The Federation First Elementary Academy Aquamarine Federation, home planet.
In the classroom, many seven- or eight-year-old students followed the teacher on the podium as they read aloud from their textbooks.
"... In the year 694 of the Galaxy Calendar, a 'Great Unification of Political Power' movement took place on Planet Aquamarine. Driven by Black Star, the social structure underwent a dramatic change. The former Six Nations were replaced by the current Aquamarine Federation. This was a turning point in the development of Planet Aquamarine's civilization, and the same year was also the first year of the Aquamarine Federation..."
"Black Star, whose real name is Han Xiao, is a citizen of Planet Aquamarine. A former member of the Germinal Organization, he later abandoned the darkness and embraced the light, and is now the protector of the Planet Aquamarine civilization. He holds the highest veto power in the Federal Council and is our greatest support on the other side of the starry sky. He has guided the civilizational upheaval on Planet Aquamarine for nearly twenty years, bringing us the ticket to interstellar society. To this day, the Black Star Army still maintains a close cooperative relationship with the Federation..."
A freckled male student raised his hand and asked curiously, "Is Black Star still alive?"
The class erupted in laughter.
"Of course, Nero. Black Star is a powerful being in the universe with a long lifespan. Even after we all die of old age, he will still be alive." The teacher smiled and nodded.
"I... I thought only the dead were great people..." The student named Nero blushed.
The teacher shook his head. "Black Star and Federation Chairman Bennett are close friends. The landmark statue in the Central Garden was erected by Bennett for Black Star. If you're curious, you can log onto the interstellar network and search for Black Star's deeds. There's publicly available information there. He's the most powerful person to have come from Planet Aquamarine, and he's the Glory of our entire planet."
The afternoon classes ended quickly, and the students went home. Nero followed the crowd to the school gate.
The school is located in the middle of a building. Standing on the wide platform at the school gate, you can see the whole city in one go. The tall buildings are staggered, like a steel forest full of science fiction. Anti-gravity hovercars move endlessly along the tracks planned by the buoys.
Over the past decade, Planet Aquamarine has continuously come into contact with interstellar technology, and some devices commonly found in the Galaxy have entered all aspects of people's lives. Today, Planet Aquamarine has built several high-tech cities, and the style of these cities is gradually changing under the influence of interstellar conglomerates.
Thriving and full of vitality.
Various private anti-gravity hovercars were waiting for their children outside the school. Nero got into one without license plates and drove through the city before finally entering the Aquamarine Federation Government Building.
Nero followed a man who looked like a secretary into an office where Bennett was engrossed in reading documents. Compared to ten years ago, he had more wrinkles and was gradually showing signs of aging. When he heard the voice, he looked up, saw Nero, and smiled.
"School's out? Sit down for a bit, I'll finish what I'm doing and then take you out to eat."
"Okay, Daddy." Nero put down his little backpack, sat obediently on the sofa, swung his little legs, and looked around.
Ten years ago, Bennett, at Han Xiao's behest, became the president of the Aquamarine Federation and completed the unification of the planet's political power. After the initial period of turmoil, Planet Aquamarine entered a period of stable development, and its people were able to recuperate and recover from their past wounds.
With peace restored to their home planet, Bennett's wish was fulfilled. As the president of the Federation, he needed to start a family, so he got married and had children. Being a martial artist, he was in excellent physical condition, so fathering a child was not a problem. Nero was his child.
"Dad, today the teacher told us the story of Black Star," Nero said cheerfully.
"Oh? What did he teach you?" Bennett asked with interest.
Nero repeated it in his childish voice, then asked curiously, "Is Black Star your friend, Dad?"
"Yes, I've known him for almost twenty years," Bennett said with a touch of nostalgia.
Is he really that good? Is he even better than Dad?
Nero's eyes widened. In his mind, his father, as the president of the Federation, was the most powerful person in the world.
"He's way better than me," Bennett chuckled.
Dudu--
Just then, the communicator rang.
Bennett recognized the incoming call, was slightly startled, and waved to Nero.
"Come here. Aren't you curious about Black Star? Come and see him."
Bennett picked up Nero and placed him on his lap before answering the video call, where Han Xiao's face appeared on the screen.
"Long time no see, almost ten years, right?" Bennett said with a smile.
"Yes." Han Xiao nodded, his eyes lighting up when he saw Nero, "This child is..."
"Yes, this is my child Nero."
Bennett smiled, patted Nero's head, and urged, "Call him uncle quickly."
"Hello, Uncle." Nero greeted politely.
Han Xiao looked surprised. "When did you get married? Why didn't you tell me?"
"You're so busy, I don't want to bother you with such a small matter."
"What kind of talk is this? We're old friends, and you didn't even tell me the good news? You've disappointed me greatly," Han Xiao said, looking displeased.
Bennett laughed it off, unconcerned.
Although he didn't say it, he knew that he and Han Xiao were no longer on the same level.
The daily affairs of Planet Aquamarine were undoubtedly trivial matters to Han Xiao, and Bennett did not want to bother him with these trivial matters, so the two contacted each other less and less.
"Are you the person described in the textbooks...?" Nero stared at Han Xiao curiously.
"Textbooks?" Han Xiao was taken aback.
Bennett explained it with a smile, and Han Xiao finally understood and chuckled.
I never imagined I'd be written into a history textbook.
This feeling of being remembered... seems pretty good.
After exchanging a few words, Bennett suddenly said, "I'd like to have Nero as your godson. What do you think?"
Han Xiao was somewhat surprised, but nodded. He had a good relationship with Bennett and was willing to be the child's godfather.
Bennett patted Nero on the shoulder. "Quick, call him godfather."
"Godfather..." Nero's tone was somewhat stiff. Han Xiao was a complete stranger to him, and he found it difficult to call him godfather.
Bennett smiled, put Nero down, and told him to go play somewhere else before getting down to business.
What do you want from me?
Han Xiao: "It's nothing, I just wanted to ask about the current situation on Planet Aquamarine."
Planet Aquamarine is one of the players' birthplaces and serves as a vital logistical base for the Black Star Army, supplying them with manpower.
Before starting a new vegetable garden, he wanted to check on the condition of the old one.
Bennett nodded and gave a detailed explanation of the current situation on Planet Aquamarine.
Thanks to the Black Star Army, Planet Aquamarine is transitioning from a surface civilization to an interstellar civilization, and in recent years has attempted to colonize nearby uninhabited planets.
A significant portion of new players in version 3.0 were born on Planet Aquamarine and recruited by a branch of the Black Star Army.
Overall, the situation is very promising.
Han Xiao was very satisfied and asked, "You've done a great job. Now you don't need to worry about Planet Aquamarine anymore. Would you like to come and take a look at the universe?"
If I remember correctly, Bennett also had a longing for the universe, so Han Xiao extended an invitation.
However, to his surprise, Bennett shook his head and refused.
"I've decided to stay in the Aquamarine Federation. The universe... I don't want to go there anymore."
"Why? I remember you used to..."
"I have a new wish. The Aquamarine Federation is still very young, and I hope to nurture its growth and dedicate the rest of my life to it." Bennett smiled, his wrinkles deep. "I'm old now, I have a family, I have children, and I don't want to fight anymore. I'm content with my life now. The universe may be vast, but with you, that's enough. Please help me see the world."
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao abandoned his intention to dissuade him.
Everyone has their own aspirations. Bennett spent the first half of his life amidst war and turmoil, but now he has found his place. Home is where the heart is, and he has no need to change other people's wishes.
"I see."
"Actually, there's something else I'd like to ask you," Bennett said.
"You say."
"My only worry is Nero. He has a bright future ahead of him and shouldn't stay here with me. After I'm gone, I hope you can take him with you, care for him, and nurture him." Bennett's eyes were full of love.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?! Why did you suddenly start supporting me all of a sudden?!" Han Xiao's scalp tingled.
"After all, I'm different from you. My lifespan is limited, and I don't know when I'll die, so it's better to tell you sooner rather than later." Bennett smiled magnanimously. "Can you promise me?"
"No problem, I can still afford to support one person." Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, jokingly trying to ease the tension. "After you die, do you want me to take care of your widow?"
"... No need for you to trouble yourself." Bennett's lips twitched.
After chatting for more than half an hour, Han Xiao finally hung up the call, his smile fading as he sighed.
Not everyone has such a long lifespan as him.
Birth, aging, illness, and death are the natural fate of human beings.
Bennett is getting older and will one day pass away peacefully.
It's still somewhat sad.
However, even if he passes away one day, the cause he loves will remain.
"The Aquamarine Federation..."
Han Xiao nodded secretly.
With his protection, the civilization of Planet Aquamarine will go much, much further than it did in its previous life with the book...
With the established reputation built by the first two versions, version 3.0 became a period of explosive growth for new players. According to statistics, more than 10 million new players have joined so far, and the number is still growing.
Due to the influence of Huaxia's victory in the previous professional league, the Shattered Star Ring region has attracted the most players. In the three months since the opening of version 3.0, the number of new players has reached nearly two million.
Two weeks later.
Goron Star Cluster, Planet Dield.
The public airport terminal has been transformed into a player plaza, with vendors, people looking for teams, people asking to be carried, and people offering power leveling services—everything imaginable.
Countless players gather here, creating a noisy and crowded atmosphere. The walls are transparent viewing windows, offering panoramic views of Planet Dield's surface or the magnificent cosmic sky.
As an interstellar transit station, Planet Dield offers numerous job opportunities. After three months of training, these more than one million newbies have leveled up rapidly in the early stages thanks to the 3.0-level mission rewards. Currently, they are averaging over level 30, with the top tier already reaching over level 40.
Unlike the miserable players on Planet Aquamarine in version 1.0, players on Planet Dield are born as interstellar citizens with abundant information channels and can freely access interstellar data.
After three months of exploration, players on Planet Dield have discovered multiple development paths.
At this very moment, in the bustling public airport terminal, a small team of players is discussing their future plans.
"We should Odegon Financial Group to help them fight against the nearby space pirate groups. This is the planet's main mission, so it's definitely the best choice."
"What future is there in joining a conglomerate? It's better to be a freelance mercenary. I've read the guides from veteran players on the forums, and they all say that being a mercenary is the best option."
"I did some research. The largest mercenary organization in the Shattered Star Ring right now is the Mercenary Alliance. I heard someone triggered a new main storyline within it. If I'm going to do something, I should become a mercenary in that organization."
"It would be better to go to Colton's side, latch onto those veteran players, join the Black Star Army, and participate in the Secret War main storyline."
"The Black Star Army is good, but inter-legal flights are a bit expensive."
"I think we shouldn't go there. We have a new main quest here, why go through all that trouble?"
"How about something more challenging? They say murder and arson bring wealth and power, let's become space pirates..."
"Heh, do you think we can afford a spaceship?"
"You're so stupid! If you're going to be a space pirate, can't you at least rob someone if you can't afford to buy them?"
The player team discussed for a long time, and suddenly realized that the noisy environment around them had become quiet.
The group turned around in surprise.
Throughout the entire hall, hundreds of thousands of people, including players and NPCs, were looking up at the domed observation window of the airport terminal, their mouths agape, their faces filled with awe.
What happened?
The group looked up and, upon seeing the view through the observation window, their eyes widened in surprise.
A massive armed satellite fortress appeared out of nowhere, occupying the entire view from the observation window; the public airport was less than one-twentieth the size of this satellite fortress!
Thousands of warships escorted the satellite fortress, slowly approaching and stopping in orbit around Planet Dield.
The outer armor of these warships is marked with the same symbol, which will be familiar to any player who frequently browses forums and posts.
This is the symbol of the Black Star Army!
The Black Star Army simply moved an entire satellite branch here!
The airport terminal was filled with millions of novice players who were incredulous and completely bewildered.
The Black Star Army was fighting in another star cluster... how did they end up here?!