When the two arrived at the secret conference room under the cover of night, the leaders of the Six Nations had already been waiting online for a while. The giant screen in the conference room displayed images of the leaders of the Six Nations; it was a remote video conference.
As soon as Han Xiao walked in, the leaders of the Six Nations subtly sized him up. Han Xiao turned and gave Bennett a look, Bennett stepped aside, indicating that he would not participate in the rest of the talks, leaving Han Xiao to stand alone in front of the screen.
"Leaders of Stardragon, Hesla, Raylen, Terilous, Red Maple, Ordifenna, this should be our first meeting. Good evening, gentlemen." Han Xiao said calmly.
"Hello, Black Phantom... or rather, you now call yourself Black Star. We've been watching you for a long time, and we're glad to have this conversation."
The Stardragon leader responded with a friendly smile, as Han Xiao had served in the Stardragon Intelligence Agency and they had a good relationship, so the Stardragon leader served as the representative to host the exchange.
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "I know why you're here. Just say it."
"Bennett understands our meaning, but we would prefer to speak with you in person. Bennett has explained your intention in leaving and returning: to protect the people of this planet from the Mutation Disaster. You are a noble person, and we admire you greatly. As you can see, our people are under threat, and through this meeting, we hope to receive your assistance."
The leader of Stardragon didn't use bureaucratic language; he got straight to the point.
"So what are your requirements?"
"We hope you can help us restore the broken order and rescue our people who are in danger."
"How exactly do you plan to implement this?" Han Xiao asked patiently.
"... After discussions, we unanimously agree that the Sanctuary can share the inhibitor's formula and raw materials, and send personnel to guide the manufacturing process. Simultaneously, we hope to obtain a large-scale batch of finished inhibitors to address our domestic emergency, prioritizing the restoration of government and military operations, followed by isolating and treating our citizens as much as possible. Once we regain our strength, we can stop the situation from deteriorating further and bring it under control. In this process, we hope to utilize your soldiers and fleet. We will provide you with a more detailed plan later."
"Sounds good. You took a whole day to contact me to come up with a plan, right?" Han Xiao remained noncommittal, saying calmly, "And what will I get in return?"
The leaders of the Six Nations were all taken aback. Didn't you come back specifically to stop the disaster and provide free aid to the refugees? Why are you suddenly bringing up repaying them?
"What's wrong? You all seem a little surprised?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Isn't this a transaction? If there's no reward, then don't waste my time."
"This... no one can stand aside. Resisting disaster is everyone's responsibility. How can this be a transaction? Didn't you come back to save the lives of people on this planet?" Leader Ordifenna interjected.
"That's true, but that's not what we're discussing now." Han Xiao stood with his arms crossed. "What you're asking for now is to use my power to help you regain control of your territory. I'll help you restore order, and you'll give me something in return—a fair trade. Otherwise, why should I help you?"
"Helping us can save more refugees, isn't that a reason?" the Hesla leader said.
"Everyone dies eventually. Trying to save everyone is wishful thinking. I believe you have all read my file and know that I am not an idealist. My goal is to prevent disasters and save this planet from being destroyed. I can accept whether more or fewer people die, so don't use this as a reason to blackmail me. I am not Bennett, I am not that kind. This is not the reason why you can make demands of me at will."
Han Xiao slowly said, "The survival of your regime makes no difference to me. I can simply guard the Sanctuary and wait for refugees from all directions to come to us for help. They won't be foolish enough to stay on your land and wait to die. After your regime is destroyed, I can support the Sanctuary to become the new regime on this planet and become its sole ruler."
Bennett opened his mouth, as if to say something but then stopped himself. He had no ambition to rule and completely disagreed with this viewpoint, but after hesitating for a moment, he ultimately chose to stand aside and trust Han Xiao, letting him continue.
"I don't deny that you do want to save the people, but your bigger motive is that you want to use the inhibitors and my power to stabilize your collapsing regime. That's undeniable." Han Xiao shook his head and said coldly, "So get your act straight. If you're asking for a favor, then act like one. I'm the one who has the right to make this request, not you."
The leaders of the Six Nations were both shocked and furious, never expecting Han Xiao to be so impolite.
"No, I think you've misunderstood. You're not as important as you think." The usually tough Terilous leader spoke up, his voice deep and resonant. "We've already requested aid from Goddora, and they'll arrive soon. We sought your help simply to save as many people as possible. Since you're being so impolite, there's nothing we can do. We just hope you remember that your refusal caused the deaths of some people who could have survived. They were all killed because of you."
Black Star was not their only hope. The Six Nations were only approaching Han Xiao with a tentative attitude; deep down, they still trusted the Goddora Civilization more.
"We're all sensible people, so let's not make a fool of ourselves with this kind of moralistic threat. As for your bluntness..."
Han Xiao shook his head and smiled, "Goddora must have been very polite to you, but besides encouraging the awakening of superhuman knowledge, did they give you any other help? Not only did they not help, but they also shook your social order. It was because of Goddora's appearance that the War of the Hundred Nations happened decades ago, resulting in countless deaths... Moreover, Goddora's rescue team still hasn't arrived, has it?"
The leaders of the Six Nations remained silent.
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, suddenly changed the subject, shrugged, and said in a mocking tone, "A few years ago, I helped you win the Germinal War, but I didn't have the opportunity to speak with you, the highest leaders, back then. But now you're the ones who are taking the initiative to come to me. Why is it that in just two years, our positions have been reversed? Why is the gap so big?"
The leaders of the Six Nations turned pale, feeling as if they had been stabbed in the heart.
Negotiation is one thing, and if you can't reach an agreement, that's fine, but suddenly poking at someone's sore spot is really insensitive!
Bad guy!
"You can only cling to the coattails of the Goddora Civilization. They're like your ancestors. Even if you don't understand them, you have to treat them with utmost respect and act like subservient grandchildren. But me? I not only know the details of the Goddora Civilization, but I've also cooperated with them several times, maintained a good relationship with them, and can even speak directly with their high-ranking officials. Can you do that?"
The leaders of the Six Nations were ashen-faced, a fact that had always been a source of pain for them. No ruler wanted to be powerless, yet the disparity in their civilizational strength forced them to bow their heads.
They were unaware of Black Star's exploits in interstellar space, but if what Han Xiao said was true, Black Star's power seemed far greater than they had imagined, which secretly alarmed them.
Han Xiao tapped the table and said, "Suppose Goddora helps you solve the Mutation Disaster, then boards her spaceship and leaves, leaving behind a devastated land, you'll still be a low-level surface-dwelling civilization on Planet Aquamarine, nothing will have changed. Expecting Goddora to take you into interstellar space? Think about it, you know that's impossible."
The leaders of the Six Nations exchanged glances, realizing that what Han Xiao said was true. Goddora would provide disaster relief, but it would never help them develop. They understood this perfectly. Just as Goddora had given them interstellar communicators, it had disabled 99% of their functions, allowing them to only contact Goddora in one direction, thus preventing them from learning about interstellar affairs.
Even if the Mutation Disaster is resolved, they will have to clean up the mess themselves, and not only will they not progress, but their fragile civilization may even regress.
Han Xiao continued without pausing, "If you want to have an equal dialogue, you must at least transcend the level of the natives and formally set foot in interstellar space. But your technological level is at least several hundred years behind that of becoming a member of the interstellar world. Do you really want to pin your hopes on some vague and uncertain technological explosion that may not come for who knows how long? Are you willing to accept that?"
"What exactly do you mean?" the Stardragon leader asked in a deep voice.
"Don't you understand? I'm the only one you can count on!" Han Xiao slammed his hand on the table and roared, "I'm your only choice. I'm the only Planet Aquamarine in this universe willing to help you develop!"
The leaders of the Six Nations widened their eyes in disbelief.
"You... you mean..."
"Let's face reality. I'm not just talking to you about disaster relief; I'm talking about the future!"
Han Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an aura of dominance from head to toe.
In the previous life, the players worked together and eventually completed the main quest of the Mutation Disaster, but it took too long. By the time Goddora resolved the Mutation Disaster, the Six Nations had already collapsed, and civilization was reduced to dim embers. People who had lost their homes were barely surviving on the land.
Because the players' special potential was discovered during the fight against the disaster, Goddora established a base on the nearly ruined Planet Aquamarine afterward, attracting a steady Inhuman of new players.
Han Xiao favored preserving the Six Nations. After all, having a mature regime in place would make it easier to organize any action. Planet Aquamarine was a beginner planet, and if a branch base could be built there, players could be recruited continuously.
These words caused a great uproar in the hearts of the Six Nations leaders, who all fell silent and quickly considered the pros and cons.
Han Xiao's words appealed to them. Although Goddora was powerful, she was, after all, an alien, not of their kind, and her heart was bound to be different.
Those born on Planet Aquamarine, especially Black Star, are the true "one of us"!
No matter how unwilling they were to admit it, reason told them that this might be the only chance to change the fate of civilization.
"... What do you want?" Leader Raylen asked, his voice strained.
"I've made myself perfectly clear. You know what I want. Even if you won't give it to me, I can take it myself."
"Your ambitions are too great..."
"Believe me, the vastness of the universe is worth this little bit of effort. You will never regret buying this ticket; you will only regret missing the opportunity for the rest of your lives."
Zi--
The screen suddenly went black, and the video went offline.
Bennett, still reeling from the shock, asked in surprise, "They refused?"
"No."
Han Xiao's lips curled into a smile. "They're discussing it."
Bennett stared at Han Xiao, his gaze complex, and said, "You've changed."
"I've never changed," Han Xiao shrugged casually. "It's just that no one can understand every side of a person."
Bennett fell silent, his mind in turmoil. Black Star was going to become the ruler of this planet! Could it be that his motive for returning wasn't just to save people, but also to rule the planet?!
He didn't know if Han Xiao was doing the right thing. History had proven countless times what the consequences would be if power were concentrated in one person. He had seen too many ambitious people meet a tragic end. Inflated desires have always been the source of tragedy. You know, when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss is also saying, "What are you looking at?"
Time stretched out like a spider spinning its web, and after ten minutes of silence, the screen finally lit up again.
The leaders of the Six Nations appeared, staring at Han Xiao with complex expressions.
"As long as you keep your promise, we are willing to meet all your demands, and all the forces at our disposal are at your disposal."
Your conditions... we accept!
The Six Nations didn't really have much of a choice. If one regime chose to accept, the others would fall behind if they didn't. Stardragon was the first to express his willingness to compromise, and after discussion, the other five nations agreed one after another. Black Star had already entered the cosmic realm, so compromising with him was not shameful.
One side is unapproachable, treating them like dogs and ignoring them; the other side is their own kind, promising genuine help. Since they're going to try to curry favor anyway, they might as well stick with the latter.
They didn't ask Han Xiao what he could give them, because they knew they had no right to ask. This wasn't a fair deal; they had no leverage. As Black Star said, even if they didn't give it to him, he could take it himself!
This is a one-sided act of charity!
Han Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quite pleased. Maintaining his composure, he smiled and said, "My people will arrive in your country as soon as possible to help you restore order."
The leaders of the Six Nations all nodded in agreement.
"Now that we've reached a consensus, tell me a little bit of information."
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Where is Death Knell Island?"