An Imperial spaceship slowly moved away from the Crimson Ring Star Cluster. Inside the cabin, Han Xiao stood by the porthole, gazing expressionlessly at the ever-shrinking outline of the Imperial homeworld.
He accepted the mission and notified the Empire, which arranged for a special spaceship to take him there. The operation was finalized yesterday, and without delay today, he, Beoni, Ames, along with Hila and her group, boarded the spaceship dispatched by the God and set off for the garrison base in the border gulf to participate in the routine cleanup of the Fallen Ark.
"This time, it really was a fleeting visit, and a fleeting departure." Han Xiao's eyes reflected the increasingly distant Imperial Mother Planet cluster.
His stay on the home planet was only a few days, less than the time spent on the road. He didn't linger, and after completing his activities on the home planet, he decisively left, acting swiftly and efficiently.
This trip allowed me to meet the head of state of the empire, get to know a group of Pillar of the Nation, deepen my connection with the empire, expand my network, and make the imperial mark God me clearer. It fulfilled the wishes of the Crimson Dynasty, and from now on, I can be considered a backbone of the empire.
"The Empire's army has assembled and is awaiting the arrival of the Beyond Grade A troops to provide support. Through the stargate, we should be able to rejoin the main force in about four or five days."
Beoni walked over and spoke, spitting out sparks.
The Crimson Ring Constellation Galaxy is the heart of the empire, while they are heading to the edge of the star field, yet it only takes four or five days. This is not because the distance is short, but because the transportation in the Central Galaxy is far more developed than that in the Shattered Star Ring. A cosmic-level civilization has planted many stargates in its own base, forming fast transportation channels. In contrast, with the sparse distribution of stargates in the Shattered Star Ring, this journey of four or five days might take more than half a month.
Han Xiao turned his head, thought for a moment, and suddenly asked, "Have you participated in similar operations before?"
"Yes, I participated in two raids on the Fallen Ark, and this is the third. Most of the Beyond Grade A beings lingering in the Central Galaxy have participated in such operations." Beoni nodded.
It really is a case of eating, sleeping, and fighting Sorokin. All those allies are making excuses to avoid provoking Sorokin, but they just don't want to come with me... Han Xiao's lips twitched.
"So the Sorokin have basically fought against all the Beyond Grade A Three Universal Civilizations?"
"That's fair to say, but most of the time, we only encounter the Sorokin's avatars. Only in large-scale annihilation operations against the main force of the Fallen Ark is it possible to encounter the Sorokin's true form. Those operations are usually led by a Beyond Grade A like Clottey. The Sorokin's true form is too powerful. Just from what I know, more than two Beyond Grade A have died at his hands... How many Beyond Grade A- levels are there in the entire universe? That's a truly terrifying record."
Beoni shook his head.
Because of his deliberate efforts to befriend him, Han Xiao's relationship with him was closer than with his other Beyond Grade A allies.
Upon hearing this, Han Xiao nodded in understanding, his eyes flickering.
The Sorokin possesses power, but for the Three Universal Civilizations, they should be able to eliminate him with a little effort. Yet, they tolerated him for so long, which is rather strange.
"With three Beyond Grade A beings in charge this time, even if we're unlucky enough to encounter the true form of the Sorokin, we can still escape unscathed," Beoni said again.
Bad luck? Hey, this time we'll probably run into the real Sorokin.
Han Xiao secretly curled his lip. He didn't think it was a coincidence that he had just arrived on the Empire's home planet and the Sorokin had just exposed their whereabouts.
Thinking back to what the Sorokin had said when he contacted him, this was probably the reason, but he still chose to participate in this extermination operation.
I gathered my thoughts, opened the panel, and saw the routine clearing mission listed, with generous rewards.
[[Empire Campaign: Fallen Ark (Repeatable)]]
[Mission Brief: The Fallen Ark, a paradise lost to thugs across the universe, is infamous for its heinous crimes and has been constantly besieged by the Three Universal Civilizations. Now, the Crimson Dynasty has discovered the whereabouts of an Fallen Ark fleet, and you have decided to participate in this battle and contribute your strength.]
[Note: This is a faction-based quest. You can complete the following requirements during this quest:]
[Elite Soldiers: 2000 enemy kills cumulatively, reward 3.8 million experience points, Crimson Dynasty contribution +20]
[Fierce General: Kill over 200 Grade C superhumans, reward 8.1 million experience points, Crimson Dynasty contribution +30]
[Scavenger: 10,000 enemies killed cumulatively, reward 13.35 million experience points, Crimson Dynasty contribution +50]
[Decapitator: Kill the fleet commander, reward 120 million experience points, Crimson Dynasty contribution +220]
[Confronting the Sorokin I: Reduce the Sorokin's HP by 0.5% (either the main body or a clone), reward 200 million experience points, Crimson Dynasty contribution +350]
[Confronting the Sorokin II: Reduce the Sorokin's HP by 5% to receive 150,000,000 experience points and +550 contribution points to the Crimson Dynasty]
[Confronting the Sorokin III: Reduce the Sorokin's HP by 15% to receive 650,000 experience points and +900 contribution points to the Crimson Dynasty]
[Confronting the Sorokin IV: Successfully cooperate with the Crimson Dynasty forces to eliminate one Sorokin clone. For every 1% of damage output, you will be rewarded with 250 million experience points and 80 Empire Contribution Points, and obtain the [Character Summon Card - Sorokin]]
This is not a one-off mission; it will appear whenever there is an opportunity for routine clearing operations.
The Crimson Dynasty is a top-tier power in the Galaxy, and the mission rewards they offer are basically the standard for mid-to-late game versions, involving Beyond Grade A, with the highest rewards reaching tens of billions of experience points.
This time, the Fallen Ark squadron was discovered near the Empire's borders, so it was the Empire that proactively dispatched troops.
Han Xiao accepted the mission because he was attracted by the generous reward.
The rewards from the "Confront the Sorokin" series make up over 90% of this repeatable mission. It's challenging, and most players can only meet the basic requirement of killing enemy troops. It's almost impossible for them to inflict significant damage on the Sorokin, and even accumulating damage is difficult.
But he's different. Back when he was at the Calamity Grade, the Sorokin's clone had given him a hard time. But now, with the Sorokin's main body descending, he might not be able to defeat him, but the Sorokin's clone, with its limited energy, could hardly put any pressure on him anymore.
Players typically need 12,000 contribution points to exchange for Ultimate Knowledge from a cosmic civilization. However, given my current situation, I've been given a 50% discount, and I can exchange for Ultimate Knowledge with just 6,000 points.
The stronger the faction, the harder it is to gain favor. In his previous life, players worked themselves to the bone for Ultimate Knowledge, which is why boosting services like his were so popular. However, Han Xiao didn't want to linger in the Central Galaxy for too long to gain favor, so he planned to use his strength to complete an extremely difficult task that was almost impossible for players, earning a large amount of contribution points in one go.
Of all the missions provided by the Empire, this is the only one that meets his requirements and is the most convenient.
Perfect timing! I'll take this opportunity to distance myself from the Sorokin and send a signal.
Not wanting to continue the conversation, Han Xiao changed the subject and suddenly asked, "By the way, what's your relationship with the Mechanic Emperor like, given your involvement with the Ancient Star Desert?"
Before advancing to Beyond Grade A, Beoni was a member of the Flame Demon Race, and he still maintains a similar appearance. He considers himself a member of the Flame Demon Race, leading a tribe in the Ancient Star Desert, and expanding his Beyond Grade A race by building a harem. He lives a very comfortable life and is a big shot in the Ancient Star Desert.
The Mechanic Emperor of Manison also occupies the Ancient Star Desert, Beoni must know them.
"Manison? Why are you asking that?" Beoni asked, puzzled.
"After all, he's a top-tier Beyond Grade A in the Mechanic Class; I've long admired him," Han Xiao said casually.
Beoni had no suspicions. "I have very little contact with him. His influence in the Ancient Star Desert is far more extensive than mine. If you want to visit him, I can introduce you, but he is from the Federation of Light, so it's not appropriate to meet him in private."
"You're overthinking it. A cosmic-level civilization wouldn't restrict our personal interactions."
"Well, in short, I don't like meeting people from other factions." Beoni shook his head.
Han Xiao smiled. Although he didn't intend to provoke the Mechanic Emperor, he was still somewhat concerned because of Aroshia.
As for the visit, it wasn't a lie. He was indeed quite interested in Manison's "Immortal Mechanic Emperor" technology. However, a visit wouldn't be now. With the development of the Shattered World imminent, he didn't have the time to go to the Ancient Star Desert.
However, when the mention of the Mechanic Emperor came up, Han Xiao couldn't help but think of an old enemy— Manison.
This guy hasn't made any moves for several years, Han Xiao guessed that he might have given up, but the [Prey] quest was still hanging on the panel and hadn't disappeared.
"I'll meet him at the Star Cluster Abyss later," Han Xiao thought to himself.
He hadn't forgotten the trouble this guy had caused him, and now that he was gradually gaining Wings, he planned to settle the score with him sometime in the future.
In the narrow crevice of the Central Galaxy, a massive fleet was slowly moving; this was a branch fleet of the Fallen Ark.
Inside the main ship is a palace, with energy transmission circuits scattered across the floor, connecting to a central throne. Seated on the throne is an Sorokin avatar. The ship's energy core continuously supplies energy to the Sorokin avatar through the throne, like a socket charging the Sorokin avatar.
At this very moment, the main consciousness of the Sorokin is descending upon this Sorokin's avatar.
"I wonder who the Crimson Dynasty will send Beyond Grade A this time," the Sorokin mused, resting his chin on his hand. "Intelligence indicates that Black Star is currently a guest on the Crimson Dynasty's home planet. Hmm, he's carrying the Evolution Cube. Will he come looking for me...?"
He learned of Black Star's journey to the Central Galaxy more than half a month ago through his informants in the Shattered Star Ring. If Black Star wanted to make a deal with him, he would need an opportunity to make contact. Therefore, it was no coincidence that the Sorokin deliberately allowed a squad to be discovered by the Empire and actively created an opportunity.
He cannot easily leave the Central Galaxy. If he wants his main body to use the Evolution Cube, he can only let Black Star come to him. However, to avoid being double-crossed, Black Star is unlikely to sneak up on him in secret. Therefore, he needs to create an occasion that is not easy to arouse suspicion.
He should understand what I mean...
After pondering for a while, the Sorokin shook his head.
He had no doubt about Black Star's keen insight, yet Black Star hadn't contacted him, probably because he hadn't decided whether or not to make a deal with him.
Under these circumstances, the Sorokin felt that Han Xiao might not dare to approach him.
"Black Star has already set off; Beoni will be keeping an eye on him."
In the head of state's office at the Tyrant Hamill Palace, Clottey, expressionless, reported the situation to Urranrell.
Urranrell put down the documents in his hand, rubbed the corners of his eyes, and slowly said with his eyes closed, "His choice to fight the Sorokin was unexpected. The timing is too coincidental. He has the Evolution Cube with him, and the Sorokin has also shown interest in this thing. We can't afford not to be cautious."
Normally, the choice of mission for Han Xiao would be a trivial matter that didn't require her, the head of the empire, to concern herself with. However, she sensed something amiss and had to take notice.
For the Empire, the theft of the Evolution Cube by the Sorokin was no secret. Han Xiao's trip to fight the Sorokin with the cube might be because he knew about Sorokin covetousness and wanted to assert his sovereignty and retaliate, but it could also be for other ulterior motives. Black Star was, after all, a new ally. Although the Empire seemed to be taking care of him in every way, in reality, he had been closely watched by the Empire's spies ever since he set off for the Central Galaxy.
Beoni accepted Han Xiao's invitation partly because they were both from the younger generation and wanted to befriend each other, and partly because of Clottey's request: to protect him and also to keep an eye on Black Star's actions for Urranrell.
One must always be wary of others; the Empire is unwilling to see any ally colluding with the Sorokin and betraying its own side.
"Black Star's files show that he excels at cooperating with various parties in the Shattered Star Ring, navigating the cracks between numerous forces to build his current empire. He's clearly not a peaceful fellow..." Urranrell opened his eyes, his gaze calm and indifferent, and slowly said, "Hopefully he won't become too arrogant and resort to his old tricks, thinking that the Empire is someone he can deceive."