Chapter 173 A Little Scolding

Feeling much better after taking a jab at Barder, Han Xiao felt a little more relaxed.

He was nominally a special consultant to both the Crimson Dynasty and the Arcane Church, but the past grudges had not disappeared. They were just suppressed. This was the first time he had been so impolite to the leaders of the three Universal Civilizations, and it felt pretty good.

Seeing this, Ulan Riel picked up the conversation and said seriously, "Black Star, this matter is very important. I still hope you can propose a motion in the association."

Han Xiao restrained himself a little when dealing with the head of the dynasty, but he still didn't budge, saying, "The Development Federation shouldn't favor any side. If we act according to your requirements, then your direct subordinates will move first. Should we stop them? If we do, can you accept mediation? If we treat them differently, wouldn't that be helping the villain… cough cough, anyway, you understand what I mean. I personally have reason to deal with Modo, and I informed him in advance, so it doesn't count as violating the united front, but it's better for the association to remain neutral."

He knew what the three Universal Civilizations were planning. The current stated purpose of the Development Federation was to mediate all Beyond Grade A conflicts. The three Universal Civilizations wanted to make an issue out of this, turning the association into an indirect third-party ally—the Super Star Cluster uses its direct subordinates, we fight you; the three Universal Civilizations use their direct subordinates, we pretend not to see. It was clearly biased. In the end, the effect would make people mistakenly believe that the Development Federation was still a lackey of the three Universal Civilizations.

Han Xiao naturally couldn't agree. He was both the vice president of the Beyond Grade A Association and a common ally strongly supported by the three Universal Civilizations. His identity was sensitive, and both sides had needs for him, so he couldn't easily go down the wrong path.

The three Universal Civilizations had an advantage in terms of Beyond Grade A direct subordinates, so there was no reason to actively limit their own advantages, so they were unlikely to agree to the association's approach of treating everyone equally.

Sure enough, after hearing Han Xiao's statement, the heads of the three Universal Civilizations rejected the proposal. As rulers, they couldn't grant the association higher law enforcement power than themselves.

The Arcane Church Pope slowly said, "Black Star, let's be frank. We understand your position. the Mechanic Empire wants to create opposition, but you are different. You don't want to separate the Beyond Grade A group from us, and you don't reject cooperation with us. That's why we value you, so this matter is actually negotiable. Just tell us what you want."

"That's right. My goal is for Beyond Grade As and advanced civilizations to form a more equal cooperative relationship, rather than being your appendages or dependents. As for the prerequisite for equality… you have to first release most of the shackles on Beyond Grade As, such as the monopoly of professional knowledge."

"Isn't that the deal we proposed before? We use the lifting of the knowledge monopoly as a bargaining chip to get the Development Federation to deal with the Super Star Cluster Alliance, but you didn't agree."

"How should I put it? Using this as a transaction is actually similar to coercion and compromise in the eyes of many Beyond Grade As. Another purpose of the association is a united front, and we don't want to continue to be forced into factional disputes, so most people hope that the three Universal Civilizations will first unconditionally release many restrictions, including the knowledge monopoly, and reform the ally system. After that, we are willing to talk about new cooperation conditions. It's a matter of sequence…" Han Xiao explained the association's requirements.

The Beyond Grade A united front deciding things together was actually the same as a labor union strike, all to improve the welfare of the entire class and fight for better treatment for themselves, so they were quite united before the benefits were in hand.

"…Assuming we do this, what kind of new cooperation do you hope to achieve?" The Arcane Church Pope threw the question back.

"To be honest, there is no unified opinion in the association yet, but more people suggest reducing the nature of allies and strengthening the employment relationship, that is, reducing compulsion and increasing freedom. The cooperative relationship is no longer limited to one family, and there will be no retaliation for factional disputes outside the employment relationship…"

Han Xiao explained the expectations of the Development Federation. There were too many twists and turns in this. The needs of high-level civilization allies and neutral Beyond Grade As were different. Conflicts arose from different positions, and it was difficult to get results that satisfied everyone.

The three leaders shook their heads and did not agree. Neither side would budge, so the talks could only end without reaching a consensus.

Walking out of the reception room, Han Xiao sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat helpless.

As his status in the universe rose higher and higher, the choices he faced every day became more and more crucial. Each one could have a profound impact on his own development. A single slip could lead him astray, making it difficult to remedy. Only by personally experiencing this feeling could he understand the dangers involved.

At the same time, after Han Xiao left, the three leaders in the reception room exchanged glances.

"It seems we can't count on the Development Federation to provide assistance. Black Star really doesn't mess around. He accepts benefits with peace of mind, and he can shamelessly refuse when we ask for returns. Heh, he is indeed principled enough," said Barder.

"Come on, isn't this our main goal in promoting him? Refusal is expected. If we could control a peak Beyond Grade A with just these benefits, it would be too simple."

"It's no problem that Black Star cherishes his reputation. We can't lose big for small. We still need him to act as a link to guide the Development Federation… It's just that their demands are a bit whimsical."

"The Beyond Grade A group cannot be without restrictions. If we completely remove their shackles, there will be hidden dangers in the future."

"We don't have time to deal with it now. Let's continue to put the negotiations on hold and observe Black Star a little more. In any case, it's better to let him take the position than the Mechanic Empire."

…

With the strong promotion of the three Universal Civilizations, the award ceremony was broadcast in various star systems and regions, causing widespread discussion among countless interstellar citizens.

The most discussed topic was Han Xiao. Some people felt that Black Star deserved the Galaxy Medal, while others felt that his achievements were not great enough to compare with the previous recipients of the Galaxy Medal.

But in any case, the facts could not be changed. Counting Han Xiao's deeds, capturing the Heterogeneous Gods, solving disasters, and fighting the Mechanic Empire, he had contributed to the stability of the universe, so the vast majority of people still held a positive attitude.

However, before the interstellar society's discussion of the award ceremony could last for a few days, a sudden change attracted the attention of the entire universe and stole the spotlight.

Not long after the award ceremony, the free competition zone of the fourth phase exploration of the Flickering World suddenly broke out in the largest armed conflict to date. Many forces launched attacks on multiple planet bases without warning, as if they had agreed in advance.

The free competition zone suddenly fell into an unclear and chaotic situation.

…

"Rumble rumble rumble!"

The earth shook incessantly. Columns of heavy ground combat vehicles, tens of meters high, advanced. Wherever they passed, forests collapsed, bunkers shattered, and ground defenses were breached. Countless turrets and traps were reduced to rubble.

Teams of armored soldiers held up their weapons and fired frantically at the invaders, their guns spewing out fiery beams of light. However, agile figures of Supers shuttled through the artillery fire, destroying one squad after another, easily tearing apart the defenders' lines. The dirt kicked up by the explosions buried the corpses of soldiers in broken armor.

Low-altitude flying vehicles in the sky cooperated, providing fire support from above. Ship cannons spat out dense tongues of fire, bombarding the protective shields of bunkers, causing arcs of electricity and sparks to fly. The lush green forests were turned into scorched wasteland under the bombing, and buildings collapsed in the artillery fire.

This was a resource planet located in the central part of the free competition zone. It was originally discovered by a vassal star system civilization under the three Universal Civilizations and established a base, but today it was suddenly attacked.

The attackers were a large fleet with a common symbol, a snowflake-like emblem with two spears crossed at the bottom. They represented an organization of Undying Ones called the "Northern Front," which had only recently been established and had been operating in the free competition zone. They had not made any major moves, and no one expected them to attack a planet occupied by a star system civilization without warning.

The Northern Front fleet deployed hundreds of thousands of Grade B players, as well as a large number of warships and ground combat equipment. Before long, the base's defense forces were in full retreat, unable to withstand the Northern Front's offensive.

The Northern Front, a player organization of alliance nature, was formed by a large number of guilds and recruited many free players with their own capital. They had a very solid foundation, enough to support a certain scale of interstellar warfare. After all, after four versions in the Star Field, the guilds had accumulated a certain amount of capital.

Currently, there were tens of millions of active players in the entire Star Field. Black Star Army had recruited more than ten million, making it the largest player camp. The rest were scattered in various organizations, and their numbers were equally large. The guild alliance had recruited a lot of manpower.

There were also a group of players from the three Universal Civilizations stationed at the base, only a hundred or two, who had to fight their way out, but they were soon overwhelmed by the Northern Front's army and could not make any waves.

A Northern Front warship hovered in the sky. In the command room, the leader of the Northern Front looked down at the one-sided battlefield and smiled with satisfaction.

"Victory is at hand. Quickly deal with the enemy. We have other bases to attack."

He was the person in charge of the organization jointly elected by the many guilds that joined the Northern Front. He was responsible for operating the organization, and his ID was "Northern Sea Fire." He was the president of a large European club.

"Where are we going next?" asked a senior executive of another joining guild.

"We'll hit whoever is closest to us, and sweep all the way across."

Northern Sea Fire waved his hand, full of vigor.

The Northern Front communicated with the NPC forces in the name of the organization and reached an agreement with the Super Star Cluster Alliance to help the Super Star Cluster Alliance conquer territory as agents.

Each base taken could receive an additional reward, and they didn't have to bother to occupy the planet. The Super Star Cluster Alliance would be responsible for development and provide them with a high share of resources, which was equivalent to a continuous stream of funds. At the same time, during the war, the Super Star Cluster Alliance would provide resource support, preferential material purchases, and other benefits.

Not only the Northern Front, but also the Pan-Star Alliance, the 5C Alliance, and other player guild alliances had also reached agreements with the Super Star Cluster Alliance to fight for it temporarily.

The conflict between the three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance was already an open secret. The Super Star Cluster Alliance was not as afraid of the three Universal Civilizations and the Black Star Army as those small factions had been in the past. Clubs from various countries saw the opportunity and used the battle between the two camps to start a national war.

Starting a national war was partly for entertainment, but more for profit.

First, it was a channel to transition from an ordinary force to the Super Star Cluster camp and embrace a new backer. Second, it was to recruit more free players through war to strengthen the organization. Third, it was to speculate in the war, demand various resource shares, and seize bases with a backer. Fourth, it was driven by the main quest of the camp war. Fifth, it was to help the current professional league in advance and alleviate the situation of the Black Star Army dominating the field.

Now, the Super Star Cluster Alliance had taken the initiative, so the Northern Front and other guild alliances attacked, beginning to expand the territory for the Super Star Cluster Alliance in the free competition zone, which led to the current scene.

Northern Sea Fire opened the star map, watching the Super Star Cluster Alliance's territory in the free competition zone expand in real time, and clenched his fists with excitement.

"This is an unprecedented event… The Black Star Army's advantage in the Flickering World is too great. Only if the Super Star Cluster Alliance we support wins can we turn the tables against the wind and obtain equal resources!"

…

The same scene was being played out on multiple planets in the free competition zone. In addition to the player guild alliances, other private armed organizations were also seizing territory for the Super Star Cluster Alliance.

About 2,400 planets were invaded on the same day, all of which were resource planets, transportation hubs, or other strategic locations. Now that the fourth phase of exploration was underway, the map was basically completed, and the Super Star Cluster Alliance was able to accurately select valuable targets to attack.

In a short period of time, the area of the Super Star Cluster Alliance's territory increased dramatically, firmly occupying the core areas of several star clusters in the free competition zone. Taking this as the foundation, it expanded to the surrounding areas, greedily seizing the planet bases developed by other forces, taking a large amount of territory into its pocket, and beginning to build a strategic defense in depth.

Faced with the sudden attack of the Super Star Cluster Alliance, the world was shocked!

——《Star Field Chronicles · First World War》:

On February 25, Star Field Calendar 732, the three Universal Civilizations held an award ceremony to present the Galaxy Medal to Black Star.

On February 29, 732, a large-scale armed invasion occurred in the free competition zone of the Flickering World. The Super Star Cluster Alliance instructed multiple armed organizations to expand their territory. This event became the fuse for a formal conflict between the three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance, and it also kicked off the prelude to the First National War, known as the "Eve Incident."