The duration of everyone’s evolution process differed. As the cocoons slowly broke one after another, people groggily woke up, sensing the changes within themselves.
The Evolution Cube raised one’s life level, and the normal people were unlike players in that they could not get used to their new changes immediately. Their way to improvement was through long hours of extended practice, where many streams flowed to form a river. It was usually only when they broke through to a new realm that such a drastic change occurred.
Thus, most of the people present were satisfied with the effect of the Evolution Cube, especially the Calamity Grade Supers. The stronger their body, the better the effect of using the Evolution Cube.
“What a novel experience.” Pamela curiously observed the changes in her body. As a biological genetic engineer, she could feel the process more acutely, and her professionalism surfaced. “This is a pure evolution at the genetic level, not environmentally induced mutation but rather optimization. One’s original racial characteristics amplify the advantages of the genes, and their strengths are strengthened. If there are no sequelae, it is practically perfect.
“The source of this power is unknown. It’s like a divine blessing… The cells seemed to have received some sort of radiation. Is the essence of evolutionary energy a special kind of radiation?”
While she was muttering, the reception robot came up to her and said, “Congratulations. In order to celebrate your evolution, the Black Star Army will be holding a banquet tomorrow. The Army Commander and the officers will attend, and you’re welcome to participate, hum…”
Every race that had completed their evolution would receive an invite from the reception robots. The Flower Sprite Tribe leader suppressed his excitement and nodded. “We will be there.”
“The invite has been sent. On it is the time and place. I’ll remind you again closer to the time. Also, please remember to dress formally.”
“Understood.” Everyone else nodded in agreement.
The purpose of their trip was completed, and everyone in the room was in a good mood. Practically all the elites accepted the invitation, opting to stay and attend the banquet.
It was to be held the next day, so everyone proceeded back to their accommodation.
After resting for a day, the elites took off their battle suits and armor, donning the formal attire of their respective civilizations, and proceeded to the banquet venue.
In the commander’s room, Han Xiao also donned a suit, looking at himself in the mirror.
The man in the mirror was tall and well-built, wearing a compressed orb necklace and a thick black cloak with white borders on his shoulders. The emblem of the Black Star Army was embroidered on his back, lined with the dark-red fur of a rare beast. The neckline of the cloak had three silver magnetic clasps that could be joined to wrap around the body. It matched with the black top and pants provided.
Han Xiao could not help but comment, “I would like to know who designed this suit. Is the person treating me like a crow?”
“I designed it based on your usual attire, hum…”
“It seems like I will need to modify the data collection algorithm,” Han Xiao muttered to himself.
After washing his face, Han Xiao opened his door to find all his officers outside in their formal attire waiting for him.
Sweeping his eyes over them, he looked at everyone’s designs.
Han Xiao interestedly sized up everyone. “All of you look pretty good.”
“It’s been a while since I wore my robes. It’s a little awkward.” Feidin adjusted his neckline, looking a little helpless.
Because Han Xiao normally did not host such events, few of them had seen each other in formal attire.
Hila frowned. “You know I have no interest in these activities. If I have time to attend a banquet, I’d rather be training.”
“Just training itself wouldn’t help. You need to rest and relax at times.” Han Xiao waved his hands. “Recently, because of the problem with the Arcane Church, my nerves have been stretched out, and now that this problem has finally been solved, I can relax for today. Don’t think about training anymore.”
“I don’t like conversing with strangers.” Hila shook her head.
“Uh… these people are all the elites of their civilizations. They’re probably formidable characters, and if you get to know them, you could organize a spar.”
“That sounds good.” Hila’s eyes flickered.
Han Xiao chatted with his entourage while he walked, all the way until they arrived at the banquet. There were already a lot of people within, and it was boisterous.
The banquet hall was a special hall designed for this purpose, and its decorations were opulent. Tables were filled with full, and innumerable delicacies were delivered like flowing water. The foods were complex and catered toward the tastes of different races.
The elites of all races were present, and various styles and designs of clothing were on full display, dazzling the eyes. It fully demonstrated the diversity of the interstellar society.
Han Xiao led his people to the front, where he attracted all gazes.
“Ahem, on behalf of the Black Star Army, welcome to the evening banquet…”
Clearing his throat, Han Xiao smiled as he spoke. As the host, he had to give some pleasantries before the banquet could formally begin.
After giving a brief speech, the atmosphere at the banquet grew much warmer. Many people took the initiative to approach Han Xiao and chat with him enthusiastically.
The majority of people had stayed behind in order to converse with Han Xiao. It was not every day that one had the means to come into contact with a Beyond Grade A.
Very quickly, a crowd was surrounding Han Xiao. With a smile on his face, and seemingly not bored of the small talk, he continued to access everyone present.
In just this short period, he had seen many of the ‘acquaintances’ he knew in his past life. All of these people were famed personalities that the players from Shattered Star Ring had met in various regions while adventuring.
Some of them were very cheerful and sociable, while some wore hooded cloaks as though they were trying to hide themselves. One of them was even mumbling to himself, as though he was neurotic.
While, in front of Han Xiao, these characters’ fame was not worth mentioning, in front of the players, they were all big-shot characters.
As for all the elites that came to talk, Han Xiao collected all their contact details. This gave them a pleasant surprise because they did not expect a Beyond Grade A to be so easy to approach.
Collecting their contact information was akin to collecting their potential storyline missions for Han Xiao. In addition, these elites all had considerable power in the respective civilizations, which could be regarded as networking.
While conversing, Han Xiao heard someone calling him from behind in a shy tone.
“Your… Your Excellency Black Star, I’m Pamela from the Flower Sprite Tribe, a biological genetic engineer.”
Han Xiao turned back and smiled. “Is there anything you need?”
“I… I’m one of your admirers. I would like to know you. Could you accept my communicator number?” Pamela looked excited. She had watched him from the side for a while and realized that Han Xiao did not reject such requests. Thus, she had gathered up her courage to talk to him and exchange contact information.
Feeling her impure gaze on him, Han Xiao laughed dumbly.
Am I being picked up now?
What a rare occasion.
“Ok. Send it to me.” Han Xiao did not reject her. A biological genetic engineer was worth him befriending.
Although it was impossible for these elites to jump ship, he could still recruit them if he ran into some special situations in the future or request their aid.
“Thank you!” After exchanging contact details, Pamela behaved as though she had just obtained his autograph, her face full of joy as she hugged her communicator close to her chest.
Not far away, Sylvia saw this entire scene and lightly snorted. “Humph, airhead.”
As the banquet progressed, the guests became more absorbed in the atmosphere and relaxed more.
Batch after batch of guests exchanged their contact information with Han Xiao before being content enough to retreat. Han Xiao finally managed to get a breather and sighed in relief as he grabbed one of the alcoholic beverages from a floating tray. He drained half the cocktail, which held a blue gradient, to moisten his throat.
The cooling yet spicy alcohol flowed into his throat, and there was an aftertaste of sweetness. Han Xiao felt rejuvenated and smiled.
Walking to a corner, he slowly drank whilst surveying the scene.
After working for so many years, the Black Star Army had finally reached its current scale, which gave Han Xiao mixed feelings.
“What are you reminiscing about?” Hila carried a deep red cocktail as she walked over.
“How did you know?” Han Xiao raised a brow.
“I’ve known you for so long. How could I not understand? Seeing your eyes, I know that you’re recalling something,” Hila blandly replied.
“Speaking of, I just recalled something. Twenty years ago, back on Planet Aquamarine, when I just… cough, just lost my memories, you were the first friend I met, and the earliest.”
“That’s right. In the blink of an eye, it’s been so many years.” Hila followed Han Xiao’s gaze and looked around the entire venue. “Those years, I struggled in despair and never thought that I would step into the universe one day and have such a future. Now, looking back, it seems like those days on Planet Aquamarine belonged to a past life.”
“Thinking back, I endured for a good half a year in the Germinal Organization base. It was lucky that you left the base once in a while, or else I would never have escaped.”
“It’s good that you know this.” The corners of Hila’s mouth curled up.
Han Xiao laughed as he reminisced, but suddenly, his laughter stopped, and he shook his head. “There are so many things that happened after. You felt that you owed me, so you always chose to fight for me. However, your ability is not only at this level, and you have the potential to reach Beyond Grade A. One day, you will obtain this power, and at that time, will you still fight shoulder to shoulder with me?”
Hila hesitated for a while before shaking her head. “I don’t know.”
“An honest answer. Promises are the most unreliable thing. Who can predict the future properly?” Han Xiao shrugged and raised his glass. “At least, you’re still by my side now. To our friendship, cheers.”
“You sound so old fashioned.”
“Please, we’re already in our forties… although if we look from the perspective of our life spans, we’re just little brats.”
“You’re the little brat.”
Hila’s expression was disdainful, but a smile still hung on her lips as she raised her glass to clink Han Xiao’s.
“Cheers.”
They both took a sip of their drinks.
Han Xiao wiped his mouth. He was about to say something else, but a guest suddenly walked over, as though he wished to talk, yet there was a hesitant look.
Seeing someone approached, they both stopped talking, and Han Xiao took the initiative to ask, “Is there something?”
“Your Excellency Black Star, I’m Ceselin from the Gulal Civilization. I have a matter that I would like to discuss privately.”
Gulal Civilization? Han Xiao quickly searched on his quantum network.
This was a Star Cluster Civilization that seemed to have been embroiled in civil strife for a long time. Their internal issues were serious and had evolved to the point of military division.
This Ceselin was a Calamity Grade elite belonging to the current ruling party of the civilization. Not only was he one of the strongest guardians but also an army commander with high power.
“What do you want to talk in private for?” Han Xiao raised his brow. “Can’t we talk here?”
Ceselin shook his head. “It’s not suitable in a public venue.”
“You must at least tell me your intentions.”
Ceselin paused for a moment before solemnly saying, “This is a request. Please believe me. I come with sincerity.”
Han Xiao stroked his chin, smelling the possibility of a mission.
To have a mission bring itself to me, it’s quite worthwhile to listen to it…
As he thought of this, Han Xiao passed his glass to Hila before turning to walk toward a side entrance. There were private conference rooms located along the corridor there.
“Follow me.”
