The battlefield of the Secret War was too vast, and a small battle that took place on this front did not receive much attention, except for Jorde took it so seriously.
Regardless of the reactions in the War Realm, after the victory, Han Xiao declined Rexon's invitation to celebrate and took Hila to other blockade bases to provide her with more battlefields to collect Ash Souls.
While Han Xiao and his companions were moving between various battlefields, a new hot topic emerged on the forums. Many players who had attacked the W-58 Stronghold uploaded videos, and the reappearance of Hila stirred up long-forgotten memories for the players.
This was originally just a routine battle video, but considering that Han Xiao Han Xiao Hila are still together after three versions, especially with the resurfacing of Hila "old flame" from Galaxy Chronicles version 1.0, the topic inevitably shifted to the ever-popular gossip. Various sensationalist editors, each with their own unique talents, began to stir things up:
Shocking! Black Star actually did this to Hila! Rekindled old flame? Or a new love? A love story spanning twenty years—men will be speechless, women will weep! Who is Black Star's true love? A look back at the beauties he's loved over the years...
Players showed the greatest interest in gossip topics, since they wouldn't be held responsible in the future, and enthusiastically filled in the blanks with their imaginations. The topic gradually shifted from Hila to Black Star, as they wanted to delve deeper into his romantic relationships.
Han Xiao is now the most famous NPC in the hearts of Shattered Star Ring players. He has a high status, a wealthy family, strong strength, and is quite handsome. Since version 1.0, players have never been clear about his love life. Players are extremely curious about the romantic relationship of the faction leader. Just by imagining it, they can come up with more than a dozen domineering CEO romance dramas.
Not only Hila, but all the known living female characters associated with the Black Star Army, such as Ames, Sylvia, Aroshia, have become the subject of heated debate among players. On the forums, supporters of different female characters have split into several factions, arguing their points.
"Hila has known each other the longest, it's obvious they've rekindled their old flame."
"Bah! Childhood sweethearts are no match for those who fall from the sky! We, the Dragon Emperor Party, will never be slaves!"
"You guys don't know anything! Sylvia is the real deal, she's the nurturing type!"
The Melos Party remained silent, only smiling.
"The Harmon Party refuses to accept this, and will chop off your heads with an axe."
"Please, you guys are weak -- greetings from the Phillip Party."
"The Fording Party is withdrawing! Fording is our husband, Black Star, you're not good enough for him!"
"The Jinda Party' clung tightly to the little salted fish, too afraid to speak."
"At this moment, Aroshia is still on her way."
"The Germinal Leader is watching you silently from heaven. I'm not targeting anyone in particular, but everyone here is just a little brother."
The forum's trending topics boosted the popularity of many Black Star Army cadres, and as the main focus of the discussion, Black Star gained considerable exposure.
Gossip about important figures is always a popular topic, but Han Xiao didn't pay much attention to it. Such gossip occasionally appeared on the forums, mostly for players' entertainment. Whether there were any conclusions or not, it wouldn't have any impact. The only substantial consequence might be an indirect increase in the production of doujinshi (fan-made comics)...
After traversing several blockade lines, Hila rapidly increased her combat power by collecting Ash Souls. In just about half a month, her energy level rose by more than 400 Ona. At her level, such a growth rate was enough to shock 99% of other superhumans of the same level.
During this period, Han Xiao made several moves. His mental barrier and personal enchantment reduced the growth rate of the Soul Embryo Soul Embryo by about half, increasing its growth rate from four percent to nine percent.
However, many legion players have already reached Grade B, and these people have begun to use their experience to learn professional knowledge. In the past half month, Han Xiao has finally gathered enough experience to level up to level 220 or above.
Han Xiao stopped his journey, gave Fording a Fording, and then couldn't wait to lock himself in his meditation room.
Opening the panel, Han Xiao stared at the massive amount of experience points and smiled with satisfaction.
After seven years, I've finally been able to advance to the next level. It wasn't easy!
Without hesitation, all our experience was invested in upgrading.
[[Apostle Mechanic] has been upgraded to Lv25, Strength +240, Agility +4, Endurance +5, Intelligence +10. You gain 8 free attribute points and 1 potential point.]
After advancing two levels, reaching a total level of 220, I'm once again on the verge of advancing.
The panel popped up with the requirements for the advanced task, but Han Xiao didn't even glance at it this time.
The Mission Settlement Card I've been hoarding for seven years are finally coming in handy!
Direct advancement!
[Use [Mission Settlement Card]? Confirm/Abandon?]
"Use."
Select advanced tasks as your objectives.
[You used the [Mission Settlement Card]]
[[Edge of Death] is settling accounts... Settlement complete!]
[Level 220 advancement quest completed! Advancement successful! Stamina bonus increased! 1 Stamina = 175 Health Points = 185 Vitality Points]
This upgrade increases stamina by 30 points, a further increase of 5 points.
A surge of molten heat erupted from his heart, instantly coursing through his entire body. Every cell leaped with joy, its activity skyrocketing, and Han Xiao personally felt the enhancement of his vitality.
Han Xiao perked up. This advancement was another racial ascension that occurred every forty levels, so he focused intently on the panel prompts.
I just got lucky with Fording's luck, hoping to pull some good options...
[You have taken another step forward on the path of evolution, your level of life has been elevated, your genetic code has recombine on its own, and you are closer to a new starting point in life...]
[Race detected: [Void Twister) ]... Randomly selecting nine matching evolutionary paths... Selection complete!]
Please choose one of the following nine options as your evolved race -- Warning! Evolution is irreversible, please choose carefully [Appendix - Explanation of Evolutionary Direction Characteristics]
[[Void Iridescence) ] -38% Compatibility]
[[Void Leaper) ] -44% Compatibility]
[[Void Witch Spirit) ] -28% Compatibility]
[[Multidimensional Shadow) ] -23% Compatibility]
[[Void Executioner) ] -71% Compatibility]
[[The Blade of Magmodo) ] -57% Compatibility]
[[Void Star Chaser) ] -75% Compatibility]
[[High-Concentration Void Dragon Race Hybrid (Human Form)] - 66% Compatibility]
[Saint- Cosmic Human (Removed Gene Limiter)] -54% Compatibility
Staring at the nine options flashing Glimmer in front of him, Han Xiao felt a headache coming on.
It's not that these options are bad, it's that they're too good!
He was having a difficult choice.
Because he had previously consumed the core of the Void Archduke, Han Xiao skipped an entire evolutionary stage. Without that core, the current options would have included a species of the same level Void Twister.
Now, several options represent an evolutionary path superior to that of the Void Twister.
Han Xiao first eliminated the first four options, as these four abandoned the human form and had too low a compatibility with his abilities. He was struggling with the last five options.
[Void Star Chaser] is the direct evolutionary path of the current Void Twister. They are cosmic life forms that feed on cosmic radiation and stellar energy. [Void Executioner] is skilled in combat and is located in the upper-middle chain of the Void life system, equivalent to a high-ranking warlord commanding a small legion.
"Magmodo" is Void Archduke recorded in history. It uses Void energy to transform powerful Void Warriors, creating a special elite unit called the [Blade of Magmodo]. It is extremely powerful; if one had to describe it, it would be like a fierce general who can take on a hundred enemies and is qualified to fight one-on-one on the battlefield.
[High-Concentration Void Dragon Race Hybrid] is likely an evolutionary direction brought about by the Void Dragon Marrow he previously consumed. Han Xiao isn't entirely sure what the final result of this evolutionary direction will be—whether the domineering Void Dragon Race genes will ultimately rewrite his own genes, turning him into Void Dragon Race or some other strange mutation?
The final [Saint Cosmic Human] is one of the endpoints of the Cosmic Human evolution chain. Removing the gene limiter is very tempting, as it will replenish a massive amount of attributes.
However, compared to the Void System, which still has the potential for evolution, Han Xiao didn't really want to choose this one. Most evolutionary systems, once they reach their end, will have the effect of removing genetic limitations, and the Void System is no exception.
"Which one should I choose...?" Han Xiao was torn, pacing back and forth.
He was getting closer and closer to Beyond Grade A, and this might be his last chance for racial advancement before reaching Beyond Grade A, so he was very cautious.
"If we consider combat power enhancement, the Saint Cosmic Human is the highest, followed by the Blade of Magmodo. In terms of potential, the Star Chaser is the strongest, while the Executioner balances the two. As for the Void Dragon Race hybrid, the subsequent evolution of this chain is probably not suitable for me..."
After some thought, Han Xiao ultimately decided to prioritize potential and hesitated between the Star Chaser and the Executioner.
The Executioner evolves towards becoming Void Lord or Void Archduke, while the Star Chaser develops towards becoming Void New Progenitor or Void Divine Envoy, each with its own characteristics.
"Racial talent has little impact on my combat ability; choosing something with longer-term potential is more suitable for me..."
Han Xiao took a deep breath and made a decision.
[Selection complete, race evolving... evolution complete!]
[Race changed to: [Void Star Chaser) ], molecular structure improved, organ structure strengthened, metabolism altered, adaptability enhanced, gene coding optimized... Your potential and aptitude increased!]
[You have gained the following attribute enhancements: Strength +154, Agility +179, Stamina +323, Intelligence +188, Mysticism +120, Charisma +70, Vigor +3760. Vigor level bonus attribute has been changed!]
Han Xiao's senses exploded!
It's like the soul leaving the body, the initial separation of chaos. The spirit is pure energy, rising slowly, while the body is impure energy, descending steadily. The body and soul seem separated, but in reality, they are closely connected.
Perception seems to extend Infinite, its scope constantly expanding beyond this galaxy, beyond this star cluster, beyond this star field, as if in a single glance, the entire universe is within sight.
Although it was just a perceptual illusion, it was so realistic that it gave him a momentary experience of a higher-dimensional perspective.
The next moment, a strong pulling force erupted, and Han Xiao's senses returned to his body.
His body structure was undergoing a rapid transformation, causing excruciating pain. However, as the transformation progressed, Han Xiao's senses became increasingly acute, and he gained several additional sensory perceptions, opening up a wider range of ways to see the world.
Although everything before him hadn't changed, it felt completely different to him.
"Call--"
As the pain subsided, Han Xiao exhaled a long breath, his breath containing extremely tiny energy crystals that shimmered with a grayish-blue Glimmer.
The moment the Species Metamorphosis was complete, Han Xiao took out a mirror to make sure that nothing strange had grown on his body.
My hair... I'm not bald, it's still very thick.
His looks... are still the familiar handsome.
Her figure... well, it's nice.
The tail... thankfully, hasn't grown out yet.
Han Xiao nodded in satisfaction. Although he was no longer human, he still hoped to look like a human due to aesthetic reasons.
After examining the panel three times from head to toe, Han Xiao finally opened it and invested the remaining experience into upgrading.
After advancing to the next level, the experience required to level up increased dramatically again, and I only managed to level up once.
As cosmic life forms, the Star Chaser possess robust physiques, which is why they received a particularly large number of attribute enhancements during this racial ascension.
He opened his personal profile to check the changes he had made:
[Total Level: 221]
[Main Occupation: Mechanic Class]
[Race: Void Star Chaser) ]
[Attributes: Strength 810, Agility 1316, Stamina 1658, Intelligence 3455, Mysticism 654, Charisma 284, Luck 1]
[Free attribute points: 24]
[Potential Points: 15]
[Health Points: 456060]
[Stamina: 382120]
[Stamina: 35530 [Lv13]]
[Lv13 Total Strength Bonus: Strength +279, Agility +374, Stamina +466, Intelligence +544, Mysticism +308, Maximum Stamina +50520, Mechanical Affinity +467% (Super Electromagnetic Induction)]
[Energy Level: 29277]
[Rank: A+]
[Grade A Bonus: Stamina +15, all resistances +12%, highest attribute +15%, other attributes +8%, additional 80 free attribute points and 10 potential points]
Hello, tank! Goodbye, tank!
The amount of blood he was bleeding made him want to vomit.
In addition to the attribute completion from racial evolution, his strength also broke through the 30,000 mark, receiving a bonus from the thirteenth level, which provided him with several hundred attribute points.
The effect of this advancement is quite remarkable, further narrowing the gap with Beyond Grade A.
Having not experienced the thrill of a sudden surge in strength for seven whole years, Han Xiao had only one feeling at this moment:
Shuang'er, you're dead.
Upon examining the Soul Embryo in the mental domain, its nine percent growth rate had been suppressed to below one percent!
"Steady, really very steady." Han Xiao chuckled.
You think you can be born with a secondary personality? You might as well have a miscarriage!
After checking his attributes, Han Xiao shifted his gaze to the new racial talent he had gained after evolving.