It was nearing dusk.
The clouds, like fire, bathed the reconstruction site of the Sanctuary in a pale yellow hue. The mercenary group's airship array hovered silently above the base, and people on the ground would occasionally look up at it, their eyes revealing emotions such as reverence and envy.
The events of the past few months have upended the worldview of the people of Planet Aquamarine. It's like a dream. Sometimes, when they wake up in the morning, they are stunned and only after carefully recalling yesterday can they come to their senses.
The hovering spaceships are like flags, constantly reminding people that this planet has entered a new era. It is not a transition from the "old era" to the "new era" in the planet's history, but a completely new era of destruction and reconstruction, truly connecting with the interstellar community.
To the regime and people of Planet Aquamarine, the changes of the past few months have been an unparalleled upheaval, overturning all old patterns and ideas. However, to the interstellar people, it is merely another indigenous planet undergoing a worldview transformation, and for the Black Star mercenaries, it is just another mission.
From the players' perspective, everything that happened on Planet Aquamarine was just a normal part of the storyline.
Players are more concerned about when they will be able to enter interstellar travel.
All signs indicate that the Black Star Army will be the guiding force for them, and a promising growth camp with countless benefits. Currently, hundreds of thousands of players have joined the Black Star Army, and new players pass the assessment every day.
Base Plaza.
After Melos issued the call, players arrived one after another, creating a bustling scene.
Han Xiao took out the mechanical throne he had used once when he made his return declaration. This thing was specially designed to increase his prestige. He hovered above the square to ensure that all players could see him.
Upon his return, he gave a speech to improve his image in the players' minds. When he leaves, he plans to give a similar speech to conclude the storyline on Planet Aquamarine for the players and simultaneously usher in a new phase, bridging the past and the future and raising players' expectations. He feels that this would be more fulfilling.
While thinking, Han Xiao spoke loudly:
"A few months ago, I returned from the Galaxy, keeping my promise to accompany Planet Aquamarine through the disaster. Now, I have fulfilled my promise. The disaster is over, and the powerful enemy has retreated. Today is the day we leave."
The Mutation Disaster was resolved in advance, the civilization of Planet Aquamarine was preserved, and hundreds of millions of beings were indirectly able to survive.
This outcome is far better than in my previous life.
It's time to continue the journey of conquering the stars; these players before us are the best warriors.
As expected, many players became excited, their eyes shining.
We can finally enter interstellar space! We've been waiting so long!
Han Xiao glanced at it and continued:
"The Black Star Army will leave with me. In the past few months, hundreds of thousands have passed the tests and become members of the Legion. I will fight alongside you in every corner of the Galaxy!"
"As for those who haven't joined the legion, if you're willing, I've left a base on Planet Aquamarine where you can apply to join. Regardless of your status, as long as you pass the assessment, the Black Star Army always welcomes the strong. At that time, a spaceship will pick up the new recruits and take them to our interstellar base to become official members."
His recruitment targets are not only players, but also ordinary Planet Aquamarine people, because there will always be people who yearn for a higher stage.
Hundreds of thousands of Legion players were overjoyed. Sure enough, only by joining the Black Star Army could they travel to interstellar space together. The selection process over the past few months was to determine the first batch of people to enter interstellar space. This was the biggest benefit of the faction; they were ahead of the curve!
The other players were a little frustrated, but there was nothing they could do. They hadn't won the selection, but they weren't too upset. They had just missed out on the first batch of slots to enter interstellar space. The Black Star Army had left a way for them to join. As long as they kept trying and passing the tests, they would eventually get a spot in the second or third batch.
Moreover, Planet Aquamarine needs a large number of people for post-disaster reconstruction, so staying there temporarily would also generate considerable profits.
Currently, joining Black Star is the most cost-effective way to travel to interstellar space.
To most players, all these hints suggest that joining Black Star is actually a potential main storyline!
Or rather, this is a prerequisite for starting the main storyline of StarCraft!
At this moment, Han Xiao changed the subject. "The Black Star Army has expanded many times over. We've received our first large-scale job to participate in a war. This is the first battle after the legion's expansion, a chance to show the universe our strength."
As he spoke, he issued faction quests to player mercenaries through the faction interface, and hundreds of thousands of players who had joined simultaneously received the notifications:
[You have triggered the faction quest [Black Star Army: The First Battle]]
The mission message indicates that this is the player's first large-scale mercenary mission since joining Black Star, and will be their first battle in interstellar space. Fighting alongside the legion will reward them with 500 points of faction favor.
The reward amount is limited, so Han Xiao only issues faction relationship rewards. However, this is only the first mission. Once he joins up with the Goddora forces, he will naturally be able to obtain formal war mercenary missions.
At that time, players will also trigger sub-missions related to war mercenaries, receiving experience rewards and pay, which are the real benefits.
This is also Han Xiao's original intention in adopting the mercenary group model. His own reward amount is not enough, so he makes up for it by taking on tasks from employers. He borrows a chicken to lay eggs, which can basically be understood as a human resources intermediary, or you can say it is pimping.
Only the first batch of players to join the group were able to participate in this war.
"War is brewing as soon as we enter interstellar space, this is going to be fun!"
"This is special treatment."
The crowd was greatly excited and began to discuss it animatedly.
Han Xiao took one last look around.
Bennett stood beside him and nodded in acknowledgment; he decided to stay and continue managing the Sanctuary.
Hila and Aurora have decided to leave Planet Aquamarine. After this incident, Han Xiao will send them to Dragon Calm for further studies, and they will leave together at this time. The two sisters have no luggage and are all alone.
One Leaf Green also decided to join Black Star to see the interstellar world. Unlike others, she brought hundreds of boxes of potion materials. A group of prisoners from Death Knell Island, who had just finished training her, were helping her carry her luggage and were almost overwhelmed by the boxes.
Han Xiao paused, then raised his voice:
"Then, let's go!"
The hovering spaceships lowered their altitude and deployed their gangways.
Hundreds of thousands of player mercenaries boarded the spaceship one after another, filled with excitement.
Almost all the clubs, guilds, and professional players on Planet Aquamarine were among the first batch of slots, secretly delighted. While they were entering interstellar space, other clubs were still playing in the mud on their planets.
Everyone boarded the Blacklight Stealth, with Han Xiao being the last to get on the ship.
The hatch closed, and led by the Blacklight Stealth, more than twenty mercenary ships quickly took off, carrying hundreds of thousands of players away into the sky above Planet Aquamarine. The last rays of sunlight disappeared along with the ships, dusk ended, and night fell.
People on the ground looked up until the spaceship completely disappeared from their sight.
"Black Star Army..."
Countless people were filled with excitement.
It felt like witnessing the start of a legend.
Nagokin's ship had been waiting in outer space for a long time, leading the Black Star Army to rendezvous with other mercenary groups; the journey would take several days.
Hundreds of thousands of players were excited to enter interstellar space for the first time. Through the interstellar channel, they gained a more detailed understanding of the interstellar landscape. The transport ships had ample space and complete facilities. The players became familiar with the structure of the interstellar ships, essentially repeating the actions of Frenzied Saber and others from back then.
However, on the forums, the event had an incredibly sensational effect. The first batch of hundreds of thousands of players entered StarCraft, creating a frenzy that flooded the forums. Countless foreign players came to watch, filled with envy.
These players are a key part of Han Xiao's plan. By bringing players into interstellar space in advance, he can quickly develop his power and enrich his own wallet through them. The Goddora War mercenary is an opportunity to make the mercenary industry and interstellar forces re-evaluate the Black Star Army's capabilities, refresh their impressions, and improve their reputation.
The Black Star Army is no longer a small team, but has been upgraded to a large-scale legion. As long as they build a good reputation, mercenary missions will come in droves.
This first battle also allowed these players to familiarize themselves with the interstellar combat mode and the operational process of parachuting in and breaking down doors.
A few days passed in the blink of an eye. The Black Star Army fleet followed Nagokin's ship to the rendezvous point, while the combined fleet of a large mercenary group was in the distance, slowly moving through the universe.
Han Xiao's spaceship was welcomed inside and immediately received a communication request from Gurega, the legion commander of the Sky Ring Alliance. The two had cooperated many times before and had a fairly good relationship.
"Black Star, what brings you here too?"
Gurega, with his long, needle-like beard, spoke with surprise.
"Goddora also hired me to participate in the war." Han Xiao smiled.
"Haha, I thought you were just acting as a middleman, but I didn't expect you to be involved personally. It seems we'll be fighting side by side again this time."
Gurega laughed heartily. It was Han Xiao who secretly led the mission on Planet Golden Gate last time, and he remembered the favor.
Han Xiao shrugged. "Goddora can afford it, I'll come."
"By the way, you're close to Goddora, do you know what this strategic operation is all about?" Gurega asked.
To prevent intelligence leaks, Goddora simply ordered the mercenary groups to stand by, without revealing that this battle was a general offensive against DarkStar, keeping these large legions in the dark.
"Since Goddora won't tell you, I can't either; it's a secret."
"Ha, so you and Goddora are indeed flirting." Gurega didn't press the matter, saying, "All the captains are having a meeting on the Sky Ring, assigning tasks. You've come at the perfect time."
"Okay, I'll go over there now."
After hanging up the communication, Han Xiao piloted the Blacklight Stealth deep into the Allied Fleet and arrived at the Sky Ring Alliance ' formation. The Sky Ring was the flagship, its size resembling a mountain.
The spaceship docked, and Han Xiao led the group of cadres onto the Sky Ring. Sky Ring mercenaries were already waiting at the entrance of the passage to greet them and led them to the spaceship's main hall.
The hall was spacious, with a circular sofa in the center. More than a dozen legion commanders sat on the sofas, each occupying a corner, while mercenaries from various factions sat or stood behind their respective legion commanders.
As soon as Han Xiao and his group entered the hall, all the mercenaries present turned to look at them.
Aurora tugged at Hila's clothes and said cautiously, "Sister, these people's life force fluctuations are so strong."
Those present were renowned mercenary groups from various star systems and star sectors, all of whom were the best in their respective regions.
For example, the Sky Ring Alliance brought two Calamity Grade, including Gurega, and most of the other legion commanders were also Calamity Grade. At this time, the legion commanders were surrounded by officers, so it can be said that there were many powerful figures around them.
Hila's eyes were serious. The gazes of these mercenaries put immense pressure on her, as if each of them could easily defeat her.
Just then, many legion commanders laughed and greeted them warmly, and the atmosphere suddenly eased.
"Oh, it's Black Star."
It's been a while since we last met.
"Hey bro, sit next to me."
Most of the mercenary groups present had dealt with Han Xiao before, and some even had cooperative relationships with him; they were all acquaintances, and they all invited him to take a seat.
Han Xiao put on a smile and responded to each question.
He felt extremely safe surrounded by a group of powerful allies.
Melos and the others greeted the mercenaries they knew, but the two sisters, who didn't recognize anyone, remained silent.
Hila secretly observed this group of interstellar mercenaries of various races and attire.
--These people are Han Xiao's colleagues? They all seem very capable!
Han Xiao walked to the circular sofa. A legion commander codenamed "Youyu" shifted his position, patted the seat next to him, and gestured for him to sit next to her.
He was about to sit down when a short legion commander suddenly spoke, his tone displeased.
"Black Star, your mercenary group is so small, what are you doing here?"
The laughter of the crowd suddenly stopped.
Han Xiao paused, looked up, and saw that the legion commander who was speaking was a stranger. They had never cooperated before, so he must have been a collaborator called in by another mercenary group.
So few people?
By the way, the expansion of our operations only happened recently; it's just been registered with the Mercenary Alliance and hasn't reached these people's ears yet.
Han Xiao suddenly realized.
In other words, in the eyes of these large mercenary groups, they are still a small to medium-sized mercenary group with only a little over a hundred members.