Just as he was inwardly criticizing it, he noticed the hesitation on Loffer's face, and Sorokin relaxed his brow and said calmly:
"Forget it, it's just the first phase of development. Although it was a bit unexpected, the profit is negligible compared to our transactions with the Three Universal Civilizations... Although the territory in the War Realm is small, it is still valuable. We will focus our investment here and don't need to compete with more conglomerates on Black Star."
Loffer pursed his lips and could only nod.
Sorokin paused, narrowed his eyes, and slowly said, "The Black Star Army has gained such a large territory, which has given them room to develop and Ability Enhancement their resilience. However, this is not entirely a bad thing for us. The Legion's focus has shifted to the Shattered World territory, so they will neglect their business in the Shattered Star Ring. This makes it easier for us to weaken their original business."
Therefore, we must first strike at the Black Star Army's network of interests within the Shattered Star Ring. Since we cannot shake the Black Star Army's core business, we must start with its cooperative organizations across various industries, helping the War Realm seize some of its business channels, cutting off the Black Star Army's reach into different sectors, and minimizing its operational scale. We must reduce its so-called alliance of interests back to its original form, preventing Black Star from comfortably expanding and developing.
Loffer hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Father, the Black Star Army has a bright future and its business is booming. To be honest, this kind of method can't possibly shake the Black Star Army."
"Of course I know that a Beyond Grade A force is not so easy to suppress, and the rise of the Black Star Army is difficult to stop... But it is precisely because it is difficult that those people seek cooperation with me. One must take things one step at a time. As long as we are willing to bear the costs, we can gradually erode their strength."
Sorokin shook his head, his expression calm. "Besides, my goal isn't to overthrow the Black Star Army, but rather to make Black Star suffer as much as possible. It will take a long time to see results, so let's take it slow... If those who cooperate with me aren't in a hurry, then I'm even less in a hurry."
While the two were plotting, on the other side of the War Realm, Heber was also reading the plan that Loffer had given him in the palace, nodding to himself.
The plan outlines the Infinite Financial Group's support strategy for the War Realm War Realm, aiming to help it learn from the Black Star Army and transform its power beyond just armed mercenaries, expanding into various industries and achieving comprehensive development.
These industries don't need to build their channels from scratch in the War Realm. Instead, they target the well-established channels that many local organizations in the Shattered Star Ring have cultivated over the years, seizing them through acquisitions and other means, with most of the costs borne by the Infinite Financial Group.
Seeing the expected investment amount from the Infinite Financial Group at the bottom of the proposal, Heber snorted coldly.
"So rich."
The Black Star Army has been very busy lately.
Representatives from selected consortia were sent to discuss cooperation, and the Legion's numerous civilian staff formed negotiation teams to remotely liaise with different consortia.
Dillard, the leader of negotiation team number 098, was currently leading his team in discussions with the senior management of a large conglomerate, reviewing their cooperation requirements.
"... Mr. Dillard, this is the third time we've revised the cooperation terms according to your wishes. Are you satisfied?"
The conglomerate's executives discreetly observed Dillard's expression.
"You want the mining rights for at least ten resource planets for fifteen years, the operating rights and surface modification rights for three ordinary planets, the operating rights for two regional quantum network channels, and priority sales channels for dozens of rare resources... Heh, don't you think the investment amount is not commensurate with these demands?" Dillard raised his eyelids, a half-smile on his face.
"Based on our calculations, the current investment amount is equivalent to our requirements..."
"Are you trying to take advantage of our Black Star Army? If you're not sincere, then forget it. We have many other candidates; we don't have time to waste on you." Dillard's tone turned cold, and he was about to end the communication.
"Wait a minute." The conglomerate executive was taken aback and quickly said, "Don't misunderstand, we didn't have such intentions. If there's anything you're not satisfied with, we can discuss it further..."
Dillard remained expressionless as he watched the other person's cautious demeanor, secretly pleased with himself.
Within the Black Star Army, he was merely an ordinary clerical worker with limited salary. In interstellar society, his status and assets were far inferior to those of the executives of the various conglomerates on the other side.
However, these wealthy and powerful executives are now fawning over him, a mere employee, with such enthusiasm yet with an undercurrent of trepidation. Dillard has never experienced such treatment before.
Countless conglomerates are now eager to cooperate with the Black Star Army. As the Black Star Army's negotiator, he firmly holds the initiative, wields power, and feels confident in his position.
If I hadn't joined the Black Star Army so early, I wouldn't be where I am today, having these arrogant tycoons bowing and scraping to me.
To satisfy his vanity and to secure more benefits for the legion, Dillard liked to manipulate his negotiating partners, and would never give in until he had put them in a difficult position several times, which was very bureaucratic.
Dillard knew this was a case of using the Black Star Army's name to intimidate others, but he was happy to accept it... His employer was so powerful, it would be a shame not to show off a bit, as he might not have the chance again.
The executives of the conglomerate opposite were fully aware of Dillard's actions and were furious, but there was nothing they could do. The party seeking cooperation was already in a passive position.
He'd rather suffer some indignation than miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cooperate with the Black Star Army.
Black Star Army Headquarters, Legion Commander's Office.
The finger-sized Phillip projection sat on the edge of the table, swinging his legs, looking up at Han Xiao, and reporting in a crisp voice.
"The investigation is complete. Forty-five negotiators were found to have accepted bribes during the negotiations."
"Dismiss them all, cancel all cooperation agreements they've reached, and cease all cooperation with these conglomerates. And [the books/books]..."
Han Xiao frowned.
As the legion grows larger, it's inevitable that some will become selfish, using the legion's resources to gain personal benefits.
He doesn't mind legion members using the legion's reputation to show off, but he won't allow anyone to betray the legion's interests. As a virtual mechanic, the entire legion is under his surveillance, and no one can secretly accept bribes under his nose.
After dealing with this troublesome matter, Han Xiao rubbed his eyes and was about to go to the cultivation room to complete his daily Energy Training Method when his communicator suddenly vibrated.
Han Xiao picked up the communicator and glanced at it. His eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face.
The Empire has finally approved my exchange request!
Having accumulated over 12,000 Imperial Contribution Points, Han Xiao submitted an application to the Empire a few days ago to exchange for the final Ultimate Knowledge.
In just a few years, Black Star has accomplished so much that it could exchange it for all Ultimate Knowledge, making it perhaps the most efficient in history. The greatest attraction of a cosmic civilization to Beyond Grade A is Ultimate Knowledge. Now that Han Xiao has gathered Ultimate Knowledge of the Mechanic Class, the Crimson Dynasty is quite hesitant, and the approval time is much longer than before.
However, merit is always rewarded, and the Empire could not go back on its word. At this very moment, Han Xiao received the final piece of ultimate Mechanic Class Ultimate Knowledge from the Crimson Dynasty...
Manipulating the branch -- [Space-Time Theory]!
Beyond Grade A mages can traverse various Secondary Dimension, and this ultimate Mechanic Class Ultimate Knowledge can achieve a similar effect. As a more advanced spacetime technology, it can be applied to many areas such as stargate construction, interstellar travel, high warp drive engines, and next-generation thrusters.
In combat, this knowledge tends to enhance the mobility of machinery, and it is also applicable to various spatial devices, making it both offensive and defensive, and adept at control.
With this Ultimate Knowledge, the difficulty of attacking the Mechanic increases by more than one level. Its biggest advantage is that it makes up for the Mechanic's core weakness... But Han Xiao is an exception. It's good enough if he doesn't attack others, so this Ultimate Knowledge has always been at the bottom of his exchange order.
Since it's core knowledge, there's no triple learning penalty; each level only requires 8 potential points, which is just enough to complete the job change quest [Erudite].
"Once you learn this one, you'll have all the Ultimate Knowledge. All that's left is to gradually level up all the knowledge levels."
Han Xiao made up his mind and chose to study.
[Detected Ultimate Knowledge for the Mechanic Class: [Space-Time Theory], would you like to use 8 potential points to learn it?]
[Currently learning...]
[Learning successful! You have mastered the [Space-Time Theory]!]
You have gained the [Hyperspace Thinking] specialization!
[You have mastered all Ultimate Knowledge; your [Ultimate Knowledge Master] perk is now enhanced!]
You have mastered all the professional skills; you have acquired the specialty [All-Round Mechanic]!
[[Hyperspace Thinking]: The performance of spatial devices is enhanced, the control effect is greatly strengthened, and the control time is extended by 50%~100%. Your domain-related skills are enhanced, your spatial skills are enhanced, the mobility of any mechanical equipment is increased by 20%, and your mental resistance is increased by 40%.]
[The Ultimate Knowledge Master] has been enhanced. The original effect of Mechanical Creation Attribute +15% → 25% and Mechanical Affinity +150% → 600% has been changed. The new effect is: All Mechanic Class Skill Levels +1 (can exceed the limit).
[[All-Round Mechanic]: Mechanical creation attributes +20%, all Mechanic Class skill levels +2 (can exceed the limit), you gain an additional 1500 Intelligence and 500 free attribute points]
[Additional Effect I: Increases Mechanical Affinity by 1% for every 20 points of Intelligence]
[Additional Effect II: Passive Aura, nearby life forms gain a buff, Intelligence +200]