Phillip sent the message and received a reply a few seconds later.
"Master, they want to meet with you privately a few times. You can decide the location and time."
"I see..."
Han Xiao pondered.
The fact that the Federation of Light had come to their door was somewhat sensitive, but since Beyond Grade A ally was not a subordinate of a cosmic-level civilization, they still had this much freedom. Even if the Empire knew that the two sides had met, it wouldn't be a big problem.
Han Xiao pondered for a few seconds and then said:
"Reply to them that I do not accept private meetings. I do not want to have any 'shared secrets' with them for the time being. Invite them to the Black Star Army for me. If they are willing to come, then come; if not, then don't meet."
Since others have approached him on their own initiative and he hasn't done anything wrong, it's better to be secretive than to try to hide it. It's better to invite them to meet on his own territory openly and honestly. Otherwise, it might seem like he and the Federation of Light are plotting something shady, which could easily arouse suspicion.
The second step of the Space-Time Amber Soul Connection mission required him to contact the remnants of the Space-Time Freezer. Because the Federation of Light protected this group, Han Xiao hadn't had time to complete it. However, now that they had taken the initiative to come to him, although their intentions were unclear, it was a pleasant surprise for Han Xiao, saving him a lot of energy.
However, you can't be too eager. You can't just agree to meet whenever you want. After all, you took the initiative to come to me, so you have to follow my rules.
After the invitation was sent, the Federation of Light did not respond immediately, seemingly still considering it.
Han Xiao wasn't in a hurry. He took out his communicator and turned to contact Tarrokov.
Tarrokov's projection appeared, and he laughed:
"Black Star, you have time to contact me now?"
"Haha, Commander-in-Chief, how have you been lately?"
"Sigh, still the same old story, eating dirt here in the Shattered World. When are you coming back to continue exploring?"
"Let's wait a while longer."
"Let's hurry. In a few years, the first phase of development might be completed, and then we'll enter the construction phase. Only after we've absorbed the territory of three star clusters will the second phase of development begin."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Han Xiao got down to business, his smile fading as he said seriously:
"I haven't contacted the outside world during this time. Negotiations have been going on for several months. Have the Empire and the Arcane come up with a solution?"
"Basically, there are no problems." Tarrokov nodded. "Both sides publicly condemn each other, but privately they have reached several agreements. The remaining issues are minor details. The Arcane Church paid a considerable price to ransom the people; the specific amount must be kept secret, and I cannot tell you. I can only say that the other side made concessions in politics, military affairs, and the economy, and even released some technical information. In short, the Empire agreed to ransom the Arcane Church for three Beyond Grade A: Dilun, Motes, and Taylor. Only Sagman remains in our hands as a bargaining chip."
Han Xiao nodded.
The foundation of civilization has always been the race. Conflicts between them are all for status and resources. Compared to the long history of civilization, each Beyond Grade A is merely a shooting star that flashes across a certain period of history. Exchanging three Beyond Grade A prisoners for various resources that are beneficial to their own development is exactly the kind of deal that the empire hopes for. The Three Universal Civilizations compete with each other but are on the same side. They occasionally have friction with each other, but none of them can annihilate the others. In addition to fighting, what is more important is to suppress the civilizations below, maintain order, and consolidate the hegemonic position of the three combined.
"By the way, what did they do with the Space-Time Amber?" Han Xiao asked.
As the Arcane Church researched amber, the name "Space-Time Amber" spread throughout the universe. Now, all major powers know that Black Star possesses two Universal Treasure: the Evolution Cube and the Space-Time Amber. Therefore, he holds a special position among Beyond Grade A beings.
"The Arcane Church is unable to break the seal and wants the Empire to help lift it, but the Empire has been dragging its feet and hasn't contacted you, so you're unaware of it."
"Is the Empire going to agree to their demands?"
"Well, the Arcane Church is willing to pay more ransom. The Empire is prepared to ask you to lift the seal on one of the prisoners. We'll discuss the others later; we'll need you to make a trip to the Central Galaxy then."
"Sure." Han Xiao nodded. Right now, the Legion players are having a blast with the two major events, the Gular Civilization War Mercenary and the Shattered World. He doesn't need to interfere much before version 3.0 ends; he has plenty of time.
He also planned to go to the Central Galaxy to find some helpers to deal with the Sorokin.
"I'd like to ask, has the Empire discovered any trace of the Sorokin?"
"We have some leads. According to the intelligence network, there are sighting reports of the Fallen Ark Fleet over the Ancient Star Desert. The wormhole cluster at the center of the Shattered Star Ring should have teleported them there."
"It's good that we have their whereabouts..." Han Xiao subconsciously cracked his knuckles. "The Arcane Church has already given in, so the Empire can now focus its efforts on dealing with the Sorokin, this accomplice."
Tarrokov observed Han Xiao's expression and suddenly said, "I always felt that you harbored a very firm killing intent towards the Sorokin."
"Yeah, he's been eyeing the Evolution Cube for a long time, and he almost killed me. How can I not hate him?" Han Xiao shrugged.
"No the same."
Tarrokov shook his head and did not continue.
It wasn't just because of the Evolution Cube; he always felt that Han Xiao's hostility towards the Sorokin carried a hidden anxiety, as if the Sorokin posed a particular threat to Han Xiao...
"In short, the higher-ups have already dispatched troops to the Desolate Universe Belt of the Central Galaxy to attack the Fallen Ark. The Sorokin is not at his base, and the Empire plans to send people to intercept and kill him. You are on the list of those to be dispatched. Even if you don't ask, the higher-ups will come looking for you in a while."
"Understood, I'll go. I'll participate in this operation while I'm on my way to Central Galaxy."
After exchanging a few more words, Han Xiao hung up the communicator and let out a breath.
The Sorokin, as the ultimate boss of the chaotic evil faction, has been navigating between the Three Universal Civilizations and has never been killed.
The Three Universal Civilizations have targeted him countless times, yet they have failed to truly kill the Sorokin. The Empire may have come to regard dealing with the Sorokin as a routine matter.
Perhaps only he himself harbors a firm killing intent towards the Sorokin.
"I hope we won't repeat the same mistake this time," Han Xiao thought to himself.
If we can defeat the Sorokin this time, we can eliminate the threat of the World Tree's premature invasion.
It wasn't that Han Xiao lacked confidence in the Three Universal Civilizations; in his previous life, the World Tree War was a Pyrrhic victory, and the current Three Universal Civilizations might not be able to defeat the World Tree.
Some of the more powerful characters from later versions haven't even reached their full potential yet.
Especially for players.
bite.
Just then, Phillip received a reply from the Federation of Light, who accepted Han Xiao's invitation.
Meanwhile, at the Federation of Light's outpost in the Shattered Star Ring, Mona put down his communicator. He was the envoy who had come to contact Han Xiao this time, and also a remnant of the Space-Time Freezer, with ice-blue skin covered in diamond-like crystalline particles.
"Black Star has agreed to meet," Mona reported to the higher-ups.
"Okay, remember your mission this time: first, to test Black Star's attitude; second, to find out the origin of the Space-Time Amber. If the test doesn't go well, don't propose a deal. Also, don't take any unnecessary actions."
Mona nodded seriously.
The Federation of Light wants to break the seal on the Scepter of All Gods, but Black Star is an ally of the Empire, and the chances of him granting their request are slim. Without sufficient benefits, Black Star will not risk offending the Empire to help them break the seal.
Black Star can obtain most of its resources from the Crimson Dynasty, so there's no need for it to trade with them. Therefore, the Federation of Light can only probe Black Star to see if it has any special needs.
Despite the slim chances, the Federation of Light was determined to give it a try; Bader was simply unwilling to possess the Scepter of All Gods but be unable to use it.
We've already offended the Arcane Church, we can't leave empty-handed.
"I won't do anything reckless, but Manison..." Mona said, turning to look to the side where a mechanical body stood stiffly.
This is the vessel through which Manison's Dominator's Descent, but it has not yet been activated. Manison's consciousness is not attached to it; it is currently being controlled remotely by AI.
Upon hearing this, Manison displayed the projection via remote link and said:
"Don't worry about me. I'm just visiting Black Star in a personal capacity and won't interfere in your affairs."
Upon hearing this, Mona could only nod; at his level, he had no right to interfere with Manison.
Manison shook his head, his expression subtle.
He was about to meet Han Xiao. Manison had long admired him, and in fact, he paid attention to every mechanic who reached the Beyond Grade A.
During this period, Black Star's name resounded throughout the Beyond Grade A circles of the Three Universal Civilizations, and he planned to personally test Black Star's level.
This is the only way to determine what price to offer for the Space-Time Amber.