A luxurious prison cell—Xiao Han had been residing there for three days now. He felt no urgency whatsoever; it provided ample opportunity to organise his abilities and claim the skill upgrade cards rewarded from his quests.
Xiao Han glanced at his interface: 90,000 experience points. Some were from quests and enemies killed, others from crafting firearms for Li Mao earlier.
His Basic Combat stood at Level 8. Advancing it one more level would be most cost-effective using a Basic Skill Upgrade Card. Without hesitation, Xiao Han first elevated Basic Combat to Level 9 before selecting the Skill Upgrade Card.
A card radiating a brass-like glow materialised in his hand. With a thought, Xiao Han directed it to transform into a streak of light, vanishing into his brow.
His limbs trembled as a surge of newfound power coursed through his muscles and bones. Xiao Han's spirits lifted, clearly sensing his physical prowess had increased.
[[Basic Combat lv10 (max)]: Increases unarmed attack power by 10%, Strength +2, Stamina +1]
Many skills granted attribute bonuses upon reaching certain levels.
Once a character hit the level cap, combat prowess could still be enhanced through skills. Each iteration of Stellaris Legend featured different level caps, and a saying would later circulate in future versions: 'Reaching max level is merely the beginning.'
[Your [Basic Combat] has reached its level cap. You gain 1 Potential Point.]
Right, 16 Potential Points!
Xiao spent some more experience points to raise [Basic Shooting] to Lv8. With just over 20,000 experience points remaining, he prepared to gamble on two blueprints.
Mechanic blueprints serve two purposes: one is as a personal trump card for combat, never to be revealed.
The other is for sale, accepting commissions from others to earn experience and money. Ordinary mechanical players can only sell via stalls to other players, while major guilds and clubs control opportunities for trading with NPCs.
Xiao faced no competition, allowing him to seize the initiative. His most urgent need was blueprints for sale to gain manufacturing experience. Bureau 13 represented a potential market with substantial client potential, offering far greater opportunities than the Sprout.
Several blueprints in his memory should sell exceptionally well.
[Proceed with Knowledge Fusion (Basic Weapons Studies + Basic Assembly)? This fusion will consume 10,000 EXP.]
'Confirm.'
[Fusion successful. Congratulations on developing the [Folding Combat Knife].]
[Proceed with knowledge fusion (Basic Weapons Science + Basic Materials Compendium)? This fusion will consume 10,000 experience points.]
[Fusion successful. Congratulations on developing [High-Combustion Ammunition].]
Xiao's eyes lit up. [High-Combustion Ammunition] was the finest invention he'd envisioned. The ammunition suited various carriers and wasn't difficult to manufacture. In his previous life's game, ammunition items had the highest sales. Moreover, due to its chemical engineering knowledge requirements, it was extremely difficult to replicate, possessing inherent confidentiality.
The [Folding Combat Knife], however, left Xiao with mixed feelings. This metallic blade featured a hilt with a guard, the guard itself a sharply defined, symmetrical rectangle. Its segmented blade, measuring 0.5 to 0.8 metres, folded entirely within the hilt for portability and concealment. During combat, the blade could be deployed instantly via a mechanism button on the hilt. Its advantage lay in its element of surprise, making it essential for home defence, travel, or even... well, certain other activities. It wasn't that the item was inherently flawed, but the problem was this: it was standard-issue equipment specifically designed for novices.
The folding combat knife is cheap to produce, technically rudimentary, and easily replicated. Even its security measures are ineffective; any competent mechanic could grasp its construction with a cursory glance. This was somewhat embarrassing for Xiao.
How much better it would be if it were a ranged weapon. Melee weapons without special effects aren't exactly in high demand.
'One good, one bad. Could it be I'm that legendary hybrid—a fusion of the bloodlines of the unlucky and the fortunate?'
Fortunately, neither blueprint existed on Blue Planet, granting Xiao ample room for manoeuvre. While mechanics shared the same theoretical foundations, their applications varied wildly. Mastering core principles didn't guarantee creation of every conceivable invention. Even in Xiao's original reality before his transmigration, self-proclaimed scientists still produced novel inventions annually—their practicality aside, the sheer scope of possibilities remained vast.
These two blueprints became Xiao's primary focus. Having earned 600,000 experience points assembling firearms at the Sprout base over half a year, opportunities on Star Dragon would surely be more plentiful. Once he formally joined Bureau 13, the harvest would begin.
At that moment, a new notification flashed on his interface.
[Grade A Mission: [Seed Slumbering in Dust], Current Progress: 1.6%]
'The Bureau13 is moving!'
Xiao's eyes narrowed. He had disclosed intelligence on the three bases to the Bureau 13, which counted as indirect task progress. 1.6% wasn't too little—it was far too much. He understood better than anyone the unfathomable reach of the Sprout. A single branch base shouldn't have achieved 1.6% progress.
Xiao had not anticipated that the attack on the satellite base would arouse the leader of the Sprout's suspicion towards the higher-ups—this was the real crux of the matter.
In his previous life, the standoff between Sprout and the Six Nations had persisted until the very end of Version 1.0. Excluding the events of Version 2.0's "Cataclysm of Mutation", their respective achievements could be considered evenly matched.
There had been a period when Sprout found itself at a disadvantage, teetering on the brink of annihilation. Yet the Six Nations hesitated, all because of Sprout's trump card—the Dead Hand System.
This was a pre-programmed automated missile retaliation protocol. Should the organisation face imminent collapse, the Sprout would execute the protocol: releasing their entire missile stockpile to automatically strike pre-designated targets, initiating a global purge. Even if the Six Nations intercepted 95% of the missiles, the remaining strikes would inflict irreversible damage upon the planet's ecology.
This was the organisation's ultimate tactic: mutual destruction.
Thus, achieving a 100% success rate for one's mission was virtually impossible... unless the Dead Hand System could be neutralised.
'The Dead Hand system is the last card Sprout reveals in its final hour. While it prevents the organisation's annihilation, it also shakes the resolve of many members. Those working for Sprout do so primarily to exact vengeance upon the Six Nations, and secondarily to uphold Sprout's ideology of establishing a new regime. When Sprout's trump card conflicts with its core principles, it risks losing a significant number of members. No one wishes for the world's destruction. If it could be deliberately exposed...'
Xiao shook his head. This matter remained too distant; he tucked it away in his mind....
It wasn't long before Feng Jun finally arrived, escorting Xiao to the interrogation room. Once again, it was the Intelligence Minister who spoke with him.
'The intelligence from the satellite base has been verified. We trust your sincerity in cooperating. Senior leadership has decided to accept you as a member of Bureau 13!'
It worked! Xiao breathed a silent sigh of relief. Connecting with Old Gao had indeed paid off. He wasn't naive enough to believe the higher-ups would unanimously approve his entry into Bureau 13; there must have been some undisclosed deal behind the scenes.
'...We have decided to assign you to the Secret Operations Division. You will be placed within an operational squad.'
Xiao's expression turned peculiar.
In this new era, countless elites and talents who had lost their homelands were scattered abroad. The intelligence agencies of the Six Nations had relaxed their recruitment requirements, beginning to hire non-national members. However, elite departments like the Secret Operations Division still demanded a certain level of loyalty from their members. This was undoubtedly another move operated by Old Gao.
Does that old man hold me in such high regard?
Joining the Secret Operations Department was advantageous for him. It offered access to powerful figures and opportunities for field assignments. Events and opportunities unfolding beyond Star Dragon's borders—he could now intervene. That was crucial. Xiao had originally assumed that if Bureau 13 restricted his freedom, he would defect immediately after the public beta launch. But now, it seemed there was no need to rush his departure.
A new notification appeared on his interface.
[You have unlocked new faction reputation!]
[Star Dragon Territorial Strategic Defence Bureau's goodwill towards you has increased by 300 points.]
[Star Dragon Territorial Strategic Defence Bureau (Bureau 13): Neutral (300/1000) - [Level 1 Authorised Member]]
This new faction relationship signified fresh opportunities, missions, events, and benefits. Faction relations were categorised into eight tiers: Mortal Enemy, Hatred, Hostile, Indifferent, Neutral, Friendly, Respectful, Revered.
Essentially, all new factions start at [Indifferent] affinity. Reaching 300 points grants Neutral status, though resources can typically only be exchanged for affinity points or contributions once [Friendly] status is attained.
Feng Jun produced a black mobile phone and handed it to Xiao. It contained only his contact number. Clearing his throat, he stated, 'From today onwards, I'm your liaison officer. Keep it switched on.'
'Ah, so it's just a mere messenger, is it?'
'Why does your phrasing always irritate on me?' Feng Jun sighed helplessly.
The black phone bore no decorative elements, its interface starkly minimalist with only call and messaging functions. Xiao examined it, asking, 'Can't it be bugged?'
'Rest assured, the lines are specially encrypted.'
Intelligence Chief: 'One more thing. We'd like you to hand over all your mechanical blueprints, including those for the Light-Weight Power Arm and the robot you used to eliminate the Sting Bee squad.'
Submitting blueprints would boost his faction contribution points, but he needed to build machines to level up. If he handed them over, Bureau 13 could mass-produce them on an assembly line, leaving him out of the loop.
Xiao sought a collaborative model where others supplied materials while he handled manufacturing.
Xiao Han shook his head in refusal.
'What if agents privately commission me?'
'That's none of our concern.'
Receiving this reply, Xiao smiled. Their indifference suited him perfectly—all Bureau 13 agents were potential clients.
There's plenty of time ahead. The higher-ups at Bureau 13 wouldn't jeopardise their fruitful collaboration with Xiao over a couple of preliminary blueprints. They're far more concerned with the Sprout intelligence... At least the conservatives are sensible. As for the hawk who can't stand the sight of him, who knows what they might do.
Another advantage of joining Bureau 13 was its abundant resource inventory, sparing him the trouble of sourcing materials elsewhere. With sufficient funds, he could procure vast quantities of components and raw materials, including rare items seldom found on the open market.
With the collaboration settled, Xiao once again donned the black hood. Guided through winding corridors, he boarded an elevator and departed headquarters.