"Beep beep..."
Han Xiao was just thinking about some witty remarks when his communicator suddenly beeped twice. It was Tarrokov calling.
Pressing the answer button, Brother Tar's old face appeared on the screen, all smiles. Without going through the motions, he immediately started bragging:
"Black Star, well done! I love your decisiveness."
The outside forces were unsure who the organization that attacked the Modo Civilization was, while the Empire certainly knew it was the Black Star Army.
"You don't like me in other ways?" Han Xiao appeared nonchalant, but inwardly he chuckled and casually said, "Don't forget to fulfill the deal and give me the resource compensation you promised."
Retaliation against the Modo Civilization was also a necessity for the Empire; the Empire was prepared to make an example of them.
Since it was not appropriate for the Empire to take action personally, it borrowed Han Xiao's power. Of course, it wouldn't let the Black Star Army work for nothing. They had already signed a private agreement— Black Star would be responsible for using force to educate the Modo Civilization, and the Crimson Dynasty would pay resources as compensation.
In the eyes of the Empire, this move was hiring allies to strike at the enemy; in Han Xiao's eyes, it was using the Empire's money to do his own mission and making an extra profit—a very lucrative deal.
"Don't worry, we haven't renege on our debts to you yet." Tarrokov smiled, then asked, "What do you plan to do with those prisoners of the Modo Civilization?"
"Some remained with the Legion as secret laborers, while others were thrown into Kunde Race territory to fend for themselves."
Old Tar nodded and instructed, "No matter what, cut off all their channels of communication with the outside world, make them disappear forever, and don't let the news leak out."
"The chances of breaking through my information blockade are Infinite zero, so don't worry about that."
"Indeed, you are a virtual mechanic after all. I was overthinking it." Old Tar chuckled. "Actually, it wasn't anything important that I called you. I just wanted to give you a little advice... In short, please increase your efforts against the Modo Civilization. I'll log off now."
As soon as he finished speaking, the call ended, and Han Xiao secretly curled his lip.
To bother him over such a trivial matter, it's likely an implication that the Empire knows the Black Star Army's movements, simply telling him not to mess with anyone other than the Modo Civilization... Perhaps there's also the influence of the Meeting of the Gods.
"Tsk, playing mind games again."
Han Xiao put away the communicator and put the matter out of his mind.
He walked to the refrigerator in the room, opened the door, took out a sweetened concentrated nutrition bar, and nibbled on it as a snack while pondering another problem.
All players are currently heading to the Shattered World. The Shattered Star Ring is the closest, and it won't be long before the Legion players arrive at the Shattered World first.
The new version has just been released, and players will need some time to adjust before things gradually get on track and they begin to compete with each other.
In the past, players fought for their respective factions. Apart from some famous national wars, the normal reasons for fighting were either conflicting faction quests or the plundering of other guilds' resources. In this environment, it became increasingly difficult for solo players to survive, so forming groups became a major trend, leading to more and more players starting to establish guilds.
According to statistics, in version 4.0, the number of player guilds followed an upward curve, with more and more guilds appearing as time went on. The turning point for the explosive growth in the number of guilds was a famous event—several powerful guilds, led by the Devil Club, from the US, jointly formed an officially recognized organization and won a super opportunity that other players were fighting tooth and nail for, obtaining official authorization.
After that, players began to value the role of guilds more and more, forming large-scale alliances and uniting with each other to build officially recognized organizations. Then, as powerful entities, they cooperated with other forces in the universe through business, diplomacy, and other means.
Thus, the role of guilds is significant, allowing them to acquire resources that are orders of magnitude higher than those of ordinary players.
This gameplay mechanic existed in previous versions, but it wasn't until version 4.0 that it truly flourished, marking a turning point in players' lives. The reason for this is that the increased strength of players in version 4.0 fundamentally changed their influence over the cosmic environment, giving them the resources to establish their own organizations and gain recognition.
"Right now, because I've given Legion players such a strong faction advantage, players from other star systems are likely to team up to target and curb their advantage. Once everyone adapts to the new version, Legion will definitely suffer some losses, after all, the opponents have too many players."
Han Xiao pondered deeply.
Since the Legion players currently have the advantage, he wouldn't mind giving them another push to ensure they stay in the lead.
Originally, all players would need some time to adapt before gradually entering the stage of large-scale guild and organization formation. Han Xiao planned to let legion players enter the era of full guilds ahead of time.
This requires some incentive-based institutional adjustments.
Han Xiao thought for a while, then summoned Phillip and proposed a new system, solely for the player group, namely the Immortal Troops:
By earning merit (contribution points) and advancing to a higher rank, and meeting the requirements of a Superpower rank of Grade B or above, one becomes eligible to form a new type of combat team. The team must have at least two members, with no limit on the number of members above that. The team number can be named by the individual member. Once formed, the team can be reported to the legion. Each month, based on the completion of tasks and the total contribution of the team members, a special team merit point will be awarded.
Team merit points can be exchanged for large-scale resource supplies or other items, including equipment, knowledge, and skills. One important use is to exchange merit points for various levels of agency qualifications for different legion businesses, to bid for certain special projects, or to obtain mining rights for resource planets. There are many uses that are biased towards these aspects.
Moreover, once enough merit points are accumulated, one can choose to become an affiliated organization under the Black Star Army, with a certain degree of independence. Afterward, merit points can be used to request support from the Legion, or to obtain authorization from the Legion to carry out certain legal strategic actions in the name of the Legion, or to submit a strategic plan application for joint operations. This is equivalent to having a certain degree of say and cooperating with the Black Star Army as a semi-independent force.
"That should be about right..."
Han Xiao read through the outline of the new system several times and nodded secretly.
The purpose of this system is to "legitimize" player guilds.
Originally, guilds existed only within the player community and were not recognized by the Temple society. For example, NPCs were unaware of the existence of the Temple Guild, let alone who its members were. This new system, however, allows player guilds to be directly recognized within the Legion system, becoming officially documented organizations.
In this way, the player guilds transformed from a virtual entity into a real force in the universe.
The purpose of team merit points is to stimulate the interest of legion players in establishing guilds. Without needing to adapt to the version, many people will try this gameplay, especially the official guilds of those elite clubs, who will definitely submit applications.
In the previous version 4.0, there were always players who would leave the NPC faction and form their own organizations. With this new system, the tendency of legion players to do so can be greatly reduced.
The trade-off is granting player guilds a certain degree of independence, which may lead to some instability within legions... But at this point, giving players greater freedom is the only way forward.
With improved skills, compensation should naturally increase accordingly. Han Xiao doesn't consider himself a heartless boss; even if he were to exploit someone, he would still pay them enough.
Version 4.0 was a turning point in the player's career. From this point on, players started to get wild, causing chaos and spreading the flames of disorder everywhere. It was no longer possible for the developers to maintain the same high level of control over the players as in previous versions.
He had long planned to change this, giving player guilds the opportunity to grow and allocating more resources to support them... Only in this way could players, who were becoming increasingly unwilling to be bound by power due to their growing strength, continue to serve him.
At the same time, this system can also attract foreign players, allowing them to profit from their neighbor's schemes.
Kill two birds with one stone, achieving both goals.
"Master, are you sure you want to implement this new system?"
Like a little elf, Phillip sat on Han Xiao's collarbone, his big eyes blinking as he looked up at Han Xiao's profile, his little legs swinging in the air.
"Let's issue a preview first." Han Xiao planned to officially announce this system after all the legion players had arrived in Shattered World.
Before that, let the players prepare in advance and invite their friends.
"Okay, hum."
Han Xiao paused, then suddenly remembered something and said, "I was studying Resta's logical structure a while ago and came up with some new ideas. I'll update them for you in a few days to improve its computing power."
Upon hearing this, Phillip's eyes lit up. He flew into the air and landed on Han Xiao's face, hugging Han Xiao's nose and resting his chin on the bridge of his nose. He blinked and looked into Han Xiao's eyes.
"Phillip loves his master the most!"
"Stop acting all cute with me." Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, flicked his finger, and sent Phillip flying off his nose.
News of the Modo Civilization's devastating attack and losses spread rapidly throughout the Shattered World, with many factions discussing the matter privately. The news also reached the ears of other supercluster civilizations.
Many supercluster civilizations immediately convened a meeting.
"The attack on Modo carried out by the Empire; the two of them started fighting so quickly."
"Could this be the first step the Empire takes against our Supercluster civilization?"
"It doesn't seem like it; it appears to be merely a private feud between the Empire and Modo."
"Hmm, once we get past the first and second phases, we'll help Modo if we have the chance. We can't let the Empire beat them too badly."
Knowing that the Three Universal Civilizations would not allow them to develop peacefully in the Shattered World, most supercluster-level civilizations have secretly formed a secret Super Star Cluster Alliance to jointly resist the malice of the Three Universal Civilizations.
Following the attack on Modo, in accordance with the covenant, other Supercluster civilizations decided to offer assistance at the appropriate time.
Although this matter may seem unrelated to them, the Super Star Cluster Alliance is not willing to give the Empire the opportunity to defeat them one by one, as the saying goes, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold." Although the Modo Civilization is a competitor, resisting the pressure from the Three Universal Civilizations is the Super Star Cluster Alliance's primary task. Everyone understands that they cannot be divided internally, so they do not mind helping their competitors, sacrificing the small for the greater, and advancing and retreating together on the same front. Only in this way can they have a chance to break the blockade of the Three Universal Civilizations on the new star field.
With the Legion and the Empire providing cover, no witnesses spotted the attacking force. After some time, the Black Star Fleet that attacked the Modo Civilization finally assembled, returned to the Gaolu Star Cluster via a secret passage, and sent the selected prisoners to the Kunde Race planet in the Odoran system.
With the help of the Black Star Army, each colony established numerous cities and had no shortage of resources.
The Kunde Race have been recuperating peacefully for more than ten years. Although they have not yet recovered from the trauma of war, many have chosen to enjoy peace and strive to live a good new life.
Over the years, all colonies have had their communications with the outside world blocked. The inhabitants of each planet can only access the network of their own planet's server, so they are completely unaware of what is happening in the outside world, like isolated islands in the universe.
The Legion and the Empire control all media channels, prohibiting the existence of civilian media. The Kunde Race can only accept the Empire's comprehensive cultural transformation in literature, music, film and television, using various entertainment channels to subtly change their thinking.
Living this quiet and numb life, with no chance to resist and no use in anger, many people are left with only helplessness and resignation.
But today, the official channel that broadcasts cultural reform programs every day suddenly released a news item that boosted the spirits of countless Kunde Race.
--Lord Black Star has fulfilled his promise to Revenge the Kunde Race, capturing a group of masterminds who are about to be sent to the Kunde Race colony.
This news immediately caused a sensation!
Although this generation of Kunde Race was powerless to resist, they had not forgotten their hatred. They hated the masterminds who had used the Kunde Race even more than the Empire.
On the appointed day, countless Kunde Race arrived early at the designated landing dock, looking up at the sky, waiting for the arrival of the prisoners.
"Whoosh--"
Spaceships pierced through the atmosphere, increasing in number as they rapidly landed at the dock.
With a series of swishes, the hatches opened, and batches of the Black Star Army soldiers escorted unarmed prisoners out.
The prisoners sent over were all screened, with the most powerful superhumans removed. Those who remained were all easily defeated, dressed in uniform prison clothes, with all their belongings confiscated, posing no threat whatsoever.
The Kunde Race were everywhere, stretching as far as the eye could see. Many of the prisoners couldn't help but feel nervous and their bodies stiffened when they saw so many ferocious-looking creatures surrounding them.
"What planet is this? Why were we sent here?"
What are these creatures? Wild animals?
"They wear clothes; they are intelligent beings."
"Why are they all staring at us... it's a little creepy."
The use of the Kunde Race was a high-level secret, something these ordinary soldiers were unaware of, and many didn't even recognize the species. They couldn't help but feel puzzled, wondering why these intelligent beings were staring at them.
Just then, a stone suddenly flew out from the crowd and hit a Modo People prisoner on the head.
Snap!
The prisoner groaned and quickly covered his head.
Before their companions could react, countless objects flew out from the crowd, raining down on all the prisoners.
A series of screams and wails immediately rang out as prisoners were smashed to pieces, their heads bleeding profusely. The Black Star Army soldiers watched coldly as the prisoners were pounded for a while before they intervened, deploying shields to block all the projectiles. The ground was quickly piled up with debris.
Although no one was killed, the prisoners were still in shock.
Why did they smash things up at us?!
"What exactly does the Black Star Army want with us here?"
The crowd stirred restlessly, glancing around in alarm. Only then did they realize the look of hatred and anger in the eyes of the Kunde Race around them.
Just then, a legionary soldier beside him snorted and said coldly, "They are the Kunde Race, the indigenous civilization that Shattered World. During the second phase of exploration, the Modo Civilization secretly used the Kunde Race to provoke a conflict between them and the Empire, which led to the demise of the Kunde Race Civilization. You are all their enemies. Stay here and atone for your sins."
After hearing these words, all the prisoners fell silent, their eyes wide with shock.
Sending us to our enemy's territory... this is just to give them a chance to vent their anger!
They promised to leave us a way to live, but are they really going to make us suffer a fate worse than death?!
It's all over!
Each prisoner's face was shrouded in gloom; they dared not raise their heads as they were pushed forward, loaded onto land vehicles, and sent to prison.
The land vehicle slowly moved away from the dock, while the surrounding Kunde Race kept their eyes fixed on the group of prisoners the entire time.
The crowd lingered for a long time before someone finally spoke in a low voice:
"Black Star promised to help us get justice, and it turns out he really meant it..."
"I didn't expect Black Star to keep its promise."
"I misunderstood him; he's such a noble person."
Many Kunde Race felt a sense of emotion.
For over a decade, the Black Star Army has managed the planet, providing countless resources for survival. Coupled with cultural and entertainment propaganda, the Kunde Race have become quite familiar with the Legion.
Emotionally, the Kunde Race didn't harbor any hatred towards the Black Star Army, but few of them believed Han Xiao's verbal promises, thinking they were just a way of putting them off.
After all, the Kunde Race is now just a group of "prisoners" who cannot resist. Why should Black Star waste his energy seeking justice for them? More than ten years have passed, and they have probably forgotten about this matter.
Just when everyone had given up hope on him, Han Xiao proved with his actions that he wasn't joking.
In the eyes of the Kunde Race, Black Star immediately became their only hope for seeking justice.
Overjoyed, the Kunde Race felt grateful to Han Xiao, and their gratitude was mixed with even greater anticipation.
The impression Han Xiao left on them gradually shifted from that of an insignificant important figure to that of a benefactor.
Black Star, bring along some good people! (*≧▽≦)