Chapter Summaries

Han Xiao tested the Evolutionary Totem and Ovitan Badge, then agreed with Urranrell to supply the Dynasty and allied civilizations with totems. He recruited players to test the badges, and the first volunteer transformed into a grotesque biological aberration.

• Han Xiao activated an Evolutionary Totem and confirmed that its radiation slowly increased potential across a wide area.
• Han Xiao examined the Ovitan Badge and Gene Collapse Missile, then sent Urranrell a report on the totem.
• Han Xiao and Urranrell agreed to supply the Dynasty with totems and sell them to civilizations close to it.
• Han Xiao posted a product-testing mission, and ten players claimed the available slots.
• Han Xiao gave the players Black Star Army-branded Ovitan Badges, and they began testing them.
• The first player who activated a badge grew into a huge biological aberration and cried out in shock.

Han Xiao tested the Ovitan Badge with players, confirmed its powerful but dangerous transformation, and began selling it as the Black Star Army Badge: Evolution. After Meat Bun’s post made the item a sensation among players, Han Xiao checked on Shazik and Rotel and went to speak with the isolated Rotel.

• Players crowded around an aberration player during the badge test, and Han Xiao examined the transformation’s effects and learned its strengths and drawbacks.
• Eight more players transformed, tested the badge until they died, and respawned in their original forms.
• Han Xiao rewarded the volunteers, renamed the product the Black Star Army Badge: Evolution, and listed it in the Army store for 150,000 Enas and 2,500 contribution points.
• Meat Bun posted a detailed review on the forum, where players praised the badge’s combat potential, complained about its price, and joked about its monstrous appearance.
• Han Xiao reviewed surveillance of Shazik and Rotel, saw that Shazik was settling into the Intelligence Department while Rotel remained isolated, and headed to Rotel’s room to talk with him.

Han Xiao drew Rotel closer to the Black Star Army by listening to his painful past, while the Army launched its Evolutionary Totem business and made enormous profits. As the totems reshaped political and economic fortunes across the universe, Ames invited Han Xiao to a match.

• Han Xiao visited Rotel, understood his fixation on Sorokin, and encouraged him to share his past, leaving Rotel more at ease about joining the Black Star Army.
• Han Xiao charged and released the Black Star Army Badges: Evolution, and players showcased their combat strength in battles and dungeons.
• Han Xiao signed a long-term Evolutionary Totem supply agreement with the Crimson Dynasty, which publicized the devices and approved wider sales.
• Han Xiao arranged bulk sales to allied civilizations and supplied totems to the Army's branches, Planet Aquamarine, and the Black Spirit Race.
• The Star Pupil Protoss criticized Sisko over their missed opportunity, while Heber worried about Han Xiao's growing influence.
• Ames sent Han Xiao a special invitation to a match.

Ames challenged Han Xiao to a serious fight, wanting to measure how far he had surpassed her. When they met on Planet G-S7058, she launched Dragon Calm and its satellite weapons at him, while Han Xiao tried to wear her down without hurting her; the chapter ended with Dragon Calm bearing down on him.

• Ames sent Han Xiao a formal challenge, and Jenny told him that Ames would not discuss it before the fight.
• Ames told Jenny and Iso that she needed to fight Han Xiao to learn the truth about the gap between them.
• Five days later, Han Xiao arrived at Planet G-S7058 and found Ames waiting with Dragon Calm and its ten satellite bricks.
• Ames warned Han Xiao that she would use all her strength, then activated her full power and triggered his Grade S mission to hold out against her.
• Han Xiao summoned his mechanical army and ordered it to wear Ames down without firing at full power or damaging Dragon Calm.
• Ames used her force fields to hurl Dragon Calm at Han Xiao, who braced for the approaching landmass.

Han Xiao and Ames fought a private match around a gas giant, with Ames using Dragon Calm, force fields, and meteors while Han Xiao’s defenses and mechanical army steadily wore her down. Ames eventually ran out of strength after Han Xiao caught her in the planetary ring, and she conceded with a playful flick to his forehead.

• Ames used Dragon's Gaze to pull Han Xiao into Dragon Calm, but he endured the impact and escaped with Void Leap.
• Han Xiao deployed the Anti-Dragon Emperor Device to resist Ames's force fields, while his mechanical army damaged her satellite-sized bricks and disrupted her attacks.
• Ames turned the gas giant's planetary ring into a supply of meteor weapons, and Han Xiao's army fought through a prolonged battle of attrition as Ames's energy declined.
• Hila and Aurora watched from Dragon Calm's armed fleet and recognized that Ames was being outmatched by Han Xiao.
• Ames used Void Leap to attack Han Xiao at close range, but he caught her and smashed her through the planetary ring's meteors until her protective force field nearly failed.
• Han Xiao told Ames she had lost, and she conceded after pretending to make one last attack by gently flicking his forehead.

Han Xiao defeated Ames in their spar, then told her that a disaster would eventually threaten the entire Explored Universe, and she promised to fight beside him. After Jenny questioned Ames’s feelings for Black Star, Han Xiao discovered the mission was complete and held off on drawing its highest-tier reward.

• Han Xiao defeated Ames in their spar and promised to replace the weapons she had broken, though she would have to pay for them.
• Over Dragon Bone Wine, Han Xiao warned Ames of a future disaster that could threaten the entire Explored Universe, and Ames said she would fight alongside him.
• Jenny told Ames she feared Black Star’s influence would lead Dragon Calm into danger, then asked whether Ames liked him.
• Ames said she was fond of Black Star as a friend and comrade, but he would be her only candidate if she ever wanted children.
• Han Xiao returned to his spaceship, found the Ames mission completed, and postponed drawing the highest-tier reward.

After sparring with Ames, Han Xiao brought her to New West Capital to show her how Planet Aquamarine had recovered and to strengthen their alliance. At a Black Star relic exhibition, he reunited with Li Yalin, helped her financially, and left as excited citizens gathered to meet him.

• Han Xiao received experience, Legend Points, and an Ames Character Summon Card after their spar, then returned to Planet Aquamarine with her.
• Han Xiao and Ames walked through New West Capital and reflected on how the planet had changed since the Mutation Disaster.
• Ames spotted a Black Star relic exhibition hall, where Han Xiao discovered its supposed relics were mostly items Li Yalin had falsely presented as his.
• Han Xiao recognized his former intelligence-agency companion Li Yalin, learned she had survived the Mutation Disaster, and transferred her one million Enas while offering his contact details.
• Li Yalin thanked Han Xiao for saving Planet Aquamarine, and citizens recognized him and crowded the exhibition hall to take photos with him.

After visiting Planet Aquamarine and Dragon Calm, Han Xiao chose the scaling talent [Mighty Wrist] and decided to keep the Black Star Army focused on consolidating its power. A year and a half of relative stability passed, bringing Version 3.0 to its final stage.

• Han Xiao reunited with Li Yalin, toured Planet Aquamarine with Ames, and visited Bennett before returning to Dragon Calm, where Iso stopped him from taking the Void Dragon Bone Wine.
• Han Xiao drew five of Ames's abilities and selected [Mighty Wrist], gaining large bonuses to Strength, Endurance, and ability strength.
• Han Xiao decided the Black Star Army should reduce its expansion and consolidate its businesses while preparing to develop the Shattered World territory and mechanical civilization.
• The Evolutionary Totem trade expanded the Crimson Dynasty's influence and brought the Black Star Army many civilization customers as the three Universal Civilizations eased their conflicts.
• The Fallen Ark's remaining criminals regrouped under Harkison, while the army's players explored the Shattered World and fought in the Gural Civil War.
• After a year and a half of relative stability, Version 3.0 entered its final stage.

Han Xiao learned that black-market mercenaries had been stealing Evolutionary Totems from buyers, but he refused to replace the Rock Elves’ stolen shipment for free. He reviewed his new Ultimate Mechanical Engineering knowledge and the preparations for the third Pro League as the league’s rules banned the Black Star Army Badge: Evolution.

• The Blood Gold Organization’s mercenaries stole the Rock Elves’ Evolutionary Totems and destroyed the wreckage before leaving.
• Sylvia told Han Xiao that thirteen civilization clients had been robbed, and he declined the Rock Elves’ request for a free replacement batch.
• Han Xiao considered his Ultimate Mechanical Engineering knowledge, including its manufacturing benefits and the experience cost of using Inspiration Creation.
• Han Xiao reviewed the upcoming third Pro League’s expanded match formats, schedule, and detailed rules.
• The league organizers placed Black Star Army Badge: Evolution on the banned-items list.

As the third league’s qualifiers concluded, Han Xiao followed the Shattered Star Ring division’s rising Mechanic Class players, professional teams, and growing anticipation for the competition. The league’s opening ceremony arrived, and Long Sky and Dynasty prepared to face off in the first match.

• Han Xiao reviewed the qualifiers, noting the Mechanic Class’s rise, Maple Moon’s qualification with Jiangcheng Team, and the elimination of Russian and Australian teams targeting Huaxia competitors.
• Han Xiao watched Galaxy Times interview newcomers and the captains of Jiangcheng, Long Sky, and Dynasty as they discussed their league ambitions.
• Han Xiao read the forum’s heated debate over Huaxia’s chances and the professional teams’ prospects in the third league.
• The league’s opening ceremony began, and Han Xiao opened the livestream to watch Long Sky face Dynasty, with Meat Bun as guest commentator.

Han Xiao watched Dynasty defeat Long Sky in the opening match of the third Galaxy Professional League, then agreed to help the Crimson Dynasty investigate the Blood Gold Organization’s theft of Evolutionary Totems. After setting a sting operation in motion, he watched the divisional regular season conclude and learned that the Blood Gold Organization had taken the bait.

• Dynasty beat Long Sky in the opening match, winning the team dungeon battle and outlasting them in the Planet Aquamarine survival match.
• A Crimson Dynasty official told Han Xiao that the Blood Gold Organization was suspected of stealing Evolutionary Totems, with the Federation of Light and Arcane Church possibly backing it.
• Han Xiao accepted a mission to find three Blood Gold executives and arranged a free escort for the Rock Elves’ next shipment of Evolutionary Totems.
• Han Xiao instructed Phillip to anonymously hire the Blood Gold Organization to attack the shipment, setting up a sting operation.
• Dynasty and Kings and Generals finished first in the team and individual regular-season standings, while the top eight teams and top sixteen players advanced to the divisional finals.
• After the regular-season break began, the Blood Gold Organization took Han Xiao’s bait.

The Black Star Army ambushed a Blood Gold Organization fleet that attacked the Rock Elf transport ships, captured its forces, and traced the organization’s leaders. Han Xiao gave Rotel one leader’s location and prepared to have him carry out the assassination.

• A Blood Gold Organization fleet ambushed the Rock Elf ships to seize their Evolutionary Totems, but Formless Ghost and a remote Black Star Army mechanical force defeated the attackers.
• Kolangsta was captured, and Han Xiao accessed the Blood Gold Organization’s database to locate several of its higher-ups.
• Han Xiao sent the Crimson Dynasty the locations of three Blood Gold Organization leaders and received a mission reward for the intelligence.
• Han Xiao asked the Dynasty to let him handle one of the targets, then sent the target’s information to Rotel.
• Rotel agreed to set off immediately, and Han Xiao judged that he was ready to establish the Assassins Mutual Aid Society.

The international league regular season ended with Jiangcheng, Dynasty, and Long Sky reaching the top eight, while Temple failed to advance. After the tournament organizers announced the finals, Han Xiao received Rotel’s confirmation that his target had been eliminated, and the Blood Gold Organization’s leader gathered its senior members to discuss the threat.

• Dynasty won the Shattered Star Ring divisional championship, while Temple, Long Sky, and Jiangcheng also qualified for the international league.
• The international group draw placed Temple in the group of death, while Long Sky and Dynasty entered Group B and Jiangcheng entered the weaker Group C.
• Long Sky defeated Devil in the international opener, and Huaxia’s teams gained points through strong performances in capture-the-flag and dungeon matches.
• Jiangcheng, Dynasty, and Long Sky finished the regular season in the international top eight, while Temple failed to reach the finals.
• Han Xiao received Rotel’s message and a photo confirming that the target had been eliminated, while the Crimson Dynasty had also killed two Blood Gold Organization executives.
• The Blood Gold Organization’s leader summoned its senior members online to discuss how to respond to the Crimson Dynasty and the Black Star Army.

The Blood Gold Organization discussed the Crimson Dynasty’s retaliation and accepted protection from the Federation of Light and the Arcane Church while joining their pressure campaign for access to Evolutionary Totems. Manison, Kasuyi, and Gorutan then asked Sorokin to use the Infinite Financial Group to challenge the Black Star Army’s business, and Sorokin agreed.

• The Blood Gold leader told the senior members that the Crimson Dynasty and Black Star Army had assassinated Maro, Fansesna, and Indir after the organization stole Evolutionary Totems.
• The Federation of Light and Arcane Church envoys promised to protect the Blood Gold Organization’s senior members and provide resources so it could keep stockpiling totems.
• The envoys said they would pressure the Crimson Dynasty through economic, political, and other means, with the possibility of targeting the Evolution Cube if the dynasty refused to compromise.
• Sorokin met with Manison, Kasuyi, and Gorutan, who asked the Infinite Financial Group to invest in the Shattered Star Ring and compete with the Black Star Army.
• Sorokin weighed the offered benefits and risks, then agreed to the proposal.

Han Xiao watched Nero and Tomar train, confirmed Nero’s Advanced Mechanical Sense, and arranged for the Infinite Financial Group to attend Black Star’s Gathering. He then turned his attention to the international Pro League finals, where Jiangcheng faced Battle Axe Club.

• Nero and Tomar fought waves of training mechanical soldiers, showing the results of their studies under Reynold and Lagi.
• Han Xiao told Reynold to intensify Nero’s close-combat training while keeping his mechanical studies on track, then praised both trainees.
• Sylvia asked when Black Star’s Gathering would be held, and Han Xiao scheduled it for a few months later.
• Sylvia told Han Xiao that the Infinite Financial Group wanted to attend and discuss business connected to the Shattered World, so he ordered her to invite Sorokin for a meeting.
• Han Xiao opened the forums to watch the first international finals match between Jiangcheng and Battle Axe Club.

Jiangcheng defeated Battle Axe in the team battle, then Frenzied Saber took an early lead in the arena match. Captain Viking activated a powerful character card, and Frenzied Saber answered with a Black Star card whose Undying Body effect stunned the viewers.

• Maple Moon hid Jiangcheng’s movements while Captain Viking used a Supreme Magic Scroll to conceal Battle Axe.
• Jiangcheng’s aerial scouts spotted one another, and Maple Moon laid mines and traps across the forest as both teams moved to engage.
• Battle Axe triggered Maple Moon’s traps, and Jiangcheng wiped out the opposing team to win the team battle.
• Frenzied Saber swept aside Battle Axe’s first arena fighter with mechanical weapons and combos.
• Captain Viking activated a Glory Clan’s Berserk character card, and Frenzied Saber responded with a Black Star character card that granted Undying Body.
• Han Xiao realized Frenzied Saber had likely copied his ability onto a Blank Character Card and laughed at the thought.

Frenzied Saber used Black Star’s [Undying Body] to defeat Battle Axe’s players, helping Jiangcheng reach the international finals. Dynasty defeated Jiangcheng to win the championship as Huaxia defended its title, while Han Xiao anticipated that Huaxia’s success would make the Black Star Army a target in version 4.0.

• Frenzied Saber defeated Captain Viking and three more Battle Axe players, earning Jiangcheng a decisive first-round victory.
• Maple Moon helped Jiangcheng beat Battle Axe in the capture-the-flag match, and all three Huaxia teams advanced to the semifinals.
• Jiangcheng defeated KEY three to two as Maple Moon’s machines, including the prototype Void Dragon Mechanical Suit, secured the deciding advantage.
• Dynasty defeated Long Sky, setting up an all-Huaxia final between Dynasty and Jiangcheng.
• Dynasty beat a fatigued Jiangcheng to win the international finals, allowing Huaxia to defend its championship.
• Han Xiao anticipated that Huaxia’s consecutive victories would make the Black Star Army a target in version 4.0, so he planned to establish a foothold in Shattered World.

After the third Galaxy Professional League ended with Huaxia defending its championship, players celebrated the Gulal Civil War’s resolution and the Black Star Army’s rise. Han Xiao watched an interview that predicted cross-Star Field travel in the next version and considered how the Shattered World would open to factions and players.

• Huaxia celebrated its league victory as players finished the Gulal Civil War, helping the Pioneer Party become the civilization’s leader and receiving their mission rewards.
• Han Xiao watched the Galaxy Times interview the four Huaxia teams, where Frenzied Saber praised Maple Moon and viewers joked about Temple’s role in the tournament.
• The Galaxy Times predicted that cross-Star Field travel would become available in the next version and that the Black Star Army would be involved.
• Han Xiao recalled that the Shattered World would open to outside factions in version 4.0, prompting migration and competition for territory and resources.
• Han Xiao considered how the Crimson Dynasty would share the costs of developing the Shattered World while retaining control of its most important regions and assigning some areas to allies such as the Black Star Army.

Han Xiao prepared for the decades-long version update as the players logged off, while Sorokin arrived in the Shattered Star Ring to pursue investments and compete with the Black Star Army. The chapter left Sorokin planning to invest in another Shattered World faction as well as meet Han Xiao.

• Han Xiao planned to develop the mechanical civilizations and Black Spirit Race, strengthen the Black Star Army, and use his stored experience carefully during the version update.
• After the players resolved the Gural Civil War, Han Xiao received only a small mission reward but gained far more experience indirectly when players bought faction products.
• Kings and Generals invited the professional players to celebrate their championship, and the players later logged off as the version update began.
• Han Xiao saw the players disappear and decided to prepare for version 4.0 while the Shattered World's first exploration phase continued.
• Sorokin arrived in the Shattered Star Ring and ordered his subordinate to prepare the local branch's operating records before heading to Black Star Army headquarters.
• Sorokin sent Loffer to meet Heber at the Tyrant's Gathering and planned to invest in a Shattered World faction that could compete with the Black Star Army.

After the players logged off for the version update, Han Xiao considered the Black Star Army’s growth and the Federation of Light’s threat to the Evolution Cube. He raised his level to 300, received two new missions, and saved the two Mission Settlement Cards he drew for later.

• Han Xiao discussed the Shattered World’s development schedule with the Empire’s liaison, who warned that the Federation of Light was sheltering the Blood Gold Organization as it continued raiding for Evolutionary Totems.
• Han Xiao realized the Federation of Light was pressuring him to support opening Evolutionary Totem sales, while the Empire advised him to remain in imperial territory for safety.
• Han Xiao spent his stored experience to rise from level 280 to 300 and triggered the Erudite class advancement mission and the Energy Abundance promotion mission.
• Han Xiao used more than twenty random reward opportunities, receiving two Mission Settlement Cards among other rewards.
• Han Xiao chose to save the Mission Settlement Cards and work toward completing both missions himself.