Chapter 1046 The Beast Ancestor's Internal Strife

Emerald Star Cluster, the Beast Ancestor's base planet.

Two fleets bearing the Beast Ancestor's insignia were facing off in outer space, the atmosphere tense.

The situation was clear: the smaller force was trying to leave the base but was blocked by the defense fleet.

On the bridge of the defense fleet's flagship, Bailam looked at the defecting fleet ready for battle, his heart heavy. He opened a wide-area channel and called out,

"Jodina, do you know what you're doing? This is defection!"

As soon as he spoke, a female figure appeared on the screen in front of him, with tan skin, a bewitching face, and black beast纹 (wen, patterns) between her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes, resembling a leopard. Several white stripes ran along her cheeks, like a feline's whiskers. She wore a wild outfit that revealed her stunning figure, exuding a savage beauty.

At that moment, the woman's face was resolute, and her tone was firm:

"Gorutan has fallen. Our minds are made up. If you want to stop us, try it."

Looking at the woman on the screen, Bailam sighed inwardly.

This person was named Jodina, possessed some beast race blood, and was one of the Beast Ancestor's "Four Great Generals," a position similar to a vanguard officer and Han Xiao's guard officer. She was an ace combatant, ranking among the top of her siblings in combat power, and combined with her fierce personality, many siblings feared her.

However, many people knew that Jodina belonged to the rebellious faction, deeply hating Gorutan. Gorutan, on the other hand, didn't care about his children hating him. To him, descendants were merely tools. As long as he lived, he wasn't afraid of others breaking free from his control.

He relied on his own power to maintain control over his forces. After his downfall, the interior immediately split apart, and the rats scattered when the tree fell.

Today, Jodina had gathered a large group of rebellious faction members, determined to leave the Beast Ancestor's forces, leading to the current standoff.

Bailam belonged to the neutral faction and didn't have fervent loyalty to Gorutan. He sighed, "We are all siblings, why fight each other? Father has only been captured for now, perhaps he will return in the future. Why not stay and overcome this difficulty together?"

Jodina shouted, "Shut up! I've been waiting for this day for too long. If you don't let us leave today, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Bailam fell silent, glanced at the indignant expression of the loyalists, and shook his head secretly, ordering, "Let them go."

Without overwhelming force to restrain so many powerful individuals, the Beast Ancestor's forces were now a motley crew, filled with fear. Bailam was unwilling to fight Jodina's group.

However, the hardline loyalists refused to stand down. In their eyes, Jodina and the others had immediately jumped out to divide the family when their father was in trouble. They were ungrateful wretches who should be severely punished.

Although Bailam was in command, many other faction cadres disobeyed his orders and suddenly opened fire without authorization, igniting a chaotic battle.

One warship after another was destroyed, and fireworks bloomed in the universe as Calamity Grade powerhouses shuttled between them, fiercely fighting each other.

After a long time, the battle ended, and a large number of warship wreckage floated in the outer space of the planet.

After paying a heavy price, the defecting fleet finally broke through successfully. The Beast Ancestor's loyalists also suffered heavy losses, with several cadres killed on the spot by Jodina, so they did not continue to pursue.

"With Father gone, other Super A Grade forces will come to absorb us. These loyalists will be purged sooner or later. I'd better find a way out early."

Bailam looked at the carnage and sighed inwardly, knowing that the Beast Ancestor's forces were about to become history.

On the other side.

"Finally escaped, they didn't chase after us..."

In the command ship filled with battle scars, Jodina leaned against the wall, looking exhausted, covered in wounds, blood gurgling and pooling beneath her.

Around her sat many of the cadres who had defected with her. Having just experienced a fierce battle, everyone was injured and bandaging each other's wounds.

"Boss, where do we go next?" A Calamity Grade cadre helped a companion sew up the severed limb wound and turned to look at Jodina.

Because Jodina was the initiator and the strongest, she was the recognized leader of this defecting force.

"Escaping is just the first step, don't forget our goal. We can't do it on our own, we must join a large force," Jodina said, panting.

"Which one do we join?"

"Whoever defeated Gorutan, we'll join them." Jodina struggled to stand up, turned to look out of the porthole, and muttered to herself, "Black Star is a person worth entrusting..."

...

Several days later, Black Star Palace Spaceport Dock.

"I've troubled you for many days, it's time for me to leave today. Thank you for your help."

Silver Shadow stood in front of the spaceship hatch, nodded, and thanked Han Xiao in front of him.

He had used the Evolutionary Cube some time ago, and then became a guest of the Black Star Army, constantly communicating with Han Xiao to foster their relationship. The two had warmed up their relationship a lot, upgrading from acquaintances who had met a few times to good friends.

After staying for several days, he still had things to do, so he said goodbye today, and Han Xiao came to see him off.

"Alright, I won't keep you. The days ahead are long, come and play here when you have time," Han Xiao said with a smile.

Silver Shadow nodded, didn't exchange too many pleasantries, shook hands with Han Xiao, then led a group of his men onto the ship and closed the hatch.

Whoosh—The thrusters spat out flames, the spaceship accelerated in the blink of an eye, rushed out of the spaceport orbit, turned into a stream of light, and quickly disappeared into the universe.

Han Xiao watched the spaceship go away and nodded with satisfaction.

The private time together during this period had greatly improved the progress of building a relationship with Silver Shadow. Given how much he owed him, he could borrow his car at least three more times.

Flicking his robe, Han Xiao turned and left the dock, returning to his office and calling out Phillip.

"Any news from the three Universal Civilizations?"

"Not yet, buzzing."

"How many days has it been? They should have contacted me by now."

Han Xiao shook his head. He had been waiting for Aurora and the Arcane Church to contact him these past few days. It seemed that these two were still considering what attitude to approach him with, and no one had called yet.

During the Beacon Star battle, he handed over the prisoners to the dynasty, who came forward to negotiate. But this time, he basically caught the prisoners alone, and his own strength had reached a new standard, so Han Xiao told the dynasty that he would personally negotiate with Aurora and the Arcane Church.

Just then, Phillip's tone suddenly paused and reported, "Master, buzzing, there is a new communication request from the Arcane Church."

Oh, speak of the devil... Han Xiao cheered up and had Phillip connect.

Soon, a remote projection appeared in the room. This was a high-ranking official from the Arcane Church in charge of diplomacy, who bowed to Han Xiao as soon as he appeared, his attitude respectful.

"Your Excellency Black Star, I am a diplomat from the Arcane Church. First, on behalf of the Arcane Church, I apologize for this action..."

"Okay, no need for small talk, let's get down to business." Han Xiao put his hands on his nose and stared at the Arcane Church diplomat in front of him, and said in a deep voice, "If you want to exchange for Tolein, it depends on how sincere you are. Let me emphasize one premise, that is, the compensation clause must include the condition that you apologize publicly."

The Arcane Church diplomat blinked and whispered, "These are all easy to talk about, it's just about Tolein, let's put it aside first. I want to talk about the Aurora prisoners..."

Han Xiao raised his eyebrows.

Amazing, the Arcane Church isn't in a hurry to redeem Tolein, but instead wants to exchange for an Aurora prisoner first?

Although he could understand the Arcane Church's approach, Han Xiao couldn't help but complain inwardly.

Tolein is too difficult...

Shaking his head, Han Xiao asked, "The Arcane Church wants to buy an Aurora Super A Grade prisoner?"

"More than one, the more the better. Presumably, Your Excellency Kesuye has also told you that the Arcane Church wants to obtain bargaining chips to exchange for the God's Scepter... Your Excellency Black Star, we are very sincere this time and are willing to offer a very high price."

"How high?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

"This is the condition we initially drafted."

The diplomat pulled up a list and displayed it.

Han Xiao quickly scanned it. The terms included not only a huge amount of resource compensation, but also the Arcane Church was willing to exchange non-strategic Universal Treasures for prisoners, which were quite generous.

However, he would not easily agree. He pretended to ponder for a while, and slowly said, "If I sell the Aurora prisoners to you, I will have to bear Aurora's pressure. Is that all? It doesn't seem enough."

"Why don't you take the initiative to propose conditions, and we will..."

Han Xiao snorted, interrupted the other party's words, and said lightly, "Think for yourselves, change the terms until I am satisfied."

He didn't take the initiative to propose conditions, just to hold Aurora and the Arcane Church back, so that they wouldn't forget, and it wouldn't be conducive to external public opinion.

"Okay, we'll change the terms later, so you don't refuse to sell Aurora's prisoners?" the Arcane Church diplomat asked.

"Depends on my mood." Han Xiao's attitude was ambiguous.

Seeing that Han Xiao was unyielding, the Arcane Church diplomat had no choice but to bid farewell and report back to the higher-ups.

As soon as he left, Aurora's communication request came right after.

How can it be such a coincidence, these two unfortunate brothers are quite destined... Han Xiao murmured, and then connected to Aurora's communication.

"Hello, Your Excellency Black Star, I am from Aurora..."

"Okay, I know who you are, stop talking nonsense, show me your terms for redeeming the prisoners."

Aurora's diplomat choked, and the lines he had prepared were all held back in his stomach, so he had to show the terms obediently.

Looking at the list, Han Xiao shook his head secretly.

The price offered by Aurora was not as good as that of the Arcane Church, after all, they were just redeeming people normally.

Little ones, Aurora is as cunning as ever, losing three people, and you don't want to bleed heavily?

Really ugly thoughts are beautiful, the toad wants to eat swan meat, just one word, bah!

Han Xiao narrowed his eyes, tapped the table with his fingers, and slowly said, "Just now, someone from the Arcane Church contacted me and proposed an interesting condition."

"What conditions?"

"They want to buy Aurora's Super A Grade prisoners from me... and they are very willing to spend money."

Han Xiao glanced at the other party meaningfully.

Aurora's diplomat was shocked and hurriedly said, "You... You didn't agree to him, did you?"

"Well, I'm still considering it, but the Arcane Church's price is very tempting."

"You can't make your own decisions and sell Aurora's important allies to the Arcane Church, otherwise..." Aurora's diplomat wanted to threaten him, but he was shocked and realized that he was facing Black Star, who had just made them suffer, so he quickly changed his words and said weakly, "In short, as long as you don't agree to the Arcane Church's request, we will definitely make a statement."

"Then it depends on how sincere you are, and how much you are willing to pay to make me reject the Arcane Church's proposal." Han Xiao smiled faintly.

"Understood... Understood, I will immediately convey your meaning to the higher-ups and immediately change the compensation terms."

Aurora's diplomat wiped off his sweat and hurriedly bid farewell and went offline.

He knew that Black Star was sitting on the ground and raising the price, but there was nothing he could do. Even if he saw through it, he could only obediently do as he was told, feeling helpless and depressed in his heart.

After dismissing the two stinky kids, Han Xiao leaned back and smiled gleefully.

If it were in the past, the risk of doing so would be great, but after this battle, he had shown enough strength, his fist was big enough, so that Aurora and the Arcane Church could sit down and negotiate in peace, instead of continuing to be devious.

With a few prisoners in hand, there was room to ask for a high price. Even if it was clear that he was going to make Aurora and the Arcane Church bid against each other, they had to pinch their noses and accept it.

This feeling of mastering the initiative is indeed good... Han Xiao smiled inwardly.

As he was thinking about it, the communicator rang again. Han Xiao glanced at it, and it was Sylvia's call.

"Army Commander, the Interstellar Director I told you about a few days ago has arrived at Black Star Palace."

"Coming so fast?"

"They were originally in the Flickering World collecting material, and I have sent someone to receive them. Will they be brought directly to the reception room later?"

"Yes, I'll go see him." Han Xiao got up.

...

A civilian spaceship docked at the outer dock of Black Star Palace, and a group of people walked off the spaceship.

The leader was a big bearded old man with a round head, looking wealthy, with a head of unruly long hair that exuded the temperament of an artist, like a braised egg with hair growing on it.

This person was Benny Travor, an Interstellar Director of the Crimson Empire.

As soon as they got off the spaceship, everyone looked around, their expressions quite restrained, and they whispered.

"This is the Black Star Army's base. Are these people around here mercenaries?"

"They're all looking at us, keep your voice down..."

Listening to a group of assistants chattering behind him, Benny Travor frowned and whispered, "This is not any other place, don't talk nonsense, otherwise, if you offend Black Star's people, think about what the consequences will be."

Hearing this, everyone quickly shut their mouths, looking cautious and careful.

They had been following Benny Travor for a long time, and they were also senior predecessors in the entertainment industry. They didn't know how many people tried to curry favor with them. Although they were not arrogant on weekdays, they were still considered arrogant and casual. If they were facing juniors in the entertainment industry, they would be aloof and indifferent.

However, these people didn't dare to put on airs here. The Black Star Army was a top-level super warlord, completely on another level of people. Now that they had come to the lair of an armed warlord, everyone naturally felt scared.

They were very clear-headed that their little influence was nothing in front of such a great man who had real power and armed forces. Everyone put away their usual airs and acted like a nobody.

Before long, an army receptionist walked over and said with a smile, "Hello, Director Benny Travor, please come with me, the Army Commander is already waiting for you."

"Okay, okay, thank you for leading the way." Benny Travor put on a smile.

Seeing this, the surrounding assistants were secretly surprised. They knew their boss too well. He was always arrogant and rarely showed such a warm and ingratiating smile.

The group came to the reception room and walked into the room. They saw Han Xiao sitting in the main seat. For a moment, they were in a hurry to salute and greet him.

Benny Travor rushed forward in two steps and hurriedly stretched out his hand to Han Xiao, enthusiastically saying:

"Hello, hello, Your Excellency Black Star, thank you for being willing to meet me."

"No need to be so polite, please sit down."

Han Xiao shook hands with him and invited everyone to sit down.

Everyone sat down, straightened their backs, their butts touching the edge of the chairs, not daring to sit firmly, and their performance was extremely restrained.

At the same time, everyone stared at Han Xiao with awe and respect, showing stiff and ingratiating smiles. Many of them were people with status, but at this time, they could only smile along.

Han Xiao shook his head. Status is an aura. Even if he didn't do anything, others would inevitably be nervous.

He turned to look at Benny Travor and asked with a smile, "Director Benny, I heard that you want to make a documentary about me?"

"That's right, I have read your files, starting from the humble beginnings and rising in the sea of stars. You are completely a living legend. Those deeds have inspired my creative desire. It would be my honor to make an adapted biopic for such a great man like you..."

Benny Travor didn't follow the procedure, and directly started to praise, and explained his creative motivation.

When he was excited, he even stood up, gesticulating excitedly, his face flushed with excitement.

Han Xiao observed for a while, and found that this director didn't come here to flatter him, but seemed to be really inspired by his creative desire and wanted to adapt his deeds. It should be the effect of the accumulated legend.

It's not surprising. In the eyes of outsiders, his deeds do have a legendary nature. It's normal to be favored by the director. Originally, many films were adapted from real people and events. It's very common for directors to come and seek permission for the story prototype.

Being licked by him for a while, Han Xiao was quite comfortable, waved his hand, interrupted the director's spittle-flying speech, and said:

"So, you came here just to ask me to authorize you to make a film about me?"

"Not just that." Benny Travor suddenly became uneasy, "I have another request, I hope you can appear as an easter egg in the film..."

It took courage to say this, because he knew very well that Black Star's status was too high. The level of the warlord was so great that he became a political figure. This was like asking the leader of the dynasty to cameo in the film. In short, it was a performance without any sense of propriety.

Hearing this, Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and tapped the table slowly with his fingers, without answering immediately.

With the change of his expression, the atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point. Everyone's hearts beat faster and faster, and they didn't dare to breathe. The room suddenly became silent.

Han Xiao was about to speak, but at this moment, a mission prompt suddenly popped up on the panel:

[【Director's Invitation】]

[Mission Introduction: A famous Universal Director has taken a fancy to you and hopes to invite you to participate in the filming of a film]

[Mission Requirements: Appear in the film]

[Reward: 1.8 million experience, the popularity of each Star Field will increase randomly]

[Special Reward: 【Star Effect】-Specialty]

[【Star Effect】: Others are more likely to have a good impression of you, and are more likely to forgive you]

Seeing this, the corner of Han Xiao's mouth twitched.

What's the matter, you want me to make my debut?