The Legendary Mechanic

by <unknown>

  …

  In the next ten or so days, Teny went to consult Han Xiao every two days. Their relationship gradually improved, and they slowly turned into friends. This future marshal of the dynasty was treating himself as the student when he was with Han Xiao.

  Of course, due to identity reasons, it was impossible for him to really become Han Xiao’s student. However, Beyond Grade As had zero obligation to teach their experience to anyone. Han Xiao being so generous was doing him quite a huge favor. Despite being suspicious, Teny was not someone that could not differentiate the good from the bad. With this in his mind, of course, he would not distance himself from Han Xiao.

  Also, every time Teny came, he would bring Corbus along. Han Xiao had some knowledge about this person as well—he was very loyal to Teny, and Teny treated his subordinates well, which gave this guy quite a lot of extra benefits.

  Han Xiao felt that he could do something about Corbus. Like chasing a girl, bribing her best friend was a shortcut. Of course, he could not bribe Teny’s loyal subordinates, but if he did a great favor for Corbus, Teny might have even more gratitude for him given how Teny had taken care of Corbus.

  More than half a month passed. The fleet finally arrived at the dynasty’s military stargate station at the Shattered Star Ring.

  In the dark universe, a hexagonal stargate hovered. Thick space energy flew inside the gate, forming a deep blue vortex. Around it was the dynasty’s heavy universe fortresses with garrisoned troops. Unlike the citizen-use station, no spaceship could enter or leave the stargate there—this was only for the dynasty’s troops to use.

  As the fleet approached, this stargate expanded in their sights. When getting close, the edges of this stargate seemed to extend to the end of one’s sights. It was enormous and marvelous.

  “Warning! Warning! Psionic Annihilation Beam aim lock detected!”

  The artificial intelligence on the main ship that Han Xiao was in alerted them. The people were not surprised. They knew that they would be locked on by the guarding troops as soon as they entered a certain distance around the military stargate.

  The artificial intelligence received a message from the guarding troops. “Stop advancing, report your identity.”

  “Black Star.” Han Xiao validated his identity.

  After a while, he finally received a confirmation message of his identity. The guarding troops removed the annihilation beam’s aim lock and signaled for the fleet to advance.

  This time, the main fleet received a communication request from the guarding troops. After picking up, a person that seemed to be the commander appeared on the screen and said with an expressionless face, “Your Excellency Black Star, Envoy Zoel has told us to set your course in advance. This stargate teleportation will be in direct mode.

  “The target is Crimson Ring Star Zone 8, the dynasty’s territory. There will be a team of troops there sent by the mother planet to receive you. They will open a flight path and bring you guys for hyperjump. Only then will you be able to pass through the Psionic Belt outside the mother planet and arrive on the dynasty’s mother planet.”

  Han Xiao nodded.

  All the Universal Civilizations had powerful weapons to prepare for the day if one of them went mad and used super-long range Primordial Psionic Energy cannons to instantly shatter their mother planet. Therefore, all the Universal Civilizations’ mother planets were equipped with all kinds of top-notch defensive measures.

  Then, this commander looked at Teny, who was on the side, squeezing out what looked like a smile from his seemingly paralyzed face. “Teny, it’s been a long time.”

  “It’s you.” Teny’s expression was a little odd. “Why are you here guarding the stargate?”

  “This is an order from above.” This commander shook his head. A hint of bitterness appeared in his eyes but was immediately suppressed.

  This command and Teny were graduates from the same year of the dynasty’s ‘Journey’ high-level military school. They knew each other, and both of their results were outstanding. They were supposed to have bright futures, but Teny did not expect him to be sent to guard the stargate.

  Guarding the stargate was not a good job, especially military stargates. There was close to zero chance of achieving something remarkable, and they would be held responsible if anything went wrong. However, to keep the stargates safe, elite troops had to be stationed there. Therefore, those stationed at the stargates were either sent there randomly or unlucky ones who were marginalized during faction conflicts. No one would ask to be stationed there.

  Teny understood that this friend of his had clearly suffered due to faction conflicts. He shook his head with resignation. “All the best then. Anyway, you’ll be sent away in a few years. Take it as an opportunity to train your soldiers.”

  The transfer period of the stargate guarding troops was not long, usually around six to ten years. The dynasty would also not waste elite troops on stargates all the time.

  After chatting for a little, this commander finally ended the communication. This time, the fleet was about to enter the stargate as well.

  An extremely strong attraction force came from the other side of the stargate, wanting to drag all of them in like a black hole.

  The fleet entered the stargate, and the world outside the porthole became bright.

  The inside of the stargate path was filled with violent space energy but was restricted by the stargate’s technology, creating a stable path.

  The spaceship almost felt stationary. The people inside could not feel the speed of the spaceship’s advance at all, as if the fleet had stopped moving in the stargate.

  However, in an instant, the ship trembled. The space energy around disappeared, and the scenery outside the porthole became the black universe filled with diamond-like star lights once again.

  The stargate that had previously been in front of them was now behind the fleet.

  The fortresses around were stationed differently as well. The troops stationed there were more than ten times larger in quantity compared to the previous one.

  A special fleet waited before them. The appearance of the spaceship was special. It seemed to be a very uncommon spaceship model.

  Beep beep!

  This time, every quantum network device received an area announcement made by this special fleet.

  “Welcome to the Central Galaxy, Your Excellency Black Star.”

  Chapter 798. Dynasty Mother Plane |

  “Welcome to the Central Galaxy, Your Excellency Black Star.”

  I’m here, at the center of the universe…

  As the area announcement sounded, this strange-looking fleet slowly advanced. The fleet’s main ship received a communication request. An officer wearing the dynasty’s high-level army uniform appeared on the screen. He had a small mustache and looked highly intelligent.

  “I’m the commander of the dynasty mother planet’s Guard Team 17, here on orders to welcome the dynasty’s ally.”

  Han Xiao’s brows rose as he sized him up. This commander was not someone famous, but Han Xiao was somewhat familiar with him. In his previous life, when the players traveled to the dynasty’s mother planet, they had to go through many inspections before the mother planet’s guard team brought them through. These people were like the gatekeepers, so the players were familiar with all of them.

  “Thanks,” Han Xiao said.

  “Please follow me.”

  Then, the guard team turned around and headed to the mother planet. The fleet followed behind.

  Ames suddenly turned and asked Han Xiao, “This is your first time here at the Central Galaxy, right?”

  “Hmm.” Han Xiao did not deny it. He knew the Central Galaxy like the back of his hand, but on paper, this was his first time there.

  “Then let me tell you about it…” Ames shook her head. She used to occasionally visit the Central Galaxy to sightsee while also searching for Aesop, so she was quite familiar with it. Since Black Star had never gone before, she f
elt that she had to help Han Xiao know more about the situation here.

  Listening to Ames talking about the Central Galaxy, Han Xiao felt a little strange, as if he was a farmer entering a big city for the first time.

  “Unlike the other Star Fields, here in the Central Galaxy, the three civilizations rule over all the Star System and the Star Cluster civilizations,” Aesop added while Ames was speaking. “In the other Star Fields, the various civilizations are on different sides, while here they’re all on one side. The security here is the safest in all the Star Fields. Other than some brutes that are on EsGod’s level, there are close to no galactic pirates or wanderers here. They are eliminated as soon as they’re discovered by the three civilizations.”

  Han Xiao nodded. The three civilizations ruled over the Central Galaxy. This was their headquarters and was basically under their complete control. Maintaining the law was equivalent to maintaining their own ruling, so they were not going to allow any disruption.

  The two fleets left the stargate station and stopped.

  The commander of the mother planet guard team said, “Please wait a moment. I will now open a path for everyone and bring you guys to the mother planet.

  Then, the mother planet guard team’s battleships shot out blue and green beams, which formed a dot far away. A blue and green ring gradually expanded from it and turned into a teleportation gate-looking path. The inside of the gate was bright green.

  “This path is for you guys to safely pass through the Psionic Seal Ring of the mother planet. Your spaceships will receive a coating once you enter the path, so you won’t be obliterated by the Psionic Seal Ring,” the mother planet guard team commander explained.

  The Psionic Seal Ring was like layers of shielding covering the mother planet, protecting it against all kinds of Planetary Obliteration attacks.

  This was not just a regular shield. It covered around half of the entire Crimson Ring Star System. Only universal civilizations could build something this grand.

  The coating was one of the advanced application methods of energy. Different coatings were like different passwords, and the wrong coatings would not be allowed into the various Psionic Seal Rings. It was like a security pass and a key.

  As the fleet entered the light green gate, a thick, colorful coating covered all the spaceships. The guard team followed behind, and the gate closed after them.

  The guard team led the way ahead. The two fleets turned into streams of light and advanced following the safe path.

  On the ship, Teny started to chat casually with Han Xiao about his mother planet.

  “The Psionic Seal Ring was built during the exploration era war. Back then, it was to protect against the Planetary Obliteration attacks from the other civilizations. The cosmic space inside the ring can be considered a completely sealed new world. During the war, the scientists adjusted the physical constants inside, all for the sake of safety. When the time of peace came, these altered physical constants became a form of contamination. It took quite a lot of effort to fix them and make the sealed world that the mother planet was in return to a normal cosmic space…”

  “The three civilizations’ technology is so much more advanced than before.” Aesop caressed his beard as he spoke. “With the concentration of resources, talents, and technology, their development speed far exceeds those beyond Star Cluster civilizations. The gap between them is growing constantly. I wonder what can even shake your rule nowadays.”

  Han Xiao scratched his nose and did not say anything.

  This time, the two fleets passed by an area. Through the porthole, Han Xiao could see a cluster of dark blue light faraway.

  Seeing Han Xiao look over, Teny explained, “That’s a cluster of Primordial Psionic Energy. If we get close, we will be assimilated and devoured. That’s one of the defense measures of the Psionic Seal Ring.”

  After flying in hyperdrive for two days, the spaceship trembled suddenly and finally left the Psionic Seal Ring. In their sights, a sesame-sized dark red planet appeared.

  “That’s the dynasty’s capital, the Crimson Ring Star Group. Planet Crimson Ring is the main planet. There are sixteen satellites and sixty large government life stations around it, as well as many space bases. The total population is 470 billion,” Corbus said with pride.

  Han Xiao tutted and said, “The house price there must be very high.”

  “That’s right… but your focus is a little odd.” Corbus’ lips twitched. I was talking about how marvelous the mother planet is, and you asked me if the house price there is high? Are we even talking about that‽

  As the fleet moved closer, they started to see the details of the Crimson Ring Star Group.

  Planet Crimson Ring was extremely large. The people of the Crimson Dynasty had artificially modified the size of their mother ship. The sixteen smaller satellites orbited around it. These natural satellites had been moved there by the dynasty using their technology to offset the gravitational pull so the mother planet’s habitable area would be enlarged. The planet’s surface was filled with buildings.

  There were also many large life stations and space fortresses around.

  “The capital of a universal civilization, it is indeed marvelous to look at,” Ames complimented softly. This was her first time there at the capital of the Crimson Dynasty, and it was thanks to Han Xiao.

  “When I was still one of the Ancient Ones, I did come once before, but I did not have as grand an entrance as you.” Aesop sighed. “I wonder if the national pillars of the Crimson Dynasty still remember me. I only met them once.”

  Following the orders, the fleet parked at a space port. The members of the Black Star Army remained in the ships while Han Xiao and the others took the spaceship prepared by the Crimson Dynasty toward Planet Crimson Ring.

  He deliberately decided not to bring the players. The players possessed too many uncertainties, so things might get out of hand if they caused any trouble there. Furthermore, if he took the Shattered Star Ring players there, he might not be able to take them back.

  As they approached Planet Crimson Ring, the buildings on the surface became gradually clearer. The Crimson Dynasty was known to be strict, hardworking, and pragmatic. Compared to the Federation of Light and the Arcane Church, the cultural aspect of the dynasty was not as advanced. Their architectural aesthetic was focused on sharpness, bulkiness, and symmetry. The main colors used were red, black, and metallic gray.

  Hu!

  The spaceship slowly landed outside a huge city. The sunlight from the artificial Fixed Star coated the upright buildings with a layer of gold. This was the main city of the dynasty’s mother planet, Tarunamir Palace, the power center of the entire dynasty.

  A group of receptionists were waiting at the docks. They approached and said, “Your Excellency Black Star, we’re responsible for welcoming you. Please follow me to Tarunamir Palace’s Dynasty Reception Center to rest for a day. The dynasty’s leader will personally meet you tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” Han Xiao had no objection. He then looked at Teny and the group of the dynasty elites and said, “What about you guys?”

  Teny shook his head. “We have to report to the army.”

  Han Xiao nodded before casually summoning a set of Beyond Grade A orange-grade hovering guards to give to Teny.

  “For you to protect yourself, I don’t know when we will meet next. Keep in contact.”

  Teny was stunned for a moment. He accepted the set of machinery and gave Han Xiao a deep look. “Okay.”

  Han Xiao did not forget about the other elite officers and gave them some machinery too, showing friendliness. Mechanical weapons built by a Beyond Grade A were quite valuable to Calamity Grade Mechanics, and Han Xiao had a ton of them.

  Han Xiao watched as Teny and the others left.

  If not because they had gone to accept the modification, Han Xiao would not have had the chance to have close contact with them. He wondered if he would have chances like this to gain Favorability again in the
future.

  After the dynasty elites left, the group only consisted of Han Xiao, Ames, Aesop, Hila, and the Black Star Guards. They followed the receptionists through the military security zone and entered Tarunamir Palace.

  The moment Han Xiao stepped into the city, suddenly, seven enormous waves of energy erupted and soared into the sky.

  Boom!

  “Hmm?”

  Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and stopped his footsteps.

  These seven sources of energy were all Beyond Grade A!

  The seven waves only lasted for an instant before they were withdrawn. There seemed to be no provocative intention, just to showcase their own existence.

  Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled. Seven Beyond Grade As… They should be the ones belonging to the dynasty itself and the allies that the dynasty had gathered.

  He thought about it. This did not look like a provocation, more like a Beyond Grade A style greeting to the newcomer.

  “Your Excellency Black Star, to welcome your alliance, the dynasty has gathered the National Pillars under its command,” the receptionist said at a suitable moment. “Other than those who are held back by business or are too far away, all the Beyond Grade As who are free have come. There is a total of seven of them.

  “After you meet with the dynasty’s leader tomorrow, we will arrange for the various National Pillars to meet with you too.”

  “National Pillars, these guys have quite a nice title.” Han Xiao smiled casually.

  “What are you talking about?” The receptionist chuckled. “You, too, are now a National Pillar of our Crimson Dynasty.”

  …

  “That newcomer is here.”

  In a certain room inside Tarunamir Palace, a few people with various appearances sat on the sofa and looked in Han Xiao’s direction with interest.

  “Didn’t respond.”

  “Looks like it’s his first time seeing so many Beyond Grade As together, so he doesn’t know the rules.”

  “It’s only normal since he’s from the Shattered Star Ring.”

  “Hmm? The woman beside him is a Beyond Grade A, too.”