Chapter 378 Training

Broken Star Ring, Black Star Army headquarters, Second Satellite, Training Ground No. 001.

This training ground was far larger than the actual combat training room, able to support larger-scale battles. Paved with high-strength alloy, it could withstand stronger attacks. Its structure resembled a circular stadium, with a huge arc-shaped mechanical dome covering the battlefield. The dome used a nano-mimetic screen that could simulate battlefield environments. Transport channels connected the training ground's floor and walls to the warehouse of training mechanical soldiers.

Han Xiao sat in the high-altitude stands of the dome training ground, intently staring at the scene below. Laguerre, Fording, Reynold, and others were beside him, either sitting or standing, all overlooking the battlefield.

At this moment, a fierce battle was taking place in the dome training ground. Several troop deployment openings were exposed on the ground, from which training mechanical soldiers crawled out continuously. There were rangers, mechanical beasts, floating turrets, and small floating shuttles, each with different functions, wave after wave impacting the two figures in the center of the battlefield.

The level of this battle was D-grade, all low-level mechanical soldiers, using gunpowder weapons and electromagnetic kinetic energy weapons. Small-caliber machine guns fired in rapid bursts, and armor-piercing high-explosive rounds blasted patches of scorched black on the alloy surface of the training ground, making a thumping sound.

Some mechanical soldiers were equipped with electromagnetic kinetic energy weapons that fired high-speed tracer rounds, like pale blue light trails jumping with electric arcs, scraping sparks on the ground and walls.

The two figures in the center of the battlefield were a mecha warrior covered in black heavy mechanical armor and a mage surrounded by runic magic shields, namely, Nello and Tomar.

After following Reynold for a few years, Nello's Mechanical Force level had reached D-grade. In addition to theoretical learning and assembly learning, Reynold had also arranged practical combat training courses.

Nello was young, still in his juvenile stage, but because he had been taking Star Dragon blood for many years, coupled with a mass of life energy given by Aurora, his cell activity was very high, and his physical fitness was no less than that of an adult of the same level. His Mechanical Force strength also far exceeded the average level of his grade.

Through nearly two years of in-depth study, his [Intermediate Mechanical Sense] had transformed into [Advanced Mechanical Sense] under the effect of the [High-Level Lucky Halo]!

In training, he was not allowed to use the weapons Han Xiao had given him. The armor on Nello's body and the turret positions under his feet were all built by himself, exerting extremely powerful force under his Mechanical Force bonus. One by one, the training mechanical soldiers were blasted into metal fragments all over the ground.

Han Xiao had come to watch mainly to test Nello's learning results and see how well this golden chive was growing.

Tomar was also a protagonist-type character with a Lucky Halo. He had an extraordinary talent for magic. The magic model that a normal mage could only understand in seven days, he could learn in less than a day, with amazing learning efficiency. Tomar had been following Laguerre for so long, and he had grown rapidly, and was also a potential talent that Han Xiao was optimistic about.

Rumble—

The sound of artillery fire in the field was deafening. In the high-altitude stands, Han Xiao stroked his chin and said to Reynold beside him:

"His mechanical ability is not bad, but his melee combat is not good. Once he is approached by a mechanical beast, he becomes flustered. He still lacks experience."

"This is my negligence. My focus has been on mechanical learning, ignoring his melee skills. I will increase his melee combat courses accordingly." Reynold's tone was meticulous.

"Increase the intensity," Han Xiao emphasized. "Mechanical learning cannot be neglected either."

"Understood."

Benny's remote projection showed a gratified smile upon hearing this.

Fording couldn't stand it anymore and said helplessly, "The weakness of mechanics is close combat. Black Star, not every mechanic is like you. Don't demand so much."

Han Xiao chuckled. "To be a person, you must have dreams. It's not bad to have high demands."

He was quite happy in his heart. Nello's Mechanical Sense talent had already reached the advanced level, and [Perfect Mechanical Sense] was just around the corner.

"Tomar has also made great progress." After thinking for a while, Han Xiao added another sentence and patted Laguerre on the shoulder. "You taught him well."

"But what's the use of that? One day, he..."

"Don't talk," Han Xiao said with a dark face, grabbing his mouth.

Before long, Nello ran out of ammunition, and Tomar's mana reached zero. The mechanical soldiers stopped at the same time, ending the practical combat training.

The two men, covered in sweat, returned to the stands panting.

Han Xiao smiled and nodded, praising, "Not bad."

Benny also looked relieved. "Your Excellency Black Star has taught you very well. In a few years, I guess I won't be your opponent anymore."

Receiving praise, Nello's cheeks were flushed, and his face was full of joy.

Seeing this, Han Xiao nodded secretly. He had high hopes for Nello, not only for the sake of [Perfect Mechanical Sense] but also hoping that Nello would grow into the backbone of the army's new generation.

After encouraging them a few more times, the group boarded a short-range spaceship and returned from the Second Satellite to the headquarters, which was close at hand.

After two years of digestion, the Black Star Army had stabilized. The Black Star Army headquarters had added several small mechanical satellite bases to accommodate more and more army members.

As soon as he returned to the headquarters office, Sylvia came to him.

"Teacher, many partners are asking when we will hold this year's Black Star gathering."

Han Xiao raised his eyebrows, thought for a while, and said, "In a few months. You can send out the invitations now."

The banquet hosted by the Black Star Army to invite Evolution Cube partners had been held for two sessions and was becoming more and more formal. It gradually gained influence. Many forces were looking forward to this opportunity to connect with higher-level civilizations, calling it the "Black Star Gathering", which formed a competitive relationship with Heber's "Overlord Gathering".

The Evolution Cube brought not only money. The partners formed a huge network of interests, allowing the Black Star Army to get involved in different industries. The army had a brand effect and strong strength. Not many people in this Star Field could compete with the army.

The Evolutionary Totem was very profitable, just like a catalyst, allowing the Black Star Army to grow like a snowball. After two years of digestion, the Black Star Army's industrial chain had gradually consolidated and improved, and its power had taken on certain financial attributes.

Due to the Evolutionary Totem, the Black Star Army had more and more partners, and the influence of the Black Star Gathering had greatly increased, slowly forming a new camp feature.

If the restrictions on the Evolutionary Totem were relaxed, the benefits would be multiplied, but the pressure would also skyrocket. Han Xiao was satisfied with the current situation. The pressure of the Totem business had basically been transferred to the empire, and the army had avoided more than 90 percent of the risks.

"Okay, I'll draft the invitation letter right away... Also, there is one more thing. A non-partner hopes to attend the Black Star Gathering this time."

"The Black Star Gathering only invites the army's partners. Others can be rejected. This is a rule that was set a long time ago. Why do you still ask me?"

"But this force has a big background, and it's not easy for me to make a decision, so I came to ask for your opinion."

Han Xiao raised his eyebrows and became a little interested.

"Who is the other party?"

"The Infinite Consortium."

Hearing this, Han Xiao paused, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and his thoughts turned quickly.

Sorokin's Infinite Consortium?

The two sides had had a hidden conflict before. Sorokin had once sent affiliated forces to test the army's players, and Han Xiao had warned them. Now, more than two years later, the other party suddenly wanted to come to the Black Star Gathering. He didn't know what their purpose was...

"What's their reason?" Han Xiao asked in a deep voice.

"The Infinite Consortium hopes to cooperate with the army in business, saying that it is related to the Shattered Star Ring. They know that after the first phase of development by the empire, they will allocate territory to their allies. They want to talk about cooperation this time."

"I see, that makes sense..." Han Xiao suddenly understood.

Although the interstellar consortiums could not become the first forces to share the big cake of the Shattered Star Ring, they would be indispensable in the subsequent construction.

The profits of the new Star Field were very rich. Was the Infinite Consortium trying to seize business opportunities?

However, although this reason was reliable, Han Xiao was still somewhat wary of the Infinite Consortium because of the last small conflict.

He thought for a while and said:

"If that's the case, then send them an invitation letter and tell them that I hope to take this opportunity to meet with Sorokin."

A few months later, the professional league would be over, and Han Xiao would not be afraid of the Infinite Consortium causing any trouble.

Meeting once would also be beneficial to know the other party.

"Understood, I will handle it."

Sylvia nodded and turned to leave the room, acting efficiently.

Taking back his gaze, Han Xiao poured himself a glass of alcoholic beverage, drinking while dealing with the accumulated chores.

After a while, he opened the forum, timing it.

Today was the first day of the international finals. The best of five, the first match was Jiangcheng, ranked first, against the War Axe Club. The number of viewers on the match channel reached a new high.

Three Chinese teams entered the top eight. The players in the Shattered Star Ring were extremely excited. In their opinion, if Dynasty, Changkong, and Jiangcheng all won the first round, then three Chinese teams would enter the international top four, which would be a great honor!

But at the same time, some viewers who were not optimistic about the Chinese teams from the beginning had not stopped. They had a rebellious mentality and couldn't help but post sarcastic comments, thinking that all three teams might fall in the first round, and none of them would be able to enter the top four.

In the finals, all teams would no longer hide their trump cards, and the competition would be more intense. Han Xiao was also quite curious about what ranking the Chinese teams would get this year.

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(Recently, the mythical beast has woken up, brothers, please bear with it. The Qidian system has been upgraded, and all books will only show the comments of the past three days for the time being, and will be restored after a while.)