Chapter 664 Evening Banquet

Everyone's evolution time varied. The black cocoons in the hall burst open one after another, and each individual regained consciousness from their confusion, sensing the changes in their bodies.

The enhancement from the Evolution Cube was a one-time thing. These normal people without panels were not like players, accustomed to the obvious improvements from leveling up. Their way of increasing strength was through accumulated training, a slow and steady process. Generally, only during a breakthrough in their tier would they have a chance for a one-time boost.

Therefore, the vast majority of those present were very satisfied with the effect of the Evolution Cube, especially the Calamity Grade Supers. The stronger their original body, the better the effect of using the Evolution Cube. Some Calamity Grades who were limited by their potential and unable to make any progress for years benefited greatly.

"What a novel experience." Pamela marveled at the changes in her body. As a bio-gene engineer, her feelings were even deeper. "This is a pure evolution at the gene level, not a gene mutation induced by the environment. Instead, it optimizes the original racial characteristics, amplifying the advantages of the genes themselves, making strengths even stronger, like some kind of gene catalyst. If there are no side effects, it would be terrifying, almost perfect."

"I wonder what the source of this power is. It's almost like a god... The state of the cells is like being exposed to some kind of radiation. Could the essence of evolution energy be a special kind of radiant energy?" Pamela's professional habits kicked in, and she couldn't wait to get into the lab and study it.

At this time, a reception robot standing guard welcomed them, saying crisply, "Congratulations, everyone. To celebrate your evolution, the Black Star Army will hold a banquet tomorrow. Army Commander and all the officers will attend. You are all welcome to participate, buzz."

Each race that completed evolution around them also received invitations from other reception robots. The captain of the Floran Race suppressed the excitement after the evolution and nodded. "Okay, we will attend."

"The invitations have been sent to everyone. The time and place are noted on them. I will also remind you then. Also, please remember to wear formal attire tomorrow."

"Understood."

Everyone nodded.

With the purpose of this trip completed, everyone present was in a very good mood. Basically, the elites of all the civilizations present accepted the invitation and stayed to attend the banquet.

The banquet was tomorrow, and everyone returned to their accommodation areas in succession.

After resting for a day, the next day arrived. These elites took off their Star Sea Armors and combat suits and put on the formal attire of their respective civilizations, heading to the banquet hall.

On the other side, in the Army Commander's room, Han Xiao also changed his clothes and looked at himself in the mirror.

The man in the mirror was tall and upright, with a string of compressed orb necklaces around his neck. He wore a thick cloak with a black background and white edges, embroidered with the emblem of the Black Star Army on the back. The lining was dark red, made of the fur of some rare beast. The collar of the cloak had three inverted triangular silver magnetic buttons, and the hem dragged down to the calf, which could be closed like a curtain, wrapping around the body. He wore a double-breasted black suit with gorgeous patterns embroidered on it, and the pants were a matching set.

"I always wanted to know who designed this formal attire. Is this turning me into a raven?" Han Xiao couldn't help but complain.

"I designed it according to your usual preferences, buzz."

"Looks like the algorithm for collecting big data needs to be updated." Han Xiao muttered to himself.

After washing his face, Han Xiao opened the door. A group of high-ranking officers of the army stood outside the door, all dressed in formal attire, waiting for him to set off together.

Han Xiao glanced over, taking in everyone's decorations.

Most people wore the Black Star Army's high-level uniform. Melos, Reynold, and many bodyguards wore it. Laki wore a white mage robe, looking like an arcane master, quite presentable. Tomar was also brought along by Laki, wearing a set of mystic blue mage robes, looking like the real deal. Hadaway wore a casual suit that looked a bit like a suit, with his muscles almost bursting through the clothes, giving off a strong war domain style.

Sylvia took off her armor and put on a purple evening dress, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing earrings. She also put on delicate light makeup, looking much more mature. As a liaison officer who often dealt with outsiders, she was very comfortable in this kind of occasion. Aurora also wore a white dress, but unlike Sylvia's maturity, she looked petite and cute. Hella wore a custom-made red bodyguard captain's uniform, which was a bit tight, outlining her dangerously curved figure. She didn't like wearing dresses, and her temperament was as cold and capable as ever.

Fording wore a gorgeous blue robe, a bit like his outfit when he used to tour, with a smile on his face that was bursting with friendliness.

Han Xiao looked at everyone with interest. "You guys look good."

"It's been a long time since I wore this, it's a bit awkward." Fording tugged at his collar, feeling a little helpless.

Because Han Xiao usually did not participate in similar activities, he rarely saw each other wearing formal attire.

Hella frowned. "You know I'm not interested in this kind of occasion. I'd rather work out if I have time to attend a banquet."

"You can't just focus on working out, you have to relax occasionally." Han Xiao waved his hand with a smile. "I've been dealing with the Arcane Church's matters recently, and my nerves have been tense. It's rare to have a moment to relax today, so don't think about working out."

"I don't like interacting with strangers." Hella shook her head.

"Well... these people are all elites from various races, all powerful people. If you get to know them, you might be able to find them for sparring in the future."

"That's not bad." Hella's eyes lit up.

Han Xiao and his group chatted and came to the banquet hall. At this time, it was already crowded and lively.

The banquet hall was a special banquet hall, decorated luxuriously. Banquets could not be without food. Countless delicacies were delivered like flowing water. Colorful dishes were placed on long tables and floating mechanical trays, and the types of food were complicated, taking care of the tastes of different races.

The elites of each race attended in full dress, and the costumes were in full bloom. The dressing styles of different civilizations were dazzling, fully demonstrating the diversity of interstellar society.

Han Xiao walked into the hall with his people, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

"Ahem, on behalf of the Black Star Army, I welcome you all to this banquet..."

After clearing his throat, Han Xiao smiled and spoke. As the host of the banquet, he naturally had to say a few polite words to indicate the official start of the banquet. He was very familiar with this.

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere at the banquet became much warmer. Many people took the initiative to come up and chat with Han Xiao, their attitudes very enthusiastic.

The reason most people stayed was to have close contact with Han Xiao. Usually, they had no way to contact a Super A Grade.

Soon, Han Xiao was surrounded by a circle of people. He smiled and chatted with the guests patiently while observing these people.

In this short period of time, he saw many "old acquaintances" from his previous life, all of whom were well-known figures that players encountered in various regions when they were adventuring in the Shattered Star Ring.

Some were very cheerful and talkative, some wore hooded cloaks as if they wanted to hide themselves, and some were talking to themselves very neurotically, each with a different style. Although in front of him, these well-known figures were no longer qualified, in the eyes of the players, they were still unquestionable big shots with full personalities.

Han Xiao noted down the contact information of all the people who came up to talk to him. On the contrary, these elites did not expect the Super A Grade to be so approachable and were flattered.

Collecting the contact information of these well-known figures was equivalent to collecting the nodes of side quests. In addition, these elites held considerable power in their respective civilizations, which was a very considerable gain in terms of connections.

As he was chatting happily, Han Xiao heard someone call him from behind in a shy tone.

"B-Black Star, I am Pamela of the Floran Race, a bio-gene engineer."

Han Xiao turned around and smiled. "What's the matter?"

"I... I am your admirer, I want to get to know you. Can I have your communicator number?" Pamela's eyes were filled with excitement. She had been observing from the side for a while and saw that Han Xiao did not refuse anyone, so she mustered up the courage to come forward to talk and wanted to exchange contact information.

Han Xiao was amused when he noticed the impure motive in Pamela's eyes.

Was he being flirted with by the opposite gender?

How rare.

"Sure, give me your contact information."

Han Xiao did not refuse. A bio-gene engineer was still worth befriending.

Although these elites were basically impossible to poach, he might encounter some special situations in the future and be able to ask them for help.

"Thank you!" After exchanging contact information, Pamela was full of excitement, like she had obtained her idol's autograph. She held the communicator tightly to her chest, as if it were a treasure.

Not far away, Sylvia glanced at this side intentionally or unintentionally and snorted softly, "Hmph, fangirl."

After the banquet had been going on for a while, the guests became more and more integrated into the atmosphere and became more natural.

Batches of guests exchanged contact information with Han Xiao and left with satisfaction. Han Xiao finally had a moment of respite, breathed a sigh of relief, and picked up a glass of gradient blue sparkling alcoholic beverage from the floating tray in front of him, drinking more than half of it in one gulp, moistening his throat.

The cool and spicy wine flowed down his throat, and a sweet aftertaste surged up. Han Xiao's spirit was refreshed, and he sighed comfortably.

He came to a corner, slowly drinking his wine, his eyes sweeping over the whole venue.

It had taken so many years of management for the Black Star Army to have the current grand occasion. Han Xiao couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"What are you sighing about?" Hella walked over with a glass of fiery red wine.

"How do you know I'm sighing?" Han Xiao raised his eyebrows.

"After knowing you for so long, don't I understand you? Looking at your eyes, I know what you were thinking just now." Hella said lightly.

"Speaking of which, I remembered. More than twenty years ago on Aquamarine Star, when I first... ahem, when I first lost my memory, the first friend I met was you. We were the first to meet."

"Yes, so many years have passed in a flash." Hella also followed Han Xiao's gaze, looking at the scene of the banquet, and said slowly, "Back then, I was struggling in despair. I never thought that one day I would step into the universe and have the future I have now. Looking back on the experience of Aquamarine Star now, it's like something that happened in my previous life."

"I endured in the underground base for half a year back then. Fortunately, you would leave the base every once in a while, otherwise I might never have been able to escape."

"It's good that you know." The corners of Hella's mouth curved slightly, thinking of the common memories of the two, she felt inexplicably happy.

Han Xiao laughed and then withdrew his smile, shaking his head. "Later, I experienced a lot of things. You felt that you owed me a favor, so you chose to fight for me, but your ability is more than that. You have the potential of a Super A Grade. Sooner or later, you will obtain this great power. Will you still fight alongside me then?"

Hella hesitated for a long time and shook her head. "I don't know."

"An honest answer. Promises are the most unreliable things. Who can tell what the future holds." Han Xiao shrugged and raised his glass. "At least you are still standing by my side now. For our friendship, a toast?"

"What you said is so old-fashioned."

"Come on, we're already forty years old... Although according to our lifespan limit, we're still little kids."

"You're the little kid."

Hella's expression was a bit disgusted, but she had a smile on the corner of her mouth, raising her glass and clinking it with Han Xiao's.

"Cheers."

Clink.

The glasses touched their lips, and they each took a sip of wine.

Han Xiao smacked his lips and was about to say something when a guest came over, seemingly wanting to come forward to talk, but with a hesitant look on his face.

Seeing someone approaching, the two stopped chatting. Han Xiao took the initiative to ask, "What's the matter?"

"Your Excellency Black Star, I am Sesylin, a member of the Gular Civilization. I have something I want to talk to you about in private."

Gular Civilization? Han Xiao searched for information in the quantum network.

This was a galactic civilization from another Star Field. It seemed that it had been in internal strife for a long time, and the internal party opposition problem was very serious, evolving to the point of military division.

This Sesylin was a Calamity Grade elite of the current ruling party of the Gular Civilization. Not only was he one of the strongest protectors of the civilization, but he was also an army commander with a high position and great power.

"What do you want to talk to me about in private?" Han Xiao raised his eyebrows. "Can't you talk about it here?"

Sesylin shook his head. "It's not suitable to say in a public setting."

"Then at least you have to tell me what you're here for."

Sesylin paused and said in a deep voice, "This is a request. Please believe me, I am here with sincerity."

Han Xiao touched his chin, smelling the aura of a quest.

A quest that came to his door. It wouldn't hurt to listen... Han Xiao thought.

Thinking like this, Han Xiao handed the glass to Hella and turned to walk toward the side door of the banquet hall. There were private rooms specifically for discussing matters in the side door corridor.

"Then come with me."