The Legendary Mechanic, page 489
“What is the third matter?” Ames asked expressionlessly.
“I hope that the Black Star Army can form an alliance with Floating Dragon,” Han Xiao said. “I hope that you will fight alongside me against Heber and Psyker.”
Upon hearing that, Ames’ face immediately became a little strange. She had already heard about the Beyond Grade A battle that shook the Shattered Star Ring. She was puzzled about Han Xiao’s actions.
“Since you want my help, why did you choose independence? You know that I would definitely help you if you chose to remain in Floating Dragon.”
Han Xiao smiled and said with a carefree tone, “I know. That’s why I gave you a chance to choose.”
Ames was stunned for a moment and immediately understood what Han Xiao meant.
The way she saw it, as long as Han Xiao chose to remain in Floating Dragon, he could tie Floating Dragon to him and ensure that she would help him to deal with his enemies for sure. However, Han Xiao did not choose to make use of his identity as a Floating Dragon officer but chose to request help after leaving Floating Dragon.
This meant that Han Xiao did not want to make use of her. If not, he could choose to borrow Floating Dragon’s strength to deal with Heber and Psyker before gaining independence. It would be akin to making full use of her before leaving.
In truth, Ames had also considered such a possibility before their meeting. Even Ames herself did not know if she would have rejected Han Xiao if he had chosen such a route. The development of the situation was truly out of her expectations.
“Are you not afraid that I will reject you?” Ames suppressed the surprise in her heart and spoke calmly. “Your life will be in danger if you want to fight both of them alone. Aren’t you afraid that you won’t be able to pass this tribulation?”
Han Xiao smiled and said, “I believe that you won’t reject me.”
Ames’ face then darkened, and she said coldly, “You are no longer my subordinate, and I haven’t accepted your alliance. Do you really think that I care a lot about you, or do you think that you have some chips in your hands that I won’t be able to reject? Do you want to make use of the Evolution Cube to persuade me? And go back on your word if I don’t agree?”
“My promise is valid regardless of whether you form an alliance with me.” Han Xiao shook his head. “That was something I brought up before leaving Floating Dragon. I am providing that benefit to you as an officer of Floating Dragon and do not plan to make use of it as a bargaining chip. You can treat it as my compensation to thank Floating Dragon for taking care of me.”
Ames had a strange look in her eyes, and she sized Han Xiao up as though she did not recognize him. “You are not someone like that in my mind.”
The way she saw it, the sequence of Han Xiao’s requests was completely wrong. He chose to leave Floating Dragon before seeking help and did not wish to use the Evolution Cube as a bargaining chip for their alliance but compensation toward Floating Dragon.
This was akin to surrendering his advantage and leaving the decision in her hands.
“Why?” Ames asked. Han Xiao’s current actions had overturned her impression of him.
Han Xiao smiled. “I just feel that there isn’t a need for there to have so much scheming between us.”
Ames’ expression froze in place, and her breathing seemed to have stopped for a second.
She then looked at Han Xiao deeply and took two steps back. “I don’t know if the words you have said are true or false, but I can at least see some sincerity.”
Han Xiao’s lips curled up slightly, and he said, “It seems like we have come to an agreement.”
“I agree to your alliance.” Ames’ eyes shone before she slowly said, “Besides, I have long wanted to have a fight with Heber. Although you are a new Beyond Grade A Super, you definitely won’t drag me down with your strength.”
“Hahaha, you are still the Ames that I know!” Han Xiao raised out his hand to shake Ames’ hand. “Alliance mate, please take care of me in the future.”
Ames looked at Han Xiao’s hand, which was floating in midair, and snorted.
“Humph, you used to call me Your Excellency Dragon Emperor but call me alliance mate now.”
After saying that, she raised out her hand as well.
Both of them shook hands.
Their alliance was set up from this moment on.
After shaking hands, they let go, and Han Xiao had a strange look on his face.
When they were shaking hands, Ames had squeezed hard as though she was throwing a tantrum. However, Han Xiao’s physical defense was too high, and he did not feel much.
Han Xiao shook his head and looked at the door of the palace. “Still eavesdropping? All of you, come in.”
Hila, Aesop, and the others walked out from behind the door with embarrassed looks on their faces.
They had all worried that Ames and Han Xiao would fall out with each other and did not go too far away. They had all been eavesdropping outside the door and were a little embarrassed since they had been caught. In actual fact, all of their actions could not possibly escape from the senses of a Beyond Grade A. It was just that Han Xiao and Ames could not be bothered with them.
Upon seeing the both of them resolving matters harmoniously, the atmosphere in the place became relaxed, and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Although the Black Star Army had left Floating Dragon, both parties had formed an alliance, and they were still allies. The barrier between both parties disappeared immediately, especially since the officers of both parties had a good relationship in the first place.
Aesop was extremely relieved that Ames did not lose control of her emotions, and the outcome was much better than what he had expected. For two Beyond Grade A organizations to form an alliance, they would be able to gain a huge advantage in the Shattered Star Ring, and it was extremely beneficial to both parties.
My prediction back then wasn’t wrong. Ames will develop better with Black Star beside her, Aesop thought to himself. Back then, he had felt that Black Star would become the Dragon Emperor’s right-hand man to support her to the next level. Although his guess was not wrong, he had gotten a small detail wrong. Black Star would not be the Dragon Emperor’s right-hand man but an equal to the Dragon Emperor.
“Alright, since you are willing to work together with me, we have to decide how we should deal with Heber and Psyker,” Han Xiao said.
“What are you prepared to do?” Ames said with excitement.
“It has been some time since they issued a challenge to me, but I have yet to give them a reply. It is time for me to give them a reply. Since they want to create trouble, we should muddy the waters further. I will issue a joint response with you and shake the Shattered Star Ring even more.” Han Xiao’s eyes gleamed.
He could also make use of this opportunity to announce the independence of the Black Star Army and their alliance with Floating Dragon.
Han Xiao was sure that this would increase his influence to the next level!
“I thought that you’d ask me to keep this matter a secret and give them a good surprise,” Ames replied.
“We won’t be able to hide it from them, and there isn’t a need to do so. Since they challenged us openly, we can also reply to them openly,” Han Xiao said. “Since they want to be high profile, we shall accompany them in being high profile!”
Ames revealed a look of interest. “It sounds very fun.”
As Hadavy and the others heard that, they immediately grew excited and were agitated to the point they had goosebumps. The Shattered Star Ring had five Beyond Grade A Supers, and four of them were involved in this battle. Only the Magus was left out, and he would probably run over to join the fun. If that was the case, this battle would involve all the Beyond Grade A Supers in the Shattered Star Ring!
This was a one in a hundred years event, and it would definitely go down in the annals of history.
Just thinking of the sight of the five Beyond Grade A appearing together made Hadavy’s blood boil.
At this moment, Han Xiao suddenly said, “Before that, I have to fulfil my promise.”
After saying that, he took out the Evolution Cube and looked at Ames.
“Do I need to make any preparations?” Ames asked.
“You don’t need to.”
“Alright.” Ames nodded.
Although she did not chase after strength, she was extremely curious about the Evolution Cube.
Opening the Evolution Cube, a wave of black particles surrounded Ames, and the gene evolution started.
Han Xiao looked at the other officers of Floating Dragon, and after seeing them nod, he controlled another new wave of black colored energy to evolve their genes.
Only Aesop waved his hands.
“Old man, don’t you want to use the Evolution Cube?” Han Xiao asked with doubt.
“Don’t need to worry about me.” Aesop waved his hands. “I used it a few hundred years ago when this item was still in the ruins. If not for the fact that it was too large and I was too lazy to find someone to shift it away, it would have been mine.”
Han Xiao truly did not know what to say.
…
The gene evolution continued for quite some time, and all the officers of Floating Dragon completed their evolution. Their strength experienced varying degrees of improvements, and they all had looks of joy on their faces. Only Ames was still being surrounded by the black particles.
After a few hours, Ames broke out of the ‘cocoon’ and experienced a huge change.
All the others had gone down to rest, and Han Xiao was the only one left in the hall. He was currently seated on Ames’ throne and scrolling through the forums for entertainment. Upon seeing Ames exit, he walked forward to Ames with a look of curiosity.
“How do you feel?”
Ames did not reply, and her brows were furrowed as though she was trying to feel something. Her figure then disappeared suddenly.
Han Xiao was stunned for a moment and extended his senses to feel the undulations of space around him.
At his current level, apart from his five basic senses, he could detect other things such as radiation, energy waves, and so on.
After extending his senses, Han Xiao was stunned for a moment.
He could see Ames making circles around him in the Void Dimension.
“You are able to enter the Void Dimension?” Han Xiao asked with shock and entered the Void Dimension as well.
“It seems like this is my new ability,” Ames said excitedly.
Floating Dragon Island was built on top of the skeleton of a Void Dragon, and Ames had consumed the Void Dragon Pith before. Thus, she had a trace of Void Genes in her, which was activated by the Evolution Cube.
Although they were not from the same Beyond Grade A race, they both had Void Genes, and a portion of their genes were similar.
After playing for a while, Ames left the Void Dimension and began testing her new strength.
“The effect of the Evolution Cube is truly amazing. The strength, range, and control of my Force Field have been increased, and my physique seems to have improved.”
That is because your attributes have increased…
Han Xiao had some experience with this. Ames did not have an interface and could not see the changes in her body.
Chapter 771. You“d Better Not Run |
After both parties formed an alliance, Floating Dragon changed their drifting trajectory and headed toward the headquarters of the Black Star Army. They would work together with Han Xiao during this period.
Since Ames had chosen to fight by Han Xiao’s side, she naturally had to bring her personal weapon along. Floating Dragon had another two more islands, and using it to smash others would definitely be more painful.
Han Xiao then got Reynolds to inform the army’s logistics department to modify some empty backup satellite fortresses. Han Xiao was prepared to give them to Ames so that she could use them as her weapon. After all, she could not always use her main camp as her weapon.
After using the Evolution Cube, everyone rested for a day before Han Xiao and Ames gathered all the officers together.
This time, it was to reply to the Tyrant’s challenge.
Before announcing his response to the world, Han Xiao decided to contact the Tyrant privately.
The secret war had been fought for such a long time, and the two parties had not contacted each other before. The last time they had seen each other was more than ten years ago at the Tyrant’s gathering. Back then, he had been only Ames’ follower, and Heber had tried to recruit him.
Han Xiao did not have the Tyrant’s communicator number, but Ames had it in her communicator. This time, he was going to borrow Ames’ communicator to contact Heber, which Ames had no issues with.
Han Xiao then opened Ames’ communicator and pulled out Heber’s number from the blacklist. Because of Heber’s pursuit, Ames had always blocked his number.
Han Xiao then sent a communication request to the Tyrant.
Beep beep!
After a few seconds, the communication request went through, and Heber’s image appeared on the communicator.
“Ames? You are finally going to… Hmm? Black Star‽”
Heber immediately frowned. Ames’ name appeared on his communicator, and he thought that Ames had finally thought things through and decided to agree to become his partner. However, he had never imagined that the call would be made by Black Star.
“Ames formed an alliance with you?” Heber immediately reacted.
Han Xiao only nodded.
Heber’s eyes narrowed, and his expression remained emotionless.
For a few years, many organizations had been spreading rumors about the Black Star Army and Floating Dragon splitting up. When Han Xiao became a Beyond Grade A, Heber knew that both of them would definitely split up, and Heber was hoping that Black Star and Ames would become enemies as a result. The outcome that he did not want to see was the two of them becoming allies.
“It seems like the little tricks of those organizations weren’t able to shake your relationship,” Heber said calmly.
“You don’t seem anxious at all.” Han Xiao raised his brows.
“It makes no difference to me,” Heber said. “Tell Ames that I will give her a final chance. As long as she stays out of this matter, I can ignore her. I will not show any mercy otherwise.”
“Get your head out the clouds. I didn’t ask you to show any mercy,” Ames said coldly upon hearing those words.
Heber ignored her and said to Han Xiao while shaking his head, “Black Star, I gave you a chance a long time ago. It is a pity that you didn’t treasure it and rejected my invitation. If you are contacting me to plead for mercy, it is too late. We are now enemies, and there isn’t anything to talk about between us.”
“I called you to respond to your challenge. Set a time and place,” Han Xiao said with a deep voice.
Through his Observer’s Mark, Han Xiao knew that Psyker had contacted Heber privately and invited Heber to work together with him. However, the Tyrant rejected and insisted on dealing with Black Star alone but did not stop Psyker from going to view their battle. Thus, both parties had issued separate challenges.
Han Xiao also understood Heber’s thoughts from the conversation between the two. Heber did not only want to take revenge but also want to establish his prestige with a new Beyond Grade A Super. Heber wanted to have as many people paying attention to this matter as possible and thus publicly set a time and invited the various organizations to watch the battle.
“Alright,” Heber said resolutely. “The time will be set twenty days from now. The location will be in the desolate universe belt between the Colton Star Cluster and Seoul Star Cluster. I will announce the coordinates publicly.”
Choosing a neutral region between the two made it convenient for Bloodshed Land to send out their army and create a confrontation between Purple Crystal and Klent. It was still equivalent to both the civilizations fighting a proxy war.
Heber set the date twenty days from then so that the news would be able to spread throughout the Star Field and attract more people to witness his battle with Black Star. However, he would not drag the battle on for too long as he did not want to give Han Xiao too much time to prepare. He also did not want the matter to die down and wanted to establish his prestige when Black Star’s influence was at the peak.
If Black Star wanted to back out of the battle, Heber would not lose out either. Heber could just say that Black Star was afraid of him and did not dare appear for their battle. He would also be able to build up his prestige as well and have a reason to visit the Black Star Army headquarters.
“Alright, you’d better not run when the time comes,” Han Xiao said without much hesitation.
Han Xiao then hung up without waiting for Heber to reply.
“This fellow is still as domineering as usual. How annoying,” Ames said with her eyes narrowed and her force field energy being gathered in her palms. Every time she saw the Tyrant’s annoying face, she had the urge to smash her Floating Dragon down on him.
“In any case, the time and location have been decided. We just have to show up when the time comes.” Han Xiao looked at all the officers. “You lot heard the conversation, right? Announce it to the public in the name of the Black Star Army.”
“Understood.” Sylvia nodded and started a long-distance conference. As the Chief Administrative Official, public relations was her job.
“There’s still twenty days…”
Han Xiao’s eyes glimmered. It seemed like this would be all the time he had for preparations.
…
The challenge given out by the Tyrant and Star Pupil created a huge commotion in the Shattered Star Ring, but Black Star had not given an official response. Many individuals had their appetites whet and were looking forward to the development of the matter.
Because of the storm created by the battle, many Supers who wanted to join the Black Star Army controlled themselves and waited to observe what happened. Thus, there were not too many who applied to the Black Star Army during this period. However, Han Xiao was also aware about this and thus did not start his recruitment.
