The three-dimensional star map reveals a region of the Shattered World. In the dark, Unexplored Universe, there is a bright area. This is a rich star cluster discovered by the probes of three major cosmic civilizations in the Desolate Universe Belt beyond the Shattered Star Ring. It has been named the Dawn Star Cluster and serves as the starting point for the exploration of the Shattered World.
The Dawn Star Cluster was the first area explored by the probe and is currently the only star cluster officially belonging to Shattered World. As a bridgehead for the development of the new star field, it is marked in green. Extending outwards are the unexplored areas painted in gray, which are extremely vast.
At first glance, the only illuminated Dawn Star Cluster looks like a lonely island in a vast ocean.
Developing a new star field is a huge undertaking that cannot be accomplished overnight, and the construction period is even more difficult to predict, since on-site development is different from astronomical observation.
The Crimson Dynasty spent more than a decade acquiring the Dawn Star Cluster from the Federation of Light, defining it as the starting point of a new star field. Due to the constraints between the two sides, development has been stalled. However, the astronomical observations of the Three Universal Civilizations have not been idle. More than a decade of observation has delineated the approximate territory of the Shattered World and completed the initial mapping.
In the star map provided by the Crimson Dynasty, the Shattered World is roughly divided into nineteen star clusters of varying sizes. The Dawn Star Cluster occupies only 3% of the entire star field, with the rest being unexplored areas.
The Desolate Universe Belt in size. A star field usually contains many small and medium-sized Desolate Universe Belt, while super-large Desolate Universe Belt are defined as the boundaries that separate star fields. The Shattered World is no exception, with more than 7,000 small and medium-sized Desolate Universe Belt expected to exist within it, scattered between star regions and between galaxies.
Therefore, choosing the right region is crucial for imperial exploration teams. If the exploration area is full of Desolate Universe Belt, the profits and gains will be pitifully small.
"The Empire's first phase of development has decided to explore the three star clusters adjacent to the Dawn Star Cluster," Suy said, zooming in and out of the star map to show them. "These are the Renault Star Cluster, the Gaolu Star Cluster, and the Crown Ring Star Cluster."
Han Xiao, Heber, and Krent stared intently at the star map. This was a preliminary astronomical observation star map. Due to the complex cosmic environment, there would be some errors, but the general distribution of the stars was unlikely to be wrong.
Of the three star clusters, the Gaolu Star Cluster is the largest, with many obvious Desolate Universe Belt, while the other two are more conventional.
There are two types of Desolate Universe Belt of sparsely populated planets with large gaps between them, or lacking star systems and certain high-energy celestial bodies, which are barren regions that can be detected by astronomical observation. The other type consists of regions where planetary resources are generally scarce. This type is more obscure than the former and may appear to be a normal region, but it requires on-site exploration to confirm that it is Desolate Universe Belt.
At this point, although the star map had a general distribution, the information on each planet was basically unknown, making it a half-finished star map. The development of the Crimson Dynasty involved conducting on-site exploration to refine the detailed information on each planet in the star map, correct astronomical observation errors, and occupy the rich planets in advance.
This is the job of the exploration team—to explore even obviously Desolate Universe Belt.
The number of planets in a star cluster is countless, and even if the Empire only plans to explore three star clusters in its first step, it is still a massive undertaking.
"The Renault Star Cluster." Heber looked at it for a while and made his choice.
In the War Realm, we will advance and retreat together with the Krent Empire, and jointly develop a region.
"Black Star, what about you?" Suy turned her head.
Han Xiao stroked his chin. "I'll choose the Gaolu Star Cluster."
"Gaolu? The fewest people choose this area... That's fine." Suy nodded.
Han Xiao smiled inwardly.
He and Heber agreed to explore separately and keep to themselves. Besides, he knew that of the three star clusters, the Gaolu Star Cluster held the greatest potential benefits.
While the Gaolu Star Cluster appears to have more visible Desolate Universe Belt than the other two, in reality, the other two clusters also have a considerable number of hidden Desolate Universe Belt, making them roughly equal in size. Furthermore, the Desolate Universe Belt of the Gaolu Star Cluster contain remnants of interstellar civilizations, which are of considerable archaeological value.
In terms of resources, the Gaolu Star Cluster has a slightly larger area and more star systems, with a slightly higher number of habitable and resource-rich planets. As for species, the Gaolu Star Cluster has more intelligent races that have formed civilizations, and most of them are still in the surface stage, making them easier to explore.
In his previous life, the Gaolu Star Cluster was one of the most prosperous star clusters in the Shattered World, making it suitable for investment. Therefore, after careful consideration, Han Xiao decided to develop the Gaolu Star Cluster.
There is another important reason: the unclaimed Universal Treasure that Han Xiao remembered existed in the Shattered World was located in a Desolate Universe Belt near the Gaolu Star Cluster. It was not part of the first phase of development by the Empire, so being close made it easier for him to get there.
'Besides me, no one else knows about the existence of this Universal Treasure yet.' Han Xiao's eyes flickered.
He was determined to get his hands on it.
At this point, a task prompt pops up on the panel.
[You have triggered the S+ rank quest series [Shattered World]]
[Mission Introduction: The Shattered World, a new star field symbolizes a new order. Exploring this star field is both your duty and your opportunity.]
[Note: Mission requirements, rewards, exploration points, and evaluation depend on your faction.]
[You belong to the Crimson Dynasty faction and the Black Star Army faction]
[Mission Requirements: Based on the designated areas, explore the Shattered World for the Crimson Dynasty as a member of the Black Star Army.]
[You have obtained the first exploration objective]
[Currently Exploring Area: Gaolu Star Cluster]
[Personal Exploration Points: 0]
[Total Exploration Points: 0]
[Current rating: E-]
[Note: Mission rewards depend on mission evaluation, which in turn depends on total exploration points.]
And _book_ [Exploration points come from exploration achievements, such as completing on-site planetary exploration, improving planetary data, correcting star map errors, successfully deploying regional observation buoys, discovering civilization relics, excavating planetary history, contacting intelligent species, operating outposts and transit stations, discovering habitable and resource-rich planets, discovering rare resources, etc.]
"The main quest to Shattered World!" Han Xiao's spirits lifted.
This main questline is very large in scale and has a complex mechanism. It is a combination of chain quests and faction series quests, and its difficulty reaches S+, mainly due to its complex steps and extremely long time consumption.
First, the details of this mission will change depending on the faction. Not all players are members of the Crimson Dynasty. After the Shattered World is opened, players from different star systems represent different factions, their exploration areas are different, and the reward calculation is also different.
For factions like the Crimson Dynasty, the area to explore is larger, which means it's more difficult.
For example, exploration points are divided into individual and overall points. Individual points are your own achievements. You will receive rewards for accumulating a certain number of points. The Crimson Dynasty faction has a higher point standard for triggering stage rewards than other factions, but the rewards are also more generous.
Total exploration points are the sum of individual points of players in the same faction. It requires the efforts of players in the same faction and there are also phased rewards. The total points are linked to the mission evaluation. When the total points are enough to raise the rating of the map and book price by one level, all players in the same faction can receive the reward, which is distributed according to the ranking of players' individual exploration points.
Each exploration area is like a link in a chain of quests. After completing an area's exploration, rewards are calculated based on the evaluation. When you switch to a new exploration area, your personal score and total score will be reset to zero and recalculated. The S+ level overall quest [Shattered World] is only settled after the entire star field has been explored, and rewards are calculated based on the scores and quest evaluations of each exploration area.
Han Xiao's eyes darted around. The exploration hadn't officially started yet, but he could distribute this mission to the legion members to mobilize them in advance.
This also lets players know that they have a new main storyline after the Secret War.
After finishing their business, the star map flashed and retrieved the chip from Suy's wrist.
"I will report your intentions to the Empire; there shouldn't be any major problems," Suy said with a smile.
The Shattered Star Ring is closest to the Shattered World, and the allies in this region are the first-tier Exploration Pioneer; the selected area will generally not change.
"There's one more thing," Suy said, looking at Han Xiao. "The first batch of elite personnel who underwent the Evolution Cube modification have already entered the Shattered Star Ring with the Imperial transport convoy. They'll arrive at the Colton Star Cluster, Black Star, soon. Don't forget to welcome them; the convoy carries your first wave of supplies from the Empire."
"Yes, I'll go back after the meeting, I should be able to make it." Han Xiao nodded, then asked curiously, "Who are the first batch of people to be modified?"
"I have a list here, take a look." Suy casually sent him a document.
Han Xiao glanced at the list and his heart stirred slightly.
The list contains 30,000 people, all of whom are elite soldiers selected by the empire. Among them are familiar names, and more than one, in the list of non-commissioned officers at the very top.
One name in particular left a deep impression on him.
"One of the future Imperial Marshals... Tenny Armellos?"
Han Xiao's eyes widened slightly.
At this moment, Suy continued, "After these elites undergo transformation, a small portion will stay to participate in the development of the Shattered World, while the majority will return to the Empire for further training. You can go with them to the Central Galaxy to meet the Empire's high-ranking officials... Black Star? Black Star??"
"Oh." Han Xiao snapped out of his daze. "I heard you. Let's do it that way."
"Okay." Suy didn't think much of it and nodded, "That's all. I have nothing else to say."
Everyone nodded, Han Xiao left Heber's palace directly, his mind still preoccupied with the important matter they had just discussed.
Back in the suite, Han Xiao had barely sat down when there was a knock on the door. Hila opened the door, and several guys were standing outside.
This group of people were representatives of several other star cluster-level civilizations in the Shattered Star Ring. When they saw Han Xiao return, they followed him around like glue. The moment Han Xiao stepped inside, they came to pay their respects.
"Lord Black Star, we would like to have a talk with you," one of them said with a smile.
"Please come in." Han Xiao invited them in, fully aware of their purpose.
Sure enough, after a few casual words, the topic turned to Evolution Cube.
These few people were just the beginning. Soon after, representatives from various major forces who participated in the Tyrant's Gathering came to visit one after another.
Soon, 95% of the people in the entire castle's guest rooms had arrived.
The spacious suite suddenly felt cramped.
Evolution Cube are in high demand and everyone wants a piece of the pie.
The Tyrant's Gathering was originally an event for Heber to consolidate his influence, and the guests were all important figures from the Shattered Star Ring. However, it turned out to be a convenient opportunity for Han Xiao to expand his network, thus benefiting him.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Han Xiao also formally discussed cooperation with various forces.
"Regarding the Evolution Cube, the Crimson Dynasty has not restricted my right to use it independently. If you want to borrow it, that's not impossible, as long as you can meet my conditions..."
Han Xiao's tone was tinged with amusement.
The important figures in the room all fell silent, listening intently, leaving only Han Xiao's voice in the room.
Ames watched this scene from outside the crowd, her gaze fixed on Han Xiao, who was talking animatedly in the crowd, a strange smile playing on her lips.
"You're really suited to managing influence..."