In the tower of the Third Sanctuary, Bennett stood with his hands behind his back by the window, looking down at the players coming and going in the square, his eyes deep.
The door opened, Han Xiao walked in. Bennett turned around, his face serious. "Is that alien still alive?"
Han Xiao stepped aside, Kerlodd also walked in. Bennett's eyes narrowed; it was the first time he had seen an alien, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Kerlodd said irritably, "You native, what are you looking at!"
"He's speaking our language?" Bennett asked in surprise.
Helpless, Han Xiao pointed to the translator and explained it again before Bennett was relieved.
"The technology of aliens is really high-end." Bennett sighed with emotion, his eyes wandered between the two of them, and he wondered, "Didn't you capture him? Why does it look like..."
"We've reached an agreement." Han Xiao, not wanting Kerlodd to hear the rest of the conversation, removed his translator.
"How do you know about aliens?" Han Xiao asked.
Bennett shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Raylen informed me, otherwise I wouldn't have known about the aliens' arrival. They traced it back to you, confirmed that you had captured the aliens, and then secretly contacted me, demanding that you hand them over."
Raylen? Han Xiao wasn't too surprised. Based on the clues at the time, it was indeed possible to trace it back to him. He didn't intend to hide it, because there was no need.
What if I refuse?
"Their official statement is 'they do not rule out using violence against [the book],' but Raylen's attitude this time is very firm."
Han Xiao was both a hero in destroying the Germinal and the strongest superhuman on Planet Aquamarine. The Six Nations held him in high esteem. However, this time Raylen was determined and had a tough attitude. She was not going to give him any face and wanted to force Han Xiao to hand over the Goddora people and put them under her control. Han Xiao secretly shook his head. Raylen's hostility was meaningless to him.
Bennett was incredibly annoyed. "Can you tell me why you can just go out for a stroll and bring back an alien? What are you trying to do?"
Han Xiao sat down, stared at Bennett, and said, "I'm preparing to leave Planet Aquamarine."
Bennett was stunned.
Are you trying to fly to the heavens?!
The news was so sudden that it took Bennett a while to recover. He asked in surprise, "Why? You're not really an alien, are you?"
"Compared to the starry sky, Planet Aquamarine is just a remote little place. The world is so big, I want to go and see it," Han Xiao said with a smile.
So this is the reason for capturing aliens...?
Bennett quickly adjusted his mindset; after all, he had seen his share of ups and downs. With a hint of regret, he said, "You're a like-minded partner. If you've really made up your mind, I can only wish you the best. I'll miss you."
Han Xiao stared into his eyes and smiled, "That's a much wider world. Aren't you tempted? Would you like to come with me?"
Bennett was slightly lost in thought, as if he saw an endless starry sky in Han Xiao's eyes. A man's romance is the starry sea; the higher you stand, the farther you can see.
His heart skipped a beat, fueled by an primal urge to explore.
However, Bennett quickly regained his composure, shook his head, and said, "The Sanctuary is my ideal, and I'm sorry, I have to continue this work."
Han Xiao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually, there's another reason. A catastrophe will sweep across Planet Aquamarine in two or three years. I foresaw this scene; it's a terrible calamity, a nine-out-of-ten chance of death... Are you really not leaving?"
He decided to warn Bennett about the impending Mutation Disaster. After all, Bennett had been good to him, and staying on Planet Aquamarine was dangerous. One of the main reasons Han Xiao wanted to travel to interstellar space in version 1.0 was to avoid the first and most dangerous wave of Mutation Disaster that would descend upon Planet Aquamarine.
Han Xiao's suspected prophetic abilities give his "predictions" a basis for belief.
However, after listening carefully to Han Xiao's general description of the disaster, Bennett's hesitation vanished, and he said solemnly, "Then I must stay. This is my hometown, and it needs me."
Han Xiao stared at Bennett for a long time, then exhaled a breath of stale air.
"... Yes, you really are that kind of person."
Everyone has their own ambitions; you can't force them. Bennett stared intently at Han Xiao, his gaze complex, and asked, "Are you trying to leave to avoid danger?"
Han Xiao smiled and said, "The solution to this disaster lies hidden in the starry sky. I'm not only here to seek advantage and avoid harm, but also to search for solutions in the starry sky."
He didn't lie to Bennett; finding a way to resolve the 2.0 Mutation Disaster ahead of time was also part of his plan. If he could change the storyline of Planet Aquamarine 2.0, he would definitely be able to boost his legendary status.
Upon hearing this, Bennett finally smiled. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. When I heard you give your speeches before, I knew we were the same kind of people."
"No way!" Han Xiao's lips twitched. That speech was a direct copy of Bennett's words. The last time Han Xiao went to the First Sanctuary to see him, he saw this quote hanging in Bennett's office, with special notes indicating that Han Xiao was the original author and repeatedly expressing his admiration for the quote. This made the great technician Han feel a little embarrassed.
However, although their starting points are different, their goals are the same, so the question of motive becomes irrelevant.
Having learned of Han Xiao's thoughts, Bennett completely ignored Raylen's ultimatum.
How are you going to leave Planet Aquamarine?
"I've already arranged everything for the book; you'll see when the time comes."
Seeing that Han Xiao didn't want to reveal details, Bennett had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and asked, "If you leave, the Third Sanctuary will need to choose a new person in charge. Do you have anyone to recommend?"
Han Xiao thought for a moment, "Huang Yu, he handles all the daily affairs of the Sanctuary, he's very familiar with the situation here, so it's most suitable for him to take over."
Thanks to the influence of the professional league, the image of the Third Sanctuary as the main city has been established. Even if I leave, it will not affect the status of the Sanctuary. The Third Sanctuary bears my name, and every player who comes here will deepen their impression of it.
However, Sanctuary players will no longer be able to enjoy its various "features," which may cause Sanctuary to lose some popularity.
Han Xiao suddenly had a new idea, "Perhaps there's a way to continue consolidating the Sanctuary's influence even if I leave the planet..."
Now that the Mutation Disaster had been revealed to Bennett, this "prophecy" should be able to play a greater role. After a moment's thought, Han Xiao came up with a specific plan and secretly memorized it.
Bennett, who thought Huang Yu was a good candidate, suddenly became serious and said, "There are too many Inhuman in the Third Sanctuary, even more than the Sanctuary it houses. They're taking up too much space. Their origins are unknown and they're too mysterious, which is a security risk. I don't know how you'll get them to work for you, but what will happen to them when you leave?"
"When disaster strikes, the Inhuman are likely to be the backbone of protecting the Sanctuary. Don't be too harsh on them; be tolerant and accepting of them." As players grow stronger, the major powers on Planet Aquamarine become increasingly wary of the Inhuman. Bennett is no exception; only by persuading Bennett can one ensure that their achievements on Planet Aquamarine are not ruined.
Upon hearing this, Bennett's expression changed. "If that's the case, I'll take it seriously." Although he was wary of the Inhuman, upon learning that Inhuman could protect the Sanctuary, he immediately changed his attitude; this reason worked very well for him.
The two chatted for a while longer before Bennett got up to say goodbye. He had come to deal with Raylen's ultimatum, but unexpectedly learned of Han Xiao's next move. As a result, Raylen's warning was no longer a concern, and he stopped worrying about it.
Instead, it was the catastrophe Han Xiao revealed that weighed heavily on his mind, as if a dark cloud was looming over the road ahead. He decided to immediately go back and draft a crisis plan, increase the protective measures of the Sanctuary, and speed up the progress of the plan.
Bennett was reluctant to part with a partner like Han Xiao, and sincerely said, "I hope everything goes well for you, and we can meet again soon."
Han Xiao extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Bennett.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Bennett's arrival reminded Han Xiao that he should inform some of his friends that Hila and Aurora stayed at the Sanctuary because of him, and Han Xiao decided to tell them first.
That night, under a clear, bright moon, he summoned Hila and Aurora and revealed that he was about to travel to interstellar space.
As expected, the two were extremely surprised and looked incredulous.
"Han Xiao, what is the universe like? Have you ever encountered aliens?" Aurora asked hurriedly.
During this time, Aurora has been recuperating at the Sanctuary and has recovered her health. Han Xiao finally corrected her way of addressing him and was no longer called the old-fashioned uncle.
Han Xiao Kerlodd to come closer and said, "This is an alien."
Aurora's bright eyes were full of curiosity. "The alien looks a lot like us. Does it bite?"
This same question again! Can't you bunch of natives have any common sense?!
Kerlodd's face darkened, and he roared, unable to contain himself any longer, "You're the one who bites!"
Snap!!
Kerlodd fell flat on his face.
Han Xiao lowered his hand, his expression unfriendly, and said, "Be polite to the children."
Aurora and muttered softly, "Aliens are scary."
Hila remained expressionless, pointing at Han Xiao, "He's clearly more terrifying."