At the dock plaza, many wanderers and space pirates who had lingered in Dragon Calm surrounded the Blacklight Stealth, pointing and whispering, their eyes filled with envy and greed.
The Federation of Light's spaceships are high-end stuff!
Unfortunately, this valuable spaceship belongs to Black Star. In Dragon Calm, few dare to cause trouble; they can only admire it from afar.
"Get out of the way."
Han Xiao's voice came from outside the crowd. Hundreds of people surrounding the spaceship turned to look, their faces turning pale. As if they had seen a ghost, they took several steps back and quickly moved away. All eyes turned to the tall woman beside Han Xiao, who was the owner of this floating island.
"It's the Dragon Emperor!"
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat. Outsiders rarely get to see Ames in person, and the thought of her power and status made the thugs' legs go weak, feeling immense pressure.
The two didn't even glance at the group of people. They walked side by side through the crowd, climbed the gangway, and entered the spaceship.
call--
The Blacklight Stealth took off swiftly, instantly transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the vast universe.
Everyone stared blankly as Ames followed Han Xiao onto the ship. Only after the spaceship had departed did the group come to their senses and erupt into chaos.
"The Dragon Emperor has gone out again!"
"This time, she's actually operating alongside Black Star, who is the leader of the field operations force. Is Ames planning something?"
"Black Star arrived just moments before Ames left with him. I have a feeling something big might be about to happen!"
Ames holds a transcendent position, and her every move will arouse all sorts of speculation, trying to figure out what this big shot is thinking. These people from all walks of life who have docked at Dragon Calm are all well-informed, so it is conceivable that this news will soon reach the ears of various forces in the interstellar space through these channels.
However, for now, the news first spread widely in Dragon Calm, causing even more surprise, and soon reached Jenny's ears.
Jenny was completely dumbfounded.
She was devastated when she heard the news.
Ames usually goes out to play, but she always goes alone. This time is different; she actually ran off with Black Star?!
What exactly did Black Star say to Ames?!
Jenny's lips trembled with anger. Black Star was now embroiled in controversy, and she could already foresee that all sorts of troubles would follow in the near future, doubling the amount of work she would have to handle!
However... Ames is the boss. She could still put Black Star in her place before, but now that the boss is causing trouble herself, what can she do? Who can she complain to?!
Jenny's eyes twitched, almost making crow's feet appear.
This is so damn hopeless!
The spaceship, now in warp mode, activated autopilot. Han Xiao stood up from the pilot's seat and turned to look at Ames.
"The journey back to Planet Aquamarine will take about ten days. There will only be the two of us on the ship. If you don't want to sleep, I'd be happy to keep you company."
"This ship is nice."
Ames glanced around the spaceship, examining it, before her gaze fell on Han Xiao's face, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Is there anything to drink?"
The two arrived at the lounge. Ames sat down lazily, her long legs stretched out across the sofa, her head propped up by her left hand. She didn't care at all about displaying her alluring figure in front of others; she preferred to maintain a comfortable posture.
Han Xiao opened the food cabinet, skillfully pried open a hidden compartment, took out a bottle of fine wine that Melos had hidden inside, then took out two glasses, placed them on the coffee table in front of Ames, filled both glasses, then picked up his own glass and sat down opposite Ames.
Ames beckoned with her finger, and the force field lifted the wine glass on the table, sending it flying steadily to her lips. She took a small sip, her eyes crinkling into a smile, "It tastes awful."
"Really? I think it's alright..." Han Xiao's lips twitched. After all, Melos wasn't human, so his sense of taste was probably a bit unusual.
Ames blinked and chuckled, "Tell me about yourself. I haven't really gotten to know you properly since you joined Dragon Calm."
In Noriosse, Han Xiao helped her capture Iso, for Ames was quite grateful. She wasn't the type to take it for granted that her subordinates would work for her. Compared to the other three awe-inspiring Beyond Grade A powerhouses in the Shattered Star Ring, she seemed quite casual.
A few years ago, she didn't value Han Xiao. She only allowed Han Xiao to join Dragon Calm because of Iso. But in just a few years, Black Star not only gradually gained a foothold, but his strength also increased rapidly. Although he was still nothing compared to her, the speed of his growth surprised her.
Ames couldn't help but become interested in this subordinate, only then realizing that she knew almost nothing about Han Xiao.
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao casually recounted his origins, naturally omitting information about the players. He began by talking about the Germinal test subjects, then discussed the "Inhuman" incident from the perspective of the Planet Aquamarine people, and subsequently mentioned his subordinates. Ames listened intently.
After talking for a while, Han Xiao finally stopped, took a sip of wine to moisten his throat. He didn't mind telling stories; this was a rare opportunity to be alone with Ames, a perfect chance to get closer—it was all beneficial. Besides, Ames was, after all, a great beauty. Han Xiao, with his current power, certainly wouldn't be swayed by desire, but she was still quite pleasing to the eye.
It's much better than facing Harmon, who has thick hair and a burly build.
After listening to Han Xiao's story, Ames tapped her thigh with her right hand, her expression thoughtful. "A pair of sisters, each controlling death and life force respectively... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."
She wasn't interested in the political, national, or civilizational struggles; instead, she was drawn to the situation of Hila and Aurora.
Han Xiao's heart stirred. He did not hide the story of Hila and Aurora. In his previous life, Hila, who embraced darkness, was even more powerful in the interstellar space than Ames at her peak. However, Hila was still very weak now, but there seemed to be something strange about her. Ames would not usually pay attention to what was happening on a native planet. If she had heard of a similar situation, the information must have come from a very high level.
"You just said that Aroshia is an AI life form, so are the millions of identical Cosmic Wonder based on the same principle?"
Han Xiao shook his head, feigning hesitation, and said, "It should be different."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a strange thing happened in the lounge.
Buzz--
Suddenly, streams of light coalesced into human form, Resta appeared, sitting beside Han Xiao.
"Why did you run out?" Han Xiao asked, puzzled.
Ames turned her gaze to Resta, a look of curiosity on her face.
Resta slowly stood up, bowed deeply to Ames, her tone sincere and urgent, even pleading.
"Your Majesty on the Dragon Emperor Throne, I have a request of you... I beg you to help my civilization and save my people! I am willing to pay the price myself and serve you forever!"
Han Xiao had just mentioned the situation of the AI life civilization. Resta knew that Ames was a big figure, with strength on the same level as the mechanic who had taken over the people, and was capable of dealing with that person.
This is an opportunity to ask for help. Even if the chance of Dragon Emperor agreeing is only one in ten thousand, Resta is unwilling to give up. If Ames is willing to help, then everything will become simple, and the seemingly impossible task will have a chance of success.
"A fight...?" Ames raised an eyebrow. "Who is this opponent you're talking about?"
"He was a mechanic who seized my homeland, enslaved almost all his people, and turned them into his weapons. I will never forget his name; it was— Manison the Ancient Ones Papadopoulos!"
"Oh, so it's the [Mechanic Emperor] of the Ancient Star Desert. He's a member of the Ancient Ones." Ames shook her head. "I refuse your request."
The Ancient Star Desert, like the Shattered Star Ring, is a vast star field. The [Mechanic Emperor] Manison's position there is similar to that of [Dragon Emperor] Ames in the Shattered Star Ring.
The "Ancient Ones" are a special faction. Ames's adoptive father, Iso, was once a member of the "Ancient Ones"... but he later left the group.
Although Resta was somewhat prepared, she was still disappointed and couldn't help but ask, "May I know why you refused...?"
Ames said dismissively, "I can't beat him."
Resta's luminous figure trembled, seemingly shocked, "Even you... you're no match for him..."
Han Xiao remained silent, unsurprised by the situation. Beyond Grade A was a general classification, naturally with varying strengths. Ames was powerful, but not invincible, and Ames never considered herself invincible.
Ten days passed in a flash. There wasn't much to do on the ship, Han Xiao chatted with Ames every day, which brought them closer and made their interactions much more natural.
Planet Aquamarine appeared outside the porthole. Rows of Goddora frigates guarded outer space and, upon detecting the approaching Blacklight Stealth, quickly issued warnings.
"Please verify your identity, intruder!"
"It's me," Han Xiao replied in the channel.
"Black Star, you can land now." The tone on the other end softened. Although Goddora was currently in a critical situation and everything had to be done with caution, Han Xiao had fought alongside them before and had already proven that he was not an enemy.
After passing the facial recognition test, the Blacklight Stealth landed at the Sanctuary. Looking down at the Sanctuary, it seemed that there were more refugees than before, most of them wearing restraints. During Han Xiao's absence, many crises had occurred on Planet Aquamarine, but they had all been resolved. The player had done a lot and had a fulfilling time.
Instead of attacking the disaster planet, DarkStar went to harass other colonies, making the situation even more tense. Goddora was in a state of utter chaos, but it didn't affect Han Xiao.
The hatch opened, Ames floated out, looking around. "Is this your home planet? How beautiful. It's a pity my home planet is now a desolate wasteland."
"Most of the Inhuman are over at the plaza. I can't keep you company any longer; I have something to take care of first," Han Xiao said.
Ames nodded and floated alone to the square, curiously watching the players coming and going.
A passing player instinctively turned around, then froze, mouth agape, face blank.
"Ahhhhhh... Ames?!"
Do you know me?
Ames was surprised; she had thought these Inhuman were all natives, but she hadn't expected them to recognize her.
As more and more people discovered Ames, the players were all stunned.
The once noisy square seemed to be under some kind of spell. Centered on Ames, the "spell" continued to spread, and the entire square gradually quieted down, like a spring that had been compressed to its limit, where some kind of emotion was brewing.
boom--
The next moment, countless exclamations from players erupted, echoing through the sky!
Meanwhile, Han Xiao did not go with Ames. He quickly went to the Goddora camp and asked to meet with Nagokin.
The Goddora guard at the gate shook his head, his reply unchanged from over two weeks ago, "Black Star, His Excellency Nagokin is attending an emergency meeting and has no time to see you. Please return."
Han Xiao's goal was clear this time. He said in a deep voice, "Go and tell him immediately that I have a new Mutation Source! I don't care what he's doing, I want him to see me right now!"
The guard's expression changed; he dared not make a decision on his own and quickly went to report to Nagokin.
Less than two minutes after waiting at the entrance, a golden light shot out from the depths of the Goddora camp, stopping in front of him in an instant. Wherever it passed, buildings were smashed open, leaving a ditch in the ground. It was Nagokin.
Upon learning Han Xiao's purpose, Nagokin was so shocked he almost fell off his chair. Forgetting all about the meeting, he rushed out impatiently, not even wanting to waste time walking, and hurriedly ran out to greet Han Xiao.
"You... you're telling the truth?!"
Nagokin looked nervous.
Han Xiao took out the Mutation Source sealed in a transparent sphere, which attracted Nagokin's gaze like a magnet.
"Let's go inside and discuss it in more detail."
Han Xiao waved his hand to block Nagokin's view and chuckled.
It's time to turn the tide!