The Galaxy Times has released a new episode.
As usual, players from various forum sections watched this episode with great enthusiasm.
Two familiar hosts appeared in front of the camera, delivering their well-known opening remarks.
Male host. "Hello, fellow gamers! This is Galaxy Times, dedicated to sharing firsthand gaming information and supporting your gaming journey."
"Based on feedback from our players via private messages, we have decided to cancel the joke segment. We are a serious news program, and providing detailed and informative reports is a principle we have always adhered to. We will never use humor to grab attention... Pfft." The female host solemnly read the script, but then burst out laughing.
"Be serious." The male host sat upright, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and his lips didn't even open as he spoke, as if the words were being forced out of his throat.
Many viewers were amused, and the live chat screen immediately filled with comments.
"Hey, what do you mean by canceling? This segment was supposed to be a lame joke anyway!"
"Hahaha, this is even funnier than a lame joke!"
The program continued, and the female host said, "This episode is two days late. The original content was supposed to be a summary of the main quests on each starting planet in version 2.0, but due to the recent events on Planet Aquamarine, we had to temporarily change the script. Okay, let's take a look at this episode's content..."
This issue of the Galaxy Times explains the 2.0 version main storyline of each beginner planet. At this stage, the main storyline of most beginner planets has become clear and is progressing to an exciting point, with players on these planets participating in it.
However, Planet Aquamarine is an exception. The reason why Galaxy Times changed its script was that the Mutation Disaster suddenly ended, which forced them to change the content they had prepared and to be mindful of timeliness.
While players on other planets are happily progressing through the storyline, players on Planet Aquamarine have already completed their main quest ahead of schedule.
However, what they truly envied and resented were the players from other planets.
The last planet discussed in the program was Planet Aquamarine.
"In version 1.0, Planet Aquamarine was the only place where players could engage in interstellar travel. Comparing it side-by-side, each starting planet has its own unique characteristics, and Planet Aquamarine's unique feature might be that it allows for earlier interstellar travel."
"The early conclusion of Planet Aquamarine's 2.0 main storyline means that players will be able to enter the interstellar map much earlier than on other starting planets in version 1.0. According to Planet Aquamarine's storyline, the NPC guiding players is none other than the former Black Phantom... now Black Star. He's a legendary figure, and there are many ways to learn about his past deeds, so I won't waste time introducing him here."
Although the main planetary storyline ended early, it allowed players to enter interstellar space the earliest, which was considered far more important than the initial planetary storyline in version 2.0 by all players.
Players on Planet Aquamarine are very happy, and the Huaxia Club is even happier. Choosing Planet Aquamarine was definitely the right choice, as it allows them to enter interstellar travel early and gain an advantage over clubs from other countries in all aspects.
"From Black Star, we know that other beginner planets also have guiding factions. We will focus on introducing Black Star and the Black Star Mercenary Group's activities on Planet Aquamarine..."
The two hosts read from the script, analyzing Han Xiao's actions during the Mutation Disaster from various angles. They then analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Black Star Mercenary Group, giving it a very high evaluation.
Based on the observations of professional players who served under Black Star in version 1.0, it is known that the Black Star Mercenary Group offers many benefits and is also a growth faction. This means that players' efforts for the mercenary group can improve various stats of the mercenary group, which in turn benefits themselves and adds more benefits to the faction. The Galaxy Times believes that this guiding faction will be a faction that players can stay in for a long time, and it is even possible that the Black Star Mercenary Group itself is a hidden main storyline.
Players on Planet Aquamarine were already aware of this and didn't react much. Players from other planets, however, sighed and expressed their envy—why couldn't they encounter such a good NPC?
"You played it pretty well."
Han Xiao also watched this episode. The Galaxy Times contains a wide variety of content, unlike Meat Bun which only collects sensational material. However, the Galaxy Times has a wider audience. They only report on events that have a significant impact on him, which has indirectly increased his fame and attracted players from many other planets.
After closing the forum, Han Xiao focused his attention back on the present. He was currently in the Sanctuary area on the outskirts of Number Two Base. Bennett's resettlement of refugees was no longer just about providing shelter, but about urbanization. Not long after the Mutation Disaster ended, some resilient refugees had already begun to make a living and do some work—they couldn't be called refugees anymore, they should be called residents.
Han Xiao sat at a roadside stall. He had heard that the owner of this stall used to be a high-class chef. He came to the Sanctuary because he was fleeing from war. Although he used cheap ingredients, the food tasted very good. The pot of meat soup was bubbling and simmering, and the aroma was filling the air. The chef was also using a spatula to pound the rich, dark-colored stewed meat. His wife was helping him, stir-frying the bright green vegetables. The aroma of the food attracted many passersby to turn around and look, their mouths watering.
A long queue formed in front of the stall, and some people were wolfing down their food, almost swallowing their fingers. For the past few months, almost no one had eaten a decent meal, and they hadn't tasted oil and fat in a long time. Although the dishes were simple, they were no less delicious than delicacies, and these people ate with great satisfaction.
This street, which used to be a dirty and chaotic refugee camp, is now much cleaner. The atmosphere is no longer oppressive but relaxed. Some refugees who decided to stay have dismantled their tents and started building makeshift houses. The streets are bustling with activity, like a construction site.
"Sister, this is delicious!"
Across the small table, Aurora was holding a bowl, slurping her food, her cheeks puffing out, making her look somewhat like a squirrel.
Hila ate a few bites and then stopped eating. She reached out and tucked Aurora's long hair, which was hanging down her forehead, behind her ear, and gently patted Aurora's back to make sure she wouldn't choke.
Master Han wasn't so decadent as to go shopping alone. He invited the two sisters out to inspect the Sanctuary and discuss the Dragon Emperor issue.
The Mutation Disaster had ended for some time, the disaster on Planet Aquamarine was resolved, and the Goddora escort fleet guarding outer space had left, but Nagokin stayed behind to be in charge of liaison.
Han Xiao estimated that the players had adapted to the end of the main storyline, so he decided to wrap things up soon and officially leave with the players. Ames instructed him to take the two sisters to Dragon Calm, and he informed them in advance. Hila and Aurora had no objections.
While eating, Han Xiao's thoughts drifted to Resta. Resta had been infiltrating a mothership for several days but had not yet completely cracked the database.
However, judging from the signal sent by Resta, it should be soon. Only after completing the decryption can he obtain the locations of all the motherships, and then DarkStar will be doomed.
"Recent reports indicate that the severity of disasters on other planets has escalated, causing setbacks for the Goddora relief team. It seems that infiltrators on DarkStar have used instruments to locate the Primarchs, actively feeding them energy to Mutation Source accelerate their growth. They haven't given up yet."
Han Xiao pondered to himself, then shook his head. He figured that Goddora's attention was probably no longer on disaster relief; she was just waiting for his intelligence to completely eliminate DarkStar, this major threat.
Han Xiao wiped his mouth, stood up, and prepared to pay, but the stall owner wiped his hands on his clothes and hurriedly declined.
"Sir, you are our savior. We all owe you our lives. How could we possibly accept your money?"
The stall owner remained adamant, and the people around him echoed his stance.
Hearing this, Han Xiao didn't insist and patted Hila's head, "Then you pay."
Did I give you permission to touch my head? Do you think I'm Aurora?
Hila slapped Han Xiao's hand away in annoyance, glared at him, and hesitated for a moment before taking out her wallet.
Beep beep...
Just then, the communicator suddenly rang; it was a message from Resta.
"I've successfully cracked the database and can locate all the motherships on DarkStar. I've spotted one mothership heading towards Planet Aquamarine; it's very close, and it's accompanied by three Calamity Grade officers. Keep an eye on it."
Upon seeing the first half of the sentence, Han Xiao's expression brightened, but upon reading the rest, his face immediately turned serious.
A mothership is heading towards Planet Aquamarine?!
Their purpose is self-evident; these three DarkStar Calamity Grade executives certainly weren't here for sightseeing!
"Could it be that DarkStar intends to destroy the planet that successfully resolved the disaster?!"
Han Xiao and immediately made a guess, which was probably very close to the truth.
There's probably another reason they're targeting us; otherwise, they wouldn't have deployed three Calamity Grade.
Could it be that DarkStar has noticed his actions?!
Han Xiao realized the situation was dire; with Goddora's escort fleet absent, his own fleet alone couldn't withstand a single mothership.
Emergency!
He immediately contacted Nagokin, seeking help at the first opportunity, which was very sensible.
"I've detected a DarkStar fleet approaching Planet Aquamarine. They likely intend to destroy the planet. The danger is imminent. Send reinforcements immediately!"
"What? I'll report it immediately!" Nagokin shock.
Now is the honeymoon period of the cooperation, Goddora will naturally come to help.
Han Xiao didn't stop there; he contacted Bennett and the Six Nations, asking them to immediately arrange manpower to guide the city's residents into underground air-raid shelters for refuge.
DarkStar will launch a global attack. Now that there is no escort fleet to protect the planet, it is a hundred times more dangerous than before. It is like a delicate girl exposed to a group of burly men, at their mercy. We can only try to minimize the losses before reinforcements arrive.
This is the greatest crisis Planet Aquamarine. DarkStar is an enemy that this planet cannot resist. If things go wrong, civilization will be destroyed!
Just like Sunil in the past.
"What's wrong?" Hila asked, frowning at Han Xiao's behavior.
"A fleet is coming to attack us. Don't stay here. Quickly take your sister to the base for refuge. I'll open the base's protective shield in a bit." Han Xiao spoke rapidly.
"Aurora back. I can stay here and help you," Hila said in a deep voice.
"You're no help at all. This battlefield is far too early for you."
Han Xiao showed no mercy. Facing three Calamity Grade, even he felt immense pressure. If it weren't for the two template feats he recently acquired, which were like perpetual motion machines, he wouldn't have been willing to risk fighting them. Hila was far from qualified to intervene in battles of this level.
Hila's face stiffened, and she gritted her teeth angrily. But she knew that Han Xiao wasn't one to show off, and if he said she couldn't do it, he was definitely telling the truth. Without hesitation, she turned and ran towards Number Two Base with her sister, moving at lightning speed.
Han Xiao's current status allows him to command the entire Planet Aquamarine. Upon receiving the news, the Six Nations and Bennett were all shocked and immediately mobilized their populations to evacuate.
The air raid sirens blared throughout the Sanctuary, the city descended into chaos, and groups of residents were directed to air raid shelters.
The residents of this street also hurriedly set off, creating a huge crowd.
call--
Just as Han Xiao was preparing to head to Number Two Base to oversee the overall situation, a whooshing sound suddenly came from the sky.
More than a dozen DarkStar assault ships entered the atmosphere and headed towards the Sanctuary. They dove at high speed and, without saying a word, opened fire with their shipborne laser cannons. Beams of laser light struck the surrounding urban area of Sanctuary, causing dozens of explosions in an instant.
Boom boom boom--
Flames and thick smoke shot into the sky, and the peaceful and tranquil Sanctuary was engulfed in war in the blink of an eye!
Not only the Sanctuary, but also the Six Nations were attacked by other DarkStar assault ships.
Planet Aquamarine has been attacked!
"How could they have arrived so quickly?!" Han Xiao's face turned grave, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He had only received the news a few minutes earlier, and Planet Aquamarine had just begun its evacuation efforts when the enemy appeared?!
The DarkStar assault ship swept overhead, whipping up a howling wind. Han Xiao glanced at it, his eyes suddenly narrowing.
That's right, the mothership isn't here; these must just be the vanguard!
"These assault ships must be shot down immediately!"
Han Xiao quickly contacted the mercenaries at the base to deploy protective shields, and at the same time activated the ground-to-air electromagnetic railgun. He ordered Melos and other officers to take off in the assault ship captured in the previous attack to deal with the DarkStar Vanguard Force.
The Sanctuary here has protective shields, so the situation is slightly better than in the Six Nations. It is the Six Nations that need emergency support.
As he was issuing the orders, Han Xiao suddenly sensed danger approaching and quickly dodged away. He saw a cluster of jet-black arrows, dozens of meters long, heavily embedded in the spot where he had been standing.
Bang!
The street is sinking and cracking!
The next moment, the pitch-black arrow collapsed, turning into countless black particles that swirled around a figure in the sky.
Ashes looked down at Han Xiao, who was expressionless, and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
"This move wasn't aimed at me..." Han Xiao's heart tightened, and he hurriedly turned around. Behind him were the residents of this street, running away into the distance. The next moment, some of the fleeing people suddenly turned into a pile of dust, including the stall owner's family. One second they were running away, and the next second they turned into a pile of dust.
Those nearby who hadn't been affected collapsed to the ground, all terrified, a warm liquid seeping from their groins.
Only then did Ashes look down and speak coldly.
"Do you remember me, Black Star?"
Damn it, this guy's superpowers are terrifyingly lethal to ordinary people, we have to keep him occupied!
Han Xiao frowned, withdrew his gaze, and stared intently at the Ashes, saying sarcastically, "You've lost to me several times, of course I remember you. Do you want to taste defeat again?"
Upon hearing this, Ashes's face showed anger, but when he thought that his mission was to force Black Star to stay and fight, his anger quickly turned into a sneer.
"Heh, did you think I came here to deal with you?"
Ashes raised his head and looked into the distance. He saw the city of Sanctuary burning with flames everywhere. Assault ships were attacking relentlessly, streets were being blown to smithereens, and waves of people were fleeing in panic.
His gaze swept across the chaotic crowd, locking onto Hila and Aurora fleeing in the distance.
"I already know your background. Those two women are friends you value, aren't they... Collect their bodies! If there are any remains!"
Ashes suddenly activated his supernatural power, clenching his five fingers.
In the distance, Hila and Aurora's bodies began to turn to ash!