The news stories were more sensational than the last, leaving many interstellar reporters stunned. Han Xiao smiled at the sight, realizing that he had essentially achieved his goal.
Use the DarkStar Leader to boost faction contribution, use the new achievements to boost personal reputation, and then use that to frame Krent... No, this time it's probably the real culprit.
Han Xiao glanced at the shocked reporters and nodded secretly.
'With these media channels, the Shocking News Department will probably be online in less than an hour.'
After Han Xiao, Goddora, and Amethyst finished announcing the news, they got down to business. Han Xiao formally handed over the DarkStar Leader to the personnel brought by Serre V. Immediately, a series of notifications appeared on the panel. Goddora's favorability rating had already reached its peak. The Gaol Golden Statue Medal from a few years ago had solidified the relationship to [Revered], and there was no way to raise it further.
On the other hand, Serre V's personal favorability rating was approaching the limit of 100. Han Xiao felt that Serre V's gaze towards him was full of admiration, trust, and affection, as if he were saying with his eyes, "Let's build a bond as strong as steel, brother."
As Han Xiao expected, there were also gains in terms of Legend Points, but instead of obtaining new Legend Points Legend Points, an old one was upgraded. The original [DarkStar Destroyer] was only a Star System-level Legend Points, but now it has been upgraded to a Star Cluster-level one, resulting in a significant increase in the percentage bonus to various mission rewards.
Reward quotas have always been important. This is a function of the NPC template. It does not consume its own experience and uses quotas to provide tasks for players. Han Xiao has always adhered to the idea of using players as a conduit for profits. He uses reward quotas to "fertilize" players every day, and then uses various means to earn back the reward quotas that he could not originally use, thereby increasing his harvest.
However, in version 2.0, Han Xiao's faction reward amount was not enough to be distributed evenly. At that time, the Black Star Army was less than a million strong and its territory was basically limited to the territory of Goddora.
But things are different now. In just three short years since the update, the Black Star Army has expanded dozens or even hundreds of times. Han Xiao's faction reward amount has also skyrocketed, now many times that of version 2.0. If the Black Star Army's growth rate continues until version 3.0 is released, he can support not just one million players, but three million. The resources are extremely abundant.
Version 3.0 also happened to coincide with a surge in the number of players from the previous version.
Han Xiao always felt that the reward amount was also a general evaluation of himself; the higher his strength and influence, the higher the reward amount, like an indirect system for evaluating influence.
The handover ceremony was brief. Han Xiao invited Serre V to a private meeting, and the two left the dock, thus concluding the press conference. The interstellar reporters were very satisfied with their findings, feeling that the trip had been worthwhile, and the crowd dispersed.
Borick was distraught, wandering aimlessly with the flow of people, like a walking corpse.
The DarkStar Leader was the organization's last hope. Upon seeing the leader captured, Borick knew that the organization had been completely destroyed, and he was immediately plunged into confusion.
His sense of mission to rise up for the DarkStar was the direction of his life and the driving force behind his relentless work. But now, the organization he fought for has been destroyed, and Borick doesn't know what to do in the future; he has lost his purpose.
'Perhaps, the mission of leadership should be inherited by me, and the future of the hybrid Goddora... I shall be responsible for it!' A fire suddenly ignited within Borick, and he felt as if he had found a purpose in life.
His numb eyes gradually regained their sparkle, and a determined look appeared on Borick's face.
Yes, I am the last DarkStar. As long as I am here, then...
Before he could regain his faith, Melos walked towards him and saw Borick. He recognized the ambitious employee who had been commended throughout the legion and said, "Borick, the legion is going to promote a batch of new recruits soon. You need to arrange a large-scale test for the training camp as soon as possible. Reserve members who pass the test can be promoted to full-fledged members."
"Understood!" Before Borick's mind could process it, his body instinctively followed, and he stood up straight to obey.
Once Melos was gone, Borick was jolted back to the cold reality from his beautiful fantasy. He straightened his back for only a few seconds before collapsing again, exuding an air of utter despair.
Inheriting the mission of DarkStar is good, but Goddora not what it used to be; it has the Black Star Army protecting it now.
Upon realizing this, Borick's ambitions vanished instantly.
Sigh, what's the point of this revolution? It's like they're tired of living. Anyway, I'm already Black Star in the making, might as well just stick to my job...
It's not that I don't want to be reckless, but life has worn down my edges (physics).
Perhaps it was all a matter of fate.
Borick sighed, made up his mind... and resigned himself to his fate.
In the private reception room, Han Xiao and Serre V sat facing each other.
"Lord Black Star, you have truly given me a pleasant surprise. Without a leader, DarkStar has completely disappeared, and the conflicts between pure-blood and mixed-blood individuals within the country can be alleviated to some extent. At least no one will be stirring up trouble anymore."
Serre V spoke sincerely and with respect. Han Xiao's status in the Shattered Star Ring was now vastly different, so he dared not be casual in his attitude.
Han Xiao nodded. "I've eliminated a major threat for you. I have a small request: I hope you'll cooperate fully with the people at Amethyst during the trial. This is a good opportunity to deal a political blow to Krent. Although the Secret War has nothing to do with you, I still hope you can cooperate."
"Of course, it's our duty!" Serre V said with an expression of duty. Even if Han Xiao hadn't said anything, he would have cooperated. After all, Amethyst was the star cluster leader they wanted to curry favor with.
"Well, there's actually something more important I wanted to discuss with you this time." Han Xiao stroked his chin. "The news of DarkStar's destruction may alleviate some of the internal conflicts among you Goddora people, but it's only a temporary solution. The conflict between purebloods and mixed-bloods won't be eliminated. There will still be extremists who inherit DarkStar's legacy and rebel against you in the future."
King Serre V sighed. "I know, but the sense of superiority based on bloodline is a more intractable problem than any system. It's a tradition passed down for countless years. So many previous leaders in history have failed to solve this problem; they could only mitigate it, not cure it."
"That's not necessarily true." Han Xiao's lips curled into a smile. "I have a way that might further reduce your Bloodline conflict. Are you interested?"
"You have a solution?" Serre V asked hesitantly. "I'm certainly interested, but this is not a problem that can be solved by human effort alone."
"Hehe, I recently made a friend, her name is Lothaire..."
Han Xiao recounted Lothaire's experiences and abilities. Although he didn't say it directly, Serre V understood Han Xiao's subtext: to use Lothaire's abilities to subtly brainwash the Goddora people, change their mindset, and deal with their deep-rooted traditions. Lothaire was an extremely useful tool.
Serre V stared at Han Xiao, mouth agape, incredulous at the audacity of his suggestion—it was as if he were telling the leader of a civilization, "I'm going to brainwash your entire civilization!"
You, you bastard... you're being way too polite!
As the supreme leader, such an excessive request required almost no thought. Serre V was about to refuse when he suddenly thought of something, frowned, shut his mouth, and pondered.
Although brainwashing the entire civilization is excessive and sensitive, it seems to be able to quickly resolve the deep-rooted Bloodline conflict. Serre V was both tempted and resistant. According to normal methods, the Bloodline conflict may never be eliminated. However, if this unconventional approach is taken and something goes wrong, it will be a world-shaking event involving all the Goddora people.
If anyone else had made such a request, Serre V would have refused without hesitation. However, since the person making the request was the trusted Black Star, Serre V did not immediately refuse but instead found himself in a dilemma.
"That's too risky..."
"Don't you trust me?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Then how about this: we can apply for a private notarization from the Amethyst Civilization. That way, we can prevent me from having ulterior motives."
"But can you guarantee that Lothaire won't do anything reckless?"
"Based on my understanding of her, she would almost never do that," Han Xiao shook his head.
[Bloodline] is the only Grade S mission on the panel. He didn't have many clues before, but now that he has Lothaire, it's like having an unorthodox way to pass the level, which is worth a try.
It was essential to consult with Serre V directly; otherwise, the consequences of brainwashing a star system protected by the Peace Treaty would be unimaginable. Han Xiao had no need for this mission, so he would only carry out the plan with official approval. Moreover, open and aboveboard brainwashing was far more efficient than doing it secretly.
Seeing that Serre V was still hesitating, Han Xiao's eyes darted around, and he said, "I know what you're worried about. As the leader of a civilized nation, you're helping outsiders brainwash your own people. Even if your goal is good, this behavior itself is very sensitive and violates your duties. But you don't necessarily have to resort to coercive brainwashing. You can give the Goddora people the right to choose."
Serre V seemed thoughtful; indeed, this was precisely the issue he was concerned about.
"You can announce this directly to all the people, but of course you can't use the word 'brainwashing.' You have to use a nicer excuse, such as instilling the belief that everyone is equal, emphasizing that it is to resolve Bloodline conflicts, and downplaying the possible bad consequences."
Then, various related welfare systems will be introduced, such as new privileges for those who accept brainwashing, and higher taxes for those who do not. Alternatively, the Bloodline conflict can be shifted into a new class conflict. Public opinion can be used to claim that those who dare not accept brainwashing are unambitious, stubborn, and backward. It's even possible to re-plan the colonies, forcing those who refuse brainwashing to live together, creating spiritual slums, etc. There are many methods; you are a professional leader, more adept at playing these games than I am. Just weigh the options yourself.
Han Xiao's persuasive words seemed to Serre V like the devil's seduction, yet he simply couldn't bring himself to refuse; the man's advice was damnably sweet.
Like his predecessors, Serre V could have avoided dealing with the Bloodline conflict, seeking no merit but only avoiding mistakes, and no one would have said anything.
But he also saw an opportunity in this: once he accomplished what countless predecessors had failed to do, he, as a leader, would become one of the most brilliant leaders in history, an achievement unprecedented in history!
Serre V gritted his teeth. "I... I'll go back and think about it. This matter is too important; I can't make a decision right now."
"Of course."
Han Xiao smiled but remained silent.
He didn't intend to persuade Serre V all at once. He was in a position to fulfill his duties. Even if he aroused Serre V's selfish desires, the king wouldn't dare to mess around with the entire civilization. He would definitely go back and convene his think tank for a brainstorming session. He would never agree without careful consideration.
After seeing off the perplexed Serre V, Han Xiao didn't rest. He rushed to the mechanical modification room and began working behind closed doors.
"After working on the Silver Legacy blueprints for so long, it's finally time to reap the rewards!"
Having acquired the ability to complete the job change quest, Han Xiao didn't want to delay any longer and felt it was time to change jobs.