"Lord Black Star, you are welcome to visit the academy anytime."
At the airport terminal, the dean and his entourage saw Han Xiao off. The morning lecture had been very effective; not only had the students of the academy benefited, but he himself had also found it very rewarding. At this moment, he sincerely expressed his closeness to Han Xiao.
"Okay, let's keep in touch more often when we have time." Han Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, then led the group onto the Blacklight Stealth behind him. The spaceship started up, transforming into a streak of light that shot along the spaceport orbit into the vast, dark universe.
With the data in hand and the promised lecture completed, his mission accomplished, he did not linger and departed from Terra Civilization.
As for the impact of his association with the Terra Civilization, he wasn't too concerned. The Terra Civilization was a neutral civilization in the Shattered Star Ring, powerful and rarely provoked by other forces, nor did it actively provoke others. The afterglow of the Black Star Army's massive expansion hadn't yet dissipated, so this news wouldn't cause much of a stir, at most it would elicit some reaction from star cluster-level civilizations of the same level.
He was somewhat surprised by the excitement of the Mechanic Class players on the forum. After reading the posts, he learned that the public lecture had triggered a random event where a high-level NPC would impart knowledge, bringing unexpected benefits to many Mechanic Class players.
Players gain experience in various ways, and passively receiving experience from high-level NPCs through lessons and books is one of them. However, it's relatively rare to encounter such opportunities. Besides luck, the probability of encountering such opportunities depends on the skill gap between the NPC and the player, as well as what the NPC is saying. Pugilist Class and Mage Class players are quite familiar with this. Pugilist Class can eavesdrop and learn skills in some martial arts dojos, but this is risky and not guaranteed to succeed, mainly to avoid farming faction contribution points. The same applies to Mage Class.
"I didn't expect such a coincidence. It even reinforced my image as a Mechanic Class professor." Han Xiao shook his head helplessly. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Consciousness sank into the Quantum Network Vision and poked Phillip:
"How's the data analysis going?"
"Too complicated, I can't estimate the time required to crack it."
The wormhole's location data has been handed over to Phillip for computation and analysis. A large number of experiments and measurements are needed, and it's unknown how long it will take to get the results.
However, Han Xiao wasn't in a hurry. Since the Terra Civilization knew that he and the Sorokin were eyeing this data, they would definitely think that this data contained some secret. They would definitely organize professional scientists to study it in secret. The research speed of a star cluster-level civilization would naturally not be slower than his and the Sorokin's. His friendship with the Terra Civilization was also with the intention of using it to his advantage. If the Terra Civilization found any clues, he would also have the opportunity to enjoy the results, which would be very comfortable.
He also planned to send the data to the Empire at some point, hoping to use the Empire's technological power to decipher the data's secrets. With such a powerful ally, why not take advantage of it?
The journey was uneventful, and the Blacklight Stealth returned to the Legion headquarters.
After a few days of rest, the Empire finally issued its official summons, ordering the Black Star Army, the War Realm, Krent, and other allies of the Shattered Star Ring to immediately travel to the Shattered World through the Imperial Stargate Station on the outer edge of the star system.
After so much preparation, the Empire is finally ready to officially begin the first phase of development for the Shattered World!
Han Xiao immediately issued a mobilization order.
On the departure date, Phillip's broadcast announcement echoed throughout the entire legion headquarters:
"All legion members participating in the development of Shattered World, please board the ship immediately. We will depart in thirty minutes! To reiterate, all..."
Many players couldn't wait to set off, entering the airport and boarding troop transport ships with their doors wide open.
After the Secret War ended, Shattered World had been generating buzz for several months and was already seen by players as the next main storyline for the update.
Exploring an unfamiliar star system—this is the grandest main event they've ever encountered!
Millions of players are thrilled!
Moreover, with the example of the limited-edition [Secret War Combatant] title, the vast majority of Legion players accepted the Shattered World main quest, and the number of participants was unprecedented. Just thinking about it made many players' hearts race.
Players from the Constellation Corridor were particularly excited. While players from the Shattered Star Ring had similar experiences before, Constellation Corridor players had participated in very few large-scale group quests. Upon arriving in the Shattered Star Ring, they were immediately involved in such a massive faction event, giving many of them a sense of awe, like country bumpkins entering the city.
Previously, they had only heard about the benefits of the Black Star Army, but now that they have personally experienced it, the more than 700,000 new players have once again raised their opinion of the legion.
The personnel at the legion headquarters quickly assembled and boarded the spaceship. With a command from Han Xiao, the fleet set sail in a grand procession, beginning its long voyage.
Months ago, Sylvia had already deployed all her forces. Now, as the main fleet at the Legion headquarters set off, the standby forces at numerous Legion branch bases in the Colton Star Cluster also departed, heading straight for their destination. According to the plan, each detachment would gradually approach the main fleet during the journey and rendezvous with Han Xiao.
The Legion dispatched an enormous fleet and manpower this time, taking with it almost all the free-moving troops. It was the largest operation in the Legion's history, and its scale was unprecedented.
Exploring new star systems requires countless manpower; no matter how many you send, it won't be enough. This exploration force will establish a base in the Shattered World and won't be returning for a long time, including Han Xiao himself.
Today, the Black Star Army has firmly established itself in the Shattered Star Ring, managing its headquarters Colton Star Cluster, with impenetrable security and stable operations. Moreover, with the support of its two allies, the Empire and the Amethyst, and the protection of its status as a member of the Shattered Star Ring Civilization Council, it has virtually no worries about the future.
Shattered World is the central stage for the next version, and developing Shattered World is a key part of the Legion's next stage of development.
The Empire's allies in the Shattered Star Ring were the first forces to explore, and Han Xiao gained this advantage through various maneuvers. This opportunity cannot be missed; only by gaining a greater advantage and laying a solid foundation can he cope with the countless forces vying for territory in the future.
Somewhere in the Shattered Star Ring, on the Floating Dragon Island, lies the Dragon Emperor Palace.
"Is that so? Black Star has already set off..."
The communicator displayed a message from Han Xiao. Ames withdrew her gaze, glanced at the Dragon Calm officers on either side of the Dragonbone Throne, and spoke softly:
"Let's set off for Planet Aquamarine."
Central Galaxy, Star Cluster Abyss, Mother Planet of the Federation of Light.
Glory Bader Ohosid put down the intelligence in his hand, looked around at the council of elders in the room, and slowly spoke:
"The Crimson Dynasty is finally going to officially explore the Shattered World... The Empire's main focus for the future will be on this, and the exploration of the Shattered World is expected to last for decades or even centuries."
The chief council elder tapped his cane and said hoarsely, "The Shattered World was first discovered by our probes. Back then, we traded ownership of the Shattered World to the Crimson Dynasty in exchange for many benefits. It will take them a long time to recoup their costs and make a profit when they develop the new star field."
The initial compromise with the Crimson Dynasty was not only to exchange benefits, avoid the Empire's sharp edge, and quell the Red Crimson Tide, but also to have far more ulterior motives.
"Hmm..." Bader said calmly, "In order to develop the new star field, the Empire will inevitably invest a lot of manpower and resources. The Shattered World will become a quagmire that holds up the Empire's forces for the next few decades. For a long time, the Empire will be unable to compete for other things and will be unable to cause trouble. This is very advantageous to us."
The chief elder stroked the luminous crystal at the tip of his cane and said in a deep voice, "The Empire traded the ownership of the Shattered World from us and established an agreement stipulating that during the initial exploration, only the Crimson Dynasty could build stargates. Other civilizations were not allowed to build stargate passages to the Shattered World without permission, and any force that trespassed without authorization would be considered an enemy by the Empire... However, the agreement was ultimately just a bunch of words."
Bader: "We don't need to get involved. Those ambitious supercluster-level civilizations that have always wanted to challenge our position are shrewd enough. They understand our and the Arcane Church's positions, and they know very well that this is an excellent opportunity to profit from the situation. Few will let go of the resources of the new star system. Although these pawns usually act insincerely, as long as they see extremely low risks and huge benefits, they will act according to our wishes and become obedient without us doing anything."
After a pause, Bader continued, "With so many eyes watching, the Empire doesn't have the ability to monopolize the new star field. For reasons such as political influence and trade, it's estimated that after creating a complete star map, the Empire will open the Shattered World to the entire universe. This might be due to pressure, or it might be a voluntary decision, to obtain countless foreign laborers and resources, thereby recovering a large amount of the Empire's direct military and manpower."
The chief elder nodded, "The Empire owns the star field, but the greater the interests, the greater the pressure they face. Let the Empire bear the burden. There's no such thing as loss when you possess something. We can retreat to advance and seize enormous benefits."
Bader clasped his hands together, his eyelids lowered. "Since the Empire is willing, let's put even more pressure on them."
Central Galaxy, Constellation Corridor, the Crimson Dynasty's Mother Planet.
After reviewing the intelligence reports on the Black Star Army and the War Realm, the Imperial Head of State, Urranrell, put down the documents in his hand, looked up, and saw that those present were all top-ranking officials of the Empire.
"Your Majesty, the allies of the Shattered Star Ring were the first forces to explore, and we will continue to deploy more Imperial direct forces and Imperial allies. Although the Federation of Light has nominally conceded and compromised, it will certainly break the agreement in secret. The Federation of Light, the Arcane Church, and those supercluster-level civilizations will definitely take action quietly."
"I know," Urranrell said calmly. "Since entering the Galaxy Calendar, the Federation of Light has lost its edge and is unwilling to bear pressure. Why should they swallow the biggest benefits? I never expected them to abide by the agreement in the first place. The next few decades may be tough for us, but history will prove that those who abandon the future will be abandoned by the future."
Everyone nodded silently.
"Those who cause trouble in the shadows won't reveal their identities. This opportunity is perfect for deterring those increasingly unruly supercluster-level civilizations."
Urranrell's gaze sharpened, his voice resolute.
"Let them have a good reminder of the Empire's way of doing things!"
The Fallen Ark.
Harrison's flicking tongue awakened the sleeping Sorokin.
"The Arcane Church has responded."
The Sorokin awoke, catching his breath, and slowly asked, "What did they say?"
They said they were unaware of it.
"So that means they've agreed." The Sorokin narrowed his eyes. "Have the fleet turn around and head towards the Desolate Universe Belt near the Arcane Church. See where the temporary stargate they've prepared for me is."
The edge of the Shattered Star Ring Explored Universe.
In the desolate darkness, a colossal stargate station stands in the universe, as the massive Black Star Army slowly approaches.
This is the Crimson Dynasty's dedicated stargate station connecting to the Shattered World. Currently, this is the only way to reach the Shattered World. This station is stationed with a large number of imperial warships, and no one is allowed to cross over illegally.
Having announced their identities, the Black Star Army fleet entered the stargate in batches and disappeared into the blue spatial vortex.
"Time to go clear the land!"
"Guys, I'm getting excited!"
Players aboard the transport ships were eager and excited.
As the main ship was about to enter the stargate, Hila, Fording, Hadavy, and other guard officers on the bridge instinctively turned around and looked at the brilliant starry sky behind them, in the direction of the Shattered Star Ring.
Seeing this, Han Xiao also turned around and glanced back, a slight thought stirring in his heart.
It will probably be a long time before I return...
It seems I'll be spending the dozen or so months of experience penalty period in the Shattered World.
When I return to the Explored Universe, my level should be far higher than the current level 240.
And the Universal Treasure in their hands may not be limited to just the Evolution Cube.
Turning his gaze away, Han Xiao looked ahead at the azure vortex of the stargate, beyond which lay a vast world brimming with opportunities.
Thump!
The next moment, the flagship entered the stargate, and the ship shuddered.
In an instant, all that remained in my field of vision was a dazzling blue light.