hidden danger, had been resolved and the external environment had stabilized, entering a period of steady development, he felt much less pressure and was not in a hurry to exchange for more knowledge. After all, the contribution points would remain there, available for exchange at any time.

Han Xiao had already mastered three Ultimate Knowledges: [Endless Material Science], [Mechanical Life Ember], and [Virtual Creator], one from each of the three branches.

Energy, materials, and information had always been the three pillars of technological development. Now that he had materials and information, Han Xiao chose to exchange for the last Ultimate Knowledge in the energy branch: [Eternal Energy].

The name of this Ultimate Knowledge was quite intimidating, but the actual effect was not as exaggerated as “eternal.” It wasn’t an inexhaustible source of energy in the literal sense, but it significantly enhanced the combat power of a Mechanic.

The advanced knowledge [Exotic Energy] allowed Mechanics to master the safe extraction of advanced energies like psionic energy, dark energy, and antimatter. New energy sources provided Mechanics with comprehensive enhancements, and [Eternal Energy] also involved mastering the technology of new energy sources. At this stage, technology and magic converged, and Mechanics, like mages, learned to extract multi-dimensional energy…

However, in terms of energy level, this was not a leap forward. The power of multi-dimensional energy was not higher than psionic energy, but it expanded the Mechanic’s choice of energy sources.

The real focus of [Eternal Energy] was not on mastering new energy sources, but on improving the Mechanic’s existing energy utilization technology.

Like the progression from nuclear fission to nuclear fusion, learning more advanced energy extraction methods allowed for the creation of a new generation of psionic and dark energy reactors, greatly increasing output power and improving stability.

The direct result was a comprehensive improvement in weapon power, shield strength, and mechanical performance. This was the improvement brought about by energy technology innovation.

The new Ultimate Knowledge also brought Han Xiao a new Mastery and a new Skill.

[Higher Energy Controller: When using higher energy, attack power bonus coefficient 1.15x, shield strength bonus coefficient 1.2x, mechanical creation energy core power +30%, output power +20%]

[Energy Innovation: Passive skill, this skill can only be upgraded by increasing the Knowledge Mastery Level of [Eternal Energy]. Each upgrade unlocks more advanced energy technologies and reactor blueprints—Knowledge is power.]

Energy was too important. No matter which branch of Mechanic, it was best to max out [Eternal Energy]. This was also one of the main reasons why Mechanic players suffered from liver failure in the later stages…

If they didn’t choose the energy branch when changing classes, the triple potential point cost could make them wish they were dead!

Even Han Xiao found it a bit difficult. After leveling up to level 280, he had accumulated 21 potential points. Learning this knowledge required 24 points. He maxed out a few skills to gather enough points to learn it, but to upgrade [Eternal Energy] from Lv1 to Lv5, he still needed 96 potential points, which meant maxing out 96 blueprints…

This was much more terrifying than the experience cost of leveling up!

The power of a Mechanic came from knowledge. Simply rushing to increase character levels was not enough. Only by raising the level of knowledge could they have stronger combat power at the same level. This was the foundation of a Mechanic.

Han Xiao’s current four Ultimate Knowledges were basically at Lv1. After his own level had increased, he had to consider upgrading his Ultimate Knowledges as well. Because of his unique advantage as a leek, he decided to raise the level of all Ultimate Knowledges as much as possible. This was destined to be a long project, but once completed, his combat power would definitely be off the charts.

In addition to his own growth plans, Han Xiao also took care of his officers. He used the [Ability Enhancement] Character Cards on Hela and Aurora respectively. The former had stable Super-A Grade potential, while the latter had strategic-level abilities.

Han Xiao kept the last use opportunity, as Ames was also at the S Grade, and he could not use it on her. He planned to wait and see.

During this month, Han Xiao also handled some Legion affairs. The most important thing was commercial cooperation with the Guanghui Federation, which was a deal that had been agreed upon.

The cooperation method was for the Guanghui Federation to help the Black Star Army open a branch in the Star Cluster of the Abyss Star System. Han Xiao coordinated and dispatched several satellite bases to go there.

The people who went to open the branch did not include the Legion players. Grand Technician Han did not have the habit of transplanting his leeks into someone else’s field.

Currently, there were two major events that the Legion players were experiencing: the Gular civilization civil war and the first phase of exploration of the Flickering World. They had no worries about having nothing to do.

Moreover, the pre-heating publicity for the professional league had already begun. Because Version 3.0 was a period of explosive growth in the number of players, with a large number of newcomers pouring in, the publicity for this professional league was much greater than the previous two sessions. Every player who intended to participate was actively preparing.

According to Han Xiao’s calculations, the work enthusiasm of the Legion players had increased by at least 47.5%, and the “footman level” had significantly increased.

He didn’t need to worry about the players. Han Xiao had recently been focusing on the aftermath of the Otherworld God’s fall. During his rest at the headquarters, the impact of the incident had already fermented, affecting the entire universe.

The three great civilizations had begun a new round of crackdowns on crime. With the tree falling and the monkeys scattering, the Fallen Ark, which was entrenched in the Central Star Sea, disintegrated. Countless criminals left the Central Star Sea and roamed everywhere. It was said that some organizations were actively recruiting these criminals to divide up the Otherworld God’s power.

The Fallen Ark was the most famous criminal organization of this era, but it was not the only one. The universe was vast, and there were other large criminal organizations active in various star systems. It was these people who were receiving the Otherworld God’s legacy.

The Black Star Army was also affected. Sylvia’s report showed that the number of newcomers joining the Black Star Army had suddenly increased during this period, which should be due to the universal legendary reputation he had obtained.

Most of the joiners were victims of the Otherworld God’s iron hooves. Two of them caught Han Xiao’s attention.

…

In the reception room of the Legion’s headquarters, Shazik and Rothel sat opposite Han Xiao. The three of them were sizing each other up.

Han Xiao’s eyes slowly swept over the two of them, his face unreadable. He said slowly, “You are both Calamity Grade Supers. Do you really want to join the Black Star Army?”

Shazik nodded and said in a deep voice, “The Otherworld God destroyed my home. My goal in life is to take revenge on him. I once made a promise that as long as someone helps me take revenge, I am willing to do anything for him.”

Rothel’s face was covered by a mask, and his expression could not be seen. He nodded lightly in agreement. He was taciturn and had a cold temperament, not saying much.

“In that case, then I, on behalf of the Black Star Army, welcome the two of you to join.”

Han Xiao smiled and nodded. Calamity Grades were high-level combat power and were popular in any faction. Naturally, he would not refuse.

And he valued these two people not only because they were Calamity Grades. In his previous life, these two guys were famous NPCs.

In his previous life, the Otherworld God had been active in the universe for many versions and had made countless enemies. The Shazik and Rothel in front of him were famous figures in the Otherworld God’s original storyline, and they were all enemies of the Otherworld God.

Shazik ran a gray transfer station in the barren universe belt of the Central Star Sea, ostensibly providing services to criminals, but was actually a lurking viper.

During his operation, he secretly bought off members of the Fallen Ark, developed subordinates, secretly collected information and leaked it to advanced civilizations, and also secretly sheltered various forces seeking revenge on the Otherworld God, providing them with weapons and spaceships. For example, players who had taken on missions from the three great civilizations could receive services from him.

Shazik used various methods to erode the power of the Fallen Ark, but the universe was never short of criminals. The speed at which he destroyed the Fallen Ark could not keep up with the speed at which they expanded.

In the end, because the players who had received his shelter posted on the forum to promote him, his actions were discovered by the players of the Fallen Ark, his identity was exposed, and he died at the hands of a bunch of wanted criminal players.

The other Rothel was even more powerful. He was a fierce man who dared to assassinate the Otherworld God. He had a Mid-Level Lucky Halo and was a protagonist-type character with great hatred.

Rothel was a bounty assassin who specialized in assassinating members of the Fallen Ark. In the mid-term version, he established a secret organization called the “Assassin Mutual Aid Society”. It was not large in scale, but all of its members were elites and were well-known in the universe.

This was a hidden faction. Players could join after passing the test. Inside, they could obtain the rare sub-class “Interstellar Assassin”, learn practical assassination skills from various members, and trigger a hidden S-Grade main quest – [Assassinate the Otherworld God].

In his previous life, the Assassin Mutual Aid Society was very popular. Some lone wolf players liked the feeling of being an assassin, especially since assassins in the universe were more impressive, because every move they made would have an impact. Some assassin players were keen on assassinating various big figures and enjoying the impact they caused.

Rothel had the strength of a Super-A Grade seed at his peak. As a mysterious assassin with a talent for lethality, his deterrent power was higher than that of ordinary Super-A Grade seeds, far exceeding the likes of Hadaway. His ability as an assassin ranked among the top in the entire universe.

And his end was quite tragic. Because he could not endure the entanglement of nightmares, he finally went alone to assassinate the Otherworld God, and in the end, the wind was bleak and the water was cold, and the brave man never returned, dying at the hands of the Otherworld God.

Based on his previous life’s achievements, Han Xiao valued Rothel’s potential more. If he could ensure his loyalty, this guy would be well worth nurturing.

Thinking of Rothel’s experience, Han Xiao had an idea.

‘In addition to the guards, I can add a squad that doesn’t need to stay by my side, but instead operates secretly all year round and is only responsible to me. It can be called Shadow Guards or Shadow Striders…’

Letting Rothel establish an Assassin Mutual Aid Society like in his previous life might attract a large number of lone wolf players and use them to complete some unspeakable purposes…

While Han Xiao was letting his thoughts run wild, Shazik suddenly took out a data storage device and placed it on the table.

“Your Excellency Black Star, this is my gift.”

Hearing this, Han Xiao tilted his head, a little curious.

“What’s inside?”

“Part of the Otherworld God’s legacy.” Shazik said in a low voice, “Before leaving the Central Star Sea, I used all my hidden pieces to loot several of the Otherworld God’s research bases and entered their databanks to copy some data. This is my statement of allegiance to join the Legion.”

Han Xiao’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Shazik with admiration.

This leek is sensible and can even bring its own fertilizer.

Reliable work, a talent.

“Various forces are dividing up the Otherworld God’s assets. I didn’t expect that I could stay at home and get a share of the legacy.” Han Xiao shook his head and chuckled.

He raised his finger and shot out a stream of nano-particles, which transformed into a data interface and connected to the storage device.

“Phillip, read the data inside.”

“Okay, hum.”

Han Xiao closed his eyes and entered the quantum network vision. His brain ran at high speed, and with the help of Phillip, he quickly read the data accumulated by the Otherworld God in the storage device.

There were many good things inside: confidential information of certain civilizations, blueprints of lost technology, ancient secrets, research reports on special technologies, and so on.

After browsing for a while, Han Xiao quickly discovered the information of the Evolver civilization, and his heart was immediately filled with joy.

He was able to carry the Evolutionary Cube thanks to the Otherworld God. Now that he had the Evolver civilization’s instruction manual, he could create a containment device on his own. This would solve a big problem, and he would no longer have to worry about destroying the portable device and releasing the main body. Moreover, there were now more ways to use the cube.

This information was invaluable to him!

“Good stuff.” Han Xiao suppressed his excitement and continued to quickly browse through other information.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and a piece of information attracted his attention.

“Hmm, this is… a clue to a super-high-risk Esper ability?”