Chapter 912: Warning

Chapter 912 Striking

“Welcome to the opening match of the Third Star Sea Professional League, I am the commentator for this match, Feng Zhi.”

“Hello, I am the guest commentator, Rou Bao.”

“I am the guest commentator, Li Ge.”

On screen, three commentators sat in a broadcasting studio aboard a spaceship hovering above the competition planet, overlooking the arena below.

As the livestream connected, a torrent of bullet comments flooded the screen, vibrant and alive.

Han Xiao pulled out a bag of snacks, leaned back into the reclining chair, munching contentedly as he watched.

Feng Zhi: “The opposing teams are the Long Sky Team and the Dynasty Team. Long Sky were champions of the second International Tournament, while Dynasty were runners-up. The two clashed in the previous year’s semifinals, with Long Sky emerging victorious, denying Dynasty a final spot. Their rivalry is deep, and the fans of both teams are bristling with tension. As defending world champions, Long Sky seeks their first opening win, while Dynasty aims to erase last year’s shame. This clash is a meteor striking the earth—how do you view this match?”

Rou Bao: “I think Long Sky will win. Their player, Han Tian, is a classic ‘stronger when challenged’ type. I’m rooting for him.”

Li Ge: “Long Sky beat Dynasty last year, but luck played a role. I’m rooting for Dynasty. After last year’s defeat, they’ve likely studied Long Sky’s tactics thoroughly.”

The three hosts chatted for a few minutes before the teams entered the arena, greeting the audience and exchanging friendly banter.

The heroes who brought glory to the Han ethnic group last year made their appearance, triggering a crescendo of bullet comments so intense Han Xiao could barely see the screen.

“Alright, we see both teams entering the battlefield—the Third League officially begins.”

As the commentary concluded, the two sides clashed like thunder igniting fire on earth. Compared to last year, these pros had escalated their tactics and destructive power, expanding the arena’s boundaries.

Long Sky fought with sharp intensity, but Dynasty’s strength was more comprehensive. Their teamwork was nearly flawless, excelling in group battles and flag-capturing skirmishes. Long Sky only reclaimed one match in the ring-fighting segment. In individual prowess, Long Sky’s trio—Han Tian, Ming Yue, and Shuang Guang Chao Fan—held a slight edge over Dynasty, whose nobles, though individually superior, couldn’t overcome the odds.

The first official match introduced two new formats: team-based dungeon battles and survival dungeons, debuting for the first time. Han Xiao, familiar with the former, marveled at the novelty for players.

Dungeon selections weren’t fixed; each match offered unique options. Before the match, several dungeons were presented for teams to study, with one randomly chosen for the actual game, much like exam questions highlighting key points. Pros, however, didn’t scramble at the last minute—they’d trained on most dungeons a year prior when the format was announced.

Team battles suited standard dungeons, while survival battles were high-difficulty, punishing dungeons. Ironically, both selected dungeons for Long Sky and Dynasty involved Han Xiao.

The team dungeon was a mission from the Secret War series, where both teams competed in the same dungeon, aiming for special objectives like assassinating key figures or triggering hidden side quests. They could kill each other within the dungeon, testing their collective skills.

The survival dungeon recreated the “Battle for the Azure Star”—the mission where the three Doom Destroyers of Dark Star once attacked. Han Xiao had endured it in a prior version, and it remained a grueling challenge for players.

Team dungeon battles emphasized cunning and resourcefulness, leveraging dungeon elements to outmaneuver foes—a spectacle far more engaging than basic combat. Survival battles, however, focused on desperate survival, a fight for existence where pros endured torment, offering wild entertainment for viewers.

Long Sky’s style was reckless. Han Tian excelled not in strategy, struggling with the intricate mind games of team dungeons. Ming Yue, a veteran dark-type player, couldn’t withstand Dynasty’s steady, methodical play, getting outmaneuvered by the nobles until he was left in tatters.

Finally, the survival battle began. The dungeon mirrored the original battlefield, with Long Sky and Dynasty facing three Doom Destroyers of Gray Ash’s level—threats akin to “face-melting” kills. Fortunately, the Black Star dungeon projection entangled Gray Ash’s trio as per history.

Long Sky and Dynasty’s spawn point lay outside the shelter, unprotected, enduring the fallout of the three-day calamity and Black Star’s orbital bombardment. Survival matches allowed teams to trip each other, but both were too focused on survival, scrambling for cover, their faces streaked with dirt—a stark contrast to their earlier strategic finesse, eliciting hearty laughter from viewers.

They didn’t last long. Both teams fell in quick succession, with Long Sky perishing earlier due to their lack of endurance. They couldn’t last, and Gray Ash’s mere snap turned them to ash.

The opening match’s first win went to Dynasty, shattering Long Sky’s world champion aura. Han Xiao couldn’t deny it—Dynasty’s nobles were legends, representing Han’s professional players. He’d always admired them.

After the livestream ended, forums buzzed with posts dissecting the match, fans of both clubs hurling insults. Han Xiao glanced at the chaos, shut his laptop, and tossed aside his snacks, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.

He recalled his past life’s Third League: Han faced a devilish schedule, failing to reach the semifinals, let alone the top four. Without the Black Star Legion, the fractured Ring Nebula region was weak.

“This time is different. Han’s secured a championship, and the mechanical meta has risen—an intact title defense is possible.”

*Beep-beep…*

At that moment, the communicator on the table chimed. Han Xiao flicked his finger, pulling it close, and saw the caller ID: the Red Empire. An official from the Evolver Totem Project.

“Your Excellency Black Star, I apologize for the intrusion.”

The official’s tone was respectful.

“Any issues with business?” Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed. Recently, several factions have raided cooperative civilizations’ Evolver Totem purchases. Some stolen totems circulate in the black market, others hired by secret clients. We suspect the Blood Gold Syndicate.”

Blood Gold Syndicate…

Han Xiao recalled—this was an orderly-evil faction, one of the galaxy’s major underworld groups, where past players could join as mercenaries.

“The Blood Gold Syndicate isn’t the Fallen Ark’s group. They operate by rules. If the Empire issues a warning under its name, they’ll likely comply.” Han Xiao stroked his chin.

“The problem lies there.” The official’s voice darkened. “Reliable intel suggests radiation signals from Evolver Totems detected on several planets in the Radiant Federation and the Void Faith sect. They’re likely buyers too. The Blood Gold Syndicate may have their backing, emboldened.”

“Ah… that aligns with our expectations.”

Han Xiao squinted, knowing the Radiant Federation and Void Faith sect couldn’t obtain totems through normal channels—they’d seek other means.

The Blood Gold Syndicate, a powerhouse, had no prior interest in totems. But when the Radiant and Void Faith sought them, even knowing it risked offending the Red Empire, they had to comply. The syndicate might see it as an opportunity, leaning on two cosmic civilizations.

With three cosmic powers explored, they were the galaxy’s pillars—no force could surpass them. The Blood Gold Syndicate’s charm toward the Radiant and Void Faith’s olive branch was no surprise.

“So you plan to strike the Blood Gold Syndicate?” Han Xiao asked.

“Exactly. We need a stern warning—we’d appreciate your help gathering intel.”

“Understood.” Han Xiao nodded.

They exchanged intel, ending the call.

Meanwhile, a new task appeared on the panel.

[[Striking]]

[Task Introduction: The Blood Gold Syndicate’s movements are erratic, repeatedly disrupting the Red Empire’s vital business. The Empire resolves to strike them to set an example, a warning to others.]

[Task Requirements: Provide the whereabouts of three Blood Gold Syndicate leaders to the Empire.]

[Rewards: 15 million experience, Empire contribution +1,000, random reward x1]

Tracking the syndicate’s leaders? The Empire intended to strike at the top—perfect for a virtual mechanic like Han Xiao.

He idly played with the communicator, pondered, then contacted Xi Wei Ya.

“Xi Wei Ya, any news from the Rock Golem faction?”

“They’ve decided to purchase a batch of new Evolver Totems.”

Han Xiao slammed his palm on the table. “Tell them I’ll dispatch a mechanical fleet to escort their fleet, offering free protection to prevent such incidents.”

“Understood—I’ll inform them.”

He nodded, ended the call, then entered the quantum network’s vision, calling Philip.

“In a while, blackmail a high-reputation black-market account anonymously. Hire the Blood Gold Syndicate to intercept this batch of cargo.”

For such mercenary forces, the simplest and most effective method was entrapment.

…

In the days that followed, Han Xiao waited for the trap to spring, while the regional qualifiers raged on.

After round-robin matches, the qualifiers crowned eight playoff teams and sixteen individual qualifiers. The top four teams earned spots in the international stage.

The Dynasty topped the rankings, with the noble Wang Hou Zhang Ziang leading individual standings. Dynasty claimed the double crown, securing their place in the international star tournament with overwhelming dominance.

Temple and Storm teams ranked second and third, while Long Sky sat fourth—a result tarnishing their defending champion status, their form lagging.

Fifth place went to Qi Hu Ke Zi, sixth to Jiang Cheng, seventh to a new club, the Long River Team, and eighth to the Palace Team. These eight advanced to the playoffs, set to battle in a best-of-five elimination bracket.

The top four from each region qualified for the international stage.

Individually, Maple advanced to the sixteen, vying for international spots, while Fei Dao stabilized, reaching the sixteen as well.

After the regular season ends, each team has a brief respite.

During this time, the Blood Gold Organization snapped up the fishing hook that Han Xiao had cast.