A couple of days later, in the outer square of Black Star Palace, the newly arrived batches of players from the Blackhole Edge were looking left and right in curiosity and wonder. Their mixed uniforms and equipment made them look like a group of incompetent soldiers, a stark contrast to the uniform look for the Black Star Army members.

A large number of Southeast Asian players had jumped ship to join the army, and some of them could not wait to enjoy the benefits of being part of the Black Star Army, buying supplies in bulk and accepting the Main Storyline mission of [Flickering World] from the army. The other group were more casual players, and after joining the army, they arrived together at Black Star Palace with the idea of recognizing the future Players’ Main City of their faction.

Among them, most of the players were Mechanics. They came to the Black Star Palace with the mentality of performing a pilgrimage.

Because most of the Chinese players were out on missions, with the addition of this new batch of players, the originally silent palace turned lively once more.

“This is the base of the Black Star Army in the Flickering World? It’s quite spectacular.”

“The space is huge, and the facilities are abundant. Really good stuff.”

“Will I be able to meet Black Star?”

The group of players from the Blackhole Edge chattered on, excitedly looking around Black Star Palace, their eyes sparkling.

They had roamed about the universe in the last three versions, but the factions they served could not even be compared to the Black Star Army. Just based on the size, they were not on the same level. Even the mother planets of some Star Cluster level civilizations were not as well built as Black Star Palace. For many of these players, it was their first time setting eyes on such a magnificent location.

“There are a lot of high-levelled NPCs here, a whole bunch of characters with the ‘Fatally Dangerous’ note.”

“If we cause trouble here, we’ll definitely be killed, right?”

The majority of the players suppressed their arrogance, not daring to mess around in Black Star’s territory.

They were not afraid of the smaller organizations such as the Lesykes Mercenary Group and could behave fearlessly. But in the face of a behemoth like the Black Star Army, they did not dare cause trouble as these organizations had the ability to restrain them.

Among the group were also spies sent in by the Southeast Asian clubs. Because the Black Star Army did not show any bias toward the players, they had smoothly mixed in.

Disregarding the countless screaming players around them, these spies with their own special missions opened the dazzling array of faction stores and mission lists, looking through them.

Having successfully joined, as long as they worked hard to contribute and increase their ranks within the army, they could enjoy more benefits and do more purchasing for their guilds.

Their plan was a success!

At this moment, Hadavy, Feidin, and the rest of the Black Star Guards hurried over, attracting the attention of this group of players.

“Hey, look over there, the famous Black Star Guards!”

“The senior figures of the Black Star Army! I have all their decks, and now I can finally meet them in the flesh.”

“Feidin! I love you!”

In the distance, Feidin heard the screams, and he came to a stop. Glancing over, he saw the motley group of Immortals and could only helplessly wave back.

Feidin had a high reputation among the players, and this reputation was not just limited to the Shattered Star Ring.

Since these Blackhole Edge players wanted to join the army, they had done their research beforehand. Furthermore, due to the promotion via Wayne Cards, Feidin was a popular idol in the Black Star Army.

“Why is it that you’re so popular? Even those newcomers like you so much.” Hadavy was a little salty.

“You will find the answer when you look into the mirror,” one of the Black Star Guards murmured.

“…” Hadavy could not come up with a response.

Looking at Hadavy’s struggling expression, Feidin could not take it and could only ruefully smile as he patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. You’re not that ugly.”

“… I can’t cheer myself up with this.”

The entourage of Black Star Guards did not stop to chat with the new players. They quickened their footsteps, disappearing from the players’ sights.

At the same time, the eyes of those spies hiding in the crowd flashed.

Some of them not only shouldered the mission of purchasing supplies for their guild, they also had another mission, which was to infiltrate the army and monitor their movements.

While the Southeast Asian clubs did not change factions, the Flickering World contained a multitude of opportunities for them to reach out to top tier organizations. They had also secretly contacted some organizations, of which the most commonly contacted one was the Limitless Financial Group.

Sorokin had a strong interest in the player community. He tried to test out the players from the Black Star Army in the past but had suffered a loss instead. Right now, given that the players from the other Star Fields were grouping in the Flickering World, it was an opportunity for him, and he had arranged some people to contact the Blackhole Edge players.

While he did not have an interface, after a long period of research, Sorokin had also figured out some rules regarding the players. Thus, he specifically looked for those players who did not immediately switch over to join the army to issue employment tasks. The contents were to request for the players to provide information on the movements of the Black Star Army. In particular, he wanted to know Black Star’s own movements, and the rewards were generous. While he did not know of the underlying principle, the fact of the matter was, as long as he offered enough money, the players would turn into the best spies.

Using gold to pave the way resulted in many of the Southeast Asian clubs accepting Sorokin’s mission, which was equivalent to him having a pair of eyes inside the army.

Sorokin’s focus on Han Xiao’s movements was intentional. Not long ago, Gorutan had gotten into a conflict with Hila. The federation and the church each had their own thoughts about Hila. As their collaborator, Sorokin had to monitor Han Xiao’s movements, providing intelligence for both parties to plan their operations.

Many of the spies glanced at each other, softly exchanging words.

“The Black Star Guards are all present, which means Black Star should also be inside.”

“Without seeing him directly, can this still be considered as completing the mission?”

“Should be. The Black Star Guards’ responsibility is to protect, so wherever they are, there is a high chance that Black Star will also be there.”

…

On the other side, Hadavy and the rest of the Black Star Guards arrived at the core of the palace. They orderly proceeded toward an advanced training room, where a mechanical host bearing Han Xiao’s Lord’s Avatar took guard at the door. Aurora sat in the middle of the room, spewing out life energy that spread out in a white-gold halo around her. This halo followed her breathing as it fluctuated.

“Army Commander.” The group greeted the avatar at the door before turning to look at Aurora.

Hadavy breathed in deeply, feeling his spirits rejuvenate, and exclaimed, “What an intense life energy fluctuation. Her quality seems to have sublimated once again?”

Feidin nodded. “Black Star, is this Aurora’s advancement?”

Han Xiao’s avatar nodded. “Her accumulated life energy has finally broken through the critical point and brought her a qualitative change in her life level.”

Before Version 4.0, Aurora had been close to the threshold of the Calamity Grade. With the extra half year of accumulation, she had finally hit the required amount and broken through.

Watched by the group, Aurora closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly as the light emitted by the life energy became brighter, gradually filling the entire room.

After a long time, the light was slowly reabsorbed into Aurora, and her body displayed some obvious changes. Her platinum blonde hair swayed slightly even without any breeze present, and every strand seemed to be filled with endless vitality.

Her skin had become smoother and more supple without flaws. The milky white skin revealed a sacred aura, as though she was some exquisite artwork.

Aurora opened her eyes, slowly breathing out. Her breath, filled with the energy of life, seemed to change even the air of the room itself, giving the hard, cold steel of the room a feeling as though one had stepped into the wilderness of nature.

Her advancement was vastly different from most Calamity Grades’. There was no destructive movement; all she required was sufficient life energy, without any bottlenecks along the way.

Standing up, Aurora’s eyes revealed some happiness, and she walked up to Han Xiao’s avatar before excitedly chattering. “Uncle, I’ve reached the Calamity Grade. Are there any changes?”

Han Xiao sized Aurora up. Her originally petite and cute looks had transformed into something taller, with a better figure. Her facial features had also changed to be more refined, and the holiness seeping out from within her made others involuntarily feel warm toward her. This was a completely different style compared to the cold, glamorous blade that was Hila.

“You’ve become prettier,” Han Xiao joked. “Other Grade As are called Calamity Grades, but for you, no matter how I see it, there’s nothing Calamitous about you. Excellent, I’m proud of you.”

Aurora blinked a few times, her heart blooming with joy from the praise. However, as though she recalled something, she suddenly pouted. “Humph, so many flowery words, but you still ran over to my sister and did not personally witness me step into the Calamity Grade.”

Han Xiao was helpless about it. He had left Black Star Palace a few days ago, quietly going over to the Emerald Star Cluster to meet Hila.

He was clear that with a sudden influx of players, there would be many more eyes. Thus, it was inevitable that there would be spies monitoring his movements. He had left the Black Star Guards there as a simple misdirection while he went off to the Emerald Star Cluster. He had two reasons for going there; one was to compete for the Primal Chaos Mysterious Energy in the near future, and the other was to reduce the risk Hila would face. While his Lord’s Avatar could display some strength, it was nowhere near the abilities he displayed with his true body.

However, this caused him to miss the promotion of Aurora.

Han Xiao dryly coughed before exchanging a glance with Feidin.

With Feidin’s ’emotional intelligence’, even if he could not read anything from the eyes of the machine, he understood what Han Xiao was trying to say. He immediately changed the topic as he asked, “After reaching the Calamity Grade, how much have your abilities changed?”

Hearing that, Aurora rolled her eyes toward Han Xiao before turning to Feidin. She carefully looked within her body before raising her hand to emit a ball of life energy. The intensity was a lot stronger compared to when she was at Grade B.

“My life energy accumulation has increased many times from when I was a Grade B, and my healing powers have further increased. Right now, the same amount of life energy should be three or four times more potent than in the past.”

Hearing this, Han Xiao felt a little regret that he was not present, or else he could have tried to find out how much Aurora’s ‘milk’ had improved.

Hadavy could not wait, however. “Let me try it out.”

Aurora shot him a side-eye but emitted a beam of life energy that sank into his body.

The next moment, Hadavy’s eyes opened wide, and he experienced such great comfort that he moaned uncontrollably.

“Uhhh…”

Han Xiao shivered, almost activating the mute mode out of reflex.

D*mn you, what’s with that moan‽

When I first knew you, you were a stubborn battle maniac, so why is it you’ve fallen to such a depraved state‽

Was your brain beaten to mush by me the past few years‽

Distressing indeed!

“What are you moaning for?” Everyone felt the same chill run up their spine.

Hadavy hastily covered his mouth and only recovered after quite a few seconds. He exclaimed in joy, “So good! I felt as though I relaxed a lot, like a weight had been taken off me somehow!”

Seeing his exaggerated expression, everyone half believed and half doubted him. However, all their doubts vanished once they experienced it for themselves. They stared at Aurora with their mouths agape, as though they were looking at some priceless heirloom.

Aurora turned shy at the stares, whispering, “After I advanced, my abilities seemed to have more functions, such as being able to stimulate the potential of the target and improve their status while accelerating recovery.”

“This is indeed true.” Feidin nodded. “I feel that my spirit is now more sensitive, and my energy is more lively. Not only that, but her life energy seems to have some soothing ability to placate one’s emotions.”

Han Xiao was quite surprised, but because his true body was not present, he could only go around and tap on his guards to get their combat information.

In addition to treatment, there were also selective gains for targets of her life energy. The additional ability gave a twenty-percent increase toward the upper limit of one’s HP, Energy, and Stamina. There was an overall twelve-percent increase in resistance, a seven to eleven percent range increase for all attributes, and a ten to fifteen percent increase in ability strength. This bonus range should gradually increase as she continued to develop her abilities.

Not only was she a milkmaid, she was also a super strong support character!

At the same time, her life energy was able to appease the mental state, expelling any violent tendencies and calming the target down. It would even eliminate any hostility that the target held toward her and produce a desire to protect her. While her power was extremely lacking in attack power, she had a special protection ability.

In addition, the shelf life of her life energy could now be extended by tens of times. The blood connection between Hila and Aurora also increased, resembling that of quantum connection where they could feel each other’s vital signs regardless of distance.

Aurora also had a vague feeling that if she further developed her ability gene chain, she would be able to share her life energy with Hila regardless of the distance. At present, she needed to familiarize herself with the changes in the Calamity Grade.

“Worthy of an S ranked Esper Ability. The higher the state of life, the more features it unlocks.” Han Xiao was happy for her.

In the past, Aurora turned into jam too early, so no one knew what would happen if she advanced. Right now, she was giving him a lot of surprises.

At this moment, Han Xiao suddenly had a hypothesis and immediately dragged Feidin and Aurora to the biological laboratory, using them for an experiment.

He got Aurora to repeatedly wash Feidin with life energy, and he withdrew some of Feidin’s cells each time, comparing the difference in the cells’ basic activity.

Before long, the results of the experiment returned. Comparing the data between each baptism of life energy, Han Xiao could not help but sigh.

“I should have thought of this a long time ago. The abilities of the two sisters are diametrically opposed, so if Hila can rob the life of people, Aurora… can increase one’s lifespan!”

The experimental data clearly showed that the later samples all showed some form of weak increase in basic cell activity.

In other words, the more ‘milk’ one got from Aurora, the longer their life span!

At Grade B, this feature had yet to awaken, and right now, she was only a Calamity Grade. Thus, the effect of life extension was weak, far less than Hila’s ability to reap life.

But if she continued to grow, then would she not become an enhanced version of Tripiṭaka’s flesh[1]‽

It seemed like he had just gotten his hands on another support treasure…

[1] In the mythology ‘Journey to the West’ featuring Sun Wukong, demons always tried to obtain his flesh as it would give them immortality.

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