"Although we haven't completely fallen out, our relationship has practically frozen."
Han Xiao stroked his chin, secretly making plans.
Although the plot has changed, he has some predictions about the actions of the Three Universal Civilizations. The three leaders' secret meeting with him is naturally intended to be a negotiation.
But Han Xiao had no intention of negotiating. The fundamental conflict was already out in the open, and without resolving this issue, negotiations were pointless.
The negotiation outcome that the Three Universal Civilizations wanted to achieve was nothing more than conditions such as preventing him from arbitrarily resurrecting historical Beyond Grade A beings, requiring that the resurrected individuals be selected by them, and limiting the number of resurrected individuals to a certain value. In short, they did not want him to use the Sanctuary Revival at will, which best suited the needs of the Three Universal Civilizations.
Even if they compromise, as long as the Three Universal Civilizations haven't mastered the Sanctuary Revival, the other side's behavior will remain unchanged. The foundation of trust has been shattered, and nothing can dispel their fears. The fundamental conflict of interests has made it impossible for the two sides to reach a consensus.
Han Xiao naturally didn't want to tie his own hands. Now that the deterrence and balance of power had been barely achieved, there was nothing wrong with not negotiating. However, even if they didn't talk, he didn't want to excessively provoke the Three Universal Civilizations.
Once the Sanctum revives a new Beyond Grade A, he doesn't intend to expose it unless the Three Universal Civilizations take further action.
"The Three Universal Civilizations have become our enemies. Although we are not openly hostile yet, my business cooperation with Three Universal Civilizations will gradually end, and I will naturally no longer receive those resource support."
Tsk, Mabrus never liked me, but he had to continue to support me against his will because of the agreement signed with Urranrell. Now he can finally terminate the cooperation in a legitimate way.
However, I'm probably not the only one receiving this treatment. Apart from the core members and allies who haven't explicitly stated their allegiance, it's difficult for others to cooperate with the Three Universal Civilizations anymore... We still need to strengthen the independence of the association's power."
Han Xiao's eyes darted around.
The nature of this incident caused by the Beyond Grade A Association has changed. It is highly unlikely that the Three Universal Civilizations major civilizations will continue to "aid the enemy," and it cannot be ruled out that they will take countermeasures such as economic sanctions or other non-armed conflict measures in the future.
With the Three Universal Civilizations taking the lead, many subordinate civilizations will also terminate their cooperation with certain Beyond Grade A forces. If some targeted policies are introduced, many interstellar conglomerates can voluntarily terminate their contracts with Beyond Grade A forces, making it difficult for Beyond Grade A forces to develop. No matter how powerful an individual is, they cannot make the development of a force happen overnight... Han Xiao does not doubt the influence of the Three Universal Civilizations in this regard. At a certain level, free trade will eventually turn into a political issue.
The Three Universal Civilizations civilizations are so large that they don't care about stopping this part of the cooperation, but it's a big loss for some Beyond Grade A forces, as many channels have been cut off, which has a significant impact.
While the Super Star Cluster Alliance might seize the opportunity to flirt with some Beyond Grade A civilizations in an attempt to replace the Three Universal Civilizations, the Three Universal Civilizations might prefer to target the Super Star Cluster Alliance rather than continue cooperating with the Beyond Grade A Association.
Of course, even if the Three Universal Civilizations did this, they wouldn't do it publicly; the struggle would only take place outside the sight of most interstellar citizens.
These problems may not occur in the short term, but in Han Xiao's view, it is very necessary to establish an interest system for the Beyond Grade A Association that operates independently of the Three Universal Civilizations. The current interest alliance can only be considered a semi-finished product and needs further improvement.
"These past few days, countless forces have contacted me, inquiring about the Sanctuary Revival. These are all resources that can be utilized."
Han Xiao scratched his chin, seemingly lost in thought.
While the Sanctuary Revival is miraculous to ordinary people, it has little to do with them. However, conglomerates with a keen business sense are requesting further cooperation, seeing it as a huge business opportunity.
In Han Xiao's view, these were all "foundation stones" delivered to his doorstep.
Various financial groups have always been important partners of the Beyond Grade A powers, but if the Three Universal Civilizations impose economic sanctions in the future, these financial groups will be caught in the middle of the two camps and will have to make a choice.
However, during this extraordinary period, Han Xiao did not want to explain the risks to investors. He planned to accept all comers and deepen the cooperation between the association and these conglomerates, binding them together and preventing them from running away.
If economic sanctions really happen one day, either these consortiums will go all the way and continue to provide benefits to the association, or they will cut off their flesh and blood and withdraw. In short, they will not be allowed to leave unscathed after entering the market, and they will all be cut off as leeks - losing the environment where harmony and wealth can be generated, and they can only adopt more radical methods. With the energy of the association, it should be able to ensure that the bankers successfully collect their accounts.
On the other hand, for some forces that possess or have previously possessed Beyond Grade A- Beyond Grade A, the Sanctuary Revival of even greater significance. Among them, the ones that Han Xiao is most concerned about are the various Beyond Grade A remnants. During this period, many people have tried to contact him, expressing their desire to revive their "ancestors".
"The remnants of historical Beyond Grade A races... are both a source of media and a high-value talent pool. The Sanctuary Revival is a rare commodity in my hands, and I can exchange some things with these races," Han Xiao muttered to himself.
Reviving a dead Beyond Grade A will most likely only earn you gratitude, but if someone else requests to revive a character, you can gain more substantial benefits from that person.
The saying goes, "Where there is demand, there is a market," meaning that prices can be raised arbitrarily. In Han Xiao's view, this might be the right way to Sanctuary Revival.
However, he's only thinking about it now. To maintain an air of mystery, talking about money would be vulgar, and it's not the time to try and take advantage of others yet.
Han Xiao scribbled and drew on the memo, recording one idea after another. The president was responsible for guiding the association's development direction, which required considering all aspects and making preparations in advance.
Soon, the memo was filled with dense writing. Han Xiao listed the tasks that needed to be completed, which looked complicated and trivial. He glanced through it and nodded to himself:
"That basically covers the work regarding the association's development. Power is only one aspect; I've taken the pressure upon myself. Our own strength is the foundation for maintaining all of this..."
As he thought about it, Han Xiao opened the panel and smiled.
The Revived joined the Association, and the [Proof of Leadership] bonus received a small boost. Decades later, he had absorbed most of Jess's technological treasures, created all sorts of golden equipment, and replenished his foundation. He had already come a long way on the path of Divine Transformation.
The mechanical route's Divine Transformation has reached its peak at Lv15, requiring a significant amount of Mission Settlement Card. Meanwhile, the Void system's Divine Transformation has reached Lv9, also at a very high level.
The combined bonuses from both increased his energy level by several thousand Ona. Furthermore, upon reaching the final fifteenth level of his Divine Transformation along the mechanical path, he received additional enhancements, such as obtaining a [First Sanctum] fragment and a 15% increase in the chance of forming his exclusive feat...
Unlike the previous two times, this time the [Unknown Talent] has finally been activated, transforming into a new feat—[Mechanical Divinity]!
This is a special reward for reaching the pinnacle of the mechanical branch. Its effects are comprehensive, covering aspects such as ability strength, Mechanical Force affinity, manufacturing efficiency, basic attributes, and endurance bonuses. It allows Han Xiao's energy level to increase by about 900 Ona, taking him to the next level.
In addition, [Mechanical Divinity] has two additional abilities: one is that when connecting machines with Mechanical Force, one can slowly stack status effects, becoming stronger the longer the battle goes on.
Secondly, upon the next advancement, one will gain an additional "life level leap," which, in Han Xiao's view, is perhaps the most crucial effect of this specialty, truly deserving the title of "transformation."
The other Void route mainly strengthens racial characteristics and basic attributes, resulting in a significant improvement in racial talents. At the fifth level, the Black Star Race's talent [Mechanical Genius] underwent a leap in evolution, and they also obtained a fragment of the Sanctuary, which was from the First Sanctum.
As for his unique specialization, Han Xiao was finally not completely clueless. After decades of research, he finally triggered the relevant prompts for his unique specialization.
Exclusive feats aren't something you suddenly discover. The mechanism involves randomly gaining progress while engaging in related activities. Only when the progress reaches 100% will the feat truly be formed. The frequency and extent of triggering these feats depend on the "exclusive feat formation probability."
Thanks to the boost from Divine Transformation, Han Xiao finally activated the rudimentary form. Over several decades, it only triggered about three times, a very low probability, and the progress was barely 44.7%. At this rate, a normal Beyond Grade A would need more than a hundred years to develop an exclusive specialty.
Awakening points can speed up this process, but there haven't been any easy targets for Han Xiao in decades, so he's been very frugal and hasn't upgraded his skills much, naturally resulting in a shortage of awakening points.
Master Han looked at the panel and silently calculated his own strength in his mind:
"The energy boost from my various specialties is too high, already putting me far ahead of the top-tier Beyond Grade A in the universe, placing me in a completely different tier. When I advance to level 360, I might actually be able to create a new level..."
Hmm, it would be best to push the Divine Transformation of the Void Path to its peak before advancing to maximize the benefits. The golden blueprints in Jess's Technique Treasure Trove might not be enough, but I should be able to collect a bunch more when I enter the First Sanctum next time, so I won't have to worry about running out of Divine Transformation points..."
Han Xiao's eyes lit up, filled with anticipation.
It seems that no one has ever ventured into a higher realm of individual power in any iteration. I wonder what it will feel like when that happens... (http://m. hetushu. com)
Super Star Cluster Alliance, Joint Conference Room.
"I never expected this! The Beyond Grade A Association has given us such a big surprise!"
The leaders of various supercluster civilizations gathered together, their faces almost unable to hide their smiles.
Since their defeat in the Shattered World Battle, the Super Star Cluster Alliance has been driven out of the Shattered World by the Three Universal Civilizations. They can only endure the humiliation and return home to lick their wounds, recuperate, and lie low while looking for other opportunities.
However, they did not expect that the cosmic landscape would change in just a few decades.
"The conflict between the Beyond Grade A civilization and the Three Universal Civilizations has begun to erupt. Black Star always manages to surprise us; he even dug up those dead people. The Three Universal Civilizations will definitely be uneasy now. This is our opportunity."
The leader of the Star Arc Civilization's eyes gleamed, and a smile played at the corners of his lips.
"Yes, this is indeed a good time to intervene. It's another direction that could shake the rule of the Three Universal Civilizations. We can improve upon the original plan," someone laughed.
Even while recuperating, the Super Star Cluster Alliance has not been idle, and has been planning to create some minor troubles for the Three Universal Civilizations.
The group originally planned to jointly support a special force, take a grassroots approach, incite the people's anger over class struggle—that is, not scarcity but inequality—and try to reduce the morale of the Three Universal Civilizations Three Universal Civilizations, thereby slightly undermining their rule.
However, plans can't keep up with changes, and now there are clearly better options available.
Everyone had their own ideas, and a lively discussion ensued.
"So, from what angle should we intervene in this controversy?"
"Getting involved directly won't work; we need to stay behind the scenes... Hmm, the Three Universal Civilizations and the Beyond Grade A Association are still maintaining restraint. We should escalate their conflicts and make them openly hostile."
"The best outcome would be a draw, but the Beyond Grade A Association only has top-level power, and its overall strength is far too weak to be a match for the Three Universal Civilizations. Perhaps we should find a way to help the association increase its power."
"You mean a mutually beneficial partnership? While feasible, it would also attract the attention of the Three Universal Civilizations."
"No, no, it's not cooperation. We can secretly kill association members and then frame the Three Universal Civilizations, just like they did to us in the Tragedy of the Pinnacle..."
Everyone came up with a plan, and the discussion went on and on.
At this moment, the leader of the Star Arc Civilization's eyes flashed, and he spoke:
"Perhaps... we can go big!"
Upon hearing this, the others looked over with curious expressions.
What are your thoughts?
The leader of the Star Arc Civilization narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice:
"The current conflict is only between the Beyond Grade A and the Three Universal Civilizations, which is too narrow a scope. We can instigate a larger conflict... for example, by expanding the conflict to a conflict between the super-powered class and the Three Universal Civilizations!"
We can spread rumors claiming that the Three Universal Civilizations are slaughtering superhumans to stop the emergence of new Beyond Grade A beings. Then we can find some people to pretend to be hunting teams from the Three Universal Civilizations and fake the rumors being exposed. Even if the rumors are exaggerated, fear is the best persuasive force, and it will inevitably cause widespread panic.
Beyond Grade A are natural opinion leaders among the superhuman class. This should push many superhumans to the Association's side, creating a confrontation with the Three Universal Civilizations and escalating the conflict. The Association, seeing the potential profit, will likely cooperate tacitly, adding fuel to the fire and seizing the opportunity to expand its power. Meanwhile, the Three Universal Civilizations will lose a large number of superhumans and suffer a sharp drop in prestige... Wouldn't that be incredibly profitable?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was startled and looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a moment of silence, someone couldn't help but ask, "Isn't this a bit too much? If we incite a rebellion among the entire superhuman class, interstellar society will be in chaos. Besides, the Three Universal Civilizations won't sit idly by; they'll definitely retaliate. What if they expose us instead?"
"The risks are indeed very high, but the rewards are also enormous. It's already a good gamble. I'm just proposing a new idea; how to implement it specifically requires further consideration."
The leader of the Star Arc Civilization shrugged, indicating that he could only make a choice.
He paused suddenly, then added:
"Moreover, the Three Universal Civilizations may not be entirely clean. Judging from their current situation, they might actually be considering creating a gap in the superpowered class. If they can't stop the resurrection of the dead, then they can only prevent the birth of new ones. But even if they have such intentions, they will only act covertly, targeting only those with potential for Calamity Grade, thus narrowing the scope of their strikes... And what we need to do might just be to help them with some 'publicity'."
As he spoke, the leader of the Star Arc Civilization gave a cold laugh.
I can't speak for anything else, but when it comes to stirring up trouble, he's a pro!
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Ancient Star Desert, there was a bustling interstellar transit station.
On the bustling street, several men dressed in black hooded robes walked among the endless stream of people, their faces obscured by the hoods.
Suddenly, the group stopped and looked up at a tall building not far away. At that moment, the virtual screen on the exterior wall was broadcasting news about the Sanctuary Revival, explaining the identities of the Association's Revived.
The burly man at the head of the group slightly lifted his hood, revealing a resolute and cold face. It was Pangon. These people were the Revenge Takers had left the Sanctum more than two months ago.
"Hmph, Baigel and the others have already been born...?"
Pangon muttered to himself.
A companion beside him glanced at him and asked, "We've been out here for months, what are you planning to do?"
A cold glint flashed in Pangon's eyes.
"With the strength of just a few of us, it's too early to Revenge against advanced civilizations. It's perfect that Baigel and his group are attracting the attention of the entire universe. We should lie low, secretly develop our power, and wait until we've accumulated enough strength before seeking Revenge against the Three Universal Civilizations... Until then, we must conceal our hostility, and even pretend to cooperate with the Three Universal Civilizations, stabbing them in the back at the right time."
As he spoke, Pangon took out a communicator, which displayed the life story of a figure—none other than the Sorokin!
He glanced at his companions, pointed to the image of the Sorokin, and said in a deep voice:
"The way this junior did is very valuable to learn from; we can take his approach as a reference..."