Arc 22The Mutation Disaster War

Han Xiao uncovered Goddora’s role in Planet Aquamarine’s past, built up his mercenary group, and led it against DarkStar’s assault. As the Mutation Disaster worsened and DarkStar destabilized the Garton Star System, Han Xiao went to Dragon Calm and persuaded Ames to join him in recruiting the Inhumans.

  • Han Xiao discovered that Keton and Angley had provoked Planet Aquamarine’s great war for entertainment, and Bennett and the Six Nations chose to support Han Xiao after learning the truth.
  • Han Xiao advanced to Virtual Mechanic and created ranks and rewards for his mercenary group, while the players abandoned Goddora’s recruitment effort after learning about Keton’s confession.
  • DarkStar attacked Planet Aquamarine, and Han Xiao’s mercenaries defended the Six Nations and Sanctuaries, captured nine assault ships, and helped Nagokin seize the command ship and Norcap.
  • The Mutation Source evolved, triggered a mass outbreak in the Sanctuary, and directed infected people to flee until Han Xiao and the relief forces subdued them.
  • DarkStar destroyed much of Long Arc and intensified pressure on Goddora, while Han Xiao left Planet Aquamarine for Dragon Calm, intending to offer Goddora the Mutation Source.
  • Beverly and his pirates tried to steal the Blacklight Stealth at Juberly Hub, but the ship activated and attacked them, and Han Xiao captured Beverly before continuing to Floating Dragon Island.
  • Ames tested Han Xiao’s strength and agreed to travel with him to recruit the Cosmic Wonders, despite the escalating conflict between DarkStar and Goddora.
Chapters 527–551 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 527The Gathering Storm

Han Xiao coordinated with Nagokin and Goddora to aid Planet Aquamarine, while withholding what he knew about DarkStar’s plans. The relief effort improved, but Han Xiao feared the Mutation Source would worsen, and Nagokin’s search for Hannes’s Goddoran contact uncovered an unexpected truth.

  • Han Xiao told Nagokin how the Mutation Disaster worked, suggested DarkStar might be responsible, and proposed treating refugees and developing an antidote.
  • Nagokin deployed Goddora’s researchers and worked with the Six Nations to expand suppressant production and guide refugees toward safety.
  • Nagokin issued missions to the Inhumans, while Han Xiao used his connections to secure better-paying Goddora work for members of his mercenary group.
  • Goddoran relief efforts improved conditions on Planet Aquamarine, but researchers made little progress and Han Xiao anticipated the Mutation Source’s increasingly dangerous effects.
  • Han Xiao asked Nagokin to investigate the Goddoran in Hannes’s portrait, and Nagokin identified the person, revealing a truth far beyond Han Xiao’s expectations.

Ch. 528New Clues and Things Brewing

Han Xiao investigated Angley’s past, sent leads to a Sky Ring mercenary, and obtained the life-support pod seized by the Six Nations. While relief efforts on Planet Aquamarine expanded, rumors began undermining support for Goddora’s response, and the chapter ended with three elderly Goddorans gathered in a residence on Gauting Colony Planet.

  • Han Xiao reviewed Angley’s citizen file with Hannes and Bennett, confirming Angley was an unremarkable Goddoran whose records had gone quiet decades earlier.
  • Han Xiao hired a Sky Ring mercenary to investigate Angley on Gauting, while Bennett arranged for the Six Nations to hand over the life-support pod.
  • Han Xiao hacked the pod, found its product number and account records, and forwarded the information as additional leads before returning his attention to other matters.
  • Bennett, Nagokin’s rescue team, the players, and the Six Nations continued relief work as the Sanctuary expanded and several beast attacks were repelled.
  • Rumors spread among Goddoran citizens that the disaster might be tied to weapons experiments or DarkStar, while speculation about relocating refugees fueled resistance to the rescue effort.
  • On Gauting Colony Planet, three elderly Goddorans gathered in a modest apartment to play cards and chat.

Ch. 529The Absurd Truth (Part 1)

Han Xiao questioned Keton about Angley and uncovered that Keton had helped incite Planet Aquamarine’s old wars while working for Goddora’s Investigation Bureau. Keton revealed that Angley had posed as the alien envoy, leaving Han Xiao suspicious about why an ordinary citizen had been chosen for the role.

  • Keton planned to revisit Planet Aquamarine, but Sky Ring mercenaries arrived and took him to meet Black Star.
  • Han Xiao confronted Keton with Angley’s portrait, and Keton denied knowing him until Han Xiao tortured him into agreeing to talk.
  • Keton confessed that he had secretly arranged for an envoy to stir up war on Planet Aquamarine decades earlier.
  • Keton explained that he posed as the envoy’s handler and that the intervention helped trigger the great war that left the Six Nations.
  • Keton revealed that his childhood friend Angley had impersonated the envoy, prompting Han Xiao to question Angley’s identity.

Ch. 530The Absurd Truth (Part 2)

Han Xiao learned that Keton and Angley had started Planet Aquamarine’s war for their own amusement, not on Goddora’s orders, and handed Keton over to Bennett. As the disaster relief continued, Nagokin decided that Goddora should recruit the Inhumans rather than leave them all to Black Star.

  • Keton confessed that he and Angley had provoked Planet Aquamarine’s war for entertainment, exploiting their status as Goddorans.
  • Hannes and Bennett struggled to accept that the planet’s suffering had resulted from two outsiders’ whim; Han Xiao knocked Keton unconscious and left him in Bennett’s custody.
  • Bennett and Hannes thanked Han Xiao for uncovering the truth, while Han Xiao privately considered how to use Keton.
  • At the Black Phantom Sanctuary, Nagokin observed the Inhumans’ potential and decided Goddora should issue them a recruitment notice.

Ch. 531Advancement, Virtual Mechanic!

Han Xiao completed his level 120 advancement and specialized as a Virtual Mechanic, greatly increasing his attributes and combat strength. After Melos warned him that Nagokin was recruiting the Inhumans, Han Xiao decided to investigate and respond.

  • Han Xiao returned to the Sanctuary, reviewed his rewards, and exchanged his three Medals of Honor for a special medal that boosted all attributes by 12%.
  • Han Xiao completed [Secret of Energy], chose virtual technology as his specialty, and advanced to Virtual Mechanic after maximizing Advanced Virtual Intelligence Technology.
  • Han Xiao upgraded his new skills and levels, reaching total level 130 with a combat energy level of 8945 Ona and Grade B+ status.
  • Melos told Han Xiao that Nagokin had announced a recruitment drive for the Inhumans, and Han Xiao said he would go see what was happening.

Ch. 532Poaching Without a Hint of Shame

Bennett revealed the truth about the Old Era War to the leaders of the Six Nations, who accepted that Han Xiao was Planet Aquamarine’s only hope. Meanwhile, Nagokin’s attempt to recruit players for Goddora fell flat, and Han Xiao arrived as the players flocked to him.

  • Bennett told the leaders of the Six Nations how Goddora had deceived Planet Aquamarine, with Hannes and Keton confirming the account.
  • Bennett declared that he would support Han Xiao, and the Six Nations leaders agreed to sincerely submit to him for their civilization’s future.
  • Han Xiao headed to meet Nagokin after Melos told him Goddora was trying to recruit his people.
  • Nagokin introduced Goddora’s power and technology to the players, but they dismissed the presentation as boring and unimpressive.
  • Players abandoned the Goddora camp to crowd around Han Xiao, leaving Nagokin’s recruitment effort overshadowed.
  • Nagokin greeted Han Xiao, believing Goddora could still attract players and that recruiting them would not anger Black Star.

Ch. 533Not Angry, Not Angry at All

Han Xiao reassured Nagokin that he was not upset about Goddora recruiting Inhumans, then planned ways to strengthen his mercenary group and undermine its competition. He summoned four trusted players to interrogate a captured Goddoran, leaving them to face the nervous prisoner.

  • Han Xiao and Nagokin discussed relief efforts before Nagokin asked for advice on recruiting Inhumans, and Han Xiao explained his approach.
  • After leaving the camp, Han Xiao considered adding ranks and rewards to the Black Star Mercenary Group and using the player forum against Goddora.
  • Han Xiao summoned Frenzied Saber, Meat Bun, Hao Tian, and Maple Moon to a secret interrogation room, where Bennett was waiting.
  • Han Xiao gave the four players an [Interrogation] mission and showed them the captured Goddoran through one-way glass.

Ch. 534Operation Begins

Han Xiao undermined Goddora’s recruitment by guiding Meat Bun to expose the truth about Planet Aquamarine’s old era, turning players against the faction. After establishing a competitive rank system for the Black Star Mercenary Group, Han Xiao learned that DarkStar had attacked several planets affected by the Mutation Disaster.

  • Meat Bun released a serious video revealing Keton’s confession and the truth about Planet Aquamarine’s old era.
  • Players condemned Goddora and abandoned its faction, leaving Nagokin baffled as recruitment collapsed.
  • Han Xiao established six mercenary ranks, including the competitive Black Star’s Eighteen Riders, and designed contribution requirements that encouraged players to spend.
  • Han Xiao monitored the players’ progress and planned to grow the mercenary group over time.
  • Han Xiao received news that DarkStar had attacked several planets affected by the Mutation Disaster and realized the organization’s operations had begun.

Ch. 535The Approaching Crisis

DarkStar attacked Goddora’s relief forces across several disaster planets, forcing Goddora to spread its fleets thin and prepare for further strikes. As Han Xiao readied the Sanctuary and his mercenaries for a possible space battle, DarkStar commander Norcap’s fleet set its next target on Planet Aquamarine.

  • DarkStar attacked three disaster planets, heavily damaging Goddora’s relief teams and undoing most of their progress before withdrawing from the arriving reinforcements.
  • DarkStar launched a second wave of attacks, clashing directly with reinforced Goddoran fleets and again wiping out relief efforts on the targeted planets.
  • Nagokin warned Han Xiao, Bennett, and the Six Nations that DarkStar would keep attacking, while Goddora redeployed forces and continued its relief work.
  • Han Xiao put his mercenary group on alert, moved supplies into the Sanctuary’s secret base, and prepared for a potential space battle as the Sanctuary dispersed refugees and built basic defenses.
  • Norcap led an elite DarkStar fleet toward its next target, Planet Aquamarine.

Ch. 536Attack (Part 1)

The Mutation Source reached Germinal’s irradiated ruins and began absorbing radiation through the remains of Germinal’s leader. Meanwhile, Norcap’s DarkStar fleet prepared to attack Planet Aquamarine and opened fire on the Goddoran escort fleet.

  • The Mutation Source controlled Germinal’s leader’s skeleton and absorbed the radiation in the ruins, growing faster than before.
  • Norcap learned that Planet Aquamarine was defended by Goddoran ships, Nagokin, and the Black Star Mercenary Group, then chose plan four for the attack.
  • Battet ordered the Goddoran escort fleet to remain alert as DarkStar’s fleet approached and stopped at firing range.
  • The Goddoran radar detected DarkStar’s fleet, and Norcap launched a long-range barrage of ion cannon fire.

Ch. 537Attack (Part 2)

DarkStar attacked Planet Aquamarine from orbit, while the Goddora fleet shielded the planet and the Six Nations rushed to evacuate civilians. Han Xiao deployed mercenaries to protect the surface, and Norcap ordered DarkStar’s fleet to prepare to jump away.

  • Norcap’s fleet bombarded Planet Aquamarine, and Battet ordered the Goddora fleet to form shields and return fire.
  • The Six Nations began evacuating refugees as an ion cannon strike damaged a city and panic and riots spread through the Sanctuary.
  • Han Xiao told Nagokin to stay in contact, then sent mercenaries to the Six Nations to shield them from further bombardment.
  • Nagokin joined the Goddora fleet and urged Battet to maintain the standoff, but Battet wanted to close in and attack DarkStar.
  • Battet noticed DarkStar’s fleet moving away, while Norcap ordered all units to prepare to jump.

Ch. 538Pursuit and Choice

Battet and Nagokin pursued Norcap’s DarkStar command fleet, leaving forty Goddora ships to defend Planet Aquamarine against a second DarkStar force. When the remaining Goddora ships came under attack, Battet chose to press the pursuit, and Han Xiao took responsibility for facing the assault force.

  • Battet convinced Nagokin to join an eighty-ship pursuit of the retreating DarkStar fleet, while forty Goddora ships stayed near Planet Aquamarine.
  • Norcap sent a second DarkStar fleet of more than a hundred assault ships to attack the Goddora ships left behind.
  • The DarkStar assault force overwhelmed the remaining Goddora formation, which called for help from Battet.
  • Battet refused to turn back, ordering the pursuing fleet to focus on Norcap’s command formation and telling the defenders to abandon Planet Aquamarine and join him.
  • Nagokin contacted Han Xiao, who said he would handle the assault force, as the two pursuing fleets closed for battle.

Ch. 539Virtual Intrusion (Part 1)

Han Xiao used his Virtual Mechanic skills to infiltrate a DarkStar assault ship while his allies defended Planet Aquamarine’s capitals and Sanctuaries. He disabled the ship’s shields and gained control access, leaving the remaining assault ships still attacking the planet.

  • Nagokin boarded and destroyed a Tu Shu DarkStar battleship from within before moving on to another target.
  • Battet ordered Goddora’s garrison to withdraw, and Norcap split the DarkStar forces, leaving thirty assault ships to bombard Planet Aquamarine.
  • Han Xiao’s mercenary spaceships shielded the Six Nations’ capitals and Sanctuaries as DarkStar’s bombardment frightened refugees and disrupted players’ mission progress.
  • Han Xiao had Jinda pilot the Blacklight Stealth and assigned Sylvia as co-pilot while he and Resta worked to crack the assault ships’ firewalls.
  • Han Xiao infiltrated assault ship D065 and shut down its shield generator, allowing the Blacklight Stealth’s lasers to damage it and send it crashing into a companion ship.

Ch. 540Virtual Invasion (Part 2)

Han Xiao used Resta to disable DarkStar assault ships, then led mercenaries in boarding and capturing them while personally cutting through enemy crews. The Black Star Mercenary Group gained control of the battle, and the Six Nations and Sanctuary watched Han Xiao defend the planet.

  • Han Xiao infiltrated a DarkStar assault ship and steered it into nearby vessels, drawing ten enemy ships away from the surface.
  • Han Xiao used Resta to paralyze four assault ships, allowing mercenaries to board and capture them.
  • Han Xiao and the mercenaries boarded six more disabled ships, and Han Xiao slaughtered the guards before taking command of one vessel.
  • Han Xiao rammed his stolen ship into another assault ship and boarded it, while DarkStar ships fell or were captured across the battlefield.
  • The Black Star Mercenary Group surrounded the remaining DarkStar ships, as the Six Nations and the Sanctuary watched Han Xiao's forces take control.

Ch. 541You Think You Can Stab Me and Run? No Way

After driving DarkStar's assault team from Planet Aquamarine, Han Xiao pursued its retreating fleet to attack the Bloody Gaol command ship. He disabled its AI and left Nagokin poised to board, while Norcap panicked aboard the crippled ship.

  • Norcap ordered DarkStar's assault team to retreat after learning Black Star was defeating them, and the surviving ships fled Planet Aquamarine.
  • Han Xiao returned to the Blacklight Stealth, told his companions to stay behind, and set off to strike DarkStar's command ship.
  • Han Xiao contacted Nagokin and Battet, proposing to hack the command ship so Nagokin could board it while Battet's fleet drew enemy fire.
  • Han Xiao piloted through the battlefield under concentrated fire as DarkStar moved the Bloody Gaol to keep it out of his hacking range.
  • Han Xiao infiltrated the Bloody Gaol and disabled its AI, engines, and communications, leaving it at the rear of the formation as impacts struck its hull.
  • Norcap recognized that Nagokin was attacking the command ship and panicked.

Ch. 542A Chance to Say That Again

Han Xiao helped Nagokin capture the DarkStar command ship and commander Norcap, while the rest of the fleet escaped. DarkStar’s leaders decided to use Planet Aquamarine as leverage against Han Xiao, and Battet then claimed the captured ships as Goddoran spoils.

  • Han Xiao asked Resta to hack into DarkStar’s central database, but Resta explained that the captured command ship had severed its connection to the mainframe.
  • Nagokin captured the Bloody Gaol and Norcap, and Goddora counted the battle as a victory with few losses.
  • DarkStar deputy leader Degulish wanted to destroy Planet Aquamarine, but the head of intelligence persuaded him to keep it as leverage and plant spies in Han Xiao’s mercenary group.
  • Han Xiao returned to Planet Aquamarine and celebrated capturing nine DarkStar assault ships, which could strengthen his fleet and earn him a profit.
  • Battet arrived and said Goddoran forces would take the captured ships, leaving Han Xiao surprised.

Ch. 543The Butterfly Effect

Han Xiao rejected Battet’s attempt to claim the captured assault ships, and Nagokin sided with him, preserving Goddora’s relationship with Black Star. Elsewhere, the Mutation Source absorbed an assault ship’s energy core, formed a humanlike body, and began evolving earlier than expected.

  • Battet claimed the captured assault ships under Goddora’s regulations, but Han Xiao refused to recognize his authority over an independent mercenary group.
  • Nagokin reprimanded Battet and allowed Han Xiao to keep the spoils, then led Battet away.
  • The Six Nations and the players learned of the dispute, while Han Xiao inspected the damaged ships and sent mercenaries to salvage crash wreckage.
  • At the Germinal ruins, the Mutation Source drained a crashed assault ship’s energy core and transformed a skeleton into a humanlike body.
  • The Mutation Source gained clearer thoughts, spoke, and wandered away as a hidden DarkStar squad detected its energy surge and realized it was nearing its next evolution.

Ch. 544The Second Stage of the Mutation Disaster

Han Xiao repaired the captured assault ships while Goddora prepared a military jump base station to counter DarkStar’s attacks. The Mutation Disaster suddenly entered its second stage, triggering mass riots and panic across the Sanctuary.

  • Han Xiao finished repairing the nine captured assault ships and checked the mercenary group’s rapid growth.
  • Nagokin explained that Goddora planned to deploy a military jump orbital base station so its scattered fleets could quickly reinforce one another.
  • Han Xiao warned that DarkStar would likely attack the base station, while he anticipated that DarkStar’s next move was approaching.
  • A sudden disturbance spread through the Sanctuary, and refugees and guards affected by the Mutation Disaster erupted into riots.
  • Tens of millions of people fought or fled, the players saw the [Mutation Disaster] progress plunge, and Han Xiao identified the outbreak as the second stage.

Ch. 545"Senses"

Han Xiao and the Sanctuary subdued the infected refugees as the Mutation Disaster entered its second stage, while he prepared for escalating threats and waited for Goddora to develop a cure. The Mutation Source realized its senses were being restrained and resolved to retaliate.

  • Han Xiao recognized that the Mutation Source was deliberately directing infected people to flee and ordered the Sanctuary and mercenaries to restrain them.
  • Han Xiao used ships equipped with wide-area shock cannons to stun refugees, and the Sanctuary and Six Nations brought the outbreaks under control.
  • Han Xiao warned Bennett that the Mutation Source could use beasts or infected people to attack, then ordered mercenaries to patrol and train newly joined Inhumans.
  • The Mutation Source sensed that infected people had been confined and disconnected from it by suppressant, regarded Han Xiao and the others as enemies, and decided to strike back.

Ch. 546DarkStar's Next Move

The DarkStar leader met with a Hutt official to urge the Hutt Civilization to seize Goddora territory in Heidegger while Goddora was distracted. Meanwhile, Ashes arrived disguised on a Goddoran colony planet and signaled a massive DarkStar fleet to attack.

  • The DarkStar leader met a Hutt envoy in the Skywalker Star System and proposed that the Hutts expand into Goddora's disputed territory in Heidegger.
  • The Hutt official questioned whether DarkStar could ever rule Goddora without facing punishment from the greater civilizations, but the DarkStar leader refused to explain the organization's plans.
  • Ashes landed in disguise on a prosperous second-tier Goddoran colony planet and surveyed the busy port.
  • Ashes snapped his fingers and ordered the planet to turn to dust, signaling three DarkStar motherships waiting nearby.

Ch. 547The Long Arc Incident, the Time Had Come

After DarkStar devastated Goddora’s colony Long Arc, Han Xiao decided to use the Mutation Source to help Goddora contain the crisis while gaining leverage. He left Planet Aquamarine to stage the source’s arrival from Dragon Calm as DarkStar’s leaders celebrated the pressure mounting on Goddora.

  • Players fought beasts around Planet Aquamarine’s Sanctuaries as Goddora established military jump-orbit bases and temporary stargates.
  • DarkStar attacked Long Arc with three motherships and over four thousand warships, killing hundreds of millions before Goddora’s reinforcements drove the fleet back.
  • The Long Arc disaster fueled panic, demands to withdraw Goddora’s relief forces, renewed hostility toward mixed bloods, and pressure from the Hutt Civilization.
  • Han Xiao decided to offer Goddora the Mutation Source, but when Nagokin could not see him, he left for Dragon Calm to make it appear he had just obtained it.
  • Degulish and DarkStar’s intelligence chief discussed how the Mutation Disaster, Goddora’s internal conflicts, and Hutt pressure were weakening Goddora, and said Goddora had never recovered the real Mutation Source.

Ch. 548Coveting

Han Xiao traveled toward Dragon Calm, stopping at Planet Golden Gate and Juberly Hub along the way. After seeing how DarkStar’s attack had unsettled Goddora and left the Garton Star System vulnerable to pirates, he discovered that Beverly and his crew planned to steal his ship.

  • Han Xiao left Planet Aquamarine without informing Nagokin and headed toward Dragon Calm, intending to assess the Garton Star System and consider what to demand from Goddora.
  • Han Xiao stopped at Planet Golden Gate and found its defenses tightened, its streets deserted, and Black Star Number One Base operating normally with a large stockpile of equipment.
  • Han Xiao continued to Juberly Hub to refuel, where Beverly’s space-pirate crew recognized him as the enemy who had defeated Mado’s squad.
  • Beverly warned his subordinate not to underestimate Han Xiao, then led his crew out to steal the Blacklight Stealth while Han Xiao was in the hub.

Ch. 549Playing with Death

Beverly led a band of space pirates into Juberly Hub to steal Han Xiao’s Blacklight Stealth, assuming the ship was unattended. The Blacklight Stealth activated and blasted the pirates away, leaving Beverly facing its laser fire.

  • Beverly learned the Blacklight Stealth’s premium hangar location and decided to steal it while Han Xiao was away.
  • Beverly and his pirates burned through the hangar’s defenses and entered the hangar.
  • Beverly’s crew prepared to attach thrusters and electromagnetic clamps while Beverly deployed a signal blocker.
  • As Beverly prepared to burn open the ship’s hatch, the Blacklight Stealth started its engines and tore free of its docking track.
  • The Blacklight Stealth spun through the hangar, flinging the pirates aside, and fired a laser at Beverly.

Ch. 550It's Time to Bring Out the Long-Dormant Juicer

Han Xiao captured Beverly after the pirate tried to steal the Blacklight Stealth and extracted his Esper ability, then continued to Floating Dragon Island. He arrived to find Dragon Calm’s leaders waiting for him and learned that Ames wanted to see him.

  • Han Xiao learned that Beverly and his accomplices had attacked the Blacklight Stealth, then took the captured pirate aboard his ship.
  • Han Xiao used the Super Gene Extractor on Beverly and gained a temporary Character Summon Card for his Incandescent Eye ability.
  • Han Xiao learned that Beverly’s accomplices had escaped and decided to leave the Purple Snake Space Pirate Group for his mercenaries to fight later.
  • Han Xiao traveled to Floating Dragon Island, where Wilsander, Haier, and Jenny welcomed him back.
  • Jenny told Han Xiao that Ames wanted to see him as onlookers speculated that his growing mercenary forces served the Dragon Emperor’s ambitions.

Ch. 551Ames's Curiosity

Han Xiao visited Ames, gained the Versatile Weapon Application talent, and discussed expanding his forces by recruiting the Cosmic Wonders from his home. Ames decided to accompany him back despite the conflict between DarkStar and Goddora, while Jenny remained wary of his involvement in the Garton Star System turmoil.

  • Han Xiao used his random reward to select the Versatile Weapon Application talent, which increased the attack power of all his weapons.
  • Ames tested Han Xiao's strength with a force-field attack and praised how much he had grown.
  • Ames asked Han Xiao about expanding his armed forces after Jenny complained that the expansion had increased her workload.
  • Han Xiao told Ames that over a million Cosmic Wonders had appeared on his home planet and that he wanted to recruit them.
  • Ames eagerly decided to travel with Han Xiao to meet the Cosmic Wonders, despite his warning that DarkStar and Goddora were fighting in the Garton Star System.
  • Jenny reviewed reports about the turmoil in the Garton Star System and hoped Dragon Calm would remain uninvolved.
Arc 22 of 59
Arc 22 of 59