"Oh? You mean someone is specifically hunting down Beyond Grade A Seed?"
Inside the Black Star Palace's exclusive mechanical factory, Han Xiao turned to look at the virtual communication screen, staring in amazement at Fording on the screen.
He's been busy digesting the technology lately, and just now, Fording suddenly called, claiming to have caught a hunting squad that specializes in attacking Beyond Grade A Seed.
"Tell me in detail, I need to know all the details." Han Xiao put down the parts in his hand, his expression becoming serious.
"It's like this..." Fording nodded and explained the process in detail.
After capturing the attackers, he interrogated them and read their memories, uncovering astonishing information: the Calamity Grade attackers who attacked Gavin were all acting under orders, secretly controlling the pirate group and roaming the area, waiting to ambush Gavin.
"Do you know which faction they belong to?" Han Xiao asked curiously.
Fording shook his head. "I've investigated. These Calamity Grade left no identification records in the universe, and they have no related memories. They don't know which faction they work for; they only unilaterally accept direct orders from a single account, and the accounts that issue missions to each person are different. I carefully examined their memories and found that they have been undergoing some kind of ideological shaping training since childhood. They seem to be specially trained assassins with extremely weak self-awareness."
"Secret assassins with no resume? An organization capable of training eight Calamity Grade assassins from childhood is no small force. Moreover, the so-called ideological shaping training is likely some kind of brainwashing method that can maintain a long-term effect on Calamity Grade, requiring at least cluster-level or higher technology."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then said:
Are there any other clues?
"I've found some safe houses, cipher keys, and information about these people's past activities. I'll compile a report and give it to you. I'll also send you the top-secret accounts used by these individuals to receive missions; they might be useful to you."
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "You seem to have realized the problem here because you value this matter so much?"
Fording sighed. "If I hadn't guessed how serious things were, I wouldn't have informed you so quickly... There aren't many forces capable of training multiple Calamity Grade assassins, and this team might not be the only Hunters. Considering the recent turmoil surrounding the Sanctuary Revival, the situation is clearly not simple."
"That's right. There are very few forces with the motive and capability to do such a thing. The Three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance are all suspects."
Han Xiao nodded.
Although he couldn't find out their origins, based on various factors, Han Xiao immediately thought of the Three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance, both of which had motives.
The former might be trying to use a "dimensional reduction" tactic, subtly decreasing the source of future new Beyond Grade A and weeding out the weak. The latter has more motives; it could be instigating conflict, framing others, creating antagonism, and forcing the Three Universal Civilizations and associations to break off relations.
Of course, the possibility that others might be taking advantage of the situation cannot be ruled out, so Han Xiao did not draw a conclusion immediately. However, he still tended to believe that this was a secret operation by the Three Universal Civilizations or superclusters.
Therefore, it can be inferred that there is likely more than one Hunters team. Currently, many Beyond Grade A Seed from various star systems are heading to the Shattered World. The mastermind behind the scenes has likely deployed interception forces. These Beyond Grade A Seed are all in danger. Not everyone is lucky enough to encounter the universe's number one healer.
Fording frowned, puzzled. "Leaving aside the Supercluster, what about the Three Universal Civilizations... Could they really have done this? I find it incredible. Executing such a crazy plan, aren't they afraid of pushing all the neutral high-level superhumans to the opposite side? It's too radical; it doesn't seem like the kind of method they would use."
Han Xiao shook his head, unsurprised, and said:
"This behavior is crazy but effective. There are only so many Beyond Grade A Seed in the entire universe, so the cost of taking action is not high. Even if all these people disappear, the impact can be easily suppressed."
Moreover, the Three Universal Civilizations should be well aware that they have lost their monopoly on Ultimate Knowledge. What they can give, we can give too, but we have the added attraction of the Sanctuary Revival, making it difficult for them to attract new talent. So, there's no need for them to push; many Beyond Grade A Seed were already going to join the Association anyway. Doing nothing will only make the situation worse. Rather than watching the Association's talent pool continue to grow, it's better to secretly send assassins to capture and kill people. If they can't get them, they'll destroy them. That's probably their thinking.
As for their radical methods... the same was true of the Tragedy of the Pinnacle. The Three Universal Civilizations have never been benevolent. Don't misunderstand them. Which of the victors of the exploration era wasn't ruthless? Once provoked, they're capable of anything.
Fording pursed his lips. "Aren't they afraid of being exposed?"
Han Xiao stroked his chin. "I think they should be afraid, but it depends on how the Three Universal Civilizations operate. It's too early to say."
In his previous life, there was no association or Sanctuary Revival, and the conflicts were different, so the Beyond Grade A Seed were not intercepted. This was also the first time Han Xiao had encountered such a situation, and the actions of the Three Universal Civilizations were also unknown to him.
The Beyond Grade A Seed was unlucky, and Han Xiao had no choice but to accept it as collateral damage caused by a fire at the city gate.
"This turmoil is spreading wider and wider," Fording said with a worried expression. "What do you plan to do?"
"Well, the association's mission is to mediate conflicts between Beyond Grade A entities. Calamity Grade conflicts are outside our purview, so nominally, the association shouldn't overstep its bounds and isn't suited to openly offer assistance, unless it's truly a matter of direct confrontation..."
Han Xiao stroked his chin and pondered:
"However, if we don't stop them, the Beyond Grade A Seed will suffer heavy casualties, which is indeed detrimental to the emergence of new talents. How about this, since they want to join different Beyond Grade A forces, then the corresponding forces can secretly send people to receive and protect them. This way, it can be justified in name only."
"Alright." Fording paused, then asked, "However, this would mean the support team would encounter the hunting squad. Should we spread the word to alert the Beyond Grade A Seed and give the mastermind a warning?"
Han Xiao thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"A private hint about the Beyond Grade A Seed is enough; this news shouldn't be spread widely... The Super Star Cluster Alliance would be happiest if it were exposed now. I don't want to break ties with the Three Universal Civilizations, nor do I want to be used as a pawn by the Supercluster Alliance. Let's prioritize protection for now and avoid conflict if possible."
Although he nominally controls the Sanctuary Revival, the Sanctum Organization hasn't yet collected the second key, so Han Xiao's confidence is still somewhat weak for the time being. Causing trouble is not on his agenda; he needs to play it safe.
"I understand. What else do I need to do?" Fording asked.
"You guys... go find Beyond Grade A Seed nearby. They're safer with Aurora. Just bring them all back when the time comes."
As he spoke, Han Xiao smiled with satisfaction:
"You've done a great job this time. If it weren't for your information, we might not have realized something was wrong until the Beyond Grade A Seed disappeared on a large scale. Lending you to Aurora was definitely the right decision!"
He thought Fording was the perfect intelligence agent. Most people would seek out problems, but Fording would find problems to him. He could find key intelligence while lying down. It was all automated and he didn't have to worry about anything.
--Fording, it's really useful!
Fording looked helpless; he had already accepted his role as a mere tool.
"By the way, what should I do with these prisoners after I'm done interrogating them? Keeping them might give them some witness testimony."
"What else can we do? We'll have to deal with the Netherland."
Han Xiao waved his hand dismissively.
After discussing the details, the two hung up the call. At that moment, Han Xiao suddenly noticed a movement on the control panel.
[You have triggered the quest [Stop the Hunt]!]
[Mission Brief: For various reasons, some unknown forces are attempting to hunt down talented individuals who wish to join your ranks. As a reputable organization, protecting the personal safety of applicants is a fundamental requirement.]
[Mission Objective: To prevent the hunting of Beyond Grade A Seed as much as possible]
[Note: Rewards depend on mission evaluation, which in turn depends on the number of people you successfully rescue.]
[Basic Rewards: 80e EXP, Rescued Person's Affection +20, Random Rewards x2, Specified Blank Character Card x1]
"The experience points are a bit low, but the Blank Character Card is pretty good."
Han Xiao glanced at it and then put away the panel. This level of task couldn't affect his mood at all; he was more focused on the matter itself.
"The Three Universal Civilizations have reacted quite strongly. Peaceful coexistence is a pipe dream; they always manage to cause some trouble... It's been almost fifty years since the update, and the players should be coming back soon. That'll probably be another bombshell."
Han Xiao rubbed his temples, his thoughts racing, when suddenly he remembered something.
"By the way, someone's hunting down Beyond Grade A Seed, which is also my chance to recruit someone. I wonder how Carrot is doing now. He's probably just a regular Calamity Grade, so he's probably not getting much attention yet. I might as well just knock him out and recruit him."
Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat.
Previously, we didn't poach Carrot because we didn't want to interfere with his growth trajectory. Now that someone has targeted a neutral Beyond Grade A Seed, don't blame us for following suit.
Originally, Carrot was destined to become Pillar of the Nation the empire's elite, but now you're doing the same thing, and I'm going to take this guy's ass!
Unlike the mastermind behind the scenes who casts a wide net, Han Xiao knows precisely who the direct descendants of some advanced civilizations who haven't yet risen to prominence are— the Beyond Grade A individuals. In the past, he couldn't poach them for various reasons, but now there's no room for sentimentality.
Moreover, Han Xiao was also worried that the drastic changes in the plot might cause powerful figures like Carrot, who would shine brightly in the future, to die young, which would be a great loss. So he decided to stop letting them roam freely and gather them all together to ensure they wouldn't die prematurely.
"If they knew the truth, they'd all have to thank me. I've gone to such lengths for the peace of the universe. Maybe that's what boundless love is. I admire myself; how can there be such a magnificent and extraordinary man in the world..."
Han Xiao was almost moved to tears, feeling his skin thicken even more.