Chapter 1 The Void Conqueror

[The quest 【Void Conqueror】 has been completed!]

[Milestone successfully activated!]

Watching the last Void Overlord get hammered into a pancake by the Mechanical Deity, Han Xiao finally heard the pleasant notification sound from the panel.

For the past ten days, he had been traveling around with Ames, searching for other Void Overlords to cooperate with, actively operating in the peripheral areas of the Void Dimension.

Since not everyone intended to hire outsiders, the two of them wasted some time. However, overall, the efficiency of completing the quest was not bad. As long as they reached a cooperation agreement, with Han Xiao's strength, he could easily sweep away the opposing Void Overlord forces.

"Finally done."

In the battlefield, Han Xiao perked up, dispelled the Mechanical Deity, and opened the panel to check the quest rewards.

The milestone bonus of 【Void Conqueror】 had already taken effect. Various Void Talents were slightly enhanced, and it provided 1600 free attribute points and 1 Divinity Transformation point. Void creatures' natural Favorability +20, and it also gave a Legend title 【Void Celebrity】, with the description "Black Star's" name is spreading among the Void creatures.

He continued to save the free attribute points. He currently had nearly 4000 points saved up, giving him a strong sense of security. As for the Divinity Transformation point, Han Xiao continued to stick to the idea of maxing out one path first, throwing it into the main class route. 【Divinity Transformation - Mechanic】 unlocked the fourth layer of effects.

[Fourth Stage: Mechanical Skill Level of 【Apostle Mechanic】, 【Emperor Mechanic】 +3, Blueprint Development Base Success Rate +25%, Blueprint Improvement Base Success Rate +15%, Golden Blueprint Development Base Success Rate +3%, Exclusive Specialization Formation Probability +1.5%, Sub-Branch Ability Enhancement +15%]

"Not bad," Han Xiao glanced over it.

The class skills of the Apostle and Emperor stages were crucial, and strengthening them was very useful. According to this trend, Han Xiao estimated that the next stage would be to improve the Overlord and God's Throne stage skills, which would be even more important.

Overall, this layer of buffs mainly focused on strengthening research and development. After all, Han Xiao was not a player who just read instructions. At his level, deriving new blueprints based on professional knowledge was a common occurrence. Improving blueprints to increase the base quality was the same. The blueprints he currently used were all enhanced versions that he had personally improved, all of them being top-notch.

What Han Xiao was more concerned about was the Exclusive Specialization. It seemed that old guys like Mannison and Sorokin all had their own Exclusive Specializations. Because players in his previous life did not have this ability, Han Xiao had no idea how to obtain this thing, and the panel had never shown similar prompts. He could only explore it slowly.

The Sub-Branch Enhancement improved Han Xiao's skills in the direction of armament and energy, basically encompassing all mechanical skills other than virtual technology.

While Han Xiao was looking at the panel, the Void Overlord who had cooperated with him this time devoured the core of his opponent and approached him.

"Black Star, a Void Overlord under the command of K'Suye wants to see you."

"They've finally come looking for me. I knew he wouldn't ignore my actions."

Han Xiao had expected this and was not surprised. He met the other party under the Void Overlord's arrangement.

The Void Great Ruler's body was as tall as the heavens and the earth, and the color of his body was deeper than that of the Void Overlord.

The moment he saw Han Xiao, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intimacy, inexplicably finding Han Xiao pleasing to the eye.

This Void Great Ruler had a good first impression of Han Xiao. However, this would not affect his attitude toward doing things for K'Suye. He asked directly, "Black Star, we have noticed your frequent conquest activities in the Void Dimension recently. Do you want to subdue the Void Overlords and establish your own forces here?"

"Don't worry, you can tell K'Suye that I'm just signing some mercenaries and have no intention of establishing a force. In fact, my goal has almost been achieved, and I plan to leave the Void Dimension in the next two days."

Han Xiao knew what the other party was worried about and indicated that he was not here to steal K'Suye's territory.

"That would be best. As long as you don't interfere too much in the affairs of the Void Dimension, we welcome you as a guest, and you can come to us for any needs."

The Void Great Ruler's attitude was still polite. As K'Suye's subordinate, he was not completely ignorant of the strong in the main universe and knew that Black Star was someone he could not afford to offend.

"Okay, we might have business opportunities in the future," Han Xiao said casually.

K'Suye's territory had a stable industrial chain, producing various Void specialties, which was a good business. If he had any needs, he could cooperate with the other party.

At this time, the Void Great Ruler took out a tube of potion, filled with a luminous blue solution, emitting a hazy light on its own, and said, "This is a gift specially given to you by Lord K'Suye, Liquid Void Essence made by extracting Dimensional Source Energy, which will help purify the Void Bloodline."

Han Xiao raised his eyebrows and accepted the potion without being polite, smiling and saying, "Then thank K'Suye for me."

As the saying goes, one is reluctant to speak ill of someone who has given you something. This was equivalent to a farewell gift. K'Suye's subtext was to let Han Xiao take the gift and not stay in his house any longer. Han Xiao didn't intend to dig up his vegetable garden, so he naturally had no objections.

The negotiations between the two parties went smoothly. The Void Great Ruler left satisfied, and Han Xiao also put away the potion, estimating that it could increase the attribute completion during the next species sublimation to a certain extent.

"Finally done?" At this time, Ames chuckled.

These days, he had been busy with quests and had not fulfilled his initial promise of traveling. Han Xiao couldn't help but feel a little guilty toward Ames. Now that the main business was done, he felt relaxed and waved his hand, saying boldly, "Let's go, I'll accompany you to have fun in the secondary dimension worlds."

…

While the two were traveling in the secondary dimension worlds, the situation in the main universe was also constantly changing.

Although the Super-A Grade Development Federation's plan in the Shattered Star Ring had not yet been made public, the unusual actions of several Peak Super-A Grade forces had made many well-informed organizations smell something unusual.

After the conveners gathered, everyone gathered together and held the first meeting.

In the round table conference room of a spaceship, the remote projections of many conveners were gathered here, sitting in their seats, basically all Peak Super-A Grades.

The huge round table had only one seat empty, which was Han Xiao, who had not attended the meeting.

Mannison clapped his hands to get everyone's attention and said slowly, "Black Star has gone to the secondary dimension worlds and it's not convenient to contact him. Only we are here for the meeting today."

"He is the main convener. The Development Federation needs the Black Star Army to connect the dots. Is it appropriate not to call him for such an important meeting?" Milizaus questioned.

Everyone expressed their agreement.

Han Xiao now carried significant weight in the Super-A Grade circle. Although he was not here, no one would treat him like air. In addition, given the importance of the Black Star Army's forces to the establishment of the Super-A Grade Association, many Peak Super-A Grades present defaulted to his right to speak. Even if he was not here, they would proactively consider him.

"Black Star himself said he wouldn't attend," Mannison waved his hand. He wouldn't lie about this. "He has already stated that everything will be based on the consensus of the Gods' Meeting. Let us discuss a result and notify him when the time comes."

"Alright," everyone nodded.

"Then let's get down to business," Mannison said slowly. "Since we want to establish the Development Federation, we must first formulate rules, standardize the functions of the association, clarify the nature of the organization, establish the development ideas, and formulate the members' code of conduct."

K'Suye played the role of the straight man: "That's right, our original intention is to unite the power of all Super-A Grades, whether they are now or in the future. The structure of the Ancient Ones is too loose, and the threshold for joining is too high. This Development Federation cannot repeat the same mistakes and must have a clear set of rules and regulations."

A Peak Super-A Grade spoke up and said, "The plan that Black Star came up with shows that the main function of the Development Federation is to peacefully mediate disputes between Super-A Grades. This idea is feasible. It is best to start from this aspect first, such as making it impossible for members to easily provoke armed conflicts other than sparring, so as to maintain the appearance of Super-A Grade unity. There are also members who cannot deliberately intensify conflicts, avoid peaceful negotiations, and ensure that members abide by the results of mediation, set up penalties, prevent someone from going back on their word, and damage the authority of the organization…"

Everyone discussed animatedly and quickly improved various rules and regulations.

At this time, Sorokin, being the main benefactor, suddenly said, "Rules are good, but the biggest problem is ensuring that Super-A Grades are willing to abide by the rules of the organization. As everyone knows, Super-A Grades are all unruly people who enjoy privileges. It is not easy to restrain them."

"That's right, this is the core problem," Mannison interjected. "Not only must members accept the constraints of the rules, but also after outsiders see these rules, they will still choose to join the Development Federation. The consensus of the Gods' Meeting is one thing, but not everyone buys it. In order to prevent others from ignoring us, we must use both deterrence and enticement. Let other Super-A Grades see the consequences of violating the rules, and also see the benefits of joining the Development Federation."

"Deterrence is simple. We veterans don't need to do anything. We ourselves are a kind of deterrence. Enticement needs to be carried out in many aspects, building an interest network for Super-A Grade forces, integrating and sharing our respective resources, and providing economic, network, and political support for other people's forces. For future newcomers, we will use our own resources to help them establish Super-A Grade forces and provide some guidance from Peak Super-A Grade experience, etc.

"We can even treat the ultimate knowledge of the five major systems as benefits."

Hearing this, everyone was shocked.

"Ultimate knowledge? This is stealing the business of the three major civilizations' recruitment of Super-A Grade allies. They will strongly object, and this is not a joke."

Mannison said slowly, "What is our original intention? Have we forgotten it so quickly? If we cannot break the three major civilizations' rigid monopoly on ultimate knowledge, then even if the Super-A Grade Association is successfully established, it will only be a cripple, still controlled by advanced civilizations and forced to work for them."

Some people nodded in agreement, but more people remained silent, feeling that they were taking too big of a step and that the risk was too high. Opinions were divided.

"If you insist on doing this, then the three major civilizations will have a lot to argue with us about," K'Suye said helplessly.

"So…" Mannison looked around the room, revealing his true intentions, "We need a leader who must withstand the pressure and never compromise. Only I can shoulder this responsibility."

Everyone glanced at him.

Someone beside him chimed in, "Mannison is strong, has a wide network of contacts, has a large force, and is experienced. He is indeed the most suitable candidate."

Many of the people present were friends that Mannison had pulled in, and some had already planned to support him.

At this time, another Peak Super-A Grade who was running for the position couldn't help but say, "Who doesn't know what you're thinking? Everyone is a convener of the Development Federation, and I think I'm more suitable than you."

Everyone was a Super-A Grade, so it was impossible to have a one-man show. Even if he became the president, he would only have more say and could not truly command people of the same level. Most important decisions still had to be decided by all the veterans together. However, due to the special organizational nature of the Super-A Grade Association, this opportunity to establish everyone's position was rare.

At this time, Milizaus said slowly, "Although Black Star is not here, he also has the intention to run. The Black Star Army's influence in the Shattered Star Ring is beyond doubt. If he becomes the president, our organization will be worthy of the name. Moreover, the Evolution Totem will soon be sold publicly. At that time, Black Star's influence with the three major civilizations will increase greatly, making him suitable to act as a lubricant between the two sides, which can greatly alleviate the pressure on the association… I support Black Star as the spokesperson."

Han Xiao didn't personally attend the meeting, not because he was shirking responsibility, but mainly because he didn't want to directly face Mannison and the other competitors. Since he couldn't beat the other party in terms of connections, he simply showed the benefits he could bring and let these people make their own choices, so as to avoid direct conflict with other Peak Super-A Grades, especially since he didn't want to provoke Director Mannison.

"Black Star's role is indeed very important, but he is too inexperienced. I don't want a young guy riding on my head," Seraron snorted.

Everyone supported different candidates and argued with each other. There were even many people who remotely supported Han Xiao, who was not present.

After a while, someone said, "I think the management structure should be balanced. The seat of the president cannot be a lifetime position. It must be changed every once in a while."

This statement was widely recognized by everyone. They just didn't want to be the first to stick their necks out now. When the association stabilized, being the president would naturally have more advantages than disadvantages. From a balanced point of view, no one wanted one person to be the president forever.

At this time, Mannison looked at K'Suye, who had not yet expressed his position, narrowed his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "If you support me this time, I will fully support you as the spokesperson next time."

Hearing this, K'Suye didn't know why, but suddenly felt a chill.

Why do I suddenly feel that I have to turn on my psychic shield at any time in the future…