"The value of the Evolution Cube is self-evident. This Universal Treasure, coveted by countless forces, is now in Black Star's possession, posing a significant risk to the Empire. However, a cosmic-level civilization wouldn't force Beyond Grade A ally to hand over Universal Treasure, so it tacitly acquiesced to Black Star's ownership of the Evolution Cube. But this doesn't mean the Empire is at ease."
Heber gave a faint "hmm," and said, "Indeed, continue."
"Only by keeping the Evolution Cube in the hands of the Empire can this risk be eliminated. Although the Battle of Lighthouse Star was won, it also sounded an alarm within the Empire. Rather than relying on Black Star's combat power, it is better to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The Federation of Light's High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter is always a threat. Just think about it, Glory Federation could gather a group of Beyond Grade A soldiers at any time to launch a surprise attack on the Black Star Army headquarters. How dangerous is that?"
"If Glory could have done it, he would have done it long ago." Heber remained unmoved.
"Yes, considering all factors, the Federation of Light will not take any rash risks, so it has adopted a roundabout approach to put pressure on the Empire and Black Star... But if all methods fail, the possibility of taking risks will only increase."
Heber remained noncommittal, saying calmly, "Even with external threats, Urranrell values Black Star, and the Empire won't force him. The success rate of your plan is negligible. I advise you to give up as soon as possible."
"We have to try." Loffer said slowly, "Black Star is close to the faction of the Imperial head and has received a lot of protection, but as you know, there are many factions within the Empire. Since the appearance of the Evolutionary Totem, the calls for Black Star to hand over the Evolution Cube have grown louder and louder. Black Star's refusal to settle on the Empire's home planet with the Evolution Cube has also strengthened the resolve of more factions."
Heber frowned. "You seem to know a bit too much."
Upon hearing this, Loffer smiled mysteriously.
"Because... I come not only representing Glory and the Arcane."
"Hahaha--" Heber suddenly burst into laughter, his tone playful, "You guys have quite the appetite, wanting to take on three places. No wonder, I was wondering earlier, if Black Star handed the Evolution Cube to the Empire, Glory and Arcane wouldn't even have their last chance for adventure, so that's how it is..."
Loffer smiled but did not answer, secretly admiring Sorokin's courage.
Sorokin outwardly agreed to the deal between the Glory and the Arcane, but secretly, he contacted some factions within the Empire and changed the narrative of the plan to suppress the Black Star Army, claiming it was to force the Black Star to hand over the Evolution Cube. He then secretly conducted a second deal, making the Infinite Financial Group's intention to suppress the Black Star Army align with the interests of all three parties.
This was both to leave himself an escape route and to maximize his own interests. Sorokin was not a man who would obediently follow orders; he had his own interests to protect.
Having grown to its current size, the Infinite Financial Group no longer profits from war. However, the upheavals brought about by the Battle of Lighthouse Star caused fluctuations in the Infinite Financial Group's stock price and the market, resulting in significant losses.
To prevent such a situation from happening again, Sorokin preferred to become a pacifist, completely eliminating the possibility of the Evolution Cube instigating a war, depriving the two sides of the possibility of taking risks, and resolving the conflict between the three major cosmic civilizations.
If the Evolution Cube falls into the hands of the Empire, the risk of cosmic turmoil can be eliminated.
On the surface, they agreed to the promises of Glory and the Arcane, but in reality, they were acting as a third party.
Loffer paused, then said in a deep voice, "When the Empire possesses the Evolution Cube, all the profits from the Evolutionary Totem will be in the Empire's hands, and Black Star will be kicked out of the game. In this way, the Empire will transform from a collaborator into a beneficiary, enjoying all the benefits. This will increase the likelihood of opening up purchasing rights to the outside world, thus satisfying the pressure exerted by the Glory and the Arcane... They also don't want to take any risks. Completely eliminating this idea might even bring them some relief."
"Sorokin... Hmph, this guy's interesting." Heber narrowed his eyes and said slowly, "All that talk is predicated on Black Star handing over the Evolution Cube. If that doesn't happen, it's all just empty talk. So, what exactly do you plan to do?"
Upon hearing this, Loffer was secretly delighted. Heber's question meant that he was interested.
"It's simple. Apply pressure to Black Star from both inside and outside, making him see that the benefits of handing over the Evolution Cube are greater than keeping it."
Tell me.
" In the Battle of Lighthouse Star, Black Star achieved tremendous success, silencing the factions demanding the handover of Evolution Cube. However, the Empire's casualties were also real. As long as the Great Emperor's losses on the issue of Evolutionary Totem continue to increase, Black Star will face more pressure from within the Empire, pressure that even President Urranrell cannot completely suppress... However, this is the work of the Glory and the Arcane, and I cannot disclose it."
What about external pressure?
"This means we'll have to deal with the Black Star Army itself, so we need your help."
"If you want me to betray the Empire, then there's no point in discussing it."
Loffer smiled, "Don't worry, this is absolutely beneficial in every way. Even if we don't target the Black Star Army, the War Realm will still be profitable, and it won't create any conflict with the Empire."
How to do it?
"It's very simple. Our Infinite Financial Group will invest in cooperation with the War Realm to expand our business, reclaim the markets that the Black Star Army has taken away, suppress the Black Star Army's business, and at the same time, jointly develop the Shattered World territory. We will use our influence in the Empire to obtain a better territory for you."
You are also an ally of the Empire, and the Empire will not object to our legitimate business competition... Tyrant Excellency is well aware of the strength of the Infinite Financial Group. With our investment, regardless of whether the plan succeeds or fails, we will always remain in a position of strength in the War Realm."
Upon hearing this, Heber closed his eyes and pondered for a few seconds before opening them again and replying calmly:
"Okay, I agree."
Loffer breathed a sigh of relief, his tense nerves relaxing as he chuckled, "In this deal, only Black Star lost, but for the sake of cosmic peace, we'll have to make him suffer a little."
"Universal peace, ah..."
Heber inwardly scoffed, but showed no outward expression, slowly saying, "The Federation of Light, the Arcane Church, parts of the Crimson Dynasty, plus my War Realm... Hmph, your Infinite Financial Group's moves are quite significant, creating Black Star Alliance."
"This is business, not personal grudges." Loffer smiled indifferently. "Hopefully he'll know what's good for him. Anyway, he won't hand over the cubes for nothing; the Empire will definitely provide sufficient compensation."
Heber secretly curled his lip. Although he disliked Black Star, in his opinion, the chances of Black Star compromising were Infinite zero. That guy's ability to withstand pressure was terrifying. Even if Loffer spoke eloquently, he still didn't have a good opinion of the Infinite Financial Group's plan.
However... in the War Realm, neither side is at a disadvantage. Heber is willing to cooperate with the Infinite Financial Group to take the opportunity to develop himself. He is unwilling to sit idly by and watch Han Xiao leave him further and further behind.
The following day, at the Black Star Army headquarters.
With a few days to go before the official gathering, many guests were visiting each other and expanding their social circles, creating a lively atmosphere.
Han Xiao visited Sorokin early in the morning and invited him to visit the Legion headquarters, Sorokin gladly accepted.
The two strolled around the headquarters, chatting as they went. Han Xiao once again asked to spar, but Sorokin declined again, leaving Han Xiao somewhat helpless.
They simply refused to fight and admitted defeat outright, showing no sign of a defiant, strong mentality.
Just as Han Xiao was hesitating, Sorokin seemed to suddenly remember something.
"I heard Iso is here with you?"
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, "You know that bastard... cough, old guy?"
"Back when he was Ancient Ones, I met him a few times and invited him to join the Infinite Financial Group, but he refused," Sorokin shook his head.
Iso is quite the social butterfly; he seems to have connections with important people wherever he goes... Han Xiao's lips twitched.
"By the way, I think I also heard that you and Ames are lovers?"
Han Xiao was taken aback. "Where did you hear that from?"
"It's being talked about in many places; I only heard it by chance," Sorokin remarked. "The combination of Beyond Grade A individuals is so rare; I don't even remember the last pair."
"The head of the prestigious Infinite Financial Group actually has the leisure to pay attention to such gossip." Han Xiao shook his head helplessly.
"It is precisely because I am the leader of a conglomerate that I need to pay attention to any news; business opportunities are often hidden within them," Sorokin smiled.
Han Xiao's eyes darted around, and he suddenly remembered something. "If I remember correctly, you seem to be the successor of the Infinite Financial Group, not its founder."
"Yes."
There's very little information about you in the universe, and I'm curious about your experiences before you became Beyond Grade A.
"Haha, Lord Black Star, are you that concerned about my childhood?" Sorokin chuckled.
In the eyes of many Beyond Grade A individuals, their lives before becoming Beyond Grade A were no different from their childhood.
"Just out of curiosity." Han Xiao waved his hand.
"Those are all things of the past, nothing more than training and combat, nothing worth mentioning." Sorokin shook his head with a smile, then suddenly asked, "I wonder what your ambitions are, Lord Black Star?"
"Ambition? Does universal peace count?" Han Xiao joked.
"What a coincidence, me too." Sorokin chuckled.
While chatting idly, Han Xiao multitasked, secretly entering the Quantum Network Vision to contact Iso, and quickly hacked into Iso's communicator.
An old face suddenly appeared in the Quantum Network Vision, clearly startled.
"Black Star? I was watching a program, what are you doing hacking my communicator?!"
"Old man, I have something to ask you. Do you know Sorokin?"
Aesop was stunned for a moment and asked doubtfully, "We know him, why are you mentioning him?"
"He's right next to me. I'm quite curious about him. What kind of person was he when you first met him?"
Upon hearing this, Iso pondered for a moment and said, "Sorokin... tsk, a cunning old fox. You never know which of his words is true. You'd better be careful when dealing with him."
"Hmm... how's his combat ability?"
"I don't know, but he's definitely better than me." Iso shrugged.
"Isn't that obvious?" Han Xiao said, speechless.
"Alright, stop bothering me. Get my communicator back to normal; I want to continue watching the program."
Helplessly disconnecting from the communication, Han Xiao withdrew from the Quantum Network Vision, glanced at Sorokin, made up his mind, and threw a punch with lightning speed.
"Um?"
Sorokin reacted quickly, raising his arm to block the punch.
Thump! The fist didn't exert much force, but it still made a muffled thud, and a shockwave rippled outwards.
"... Lord Black Star, what do you mean by this?" Sorokin squinted.
"You say you've neglected your fighting skills? I still don't believe you. Let's test your reflexes." Han Xiao smiled, not bothering to hide his true feelings.
Sorokin frowned, then smiled and shook his head, saying, "As Beyond Grade A, I do have this much reaction time. If you were a martial artist, I couldn't stop this punch. Don't scare me, Lord Black Star. I'm really no match for you."
"Okay, I was Reckless, sorry." Han Xiao casually withdrew his hand, pretending not to care.
Seeing this, Sorokin breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected Han Xiao to risk offending him to make a move so ruthlessly. He thought Han Xiao was forcing him to spar, but Black Star only made one move and then stopped. He was quite surprised that Han Xiao was so easy to talk to.
Upon further reflection, Sorokin understood. Black Star had once ruthlessly annihilated his subordinate forces, and in his eyes, Han Xiao was decisive and efficient. Although his sudden attempt to test him was unexpected, it was in line with the image of Han Xiao in his mind.
However, he was unaware that the combat information triggered by this attack was enough for Han Xiao to see his true colors.
Han Xiao quietly opened the panel, glanced at the battle prompts, and his eyes immediately narrowed.
Just as I suspected, this guy is definitely not simple... His level is clearly a question mark!
"Back when I was level 280, Madison was a question mark. Now I'm level 300, and Sorokin is a question mark too. Is this guy's combat power also at the Peak Beyond Grade A level?! He's been hiding it for so long, making all the Beyond Grade A think he's weak... What is this guy, pretending to be weak, trying to achieve?"
Han Xiao's mind raced, and his eyes immediately narrowed.