Dark blue tail flames extended from the deep cosmic space and brought light to the dark universe. The trail stopped at the dock of the Floating Dragon Island, which was orbiting Planet Aquamarine.
Although they had a lazy leader, Floating Dragon still expanded to having five islands and close to a hundred million residents. Most came from Planet Aquamarine. Staying on Planet Aquamarineâs surface meant they had to be ruled by the Aquamarine Federation, but Floating Dragon was a neutral island with no regime, so it was freer. Plus, they could experience galactic society while still being close to their home, so it was a good holiday destination, which was why the tourism industry of Floating Dragon was booming.
The Black Star Army fleet parked on the main dock and immediately attracted the attention of countless people. When Han Xiao walked out from the cabin with a group of subordinates in the Black Star Army uniform, people instantly swarmed over with excitement.
âIt really is Black Star!â
âYou make us proud!â
âCan you give me an autograph? My grandfather loves you!â
Han Xiao was surrounded by the crowd and could hardly move.
Hearing the noisy yells and feeling the passion from everyone, Han Xiao used his classic smile, which was quite effective and made the crowd even more thrilled.
Most of the people there were born on Planet Aquamarine. They were taught about Black Star from a young age and were almost all admirers of Black Star. Lately, due to the three Universal Civilizationsâ promotion, his reputation had become extremely positive. He was almost worshipped by Planet Aquamarineâs people as an almighty God. This time, the Floating Dragon soldiers who had been waiting for quite some time walked over, split up the crowd, and opened a path.
Jenny approached with an expressionless face. She then said in a tone that completely lacked any emotion or sincerity, âWelcome to Floating Dragon, Your Excellency Black Star.â
âYou donât sound like Iâm that welcomed,â Han Xiao joked.
âNo, Iâm thrilled.â With her eyes opened wide, she moved aside and made a âpleaseâ gesture. âFollow me.â
The two of them left with their subordinates, leaving the crowd on the dock watching them disappear in their sights. Quite a number of people shot knowing looks at each other. Gossip about Black Star and Ames had been passing around in the Shattered Star Ring for decades, and that was even more so on Planet Aquamarine. Almost everyone knew about it.
There was a reason it started in the first place. Black Star frequently visited Floating Dragon, and Dragon Emperor moved her base to Black Starâs home planet. If someone were to say there was nothing between the two of them, not a single person from Planet Aquamarine would believe it.
Han Xiao and Jenny walked at the front and led the others through one street after another, receiving thrilled looks from countless passersby and chatting here and there. Han Xiao glanced at her. âYou seem to be in a good mood today.â
âWhy do you say so?â Jenny wondered.
âYour attitude to me isnât as bad as before.â
â...Humph.â Jenny snorted softly. âIf you liked it, I can go back to that.â
She had never liked Black Star, partly because he gave her tons of work and partly because of Ames. However, after watching the recent news, although Jenny never mentioned it, she actually did admire Black Star somewhat. If she continued to be so cold to Black Star, she would not feel good about it.
âTsk.â Han Xiao shook his head. âI liked you more when you were defiant.â
Jenny secretly rolled her eyes and did not bother responding to Han Xiao. At this time, they arrived at a junction and heard the sound of dense footsteps, as well as the clear and loud sound of metal rubbing against metal. They looked over and saw a group of Floating Dragon warriors in dark gold heavy armor pushing several creatures from different races that had their heads covered in black cloth. They hastily passed by on the street not far away from them. The pedestrians around quickly stepped out of their way like they were horrified.
These warriors were covered by armor from head to toe, including their faces. They gave off a cold-blooded merciless vibe while walking. There were two symbols on their chest armor. One was Floating Dragonâs symbol, and the other was a symbol Han Xiao had never seen before.
âWho are those people? I donât recall seeing them the last time I was here.â Han Xiao was curious.
âTheyâre the Hunters. They recently split from Wilsanderâs law enforcement team and became an independent division,â Jenny explained briefly.
Harrison saw that the creatures that were being escorted had dried blood marks on their clothes, so he asked, âWhat are they going to do to those people?â
As soon as he asked that, Han Xiao and Jenny both turned and glanced at him with a strange expression.
âWhâWhat?â Harrison was a little terrified and nervous from being looked at by the two of them.
Jenny did not bother about him but looked at Han Xiao. âBlack Star, where did you get this newbie from again? He doesnât seem to know when to speak.â
âDonât say that. Harrison is a great kid. Heâs helped me a lot.â Han Xiao did not mind it and smiled. âI like it when youâre being mean. It just feels right.â
âHumph.â Jenny sized Harrison up, waved her hand, and said, âSince youâre so curious, why donât we go and take a look? Itâs not that far anyway.â
âEr... can we?â Harrison looked at Han Xiao.
âGo take a look then.â Han Xiao nodded. Although he was Harrisonâs boss now, he would still try to satisfy the tiny requests of someone with Advanced Luck Glow.
The group of them followed after the Hunters and came to the edge of Floating Dragon Island. The translucent light gold protective shield separated them from the vacuum of space right outside. A large crowd had already formed around, but the Hunters did not mind it at all. They did not chase the bystanders away and focused on their tasks. They lined up the people blinded by black cloth in a row and made them kneel down. They then opened up a small part of the light gold protective shield. As an opening was created on the gold shield, the group of people who had no armor got sucked out instantly. They were exposed to the cosmic space and started to struggle in agony, like fish jumping around on the cutting board.
Very soon, these people struggled less and less. A layer of white snow appeared on all of them, and their bodily functions were destroyed by the vacuum. Their faces were hidden under the black cloth, or their twisted facial expressions would have shown as well.
The next moment, the Hunters raised the firearms in their hands and fired simultaneously.
Green beams shot out from their guns, shattering those people who were about to turn into ice sculptures into pieces that drifted out into cosmic space.
âIs this an execution?â Harrison opened his eyes wide. âWhat crime did they commit? Isnât this too cruel?â
Although he had never come to the Shattered Star Ring, he did some slight research about Floating Dragon when he heard their schedule had changed.
As the Black Star Armyâs galactic pirate happy little house was too famous, the galactic pirates in the Shattered Star Ring all transferred their business elsewhere. Floating Dragon, too, stopped letting galactic pirates in. This place had become an orderly safe and free city.
He had expected the atmosphere in Floating Dragon to be very positive, but to his surprise, Floating Dragon shockingly carried out death sentences right before countless spectators. This was not something that would happen in an orderly city at all. Furthermore, open execution was a special trait of places that were ruled by terror. He did not expect to see something so violent here at all.
âCruel? Look around you,â Jenny said with a displeased tone. âWhich one of them thinks itâs cruel?â
Harrison turned and looked around. To his absolute shock, all the people around looked happy, and some were even clapping.
Jenny looked at Han Xiao and snorted. âOneâs enemies increase with oneâs fame. In recent years, there have been multiple infiltration cases on Planet Aquamarine. These culprits are spies and rebels of different organizations. They have advanced technology, and their goal is to infiltrate Planet Aquamarine, through messing up your mother planet, causing damage to you... Some had their eyes on Floating Dragon and attempted to build secret strongholds here or make use of the geographical location of Floating Dragon to launch destructive weapons at Planet Aquamarine. Hence, we formed the Hunters, who exclusively clear out these spies... Black Star, weâve helped you block quite a lot of pressure.â
Hearing this, Harrison finally understood. Most people around were from Planet Aquamarine. No wonder they were so glad. These people were criminals who were planning to attack their mother planet, so not only was publicly executing them not cruel but even beneficial to making the people feel assured.
âThanks.â Han Xiao smiled. Ames had moved Floating Dragon there because she wanted to help him stop these evil people.
âJust a thanks?â
Han Xiao thought for a moment and said, âIâll bring you some special magic potions that stimulate hair growth for you next time as a present then.â
â... Go find Ames yourself!â Jennyâs face turned green. She suppressed her impulse of yelling at Han Xiao right on the spot and left straight away.
Seeing this, confused, Harrison mumbled on the side, âYour Excellency Black Star, you stand at the top of the universe. Why is this woman so disrespectful toward you?â
âIâve known her for decades, and weâve always been like this. Thereâs no point making the difference in positions so clear between friends.â Han Xiao waved.
âI see, youâre really generous...â Harrison praised Han Xiao subtly and asked, âWhatâs her name then?â
âYou donât know? Jenny is the Chief Administrator of Floating Dragon. Sheâs the Dragon Emperorâs sister and good friend. You should know that from your internet research.â
âI didnât go to so much detail... but I see, her name is Jenny. I think sheâs quite pretty...â
â... When did you go blind?â Han Xiao suddenly stopped in place, sized him up, and said with a surprised tone, âHave you fallen in love with her?â
Harrison slightly blushed and reluctantly said, âI wouldnât call it love. Iâve only met her once, after all...â
âOh, got it, you lust for her body.â
Harrison was speechless and did not know what to say.
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. He did not know much about Jennyâs private life in his previous life, but he knew that Harrison remained single all the way till he sacrificed himself during the World Tree Civilization war.
Although Jenny might be more than a hundred years older than Harrison, she maintained herself very well and looked like she was just thirty.
Furthermore, age was just a number; love was what mattered. This was a win-win. This might work out!
Having thought of that, Han Xiao patted Harrisonâs shoulder and giggled.
âGo for it if you like her. Iâll be your shield. Quickly conquer her and adjust her personality. I donât mind her personality because weâre old friends, but with the way she is, sheâll definitely get beaten up often if she ever goes out.â
Harrison blushed even more. âWhat should I do? I have no experience...â
âHmm? Youâre the second-generation owner of a big financial group, but you have never been in a relationship?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI liked reading books more back then...â
âShameful!â Han Xiao was hurt. âYouâve wasted being born with a silver spoon!â
While the two of them chatted about nonsense, they arrived before Amesâ palace. Han Xiao told Harrison and the rest of his subordinates to wait at the stronghold while he tidied up his clothes and stepped into Amesâ palace.
He walked all the way to the garden filled with rare greenery. Ames was lying sideways on the long bed in the middle of the garden. Her black dress looked like a blossoming black flower. She was using her force field to play with the revive token that Hila had given to her by making it fly around the garden. The table beside her was filled with food and drinks.
Hearing footsteps, Ames retrieved the coin, turned to look at Han Xiao, smiled, and patted on the mattress.
âYouâre here. Quick, come and sit. Iâve waited a long time for you.â Han Xiao walked forward, grabbed a crystal blue wine glass on the way that was filled with wine, sat at the edge of the mattress, and took a sip. âOld Man Aesop made this again?â
As soon as he said that, he felt a pair of white arms above his shoulders.
Ames placed her chin on his shoulders from behind and asked curiously, âWhat did you do in the Ancient Star Desert? The news has little detail. I want to hear it from you.â
Han Xiao was not surprised by her intimate actions. During the trip to the secondary dimensions, the two of them had spent months with each other alone. Their relationship had become much closer. Although Ames hated to have any physical contact with others, he was an exception.
âForget that for now. Iâve brought you a present.â
Han Xiao snapped his fingers. A virtual screen popped up and displayed a list of the Esper class Ultimate Knowledges.
âThe three Universal Civilizations have allowed me to acquire Ultimate Knowledges and teach them to others, but thereâs a limit. Pick one you want. Iâll get it for you.â
âSo nice?â Ames blinked. âLet me guess, youâre not just giving this to me exclusively. Youâll also teach this knowledge to other Espers, such as Hila, right?â
âOf course.â Han Xiao nodded.
âNow that sounds like you more,â Ames smirked slightly. She looked at the screen and pointed at one item with her long finger. Han Xiao glanced at it. âThis doesnât seem like the most suitable one for you.â âDidnât you say thereâs a limit to the number of knowledges you can exchange? Never mind me, as long as itâs suitable for Hila and Aurora.â Ames smiled.
âYouâre too concerned about them.â Han Xiao sighed.
âTheyâre my only students. Theyâre like my children. Who else will I care for if not them?â Ames casually slammed Han Xiaoâs chest, making a loud âbangâ sound like beating on a drum. âQuick, tell me stories. I want to hear them.â
Han Xiao finished up the wine. He casually picked up the crystal blue fruits on the table and tossed them in his mouth. He then started to talk about every detail of his experience in the Ancient Star Desert.
After telling stories for more than half a day, Ames finally let Han Xiao go with satisfaction and made him promise to continue tomorrow.
Han Xiao left the palace and was about to look for Aesop, but Aesop had already surprisingly come looking for him at the army stronghold.
Han Xiao returned to the stronghold and saw Aesop sitting in the hall right away, accompanied by Harrison and the others.
âOld man, I was just about to look for you. Did you foresee something again, so you came to find me?â
Han Xiao sat opposite Aesop and joked with him.
âStop messing around. Iâm here to speak about something serious with you today.â Aesop put down the glass in his hands. His tone was rather serious.
âHow rare.â Han Xiao was a little curious. âWhat do you want to speak with me about?â
âLately, my passive foresight has been triggering very frequently. I think itâs better to tell you some of the things.â
Aesop raised one finger and said with a deep voice, âFirst, I saw a special existence landing on Planet Aquamarine, and Iâve seen his appearance clearly.â
âSince you know what he looks like, why not just go tell Bennett and let him cross-reference it with the planet surveillance to find this person?â
âThatâs the problem...â Aesop frowned. âIâve looked all over Planet Aquamarine. Thereâs no record of this person anywhere. There are no witness reports of this person too... Itâs like this person doesnât exist.â
âIs your prophecy wrong?â âNo, Iâve never felt as strongly about a prophecy. I canât exactly explain why, but I can say with full certainty that this prophecy is reliable.â
âThen what else is special about this person you saw?â
Hearing this, Aesop glanced at Han Xiao.
âAccording to my prophecy... you seem to have already crossed paths with him very long ago.â