The Black Star Army's recruitment notice ignited a frenzy across most of the star field, with countless people responding!
In just ten days, Phillip received countless job applications from all over the Shattered Star Ring.
Riding the wave of this viral media frenzy, the number of applicants far exceeded any previous recruitment drive. The target was not limited to mercenaries; as long as they were not wanted, all sorts of people were treated equally.
Phillip eliminated a massive number of applicants with weaker abilities and selected the first batch of outstanding talents, totaling 1.4 million. This was more than the total number of people in the Black Star Army, directly increasing the legion's official manpower several times over!
The more than one million people are merely the first batch of carefully selected newcomers, not the final result. Han Xiao does not intend to control the scale this time. With his strength and reputation, he is already qualified to form a super-large organization and plans to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune.
Now is not the time to consider whether large-scale expansion will cause indigestion. This recruitment is not only for talent, but also to gain momentum. The more sensational the response, the more it can elevate the Black Star Army's status throughout the entire star field. It will combine the recruitment results with its own reputation, leaving a lasting impression on countless forces, and allowing it to rise to the top in one step and become a famous major force in the Shattered Star Ring!
Compared to large star cluster-level organizations, the Black Star Army still lags far behind in terms of power and foundation. However, this does not prevent them from first boosting the reputation of their own camp, which will greatly benefit their future development. In Han Xiao's view, this is the only way to make the most of this wave of public opinion.
The first batch of recruits were mostly well-known in their respective regions and were not ordinary people. At least 60% were elite space warriors who had been through many battles, and their strength was at least Grade C. Although superhumans were few, their numbers were still huge across the entire star system.
The Secret War has recently entered a stalemate, with neither side engaging in major operations, giving them ample time to handle their respective faction affairs. Amethyst has always valued Han Xiao's potential and is pleased to see the Black Star Army seize this opportunity to grow. Moreover, this also strengthens Section Zero, Amethyst welcomes.
More than a million new recruits traveled from various star clusters to the Garton Star System to complete their formalities at the Black Star Army base. Han Xiao also returned to his own territory to deal with the various issues arising from the legion's explosive growth.
Black Star Army Headquarters, Reception Room.
Sylvia led three new recruits from different races and with different appearances into the legion. Han Xiao stood up from the sofa to greet them.
"Lord Black Star." The three men approached respectfully and quickly shook hands with Han Xiao.
"Please sit down."
Han Xiao raised his hand, and the group sat down and began to chat.
Han Xiao didn't have time to meet with all of the millions of new legion recruits. The reason he met with these three privately was because these three new legion recruits were all at the Calamity Grade!
Grade A superhumans do not easily submit to those of the same level. Before making a name for himself as Beyond Grade A Seed, Han Xiao had tried to recruit Calamity Grade many times, but all of them refused except for La Salty Fish Guy.
But now his status is different from before. As a highly anticipated Beyond Grade A Seed, he is enough to make some Calamity Grade put aside their pride and actively join his ranks. If they win the gamble, they can become core members around Beyond Grade A powerhouse.
If breaking through to Beyond Grade A is likened to an emperor ascending the throne, then they are the ministers who follow the dragon, enjoying immense profits and a bright future!
Unfortunately, Ames is too lazy. Even though she is a genuine Beyond Grade A, her appeal to strong individuals may not be as great as Han Xiao's. Few strong individuals are willing to follow a leader without ambition, not to mention that Ames almost never actively recruits cadres.
These three Calamity Grade were actually the best of the best among the leeks, or even leek spirits with legs, who traveled thousands of miles to his doorstep to be harvested.
Their status and strength were matched; Calamity Grade powerhouse was destined to become a high-ranking cadre. That's what they came for. It was impossible for them to start from the bottom like Grade C superhumans. Therefore, Han Xiao personally received the three to show his importance and to take the opportunity to observe them.
Before meeting them, Han Xiao had already reviewed the three men's resumes:
Kampe, Grade A martial artist, male, is a tall man with extremely pale skin who seems to have vampire blood. He was once an external senior instructor at the official superhuman academy of a certain star system civilization. Later, he resigned and traveled to several star systems, taking on many private casual jobs.
Marion, Grade A Mech Warrior, male, is completely covered in heavy black and gray armor and always wears a helmet, rarely showing his true face. He looks like a heavily armored knight from some fantasy civilization. His reason for coming to join Han Xiao is quite similar to Reynold's: he is attracted by Han Xiao's mechanic skills.
Mischich, Grade A ability user, male, has a mediocre resume. Apart from being Calamity Grade ability user, he has no other highlights. He has worked for several major armed forces, but for short periods of time. He is a typical opportunist.
Those who voluntarily defect won't be too strong, but they're at least at the Calamity Grade. The legion originally only had three Calamity Grade, but with these three newcomers joining, the number of Calamity Grade fighters has doubled to six, making the legion's high-level combat power slightly more abundant.
The powerful individuals who came to join him during this opportunity were mostly "professionals" who were used to job hopping and came for personal gain, so loyalty was not a factor. Han Xiao was well aware of this and did not expect them to risk their lives for him; he only needed them to complete the routine tasks within the scope of his Calamity Grade capabilities.
After chatting for a while and both sides had observed each other sufficiently, Han Xiao stood up, extended his hand, and said with a smile, "Then, on behalf of the Black Star Army, I welcome the three of you to join us."
"It is our honor."
Mischich was the first to speak, followed by Kampe, while Marion was more reserved, simply nodding in response.
"I need time to consider the positions for the three of you, but I will not treat you unfairly."
"Haha, we don't ask for much." Mischich said with a fawning smile, looking incredibly shrewd.
After exchanging pleasantries, Han Xiao saw the three of them out and had Sylvia take them to complete the formalities.
Without resting, Han Xiao immediately went to another meeting room.
Dozens of people were waiting in the room. As soon as they saw Han Xiao, they all stood up and greeted him warmly.
Please have a seat.
Han Xiao waved his hand and glanced at everyone present.
This reception room was filled with envoys from galaxy-level civilizations in the Colton Star Cluster, who had come to seek cooperation.
The Black Star Army's influence was originally limited to the area surrounding the Garton Star System, but now, other star systems in Colton have also recognized Han Xiao's potential and the Black Star Army's growth momentum, and are coming to seek opportunities for joint development and mutual benefit.
"Your Excellency Black Star, I am an envoy from the Black Raven Civilization. We hope that the Black Star Army can establish a branch base within our civilization's territory. To this end, the Black Raven Civilization is willing to pay a cooperation fee every year, open its internal resource trading channels, and grant the Black Star Army the right to large-scale mining of resource planets within a certain area."
"I am an envoy from the Holy Stone Civilization. Our terms are the same as those from the Black Raven Civilization, but we can further increase the cooperation fee."
"I am..."
Each person introduced themselves and offered their price, hoping that the Black Star Army would expand its business to their territory. In other words, they were offering themselves up to help Han Xiao expand his influence.
These galaxy-level civilizations clearly see that Black Star has already made contact with the leader of this star cluster, and he himself has the hope of becoming Beyond Grade A powerhouse. Therefore, Black Star Army is very likely to become Beyond Grade A force in the Colton Star Cluster in the future, so it is naturally the most cost-effective to win him over in advance.
The Black Star Army's current base is in the Garton Star System. Serre V has been laughing in his sleep countless times, as this means that Goddora may very well have Beyond Grade A force overseeing it in the future. Other star systems want the Black Star Army to expand its operations into their territories for the same reason; who wouldn't want a Beyond Grade A force to govern their territory?
Some galaxy-level civilizations that originally had no such idea became restless when they saw their competitors doing this, so this room was filled with envoys from almost 80% of the galaxy-level civilizations in the entire Colton Star Cluster.
Han Xiao listened once, nodded silently, his face expressionless, but secretly he was moved.
These galactic-level civilizations offered extremely generous terms. Leaving aside cooperation fees and resource access, the most valuable thing was the right to large-scale mining of resource planets.
Resource planets are very different from uninhabited wastelands; the former are rich in resources, while the latter are extremely barren. Resource planets are all recorded, and only the ruling civilization in that region has the right to exploit them on a large scale. If a private force exploits a resource planet without authorization, it will face accountability from the civilization in that region and may even be Pursuit by official forces.
Every civilization values resource-rich planets. Although cluster-level civilizations possess planetary-level mining technology capable of decomposing an entire planet, they rarely use it—even the wealthiest civilizations prioritize sustainable development.
Private mining is permitted on uninhabited, desolate planets because the profits are incomparable to those on resource-rich planets, making the cost-effectiveness too low. The ruling civilizations do not want to waste human and material resources, so they sell mining rights on barren planets to private mining companies. What the civilizations consider unprofitable is a lucrative business in the eyes of some private mining teams.
Sometimes, private mining teams get lucky and discover that a barren planet is actually a hidden resource planet. In such cases, the civilization will assess the value of the resource planet and repurchase it. In this respect, most interstellar civilizations are quite reliable and will not allow private mining teams to hand over resource planets to the state for free.
Han Xiao was fairly clear about these basic concepts. In his previous life, in later versions, even player-created factions could purchase mining rights from civilizations.
With this clear comparison, Han Xiao understood the value of large-scale mining rights on resource planets. It was as if the galactic civilization had taken out a piece of the cake and given him a small slice, which could be a huge profit in the billions!
This is fertile land!
"Tsk tsk, I work myself to the bone for such a pittance. I could easily earn thousands of times that by mining a resource planet. What's the point of being a mercenary?" Han Xiao couldn't help but mutter to himself. Building civilizations is definitely the most lucrative business!
Composing himself, Han Xiao's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly, "You all are very sincere. To be honest, the conditions you have offered are very tempting, and I am very willing to cooperate with you. However, the Black Star Army is currently recruiting, and we will only be able to find time to establish a base in your territory after the recruitment is completed."
Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly replied, offering their own opinions.
"No problem, we can wait."
"We certainly trust your reputation; let's sign the contract first."
Han Xiao smiled. "Since no one has any objections, then this matter is settled."
Everyone handed over their contracts, and Han Xiao signed them all, feeling a mix of emotions.
In the past, there would never have been so many good opportunities, but now the opportunities have come to him on their own. Han Xiao couldn't help but think of what Iso had once told him: as long as you become Beyond Grade A, many forces will take the initiative to share the pie, and you can rise to the top in one step and directly enter the highest level of the table!
I've only shown a little bit of the potential to reach Beyond Grade A, and this trend has already emerged. Old Iso was right.
With the matter settled, the envoys present all breathed a sigh of relief; now they could return and report their success.
After seeing off the satisfied envoys from the galaxy-level civilization, Han Xiao immediately went to a new reception room, where he still had matters to attend to.
The impact of this expansion was so great that he had to meet with all sorts of "leeks" (a derogatory term for unsuspecting investors) every day, keeping him extremely busy.
You have to use all the connections you've built yourself, even if it's painful.
However, all that he got was a hefty sum of money, and the busier Han Xiao was, the more satisfied he became.
Pushing open the door to the new reception room, the people inside turned around, smiled, and greeted me.
This room is filled with close old acquaintances, all big names in the Shattered Star Ring mercenary industry: Youyu, the legion commander of the Nether Army; Gurega, the leader of the Sky Ring Alliance; and legion commanders from several other large legions.
"Brothers, long time no see."
Han Xiao greeted them and asked curiously, "You guys have been so secretive over the phone, what's it that you insist on talking to me in person?"
The legion commanders exchanged glances and chuckled.
Commander Gurega of the Sky Ring Army stroked his bristly mustache, blinked, and said, "We've come to invite you."
"Why did you invite me?"
"As you know, the situation in the Shattered Star Ring has been turbulent lately, with opportunities everywhere. It's difficult for a single legion to monopolize the war mercenaries. I've discussed this with some major legion commanders, and we've decided to integrate the mercenary organizations in the Shattered Star Ring to form an allied group. This will make it easier for us to participate in the war missions of the galactic civilizations. In these chaotic times, we need to join forces even more to seize the opportunities!"
Before Han Xiao could reply, Youyu stroked her slender eyebrows and lazily added, "Black Star, you've been so outspoken lately, why don't you take the lead in establishing Mercenary Alliance for the Shattered Star Ring? You definitely won't mind more trouble."
Gurega coughed and hurriedly said, "Ahem, what she means is that your current influence far surpasses that of any of our mercenary legions. We came to you this time to recommend you as the founder of the Allied Forces."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
This is a branch storyline from version 3.0 of the previous game – [Shattered Star Ring Allied Army]. Various mercenary legions joined forces, integrated the scattered mercenary forces of the Shattered Star Ring, and formed a super-large mercenary alliance. They developed together and became a very popular faction among players.
He never expected that these legion commanders would push him to be the leader, and that he would get involved in the plot in this way.
"You guys are really..." Han Xiao grinned, giving a thumbs up, "You have such good taste!"