Chapter Summaries

Han Xiao discovered a new high-level battle dungeon and helped his allies recover after the battle, including guiding Aroshia through her newly awakened Esper ability. The survivors thanked him for saving them, and Fasereni confronted Sivadi over Holy Stone’s false rescue message.

• Han Xiao found the fixed [Battle: Might of the Dragon Emperor] dungeon and considered using it to attract player attention.
• Han Xiao reassured the injured Melos that he could eventually regain his arm and promised to make him a prosthetic.
• Aroshia demonstrated that she could transform into energy and back, and Han Xiao identified her awakened Esper ability as Energy Transformation.
• Goya and Fasereni thanked Han Xiao for calling the Dragon Emperor and saving the mercenaries.
• Fasereni learned that Holy Stone’s false message had led to his capture, then cursed at Sivadi when he contacted him.

After rescuing the mercenaries, Han Xiao let the Holy Stone Civilization’s false excuse pass while planning to retaliate later, and the captives were handed over to Goddora. The battle footage made Black Star famous across the Shattered Star Ring, and Han Xiao arrived at Golden Palace to have the Whispering Bead appraised.

• Fasereni berated Sivadi for abandoning the mercenaries, but Han Xiao accepted Sivadi’s explanation in public as the Holy Stone fleet withdrew.
• Han Xiao noted the Holy Stone Civilization as a future target for retaliation, while the mercenaries decided to hand the DarkStar captives over to Goddora.
• Han Xiao saw that Ashes was absent from the captives and suspected he had died, then joined the fleet traveling to Goddora’s Golden Palace.
• The Shattered Star Ring Express broadcast the battle footage, and news of Black Star’s role and connections spread, raising his fame by 37 points.
• Han Xiao reached Golden Palace to find an appraisal master and open the Whispering Bead.

Han Xiao had Angton break the Whispering Bead’s seal and discovered a Mutation Source and an experimental Super Gene Extractor tied to DarkStar’s schemes. The discovery triggered the future Mutation Disaster main mission and two other missions, leaving Han Xiao planning how to use the source to help Goddora without losing credit or arousing suspicion.

• Han Xiao found Angton and paid him to break the Whispering Bead’s magical seal.
• Angton opened the bead, revealing a Seventh-Generation Mutation Source and a Super Gene Extractor - Experimental Model.
• Han Xiao realized DarkStar had bought the items in a secret transaction and that the Mutation Source was linked to the future Mutation Disaster.
• Han Xiao triggered the Grade A main mission Mutation Disaster, which listed several planets and remained frozen until version 2.0.
• Han Xiao decided Planet Aquamarine would be his first priority and considered giving the Mutation Source to Goddora so they could develop a cure early.
• Han Xiao triggered the Grade A mission Alliance of Goddora and the Grade S mission Bloodline.

Han Xiao reviewed the Goddora faction missions and the mysterious [Bloodline] objective, then restored the Whispering Bead’s seal and arranged to return to Dragon Calm. While the mercenary fleet delivered its captives to Goddora and revealed DarkStar’s search for a black bead, Han Xiao traveled separately toward his next move.

• Han Xiao examined the Goddora mission objectives and recalled that players had never completed the final stage of [Bloodline].
• Han Xiao considered the Super Gene Extractor’s temporary ability-transplant effect, then asked Angton to restore the Whispering Bead’s seal with a spell scroll.
• Han Xiao contacted Wilsander about Dragon Calm, then sent Melos and the others back to the Juberly Hub while he headed to Dragon Calm.
• The combined mercenary fleet delivered Sarota and the other captives to Goddora, where they were sent to Rainbow Light Prison and the mercenaries received payment.
• The three large mercenary groups told Goddora that DarkStar had attacked them while searching for a pitch-black bead, and Han Xiao returned to Dragon Calm.

Han Xiao arranged for Wilsander to pass the Whispering Bead to Holy Stone, whose discovery that it was empty stirred up suspicion with Goddora. After returning to Juberly Hub with the threat redirected and his earnings secured, Han Xiao prepared to use Compression Technology to transform his fighting style.

• Han Xiao gave Wilsander the Whispering Bead, and Wilsander flew to Holy Stone with Tu Shu to deliver it to Goddora through Sivadi.
• Holy Stone opened the bead, found it empty, and reported the delivery and its suspicions to Goddora, which blamed Holy Stone for taking the contents.
• Han Xiao learned that the bead had been passed along and planned to have Wilsander leak the news so DarkStar would focus on Goddora and leave the mercenaries alone.
• Han Xiao left Dragon Calm and returned to Juberly Hub, where he reunited with Melos and received the three armies' payment, bringing his balance above 70,000 Enas.
• Han Xiao entered the mechanical modification room and prepared to use Compression Technology to change his fighting style.

Han Xiao converted his weapons to compressed form and planned a more versatile, group-oriented combat style, synthesizing many new mechanical blueprints. He fitted Melos with an implanted mechanical arm, and Melos told him that other Sunil warriors wanted to join the Black Star Mercenary Group.

• Han Xiao compressed his existing weapons and planned to build a group-fighting arsenal around turrets, a giant cannon, traps, and robot hounds.
• Han Xiao spent over thirty million experience synthesizing dozens of low-level mechanical blueprints to expand his options for custom designs.
• Han Xiao fitted Melos with an S-30 Model Implanted Shield Arm, restoring the use of his left arm despite the painful procedure.
• Melos told Han Xiao that other Sunil warriors wanted to join the Black Star Mercenary Group.

Han Xiao recruited more than a hundred Sunil veterans into the Black Star Mercenary Group, forming its first official squad and expanding its membership. He checked the players’ forum and watched Meat Bun’s latest video, where the comments revealed that many viewers were captivated by Ames.

• Han Xiao agreed to let Reldon’s Sunil mercenaries join Black Star’s ranks in exchange for twenty percent of their commissions.
• More than a hundred Sunil joined and formed the Sunil Squad, bringing the mercenary group to 173 members.
• Han Xiao saw that the Mercenary Alliance profile listed Black Star as serving under the Dragon Emperor, and his fame had risen after the news broadcast.
• Han Xiao browsed the player forum, where veteran players were spreading stories about him to newcomers.
• Han Xiao watched Meat Bun’s latest video and saw viewers flooding the comments with praise for Ames.

Han Xiao watched Meat Bun’s video and saw players become enamored with Ames, while he planned new work for the pro players. Meat Bun worried that he lacked footage of Ames destroying the DarkStar fleet, just as Han Xiao entered the lounge where the players awaited him.

• Meat Bun’s third episode showed the mercenaries’ battle at Dragon Calm, Han Xiao’s powerful machinery, and Ames’s arrival, which set off a frenzy among viewers.
• Han Xiao enjoyed the players’ comments and decided that Ames’s popularity could help attract players to his faction.
• Han Xiao anticipated his incoming materials and planned to give the pro players something to do while he worked on machinery.
• Meat Bun regretted missing footage of Ames destroying the DarkStar fleet and struggled to plan the next episode without it.
• Han Xiao entered the base lounge, where the pro players watched him expectantly, hoping to see new products in the faction store.

Han Xiao expanded his faction store with upgraded armor, blueprints, and repeatable missions that rewarded Dungeon Crystals, earning a large sum from the players. Meat Bun and a team of players entered the new level 90 Might of the Dragon Emperor dungeon, where they watched the chase from Planet Fawn-122 replay before being asked to choose a faction.

• Han Xiao added Non-Commissioned Officer-Grade Armor and mechanical blueprints to the faction store, and players rushed to buy them.
• Han Xiao issued repeatable faction missions that rewarded Dungeon Crystals for gaining reputation, prompting players to spend more on his services.
• Meat Bun bought reputation and obtained a level 90 Dungeon Crystal for [Campaign: Might of the Dragon Emperor], then formed a team with Frenzied Saber, Maple Moon, Hao Tian, and other players.
• Meat Bun crushed the crystal, and the team watched a cutscene recreating the DarkStar pursuit of the mercenary ships above Planet Fawn-122.
• Hao Tian received a prompt asking the team to choose between the fleeing mercenaries, DarkStar pursuers, and support force factions.

Hao Tian and the other players repeatedly tried the level 90 [Battle: Might of the Dragon Emperor] dungeon, but their level 60 teams were wiped out in both the fleeing mercenary and DarkStar pursuer factions. While the players continued struggling for footage and rewards, Han Xiao began building a new generation of combat systems, and a concealed spacecraft arrived at Planet Fawn-122.

• Hao Tian chose the fleeing mercenary faction, but the team triggered an alarm, lost players fighting a hovercraft, and was wiped out within thirty minutes.
• The players compared their failed attempts and reentered the dungeon, choosing the DarkStar pursuer faction in hopes of surviving longer.
• Meat Bun and the others discovered that the mercenaries were far stronger than their hovercraft and fled them, losing two teammates before receiving new orders.
• Hao Tian led the survivors toward a nearby key figure, but Black Phantom's Ball Vehicle burst through the wall and instantly wiped out the team.
• The players continued attempting the dungeon while Han Xiao shut himself in his modification room to build a new generation of combat systems.
• A small concealed spacecraft visited Planet Fawn-122 in the neighboring Feven Star System.

Ashes survived the destruction of Sarota's fleet and was rescued, but Anur forbade him from pursuing revenge against Black Star and ordered him to train. At Juberly Hub, players struggled to clear the Dragon Emperor dungeon and turned to the easier Germinal raid, while Meat Bun's video of Han Xiao's earlier exploits drew a strong response.

• Ashes emerged from his underground hiding place and learned that Sarota's fleet had been destroyed, Sarota captured, and the Whispering Bead delivered to Goddora.
• Ashes vowed to make the Dragon Emperor pay by killing Black Star, but Anur reprimanded him, barred him from missions for a year, and ordered him to train.
• Anur warned that Goddora might uncover the Whispering Bead's contents and said DarkStar's leader would convene a senior meeting to reconsider their plans.
• At Juberly Hub, players worked out a luck-dependent strategy for the Dragon Emperor dungeon but failed to clear it, so professional players returned to the level 60 Germinal dungeon.
• Meat Bun released footage of the Germinal raid as part of his Black Phantom series, attracting more viewers than he had expected.

Han Xiao watched Meat Bun’s video dramatizing the end of the Germinal Organization, which strengthened his popularity among players. He then finished making and organizing hundreds of improved mechanical spheres, leaving him amused by his unusual new look.

• Meat Bun released a video showing Han Xiao’s battles against the Germinal Organization and the nuclear destruction of its headquarters, drawing excited reactions from players.
• Viewers discussed Han Xiao’s actions and imagined his motives, while the video made his reputation as a legendary figure grow.
• Han Xiao watched Meat Bun’s video and approved of the effect it had on the players.
• Han Xiao finished manufacturing hundreds of improved mechanical spheres and sorted them by type.
• Han Xiao arranged compressed spheres as jewelry and on his combat belt, then laughed at his distinctive appearance in the mirror.

Han Xiao equipped his new compressed-ball deployment system and brought the Sunil mercenaries under his command, then tested their combat strength while demonstrating his own. The chapter ended with his machines turning the simulation field into a fortified position and forcing the mercenaries onto the defensive.

• Han Xiao showed how his suit’s ejection tubes and Magnetic Link let him deploy compressed machines quickly, then met the Sunil mercenaries led by Reldon.
• Han Xiao set terms for their cooperation and offered several private missions; the Sunil chose an escort mission for the Sky Ring Alliance.
• Han Xiao took the Sunil mercenaries to a combat simulation room and challenged all of them to attack him together.
• The Sunil mercenaries charged and fired, but Han Xiao blocked their ranged attacks with floating shields and deployed turrets and traps across the field.
• Han Xiao remained motionless as his defenses disrupted the Sunil formation and forced them onto the defensive.

Han Xiao tested his new Mechanic combat system against the Sunil mercenaries, using turrets, traps, mechanical beasts, and the Void Dragon suit to overwhelm them. The mercenaries surrendered, and Han Xiao returned to the base to review his weapons and the Void Dragon’s capabilities.

• Han Xiao used turrets and traps to stop the Sunil mercenaries’ advance, while Melos removed those who fell during the spar.
• Han Xiao deployed more than twenty Black Panther mechanical beasts, which harassed the mercenaries and coordinated their attacks in groups.
• Reldon broke through Han Xiao’s defenses, but Han Xiao donned the Void Dragon suit and knocked him down with a single slap.
• The Sunil mercenaries surrendered, and Han Xiao praised their combat strength before sending them on their missions.
• Han Xiao returned to the mechanical modification room and reviewed the improved weapons and the Void Dragon suit’s attributes and abilities.

Han Xiao planned to strengthen his weapons with the Volga Three Brothers’ magic and put off dangerous missions while saving money and building the mercenary group’s reputation. He led the players into a series of partner missions, and nine months passed as the group worked across the Shattered Star Ring.

• Han Xiao asked the Volga Three Brothers to enchant his machinery, assigning the task to the two mage brothers while the youngest left.
• Han Xiao considered his difficult class advancement requirements and decided to seek a new subclass while planning to handle his high-risk missions cautiously.
• Han Xiao watched Meat Bun’s fourth Black Star video, which depicted the Dragon Emperor’s battle with crude drawings and drew attention to Aroshia.
• Han Xiao accepted a well-paid mission, told the eager players to pack, and led them out of the base.
• Han Xiao continued accepting partner missions, and the Black Star Mercenary Group built its reputation across the Shattered Star Ring over nine months.

Rex led the allied forces into battle against Rezar’s golems to stop a ritual that would drain the Source Water and devastate the southern territories. As the exhausted army faced mounting casualties, the Black Star Mercenary Group arrived from the upper realm.

• Rex told the commanders that Rezar’s ritual had to be stopped within hours and introduced Linge, whose Red Horn Mercenary Group was awaiting stronger reinforcements.
• Rex ordered the allied forces to attack the ancient ruins, where they fought Rezar’s golems and Corruptors at great cost.
• Beneath the ruins, Rezar watched the battle and explained that the golems’ purpose was to wear down the army and supply blood for his ritual.
• After nearly an hour, the army had destroyed half the golems and killed the Corruptors, but Rex’s mount was killed and he was left wounded beneath an approaching golem.
• Drop pods landed beside Rex, and a black-coated man caught the golem’s axe with one hand as Linge identified the arrivals as the Black Star Mercenary Group.

Han Xiao and Black Star’s mercenaries helped Rex stop Rezar’s blood ritual on Planet of Dusk, but Rezar gained enough power to reach Grade B before the altar was destroyed. Han Xiao swiftly knocked him down, leaving Rezar’s attempt to reach the upper realm halted.

• Black Star’s players and Melos destroyed the golems and joined Rex’s troops as they advanced into Rezar’s underground altar.
• Rezar sacrificed hundreds of cultists to gather enough blood and began absorbing magic power from a sourcewater vein.
• Rex’s forces found the altar protected by layered defensive magic and new golems, but Han Xiao’s turrets tore through the defenses and interrupted the ritual.
• Rezar broke through to Grade B with the magic power he had already absorbed and tried to escape through a secret passage.
• Han Xiao donned the Void Dragon Mechanical Suit, appeared beside Rezar, and slammed his head into the ground.

Han Xiao defeated Rezar and helped the Veyn Kingdom capture him, then agreed to travel to the royal capital to gather intelligence about the Mutation Disaster. That night, with Rezar imprisoned in the camp, Han Xiao checked the mercenary hiring interface.

• Rezar unleashed his magic against Han Xiao, but Han Xiao struck him with three Void Jets and knocked him unconscious.
• Rex's soldiers chained Rezar, and Han Xiao refused Rezar's offer to hire the Black Star Mercenary Group to take him off the planet.
• Rex invited Han Xiao and Linge to the Veyn palace, and they agreed to travel with the Blue Shield Knights and their prisoner.
• The Blue Shield Knights camped for the night with Rezar guarded in a prison wagon, while Han Xiao checked the mercenary hiring interface in his tent.

While investigating the Mutation Disaster on the Planet of Dusk, Han Xiao discovered that Rex and his knights planned to kill their prisoner, Rezar, rather than let him be sent to the royal capital. Han Xiao stopped the assassination and offered to take Rezar into the upper realm, though Rezar suspected the offer might bring trouble.

• Han Xiao reviewed the Black Star Mercenary Group’s growing success and considered the coming international tournament and the next version update.
• Han Xiao found Rezar missing from the prison wagon and tracked him to a grove where Rex and several knights were questioning him about his ritual for drawing Source Water.
• The knights stabbed Rezar when Han Xiao appeared, but Han Xiao knocked them away before they could kill him.
• Rex admitted that he had arranged the assassination to prevent Rezar from surviving trial or spreading the dangerous ritual, and asked Han Xiao not to interfere.
• Han Xiao offered to take Rezar into the upper realm, and Rezar’s hope returned before Han Xiao’s unsettling smile made him wary.

Han Xiao secretly spared Rezar from execution, extracted his magic to create temporary Character Cards, and traveled with the Blue Shield Knights to the royal capital. There, the king invited the upper-realm warriors to a palace banquet where Han Xiao hoped to learn about the Mutation Disaster.

• The knights found Rezar’s supposed corpse after an explosion, and Rex covered up his escape and ordered the guards back to camp.
• Han Xiao met Melos outside camp, left him to guard the wounded Rezar, and extracted Rezar’s magic with the Super Gene Extractor.
• Han Xiao made three Ability Potions and drank one, gaining a temporary Character Summon Card that granted Source Water Magic.
• Two days later, the Blue Shield Knights reached the Veyn Kingdom’s capital, where an official invited the upper-realm warriors to a banquet with the king.
• Han Xiao welcomed the invitation as a chance to ask the king about signs of the Mutation Disaster.