The top-floor office of the Infinite Financial Group's branch in Shattered World.
A huge virtual star map floated in the center of the room, showing the current distribution of the Free Competition Zone — the Super Star Cluster Alliance occupied large core and central areas of four star clusters, their territory marked in red, and was spreading towards the blue areas representing other forces.
Sorokin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the star map, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
"This will be the second advanced civilization armed conflict, after the Crimson Tide, to impact the entire universe... Business opportunities abound!"
After resolving the Traveler's crisis, the Infinite Financial Group turned around and clung to the coattails of Glory and the Arcane. They were obligated to contribute to this crisis, and it was also a legitimate opportunity to profit from the war. As the head of the consortium, Sorokin naturally wouldn't miss it.
"During the proxy war phase, it can boost the trade of supplies, weapons, and other resources. Those forces aligned with the Three Universal Civilizations need to replenish their supplies locally, which presents the first business opportunity... But this is merely a small profit. The real benefits lie outside the chessboard, requiring an entry ticket, and I should be eligible..."
Sorokin muttered to himself, feeling somewhat exhilarated.
If they can grasp the true benefits of this event, the size and scale of the Infinite Financial Group could be further increased, and a surge in stock price is not a dream.
beep beep...
Just as he was lost in thought, his private communicator rang; it was Black Star calling.
Sorokin's expression changed slightly upon seeing the caller's name.
Now, whenever he sees Han Xiao's name, his heart skips a beat.
However, he quickly composed himself, put on his signature fake smile, and answered the call.
"Mr. Black Star, my dear partner, what brings you to contact me today?"
"I need your cooperation." Han Xiao cut to the chase, saying, "The conflict between the Three Universal Civilizations and the Supercluster has finally erupted. This is my chance to settle scores with Modo. Everyone knows I'm going to deal with Modo, and we should have similar interests in this regard, don't you think?"
Sorokin's eyes flashed, and he chuckled, "That's right. Putting aside my relationship with the Glory and the Arcane, the Traveler betrayed me, and I also have a score to settle with his backer Modo Civilization."
Even now, he still believes that the Modo Civilization is the real owner behind the Traveler, completely believing Han Xiao's initial deception and blaming Modo for this.
"Since we share the same goal this time, we have a basis for cooperation. You are a commercial organization, which is not suitable for involvement in armed conflict, so I need you to provide large-scale funding and supplies. Is that alright?"
"The Black Star Army's influence in the Shattered World far surpasses mine, yet they still need me to fund their war supplies?" Sorokin raised an eyebrow.
"The more war supplies the better, I don't mind having too many." Han Xiao wasn't ashamed at all.
Although he was not short of money, it was certainly more comfortable to fight a war with other people's money than with his own, so he blatantly emptied the wallet of the Infinite Financial Group.
Sorokin gritted his teeth inwardly, cursing him as shameless, but his smile remained unchanged, "Fine, I'd be happy to fund the war against the Modo Civilization."
"I'll have the clerk send over the supplies list later; just provide them accordingly."
"... Okay." Sorokin smiled through gritted teeth.
"There's something else. With your keen eye, you must be able to see the business opportunities on this second front."
Sorokin's heart skipped a beat; a bad feeling crept over him. He tentatively asked, "You mean...?"
"Stop pretending. The conflict between the Three Universal Civilizations and the Supercluster has far-reaching implications. While the Free Competition Zone is a coveted target, the Three Universal Civilizations won't limit their attention to it. They will inevitably open a second front, turning their attention to the Supercluster civilizations' Explored Universe, using political and economic sanctions to exert pressure... And within this, there are enormous business opportunities."
Han Xiao said slowly.
The Shattered World is the eye of the storm and the main stage for armed conflict, but there is another front outside the chessboard: the pressure exerted by the Three Universal Civilizations on the Supercluster Civilization itself, keeping the Supercluster busy and indirectly creating an advantage for the battlefield of the Free Competition Zone, forcing the Supercluster Civilization to give up as soon as possible.
The business opportunity lies in economic sanctions. Under the targeting of the Three Universal Civilizations, the business world of the Supercluster Civilization will be in turmoil, and a large number of companies will suffer. This is the opportunity for other cosmic conglomerates to enter the market, like a group of sharks smelling blood, taking a piece of flesh from the Supercluster Civilization.
The Infinite Financial Group, now close to the Three Universal Civilizations and a top-tier conglomerate, naturally has the right to enter the fray and reap the rewards. Han Xiao has his eye on this opportunity and is preparing to get a share of the pie.
At the same time, the plan is also intended to better accomplish the Kunde Race's mission.
The mission requires him to inflict massive losses on the Modo Civilization. Killing their army is one aspect, but disrupting the Modo Civilization's financial stability and causing huge economic losses is also a way to meet the mission requirements—a two-pronged approach can further increase the mission's success rate.
Moreover, the scene of the Kunde Race leader's death was still vivid in his mind, and purely from an emotional point of view, Han Xiao also wanted to beat Modo as badly as possible.
Sorokin was very reluctant and looked troubled. "I haven't decided to get involved yet. Besides, you are already a guest of honor of the Three Universal Civilizations. You can enter without my help. Why use my channels?"
"Your connections are more effective." Han Xiao chuckled, without batting an eye.
His Germinal Financial Group can indeed enter the market independently, but compared to the Infinite Financial Group, the Germinal Financial Group 'Infinite Financial Group business scope is still smaller, and its channels are not as convenient. In this way, he can leverage its strengths to develop, so why wouldn't he do it?
Of course, for Sorokin, this was tantamount to having his business stolen. He felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly, and wished he could immediately have his factories produce boxing bags in the Black Star image so he could vent his frustration on the spot.
"That's not a good idea..."
Sorokin was unwilling and wanted to make excuses.
However, at this moment, Han Xiao's tone changed and became subtle.
"Speaking of which, I recently came across a historical figure that has piqued my interest while researching."
Sorokin was taken aback, wondering why Han Xiao had suddenly changed the subject and started chatting inexplicably.
Completely bewildered, he suppressed his impatience and feigned curiosity. "Who is it?"
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, staring meaningfully at Sorokin, a playful look in his eyes:
"Rowell Sisok, the First Ones nicknamed the Spirit Emperor, I wonder if you've heard of him?"
"... I've heard of him before. What's it about him that piqued your interest?"
"Oh dear, a while ago I was collecting Primal Esper Ability. While researching, I came across a power entity called the Soul Flame, which piqued my interest. So I looked it up and found out that its last host was this Spirit Emperor. That wouldn't have been a big deal, but not long after, I happened to run into the current host of the Soul Flame and learned some astonishing news from him. It turns out that this the First Ones Spirit Emperor didn't die in a war as the information indicated. His spirit Escape with Your Life and hid, and due to the unique nature of his ability, he might have survived until now... And I discovered that his ability is very similar to yours. Isn't that amazing?"
"Heh, it's just a coincidence... But a the First Ones has survived to this day? That's quite impressive."
"Hmm, I also think it's a coincidence... So let's get back to the main point. Our cooperation in this matter is actually a win-win solution. Wouldn't it be better to share a larger market share together?"
"Hmm, that makes sense. Okay, you've convinced me. It's settled then. I'll open up channels to facilitate the entry of the Germinal Financial Group."
"Haha, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation, and I won't bother you any longer."
"Okay, it's a pleasure doing business with you."
The communication ended, Sorokin's smile vanished instantly.
Click!
A spark rang out, and the communicator was crushed into a piece of scrap metal.
"This guy actually found out my secrets!"
Sorokin's expression was one of surprise and uncertainty.
"Spirit Emperor" Rovel Sisok was his earliest identity!
Despite his calm demeanor while speaking, he was actually in turmoil.
If Sorokin hadn't been mentally prepared for people to make connections to his identity when his identity was suddenly revealed, his expression would have changed drastically on the spot, and he would have been caught red-handed.
Sorokin didn't believe Black Star was 100% certain he could see through his identity; he must have made that connection based on some information, which was why he probed.
So much time has passed, and he has changed his identity many times; the other party has no way of having any solid evidence.
From the perspective of identity alone, it doesn't really matter if people know he is the Spirit Emperor. The identity of the Spirit Emperor is free from grudges. Even if he had enemies, they have long since disappeared into the annals of history. In essence, he is not afraid of others knowing.
Sorokin feared the chain reaction that would result from his identity being exposed. If the Three Universal Civilizations and all the Beyond Grade A knew that he was actually the First Ones survivor, they would definitely become wary and apprehensive. How could he then maintain his weak and cowardly image and continue to play the fool to take advantage of others?!
Moreover, he was probably the only one of the First Ones to have survived to this day, Three Universal Civilizations would definitely take action. Just thinking about it made Sorokin's scalp tingle.
With Han Xiao holding the leverage over him, Sorokin had no choice but to suppress his anger and agree to Han Xiao's proposal.
"Although Black Star probably doesn't have any evidence, if we let him continue investigating, he might uncover all the identities I've used..."
Sorokin's expression changed slightly.
The Spirit Emperor's identity is relatively clean, considered positive, but his other identities haven't been so pure...
Even the incident that once cleaned up the Tragedy of the Pinnacle the Beyond Grade A was orchestrated by him!
Although the clues have been largely lost after so many years, the consequences would be unimaginable if someone were to uncover them!
He just wanted Black Star to believe that his identity Spirit Emperor was enough to blackmail him, and to stop investigating further.
"Even if I change my identity again, there's always the risk of being exposed. Only by eliminating Black Star can I solve this once and for all..."
Sorokin's expression was unpredictable.