Chapter 1

Here was a large commercial planet located in the Chenxi Star Cluster. Anti-gravity flying vehicles shuttled back and forth in the sky, like rivers of steel hanging diagonally in mid-air.

In the core city center of the planet, skyscrapers stood in great numbers. Among them, one building was particularly eye-catching, towering into the clouds like a crane standing among chickens. The overall structure resembled a vertical gene chain, similar to a twisted "8." The exterior wall of the building was pure white, and at the corners, faint blue lights flashed every now and then, giving it a sense of technology and artistry.

At the top of the building were eight anti-gravity floating helipads arranged in a circle, like floating islands, guarding the "∞"-shaped building sign in the middle. This was the emblem of the Endless Financial Group—the entire building was a branch built by the Endless Financial Group. Under normal circumstances, commercial organizations would not build armed bases everywhere like warlords.

A small intra-atmospheric spacecraft slowly landed on the helipad at the top of the Endless Financial Group branch. Han Xiao walked out of the cabin and stepped onto the platform.

"Welcome, Your Excellency Black Star."

The receptionist, who had been waiting for a long time not far away, immediately greeted him. Black Star had already informed them of his visit to the Endless Financial Group, and the group had arranged a receptionist early on.

Han Xiao grunted and said expressionlessly, "Where's Sorokin?"

"Your Excellency Sorokin is already waiting in the meeting room. Please follow me."

The receptionist responded respectfully and led the way.

Han Xiao followed him into the Endless Financial Group branch, took a private elevator, and stopped on one floor.

The elevator door opened, and a spacious space came into view. In the center of the room were sofas and tables, and in the four corners were blue-green plants of unknown varieties. The surrounding walls were all floor-to-ceiling windows. Apart from that, there was no extra furniture, making it seem very empty. The entire floor was a meeting room.

Sorokin was sitting on the sofa waiting. At this time, he stood up to greet him, his face full of smiles. "Your Excellency Black Star, please have a seat."

The elevator door closed, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Han Xiao came to sit opposite Sorokin, who then sat down again and smiled. "A rare guest. When you said you were coming to visit me, I didn't believe it. How could someone as busy as you suddenly come here?"

"What, you're not welcome?" Han Xiao tilted his head.

"Haha, you're joking. Of course, I'm extremely welcome." Sorokin maintained his smile, secretly sizing up Han Xiao, but unfortunately, he couldn't see anything.

On the surface, he looked hospitable, but in reality, Sorokin was full of doubts, secretly speculating on Black Star's unannounced visit.

Recently, rumors of the Empire's concessions to Black Star had spread like wildfire. Sorokin had naturally heard of them. Although he was surprised, he wasn't shocked. After all, when Han Xiao had just resolved the Hela rescue battle, he had guessed this possibility. His surprise came more from the fact that the Empire had actually done it.

Now that Black Star was at the peak of his popularity in the universe, this guy suddenly ran over to find him at this juncture. He didn't know what his plans were. Could it be that he wanted to cooperate on the Evolution Totem issue?

Hmm, that didn't seem right either. There was no reason for the Empire to allow outsiders to interfere. Moreover, the Endless Financial Group and the Black Star Army had been in commercial competition for many years. Although he didn't mention it, he hadn't forgotten it.

Sorokin was secretly very vigilant at this time.

Han Xiao, however, seemed relaxed, as if he had just come to catch up. He smiled slightly and said, "This is the first time I've come to visit you. It's really prosperous. It seems that the Endless Financial Group is developing very well in the Shattered Star Ring."

"This is all thanks to our partners." Sorokin picked up the wine bottle on the table, opened the cap, and personally poured a glass for Han Xiao.

"Hmm, good wine. This seems to be a high-end product from the Shining, a special supply." Han Xiao picked up the wine glass, shook the amber liquid inside, listened to the crisp clinking sound of the ice cubes hitting the glass, smiled, and said casually, "Speaking of which, we are also partners in some fields."

"Yes," Sorokin nodded.

Han Xiao didn't get straight to the point, but instead started making small talk. Sorokin couldn't figure out his intention, so he had to follow his lead.

Taking a sip of wine, the clear and mellow liquid went down his throat. Han Xiao smacked his lips, savored it, and suddenly sighed.

"Alas, even today, I still regret that the Endless Financial Group almost became closer partners with us. It's a pity that you ultimately chose the war domain."

"Hehe, business matters are always uncertain. Compared to the self-sufficient Black Star Army, the Endless Financial Group is more willing to invest in a force with a large volume but difficult to monetize. It's not that the Black Star Army isn't excellent, but the war domain needs us more. I also deeply regret that we didn't reach a cooperation back then."

Sorokin said a lot of polite words, but secretly muttered to himself.

He invested in the war domain to support opponents who would compete with the Black Star Army in business and snatch away the army's business. There was no reason for Black Star not to know this. Now that he mentioned it, he didn't mention the commercial competition, and he didn't know what he was up to.

Let me continue to play along with this person... Sorokin thought to himself.

But at this moment, Han Xiao looked up at him, smiled slightly, and said, "Actually, that's what I'm here for today. Today is different from the past. I want to represent the army and provide the Endless Financial Group with an opportunity for cooperation."

Hearing this, Sorokin's eyes narrowed, and he quickly calculated. Suddenly, he understood.

I get it, so that's Black Star's plan.

After the Evolution Totem was opened, the Endless Financial Group no longer needed to continue to put commercial pressure on the Black Star Army. The obstacles between the two sides had disappeared, and now they could carry out normal commercial cooperation. With the volume of the Endless Financial Group and the Black Star Army, cooperation would indeed be a win-win situation.

For this reason, Black Star no longer pursued the conflicts of the past twenty years of commercial competition and took the initiative to propose a vision for cooperation.

This approach of abandoning past grievances and making money together was very much to Sorokin's liking. He thought he had guessed Han Xiao's intention and immediately relaxed a lot. The smile on his face was no longer formulaic and finally had a bit of genuine warmth.

"Your Excellency Black Star's proposal is exactly what I want. Now there are opportunities everywhere in the Shattered Star Ring. If our two families work together, we will be invincible and occupy the lion's share of the Shattered Star Ring market!"

"Since Your Excellency Sorokin thinks so too, things will be easy!" Han Xiao slapped his thigh. "Then let's set the date for my official appointment as a shareholder of the Endless Financial Group now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the room suddenly froze.

Sorokin's smile froze on his face.

What, a shareholder position? Weren't we talking about normal commercial cooperation between the two companies? How did we get to this?

However, seeing the playful look in Han Xiao's eyes, Sorokin's heart skipped a beat, and he realized that he seemed to have misunderstood Han Xiao's intention.

"Your Excellency Black Star, with all due respect, what kind of cooperation are you talking about..."

"The cooperation opportunity I'm providing to the Endless Financial Group is to let me serve as a shareholder of the Endless Financial Group. Don't you just have a vacant position?" Han Xiao's smile was meaningful. This was his true intention.

Sorokin's eyes narrowed slightly, and he finally confirmed that Han Xiao's intentions were not good.

Taking advantage of Gorutan's vacant position, Black Star wanted to replace him? Heh, he really thought the position of shareholder of the Endless Financial Group was a trophy. Whether he could be one or not was up to me!

Sorokin had already formulated a detailed strategy for entering the interstellar black market around this shareholder position. This was a bargaining chip for trading with the Secret Master. Naturally, he wouldn't give this position to others. It was related to his vision of a commercial empire in his heart, and becoming a protector of the interstellar black market was an extremely crucial step that could not be lost.

Sorokin's smile faded, and he said slowly, "Then I'm really sorry. Although Gorutan had an accident, since he's still alive, he's still a shareholder. If he dies unexpectedly, according to the terms he signed with me, the shares will be recovered by the financial group. I don't have any plans to set up a new shareholder for the time being. If you want to talk about other cooperation, I'm happy to accompany you, but the shareholder position is out of the question."

Han Xiao didn't take it to heart and chuckled, "If I remember correctly, this is the second time you've rejected my request to be a shareholder."

Hearing this, Sorokin couldn't help but recall that Black Star had made a proposal when the two of them first met more than twenty years ago.

"That's right. I rejected you back then, and I still have the same answer today." Sorokin said lightly, "The financial group's foundation is huge. Any change in a shareholder must be approved by all shareholders. At the same time, the three major universe-level civilizations each have only one shareholder in the Endless Financial Group to maintain a balance. Now that Kante is already a shareholder, the Glorious and the Void Spirit won't allow a second Empire ally to enter the board of directors of the Endless Financial Group."

Han Xiao blinked and said meaningfully, "Sorokin, twenty years have passed, and times have changed. I will give you an offer you can't refuse."

"Oh?"

"Hehe, first of all, about getting the consent of all shareholders... do you think the others will support me or reject me?"

Sorokin was slightly stunned, and his brows furrowed.

He suddenly realized that this question didn't seem to be an obstacle for Black Star anymore.

Black Star was not what he used to be, and his position in the universe far surpassed what it was twenty years ago. He was also responsible for building the Super-A Grade unified front exchange platform. Just based on this point, he could get the support of Manison and Kesuye, and Kante, as Black Star's colleague, couldn't possibly object.

Sorokin suddenly had a bad feeling.

At this time, Han Xiao smiled and said slowly, "As for the balance of the three major civilizations... do you think the Glorious and the Void Spirit will make an exception and allow a second Empire ally to serve as a shareholder for the sake of the Evolution Totem? Or rather, do you think they will clearly oppose me at this moment?"

The mask was off!

This was Sorokin's only thought at the moment.

His face completely sank.

That's right, the Empire opened the Evolution Totem, temporarily resolving the hostility of the Glorious and the Void Spirit. Moreover, in order to ensure that the Empire smoothly implemented this decree, the Glorious and the Void Spirit might even turn into sycophants who would offer warmth and concern. They would not only ease relations with the Empire, but would also try to please Black Star, who controlled the Evolution Cube.

What's more, Black Star had their captives in his hands and had enough bargaining chips to get the Glorious and the Void Spirit to compromise. If he insisted on writing the condition of serving as a shareholder of the Endless Financial Group into the ransom terms, then the Glorious and the Void Spirit would not only not stop him, but would instead help Black Star become a shareholder of the Endless Financial Group!

At this moment, Sorokin finally noticed a detail that made him feel vaguely uneasy but had been ignored all along—once the Evolution Totem issue was resolved, although he had completed the transaction with the Glorious and the Void Spirit and obtained the benefits as he wished, he had also lost these two protective charms at the same time.

This meant that if Black Star wanted the position of shareholder, he, the head of the financial group, didn't even have the right to veto it!

Either he would have to pinch his nose and let Black Star be a shareholder, letting this guy freeload an astronomical amount of dividends, or he would have to wait for the three major civilizations to help Black Star and impose sanctions on the Endless Financial Group in the commercial field, forcing himself to submit.

He couldn't refuse even if he wanted to!

Thinking of this, Sorokin took a deep look at Han Xiao.

—What a trick, he completely used his own "momentum"! Could Black Star have foreseen this?!

Han Xiao just smiled, leisurely sipping his wine, looking confident and waiting for an answer.

Seeing this, Sorokin's expression changed constantly. After being silent for a long time, he reopened his mouth and said slowly:

"Black Star, your move... is quite beautiful."

"Then what do you plan to choose?" Han Xiao's expression was playful.

"...Do I have a choice?"

Hearing this, Han Xiao smiled, put down his wine glass, and extended his palm towards Sorokin.

"Then... happy cooperation?"

Looking at Han Xiao's outstretched palm, Sorokin took a deep breath, suppressed his feeling of having eaten shit, squeezed out a smile on his face, and reached out to shake Han Xiao's hand.

"Happy cooperation."

Their palms gripped each other, and their eyes collided in mid-air, as if sparks could fly.

Seeing the teasing look in Han Xiao's eyes, Sorokin couldn't help but feel the urge to attack, but this idea had just arisen and was immediately suppressed by him.

He recognized reality. Since he couldn't resist, he could only enjoy it. Choosing the lesser of two evils, even if it hurt, he decisively compromised and surrendered to Han Xiao.

"Hmm?"

Han Xiao keenly noticed the killing intent that Sorokin had exuded in an instant. This feeling was as if he had seen a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. The killing intent was even stronger than Hela's. He didn't believe that Sorokin didn't have hundreds of billions of lives in his hands.

This old fox was indeed a merciless killer in the past...

However, Han Xiao didn't care. He smiled and withdrew his hand. He knew that Sorokin was used to playing the pig to eat the tiger, just bullying the other party for not daring to attack.

After these years, Han Xiao had quite a good understanding of Sorokin's style. This person didn't care about his personal reputation at all.

If he took the initiative to attack, then if he dared to attack, Sorokin would dare to pretend to be defeated, shamelessly let him beat him up, and then use propaganda tools to exaggerate the matter, making the whole universe know about it. In that case, he wouldn't be justified, the position of shareholder would be ruined, his positive reputation would plummet, and he would lose a lot of cooperative financial groups—although he no longer had the support of the Glorious and the Void Spirit, the identity of the head of the Endless Financial Group was also a protective charm. This wasn't some gray force's cat or dog, but the leader of a legitimate interstellar commercial organization. Using violent means against such a person would have a huge negative impact. It was like one person named Ma hitting another person named Ma. Think about whether it would make the headlines.

Having obtained what he wanted, Han Xiao no longer teased Sorokin, put away his smile, and said lightly, "Since we have reached a consensus, please announce this to the outside world as soon as possible. I won't bother you any longer."

"Okay, take care." Sorokin forced a smile and indicated that he was seeing him off.

After Han Xiao left the room, Sorokin's face completely turned ugly.

This time he had suffered a loss!

Don't look at it as if it was just a change of shareholder from Gorutan to Black Star, but this had disrupted Sorokin's commercial strategy and missed a great opportunity to enter the interstellar black market.

As a businessman, watching an important business opportunity that could have been obtained slip through his fingers was a kind of pain that couldn't be described in words, it was simply unforgettable.

Moreover, with Black Star's vigilance towards him, he wouldn't sincerely cooperate with the Endless Financial Group, so the Endless Financial Group would probably find it difficult to get any feedback benefits from this shareholder. He could only give Black Star dividends for nothing, and maybe he would have to deal with Black Star's reverse infiltration.

Just thinking about it made Sorokin feel terrible.

All along, the Endless Financial Group had been using commercial means to hinder the development of the Black Star Army, but it had only recently restrained itself. However, this time, he was suppressed by Han Xiao.

Crack!

The wine glass was crushed, and the shards fell all over the floor.

Sorokin didn't wipe his hands and let the amber liquid drip from between his fists.

His face was very ugly, and he murmured to himself:

"I hate Super-As..."

—

(py recommends a book "This Account is Toxic", author Kindergarten Head)

(Introduction: Not long after creating a small account, Lu Kun transmigrated into the Xianxia game "Tianchen". He was clearly a player, but he inexplicably had an NPC template. As for the real players, they will arrive in three years.

Now, the first thing he has to face is... a female demon who wants to catch him and use him as a cauldron)