by <unknown>
“Humph, the federation and church came to find us. Do you think they’d give us the chance to reject them? We still have some hope of advancing if we hug their thighs, but we would’ve lost everything if we rejected them,” the Blood Gold leader said coldly. “Manager of the black market? You don’t even need to think about it. We’d slowly become an insignificant black market mercenary group waiting to be wiped out. From the moment they came to find us, it was impossible for us to steer clear of the matter.”
The galactic black market had plenty of benefits, and every manager was a tyrant in the various gray operations. Among the managers of the black market, the one with the largest authority was the one in the broker business. They used many different means to persuade different civilizations to provide protection to the other managers.
If the Blood Gold Organization dared incur the ire of the federation and church, the aftermath of the matter would not affect them alone. If the other managers of the black market ended up being affected, they would kick the Blood Gold Organization out of the black market and not provide them with protection or support.
Since the other party had chosen them, a gray organization unprotected by the galactic laws need not dream about maintaining neutrality!
The world was not that convenient!
“The Universal Civilizations are as tyrannical as always. This is the tragedy of a gray organization not protected by galactic law.”
“Then what should we do? The federation and church won’t just watch as we are all assassinated, right?”
Right at this moment, another two projections appeared in the room wearing the federation and church’s uniform.
“I have already spoken to the federation and church about this matter.” The Blood Gold leader stood up and said, “Let me give you an introduction. These two are the emissaries of the federation and church. He…”
Before he could finish, the Federation of Light emissary waved his arms and said, “Don’t need to bother introducing us. Let’s get straight to the point. The Federation of Light already knows about the price that you have paid and expresses our sympathy. As such, we will be providing protection to the upper echelons of the Blood Gold Organization. We will secretly bring all of you to the Abyss of Stars and Silver Arm. The Crimson Dynasty and Black Star Army won’t be able to touch you in our territory. All of you can continue controlling the organization remotely and gather more Evolutionary Totems. We will provide you guys with resources as well.”
The Ten Thousand Deity Scepter was a wedge between the federation and church. However, it did not stop them from working together for the Evolutionary Totems. After all, the Evolutionary Totems involved the improvement of their entire civilizations’ genes. It had a huge strategic significance. In front of benefits, there was no such thing as an enemy forever. However, both parties definitely did not get along very well.
Upon hearing that, the upper echelons of the Blood Gold Organization all heaved a sigh of relief. They would only be able to become a chess piece at ease if their own safety was protected.
Right at this moment, the upper echelon from the Andor Bee Race said, “Pardon me for being straightforward, but I have a question. Robbing the Evolutionary Totems that the other civilizations purchase is an extremely inefficient method. If we rob too many civilizations, the same situation will probably happen, and Black Star won’t allow us to keep robbing his customers.
The Federation of Light emissary smiled and nodded. “You are right. This isn’t a long-term solution. Just robbing alone won’t be enough to satisfy our needs. What are your plans?”
“After EsGod was caught, the method of making the Evolutionary Totem was discovered. The most effective way to solve this problem would be to snatch the Evolution Cube from Black Star!” a member of the Blood Gold Organization upper echelons said with a cold glint in his eyes.
“You are right, but this method will not work for now,” the Arcane Church emissary said coldly. “With the presence of the Evolutionary Totem, the strategic importance of the Evolution Cube is much higher than before. If we snatch away the Evolution Cube, there won’t be any room for negotiation like the battle on Planet Lighthouse, and the moment we succeed, it will mean war. Until the last moment, our three civilizations won’t start a war and let others benefit from the side.
“Furthermore, do you think that it is that easy to deal with Black Star? It’s easy for you to say! If not for us knowing about the existence of the Evolutionary Totem, do you think we would have risked offending the dynasty and starting the battle on Planet Lighthouse? We have tried before, and there are still a few Beyond Grade As sealed up in Spacetime Amber. Do you want to go give it a try‽”
“No no no.” That upper echelon was completely speechless and coughed awkwardly.
What a joke. Black Star is a true powerhouse in the galaxy, and an ordinary Calamity Grade like me isn’t even in the same league as him.
The Federation of Light emissary nodded and said, “He’s right. We do not intend to risk stealing the Evolution Cube at this moment. That will be our final choice. There is still another approach for us to take at the moment. That is to get the dynasty to allow Black Star to openly sell the totems.”
“Is this really possible?” the Blood Gold leader asked doubtfully.
“Humph, the current situation is like this. Black Star likely doesn’t mind selling the Evolutionary Totems publicly, but because he belongs to the Crimson Dynasty faction, he cannot risk offending his ally and sells the totems privately. Thus, we should not be setting our sights on Black Star but the Crimson Dynasty.
“As long as the Crimson Dynasty gives in, we will have the chance to obtain a large number of totems.
“There are a few ways for us to force the Crimson Dynasty to give in. Suppress them with force, exchange benefits, work together to pressure them… You should also know about the dynasty’s style. It would be a pipe dream to suppress them with force, and we will definitely suffer a huge loss if we want to exchange benefits with them. The dynasty will not agree unless we give them our core technological skills and resources.
“As such, we can only choose to work together to pressure them from the economical, trade, political, and security side. Your Blood Gold Organization will be a part of this plan.
“The Crimson Dynasty has invested a large amount of resources to develop the Flickering World, and they will be weakened in other areas. This is our best chance to pressure them, and we will be able to force the dynasty to compromise!”
One of the upper echelons then trembled. “Is it really okay to tell us such a secret…?”
“Ah, there is nothing secretive about this matter. The dynasty knew that this would happen the day they decided not to sell the Evolutionary Totems openly. Furthermore, you are working together with us, and there is no harm informing you about our plans,” the Federation of Light emissary said casually.
The Blood Gold leader then frowned. “What if the plan doesn’t work?”
The Federation of Light emissary then sneered coldly.
“If the dynasty refuses to give in, we will have to consider going for the source.”
…
In the Sea of Star Spirits was the Limitless Financial Group’s headquarters. Four figures were seated around a table in the personal guest room of the financial group’s boss.
“I heard that the members of the Blood Gold Organization’s upper echelons were assassinated recently. Your Federation of Light and Arcane Church won’t ignore them after getting them to work for you, right?”
Sorokin took a sip of his drink and sized up the other three at the table. Everyone present was a Beyond Grade A bigshot who could easily shake various large organizations.
One of them was ‘Mechanic Emperor’ Manison, who appeared in the meeting with a mechanical host. The other was the doppelganger of ‘Void Overlord’ Kasuyi from the Arcane Church. The last was one of the protectors of the galactic black market, ‘Beast Ancestor’ Gorutan.
All three of them had a common identity. They were the shareholders of the Limitless Financial Group!
“Such a small matter has nothing to do with me,” Manison said calmly.
Gorutan had a huge body, and he picked up his cup with his hairy hands. He poured all the drink into his mouth before saying, “I just received news that the Blood Gold Organization has met with the emissaries of the federation and church. They’ve come to an agreement.”
With the sheer size of the galactic black market, they naturally had a Beyond Grade A to support them. A portion of the galactic black market managers were Beyond Grade A organizations. The galactic black market was an allied organization to protect the benefits of the evil factions and did not belong to a single person. There were many Beyond Grade As behind it, and Gorutan was one of them.
Sorokin’s eyes then narrowed upon hearing that.
“If I didn’t understand your words wrongly, the organizations behind all three of you plan to join hands?”
“You can say so.” Kasuyi’s voice had an ethereal feeling. “We have also sought you out because of this matter. You can treat us as emissaries.”
Sorokin fiddled with the cup in his hands and said calmly, “I don’t really want to interfere with this matter.”
“Aren’t you interested in the Evolutionary Totems?” Gorutan’s voice rumbled like thunder.
“No, I believe that every organization in the universe is interested in the Evolutionary Totems,” Sorokin said expressionlessly. “But according to my understanding of the Black Star Army, rashly intervening in this matter will be a huge risk. I do not like making a loss.”
Manison nodded in response. “I understand. You don’t only have business deals with the federation and church but also the dynasty. You do not wish to offend any party. Your Limitless Financial Group is different from those gray organizations and is protected by the law. You have the right to remain neutral.”
“That’s right. This is the case,” Sorokin replied.
“Haha, don’t worry. We will not ask you to do something too outrageous.” Manison’s mechanical host chuckled.
“Oh? Then, how can I help?”
“We hope for the Limitless Financial Group to invest in the Shattered Star Ring and compete with the Black Star Army using proper business means. This is only a small matter to the Limitless Financial Group. If you don’t set your eyes on the Evolutionary Totems, the dynasty cannot disrupt your business.”
Sorokin raised his brows and asked, “Why do you want me to do so?”
“This is a part of our plan to pressure the dynasty. The Black Star Army’s opinion will influence the dynasty’s strategy to deal with the Evolutionary Totems. We have to make Black Star know that he cannot think about swallowing such a huge business alone. Of course, other than these official matters, I also have a small conflict of interest with him,” Manison said calmly.
Sorokin then chuckled and said, “So, it turns out that the Mechanic Emperor also has some conflict with Black Star. Ah ah, I also have some personal grudges with him.”
“Does that mean that you agree?”
“I will definitely have to respect the views of three shareholders. However, it won’t be so easy to snatch the Black Star Army’s business,” Sorokin said with a solemn tone. “I performed my research on the Black Star Army before. Their development is rapid, and they manage a few dozen different operations. Their four main operations are armed employment missions, mining operations for the local civilizations, the exploration of the Flickering World, and the sale of the Evolutionary Totems. Forgive me for being straightforward, but the latter three are specialized businesses that are difficult for an outsider to enter. It is difficult to deal a heavy blow to his core operations, and our Limitless Financial Group can only do so in other areas.
“Thankfully, the Black Star Army has only been around for twenty years or so, and their foundations aren’t too stable. However, this will still require a great deal of investment… At the end of the day, what is my benefit for doing so?”
Manison then waved his finger, and a virtual screen appeared. A long list was on the screen.
“Resources, political support, and many more. The details are all written within the document. You only need to risk the Crimson Dynasty reducing their cooperation to you. However, we are in the interstellar era, and the dynasty will not be able to cut off all ties with you completely. You can gain a deeper business relationship with two other Universal Civilizations…
“You believe in benefits and risk. I believe that you will be able to make the right choice. I can give you a month to consider the matter, and you can reply then.”
“I don’t need that long. I can give you an answer now.” Sorokin smiled. “This sounds like a good plan.”
Chapter 916. High Grade Mechanical Sense |
On the second satellite of the Black Star Army headquarters was Training Ground 001. This was a training plaza far larger than the training rooms and could support large scale battles. Furthermore, it was constructed with high tensile alloy and was capable of enduring even more powerful attacks. It was constructed like an oval-shaped sports stadium with a large mechanical roof covering the battlefield. The roof was made using a nano mimicry screen and could simulate various battlefields. There were cargo lanes underground that were connected to a warehouse of training mechanical soldiers.
Han Xiao sat at the side while watching the battle going on. Lagi, Feidin, Reynold, and the others were all beside him, either standing up or sitting down.
At this moment, there was an intense battle going on in the training ground. A few exits for the mechanical soldiers opened from the ground, and an endless stream of training mechanical soldiers came out from them. There were knights, mechanical beasts, Hovering Shield Shuttles, and many other types of mechanical soldiers charging at the two individuals in the middle of the training ground.
This battle was a D Grade battle, and the mechanical soldiers were all low grade ones. They used gunpowder and electromagnetic weapons, and the entire ground was charred black from the intense battle.
One of the two figures on the battlefield was clad in a black heavy mechanical armor while the other had magical shields floating around him. They were Nero and Tomar.
After learning from Reynold for a few years, Nero was now at Grade B. Apart from theoretical lessons, Reynold had also arranged for some combat training.
Nero was still young, and his body was still at the stage of puberty. But because he had consumed the Starry Spiritual Dragon blood and the life force potions bestowed to him by Aurora, his cell activity was extremely high, and his physique was comparable to an adult. Furthermore, the strength of his Mechanical Force had also exceeded his current Grade.
After two years of in-depth training, his [Middle Grade Mechanical Sense] had transformed into [High Grade Mechanical Sense] under the aid of his [Advanced Luck Glow].
He was not allowed to use any weapons given to him by Han Xiao during training, and all the equipment he was using had been crafted by him personally. Under the boost from his Mechanical Force, his weapons could unleash a powerful might, and the mechanical soldiers were all blasted into scrap metal by him.
Han Xiao had gone over to watch the battle so that he could check on Nero’s progress.
Tomar was also a protagonist-level character who had Luck Glow and had an extraordinary talent in magic. Spells that an ordinary Mage would take seven days to learn took him less than a day to grasp. His learning aptitude was stunning, and he grew up rapidly under Lagi’s tutelage. He was also a talent who had a great deal of potential.
Boom!
Han Xiao stroked his chin as he watched the battle and said to Reynold, “His Mechanic abilities aren’t too bad, but his close combat skills are so-so. The moment the mechanical beasts approach him, he ends up being flustered. This is a result of a lack of experience.”
“This is my oversight. I only had my sights set on his learning of machine
s but overlooked his close combat skills. I will definitely increase his training on close combat,” Reynold said calmly.
“Increase it greatly,” Han Xiao said with a deep voice. “But you cannot neglect his machinery training.”
“Understood.”
Bennett, who was present by using a long-distance projection, revealed a gratified smile.
Feidin could no longer stand it and said helplessly, “A Mechanic’s weakness is close combat battle. Black Star, not every Mechanic can be the same as you. Don’t set your expectations so high.”
Han Xiao chuckled in response. “Dreams are necessary, and it isn’t bad to have higher expectations of him.”
He was truly happy in his heart. Nero’s Mechanical Sense had already reached the high grade, and it was a matter of time before he obtained Perfect Mechanical Sense.
“Tomar’s improvements are also extremely great.” After thinking for a while, Han Xiao patted Lagi on the shoulder. “You’ve taught him well.”
“What’s the use of that? One day, he…”
Han Xiao’s face darkened, and he covered Lagi’s mouth. “You can keep quiet now.”
Not too long later, Nero’s ammunition was exhausted, and Tomar’s magic ran out. The mechanical soldiers all stopped moving, and the training came to an end.
Both of them then returned to the viewing gallery while panting and sweat covered.
Han Xiao smiled and praised them. “Not bad.”
“His Excellency Black Star has trained you well,” Bennett added. “In a few years, I won’t be a match for you.”
Receiving the praise from his father and Han Xiao, Nero’s face turned red, beaming with happiness.
Upon seeing that, Han Xiao nodded. He placed great importance in Nero not just because he wanted the [Perfect Mechanical Sense] but also because he hoped that Nero would grow to become a new pillar of the army.
After praising them for a while more, they all boarded the spaceship and returned to headquarters.
