Recaps

Eklin and his companions reached Planet Maixibo with the stolen Evolution Cube, unaware that Sedim was secretly tracking them. After Sedim cut off Han Xiao’s access to the Eternal Light project, Han Xiao discovered the blueprints were kept in Sedim’s floating city and advanced to Mechanic Emperor to prepare for infiltrating it.

• Eklin landed the Light Fox on Planet Maixibo and arranged repairs while his companions believed they were safe with the Evolution Cube.
• Sedim spotted the Light Fox, increased surveillance around Eklin and his companions, and ordered the shipyard to delay and tamper with the repairs.
• The Summit Keystone Group removed Han Xiao from the Eternal Light project and took back the blueprints he had already learned.
• Han Xiao realized Sedim kept the Eternal Light blueprints in his floating city and decided to hack its central control system.
• Han Xiao spent his stored experience, used a Mission Settlement Card to complete his advancement, and became a level-one Mechanic Emperor.

Han Xiao advanced to [Mechanic Emperor], strengthening his mechanical force and virtual technology, then infiltrated Sedim's floating city to copy its blueprint database. While searching Sedim's command logs, he discovered Orosen's group on Planet Maixibo and decided to ambush them before they could escape or summon Sorokin's doppelganger.

• Han Xiao advanced to [Mechanic Emperor], gaining new machine-enhancement abilities and a major boost to his virtual technology.
• Han Xiao reached level 238, then connected to the quantum network and quietly infiltrated Sedim's floating city with Phillip.
• Han Xiao found the Eternal Light blueprint in Sedim's database and ordered Phillip to copy the entire blueprint collection.
• Han Xiao found a surveillance order targeting Eklin's group and recognized Orosen, the fugitive who had killed Harofal.
• Han Xiao decided to strike Orosen's group first, fearing they might have a Sorokin doppelganger with them.

Han Xiao led Hila and Fording in a surprise attack that killed Eklin and Orosen, then discovered the Evolution Cube on Eklin’s corpse. Sedim arrived after the attackers had vanished and reported the unexplained deaths to Sisko.

• Han Xiao summoned Hila and Fording, revealed that he had reached the threshold of Beyond Grade A, and explained his plan to kill Orosen and the others.
• Han Xiao, Hila, and Fording launched a surprise attack on the Star Bridge Hotel, where Eklin and Orosen were staying.
• Han Xiao’s mechanical army and the group’s psychic attacks killed Eklin, Orosen, and their subordinates before they could fight back.
• Han Xiao completed [Harofal's Revenge] and found the Evolution Cube hanging around Eklin’s neck.
• Sedim arrived at the destroyed hotel, found no trace of the attackers, and reported the incident to Sisko.

Han Xiao realized that the Evolution Cube he had taken from Sorokin's men could draw Sedim, Sisko, Sorokin, and powerful factions into a struggle, and he weighed whether to keep it or hand it over. He chose to keep the cube for now and stay away from the spaceship, while Sedim held Planet Maixibo sealed until Sisko arrived to find it.

• Han Xiao deduced that Sorokin's men had stolen the Evolution Cube from Sisko and suspected Sedim had sealed Planet Maixibo to keep the cube from leaving.
• Han Xiao considered the risks and benefits of keeping the Evolution Cube or giving it to Sorokin, the Mechanic Emperor, a universal civilization, the Arcane Church, or Sisko.
• Han Xiao told Hila to take Aurora back to the spaceship while he stayed away from the port and decided to keep the Evolution Cube for now.
• Sedim told Sisko that he had sealed Planet Maixibo's ports, and Sisko ordered him to stop anyone from leaving until he arrived to locate the cube.

Han Xiao opened the Evolution Cube and used it to greatly increase his attributes, while Hila, Fording, and Aurora underwent genetic optimization as well. He decided to leave Planet Maixibo alone with the Cube and risk confronting Sisko rather than give it back.

• Han Xiao opened the Evolution Cube’s portable container by tracing its forty-two activation symbols and received sixteen layers of genetic optimization, along with a special species-ascension opportunity.
• Han Xiao explained that the Cube’s side effects were minor, and Hila used it first, followed by Fording and Aurora.
• Han Xiao realized that he alone knew how to activate the Cube in portable form, giving him a possible basis for negotiating with Sisko.
• Han Xiao told Hila, Fording, and Aurora to remain hidden while he left Planet Maixibo alone using Void Dimension Jump.
• Han Xiao decided to take the Evolution Cube into the Desolate Universe Belt and confront Sisko rather than surrender it immediately.

Sedim discovered that the Evolution Cube thief had escaped Planet Maixibo and pursued Han Xiao, while Hila, Aurora, and Fording stayed behind. Han Xiao realized Sisko and Sedim could track the Cube and fled through the desolate cosmic belt, seeking time to strengthen his forces before their confrontation.

• Sisko told Sedim that the fugitive had escaped with the Evolution Cube, and Sedim agreed to pursue Han Xiao after lifting Planet Maixibo's blockade.
• Sedim identified Barn and his three companions as suspects, entered their appearances into the security system, and set out after Han Xiao with elite giant soldiers.
• At the mountain base, Aurora told Hila and Fording that Sedim had left; Hila struggled with being unable to fight beside Han Xiao, and the group decided to wait before leaving the planet.
• Han Xiao emerged beyond the Shattered Star Ring, waited for his barracks boxes, and discounted faction-store knowledge to help him gain the experience needed for two levels.
• After Hila warned him that Sedim was pursuing him, Han Xiao deduced that Sisko could track the Evolution Cube and resumed jumping through space to evade them.
• Han Xiao considered his combat options against Sisko and realized Sedim might help him strengthen his mechanical troops.

Han Xiao revealed himself as Black Star and defeated Sedim in a battle between their mechanical armies, then forced Sedim to surrender control of his troops. He kept Sedim alive to question him while waiting for Sisko, who Sedim believed would rescue him.

• Sedim found Han Xiao in an asteroid belt, confronted him, and deployed millions of heavy mechanical soldiers.
• Han Xiao summoned his own army of more than ten million machines and revealed that he was Black Star.
• Han Xiao used his powers and virtual intrusions to break through Sedim's forces as the two armies fought across the asteroid belt.
• Han Xiao defeated Sedim, captured him, and forced him to transfer control of his mechanical army.
• Han Xiao restrained Sedim for questioning, while Sedim secretly hoped Sisko would arrive to save him.

Han Xiao prepared to advance to Beyond Grade A while Sisko pursued him for the Evolution Cube, and the Crimson Dynasty and Federation of Light finalized their agreement over a new star field. The chapter ended with Iso foreseeing the birth of the Shattered Star Ring’s fifth Beyond Grade A.

• Sisko pursued the Evolution Cube through the Desolate Universe Belt and resolved to reclaim it to secure the Arcane Church’s support for the Star Pupil Protoss.
• The Crimson Dynasty and the Federation of Light concluded a decade of negotiations, naming the newly explored star field the Shattered World.
• Jorde reported that the War Realm was winning the Secret War, while Heber planned to make Black Star pay for killing his subordinates.
• Austin learned that the negotiations had ended and wondered what choice Black Star had made about the approaching end of the Secret War.
• Han Xiao chose a volcanic planet to prepare for Sisko, restrained Sedim, and spent his accumulated experience to reach level 240.
• Iso foresaw that the Shattered Star Ring’s fifth Beyond Grade A had been born.

Han Xiao reached level 240, evolved into a Beyond Grade A, and created the Black Star Race with the exclusive talent [Mechanical Genius]. After completing his transformation and discovering his new strength, he learned that Sisko’s spaceship had arrived, leaving him ready to test his power against another Beyond Grade A.

• Han Xiao used a Mission Settlement Card to complete his level 240 advancement and chose to evolve into [Void Ferryman (humanoid form)].
• Han Xiao triggered Species Metamorphosis, selected racial talents from his past and future evolutionary paths, and gained [Mechanical Genius] as his exclusive talent.
• Han Xiao named his new exclusive species the Black Star Race, retained his appearance, and advanced to Grade S (Beyond Grade A).
• Han Xiao chose [Supreme Power] and [Eternal Body] as his rank specialties, and his Beyond Grade A strength destroyed the Soul Embryo and removed the Psionic Poison statuses.
• Han Xiao examined his greatly increased attributes and energy level, then learned from Phillip that a spaceship had entered the planet’s outer space.
• Han Xiao suspected Sisko had arrived and prepared to test his new strength against him.

Sisko rescued Sedim and confronted Han Xiao over the Evolution Cube, but recognized that Han Xiao was a Beyond Grade A after their clash. Their negotiations ended with Sisko demanding the Cube and its activation password, threatening to side with the Tyrant if Han Xiao refused.

• Sisko destroyed the mechanical soldiers holding Sedim and learned that Black Star had left the Evolution Cube on the planet.
• Han Xiao approached Sisko, withstood his mental attack, and unleashed his mechanical army in a massive assault on the spaceship.
• Sisko realized Han Xiao was a Beyond Grade A and agreed to negotiate after surviving the attack.
• Han Xiao proposed keeping the Evolution Cube while forming an alliance with the Star Pupil Protoss.
• Sisko countered by demanding the Evolution Cube and its password, threatening to help the Tyrant kill Han Xiao if he refused.

Han Xiao refused to return the Evolution Cube to Sisko, and their negotiations collapsed into a fight. Sisko transformed into his combat form as Han Xiao unleashed his full power, beginning Han Xiao’s first battle against a Beyond Grade A.

• Sisko demanded the Evolution Cube, explaining that he needed it to secure the Arcane Church’s support for the Star Pupil Protoss.
• Han Xiao weighed the benefits and risks of keeping the Cube and decided he would not surrender it to Sisko.
• Han Xiao and Sisko ended negotiations, and Sisko attacked, heavily damaging nearly a hundred thousand of Han Xiao’s mechanical soldiers.
• Han Xiao counterattacked, but Sisko caught his drill strike and used telekinetic force to blast him away.
• Sisko transformed into his true combat form, and Han Xiao unleashed his buffs and Mechanical Force as his army opened fire.

Han Xiao and Sisko fought for hours over the Evolution Cube, but neither could defeat the other, and Han Xiao escaped after marking Sisko with an Observation Mark. Sisko decided to seek allies to reclaim the Cube, while Sedim survived the battle and was ordered to build him a spaceship.

• Han Xiao unleashed his mechanical army and heavy firepower against Sisko, who repelled him and tore through hundreds of thousands of mechanical soldiers with telekinetic attacks.
• Han Xiao used the Arc Traction Reaction Base and Emperor's Gift to restrain Sisko, grappled him, and had the mechanical army bombard them both; Sisko's sneak attack then damaged Han Xiao but triggered Supreme Devotion to reflect mental damage back at Sisko.
• Sisko transformed into a bone-armored state with greatly increased attributes and temporary health, and he and Han Xiao continued fighting for several hours as the planet's surface was devastated and Han Xiao's mechanical army dwindled.
• Han Xiao marked Sisko with an Observation Mark, recalled his remaining army, and escaped using Void Dimension Jump; Sisko concluded that neither of them could defeat the other alone.
• Sedim reappeared and realized Sisko had failed to defeat Black Star, then said he needed to report the news to Manison; Sisko planned to gather allies and ordered Sedim to build a spaceship from the discarded parts.

Han Xiao returned to the Shattered Star Ring after drawing with Sisko and revealed that he had become a Beyond Grade A. As news of his breakthrough spread, he planned to return to the Black Star Army and pursue an alliance with the Crimson Dynasty before the Secret War ended.

• Han Xiao reunited with Hila, Fording, and Aurora, showed them the Evolution Cube, and confirmed that he had fought Sisko to a draw as a newly advanced Beyond Grade A.
• Hila congratulated Han Xiao and asked how he had advanced, and he encouraged her to believe she could eventually stand beside him.
• Han Xiao told his companions he would bring the Evolution Cube to the army, use it to gather allies, and seek a powerful backer.
• Laifer warned Han Xiao that the Crimson Dynasty's negotiations with the Federation of Light meant the Secret War might end within six months, and Han Xiao said he had a way to keep the dynasty from backing Krent.
• Han Xiao chose not to reveal his breakthrough to Amethyst, then set course for the Black Star Army to prepare and pursue an alliance with the Crimson Dynasty.
• Sedim returned to Planet Maixibo with news of Han Xiao's advancement, and Sisko confirmed it, causing the story to spread across the Shattered Star Ring.

After learning that Black Star had become a Beyond Grade A, Hadavy abandoned his plan to leave the Shattered Star Ring and decided to seek him out. The news stirred the Black Star Army’s players and unsettled the region’s powers, while Han Xiao quietly returned to headquarters and summoned his officers.

• Hadavy overheard that Black Star had become the Shattered Star Ring’s fifth Beyond Grade A, then decided to visit the Black Star Army privately and ask how to reach that level.
• Players at the Mercenary Alliance’s Black Star Army branch celebrated Han Xiao’s advancement, while Summer Night Blossoms avoided the forums and Meat Bun planned a new video.
• Jorde learned of Black Star’s advancement and reported to Heber, who said he would act once Black Star or Amethyst confirmed the news.
• The surviving members of Sorokin’s Light Fox forces fled and suspected that Black Star had taken the Evolution Cube after fighting Sisko.
• The rumor spread across the Shattered Star Ring, but the Black Star Army issued no statement and kept reporters away from its headquarters.
• Han Xiao and his companions quietly returned to the Black Star Army and privately summoned its officers.

Han Xiao confirmed his advancement to Beyond Grade A to his officers, revealed that he had obtained the Evolution Cube, and formed the Black Star Guard Squad. After optimizing the officers’ genes, he secluded himself to rebuild his combat equipment, while Aroshia and Resta discussed asking him to help their people.

• Han Xiao told the assembled officers that he was a Beyond Grade A and ordered them to privately negotiate partnerships while keeping the news under wraps.
• Han Xiao revealed that he had taken the Evolution Cube from Sisko and promised to use it to optimize the officers’ genes and later make it available to the army.
• Han Xiao established the Black Star Guard Squad under Hila, recruited Fording and two Calamity Grade officers, and optimized the officers’ genes with the Cube.
• Aroshia advised Resta to wait until Han Xiao had stabilized the Black Star Army before asking him to rescue their people from Manison, but Resta refused to wait much longer.
• Han Xiao entered seclusion to build new Beyond Grade A combat equipment, then emerged more than half a month later with the initial form of his new army.

Han Xiao completed a new Beyond Grade A army and unveiled his War Tiger armor before Hadavy forced his way onto the Black Star Army headquarters satellite. Hila confronted Hadavy as reporters watched, while Han Xiao headed to meet him.

• Han Xiao reviewed the rebuilt army, including new giant-soldier units and improved heavy artillery, and prepared to expand it for Beyond Grade A combat.
• Han Xiao completed the level 215 War Tiger armor, a powerful suit built for mobility, defense, and close combat.
• Hadavy broke through the headquarters fleet blockade and landed on the satellite, prompting Han Xiao to tell Hila not to let him escape as he went to respond.
• Interstellar reporters gathered outside the headquarters and identified Hadavy as a member of the War Realm, speculating that he had come to provoke Black Star.
• Hila confronted Hadavy and introduced herself as captain of Black Star's personal guard, and Hadavy showed interest in her.

Hila fought Hadavy after he forced his way into Black Star Army headquarters, and Han Xiao stopped them before accepting Hadavy’s challenge. Han Xiao easily defeated Hadavy, who surrendered, then publicly confirmed that he had become a Beyond Grade A.

• Hadavy demanded to see Black Star, and Hila attacked him when he refused to surrender.
• Hila fought Hadavy while the army and reporters watched, until Han Xiao arrived and called off the battle.
• Hadavy challenged Han Xiao, offering to join the Black Star Army if he lost, and Han Xiao accepted.
• Han Xiao overwhelmed Hadavy with his strength and mechanical attacks, and Hadavy surrendered.
• Han Xiao announced through the reporters’ quantum network screens that he was a Beyond Grade A.

Han Xiao welcomed Hadavy into the Black Star Army as a guard officer and planned the army’s expansion before traveling to Dragon Calm. After Han Xiao confirmed he was a Beyond Grade A, the Shattered Star Ring celebrated his rise, while Heber and Sisko publicly challenged him.

• Han Xiao revealed that Hila came from Planet Aquamarine and let Hadavy choose freely whether to join the Black Star Army; Hadavy accepted and was assigned to follow Hila as a guard officer.
• Han Xiao offered Hadavy regular sparring sessions to help him gain insight into Beyond Grade A strength, then discussed the army’s expansion with Sylvia and announced he would travel to Dragon Calm.
• Interstellar media reported Han Xiao’s advancement, and the Amethyst Civilization, Goddora, and dozens of other civilizations publicly congratulated him and strengthened their ties with the Black Star Army.
• Heber challenged Han Xiao to fight on behalf of Krent in the Secret War, while Sisko revealed that Han Xiao had the Evolution Cube and demanded its return.
• Han Xiao arrived at Dragon Calm with his fleet as news of the challenges caused an uproar across the Shattered Star Ring.

Han Xiao left Dragon Calm and established the Black Star Army as an independent organization, then secured an alliance with Ames against Heber and Sisko. After using the Evolution Cube to enhance Dragon Calm's officers, Ames discovered that she had gained the ability to enter the Void Dimension.

• Han Xiao arrived at Dragon Calm and told Ames he intended to leave and make the Black Star Army independent.
• Han Xiao offered the Evolution Cube's benefits to Dragon Calm and proposed an alliance against Heber and Sisko; Ames agreed after he explained that he had offered the Cube as compensation, not leverage.
• Han Xiao and Ames shook hands as allies, and the officers emerged from hiding after eavesdropping on their discussion.
• Han Xiao and Ames decided to answer Heber and Sisko's challenge publicly and make their alliance known.
• Han Xiao used the Evolution Cube to optimize Ames and Dragon Calm's officers; Iso declined because he had already used it centuries earlier.
• After her evolution, Ames entered the Void Dimension and discovered her new ability, along with improvements to her strength and physical condition.

Han Xiao accepted the Tyrant and Star Pupil’s challenges, announcing that the Black Star Army was leaving Dragon Calm while forming an alliance with Ames. As the battle drew closer, Austin refused to support either side, and Suy agreed to take Han Xiao’s call after Krent asked the Crimson Dynasty for help against him.

• Han Xiao called Heber and agreed to fight him in the Desolate Universe Belt in twenty days, while Ames rejected Heber’s demand that she stay out of the conflict.
• Seven days after the challenges, the Black Star Army announced its independence from Dragon Calm and revealed its alliance with Ames, turning the coming battle into a four-Beyond Grade A confrontation.
• Han Xiao asked Austin to join his side by offering access to the Evolution Cube, but Austin chose to remain neutral, as he also refused to help Sisko.
• A Krent envoy asked Suy to help eliminate Han Xiao, but Suy declined to commit and considered contacting Black Star instead.
• Suy learned that Han Xiao had called him and agreed to take the call.

Han Xiao negotiated with Suy to join the Crimson Dynasty, offering access to the Evolution Cube in exchange for support and resources. Meanwhile, Sisko planned to steal the Cube during Han Xiao’s fight with Heber and sought help from the Arcane Church after Ames’s involvement disrupted his plan.

• Han Xiao told Suy that he wanted the Black Star Army to join the Crimson Dynasty and proposed sharing access to the Evolution Cube.
• Han Xiao asked the Crimson Dynasty for resources, a role in developing the Shattered World, neutrality in the Secret War, and advanced Mechanic Class knowledge; Suy agreed to report the terms to his superiors.
• Han Xiao declined Suy’s offer to mediate his conflict with Heber, choosing not to appear as though he needed protection from the Tyrant.
• Sisko traveled toward the Colton Star Cluster, intending to seize the Evolution Cube while Han Xiao fought Heber.
• Sisko decided to seek help from the Arcane Church’s Shattered Star Ring garrison to keep Ames occupied.

As Black Star and Tyrant’s scheduled battle drew near, the Shattered Star Ring’s forces and spectators gathered at the West Wind border, while players and citizens debated the stakes. Han Xiao secured an alliance with the Crimson Dynasty, which promised support against outside interference and approved his request for all remaining Mechanic advanced knowledge.

• The War Realm and Section Zero deployed forces around the battlefield as fleets, news outlets, and spectators poured into the West Wind border to await the fight.
• Black Star Army officers and soldiers placed bets on the battle, while Reynold backed Tyrant based on his calculations and Sylvia went to confront Lagi after learning he had done the same.
• With the Secret War suspended, millions of players traveled to support Han Xiao and discussed how the battle could shape the Black Star Army’s future; Meat Bun resolved to make a high-quality video about it.
• Bennett told Nero that Han Xiao faced a dangerous opponent and silently prayed for his old friend.
• Suy informed Han Xiao that the Crimson Dynasty accepted his proposal, planned to send troops against possible Arcane Church interference, and wanted him to visit the Central Galaxy after the battle.
• Suy told Han Xiao that the Crimson Dynasty had approved his application for advanced knowledge and would provide all the remaining types.

Han Xiao mastered the remaining Cutting-Edge Knowledge, unlocking powerful Mechanic skills and improving his preparations for the duel with Heber. When the duel day arrived, vast crowds gathered in the Desolate Universe Belt, and a portal opened to bring the participants onto the battlefield.

• Han Xiao used 52 potential points to master five pieces of Cutting-Edge Knowledge, unlocking three Mechanic Emperor skills and several new abilities.
• Han Xiao reviewed and raised his new skills, then secluded himself in the mechanical workshop to build machines while his fleet and Dragon Calm traveled.
• More than ten days later, trillions of spectators gathered near the West Wind Star System to watch the duel as War Realm and Section Zero maintained a tense standoff.
• Laifer prepared Amethyst's fleet to support Han Xiao if needed, while Frenzied Saber and other players watched from the Black Star Army fleet and Summer Night Blossoms watched from War Realm's camp.
• Gurega and other Mercenary Alliance leaders discussed inviting Black Star to become their chief councilor, while partner organizations gathered to support him.
• A blue, vortex-like portal appeared in the center of the battlefield, and the spectators erupted as the participants began to arrive.

Austin, Sisko, and Heber arrived at the battlefield alongside the Arcane Church and Crimson Dynasty fleets, leaving the Black Star Army apparently outmatched. Han Xiao and Ames arrived, and after Heber revealed his plan to kill Han Xiao for prestige, Han Xiao triggered a Grade S mission and unleashed a vast mechanical army to begin the fight.

• Austin arrived in the Palace of Hidden Spells to watch the battle, followed by Sisko with the Arcane Church fleet.
• The Crimson Dynasty fleet arrived beside Krent’s forces, making Laifer and the Black Star Army’s officers fear that two universal civilizations supported their enemies.
• Heber arrived, then Han Xiao and Ames entered the battlefield aboard Dragon Calm and faced Heber and Sisko.
• Han Xiao taunted Heber, who admitted he had chosen Han Xiao as a target to establish his reputation by killing a fellow Beyond Grade A.
• Han Xiao triggered a Grade S mission to hold out against Heber and opened a secondary dimension, sending his vast mechanical army charging into battle.

Han Xiao fought Heber’s overwhelming Pugilist strength with his mechanical army, but Heber trapped him in an energy-restricting beam and began pulling him in. Han Xiao escaped with his Chaos Body talent and activated Reynold’s Character Summon Card, turning the battle around enough to send Heber crashing through the War Realm fleet while Sisko watched in surprise.

• Han Xiao used his upgraded mechanical army to attack Heber while keeping his distance, but Heber’s defenses and strength allowed him to push through the barrage.
• Heber transformed into his second stage and trapped Han Xiao in a crimson-gold beam that suppressed his energy and severed his control of the mechanical army.
• Han Xiao changed into Chaos Body form and used Void Leap to escape Heber’s beam, then reconnected to his army.
• Han Xiao activated Reynold’s Character Summon Card and gained Perfect Mechanical Sense, greatly increasing his Mechanical Affinity and the army’s combat power.
• Sisko saw Heber fly into the War Realm formation and realized he had underestimated Han Xiao.