Money power may not be the strongest ability, but it is certainly the most useful one. The joy of being rich is unimaginable.
Having purchased numerous Energy Training Method, Han Xiao gradually invested his experience in training, allowing his strength to slowly increase.
Time is wealth. Beyond Grade A have long lifespans, which give them ample time to learn more knowledge and skills. Each Beyond Grade A possesses a large number of Energy Training Method. Han Xiao's actions are also a basic operation for Beyond Grade A. He needs less time to improve his strength than other Beyond Grade A, but it is still a slow process.
The next day, Han Xiao brought Aurora to the legion's internal airport to see Hela Hila as she was about to embark on her journey.
A black, reflective Harrier-shaped spaceship was docked at the pier. It was a high-end model spaceship, the one Han Xiao had given to Hila. Standing below the gangway extending from the hatch was Hila, who had changed out of her guard officer uniform.
Hila still had that aloof and beautiful face. Her long, flowing red curly hair, which she always wore loose, was tied back with a hair tie, hanging down to her waist. Her bangs and sideburns were styled, making her look much more refreshing.
She wore a lightweight, resilient soft alloy battle suit in deep red and jet black, similar in style to a trench coat. Close-fitting black protective pants clung to her shapely, long legs, somewhat resembling leather pants—all equipment Han Xiao had crafted for her. A small backpack slung across her shoulder, giving her a traveler's appearance. Inside the backpack were some books and potions, primarily powerful tonics made by Aurora.
"Sis, when are you coming back?"
Aurora looked reluctant to part with them. In recent years, the two sisters had been together all the time, and she was not used to the prospect of separation.
"Wait until I reach Beyond Grade A." Hila's lips curled into a faint smile as she glanced at Han Xiao beside her.
Aurora a disappointed "Ah," the last syllable of her voice lingering.
"How long will that take?--"
"You are my motivation. I will do my best to come back to see you as soon as possible." Hila patted Aurora's head.
Aurora scratched her head helplessly and sighed, "Sigh, after all these years, you still treat me like a child."
In my heart, you will always be a little child who needs protection... Hila gently pinched Aurora's delicate, flawless face, her eyes filled with affection.
Han Xiao, who was standing to the side, coughed and interjected, "I've equipped the spaceship with nano-repair robots. There are some decent mechanical equipment in the equipment boxes, and I've also put two mechanical hulls and some mechanical soldiers in the warehouse. Let me know if you need them, and I'll activate them."
"Mm," Hila responded. Unlike her reclusive nature in her previous life, although she still preferred to be alone, she did not reject help from others.
"Although Ames is traveling with you, since this is a training exercise, she won't be specifically protecting you. Besides, she's Beyond Grade A, so some dangers are nothing to her but could be fatal to you. Be careful."
Han Xiao gave instructions.
Calamity Grade can roam freely in the universe, going wherever they please. However, if they want to hone their skills, they must deliberately go to dangerous places. There are quite a few such places in the universe, teeming with danger. For example, there are experimental planets where some civilizations conduct biochemical experiments, filled with viruses, giant beasts, mutated organisms, and other dangers. Alternatively, one can hunt powerful cosmic creatures. Even if one cannot find a dangerous place, actively challenging other powerful beings is also a way to hone one's skills.
Hila nodded to indicate that she understood, but she didn't really think so in her heart.
Only on the brink of life and death can one truly unleash their potential. Staying in the legion means there's no life-or-death struggle, and progress becomes increasingly slow, with breaking through to the Beyond Grade A threshold seeming like a distant dream. Ames might just be feeling restless and having a sudden urge, but she genuinely wants to take risks and gain experience; she's had this idea for a long time.
Han Xiao was one of the few people she trusted, and Hila felt at ease entrusting Aurora to Han Xiao.
Hela glanced at the two men one last time, Hila turned away decisively, boarding the spaceship without a second thought. The closed hatch concealed her the Sight of Father's Back.
The next moment, the spaceship shuddered, and the thrusters emitted orange-red exhaust plumes that quickly turned blue.
whoosh whoosh--
The spaceship's speed increased dramatically, it rushed out of the port along its trajectory, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a warp-like streak of light and disappeared from sight.
"Sigh, I wonder how many years my sister will need to train before she returns. Beyond Grade A... it's not something that's easy to achieve, is it?"
Aurora in a bad mood and tugged at Han Xiao's clothes.
"Uh, actually I think it's pretty easy." Han Xiao's lips twitched.
"... It was my fault, I shouldn't have asked you."
Aurora her eyes, stood on tiptoe, patted Han Xiao's shoulder, and sighed in a deliberately old-fashioned manner, "Teacher and sister are both gone, Uncle, now I only have you."
"The work on the Shattered Star Ring and the Shattered World doesn't require my personal presence. For some reasons, I'll be leaving soon and staying within the Empire for a long time. You'll come with me; it'll be safer."
Aurora hesitated, "You mean the Legion is in danger here?"
"That's not necessarily true, but some turmoil is inevitable."
"Okay, I'll go wherever you go... By the way, could I become a guard officer?"
"You're too incompetent, you'd better not try."
"Hmph, stingy!"
Han Xiao shook his head and turned to gaze at the starry sky.
I wonder when Hila will be back...
When she returns, I'll have another reliable ally.
A few days later.
Constellation Corridor, the Crimson Dynasty's Mother Planet, the Head of State's Office.
Remote projections of many high-ranking imperial officials gathered in the room, standing in neat rows. Among them was Commander-in-Chief of the Exploration Army Tarrokov. A document bearing the imperial insignia was laid out on the table in front of Urranrell, its contents written in the imperial script, densely packed.
Urranrell quickly read the document, soon turning to the last page. He paused, picked up his personal pen, and wrote his name at the end of the document.
Glimmer flashed on the table, revealing a human head composed of digital modules, emitting a deep, somber male electronic voice:
"The Imperial Head of State's authority has been confirmed. The decree ' The Shattered World Construction Charter ' has been signed and is effective immediately."
Every advanced civilization relies on the powerful computing capabilities of virtual intelligence. The three major cosmic-level civilizations each have their own core main intelligence, which has been perfected by generations of virtual mechanics and scientists. The core main intelligence of the Crimson Dynasty contains backup memories of each emperor and elite in its database. Combined with the virtual intelligence itself, these memories merge into a pan-civilizational elite consciousness called -- [Heroic Souls].
Urranrell put down his pen, handed the document to his secretary, and said slowly, "Three days from now, announce to the entire universe that the first phase of the Shattered World's development has been a complete success... May the Empire endure forever."
"May the Empire endure!" The many high-ranking officials of the Empire responded in unison, their voices ringing out.
This is a slogan passed down from the history of exploration, and its meaning is roughly the same as "God bless XX".
"Notify allied forces involved in the development that it's time to divide up territories and officially begin construction on the three star clusters in the first phase of development."
Urranrell said in a deep voice, "The second phase of development will not begin until the current phase is completed."
Han Xiao, who was supervising Nero's studies at the Legion's Logistics Department, received a communication request from Tarrokov and immediately had a premonition.
Turn on the communicator, Tarrokov's old face appeared.
"Black Star, President Urranrell has signed a decree and will soon announce to the entire universe that the first phase of the Shattered World's development is complete. He specifically asked me to inform you that the Empire's high command has finalized the territories allocated to its allies."
It's finally here! I've been waiting for this moment for so long... Han Xiao's spirits lifted.
"I'm listening, please continue."
"Territory allocation is based on exploration contributions. Most allied forces that join later will only receive a few star sectors, at most one star system. However, the War Realm, the Krent Empire, and you, as the earliest allies, will receive more territory from the Empire."
The three star clusters explored in the first phase belong to the gateways to the Shattered World and will mostly fall into the control of the Empire and its allies.
A star cluster contains dozens of star systems. A single star system may seem small, but it is actually quite large. After all, the territory of a star system civilization is only a single star system, and some may not even reach the size of an entire star system.
Han Xiao nodded secretly and asked, "How much exactly will you give us?"
"The War Realm will receive about two star systems, while through the Secret War deal, Krent will get four. Their territories are all in the Renault Star Cluster."
"And what about me?" Han Xiao asked curiously.
"The Black Star Army's exploration results are the best, and you yourself have made tremendous contributions. President Urranrell has shown you great favor, and the Empire has decided to allocate... a full seven star systems to you!" Tarrokov smiled.
Han Xiao's eyes lit up.
Seven star systems? That's equivalent to about 10% to 20% of the territory of the Gaolu Star Cluster!
This is only the territory we acquired in the first phase!
This starting point alone puts them several times ahead of any galactic-level civilization.
"Moreover..." Tarrokov chuckled, "Headmaster Urranrell hasn't forgotten his promise to you. The territories allocated to others are basically already assigned, but you can choose your own of the seven star systems belonging to the Black Star Army."
"My work wasn't in vain..." Han Xiao was in a good mood.
To this day, the Black Star Army has no real base. Its headquarters and many branches are actually located in other people's territories. There are hardly any empty spaces left in the Explored Universe. Even many Desolate Universe Belt have their own owners. Now, it has finally obtained its own autonomous territory.
The entire star cluster's territory is divided in several ways: part is allocated to numerous allies, part is reserved for the Imperial direct line of command, and another part is left as open territory for other forces to compete for. With this layered division, obtaining nearly one-fifth of the star cluster's territory is already extremely considerable.
Han Xiao guessed that the legion might get three or four star systems, which would already be a huge profit.
However, the Empire valued his contributions so much that it generously granted him seven star systems, totaling nearly a hundred star sectors, with the option to choose the locations freely!
Is the Empire still doing alright?