"Where did you learn about the Sanctuary?" Han Xiao asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"That's what the Netherland told me..."
Hila briefly repeated Onicelu's words, and seeing Han Xiao's reaction, she couldn't help but snort:
"So you knew about the Sanctuary all along, and you didn't tell me."
"Well, that's because my knowledge isn't complete either; I'm still investigating privately."
Han Xiao coughed lightly, his brain racing.
Hila's message surprised him. He had only intended to obtain information about the Spirit Emperor from the spirits of the Netherland, but unexpectedly, he also obtained new information about the Sanctuary.
According to Hila's account, the two former sisters were invited to participate in the operation against the Sanctuary, indicating that some of the First Ones possessed more information about the Sanctuary, but the two former sisters did not participate. Later, for some unknown reason, there seemed to be a gap in the information about the Sanctuary, and fewer and fewer people knew about it.
Moreover, Han Xiao learned a crucial piece of information from Hila: one of the Sanctuary's functions is to revive the dead. This was the first function of the Sanctuary he knew of, finally lifting a corner of its mysterious veil.
The Sanctum Organization, the First Ones of Resurrection, the Sanctuary...
Han Xiao suddenly realized that a thread was connecting everything.
No wonder the Oathkeeper behaved that way...
He hadn't connected the two before because he wasn't clear about the specific function of the Sanctuary, but now he finally had a clearer understanding of the Sanctum Organization, no longer just a superficial understanding.
'My milestone mission Primordial Esper Ability Collector includes a reward of a fragment of the Third Sanctum skill. There is some connection between the two. So the Sanctum Organization's relentless collection of Primal Esper Ability is actually aimed at opening the Sanctuary and reviving the powerful...' Han Xiao's thoughts raced.
Hila Han Xiao deep in thought, Hela frowned and asked, "Is this information useful to you?"
"Useful, very useful." Han Xiao came back to his senses and said with satisfaction, "Actually, I've been secretly investigating the Sanctuary's intelligence. You've done me a great favor this time. Well done."
"I'm glad it helped you." Hila's brow relaxed, and she nodded slightly, asking, "So what were you planning to tell me just now?"
"Haha, I just happened to want to ask the spirits of the Netherland for information, now I have another question to ask."
"Should I awaken the Heroic Spirit immediately?"
"Won't this affect your development?"
"I don't care what you need," Hila without hesitation.
"What you're saying... After all, the Netherland is your inheritance. Don't only think about me." Han Xiao shook his head and said helplessly, "Let's not rush things. Let's talk about it after you've restored the Netherland."
Hila is currently playing like a jungler, and she has an advantage in her lane. Han Xiao doesn't intend to hinder Hila's development; he can call for her when needed.
"Whatever you want. Just let me know when you need it, and I'll help you anytime," Hila said calmly.
"We'll see." Han Xiao nodded, then changed the subject with a smile, "By the way, I brought you a gift this time, I think you'll like it."
Hila's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"I've reached an agreement with the Three Universal Civilizations to exchange for three parts of Ultimate Knowledge of supernatural Esper Class. I brought you a copy this time, and I'll have Phillip send it to you later."
"Okay." Hila smiled slightly, quite pleased with the gift, and even more pleased that Han Xiao remembered her during his business trip.
After chatting for a while, Han Xiao logged off.
He deactivated the remote projection, and his perspective returned to his physical location, in the command center of his flagship.
The fleet is currently traveling through the Dawn Star Cluster, the gateway to the Shattered World, and is expected to reach the edge of the Gaolu Star Cluster in a few days, returning to the Legion's territory from Black Gate Star.
Standing by the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Han Xiao gazed at the starlight streaking across the sky, recalling the events of the meeting.
"Manison's risky move has alienated many within the association and damaged his network. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will likely face a difficult re-election as president in fifty years..."
However, Old Manison is not the type to sit idly by and wait for his fate. He is currently busy dealing with the suppression from the Three Universal Civilizations, but he will not remain passive forever. He will definitely devise other plans to improve his situation. According to his principles, it is impossible for him to admit his mistakes, submit, and return to the embrace of Glory. Doing so would only arouse suspicion, and things can never go back to the way they were.
He estimated that he would revert to an independent stance, just like in his previous life, but this time it might not be limited to the Super Calamity version; he would be completely marginalized, and even if the alliance wasn't nominally dissolved, the Three Universal Civilizations would find it difficult to reuse him...
Han Xiao pondered silently.
Manison's gamble-like leap has cost him his backing, but he himself is his own backer, giving him the confidence to do so.
If it weren't for his own initiative to reveal the core of the virus to the Three Universal Civilizations in order to reduce the damage from the disaster, Manison wouldn't have taken the risk and would still be comfortably an ally.
Thinking this, Han Xiao opened the panel and glanced at the [Key to the Mechanic Faith].
The impact of their duel was significant. As the Mechanicus of Cloud Magnet Planet vigorously spread the news, the idea that he and Manison were evenly matched became widely known within the Mechanic Faith, shaking the faith of a small portion of Manison and attracting a new group of believers for himself.
After this period of development, the bonuses from the [Key to the Mechanic Faith] feat have increased significantly. This feat offers a very comprehensive range of bonuses, essentially covering all aspects of mechanical abilities. Currently, Mechanical Affinity is around +600%, and all attributes except Luck have received several hundred points of bonus. Furthermore, based on the believer's inclinations, mechanical abilities in areas such as weaponry and virtuality have also received targeted bonuses. In addition, the efficiency of crafting, repairing, and enhancing has been further enhanced, and the effectiveness of different types of machinery in hand has also increased to varying degrees.
This specialty has numerous projects, such a comprehensive range of enhancements, and the bonuses continue to increase as the number of believers grows. Han Xiao doesn't know if there will be an end to it.
"My personal bonus is secondary..." Han Xiao's eyes flickered, and he chuckled.
The upgrade of his own [Key to the Mechanic Faith] meant that he was drawing away followers from the Mechanic Emperor, causing Manison's feat effects to continuously decline.
The longer I am, the shorter Manison becomes.
With this shift in momentum, the gap between Manison and everyone else is gradually narrowing.
I may not be the biggest winner, but Manison is definitely the biggest loser.
After several days of sailing, Han Xiao, who had been away for many days, finally led his fleet to Black Gate Star, the entrance to the Legion's territory. He planned to rest there for half a day before heading to the Black Star Cup arena.
During his absence, the construction of the Legion's territory proceeded steadily, the Black Star Cup was successfully held, the members who were eliminated early returned to their respective posts, and the eliminated players returned to the fourth phase of the Shattered World Free Competition Zone to continue occupying strongholds... Everything was in good order.
Most of the Black Star Cup events have now concluded, with only two major matches remaining: the final one-on-one match for the Calamity Grade group and the final four-way team battle for the Player group.
The two former contestants are both elite guards under Han Xiao's command. One is the old sycophant Hadavy, and the other is the new sycophant Jotina. Both have the strength of Beyond Grade A Seed and have stood out among the many Calamity Grade players in the legion.
Not counting Han Xiao and Hila, these two are already recognized as among the top experts in the legion.
Both Lagi and Rotel were capable of competing for the top position among the Calamity Grade, but Lagi, true to form, withdrew during the preliminary rounds.
Due to his job duties, Rotel was unable to make a public appearance and did not participate in the Black Star Cup.
As for the other Calamity Grade, none of them are currently a match for Hadavy and Jotina. Even Fording and Nero, who are blessed with Lucky Halo, are no match for them. Luck cannot make up for the difference in strength.
The four teams of players are: Frenzied Saber's Jiangcheng Team, Kings and Generals's Dynasty Team, Jiang Yuluo's Rainstorm Team, and a group of skilled solo players forming the Golden Team.
Only one of the four major Huaxia clubs made it to the finals. This is because the Black Star Cup has a more flexible system and is more random and dramatic than the official league. In general, in a four-way battle, the top clubs will always encounter a joint attack from the other three. As a result, Long Sky, Temple, and Fish-Fragrant Eggplant all failed and were taught a lesson by their enthusiastic fans.
At this moment, the fleet was anchored at the public dock on Black Gate Star.
As soon as Han Xiao stepped off the spaceship, he saw Sylvia greeting him at the dock. The area was cordoned off, and many passersby were curiously watching from outside, including legion warriors and players.
Not only that, but a couplet was also hung above their heads, with the left side reading "Shouldering the burden of righteousness with iron shoulders" and the right side reading "Caring for all living beings with a compassionate heart," and the horizontal inscription "Welcome home, cosmic hero!"
"Holy crap..."
Han Xiao stared in disbelief, retreated back to the cabin, closed and reopened the door to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
Did I open the door wrong...?
While he was still in a daze, Sylvia came up to him, leading a group of cadres who solemnly saluted and shouted slogans loudly, as if afraid that others would not hear them.
"Welcome back, Legion Commander!"
Han Xiao's lips twitched. He knew without asking that this scene must have been Sylvia's doing.
He didn't mind others praising him, but it was too embarrassing for his subordinates to boast and brag about themselves, especially since this was in a public place, making him feel like he had transformed into a celestial being.
"Why this ostentatious display again?" Han Xiao pulled Sylvia aside and whispered in her ear, looking utterly speechless.
"This is an essential welcoming ceremony, letting the entire legion know that you've returned victorious, which helps strengthen the members' sense of belonging." Sylvia said seriously, but the crazily upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her true feelings.
Han Xiao felt a bit of a headache, so he quickly pulled Sylvia towards the dock exit, changing the subject as he went.
"The Black Star Cup tournament is finally coming to an end. How are the preparations for the closing ceremony going?"
When the conversation turned to business, Sylvia's smile faded, and she said, "Everything has been arranged. We'll need you to give a speech and personally recognize the winners of each event."
"So many projects, how many people would that require...?"
Sylvia rolled her eyes. "It was your request, hero."
"Okay, I'll be there then." Han Xiao said helplessly.
"Also, I suggest you come to the stadium to watch the last two matches in person. Since you're back, it would be best to attend the finals to show how much you value the competition."
"It won't make a difference if it takes a little more time, let's do it all at the same time."
The group hurriedly left the dock, while in the crowd on the outskirts, a group of players were craning their necks to look at Han Xiao's the Sight of Father's Back. Many people around recognized them as the Golden Team that had made it to the finals of the Black Star Cup Immortals Group Four-Way Melee. They were all a group of independent experts who had attracted many fans because of their outstanding performance in the Black Star Cup.
Watching Han Xiao leave, the members of the Golden Team turned their attention to a Mechanic Class teammate in the middle.
"I actually spotted Black Star here."
"How's it going? Have the character cards been generated yet?"
What skills were recorded?
Everyone started asking questions all at once.
They've gathered here today to have their Mechanic Class teammate, who has a Blank Character Card, inscribe Black Star's abilities, thus gaining their trump card for the finals.
Because the Beyond Grade A Divine Dragon is elusive, they originally planned to just burn one Calamity Grade and be done with it. But then the Legion Commander returned, and no one was more suitable as a target for Blank Character Card than Black Star, offering the best value for money.
"Don't worry, it's still generating."
The Mechanic Class teammate activated the squad display function on the panel and stared at it nervously along with the others.
After waiting for two or three seconds, a notification finally popped up on the panel, and everyone perked up and hurriedly looked over.
[You have obtained [Character Summon Card - Black Star]]
[Character Card Ability: [Billions of Mechanic Emperor - Manison]]
[Number of uses: 0/1]
"???"
At that moment, everyone was completely bewildered and utterly confused.
What's going on here?
Weren't we touching Black Star? Why did the Mechanic Emperor come out?!
Just then, the group suddenly shuddered, exchanged glances, and saw terror in each other's eyes, realizing they had discovered a shocking secret.
There's only one explanation for this situation!
--Lieutenant Commander, you've been switched!
That Black Star must be fake!