The Legendary Mechanic

The spaceship sailed into the private port of the army headquarters and slid through a secret channel to arrive at Han Xiao's personal dock. This dock was not open to members of the Black Star Army and was a dedicated back door for the senior officers. Compared to the boisterous harbor, this place seemed quite deserted, and the atmosphere was more somber.

Standing around the dock were the dozens of senior officers that had been called over. They had long gathered in this place, with solemn expressions on their faces.

Among them were the Calamity Grades who had been at the front line just a while ago. Due to the rumors of Han Xiao advancing to Beyond Grade A, the situation of the secret war had started to show strange changes. Before this, the two sides had been fighting for several months, but as soon as the news came out, both sides tacitly gathered their troops and began to reduce the number of battles. All of them began the game of wait-and-see, so the Black Star Army was able to transfer their officers back.

Both sides knew that if a Beyond Grade A appeared on both sides, then the direction of the secret war would no longer be left to them.

While Han Xiao had not shown himself, he had already started to subtly influence the situation as a Beyond Grade A, directly affecting the secret war.

Whoosh!

The cabin door opened, and Han Xiao stepped forward. The eyes of many of the officers, including Sylvia's, lit up. They contained excitement, joy, and expectation.

All the officers present sized Han Xiao up. While there were no outward changes to his appearance, everyone could feel a sense of pressure, which came from the natural suppression of a higher life form.

The crowd exchanged glances, with confused looks, and looked toward Feidin, who was standing behind Han Xiao. Feidin only smiled and nodded at everyone else.

Han Xiao stepped onto the dock, sweeping his gaze over everyone present before giving a slight nod. As he walked forward, the officers all made way for him to pass through before walking behind him, entering the inner quarters of the Black Star Army headquarters.

The group arrived at the Army Commander's office in the headquarters. Sylvia was at the back and shut the door after everyone had entered. Han Xiao then turned around to address everyone. He nodded as he said, "I know that many of you are curious if the rumors outside are true. I only told you that I would be issuing a notice, but right now, I can say that the rumors are not wrong. I'm now a Beyond Grade A Super."

Upon hearing the personal confirmation, the taut expressions of the majority of them relaxed. Some even showed expressions of joy, and some, expressions of respect.

Sylvia, Herlous, and the older officers had the most excited expressions. They were the ones most loyal to Han Xiao and had been with the army the longest.

Reynold could not help but immediately wish to beg Han Xiao for some tutelage. He was the one most excited about it.

As for the few Calamity Grades who had joined the Black Star Army a few years prior, they were betting on Han Xiao being a Beyond Grade A seed that would rise to a true Beyond Grade A with time. The moment Han Xiao turned into a true Beyond Grade A, they would also become the backbone of this strong force.

It seemed like their bets had paid off, and their futures were bright.

The Vice Commander Lagi sighed, his face bitter as he said, "Now that you've become a Beyond Grade A, we'll likely be involved in the battle vortex of Beyond Grade As in the future, encountering stronger and stronger opponents. I feel that my life is less safe, so I would like to step down as the Vice Commander… Reynold, are you lacking people in the Logistics department? Is there a more leisurely position?"

Reynold remained expressionless. "That's fine with me. I'm currently lacking a Senior Enchantment Engineer. I'll pay you a daily salary of 2,000 Enas, and you have to work for fifteen hours a day. There will occasionally be overtime. Do you want to try it out?"

"… Forget it, I'll stay as the Vice Commander. I get paid without having to work. That's so much better."

Han Xiao's brain started to cramp up. "Talking about skiving in front of me, do you think that I don't exist anymore? Oh, by the way, where's that Tomar guy that I handed to you? How's his progress?"

Hearing this, Lagi's expression became even more twisted. He seemed to be filled with a negative aura, as though he would squat down at any moment and begin to draw circles on the floor.

"Just where did you find that genius? He's beginning to make me feel as though my years of learning magic are all wasted. Indeed, I should not have chosen the Mage profession all those years ago…"

Ok, that's enough, you can go to the corner and reflect in silence…

Han Xiao's mouth twitched, but he forcibly suppressed the words he wished to say and regained his impassive expression.

"Today, my reason for gathering all of you is for two things. The first was to inform you that I've reached Beyond Grade A. As for its importance, I don't need to emphasize it, but the business of Black Star Army will be able to expand far beyond what it is currently, rising to a real Beyond Grade A organization and fighting head on against Bloodshed Land."

Upon hearing the gravity of this matter, other than Lagi who was still murmuring nonsense, the rest all turned serious.

"By all means, this matter should have been announced in a high profile so that the entire Star Field knows of my existence…" Han Xiao shook his finger. "But for certain reasons, it is temporarily inconvenient to confirm the rumors that I've become a Beyond Grade A. I also do not intend to announce it within the headquarters yet. However, this acknowledgment is basically formal, high-profile behavior, and most organizations already believe in the truth of this rumor. Thus, even if I do not step up, there'll still be messengers that will come and contact us.

"Therefore, I'll need you all to cover up this fact to a certain extent. Secretly contact those forces who intend to cooperate with us, screen them, and handle the cooperative relationships. This matter involves us becoming a Beyond Grade A organization, so the earlier we get this done, the better. As for the specifics, you guys are veterans at this and should know what to look out for."

Everyone else nodded.

Was it not just getting support? They had long learned this from their Army Commander himself.

Han Xiao then raised up his second finger. "The second thing is regarding benefits for you…"

As he spoke, he took out the Evolution Cube, letting it float in midair as he smiled.

"This is the Evolution Cube. That's right. It's the Universal Treasure that was originally with Psyker. After a series of coincidences, I intercepted this thing and had a fight with Psyker. Thus, this is now in my hands…" He then went on to describe the benefits of the Evolution Cube.

As soon as this remark was made, everyone stood stunned, their mouths open in disbelief.

It was rumored that Black Star had fought with Psyker, which led everyone to speculate why they would fight. The officers had also been curious about this but did not expect the reason to be about the Evolution Cube!

The Evolution Cube has changed owners‽

It's now in the hands of our Army Commander‽

One of the Calamity Grades, Misecech, gulped and stuttered with a look full of expectation, "Do… do you mean to allow us to enjoy the benefits that the Evolution Cube brings?"

Han Xiao nodded and laughed. "I've already let Feidin and the rest use it. Since the cube is now in my hands, I'll definitely allow my own officers to enjoy the benefits. You're all the backbone of my army, and helping you all get stronger means that the army will also become stronger."

Most of the Calamity Grades who came later were overjoyed. They did not expect to receive such benefits. For most of the Calamity Grades, they were extremely enthusiastic whenever it came to ways to enhance their strength.

Lagi also stopped his murmuring and immediately lunged forward to grip Han Xiao's hands, his face solemn.

"As your Vice Commander, it's my responsibility to inform you that the priority of benefits should be given by our ranks. I've shed so much sweat and blood for the army, and as your Vice Commander, you should know what I mean…"

Han Xiao swatted his hands away, glancing at him sideways as he retorted, "You might have sweated for the army, but you've never bled for us before, so this makes things difficult to place."

Lagi clutched his chest 'painfully', putting on a helpless expression. "Actually… I was heavily injured once on the battlefield…"

"Scram aside, you won't lose your benefits anyway." Han Xiao could not be bothered to argue with him any longer. "When we talk about work, you lie there like a corpse, but the moment we mention benefits, you immediately jump up. This guy, you're getting more and more sly."

Even Lagi—who was like a salted fish, not interested in anything happening around him—was excited. This spoke volumes about the attractiveness of the Evolution Cube.

The Evolution Cube was provided to the Senior Officers free of charge, and for the other members of the organization, Han Xiao did not intend to hide it. He first intended to form an alliance with the Crimson Dynasty to completely protect the Evolution Cube before opening it to the entire army. According to their ranks, they would pay a corresponding amount, which would allow them to enjoy the Evolution Cube while comprehensively improving the combat capability of the entire army.

This could also attract countless Supers to the army.

At the same time, this was a new service that would be provided to players. The forty percent experience penalty only applied to upgrades, which was not a big problem for the players. As long as it was used after reaching the upper limit of the current version, there was no problem in having the experience penalty.

Even if the players could not resist and used the Evolution Cube before their level cap was reached, it was also not harmful to Han Xiao. Since there would be a penalty for upgrading, players would use their experience to improve their skills or learn new knowledge, which would still flow into his pocket.

This was perfect!

With this in mind, Han Xiao could not help but smile. After that, he shelved the unnecessary thoughts, returning to the actual topic. "Basically, these are the two matters. I'll use the Evolution Cube to help you all optimize your genes in a while. But before this, I would like to announce new personnel appointments."

Hearing his words, everyone quietened down as well.

Han Xiao tilted his head toward Hila, saying, "From today onward, the Black Star Guards will be formally established, selecting the Calamity Grade Supers to be part of it. This is an elite combat team that takes orders solely from me. With regards to officer rankings, Hila will serve as the first captain of the Black Star Guards. Does anyone have any objections?"

While the Beyond Grade A did not require bodyguards, they would always have an elite force under them that was well-known. For example, Heber had his Vanguard Officials, Austin had the Forbidden Sorcerers, Psyker had his Grand Priests, and Ames had… uh… her Black Star Army?

Because Beyond Grade As usually did not deign to personally act, only serving as deterrence, Han Xiao also planned to establish a small elite team that would be used to act in most situations. A Beyond Grade A Super had their own dignity and should not move so easily.

Hila stepped forward and faced everyone with a passive expression. "Who agrees? Who wishes to object?"

While she had only been in the army for a few months, most of the old Officers recognized her and would not have any issues. As for those that had joined later, they recognized her for her identity as the disciple of Dragon Emperor Ames and naturally did not doubt her strength.

Seeing the situation, Hila slowly nodded and returned to standing behind Han Xiao without a single word.

Han Xiao tilted his hand as he asked, "Feidin, would you be interested in joining the Black Star Guards as well?"

While Feidin's status in the army had been more of a guest, after months of getting along, Han Xiao felt that their relationship should have improved, and they were ready to take things to the next level… inviting him to become a direct officer under him.

Feidin thought for a while before revealing a warm smile. "Alright."

This guy is finally mine… Han Xiao secretly exclaimed to himself before turning back to look at the rest of the officers. He then picked a couple more battle-hardened Calamity Grade officers for his elite forces—one of which was Marian.

The Black Star Guards had a total of four members, which could be considered barely established. This was just a prototype, as he would recruit more once his status as a Beyond Grade A was publicized to the Star Field and they recruited more experts.

After finishing all his official matters, Han Xiao then activated the Evolution Cube, performing genetic optimization for all the officers at once. As long as the energy output of the Evolution Cube was adjusted, multiple people could be optimized at the same time.

Once all of that was finished, Han Xiao dispersed the crowd before locking himself in the machinery modification room. He began to create his Beyond Grade A combat equipment. This was the most important task at present, as strength was still fundamental. Other matters would be placed behind the priority of restoring his combat capability.

His mechanical army, mechanical suit, weapons, and so on needed to be remanufactured and updated with his Beyond Grade A class level.

…

"He's already achieved Beyond Grade A…"

Aroshia returned to her home, and Risda emerged in midair, saying, "He has the ability to save our race now. Aroshia, go talk to him."

However, Aroshia slowly shook her head. "We've got to at least wait for him to pass this current hurdle and for the Black Star Army to stabilize, else he won't help. There's no harm in waiting a while longer."

"We've already waited for a long time, and thinking of my comrades being oppressed by Manison, I really don't wish to wait any longer!" Risda was a little unsatisfied. "I can see that Black Star has always been trying to put us off."

But Aroshia blandly replied, "I don't think so. Just the two of us are enough to give Black Star the motivation to deal with another Beyond Grade A."

She had already regained her memories and was now the combination of her three personalities within her mind. She was still her, but she was no longer so ignorant.

"If you're not willing, I'll look for a time to talk to him," Risda said. "There must be a way somehow."

Risda then severed the connection, disappearing in midair.

…

The Black Star Army's silence did not result in the excitement of the Star Field dying down but in fact gave them a mysterious vibe, attracting even more attention from others. Practically everyone was guessing that Black Star should have certain problems that did not allow him to speak up, but he could not remain silent forever.

As the news continued to spread and Han Xiao's influence stewed even more, in an area where no one knew what was going on, many things were happening.

In the presence of this undercurrent, another half a month passed.

Han Xiao exited his machinery modification room—he had built the prototype of his new army.