The Legendary Mechanic Chapter 1456 - Logging Out and Returning

Having dealt with the Star Alliance's leadership, Han Xiao found himself with free time to dive into his personal projects. The task of mopping up the Star Alliance fell to the three Universal Civilizations and the World Tree Civilization.

With the Star Alliance's resistance utterly crushed, eliminating their migrating forces proved effortless for the three Universal Civilizations. Such rare large-scale war missions usually ignited players' passion, yet this time around, no massive mobilization order came from the three Universal Civilizations. Only a small number of players got summoned to handle the Star Alliance, while most threw themselves into the Pro League.

Following extensive preparations, the qualifiers were now in full swing at their peak excitement. Thus, the majority of players showed little interest in the Star Alliance conflict right now, preferring to clash fiercely in preparation for the Pro League ahead.

Busy accumulating Sanctum authority to uncover the universe's truths and Iterations, Han Xiao paid scant attention to the players' Pro League. He spared a moment to glance at it and noted the standout feature this season: a massive leap in combat prowess. The standard competitive tier had shifted from Grade B to Calamity Grade, with destruction levels soaring dramatically.

This was Version 5.5 now. From Version 4.0's level 150 cap, it had risen to level 200. The World Tree War's chain of missions had showered players with riches. Even though they only viewed CGs of the decisive battle, the outcomes delivered staggering rewards.

In the fourth Pro League, mainstream competitors were mostly Grade Bs—solid universe mainstays yet still feeble against elite fighters. But in the fifth, the divide among players widened further. Pro League frontrunners now demanded Calamity Grade strength.

In the Supers Holy Land, upon a desolate planet. Qualifiers round, Arena 24.

Guild battleships hovered overhead, spectators to the ground clash. Down below, two dust-shrouded 'yellow dragons' rammed together repeatedly, unleashing shockwaves that spiderwebbed the terrain with fissures.

Two heavily armored players dashed across the planetary surface in nonstop combat, embodying mobile catastrophes—yet their IDs rang unfamiliar. No guild pros here, just regular players.

These obscure contenders unleashed impressive devastation regardless. Skyborne onlookers couldn't peel their gazes away.

As waves of players hit Calamity Grade, their collective might surged, with many undergoing radical transformations. To safeguard ratings and spare pro players from big guilds an early exit in qualifiers, major guilds snagged direct entries to the main event, skipping the risks. This toned down qualifier thrills somewhat, but dark horse surges kept the hype alive. 'Players' overall destructive power keeps climbing...'

Beyond the atmosphere, Han Xiao's stealth-mode virtual projection gazed down on the battling players below. Invisible to them, he observed undetected as they fixated on the arena, oblivious to the skies.

'Give the players a few more versions to grow, unlock higher level caps—they'll emerge as fresh chaos engines.'

Han Xiao mused inwardly.

A new stable order now gripped galactic society, promising prolonged peace—boon for citizens, bane for players.

Having feasted on epic events across versions, players balked at reverting to mundane dailies. Absent fresh catastrophes or mega-events, spotlight-hungry players would spark their own upheavals. Rising power bred restlessness; idle days wouldn't suffice, breeding turmoil inevitably.

Thoughts swirled in Han Xiao's mind. He cast a lingering glance at the players' fleets, then vanished.

Meanwhile, inside players' spaceship cabins, crowds glued eyes to satellite feeds of the ground showdown.

Guild and club officers tracked qualifier progress, jotting dark horses and murmuring discussions.

'This year's tourney is insane—so many powerhouses.' 'Not thrilled. Spotted over thirty elite non-pros already. If our pros tumble to randos, we'll eat massive embarrassment.'

'Fingers crossed for the next version drop soon. Then we roll out guild strategies.' Officers buzzed with hidden thrill.

As level caps loosened more, guild Calamity Grade rosters ballooned, boosting organizational muscle.

Many guilds now commanded hordes of Calamity Grades, potent enough to rule galactic swaths. To widen the pro-ordinary player chasm, pro guilds drafted secret next-version expansion blueprints, plotting cosmic conquests.

Though tuned to the Pro League, guild leaders' minds wandered to future glories, itching for the version launch.

Players' Pro League held no sway for Han Xiao—just a passing amusement. He hunkered in his machinery workshop, shrugging off trivialities, rigorously vetting the World Tree's Information Form Materialization for breaching the dark side universe.

Time raced onward; the three Universal Civilizations' Star Alliance incursion wrapped up. Han Xiao's forged reports from captured elites left them dumbfounded at his cheek. What an oddball.

Yet the three Universal Civilizations' chiefs wouldn't pester Han Xiao over this trifle while he tackled dark side seals. They feigned ignorance, quietly scrubbing that 'black mark' from records.

Suddenly, over a year flew by. The three Universal Civilizations largely dismantled the Star Alliance, absorbed war spoils, and eradicated the lurking foe.

The fifth Pro League wrapped too. Dynasty Club reclaimed the crown, topping the charts. Second Prince succeeded King Admiral, steering them to victory and elevating his legacy. Club hailed him 'next dynasty pillar'.

Dynasty alone snagged two titles in five Pro Leagues. Their dipped fame rocketed anew. Ex-captain King Admiral, now coach, voiced proud congratulations to Second Prince. Bun-Hit-Dog dubbed it 'King's Baton Pass'—players embraced and forum-famous it became.

First and second runners-up: America's Devil squad, Russia's White Vodka crew. China couldn't monopolize top three like old times, but shone in solo and team events.

Pro League finale synced with Version 5.5's close.

In Supers Holy Land guild bases across planets, player clusters thronged, logout-ready, bantering amid marketplace din.

'Update time again—wonder how many years this skip?' 'Main version patch, I bet. At least 20 levels unlocked!'

'Next version plot? World Tree crushed—galactic order seems unshakable.'

'Galaxy Times predicts? Internal strife ramps up, Black Star goes rogue as new antagonist versus three Universals.'

'Hah, massacre season at last? Time to flip the universe!'

'So cathartic. Sick of those three geezers ages—I'll hack 'em to bits for kicks.'

'You lot disappoint! Nudity BUG fix more urgent than that?'

'Right, right! No naked runs next version, riots ensue!'

Maple Moon grimaced at the rowdy antics, deeming them beyond salvage.

Chatter ticked away time. Logouts triggered white flashes, emptying halls batch by batch.

Concurrently, in Supers Holy Land's private lab, engrossed Han Xiao halted, glancing up.

'Version update kicking off, huh?'

Han Xiao paused work, checked panels. Forums sealed shut anew, severing dark side-true universe time syncs into isolates. He alone bridged as steady info conduit.

This stretch, he'd honed the conversion scheme's viability to seventy-plus percent certainty. Partial credit his innovations, mostly prior dark side Iteration trials.

Han Xiao shook head, dismissed panels. Resuming research, Phillip materialized.

'Master, hum—Her Excellency Ames awaits in your office, hum.'

'Got it. Coming now.'

Han Xiao massaged temples, shelved studies, trekked to office.

Entry revealed Ames in his chair, back to door.

Sounds drew her spin; black dress parted for long legs. Smirking ambiguously, she eyed him. 'Rare sight, busybody.'

'Swamped lately—you know why.' Han Xiao circled desk, positioned behind, hands framing her forehead for gentle kneads.

Ames savored eyes shut, lips active. Chuckling, 'True, always occupied. Without my visits, I'd think you'd erased me.'

'Nonsense. Time for correction.' Han Xiao smirked; fingertip sparked faint current, fluttering her lashes.

Ames dodged, swatted hand, rose sternly.

'Can't grasp it. World Tree beaten, three Universals yielded—no threats left. Why the frenzy? Where's the pressure coming from?'

'...Secret for now. Super thorny regardless.' Han Xiao shook head. Iteration truths pointless for Beyond Grade As; shared solely with three chiefs.

'Recall my words? Ambition boundless. When do you halt? Eyeing three Universals' throne?' Ames furrowed brows. 'Why hoard it solo? Share burdens!'

'You can't aid...'

Han Xiao paused, caressed her cheek. 'Last round, promise. Keeping everyone breathing.'

Ames' gaze shifted. Clueless on secrets, Han Xiao's gravity hit hard. Transcendent-level crisis? Unfathomable peril.

As Ames pressed, room comm buzzed.

Marbruce's missive: single line...

Sanctum explorers returned!

Han Xiao's eyes lit.

'Urgent business—gotta jet. Next time, together.'

Han Xiao morphed to King suit.

Ames parted lips, but Han Xiao teleported out.

Staring void, Ames balled then released fists repeatedly, inhaled deep, quelling inner turmoil.

Her once-ward, now peerless pinnacle she trailed. Catching Han Xiao's pace grew tougher.

Cold by nature, Ames seldom dwelled thus, yet years bred loss. Han Xiao's warmth endured, but she grasped her burdens lay beyond her reach.