The main battlefield is only on the Andia Continent, which is relatively far from the people of the other three continents. However, as news of the war spreads, the unrest seems to be a contagious disease that ignores distance, spreading panic on a spiritual level. The war has a global impact, with chaos descending upon the world. Bandits and thugs run rampant, and the old church, which clamors for the end of the world, is resurrected. Some timid wanderers begin to join the Six Nations in order to gain protection.
Because it was during a time of war, the Six Nations adopted harsh policies, and the inspection and surveillance of wanderers were extremely strict. Those seeking refuge dared not speak out against it. In times of peace and prosperity, it was sometimes difficult to appreciate the benefits of the existence of a state. But when they became slaves of a conquered nation, they realized that people without support would be discriminated against and treated unfairly wherever they went. People without a state were like stray dogs on the street, and could only swallow their anger and wag their tails for mercy.
Therefore, some wanderers preferred to remain homeless, rather than join the Six Nations, even in the face of bandits and wild beasts roaming the wilderness. In this critical moment, the Sanctuary of the Dark Net became another option. Without the constraints of strong policies, wanderers flocked to join, and the Sanctuary that Bennett had built with all his resources came in handy. He felt a sense of satisfaction, as if he had "sheltered all the poor and needy in the world and made them happy."
"Alas, war..."
On the top floor of the central tower of First Sanctuary, Bennett stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, his sharp pupils reflecting the panoramic view of First Sanctuary.
The shadow of war loomed heavy, and everyone on Planet Aquamarine was worried about the future. Although the Sanctuary was developing in a positive direction, Bennett was very troubled. Han Xiao had inexplicably gone to interfere in the war, and many days had passed without any news.
Bennett's feelings towards Han Xiao were somewhat complicated. On one hand, he was a capable assistant and a high-end combatant in the organization, with commendable achievements. Now, the scale of the Third Sanctuary had surpassed that of the First and Second Sanctuary. Bennett sometimes considered whether he should relinquish the "First" codename to the Black Phantom Sanctuary.
On the other hand, Black Phantom's actions are unpredictable, and he has been made a scapegoat many times. Although compared to his achievements, Black Phantom's mistakes so far are minor issues, Bennett always feels that one day a huge scapegoat will fall from the sky.
"Our intelligence personnel at the front have reported unusual developments on the battlefield. Please take a look." The assistant rushed in, handing over a tablet computer.
As the largest intelligence network on Planet Aquamarine, the Dark Net naturally pays close attention to the course of the war, Bennett browses it carefully.
Two days ago, a shift occurred on the southern front of Andia. The Germinal, which had been on the defensive, launched a large-scale operation, conducting a thorough search of the area near their headquarters. The armies of the Six Nations exerted pressure on the southern and eastern battlefields and dispatched multiple units to infiltrate the Germinal ' territory. Judging from the movements, both sides seem to be pursuing the same objective...
"... It is understood that the target being pursued is Zero, a traitor wanted by Germinal with a high bounty. Zero infiltrated Germinal's mainframe and stole a large amount of classified information. Germinal and the Six Nations are vying for this intelligence. According to descriptions from spies within the Six Nations, this intelligence may very well determine the final outcome of the war..."
Upon seeing this, Bennett clicked his tongue in amazement and exclaimed, "Zero... I know this person. At least half of the reason for Germinal's current predicament is because of him. A traitor caused Germinal's downfall and now he has obtained key intelligence that can influence the course of the war, making him the center of the storm. He is a formidable figure; even in the old days, he would have been a legendary figure capable of stirring up a storm."
With that, Bennett turned to the next page:
"Furthermore, Zero calls himself Han Xiao and possesses a mask that allows him to quickly disguise himself; Black Phantom is one of his identities..."
Bennett suddenly fell silent.
"Bang!"
Three seconds later, the office's floor-to-ceiling windows shattered with a crash. Bennett's powerful arm strength sent the tablet spinning through the air in an arc before it smashed to pieces on the ground, its components scattered everywhere. The people on the ground were startled and quickly looked up.
"Han Xiao! You son of a bitch!"
Bennett lost his composure, ran his fingers through his hair and combed it several times, his meticulously styled hair suddenly becoming disheveled, and he paced anxiously back and forth in the room.
The origins of the Black Phantom have always been shrouded in mystery, as if it appeared out of thin air. Bennett once asked Han Xiao about it, Han Xiao, in a particularly melancholic and enigmatic tone, said this:
"Everyone has a past they don't want to face, just like you once had blood on your hands... I'm the same, I've done many wrong things. Back then I wore a mask, unable to see my true self. Now that I've taken it off, I can finally see myself clearly. Of course, you don't recognize me."
Bennett believed it. He recalled whether there were any masked experts in the major organizations, and vaguely remembered that such a powerful figure had disappeared into the mudslide of history. Suddenly, he had a flash of insight. Based on his own experience, he imagined a long story about a strong person's inner torment and self-redemption, and felt that he and Han Xiao immediately had something in common.
Now, Bennett just thinks he must have been out of his mind back then.
You're kidding me!
Bennett took a few deep breaths to calm his heaving chest, straightened his hair in front of the shattered glass, regained his composure, and then turned to his trembling assistant, saying, "Has the message been sent out?"
The assistant nodded repeatedly, as if pounding garlic.
Bennett sat down, his fingers tapping casually on the table as if playing the piano, lost in thought.
In the southern part of the Andia Continent, a convoy of Germinal transport vehicles captured by Stardragon drove into the fourth position. Dozens of vehicles were involved, including missile transport vehicles with their chilling missile warheads displayed.
The Stardragon Thirteenth Bureau carried out an infiltration operation, breaching a Germinal arms base from within and seizing a batch of missile warheads.
The secret agencies of various countries are constantly carrying out this activity, gradually weakening the power of the Germinal by cutting off its resources. Their intelligence source is Han Xiao's intelligence before the war. As the Germinal takes countermeasures, the effect gradually becomes less and less. Therefore, the Six Nations are in great need of the new intelligence in Han Xiao's hands.
One by one, special agent teams disembarked, and Di Susu and Zhang Wei's team was among them.
Di Susu was about to wave to Li Yalin when she saw Li Yalin and her teammates leaving in a hurry.
Li Yalin and her group barged directly into the commander's room.
"Sir, I heard there's news about Brother Xiao... oh wait, I mean Han Xiao!" Lin Yao asked anxiously.
The commander nodded, handed a paper intelligence report to everyone, and said, "The situation is a bit complicated. My superiors instructed me to give this intelligence to you."
Li Yalin snatched the intelligence report, and everyone hurriedly crowded around. The very first line stated that Black Phantom's true identity was Han Xiao.
"Haha, he really is Black Phantom! I knew I wasn't mistaken!" Li Yalin laughed loudly, her laughter like dumbbells, and slapped Lin Yao hard on the back, making him fall over.
During the Battle of the Teramere River, Li Yalin recognized Han Xiao. At the time, the team members were amazed and believed it to be true. Zhang Wei reported to the higher-ups, but they were evasive and wouldn't let them get involved. Lin Yao secretly hacked some data, only to find that the higher-ups didn't take their report seriously at all.
Now it's proven they were right all along, giving the high-ranking officials a resounding slap in the face.
Li Yalin immediately felt a surge of pride, her gloom vanishing completely.
"Wait a minute..." Zhang Wei's expression changed, "He has another identity..."
Everyone hurriedly looked down, and their expressions turned to astonishment.
Han Xiao is actually Zero!
It turns out his true identity is a high-value wanted criminal in the Germinal criminal world!
Recalling the strange reaction from the higher-ups when Han Xiao joined Stardragon, everyone suddenly realized what had happened and connected everything.
No wonder the higher-ups wanted to hide his identity; it turns out he was a wanted criminal in the Germinal.
No wonder we couldn't find him; he was disguised.
No wonder... everything became clear, and everyone looked at each other in astonishment.
Lin Yao swallowed hard and muttered, "His experience is just too unbelievable..."
The group nodded subconsciously, never expecting their former teammates to have such legendary exploits.
Beside him, Hou Yue looked shocked. He had always heard that there was another veteran player, but it turned out to be such a big shot.
Di Susu followed them in. When she saw the intelligence on the table, the commander did not stop her, as the intelligence would be leaked sooner or later.
After reading it, Di Susu's expression turned strange.
"No wonder Black Phantom seemed familiar when I saw him near White Gull City; he's Han Xiao... Wait, what about what Golden Fox said..."
Upon hearing this, everyone present shuddered and quickly stopped the conversation.
Li Yalin suddenly realized that Han Xiao was in danger and asked him about it. The commander replied, "In addition to the military operation, a special support team has been formed to enter the battlefield, make contact with Han Xiao, and protect him as he leaves."
Zhang Wei perked up, "Can we participate?"
The commander shook his head. "Your strength doesn't meet the selection criteria."