"I will provide the Black Star Army with even stronger support. You will purchase services and resources from the Infinite Financial Group at cost price. At the same time, I will bring a large number of preferential business projects to cooperate with your Germinal Financial Group and help it develop. On the other hand, I am willing to invest in building factories in the Black Star Army's territory at any cost, and through spending money, support a complete industrial chain in various fields on your land..."
Sorokin went on and on, but in essence, besides losing money, he also used the Infinite Financial Group's business and funds to help the Black Star Army develop rapidly, offering many preferential terms.
Han Xiao silently calculated that if all these conditions and the _book_ were fulfilled, even the Infinite Financial Group, with its vast wealth, would suffer a significant financial loss. However, for the Legion's territory, the construction speed would be accelerated.
This guy was quite generous in trying to mend the relationship.
Sorokin once used a similar method to help the War Realm develop. Now, the War Realm has basically completed its transformation and has become a strong competitor of the Legion in the Shattered Star Ring. Sorokin is now willing to give the Black Star Army the same treatment, or even more generous terms.
As for the support from the Tyrant, even if Black Star didn't say anything, Sorokin would have temporarily stopped it; business is business.
"Hmm..." Han Xiao remained noncommittal, then proposed a new condition. "While the development of the Shattered World territory is important, the Legion's goals are even greater. I want to expand into other star systems. Your Infinite Financial Group has vast industries in various star systems; you could share some of those resources."
"... Fine." Sorokin smiled outwardly, but secretly gritted his teeth.
He knew that Black Star wasn't satisfied with resource compensation; instead, it was eyeing the Infinite Financial Group's cross-star system operations, wanting a piece of the pie, bleeding the Infinite Financial Group Infinite Financial Group, and stealing its business to nourish the Legion's business network in other star systems—making exorbitant demands.
Even though Sorokin was mentally prepared, he still felt a pang of regret.
He was willing to offer so much compensation for two reasons. First, he wanted to mend his relationship with Black Star, even if the chances of Black Star giving up on dealing with him were only fifty-fifty, it was still worth the investment. Second, he wanted to indirectly show the Empire his attitude and make a show of it.
While this might turn the Black Star Army into Life Drain on the Infinite Financial Group Infinite Financial Group, feeding on its flesh and blood, the immediate priority is dealing with the Empire. Losing money is inevitable; otherwise, Sorokin wouldn't have made such a compromise. Although the Black Star Army is powerful, he isn't afraid of Han Xiao in business; he's only afraid of the Empire behind them.
Having weathered this storm, the lost profits can be gradually recovered in the future, and the agreements made now can also be reneged on through various means. Therefore, Sorokin agreed without hesitation.
"Also, I really like Universal Treasure, whether they're physical objects or blueprints. I enjoy collecting them. The Infinite Financial Group should have some connections, right? Could you share some with me?" Han Xiao said slowly.
"I'll try to collect some when I get back," Sorokin readily agreed, figuring that having more debts wouldn't hurt.
"That's all for now. Fulfill these conditions as soon as possible." Han Xiao waved his hand, indicating that he wanted to see him out. "I have something to do later, so I won't chat with you any longer."
"Okay, then I won't bother you anymore."
Upon hearing this, Sorokin stood up, nodded slightly in greeting, then disconnected the communication, and the remote projection vanished instantly.
Han Xiao leaned back, lost in thought.
"The Traveler is a loyal subject of the Star Arc Civilization. It seems that only I know this so far. I wonder if the Empire will find out the details during his subsequent trial... Anyway, the Traveler's testimony to the Empire insists that Sorokin is the only scapegoat. The Empire will definitely send someone to question Sorokin about his motives."
When the time comes, Sorokin will definitely try to shift the blame to the Super Star Cluster Alliance. I told him that Modo was the mastermind, and he will most likely tell the Empire. If the Empire presses him further, he will probably say that I told him. The Empire knows that I am targeting Modo and understands my motives. Even if they know it is Lie and a frame-up, they might be happy to see it happen and tacitly approve of it. In the future, they can use this as an excuse to find an opportunity to attack the Modo Civilization and other Supercluster civilizations.
Sorokin may not trust my words, but even if he doesn't believe the Modo Civilization is the Traveler's home, he will certainly investigate and probe...
Han Xiao shook his head and chuckled inwardly.
In this way, the Modo Civilization is the one that suffers the most in the entire chain of events, being unfairly blamed.
In the future campaign by the Three Universal Civilizations to strike the Super Star Cluster Alliance, the Modo Civilization is expected to receive a "warm" welcome from the Empire.
"In that case, the second requirement of that Grade S mission [The Kunde Leader's Last Wish] should be almost complete..."
Han Xiao's eyes brightened slightly, and he couldn't help but rub his hands together.
He had been eyeing the rewards of this mission for a long time: [Proof of Leadership], [Oath of Vengeance], and [Kunde's Wrath]—three high-quality abilities. Currently, the Modo Civilization is under the protection of the Super Star Cluster Alliance and is expanding discreetly. He couldn't confront them head-on, so he could only wait for the inevitable future conflict to strike them while they were down.
News of the Black Star Cup spread rapidly, igniting immense enthusiasm throughout the legion. Countless legion members eagerly signed up.
Most people were there for entertainment, but a few ambitious legion warriors saw this as an opportunity for internal selection, a chance to showcase their strength and rise to the top.
The Black Star Cup has also generated a huge response among Legion players, with the forums experiencing another wave of activity.
[Heaven Below: What's going on? Not long ago we were saying Black Star was going to make movies and enter the entertainment industry, and now Legion is going to enter the sports world?]
[The Great Wind Rises, My Scalp Itches: A large camp is truly impressive (thumbs up)]
[Take Cannon Fire Even in Death: I feel this is more interesting than the professional league.]
[Short and Feeble: This event must be the largest to date, with many projects and a huge number of participants. Each person is allowed to participate in five projects, which means there must be countless competitions. And they even allow gambling?!]
[I Am Your Blessing: Chow Yun-fat carrying a speaker by (funny)]
[Two Little White Rabbits: It's not just playing cards, there are also singing and dancing activities, I even saw someone apply to hold a crosstalk competition, and it was actually approved by the higher-ups (laughing and crying at the same time)]
[Dragon Emperor's Simp: To be honest, I want to see Black Star dance...]
[Flying Professional Power-Leveling Studio: The rewards for these competitions are quite generous, and the number of spots is quite generous. The highest rewards are for combat-based events, with prizes for the top Three Hundred Thousand. There are no restrictions on the weapons we can use. If we participated in team combat competitions and used items like the Nuclear Bomb Backpack and Evolution Badge, wouldn't we be able to sweep all the top spots?]
[Fan Club President Fording: Let me see, whose wallet is bulging again? (Black Star's smile. jpg)]
[Cow Likes: Legion Commander, this is my guild fee for this year (bows at a 90-degree angle)]
Even before the Black Star Cup Grand Ceremony was fully prepared, countless players were already calling on their friends and excitedly spending money to prepare for the event.
In the following days, the Logistics Department's sales soared, Han Xiao's daily experience gain increased significantly, and a large number of players learned and upgraded their skills, investing most of the savings they had accumulated since the launch of the Shattered World version.
Watching his experience grow every day, Han Xiao felt completely at ease.
Players work hard to earn money, how could I not take it?
At this rate, reaching level 340 is just around the corner. However, in order to gain an extra Divine Transformation Point during the advancement, he decided to use this wave of experience to max out some blueprint skills and first raise all class knowledge to the maximum level.
Sylvia and Phillip acted very efficiently. Given the Black Star Army's current status, all administrative procedures were expedited, and broadcast media and sponsors were quickly in place.
Han Xiao specially allocated several desolate planets as competition venues, and the professional interstellar engineering team called in by the Infinite Financial Group quickly constructed the venues, while legion members from all over the world participating in the Black Star Cup also gathered.
The process is similar to that of professional leagues. Because of the large number of events and participants, a large number of people are quickly eliminated through preliminary rounds, and then the competition is held gradually.
After more than two months of preparation, the first Black Star Cup is finally ready.
On October 28th, 730th year of the Galaxy Calendar, the highly anticipated opening ceremony of the Black Star Cup was held as scheduled. With powerful media coverage, the eyes of the entire universe turned to this grand event.