Ancient Star Desert, Modo Civilization, the Three Kings Planet.
"... The recent spate of assassinations of officials has had an extremely negative impact on society. The identity of the perpetrators is unknown, but judging from various clues, the Crimson Dynasty is behind these incidents. Clearly, Madi has failed; his methods have not been able to conceal them from the Empire."
Inside the Imperial Household Department, an important meeting was underway, with many ministers gathered to discuss recent events, and everyone looked grim.
The series of assassinations of officials has disrupted social stability, causing widespread anxiety among Modo citizens and bringing shame to the entire ruling class.
These high-ranking officials were all furious that their personal safety was threatened.
"This is outrageous! Does the Empire really think we're some inferior civilization powerless to resist?! If we unite with other supercluster-level civilizations of the Ancient Star Desert to declare independence and free this star region from the rule of the Three Universal Civilizations, let's see how they handle this!" A hot-tempered military minister slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with rage.
"You should say fewer of those kinds of angry things," someone nearby reminded him.
The others present didn't take this seriously either. Although all the supercluster-level civilizations had long harbored resentment towards the Three Universal Civilizations and wanted to replace them at all times, there was no turning back when it came to independence. Unless they were certain of success, no one would support them.
After venting their frustrations, the group returned to the main topic and discussed how to handle the situation.
"Regardless, we must first prevent more assassinations from happening, but we cannot negotiate or back down with the Empire. There's nothing we can do with them. They definitely want to solidify the charge that we used the natives and make us compensate for the losses of the Empire's war with the natives. Dream on!"
"Yes, we'll claim the incident has nothing to do with us. If the Empire produces evidence, we'll insist it's a fabrication."
"Furthermore, we must establish that the Empire assassinated our officials without any basis, and submit an application to the Civilization Council demanding sanctions for such despicable tactics. The Glory and the Arcane should be on our side, and we can also win over more Supercluster-level civilizations. The universe is not a place where the Empire can dictate everything."
Some shook their heads, pessimistic about the plan. "With the Shattered World about to open up to the outside world, I doubt many people want to openly break ties with the Empire."
"What can we do then? We can't just let the Empire murder our cadres."
"Hmph, let's just give them a taste of their own medicine. He assassinated our officials, so we'll assassinate their officers. It's like nobody doesn't have a superhuman."
Someone couldn't help but object, saying, "Assassinate someone from the Empire? Have you forgotten the tragedy of the Tragedy of the Pinnacle?"
Upon hearing this, anger appeared on most people's faces.
They haven't forgotten this shameful history from over a thousand years ago. The Three Universal Civilizations Beyond Grade A civilizations hurt each other, and because of the heavy losses and fear of losing their strategic advantage in individual power, they fabricated a false charge and slaughtered all the Beyond Grade A allies of the supercluster-level civilizations, including the Modo Civilization, before leaving triumphantly.
This move not only severely weakened the individual power of the supercluster-level civilizations at the time, but also left a lasting negative impact, causing many Beyond Grade A to worry about their personal safety and dare not accept the offers from the supercluster-level civilizations. As a result, the Three Universal Civilizations used this to capture even more Beyond Grade A beings, which was almost a strategy to wipe them out.
Therefore, the Modo Civilization knew that while others could assassinate their people as retaliation and a warning, their assassination of the other side would be a challenge to the ruling power of the Three Universal Civilizations, which would lead to bloodshed. The Glory and the Arcane would no longer stand idly by and would join the Empire in dealing with the Modo. In maintaining their ruling authority, the Three Universal Civilizations were of one mind.
They had already experienced this kind of thuggish behavior many times, enduring it each time in silence, which had built up deep resentment.
"Let's not get sidetracked. The assassination attempt was actually a minor incident. The Empire knows its limits; they wouldn't dare push us too far... But we can't afford not to retaliate either, and we must be careful about the strength of our counterattack. We can't touch the Empire itself, so we can only take a step back and target their allies... Well, that's limited to their influence; don't kill Beyond Grade A."
"I think Beoni is a good fit. His power is rooted in the Ancient Star Desert, so dealing with him will be easy. This will also demonstrate our stance."
In just a few words, the crowd decided on Beoni's bad luck for the foreseeable future.
For a supercluster-level civilization, unless it's someone like the Mechanic Emperor's Manison, the Void Venerable Kasuyi, or the Black Star Han Xiao, ordinary Beyond Grade A beings are really nothing in their eyes. They can even kill Beyond Grade A, let alone a supercluster-level civilization.
The empire sent assassins to kill our officials; this revenge must be taken.
As for the initial instigation of our schemes, causing the empire to suffer losses in war, we were in the wrong from the start...
So what? Wasn't this our goal in the first place?
We're all scoundrels, so let's not judge each other.
At this moment, someone expressed concern:
"These are minor matters. What I'm concerned about is whether the Empire will restrict our future access to the Shattered World because of this."
"What's there to be afraid of? The Shattered World will open to the outside world sooner or later. Even the Empire can't stop this trend. If they specifically forbid us from entering, then we'll make a scene! Not only us, but other supercluster-level civilizations will definitely stand on our side. Let's see if the Empire can withstand the pressure!"
The Modo Civilization wasn't worried about offending the Empire and losing the opportunity to enter the Shattered World.
All the supercluster-level civilizations knew that even if the Shattered World opened up, the Three Universal Civilizations would definitely suppress their development. Therefore, they had already secretly formed a strategic alliance and decided to join forces to break the deadlock.
The prospect of Shattered World is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, and supercluster-level civilizations are willing to unite for it.
Even if only the Modo civilization is suppressed in the Shattered World, other supercluster-level civilizations will still step in to support them. Although no one likes to help their rivals, it is more important to join forces to break the blockade of the Three Universal Civilizations. On this issue, supercluster-level civilizations understand the principle of mutual dependence and will not be willing to mind their own business and be divided.
Besides, the Empire is currently stretched thin and can only resort to a weak warning like assassination. The Modo Civilization has realized this and isn't really intimidated. They're secretly rubbing their hands together, just waiting for the Shattered World to open up and make a big splash.
Supercluster-level civilizations have the confidence to compete with the Three Universal Civilizations. After all, they are different from cluster-level civilizations and no longer have the space to curry favor with the Three Universal Civilizations. Without causing trouble, they cannot overtake them.
We can only fight and grab.
At the headquarters of the Infinite Consortium, the Mechanical Nation's Manison, the Void Lord C'thulhu, and the Beast Ancestor Grutan once again visited Sorokin.
"May I ask what business you three have with me today?"
In the bright and clean office of the conglomerate's head, the four sat in a circle. Sorokin glanced at the three of them with a faint smile.
"You remember our deal, don't you?" Gorutan said in a deep voice.
"Of course, I'm in charge of competing commercially with the Black Star Army, squeezing their business space, exerting external pressure, and helping you plot your Evolutionary Totem," Sorokin said calmly.
Kasuyi spoke, her voice ethereal, "But your achievements over the years don't seem very impressive."
The Black Star Army withstood the pressure from the Infinite Financial Group but failed to achieve the desired results, which displeased the forces behind the three. Today, the three men, including Manison, came to hold their respective forces accountable.
"Heh." Sorokin said nonchalantly, "I told you, the Black Star Army isn't so easy to deal with."
We hope you will increase your efforts.
"No problem," Sorokin chuckled. "However, I've shown my sincerity; now it's your turn."
The saying goes, "If you want a horse to run, you have to feed it." The three understood that Sorokin was demanding that the forces behind them fulfill some of the initial promises of cooperation before offering any suggestions.
Manison said slowly, "No problem. Those resource support, policy incentives, and in-depth cooperation projects will be implemented soon."
"Then I'll wait," Sorokin smiled. "Perfect timing; my next plan also needs to wait for the right opportunity."
"What plan?" Gorutan asked.
Sorokin cleared his throat and said slowly:
"After several years of competition, the Black Star Army and I have reached a stalemate, and it's difficult to find a new breakthrough in the Shattered Star Ring. So I've set my sights on the Shattered World, which is the Black Star Army's new focus of development."
"I have inside information. The Empire will open its Shattered World during the fourth phase of exploration. It will be a cosmic celebration, with countless forces pouring in and creating a new landscape, especially in the commercial sector. Numerous conglomerates will be waiting to seize market share, and this is my opportunity."
He had long been eyeing the development of Shattered World, waiting for the Infinite Financial Group to enter and seize the market, at which point he could use economic means to put pressure on the Black Star Army's territory.
Having gained the benefits of the territory, the legion must also bear the responsibility and risks of management. Sorokin wanted to open up a new battlefield in another of the legion's strongholds.
The production, demand, and circulation of resources within the territory constitute a vast market. The Infinite Financial Group has numerous ways to use its wealth to seize market share and squeeze out the survival space of other normal enterprises within the Black Star Territory.
At that time, whether it's remotely controlling some interstellar enterprises to affect the efficiency of resource circulation, using trade to create obstacles to the economic development of the Black Star territory, or building smuggling and intelligence channels in the Black Star territory around different industry markets, all of these can bring more pressure to the Black Star Army. These are the methods that the Infinite Financial Group is familiar with.
Of course, Sorokin's primary goal was to expand and develop the Infinite Financial Group.
Compared to the benefits of Shattered World, the cost of suppressing the Black Star Army was negligible in his eyes.
The minor skirmishes between the Crimson Dynasty and the Modo Civilization, due to the restraint of both sides with their own agendas, did not escalate into a more serious conflict and did not have much impact on the overall environment of peaceful development in the universe.
The era's dominant theme of exploration and expansion influenced all aspects of life. Most civilizations and civilian forces remained law-abiding, keeping a close eye on the development progress of the Shattered World, and quietly preparing human and material resources for the day when the Shattered World would open.
Influenced by the overall environment, the situation in Galaxy remains calm and peaceful, with occasional minor disturbances that are harmless.
In this environment, the Empire successfully completed its second phase of exploration, and the third phase followed closely behind. Using this as leverage, the Empire signed more allies and vassals, allowing the forces in the third phase of exploration to grow even stronger.
In times of peace, the passage of time seems to become even more silent, as if only when you look back do you realize that year after year has passed.
Without too many setbacks, the Empire achieved its goal as scheduled, and the third phase of exploration successfully came to a close.
On July 15th, 729 of the Galaxy Calendar, the Crimson Dynasty finally issued a decree that the entire universe had been waiting for:
--The fourth phase of exploration, which will soon Shattered World, will officially open to the public!
It was like detonating a Psionic Energy bomb.
The universe, which had been calm for over a decade, suddenly boiled over!