A few days later.
The interstellar construction team finally arrived in Sunil, and the players' temporary camp was finally transformed into a construction site. The structural blueprints for Number Three Base were improved based on those for Number One Base. The engineering team showcased their professional skills, using advanced engineering equipment to quickly lay foundations and build houses.
The players proved their worth, displaying great enthusiasm and a spirit of hard work, contributing to the Black Star Army's expansion and construction. Working in tandem with the engineering team, the construction efficiency of Number Three Base was astonishingly high.
More members of the Black Star Army responded to the call and gathered on Planet Sunil. All the executives, including Aroshia, Reynold, Sylvia, Jinda, and Harmon, were present, bringing thousands of mercenaries. In addition, hundreds of thousands of other players who were operating outside were also arriving one after another. So far, the number of players on Planet Sunil has risen to 280,000.
Sunil issued Grade A missions, which generated great enthusiasm among players. So far, every Grade A mission that players have seen has been a main storyline mission, and the war that Sunil is about to start with the Subterranean Mutants has also been regarded by players as a new main storyline.
Since entering interstellar space, players haven't experienced a major event that can be considered a new main storyline. The Black Star Army is the guiding faction and the backbone in the eyes of the players. Everyone believes that following the Black Star Army is the key to unlocking the next stage of the story, and the current situation has confirmed their thoughts.
The main storyline of Sunil is born from the Black Star Army. This is a plot brought about by the faction, and players can distinguish between primary and secondary relationships. From this, they can see the greater potential of the Black Star Army. This means that they can grow with the faction and trigger more main storylines. Due to the nature of the Black Star Army's work, with Sunil, there will definitely be other main storylines as well, and their future is bright.
Realizing this, countless players were extremely excited, fantasizing about the future possibilities of their faction, and couldn't help but feel an immense sense of anticipation—perhaps the real advantage of being born on Planet Aquamarine is being able to join such a great faction as the Black Star Army.
Han Xiao had been keeping a close eye on the players' activities. Group activities helped improve team cohesion, and main quests like Sunil could make players feel a greater sense of belonging. Han Xiao remembered many planets with large-scale Grade A missions, which were part of his plan. Once the Sunil pilot project was completed, he could bring players a "main quest" every so often.
In the conference room, all the officers gathered together. This was the largest gathering in several months. All the officers had been conscripted to participate in this recruitment, and they had also brought most of the legion's spaceships, as well as a massive amount of supplies.
Han Xiao sat at the head of the table, projecting documents onto the table and explaining the situation:
"The Sunil people have made progress in their research on the physiological structure of the Subterranean Mutants. These Subterranean Mutants possess a certain level of intelligence; their head tentacles are important organs for perceiving the outside world. They release weak psychic energy to detect external stimuli, providing feedback to their brains to create images. In other words, the tentacles are their eyes..."
Reynold interjected, nodding slowly, "A telekinetic being, huh? Such a race has great potential."
Everyone glanced at him but said nothing.
Han Xiao continued, "The communication methods of the Subterranean Mutants are divided into two types. The first is that their tentacles touch each other, allowing two species to communicate mentally. The second is that if Subterranean Mutants is near a certain number of Whispering Stone, it can establish a wide-area mental connection, communicating with all its kind within the area. The number of Whispering Stone determines the range of the wide-area mental connection."
"In addition, the Subterranean Mutants have a weakness: they seem to be extremely afraid of ultraviolet radiation. Studies have shown that even normal sunlight can burn them. This is both good and bad news, meaning we cannot lure the Subterranean Mutants to the surface."
"Therefore, we currently have two countermeasures. First, we will send mercenaries into the underground to fight, proceeding step by step and slowly eliminating the aliens. On the other hand, we need to try to develop large-scale biological weapons to target the Subterranean Mutants. One Leaf Green, this task is entrusted to you."
Han Xiao quickly explained the situation and began assigning tasks. He had pharmacists under his command, so he was too lazy to spend extra money to consult various drug research institutes.
"Hmph, you only remember me when you have a problem. You never come to me when things are fine. Let me tell you, I'm into saving people now. Don't come to me with anything about researching poison gas. I'm going to be a good person."
One Leaf Green crossed her arms and turned her head away, expressing her dissatisfaction.
Han Xiao glanced at her. "I approved your research funding application last time."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely get the poison out for you!"
One Leaf Green immediately changed her tune, showing no restraint whatsoever.
Han Xiao rolled his eyes, turned to Fording, and put on a smile. "Fording, I need your help to probe the Subterranean Mutants ' Psychic Network, to help us understand Subterranean Mutants communication patterns, and to see if we can mislead Subterranean Mutants."
Because the Subterranean Mutants use psychic communication, this is where telekinesis comes into play.
"So that's why you called me here?"
Fording looked helpless and shook his head.
"I refuse to help."
He wasn't a mercenary, just a client, and didn't want to participate in the massacre; he was quite resistant to it.
"Oh well."
Han Xiao didn't press the matter; after all, he still had the Volga Three Brothers. Just as he was about to look away, Han Xiao suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how are you and Morning Star doing now?"
He was still thinking about Fording's personal mission.
"We chat every day, our relationship is alright..."
Fording scratched his cheek, looking a little embarrassed.
Upon seeing this, Han Xiao's lips twitched.
What are you embarrassed about? Is your relationship really just "okay"...?
Han Xiao felt a chill run down his spine; he felt that the outcome he had envisioned was gradually becoming a reality.
This is terrifying. Could it be that I'll witness true spiritual communion...?
Han Xiao coughed, tapped the table, and returned to the original topic, saying seriously:
"Currently, we've only discovered seven nests, all located near underground Whispering Stone veins. Reynold, given the psychic radiation of Whispering Stone, create some large-scale detection devices for Whispering Stone veins, ideally capable of detecting beyond the surface. Deploy them on the spaceships so our ships can search the globe and find all the Subterranean Mutants nests."
Reynold sat up straight and nodded calmly, "I will certainly not fail in my mission."
At this moment, Melos scratched his head and suddenly interjected, "I have a question."
Han Xiao looked over. "What's wrong?"
"Actually, I was just about to ask..." Melos pointed at Reynold, "Who exactly is this guy?"
Reynold had only been a member for less than a month, and apart from Sylvia, Aroshia, and others who stayed at Number One Base, most of the officers present didn't know him. However, they could feel Reynold's powerful aura, and he was probably the strongest person present besides Black Star. Melos voiced what everyone was thinking.
"I am Reynold, a mechanic. I joined the Black Star Army out of admiration for His Excellency Black Star and to learn from him. His Excellency Black Star is now my teacher, Sylvia is my senior. I serve as the logistics director of the Black Star Army, and I am very happy to work with you all."
Reynold's tone was very formal.
"Senior Sister?!" Everyone was shocked, staring at Sylvia with suspicion practically written all over their faces.
Sylvia shuddered, shrank back, and said angrily, "I've told you hundreds of times, don't, don't call me that!"
After this little incident, everyone got to know Reynold and accepted this colleague.
After finishing their business, Han Xiao stood up. "Let's get to work."
Two days later.
The sun was shining brightly.
Near the cave, a large number of players have gathered at the military camp, along with a fully armed Sunil Armored Legion, ready to go.
Today is the day of the official operation. Since the Subterranean Mutants are afraid of ultraviolet rays, the strategy of luring them out of their holes has been abandoned. Developing poison and exploring more nests will take time, so the only thing to do right now is to invade the underground.
Unlike the serious and silent atmosphere of Sunil's troops, the players were eager and ready to try their luck.
"Such a large group of people acting together, what a sight!"
"Hehe, the bigger the scene, the more interesting it is."
The main quest has officially begun, and most players have arrived. They are mostly warlike individuals, as this is a racial war. Many are excited and thrilled to personally participate in a battle involving hundreds of thousands of people.
Most people don't care about the status of the Subterranean Mutants species; they only care about the mission requirements. They just need to be told where to go, who to kill, and how much the reward is.
The commander-in-chief of the hundreds of thousands of players and the Sunil forces was Melos, who was standing at the forefront. Behind him were Sherinde and his Sunil warriors, and beside him were some Black Star cadres, Aroshia, Jinda, Harmon, and the Volga Three Brothers.
Han Xiao did not participate in the operation; he was overseeing the construction progress of Number Three Base, keeping a close watch on the situation to prevent the construction team from cutting corners.
In order to allow the massive army to enter the underground, Sunil has widened the diameter of the tunnel in the past few days, and the dark entrance is like the gaping maw of an abyss.
Melos turned to face the crowd and spoke, channeling his martial arts power into a powerful sonic boom that resonated throughout the entire army.
"Warriors of Sunil, our people have suffered too much. The final enemy lies underground. Only by eliminating them can we end this and allow Sunil to move towards a bright future. So... my brethren, fight with all your might!"
The soldiers of Sunil were breathing heavily. Every one of them who had been willing to become a soldier had long since decided to give their lives for their people. Now that they finally saw hope, everyone was filled with fighting spirit. The Subterranean Mutants suddenly became their irreconcilable enemies.
"Set off!"
Melos led the way into the cave, followed by a massive army that marched in with great fanfare.
The long march did not dampen Sunil's high morale. Many players were also influenced by this atmosphere, feeling as if they were saving Sunil, and a sense of heroism arose in them.
Finally, the advance team reached the underground and quickly took out various lighting equipment to illuminate the dark underground world. Unexpectedly, the team did not continue to advance, but stayed around the cave and began to build a camp.
Because the underground world is too large and there are several lairs nearby, it cannot be destroyed overnight. Therefore, the tactic is to advance step by step, directly building camps in the underground world as bridgeheads and supply points, and places for mercenaries and Sunil soldiers to recuperate.
After organizing the team, Melos activated the life detection radar, and was shocked after just one glance.
All signs of life have disappeared from Nest 1, which they explored last time!
Their target this time was Nest Number 1, but now the target is gone?!
Melos looked surprised; he thought the radar was broken.
Melos immediately became alert; they didn't know enough about the Subterranean Mutants, and unusual behavior often meant danger.
At this moment, the main force from the rear entered one after another. Melos quickly ordered his troops to stand by and hand over the work of building the camp to the main force. He then personally led the vanguard to Nest No. 1.
As they ventured deeper, Melos grew increasingly vigilant, prepared for an attack at any moment. However, they made their way unimpeded and successfully reached the heart of the lair.
The Subterranean Mutants in Nest 1 seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Where did they go?
Melos was completely baffled, but he didn't stop moving forward and soon arrived at the location of the Whispering Stone mine.
Upon seeing the condition of the ore vein, everyone was stunned.
The vein was empty; the mining marks were clearly left by Subterranean Mutants, as if all the Whispering Stone had been unearthed.
Melos hurriedly sent people to investigate the entire lair, and soon they finally concluded that the tribe's Subterranean Mutants had left the lair with the Whispering Stone.
"Why is this happening? The other nests are unchanged, but the one we explored last time has disappeared..."
Melos's eyes widened suddenly, realizing that perhaps it was because of their appearance that the Subterranean Mutants had migrated on their own initiative?
The intelligence of the Subterranean Mutants exceeded his imagination.
And those were tens of millions of Subterranean Mutants! They were all wiped out in just a few days. The efficiency of this race is terrifying!
What should we do now?
The group exchanged bewildered glances. They had come with high morale, only to find the enemy had vanished. It felt like they had punched a cotton ball, leaving them feeling empty and disappointed.
Melos hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's set up camp first. The situation here is beyond our expectations; I need to report to the higher-ups."
"What?! The Subterranean Mutants have displayed astonishing intelligence?!"
When Sunil's top executive Ochizi, received Melos's response, he was so shocked that he gasped.
The Whispering Stone is something Sunil must destroy. They thought the Subterranean Mutants were confined to the vicinity of the mine, but they never expected that the Subterranean Mutants would actively dig out the Whispering Stone and migrate around.
Although the mine is gone, the Whispering Stone it produced still exist and roam around with the Subterranean Mutants, indirectly increasing the difficulty.
Moreover, the potential displayed by the Subterranean Mutants has already sounded an alarm in Ochizi's mind.
"Given time, the Subterranean Mutants will surely grow into a new intelligent race, and sooner or later become a new civilization, competing with us for the survival resources of this planet... We must nip them in the Germinal!"
Ochizi clenched his fists.
"Huh? They ran away with the Whispering Stone? What kind of move is that?"
Han Xiao also received the report, and his expression was thoughtful.
He suddenly had a bold idea.