Chapter 926: First Phase Territory

Chapter 926: The First Territory of the First Phase

The power of wealth might not be the strongest ability, but it is undoubtedly the most useful. The joy of having money is something one could never imagine.

He purchased numerous qi-power training methods, and Han Xiao slowly poured in experience to train, allowing his qi-power to gradually increase.

Time is wealth. The super-A-level beings lived for an exceptionally long time, their lengthy lifespans granting them ample opportunity to learn more knowledge and skills. Every super-A-level individual carried a vast collection of qi-power training methods. Han Xiao’s approach was also a basic operation among super-A-levels. The time he needed to consume to improve his qi-power was less than that of other super-A-levels, though it still amounted to a slow, deliberate process.

The next day, Han Xiao brought Oral to the interior airbase of the Legion, to bid farewell to Hala, who was about to depart on a distant journey.

A black-reflective, manta-ray-shaped spacecraft was docked at the terminal. It was a high-end model, a gift from Han Xiao to Hala. Beneath the gangway extending from the ship’s door, stood Hala, already changed into a near-officer’s uniform.

Hala still bore her cold, striking features. Her long red hair, usually loosely tied, was secured with a single hair tie, trailing down to her waist. Her bangs and strands of hair were neatly styled, giving her a fresher appearance.

She wore a deep red and jet-black hybrid lightweight flexible alloy battle suit, resembling a coat in style. Her tight black protective pants clung smoothly to her long legs, resembling leather pants—all crafted by Han Xiao. On her shoulder hung a small backpack, giving her the appearance of a traveler, the bag filled with some medicinal pills, mostly concocted by Oral’s special elixirs.

“Sister, when are you coming back?”

Oral looked deeply sorrowful. These past years, the two sisters had stayed together, and facing separation now, she was clearly unaccustomed to it.

“When I reach super-A-level.” Hala’s lips curved into a faint smile, glancing at Han Xiao beside her.

Oral let out a long, mournful “Ahh…”

“How long will that take?”

“You are my motivation. To return to you as soon as possible, I’ll hurry.” Hala gently patted Oral’s head.

Oral sighed, her face flushed with helplessness, running her fingers through her hair. “Ah, all these years, and you still treat me like a child.”

In my heart, you will always be the little child who needs protection… Hala gently pressed her delicate, soft face against Oral’s cheek, her eyes revealing a tenderness.

Han Xiao cleared his throat, interjecting: “I’ve equipped the ship with nanorepair robots. The equipment case contains some good mechanical gear, and there are two mechanical exoskeletons and some mechanical soldiers stored in the warehouse. If needed, just let me know, and I’ll activate them.”

“Okay.” Hala nodded, and unlike her past self’s aloofness, though she still preferred solitude, she no longer rejected help from others.

“Emperor, although you’ve been accompanying her, since this is a trial, she won’t be specially protected. You’re a super-A-level, so some dangers aren’t much to her, but they’re very lethal to you. Be careful on your own.” Han Xiao cautioned.

Hala nodded, acknowledging his words, though her heart harbored different thoughts.

Only in the realm of life and death could one’s potential truly be unleashed. Staying within the Legion meant no life-and-death battles, and progress was slowing, with breaking through the super-A-level threshold seeming impossibly distant. Emperor might just be idly waiting for inspiration, but she was resolutely determined to seek adventure and trials, having long harbored that desire.

Han Xiao was one of the few people she trusted, entrusting Oral to him, which is why she felt at ease.

Taking one last glance at the two of them, Hala turned decisively, without a second glance, stepping onto the ship. The closing door sealed her silhouette.

In an instant, the ship trembled, its thrusters spewing orange-red flames, rapidly shifting to blue.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The ship surged in speed, racing along the orbit, soon becoming a streak of teleportation light, vanishing from sight.

“Ah, I wonder how many years it’ll take for my sister to return… To reach super-A-level… How easy is that, huh?”

Oral was in low spirits, tugging at Han Xiao’s sleeve.

“Uh, actually, I think it’s pretty easy.” Han Xiao’s lips twitched.

“…It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have asked you.”

Oral rolled her eyes, then lifted her foot to tap Han Xiao’s shoulder, pretending to be an old auntie with a dramatic sigh, “Teacher and my sister have both left, Uncle Han, now you’re all I’ve got.”

“The projects on Broken Ring and Shining World don’t require my presence. For reasons I’ll explain later, I’ll be away for a while, staying within the Empire for some time. Come with me, it’s safer.”

Oral hesitated, “You mean there could be dangers here in the Legion?”

“Not necessarily, but some upheavals are inevitable.”

“Understood. Wherever you go, I’ll follow… Hey, can I become a near-officer too?”

“You’re too weak, better not.”

“Hmph, petty!”

Han Xiao shook his head, turning to gaze at the starry expanse.

I wonder how long until Hala returns… The day she comes back, I’ll have another reliable ally.

…

A few days later.

Constellation Corridor, the Red Empire’s capital planet, the Emperor’s Office.

Many remote projections of the Empire’s high-ranking officials gathered in the room, standing in formation, including the Supreme Commander of the Exploration Army, Tarlocov. A document bearing the Empire’s emblem lay open on the desk before Ulur, its contents densely written in Imperial script.

Ulur quickly read through the document, eventually reaching the final page, paused, then took up the signature pen beside him, signing his name at the end.

The table’s surface flickered with light, revealing a humanoid figure composed of numerical modules, emitting a deep, resonant male electronic voice:

“Imperial Emperor’s authority confirmed. The ‘Shining World Construction Charter’ decree has been signed into effect, effective immediately.”

Every advanced civilization relied on the powerful computational force of virtual intelligence. The three cosmic-level civilizations each had their own core main intelligence. After generations of virtual mechanics and scientists refining them, the Red Empire’s core main intelligence, according to its database, preserved the backup memories of every Imperial Emperor and Empire elites, along with its own virtual intelligence, merging into a pan-civilization elite consciousness—named—[Hero of the Past].

Ulur set down the pen, handed the document to the secretary beside him, and slowly said: “Three days from now, announce to the entire universe that the first phase of Shining World development has been completed successfully… May the Empire endure forever.”

“Long live the Empire!” The high-ranking officials of the Empire echoed in unison, all in perfect unison.

This was a slogan passed down from the Exploration Flow, akin to “Long live the Empire.”

“Notify the allied forces involved in the development. It is time to divide territories. Officially begin construction of the first phase’s three star clusters.”

Ulur spoke in a low voice: “Until construction is complete, the second phase development will not be opened.”

…

The Legion’s Logistics Department, where Han Xiao was overseeing Nolan’s learning progress, received a communication request from Tarlocov, and suddenly felt a stirring within him, sensing something.

He opened the communicator, and Tarlocov’s face appeared.

“Black Star, Emperor Ulur has signed the decree. Soon, the first phase of Shining World’s development will be announced to the entire universe. I’ve been specially notified that the Empire’s high-ranking officials have finalized the territories to be allocated to allied forces.”

At last, this moment had been awaited for so long… Han Xiao’s spirits lifted.

“I’m listening, continue.”

“The territory allocation is based on exploration contributions. For allied forces that joined later, they can only receive a few star sectors, at most one star system. However, the War Domain, Klerk Empire, and you were the earliest participants, so the Empire has allocated more territory to you.”

The first phase exploration’s three star clusters belonged to Shining World’s portal, all of which were to fall under the Empire and allied control.

A star cluster contained dozens of star systems. A single star system may seem few, but in reality, it was vast, for the territory of a star-system-level civilization was merely one star system, some even failed to reach a single star system.

Han Xiao nodded inwardly, asking: “Exactly how much are we given?”

“The War Domain can receive around two star systems. Due to the secret war transaction, Klerk can obtain four star systems. Their territory is all within the Lumen Star Cluster.”

“And me?” Han Xiao curiously inquired.

“The Black Star Legion’s exploration results were the best. Moreover, you yourself had achieved great merits. Emperor Ulur has been extremely favorable toward you. The Empire has decided to allocate…” Tarlocov smiled, “a full seven star systems!”

Han Xiao’s eyes brightened.

Seven star systems? That was roughly ten to twenty percent of the Lumen Star Cluster’s territory!

This is only the first installment of territory acquired!

This starting point alone towers several times higher than any galaxy-level civilization.

"And... T'lan T'korr smiled: 'The Khan of Ulan Ryl has not forgotten the promise he made to you in the beginning. The territories others have been allotted have been basically assigned, but the seven star systems of the Black Star Legion, you may choose freely.'"

"No work was in vain... Han Xiao was in high spirits."

To date, the Black Star Legion has yet to secure a genuine stronghold. Its headquarters and numerous branches have always been situated within the domains of others. The vast reaches of the cosmos, now largely explored, have long since been claimed, with even many desolate sectors of space already under ownership. And now, at last, he has finally obtained a territory of his own autonomy.

A whole star cluster's territory—part to be distributed among numerous allies, part to remain under direct imperial control, and part to be left open for other factions to compete for.

Upon such layered divisions, he was able to claim nearly one-fifth of the star cluster's domain, which is quite remarkable.

In Han Xiao's estimation, the legion might be allotted three or four star systems, which would already be a windfall.

Yet the Empire, valuing his contributions so highly, bestowed upon him seven star systems directly, encompassing nearly a hundred star sectors, with the freedom to choose their locations!

The Empire's old ally is quite the figurehead, after all.

————

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