"Three for one?" Han Xiao was startled.
The empire seems to have really gone all out; judging from the sheer number of items, it certainly shows great sincerity.
A cosmic-level civilization possesses the technology to create Universal Treasure, and with years of accumulation, it has a very strong foundation.
Bekorodi touched the table, and a virtual screen popped up in front of Han Xiao.
"This is the exchange list provided by the Empire; you can choose three from it."
Han Xiao glanced at it and understood; the Universal Treasure on the list were not the entirety of the empire's wealth.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What if I want other Universal Treasure from the Empire?"
"If you want to exchange for Universal Treasure not on the list, you won't get the three-for-one deal. Some of the strategic Universal Treasure that are important to the Empire are simply not available for exchange. You need to understand that... In addition, if you have requests for customized Universal Treasure, you can also make them to the Empire, but this will require approval," Bekorodi said.
That was within my expectations... Han Xiao nodded.
It's obvious that the Empire's offer of a three-for-one deal is not Infinite; they certainly wouldn't exchange their own strategic-level Universal Treasure for Evolution Cube.
Most of the items they are willing to exchange are Universal Treasure that are useful to individuals but do not contribute much to civilization as a whole.
The importance of Universal Treasure depends on their specific function. In Han Xiao's view, these things are like magic weapons. The most top-tier ones are some unsolvable Cosmic Wonder, such as the Space-Time Amber. Man-made Universal Treasure are diverse, such as Austin's Palace of Hidden Spells, Beoni's Land of the Fire Core, the Glory High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter, the Arcane's Scepter of All Gods, etc. It mainly depends on their respective effects.
The Evolution Cube is the core technology created by the Evolutionary Civilization civilization, a technology that has long been lost, and it is accompanied by a series of application technologies.
Now that the legacy of the Sorokin has been exposed, many advanced civilizations have obtained this technological data. This means that whoever obtains the Evolution Cube can inherit a portion of the core technology of a quasi-cosmic civilization and enjoy it exclusively, which is of great significance.
Han He and Xiao Shu pondered for a moment, carefully reviewing the exchange list again, silently analyzing the pros and cons.
In the World Tree War of the previous life, the Three Universal Civilizations used a large number of their stockpiled Universal Treasure to arm all the Beyond Grade A beings in the universe. Many of the Universal Treasure on the list have demonstrated their effectiveness.
The majority of these items are magical equipment and mechanical weaponry, mostly individual combat gear, including armor, melee and ranged weapons, and special devices. Among them is a complete golden suit crafted by the "Divine Craftsman" Thorn, which ranks fifth among Thorn's 100 legendary works.
A small portion are Universal Treasure with special functions, Han Xiao had basically learned about in his previous life. For example, there was something called the Shadow Lantern, whose wick was a fragment of source energy from the Shadow Dimension. The "light" it emitted was shadow itself. It had many special functions, the main effect of which was to open dimensional portals, transform the area into a dangerous Shadow Dimension, change the nature of things within the area, and at the same time allow strange Shadow creatures to descend continuously.
Another example is the Key of Destruction, one of the Crimson Dynasty's signature technologies. It can be mass-produced and used even by ordinary people. Its effect is to remotely summon the firepower of various army groups within the Empire for a strike.
This requires the cooperation of the Imperial Army Groups. Most Imperial Legions are equipped with the corresponding devices for the Key of Destruction. Once the Key of Destruction is activated, a special energy storage space will be temporarily opened up, forming a channel outside the cannons of these Army Groups. This process will last from a few seconds to a few minutes. During this time, the Army Groups will receive a signal and immediately launch a salvo of cannon fire. All the energy fired will be transferred to this temporarily opened Secondary Dimension.
The Key of Destruction can open a passage on the other side, unleashing a barrage of cannon fire from its location. This powerful, all-encompassing attack covers a vast area, enough to wipe out everything within it, and its burst of power is even greater than that of Primal Psionic Energy. However, because it is an indiscriminate attack, it is primarily used for desperate counterattacks or when outnumbered.
Compared to the High-Dimensional Apocalypse Teleporter, the Key of Destruction is less flexible and is subject to limitations such as spatial stability anchors, spacetime magic, and Psionic Energy Restriction Belt, which may cause it to malfunction. However, it also has its own advantages, namely portability, mass production, and no usage barriers.
Anyone who knows how to operate it can use it, but it's not for sale; the empire only distributes it in bulk when carrying out special missions.
Caught off guard, even ordinary Beyond Grade A would be killed by the terrifying firepower of the Key of Destruction. During the exploration history, the Empire used this technology to kill many of the First Ones, leaving no trace of their remains. However, with the development of space technology in various civilizations, the Key of Destruction is now somewhat outdated, and everyone is wary of the Empire's use of this technology.
Besides these, there are some other miscellaneous items, such as the golden mechanical blueprints left behind by a former Beyond Grade A mechanic, and the magical forging blueprints left behind by a mage, etc.
The Empire has a large inventory and wants to exchange unused Universal Treasure for Evolution Cube.
As for things that even the Empire hadn't figured out, they naturally wouldn't be included in the list. Han Xiao wanted to pick up some bargains, but unfortunately, they didn't give him the chance.
"Well, have you made a decision?" After waiting patiently for a while, Bekorodi finally asked.
"Hmm..." Han Xiao hesitated for a few seconds, then shook his head. "It's a bit sudden. I haven't thought it through yet, so I can't give you an answer right now. Let me think about it for a while."
"Yes, that's fine." Bekorodi nodded, his tone slightly somber. "I believe that after careful consideration, you can make a wise choice and not betray the Empire's sincerity. I hope you can make a decision before the Shattered World opens."
We'll see.
Han Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, then stood up and followed the other party's secretary out of the room.
Leaving the government building, I headed to my small base where I stored my mechanical troops, pondering the pros and cons along the way.
First, regarding the benefits, if he handed over the Evolution Cube, he could exchange it for three Universal Treasure. According to the list, the treasures he would receive should all be Universal Treasure for combat. They would certainly be useful, but exchanging one strategic treasure for three pieces of equipment for fighting felt a bit lacking to Han Xiao.
It's like being in the late 20th century, holding technical data on the future development of the internet with huge profit potential, but exchanging that data for a few fighter jets... The analogy might not be quite right, but that's roughly how he felt.
Giving it away for free would be ideal... but that's just wishful thinking.
There are also additional benefits: the Black Star Army will no longer be in the spotlight, Sorokin's Infinite Financial Group will probably not cause any more trouble, and there's no need to worry about the Glory and the Arcane launching another surprise attack, which will bring long-term stable development... Past grudges are not included in this.
Han Xiao also analyzed the impact of losing the Evolution Cube on himself.
The Evolution Cube is a unique strategic treasure. Although it has no combat power, its effects are reflected in all aspects of faction development. If it is handed over to the Empire, the Black Star Army will lose this faction's specialty, and its appeal to players and other characters will inevitably decrease. For example, Silver Shadow today will not be so enthusiastic about him.
Now that Shattered World has become the foundation, the interest alliance born from the blocks has gradually stabilized, but the business of Evolution Cube remains an important pillar of the Legion's finances.
Handing over the cubes is tantamount to transferring the terrifying profits of the Evolutionary Totem to the Empire... The Black Star Army's expansion and maintenance of its current size require a constant expenditure of massive amounts of funds. Without totem trading, a significant amount of cash flow will be lost, leading to a reduction in the legion's size. At the very least, it will slow down the pace of expansion, which is an inevitable outcome.
Although the use of Evolution Cube requires consideration of the Empire's wishes due to the Covenant, ownership still belongs to the user. Once ownership is lost, the meaning changes.
This means that other factions no longer need to cooperate with the Black Star Army; they can obtain Evolution Cube services directly from the Empire, effectively excluding themselves from the game. This will have some impact on all of the Legion's operations, and the resulting financial losses will extend beyond totem trading itself.
Furthermore, if you want to Evolution Cube service in the future, you will have to exchange it for contribution points or money from the Empire.
At the same time, without the uniqueness of the Evolution Cube, the Black Star Army's influence will decline... No matter how famous or powerful you are, if you can't give others the benefits they want, fewer people will be willing to support you.
In summary, handing over the Evolution Cube will significantly increase the difficulty for the Black Star Army to continue growing.
Han Xiao wasn't sure if the Empire had any deeper intentions in limiting the Black Star Army's continued growth, or if they felt that his legion had developed to a point where it was sufficient—logically, no, but the thoughts of those in power are always hard to fathom.
The Mechanic Emperor is a prime example of something that was allowed to grow too powerful. While Glory doesn't regret their decision, if given another chance, they might not want the Mechanic Emperor's power to expand to such an uncontrollable extent.
But refusing the Empire's offer would also cause trouble.
From Bekorodi's words, Han Xiao sensed a different subtext... Was the Empire so eager to acquire the Evolution Cube that they already intended to publicly offer the totem sale rights? Otherwise, why would they wait until now to bring it up?
After the Shattered World opens, countless forces will flood in, which will inevitably impact the Empire. If the right to sell is opened now, in addition to obtaining massive profits, the pressure on the Empire will be greatly reduced, and its control over the Shattered World will become unbreakable, unafraid of external impacts... It's hard to say. Han Xiao doesn't have enough information to determine what the Empire is really thinking.
If that's the case, then refusing the proposal would disrupt the empire's strategic plans and be tantamount to being ungrateful.
Bekorodi, representing the Empire, demonstrated "sincerity" by speaking politely and appearing sincere. However, this was essentially a form of coercion. If he refused, some high-ranking members of the Empire might feel that he was ungrateful and thus become dissatisfied.
Master Han believed that if he refused to hand over the Evolution Cube, the Empire would not give up easily and would most likely take unknown follow-up measures.
Stealing allies is impossible, but underhanded tactics will certainly follow one after another.
"This has really put me in a difficult position..."
Han Xiao sighed, torn between the two options.
When the Evolutionary Totem was born, he knew that trouble was bound to come. However, the Empire helped him withstand the pressure and held on for more than twenty years. Finally, this trouble came knocking on his door.
"I need to think about it carefully. I'll contact Urranrell again in a few days to sound him out," Han Xiao thought to himself.
Not long after Han Xiao left, a figure walked into Bekorodi's conference room; it was Gaud.
More than a decade later, after accumulating sufficient service experience abroad, Gaud was recalled by the Empire and formally began intensive training alongside the same batch of potential Calamity Grade direct recruits.
The birth of Beyond Grade A beings is fraught with uncertainty. Even cosmic-level civilizations cannot mass-produce them, so they generally adopt a broad-net approach, while simultaneously cultivating batches of direct-lineage Calamity Grade.
Due to the large talent pool and advanced training methods, the conversion rate is not zero, and the output interval is not fixed. Dark Emperor Clottey is a direct Beyond Grade A of the empire who was trained in this way.
At this moment, Gaud was wearing a specially made imperial officer's uniform without rank insignia. He was thin and looked no different from more than ten years ago.
"You've arrived, have a seat." Bekorodi nodded slightly when he saw him.
Gaud sat down in the seat Han Xiao had just been sitting in and chuckled softly, "How did the talk go?"
"I don't know, but it would be best if Black Star agreed; it would save a lot of trouble."
"With such good terms, I don't think he'll refuse. Black Star is a smart man, and smart men know when to yield." Gaud smiled without saying a word.
"It's hard to say. According to the Black Star personality model analyzed by Heroic Souls, he's a typical opportunist. Even a three-for-one exchange might not sway him; the probability of rejection is 63%." Bekorodi shook his head, then changed the subject, "Let's not talk about him anymore. In short, whether he agrees or not, we'll ultimately need your ability to analyze the principles of Evolution Energy."
"Hehe, I'm at your service anytime." Gaud said with a half-smile.
"I know your abilities are unprecedented, but how confident are you that you can use them to analyze the principles behind the Evolution Cube? Don't come at the last minute saying you can't do it."
"It's zero now, but once we reach Beyond Grade A, we'll have a 70-80% chance."
"So when will you reach Beyond Grade A?" Bekorodi asked.
Gaud smiled but remained silent.
Seeing this, Bekorodi knew there was no answer to the question and shook his head. "Just keep it in mind. Remember, as long as you can unravel the secrets of the Evolution Cube, you will have rendered a great service to the Empire, which will greatly help your promotion, and His Majesty the Führer will value you even more."
He firmly supported handing over the Evolution Cube. Sorokin, who could only exert pressure on the Black Star Army through private transactions, had little success due to the cooperation between the Black Star Army and the Germinal Financial Group. It wasn't until Gaud came into his sights that Bekorodi saw new hope.
As a direct descendant of potential superhumans cultivated by the Empire, Gaud has been courted by various factions within the Empire over the past decade or so. Among them, the closest relationship is with the hardline faction to which Bekorodi belongs, which made political investments in him early on and branded him with the mark of their faction.
After a pause, Bekorodi changed the subject:
"Let's put that aside for now and talk about the Chaos Mysterious Energy you mentioned. This is information revealed from the legacy of the Sorokin. This Primordial Esper Ability Entity is very dangerous. If it cannot become a host, even Calamity Grade being will be devoured and killed. Isn't your idea too risky?"
"No risks."
Bekorodi frowned. "Are you sure your ability allows you to control Chaos Mysterious Energy even at the Calamity Grade?"
"Sure, this will allow me to reach Beyond Grade A faster and grow much faster," Gaud chuckled.
"Hmph, you'd better be confident." Bekorodi said in a deep voice, "The Chaos Mysterious Energy is information about the legacy of the Sorokin. This copy didn't fall into the Empire's hands. You obtained this information from other forces and handed it over to the Empire, which is good... Other forces will then vie for the Chaos Mysterious Energy, and the Empire will also intervene. I've already submitted your application. Whether the Empire will ultimately grant you access to the Chaos Mysterious Energy is still under review."
"Not bad." Gaud smiled faintly.