After the alliance was formed, Dragon Calm changed his drifting route and headed towards the Black Star Army headquarters, intending to follow Han Xiao during this period.
Since we've chosen to fight side by side, we should naturally carry our weapons with us. With two extra islands on the Dragon Calm, it'll definitely hurt even more when we use them to smash people.
Han Xiao instructed Reynold to inform the hardcore members of the Legion's Logistics Department department to quickly upgrade some spare, unused satellite bases, preparing to lend them to Ames as weapons, since they couldn't always use the main base as a weapon.
After using the Evolution Cube, everyone rested for a day. The next day, Han Xiao and Ames gathered together with their respective cadres.
This is in response to the challenge from the Tyrant.
Before making a public response, Han Xiao decided to contact the Tyrant privately.
The Secret War had been going on for so long, and the two had never communicated once. The last time they met was more than ten years ago at the Tyrant ' Gathering, when he was just Ames's follower and Heber had even tried to invite him to join the War Realm.
Han Xiao didn't have the Tyrant's private contact number, but he did have it in Ames's contact list. So he borrowed Ames's communicator to talk to Heber, and Ames had no objection.
Glancing around at the cadres who were staring at him expectantly, Han Xiao opened Ames's communicator and pulled the Tyrant's number out of his long-term blacklist— Ames had been blocking the Tyrant's communications because of Heber's frequent courtship behavior.
Han Xiao sent a call request to the Tyrant.
beep beep...
A few seconds later, the communication was connected on the other end, and Heber's figure appeared as a miniature 3D projection above the communicator.
"Ames? Are you going to say yes to me...? Hmm? Black Star?!"
Heber frowned. On his end, it showed that it was Ames calling. He had thought that Ames, who had blocked him all along, had finally come to her senses and agreed to become his spouse. He never expected that it was Black Star calling.
"Ames has allied with you?" Heber reacted quickly.
Han Xiao nodded.
Heber narrowed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
Starting a few years ago, many forces secretly instigated rumors of a split between the Black Star Army and Dragon Calm Throne. After Han Xiao became Beyond Grade A, Heber knew that a split was almost inevitable. The best outcome would be for Black Star and Dragon Emperor to become enemies, while the outcome he least wanted to see was for the two sides to form an alliance.
"It seems those petty tricks of those forces haven't shaken your friendship," Heber said calmly, his tone unhurried.
"You don't seem flustered at all." Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"It makes no difference to me," Heber said slowly. "Tell Ames that I'm giving her one last chance. If she's willing to stay out of it, I can leave her alone; otherwise, I won't hold back."
"Don't flatter yourself, no one's asking you to go easy on them," Ames said coldly from the side.
Heber ignored her, continuing to stare at Han Xiao, and shook his head, saying, "Black Star, I gave you a chance a long time ago, but you didn't cherish it. You rejected my invitation and chose to stand against me. If you're contacting me now to beg for mercy, it's too late. We're enemies now, there's nothing to talk about."
"I'm only here to respond to your challenge. Let's set a time and place, and neither of us should run away," Han Xiao said in a deep voice.
By Observation Mark, Han Xiao glimpsed the private communication between Heber and Sisko. Sisko requested to join forces with Heber, but the Tyrant refused, wanting to deal with Black Star alone. However, he did not stop Sisko from watching, so the Tyrant and Star Pupil made separate appointments, which is the reason why the two challenged each other separately.
Han Xiao also learned about the other party's thoughts from the reason given by the Tyrant. The Tyrant was not only trying to settle accounts, but also to establish his authority with the newly recruited Beyond Grade A. He wanted as many people as possible to watch, so for the sake of sensationalism, Heber would publicly arrange a time and place to facilitate the sending of people from various forces to watch.
"Okay." Heber said decisively, "The time is twenty days from now, the location is outside the West Wind Star System, in the Desolate Universe Belt between the Seoul Star Cluster and the Colton Star Cluster. I will announce the specific coordinates to the outside world."
Choosing this semi-neutral zone facilitates the deployment of troops in the War Realm while preventing the conflict between Krent and Amethyst from escalating into a direct confrontation between civilizations, thus keeping it within the scope of proxy wars involving armed groups.
Heber allowed twenty days for the news to spread throughout the star system, attracting more people to witness his battle with Black Star. But he wouldn't drag it out any longer. Heber didn't want to give Han Xiao too much time to prepare, nor did he want the hype to die down. Establishing his authority while Black Star's influence was at its peak would be the most effective.
If Black Star tries to stall for time and break the appointment, Heber will still profit without losing anything. It can be said that Black Star is cowardly, afraid of him, and dares not keep the appointment. This will also have the effect of establishing his authority, and Herber will have a reason to go directly to the Black Star Army headquarters.
"Okay, don't run away after school." Han Xiao didn't hesitate much.
After saying that, he hung up the communication without waiting for Heber's reply.
"This guy is as domineering as ever, so annoying." Ames narrowed her eyes, her force field shifting in her palm. Every time she saw the Tyrant's tough face, she wanted to smash a Dragon Calm head over his head.
"In short, the time and place are set. All that's left is to keep the appointment." Han Xiao turned to the group of officers. "Did you all hear that? Announce it to the outside world in the name of the Legion."
"Understood." Sylvia nodded. She was participating in the meeting via remote communication projection; as the chief affairs officer, responding publicly was her job.
"Twenty days left..."
Han Xiao's eyes flashed; it seemed this was his final preparation time.
The challenge between the Tyrant and Star Pupil caused a sensation in the Shattered Star Ring, but Black Star has not yet responded, leaving countless people eagerly watching how things unfold.
Due to the controversy surrounding the challenge, many superhumans who originally intended to join the Black Star Army suppressed their restless hearts and waited patiently, so not many people applied to join the Black Star Army for the time being... However, Han Xiao was aware of this situation and did not recruit manpower widely throughout the entire star field for the time being.
Seven days after the challenge was proposed, the Black Star Army finally gave a formal response.
Black Star, accept the challenge!
Moreover, the Black Star Army also announced a shocking piece of news.
--From this day forward, the Black Star Army breaks away from Dragon Calm and declares independence!
Because many forces have deliberately spread rumors over the years, many people believe that the Black Star Army will sever ties with Dragon Calm after becoming independent.
However, the truth shocked countless people: Dragon Emperor Ames had actually allied with Black Star and would join forces to fight against Tyrant and Star Pupil!
The development of events exceeded the expectations of countless people. Originally, Black Star was fighting alone, facing the challenges of the Tyrant and Star Pupil. Countless people were worried for this new Beyond Grade A. However, the intervention of the Dragon Emperor made the situation evenly matched all at once.
Four Beyond Grade A individuals have gotten involved!
This acted as a catalyst, igniting a surge of passion across the entire star system!
Whether they were members of major factions or ordinary interstellar citizens, everyone in the Shattered Star Ring knew one thing:
--In twenty days, a magnificent spectacle will unfold in this star field!
"Has Black Star officially accepted the challenge? And he even brought the Dragon Emperor..."
In the Palace of Hidden Spells, Austin glanced at the report on the communicator, his eyes flashing slightly.
The current situation is two against two, while the Shattered Galaxy has five Beyond Grade A beings.
This means that his presence can influence the course of the entire situation, and others are certainly aware of this.
"Looks like someone's coming after me soon," Austin shook his head.
beep beep...
The thought had barely formed when the communicator rang; it was Sisko's number.
Austin smiled helplessly, answered the call, chatted for a while before hanging up, and then another call came in, this time from Han Xiao.
"It's been a while, Black Star, you certainly haven't disappointed me," Austin greeted him, his tone quite wistful.
"Actually, I should thank you." Han Xiao smiled.
"What are you thanking me for?"
"If you hadn't told me about the Evolution Cube, I might not have been able to get my hands on it."
"Oh, I see." Austin chuckled, then thought for a moment and said frankly, "I know what you want to see me about. Actually, Sisko had already contacted me before you."
Han Xiao's eyes flashed, and without wasting words, he went straight to the point, "Now that you know what we mean, what do you plan to do?"
Both sides wanted to win Austin over to their side, and he was no exception.
Austin narrowed his eyes. "Although I have some connections with Sisko, I've asked him many times to borrow the Evolution Cube, and he's never agreed. Now that he's lost the Evolution Cube, you have that bargaining chip. Are you prepared to use it to exchange for my help?"
"That's right." Han Xiao nodded. Austin was obviously a sensible person, so he didn't need to explain the situation further.
Unexpectedly, Austin shook his head. "I'd be happy to pay for the right to use the Evolution Cube, but not this. I'm not going to agree to that."
Han Xiao's heart sank.
However, Austin quickly explained, "Don't worry, I don't intend to help Sisko either."
"You still want to remain neutral?" Han Xiao asked, somewhat surprised.
Austin laughed. "The Shattered Star Ring, silent for so many years, has finally been stirred up by you all. How can you let my intervention cause this good show to end prematurely? Hahaha..."
This old geezer is just stirring up trouble... Han Xiao gritted his teeth.
Austin's interest lay in being a spectator. He believed that given Black Star's personality, he would have plenty of opportunities to gain the right to use the Evolution Cube in the future. Therefore, this time, Austin had no intention of joining either side and disrupting the balance.
For Beyond Grade A like him who habitually maintains neutrality, in order to satisfy his interest in watching the show from the sidelines, he can give up some benefits—at the Beyond Grade A level, one has the capital to squander and doesn't need to restrain his personality at all.
Besides, both sides are Beyond Grade A, and helping either side would anger the other. Austin isn't stupid; maintaining neutrality is the only way to remain detached.
Austin's attitude was adamant and he couldn't be persuaded. Helpless, Han Xiao chatted for a few more minutes and then hung up.
Although he didn't succeed in his attempt to influence the relationship, Han Xiao wasn't too disappointed. Austin wasn't originally on his agenda, so if he succeeded, it would be a pleasant surprise, but failure was to be expected. At least his attempt to Sisko had also failed.
The situation is clear: the standoff at the Beyond Grade A will not change, so the only option is to look for solutions from other forces.
The homeworld of the Krent Empire, the Crimson Dynasty's diplomatic mission in Krent.
"Heh, Krent wants our help to deal with Black Star?"
Inside the diplomatic embassy office, Imperial Envoy Suy looked at the Krent envoy before him and couldn't help but reveal a strange smile.
"Yes, Black Star sided with Amethyst in the Secret War, killing dozens or even hundreds of our Calamity Grade. This is a blow to our alliance's high-level combat power. Now that Black Star has advanced to Beyond Grade A, he will become an even greater obstacle for us. Our strength is limited, and we hope that the Crimson Dynasty can provide some assistance." Envoy Krent said respectfully.
Suy tapped her fingers on the table, silently staring at the other person without saying a word.
He was the special envoy appointed by the Empire to Krent, and he had been there for many years. He was the same special envoy of the Crimson Dynasty that Han Xiao had met at the Tyrant's Gathering.
The races of the Crimson Dynasty have long lifespans; a decade or so is not a long time for them.
More than a decade ago, when Krent openly pledged allegiance to the Crimson Dynasty, Suy moved from covert to overt, establishing a diplomatic mission on Krent's home planet to negotiate with the Krent ruling class on behalf of the Crimson Dynasty.
He also has the authority to mobilize a portion of the Crimson Dynasty's troops stationed in the Shattered Star Ring.
The three major cosmic civilizations each have their own secret military factories and fleets in each star system, keeping a low profile and almost never showing themselves. The size of their armies in each star system is enough to wage war against two or three star cluster-level civilizations simultaneously.
The fact that Suy could command the Empire's secret armed forces operating in the star system proves that he held an extremely high position in the Shattered Star Ring, belonging to a high-ranking and powerful figure among the Empire's special envoys.
After thinking for a moment, Suy said, "I will consider Krent's request. Please leave now."
Upon hearing this, the Krent envoy had no choice but to bow and leave, gently closing the door behind Suy.
"Black Star..." Suy murmured to herself.
Suy naturally knew something about this newly emerged Beyond Grade A who had recently caused a great stir in the Shattered Star Ring. In fact, during the ten years of the Secret War, Black Star had already been entered into the Empire's database by Suy due to his amazing achievements.
Now that Krent is unwilling for Amethyst to have a Beyond Grade A ally, and with the allied Tyrant already challenging him to a duel, he secretly sent someone to request the Crimson Dynasty's help, wanting to completely eliminate Han Xiao.
As an imperial envoy, Suy naturally had high standards, but he was not arrogant. Even though the Crimson Dynasty had many Beyond Grade A as pillars of the nation, he would not underestimate other Beyond Grade A. Because of this understanding, he knew that every Beyond Grade A was not to be trifled with.
Suy had no intention of helping Krent deal with a Beyond Grade A from this star system; he was more interested in Black Star.
"Completing the path to Beyond Grade A in twenty years is something no one in history has ever done. He also has a long lifespan ahead of him, and his future potential is unpredictable..." Suy's eyes gleamed.
Moreover, this very person stole the Evolution Cube that the Arcane Church had been keeping hidden away...
Perhaps it's appropriate to make contact.
As for Krent's thoughts... ha, why should an Imperial envoy explain himself to a star cluster-level civilization?
Just then, the internal communicator rang, and the face of one of his subordinates appeared.
"Suy, someone special wishes to speak with you. Would you like to transfer this call?"
Who is the other party?
"Black Star."
They actually came to us on their own initiative?
A glint flashed in Suy's eyes. After a moment's thought, she nodded.
"Transfer in."