Chapter 586 Coincidence

Infinite Financial Group’s branch in the Shattered Star Ring, top-floor office.

A huge virtual star chart hovered in the center of the room, displaying the current layout of the Free Competition Zone—the Super Star Cluster Alliance occupied large swaths of the core and mid-ring areas of four star clusters, their territory dyed red and clearly marked, expanding toward the blue areas representing other forces.

Sorokin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the star chart, his eyes flickering.

"This will be the second high-level civilization armed conflict event affecting the entire universe's格局 (géjú, overall situation) after the Crimson Tide… Opportunities are everywhere!"

After resolving the Traveler's crisis, Infinite Financial Group turned around and embraced the thighs of the three Universal Civilizations, the Arcane Church and the World Tree. They had to contribute to this disturbance, and it was also a legitimate opportunity to profit from the war. As the head of the financial group, Sorokin would naturally not miss it.

"The proxy war phase can promote the sale of resources such as supplies and munitions. Those forces standing on the front lines of the three Universal Civilizations need to replenish supplies on the spot. This is the first layer of opportunity… But this is just a pittance. The real profits are outside the chessboard and require an entry ticket. I should be qualified…"

Sorokin muttered to himself, feeling a bit excited.

If he could seize the real benefits of this event, the size of Infinite Financial Group could move up another notch, and a soaring stock price would not be a dream.

*Didi…*

Just as he was fantasizing, his personal communicator rang. It was Black Star calling.

Seeing the name of the caller, Sorokin's expression changed slightly.

Now, when he saw Han Xiao's name, he would instinctively feel a tremor in his heart.

However, he quickly adjusted his emotions, put on his signature fake smile, and answered the call.

"Your Excellency Black Star, my dear partner, I wonder why you have time to contact me today?"

"I have something to cooperate with you on." Han Xiao got straight to the point. "The conflict between the three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Clusters has finally erupted. This is my chance to settle accounts with Modo. Everyone knows I want to deal with Modo, and we should have the same interests in this regard, right?"

Sorokin's eyes flashed, and he smiled. "That's right. Putting aside my relationship with the Arcane Church and the World Tree, the Traveler exposed me, and I also have an account to settle with Modo Civilization, the owner behind him."

To this day, he still believed that Modo Civilization was the owner behind the Traveler, completely believing Han Xiao's initial deception and blaming Modo for it.

"Since we have the same goal this time, there is a basis for cooperation. You are a business organization and not suitable for intervening in armed conflicts, so I need you to provide large-scale funding and supplies. No problem, right?"

"Black Star Army's power in the Shattered Star Ring is far greater than mine. You still need me to fund war supplies?" Sorokin raised an eyebrow.

"The more war supplies, the better. Anyway, I don't mind having more." Han Xiao was not ashamed at all.

Although he wasn't short of money, it was definitely more comfortable to spend other people's money on war than to spend his own. He was openly emptying Infinite Financial Group's wallet.

Sorokin gritted his teeth secretly, cursed 'shameless' in his heart, but his smile remained unchanged. "Sure, I'm happy to fund war activities against Modo Civilization."

"I'll have the administrative officer send over the list of supplies later. Just provide them according to that."

"… Okay." Sorokin smiled through gritted teeth.

"There's another matter. With your vision, you must be able to see the business opportunities in the second front, right?"

Sorokin's heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad premonition. He tentatively asked, "You mean…"

"Don't pretend. The conflict between the three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Clusters affects all aspects. Although the Free Competition Zone is the target of contention, the three Universal Civilizations' eyes will not only be fixed here. They will inevitably open up a second front, turning around to target these Super Star Cluster Civilizations' foundations in the explored universe, using political and economic sanctions to exert pressure… And within this, there are huge business opportunities."

Han Xiao said slowly.

The Shattered Star Ring was the eye of the storm, the main stage for armed conflict, but outside the chessboard, there was another front. That was the three Universal Civilizations putting pressure on the Super Star Cluster Civilizations themselves, making them struggle to cope, thereby indirectly creating an advantage for the Free Competition Zone battlefield, forcing the Super Star Cluster Civilizations to give up early.

The business opportunity lay in the economic sanctions. Under the targeting of the three Universal Civilizations, the business world of the Super Star Cluster Civilizations would experience turmoil, and a large number of enterprises would follow suit, which was an opportunity for other universe financial groups to enter the market, like a group of sharks smelling blood, biting off a piece of flesh from the Super Star Cluster Civilizations.

Infinite Financial Group was now close to the three Universal Civilizations and was itself a top-tier financial behemoth, naturally qualified to enter and feast. Han Xiao had set his sights on this opportunity, preparing to take a share.

At the same time, this plan was also to better complete the Kunde Race mission.

The mission required him to cause huge losses to Modo Civilization. Killing their troops was one aspect, but destroying Modo Civilization's financial stability and causing huge economic losses was also a direction to satisfy the mission requirements—a two-pronged approach could further increase the mission's success rate.

Moreover, the scene of the Kunde Race leader's death was still vivid in his mind. Purely from an emotional standpoint, Han Xiao also wanted to beat Modo as badly as possible.

Sorokin was very unwilling, looking troubled. "I haven't decided to get involved yet. Besides, you are already a guest of the three Universal Civilizations. You can still enter without me. Why borrow my channels?"

"Your channels are easier to use." Han Xiao smiled shamelessly.

The Sprout Financial Group under his command could indeed enter independently, but compared to Infinite Financial Group, Sprout Financial Group's business scope was still smaller, not as easy to use as Infinite Financial Group's channels. In this way, he could also leverage their power to develop, which was beneficial to him.

Of course, for Sorokin, it was equivalent to stealing business, and he felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly, wishing he could immediately have his factories produce Black Star-shaped punching bags and vent his anger on the spot.

"This isn't good…"

Sorokin was reluctant and wanted to prevaricate.

However, at this moment, Han Xiao's tone changed, becoming subtle.

"Speaking of which, while I was looking through materials recently, I discovered a historical figure that interests me."

Sorokin was stunned, not knowing why Han Xiao suddenly changed the topic and started chatting inexplicably.

He was bewildered, suppressed the impatience in his heart, and pretended to be curious. "What kind of figure?"

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, meaningfully staring at Sorokin, and said playfully:

"Lovell Sissook, an Initial One nicknamed the 'Spiritual Emperor', I wonder if you've heard of him?"

"… I've heard of this person. How did he arouse your interest?"

"Well, some time ago, I was collecting Original Esper Abilities. When I was researching, I saw an Esper Ability called Soul Flame and became interested. So, I checked it out and found that the last host was this Spiritual Emperor. It wouldn't have been anything, but not long after, I happened to meet the current host of Soul Flame, and I learned from him an astonishing piece of news. It turned out that this Initial One, Spiritual Emperor, did not die in a war as the records show. His spirit escaped and hid. Due to the uniqueness of his ability, he might have survived until now… And I discovered that his ability is very similar to yours. Isn't that amazing?"

"Hehe, it's just a coincidence… But an Initial One who has survived to this day? That is indeed a bit impressive."

"Yeah, I also think it's a coincidence… So let's get back to the main topic. Our cooperation in intervening in this matter is actually a win-win situation. Isn't it better to occupy a larger share together?"

"Well, that makes sense. Okay, you've convinced me. Then it's settled. When the time comes, I will open up the channels to provide assistance for the entry of Sprout Financial Group."

"Haha, then I wish us a happy cooperation. I won't continue to bother you."

"Okay, happy cooperation."

The communication ended, and the smile on Sorokin's face instantly disappeared.

*Kacha!*

A spark flashed, and the communicator was crushed into a piece of scrap metal.

"This guy actually touched on my details!"

Sorokin's expression was uncertain.

"Spiritual Emperor" Lovell Sissook was precisely his earliest identity!

Don't look at him not revealing any abnormalities when he spoke just now, in reality, a storm was raging in his heart.

Being suddenly called out by his identity, if Sorokin's psychological quality was not strong enough, and he had not long ago prepared his mind for people to associate him with the identity, his expression would have changed drastically on the spot, revealing his clues.

Sorokin did not believe that Black Star had 100% certainty in recognizing his identity. It must have been because of some information that he made the association, so he opened his mouth to test him.

So much time had passed, and he had changed quite a few vests. It was impossible for the other party to have solid evidence.

Purely from the identity itself, even if people knew he was the Spiritual Emperor, it wouldn't matter. The Spiritual Emperor identity did not have any grudges. Even if there were enemies, they would have long disappeared into the river of history. In essence, he was not afraid of others knowing.

But what Sorokin feared was the chain reaction caused by the identity exposure. If the three Universal Civilizations and the various Super A Grades knew that he was actually an Initial One who had survived to this day, they would definitely become vigilant and fearful. How would he be able to maintain the image of a weakling and continue to play the pig to eat the tiger?!

Moreover, he was probably the only Initial One who had survived to this day. The three Universal Civilizations would definitely take action. Sorokin felt a chill down his spine just thinking about it.

With the handle in Han Xiao's hands, Sorokin could only reluctantly agree to Han Xiao's proposal.

"Although Black Star shouldn't have evidence in his hands, if he continues to investigate, he might find out all the identities I've used…"

Sorokin's expression changed slightly.

The Spiritual Emperor identity was fine, considered positive, but the experiences of other disguises were not so clean…

Even the Peak of the Beyond Grade As event that had cleaned up the Beyond Grade As back then had his shadow behind it!

Although the clues had been basically cut off after many years, if someone were to find out, the consequences would be unimaginable!

He now only wanted Black Star to think that the Spiritual Emperor identity was enough to blackmail him and not investigate further.

"Even if I change another identity, there is always a risk of exposure. Only by getting rid of Black Star can I be done with it once and for all…"

Sorokin's expression was uncertain.