The Pioneer Party's ruling star is located in the three-star district they control, where the party's top leaders are monitoring the development of the war.
In the conference room, many high-ranking members of the Pioneer Party gathered together. The atmosphere was completely different from the gloomy mood of the Ancient Emperor Party. Everyone's face was filled with joy, and the Pioneer Party leader was particularly in high spirits.
The army had the upper hand in the war, and they couldn't help but be happy.
"The Ancient Emperor Party and the Descent Party are suffering defeat after defeat, and the people are calling for us to overthrow their rule. The situation is now very favorable to us," said the chief of staff, who was analyzing the battle situation.
The Pioneer Party leader, all smiles, said, "Especially at times like these, we must be extra careful to prevent a desperate counterattack from the enemy."
The situation here is very favorable, but he knows that the Ancient Emperor Party will not surrender. The side that fails in the military seizure of power will inevitably be wiped out, and the Ancient Emperor Party will not submit to slaughter.
As everyone was discussing the battle situation, the internal communication device suddenly rang; it was a communication request from an intelligence officer.
The image of an intelligence agent appeared on the virtual screen, his expression rather strange.
"Your Excellency, the Ancient Emperor Party has issued a public statement to the interstellar community."
"Send it over immediately." The Pioneer Party leader's brow twitched.
Soon, the intelligence personnel displayed the Ancient Emperor Party's statement on the screen, which the Pioneer Party leaders present read carefully.
In the first half of this announcement, the Ancient Emperor Party, claiming to be the legitimate successor to the Gular Civilization, used strong language to condemn the Pioneer Party's armed seizure of power, characterizing it as a "traitor" and calling it a traitor to the civilization. They called on citizens to oppose the Pioneer Party and openly recruited allies from across the galaxy.
This part is all standard, formulaic rhetoric, merely a means to maintain their legitimacy and suppress their opponents. They've been using this tactic for years, and a significant portion of the public isn't stupid. The Pioneer Party's leadership is even more accustomed to it and doesn't take it seriously. Now that they control the military, they'll control the pen after they win, so calling them "traitors" is pointless.
The Ancient Emperor Party' appeal for interstellar aid was seen as a futile act, a civil war, an internal matter that did not violate the Peace Treaty. The Black Star Army was on their side; who in the Shattered Star Ring would oppose the Black Star Army for the sake of a civil war between a galaxy-level civilization?
Mercenary groups of any significant size wouldn't offer assistance, and other civilizations would remain neutral, even those in the War Realm unwilling to antagonize their nominal allies over such a trivial matter. Consequently, the Ancient Emperor Party was essentially isolated and without support... This was the Black Star Army's role beyond armed support: its immense influence, comprised of powerful forces and a complex web of vested interests, left its enemies isolated and without allies.
The Pioneer Party leader patiently read to the end, but suddenly froze.
"Wait... Is the Ancient Emperor Party asking the Black Star Army for help?!"
The Pioneer Party leader rubbed his eyes, thinking he had misread it.
At the end of the announcement, it was revealed that the Ancient Emperor Party actually wanted to hire the Black Star Army to betray them, and even after fighting to this point, they were still trying to persuade the Black Star Army to turn around and help them.
The Pioneer Party leaders present exchanged bewildered glances, completely baffled by this perplexing move.
What's the principle behind asking the enemy for help?!
Okay, the Black Star Army is an external aid force, but they have a contractual agreement. How could they suddenly and publicly tear up the agreement? Wouldn't that damage their reputation? Besides, the Black Star Army is a Beyond Grade A force. Since they have already decided to help the Pioneer Party, how could they be so fickle? That would be contradicting themselves.
Even if you want to win over the Black Star Army, you should at least do it in private. This statement is made public to the interstellar community. Black Star is a big shot with a lot of influence. How could he openly agree to betray us? On the contrary, it eliminates the already slim possibility. Do you think they would betray us for money? It's impossible!
If the goal is actually to sow discord, then this method is far too clumsy!
"... It seems the Ancient Emperor Party has finally gone mad." The Pioneer Party leader's lips twitched. "This must be the funniest joke I've ever heard."
"Hahaha--"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, and the room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Thanks to the advanced interstellar media, the announcement from the Ancient Emperor Party spread Gular Civilization in no time.
Not only the Pioneer Party, but even the Descent Party was completely baffled.
Is my teammate an idiot?!
The soldiers of the Ancient Emperor Party felt humiliated. They were fighting desperately against the enemy when their superiors actually asked the enemy for help. What kind of nonsense was this?
Many people also sensed the pessimism of the Ancient Emperor Party's leadership regarding the outcome of the war, which led to a decline in morale.
On the Black Star Army's side, many legion members felt bewildered, yet also somewhat amused.
We're at war right now, so could the enemy please be serious? Stop messing with us.
While others mocked the actions of the Ancient Emperor Party, millions of Legion players received different information.
The Ancient Emperor Party ' plea for help actually generated a quest on the panel. It was the same series of quests related to the Gular Civilization that Han Xiao had triggered before. This time, it was an Grade S quest to help the Ancient Emperor Party.
This change surprised the players.
"So this is a faction-based questline. It seems that helping either faction will trigger the corresponding Grade S quest."
"However, since the Legion helped the Pioneer Party, we've assumed we're helping the Pioneer Party as well."
"Wow, isn't this a great opportunity to support the party I want to take power? If I succeed, I can change the landscape of an entire galaxy-level civilization. I think I've found a way to make a fortune."
"Don't you think it would be more fun if we convinced the NPCs to form a political party ourselves, and then supported them?"
The appearance of this mission aroused the interest of many Legion players, who unleashed their imaginations and discussed it enthusiastically on the forums.
However, that was about it; no Legion players actually took it in.
Players aren't stupid. To complete this task, they have to go against the Legion, which is practically the same as leaving the faction. After fighting for the Legion for two or three versions, how could they just give up all the faction relationships and contributions they've accumulated? The Black Star Army is a rare faction with such good growth potential. Betraying the Legion for a galaxy-level civilization's civil war is clearly not worth it.
Moreover, given the current situation, the chances of the Ancient Emperor Party winning are too slim, and the probability of mission failure is as high as 99.9%. It's better to stick with the Pioneer Party's mission, since it's also Grade S mission anyway.
Moreover, after a month of employment, they had gained some understanding of the three parties' styles. The Ancient Emperor Party was no good, even worse than the Pioneer Party, so there was no point in helping them.
With Summer Night Blossoms setting an example, there are fewer and fewer opportunistic gamblers among the local player community in the Shattered Star Ring. So at this time, players are only interested in the mechanics revealed by the Ancient Emperor Party's missions, but have no feeling for the missions themselves, and no one wants to do them.
Black Star Army Headquarters, Legion Commander's Private Mechanical Workshop.
Huge, fully automated production lines operate day and night, mass-producing various types of mechanized soldiers and equipment. The flashing lights and Mechanical Force flow through them, improving product quality and efficiency.
In another area, all the newly manufactured mechanical soldiers and equipment were being delivered on an assembly line. Countless multi-functional mechanical arms, wrapped with Mechanical Force, were modifying these products, sharing Han Xiao's enhancement and modification skills.
Modifying one's own combat mechs is not like treating players, where the enhancement effects are divided into several parts to sell for money. Instead, it's a one-time enhancement that improves the entire product. After modification, the quality of the product will increase, and the effect will be excellent. Even cannon fodder robots will be turned into orange legendary quality.
At Han Xiao's level, these ordinary mechanical soldiers are just one of tens of millions of cannon fodder; however, for players, each one is a top-tier mechanical soldier, impossible to buy.
Han Xiao stood in front of an operating table, personally assembling a new mechanical body, humming a little tune, in a pleasant mood.
The smell of metal filled the air, and the rumbling noise echoed in his ears. Han Xiao was already used to the atmosphere of the machine shop; manufacturing machinery was a pleasure. As his mechanical skills continued to improve, Master Han's love for mechanical manufacturing engineering also deepened. Changes in ability could also change interests.
For example, struggling students have to rack their brains and think hard when solving problems, which is pure torture, while top students... well...
"Master, I found some interesting news, shall I read it to you?"
Phillip projected his cute, cartoonish avatar onto the control panel. It was only the size of a palm, sitting on the edge of the panel, swinging his legs, tilting his head back, looking at Han Xiao with adorable big eyes, and speaking in a childish voice.
"Read it." Han Xiao kept his eyes straight ahead, concentrating on tapping the alloy plate, completely absorbed in blacksmithing.
"It's news from the Gular Civilization! The Ancient Emperor Party has publicly stated that they hope we'll switch sides and help them. Master, what do you think they're thinking?"
"Such outrageous tactics? Do they think I'm as shameless as the Sorokin?" Han Xiao chuckled.
"Huh?!" Phillip exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widening. "Isn't that what the master is all about?!"
"... You can joke now, huh?"
Han Xiao's eyelids twitched, and he chuckled, deciding to skip the topic. He changed the subject, nodding and saying, "While the Ancient Emperor Party's actions are difficult to understand, they seem somewhat plausible from a moral standpoint. If it weren't for Cecilin, that traitor, I wouldn't have any dealings with the Pioneer Party. They... eh."
Just then, Han Xiao paused, suddenly remembering the series of missions of the Ancient Emperor Party. With a thought, he stopped his work, opened the forum, glanced at it, and raised his eyebrows slightly.
Players indeed discussed this on the forums, with many posting screenshots of the Ancient Emperor Party' Grade S mission. They were right; the Ancient Emperor Party ' plea for help triggered the missions they had seen before for all Legion players.
Han Xiao frowned and pondered, habitually rubbing his chin.
This matter seemed to be nothing more than the Ancient Emperor Party acting desperately out of their wits, but he always felt that there was something strange about it.
"This kind of illogical request for help... it feels like..." Han Xiao squinted, "Is it specifically targeting the players?"
It wasn't that he was paranoid; there were indeed subtle coincidences involved. The actions of the Ancient Emperor Party were abrupt, and what others saw as a joke was not a joke to the players, but rather a trigger for quests.
Was it just bad luck, or was it intentional?
Han Xiao hesitated. There were too few clues, and he wasn't sure about his intuition, but to be on the safe side, he always considered the worst-case scenario.
There's a reason for thinking this way. There was a similar phase in my previous life. On the scale of the universe, the player group was a very small existence. But as the players continued to move around in the universe, the number of powerful interstellar forces paying attention to the player group also increased. They went from ordinary observation to focusing on them, and slowly studied the habits, characteristics, and behavior patterns of this group of "undead," just like the initial Germinal.
Even in the current version, there are still quite a few interstellar factions that pay attention to players.
Having cultivated his power and prestige in the Shattered Star Ring for many years, no one dared to challenge his "elite force." However, players from other star regions were in a different situation, and it was not uncommon for them to attract the attention of some major powers.
Of course, he wasn't the only one keen on recruiting players.
Han Xiao wasn't too worried about this. The effort that Legion players had invested in the Legion across three versions was a sunk cost. These domesticated leeks weren't so easily lured away. Besides, normal NPCs would at most use players as special troops. Since others didn't have an interface, they couldn't gain the massive amount of experience from the player base like he did.
But if someone actually steals your vegetables, that's infuriating.
"I was originally planning to let the Gular Civilization run wild, but it seems I'll have to keep an eye on it. Maybe someone's targeting the Legion players." Han Xiao's eyes flashed.
A mysterious fleet sailed into the border of the Gular Civilization, the territory of the Ancient Emperor Party. The Ancient Emperor Party's reinforcements were already waiting there to welcome the newcomers.
"They've finally arrived." On the main ship of the support force, the leader of the Ancient Emperor Party breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the star map via a remote projection.
The mysterious Beyond Grade A promised to provide support, and this fleet was the first batch of reinforcements. The leader of the Ancient Emperor Party originally wanted to guess the identity of the Beyond Grade A based on the origin of the reinforcements, but when he saw the insignia of this foreign aid fleet, he couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
This is a large, independent armed organization native to the Shattered Star Ring, active in this star cluster. The organization is controlled by four Calamity Grade individuals, one of whom was Beyond Grade A Seed many years ago. Therefore, the organization is quite famous and large, and many people have always believed that they have no powerful backers.
It now appears that this low-profile armed group is backed by an unknown Beyond Grade A expert?
Who exactly is this Beyond Grade A individual? He's so mysterious. Could he have more than one affiliated force in the Shattered Star Ring?
The leader of the Ancient Emperor Party suppressed his surprise and directed his troops to make contact with the other side.
With the support of these armed forces, their situation has been somewhat alleviated.
The two main ships docked, and the projection of the leader of the Ancient Emperor Party saw the four Calamity Grade leaders of the armed group.
"I am the leader of the Gular Civilization, and I thank all..."
"We will help you suppress the rebels. No need to thank us; we are just following orders," the Beyond Grade A Seed interrupted the Ancient Emperor Party leader, speaking calmly.
The leader of the Ancient Emperor Party's expression changed slightly. After thinking for a moment, he tentatively asked, "Whom do you take orders from?"
At that moment, a member standing nearby shuddered, as if possessed by the Mysterious Person, who calmly said, "Don't inquire about my name. This is a one-time exception, or the agreement will be null and void."
The leader of the Ancient Emperor Party was startled and had no choice but to nod in agreement. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"We followed your advice, but the Black Star Army hasn't responded at all."
"Is that so?" The Mysterious Person wasn't surprised. "Failure is inevitable. The patterns I've summarized don't always work, which is why more observation and experimentation are needed."
"However..." the Mysterious Person mused, "It seems Black Star's success isn't just due to good luck; like me, he's also grasped some patterns."