Planet Maixibo, Summit Keystone Group.
Han Xiao worked here for more than 20 days, and his reputation spread among the group's Engineer. Now the entire group knows that a highly skilled mechanic has joined them and has completed more than ten times the workload of a normal Engineer in less than a month.
Because the boss behind the scenes spoke up, the group's senior management no longer cared about keeping the blueprints confidential and boldly gave "Barn" a lot of important tasks, increasing his quota and allowing Han Xiao to obtain more blueprints for Eternal Light components during this period.
The Engineer's task is complete, and the Skilled Technician feat is acquired. The effect is a slight increase in the attributes of the manufactured mechanical equipment, ranging from 8% to 14%, a 22% increase in manufacturing speed, and a 6% reduction in cost. These small improvements add up to a decent ability within the normal range of feats.
With his expertise now in hand, Han Xiao had only one goal left at the Summit Keystone Group: to steal... oops, to learn the blueprints for the Eternal Light Fortress Class.
Thanks to the group's emphasis on him, Han Xiao learned a considerable number of component blueprints. As for the blueprints held by other Engineer, he used virtual technology to hack into the auxiliary intelligence of these Grade B mechanics, gaining access to their communicators, mechanical assistants, and other devices, and conducting multi-faceted monitoring. When these Engineer were looking at the blueprints, Phillip would capture the monitoring footage and copy the data from the blueprints.
For the blueprints that Han Xiao couldn't peek at, he visited other Engineer by simply dropping by. He only needed to touch the blueprints for a short while to generate a skill through the panel and make up for the incompleteness of the Eternal Light blueprints.
Unfortunately, due to racial advancement, the Observation Mark talent that once allowed him to steal intelligence was gone; otherwise, stealing blueprints would have been even easier. Han Xiao quite missed the divine skill of peeping through the void back then.
Over the course of more than half a month, Han Xiao had collected most of the component blueprints for Eternal Light, leaving only the most core technical blueprints. These blueprints were all kept tightly guarded by the group's core Engineer, and Han Xiao had no opportunity to access them. He had been thinking about how to get his hands on the core component blueprints.
During this time, the experience points the player spent learning knowledge in the faction shop were also credited to his account, and his experience reserves increased significantly again.
In the workshop, Han Xiao finished his work for the day while looking at the panel attributes and calculating his experience.
"With my current experience, I should be able to reach level 238 or 239, just one step away from the level 240 threshold. In another three or four days, I'll definitely be at that level..."
Han Xiao was secretly excited. Beyond Grade A was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Even in the entire Galaxy, they would be an undisputed big shot, and even cosmic civilizations would have to take them seriously.
If successful, he will obtain a top-level position in the star field, and the Black Star Army will be promoted to a true Beyond Grade A force because of him.
It can be said that when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
After daydreaming for a while, Han Xiao checked the time and realized it was lunchtime, so he stopped working, collected all the manufacturing assistants, and prepared to go get some food.
As soon as Han Xiao stepped out of the workshop, he found Luke standing outside the door.
"Barn, I need to talk to you." Luke called out to Han Xiao.
"What are you doing? Do you want to have dinner with me?" Han Xiao stopped and looked at the gentlemanly old man with curiosity.
Luke smiled and shook his head. "I'd be happy to rest with you, but I need to see you for something else. The real person in charge of the group wants to see you."
The real power holder?
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Alright, lead the way."
Luke gestured for Han Xiao to enter, leading him into the group's core office area.
After walking for about ten minutes, the two arrived at the top floor of a high-rise building and entered a spacious office.
There was a person sitting in a chair in the room, with the back of the chair facing the door. Han Xiao could only see the back of his head at first glance.
This familiar domineering CEO style... Han Xiao's eye twitched, suppressing the urge to complain.
Luke left and closed the door, leaving only Han Xiao and the so-called true leader of the group in the room.
At this moment, the person, with his back to Han Xiao, spoke.
"Barn, that's not your real name, is it?"
As he spoke, the man turned around to face Han Xiao.
Upon seeing the other person's appearance, Han Xiao was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized.
It's Sedim... That makes sense. As the master of Planet Maixibo, Sedim controls many industries, so it's not too surprising that the Summit Keystone Group belongs to him.
In the past, players only knew that working at the Summit Keystone Group would reward them with a special skill, and any mechanic could do this task. However, given the players' strength at the time, they wouldn't delve into anything too core. The Summit Keystone Group was just an insignificant side quest in the players' eyes, without revealing any clues worth exploring. Therefore, the players didn't know that the shipyard's owner was Sedim... But that's not hard to guess.
So, the blueprints for the Eternal Light belong to Sedim. He suddenly contacted me; I wonder what he wants. Perhaps he's seen through my identity?
Han Xiao's thoughts shifted slightly.
He wasn't afraid, though. Although the other party was also an A+ mechanic, he was no match for him. It was just that the other party wanted to steal the blueprints of Eternal Light, and if his identity was exposed, he would probably have no choice but to steal it outright... Han Xiao didn't like making enemies; backstabbing was his favorite thing to do.
Seeing that Han Xiao remained silent, Sedim revealed a smile that said, "I've already seen through you," in a nonchalant tone.
"I've been observing you for a while now. Actually, you've been hiding your strength. You're not a B+ rank mechanic, but Calamity Grade one, right?"
Before Han Xiao could respond, Sedim remained seated, his hands clasped behind his lips, observing Han Xiao with interest as he continued speaking:
"A Calamity Grade mechanic lurking in my territory, willingly working here as an ordinary Engineer, makes me suspicious of your true intentions. From my observation, you seem quite interested in the blueprints for Eternal Light, am I right?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, this guy only saw that I was Grade A mechanic and didn't know my true identity. He just thought I was an ordinary Calamity Grade mechanic.
Seeing Sedim's confident and fearless demeanor, Han Xiao could guess that Sedim believed he had him cornered.
Indeed, Sedim is an A+ rank and has an entire planet as his base, making this his home turf. Ordinary Calamity Grade enemies are no match for him.
Having figured out the source of Sedim's confidence, Han Xiao calmed down and didn't expose Sedim's misunderstanding. Instead, he disguised himself as an ordinary Calamity Grade being and pretended to be wary.
"What you up to?"
Seeing this, Sedim smiled with satisfaction; he wanted to see "Barn" tense up.
"I don't know where you got your information about the Eternal Light, nor do I know which faction you belong to, but rest assured, I called you here today not to settle scores, but to extend an invitation."
"Invite?"
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Sedim stood up, smiled slightly, and said, "Become my subordinate. I guarantee it will be the wisest decision of your life."
"You want to recruit me?" Han Xiao asked in a strange tone.
That's too hasty. You don't even know where I came from.
Do you really think I can't cause you any trouble?
Hey bro, you're getting a bit arrogant. Even someone as outstanding as me isn't as cocky as you!
"I have many businesses and many troops, but I lack capable assistants, and you have that qualification. We will be a powerful alliance," Sedim said calmly.
Han Xiao shook his head helplessly, "I'm not interested..."
At this moment, Sedim waved his hand, interrupting Han Xiao, and chuckled, "If you're willing to become my subordinate, not to mention Eternal Light, you can learn any blueprint I know."
"Hmm, I need to think about it..." Han Xiao's eyes flickered, and he immediately changed his mind. As the leader of the faction, he naturally couldn't be a subordinate of a Calamity Grade being, but getting a blueprint seemed quite tempting.
After all, what Barn did has nothing to do with me Black Star... cough cough, that's the gist of it.
Han Xiao's eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked, "Are you forcing me? If I don't join you, will you use force against me?"
Sedim shook his head and chuckled.
"Don't worry, I don't like making enemies. If I targeted every powerful person who visited Planet Maixibo, I wouldn't have lasted this long. You can refuse me; I won't kick you out, or even force you to reveal your true identity. You can continue to stay at the Summit Keystone Group as ' Barn.' I have no reason to refuse an Grade A mechanic working in one of my companies... But I will keep an eye on you and won't let you get involved in any major projects."
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "You're quite magnanimous."
"A stingy person can hardly achieve anything. I've been running Planet Maixibo's for almost 130 years, what haven't I seen? Hmm?"
Sedim looked completely calm and collected, exuding an air of superiority.
Han Xiao pondered for a while, then shook his head.
For a Quasi-Beyond Grade A faction leader to become a subordinate of a Calamity Grade being just for a blueprint is just too beneath him.
Although they disguised themselves, if their true identity were accidentally exposed one day, it would become a dark history that would be difficult to erase. It would damage their lofty image in the eyes of players, be detrimental to consolidating their sense of belonging to the faction, and be detrimental to cultivating their "leeks" (players who exploit them). In short, it would be a losing proposition.
The Eternal Light blueprint is indeed a valuable item, but it's not something I'd be willing to do anything to get.
Besides, do you think I can't get the blueprints unless I join your ranks?
You're dreaming!
Seeing Han Xiao refuse, Sedim narrowed his eyes.
"Heh, I know you have an arrogance that Calamity Grade, but I'm worthy of your following. Do you think... an ordinary person could obtain the flagship blueprints of the Federation of Light?"
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao's heart stirred slightly.
Indeed, the blueprint for Eternal Light is priceless and unavailable; even he couldn't buy it. How did Sedim obtain it? Is this guy really that resourceful?
With his hands behind his back, Sedim stared calmly at Han Xiao. "You might think that as Calamity Grade superhuman, you don't need to join another Calamity Grade being, which is why you rejected me... But what if I told you that I represent more than just myself, that I have a Beyond Grade A behind me?"
"Huh?" Han Xiao was taken aback.
Upon closer reflection, the fact that Planet Maixibo has been able to operate for so long suggests that besides Sedim's outstanding abilities, there must be some unknown reasons. He might indeed be a secret agent of some Beyond Grade A.
There are only four Beyond Grade A in the Shattered Star Ring, so who is this guy's backer?
Tyrant? Possibly, but the chances are slim, after all, Sedim isn't a muscle-bound brute.
Sorcerer? Not quite, for the same reason...
Star Pupil? Forget about that nerdy guy who's focused on managing his own little corner of the internet; the chances are slim.
Could it be the Dragon Emperor?
Hey, stop joking. Ames is my backer. Do you think I'd let the flood wash away the temple of the Dragon Emperor?
Seeing the puzzled look on Han Xiao's face, Sedim shook his head and smiled.
"I'm sure you've heard of him."
Sedim wore an arrogant expression, radiating a sense of superiority.
Do you know... the Mechanic Emperor?
Han Xiao's heart sank; he was greatly surprised and almost had the urge to turn around and leave.
Mechanic Emperor Manison?
I don't know this place, I've never heard of it, goodbye!