Chapter 1 The Black Star Legion

The Black Star Army held a six-day military exercise exclusively for the Undying within their territory, with millions of legion players participating in a mock battle.

The original intention was to hold a large-scale collective action for the players, finding a reason to distribute experience rewards on a massive scale, but in the current sensitive situation, the army's military exercises have been interpreted in various ways by the outside world.

On the quantum network, many interstellar citizens believe that the army's exercise is an indirect demonstration against the three major civilizations, and many others believe that the Black Star Army is warming up, and there will inevitably be major actions in the near future, with various rumors running rampant.

However, even with the rumors flying around, the Beyond Grade A Association remained silent, letting the outside world guess.

Then, one day, a little over half a month later, just as the enthusiasm of public opinion was gradually waning, a major event happened unexpectedly, almost without warning – the three major civilizations jointly issued a Tier Two edict to the entire universe, and the content was precisely sanctions against the Beyond Grade A Association!

The Beyond Grade A Association and the three major civilizations had been fighting overtly and covertly for more than a year. Although many interstellar citizens were watching the show, in public, the two sides had never shown a tit-for-tat attitude, never challenged each other, and were mostly silent.

But now, the three major civilizations suddenly openly broke the conflict, which was unexpected and yet reasonable to countless people.

Countless power leaders who saw the content of the edict had their pupils shrink, shocked by the severity of the sanctions, and the same thought arose in their minds:

How ruthless!

The three major civilizations have finally used their influence, which radiates throughout the universe in politics, economy, and other areas, to begin a comprehensive blockade...

...

Black Star Palace, the legion commander's exclusive workshop.

Han Xiao was concentrating on studying a golden mechanical blueprint, striving towards the pinnacle of the void divinity transformation.

Suddenly, Phillip popped up, his little face anxious, and hurriedly said:

"Master, beep, a major event has happened! The three major civilizations have issued a joint sanctions order against us!"

Hearing this, Han Xiao's eyes flashed, he put down the parts in his hand, pinched Phillip's forehead with two fingers, and lifted him to his eyes.

"This day has come after all... Tell me, what terms have the three major civilizations set?"

"Look, it's so scary, beep!"

Phillip waved his little hand, pulled it down from top to bottom, and a virtual screen unfolded like a scroll, displaying a densely packed document, with the joint seals of the three major civilizations at the bottom, proving that this was a valid edict certified by the authority of the three major civilizations and protected by interstellar common law, with a special note that it would take effect immediately from the date of signing.

Han Xiao looked at it from the beginning, starting with a statement from the three major civilizations, explaining the reason for issuing this edict.

[In order to minimize the danger of individual power to interstellar society, the ultimate knowledge of the five major superpower systems has always been jointly controlled by the three major civilizations, and other forces may not spread it at will. This is Article 6 of the "Interstellar Superpower Management Act · Knowledge Dissemination Agreement". The Beyond Grade A Development Association (hereinafter referred to as "the Association") has been privately disseminating the ultimate knowledge of various systems for many years without our permission. We have repeatedly requested the Association to rectify this chaos, but the Association has repeatedly ignored our requirements. A year ago, we issued an ultimatum to the Association, which was still ignored. Now that the ultimatum period has passed, in view of the Association's egregious behavior, we have decided to impose sanctions.]

"Hmph, as expected, it's this kind of excuse. I thought the three major civilizations had some new tricks."

Han Xiao was not surprised at all, snorted lightly, and continued to read.

In the document, the three major civilizations righteously accused the association, and then cited extensively which regulations the association had violated, and then emphasized that the nature of the Beyond Grade A Association's power was a non-governmental organization, which was not protected by the *Peace Treaty* and a series of interstellar civilization agreements, and did not have the jurisdiction, political rights, and other rights of a civilization force.

Immediately afterward, the three major civilizations announced that from this moment on, the Beyond Grade A Association would be included in the "Unreliable Non-Governmental Organization List" and the "Egregious Armed Organization List."

These two lists are specially set up for organizations with questionable business nature. Although they are not as serious as wanted orders, as long as they are on the list, their various rights in interstellar society will be greatly affected, similar to the treatment of "credit invalidation" and "deadbeats," subject to varying degrees of sanctions.

And targeting the Beyond Grade A Association, the sanctions covered multiple areas such as politics, economy, and armed scale, with a wide range of impacts.

In politics, most Beyond Grade As take care of their mother civilizations. This edict requires Beyond Grade A forces not to continue to interfere in the politics of multiple civilizations, otherwise the political rights of relevant civilizations will be downgraded. A list of key concerns was also listed, with Aquamarine Civilization taking the lead.

As for Beyond Grade A forces that are civilizations in nature, they will be subject to review. It is claimed that if Beyond Grade A rulers have cooperative relationships with certain "unreliable organizations," their political rights will also be downgraded. Sisko's Star Pupil Civilization is an example.

In terms of economy, the terms are much more complex and cumbersome, accounting for half of the content, involving all aspects.

First, a notice to the civilizations in each region, requiring local civilizations to cooperate with the edict, stop all forms of cooperation with Beyond Grade A forces, not to provide public services such as stargate transportation to Beyond Grade A forces, not to open trading channels to Beyond Grade A forces to sell any resources, and must cooperate with the edict to conduct multiple reviews of the assets left by Beyond Grade A forces within the civilization's territory, otherwise they will be interviewed one by one.

And in the private sector, any consortium or enterprise that maintains business dealings with the Beyond Grade A Association will have its credit rating in interstellar banks lowered, and consortia that repeatedly fail to correct their behavior will be included in the list of untrustworthy enterprises. Only by terminating the cooperative relationship can they apply to start the review process, restore their credit, and even obtain certain subsidies. Moreover, the three major civilizations will ensure that these enterprises are not subject to the threat of force from Beyond Grade A forces afterward, and will also provide judicial assistance in terms of violating commercial contracts, trying not to pay compensation to Beyond Grade A forces.

At the same time, the credit rating of all fund accounts under the Beyond Grade A forces will be lowered, and every fund transfer will be subject to review and supervision.

In terms of armed scale, the three major civilizations believe that the Beyond Grade A Association, as a non-governmental organization, is too large and has threatened the stability of interstellar society, violating the *Agreement on the Armed Scale of Non-Governmental Forces*, and must be split and downsized.

Before the downsizing is completed, all members of the Beyond Grade A forces (not limited to superpowers) will simultaneously accept the treatment of a lower credit rating, including but not limited to identity permissions failing to pass stargate review, not being allowed to dock at transportation transfer stations of certain civilizations, not being allowed to pass through certain civilizations, and restrictions on the transfer of money in accounts.

In addition, there are many other miscellaneous terms. This time, the three major civilizations even attacked their allies, but since more and more allies have been listening to the tune but not following the orders, this is not an unexpected situation.

At the end of the document, the three major civilizations stated that the above-mentioned terms are only for members of the Beyond Grade A Association and do not involve neutral Beyond Grade As. As long as they withdraw from the association and are re-examined, they can restore normal treatment. As for ordinary superpowers, if they are willing to switch to the three major civilizations or local civilizations, they will not only restore their credit but also enjoy more benefits and subsidies.

After reading the whole article, Han Xiao had only one view on this edict, and that was overbearing!

"Tsk, the three major civilizations are making a ruthless move as soon as they act."

Han Xiao shook his head.

These terms have no twists and turns. They are using power to coerce interstellar society to jointly block the association, so as to curb the development of the association. It does not have much impact on Beyond Grade As themselves, but it is extremely destructive to their forces.

The approach of the three major civilizations can be summarized as...

--The referee, the linesman, plus the organizer and co-organizer, all the units are my people, how can you fight me?!

"I made this assumption many years ago. Alas, it has come true."

Han Xiao had been mentally prepared for this, so he was not surprised at this time. Moreover, since the three major civilizations dared to formulate such terms, they naturally had the confidence to implement them.

Even in the face of the Super Star Cluster Alliance, the three major civilizations had not taken such harsh measures. After all, the Super Star Cluster civilizations enjoy a series of civilization protection agreements such as the *Peace Treaty*. Once the three major civilizations violate these regulations, they will be asking for trouble. But at the beginning of the document, the three major civilizations made it clear that the Beyond Grade A Association is a non-governmental force, has no authority, and is not protected by various civilization protection agreements. The nature of the matter is therefore determined, and the means have not crossed the line.

As interstellar society has developed to this day, the three major civilizations already possess financial hegemony, political hegemony, technological hegemony, and military hegemony. Their influence radiates in all aspects and is deeply tied to civilizations at all levels. Civilizations at all levels may not give them face, but they need to weigh the consequences. Seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages is the rational tendency that most civilizations inevitably possess. Han Xiao can foresee that many civilizations will respond to this edict.

As for non-governmental forces and the general public, those who dare to go against the rulers of the universe are naturally a minority of the minority. The three major civilizations have shown such an attitude, which is enough to scare away many people. After all, most people are just looking for a good job. If they become "marginalized" in interstellar society because of this, it would be too unworthy.

Han Xiao pondered secretly:

"The three major civilizations hesitated for a year and finally decided to bring the conflict out into the open. I wonder if the players have had any influence on this... From this edict onwards, the three major civilizations have finally publicly broken their faces with us."

The sanctions of the three major civilizations were within his expectations, but even if he guessed it in advance, there was no good way to resolve it. The dimensionality reduction strike launched by the three major civilizations in an all-round way is not so easy to solve. However, in recent years, he has been committed to enhancing the independence of the association's interest groups in order to cope with this risk and has secretly made many preparations, so he will not be caught off guard now.

"Beep beep--"

Just then, the communicator suddenly rang.

Han Xiao opened it and saw that it was Bennett calling.

As soon as the communication was connected, Bennett's projection appeared and eagerly asked:

"Black Star, have you seen the sanctions order jointly issued by the three major civilizations?"

"I've seen it." Han Xiao nodded.

As he spoke, he looked at Bennett.

Since replenishing a wave of vitality, Bennett's lifespan has been extended by many years. Decades have passed, and he is still alive, and his body is still strong.

Every year, Han Xiao thought that this guy was about to die, but Bennett would always jump out and shout "I'm not dead yet", faking a wave. At this rate, I'm afraid Nero will stage a drama in which there has never been a crown prince for a hundred years.

"What are you going to do?" Bennett asked worriedly.

"Let it be." Han Xiao spread his hands and raised his eyebrows: "But the Aquamarine Civilization is also within the scope of the sanctions, what do you say?"

Bennett bit his teeth and said in a deep voice: "After a while, Aquamarine will withdraw from the Shattered Star Ring Civilization Council to show protest, saying that it does not accept this sanction!"

"Want to accompany me to the end?" Han Xiao smiled.

Bennett looked serious, "Although Aquamarine is still very weak, we also have dignity and will not deny the great men in our civilization's history because of such unreasonable demands!"

Han Xiao was somewhat gratified and slowly said: "You have a heart. If you do this, Aquamarine's development will be severely affected in the short term, but with my protection, there will be no danger. The things you lose now can be earned back in the future."

"That's enough for me to hear you say that. You know I've always believed in you."

Bennett nodded, canceled the projection, and ended the communication.

Han Xiao let out a breath, thought about it, and turned to contact Kexuye.

Soon, Kexuye's figure appeared on the screen, with a solemn expression.

"Black Star, I've already seen the news. Do you have a plan?"

Han Xiao touched his chin and said slowly: "The three major civilizations are doing this, and we can't be polite. Let's hold an emergency meeting. I have two things to announce."

"What two things?"

"First, from now on, the association will not accept any form of help from the three major civilizations. Second, stop subsidizing the direct line Beyond Grade As of the civilizations within the association, and freeze their membership permissions at the same time, temporarily depriving them of the power to participate in the regular meeting... Tell the outside world that unless the three major civilizations withdraw the sanctions order, this situation will continue."

Kexuye frowned, "This is not painful or itchy for the three major civilizations, at most it expresses our attitude of not retreating."

"That's enough. If the sanctions could be resolved so easily, the three major civilizations would have ruled the universe for so many years." Han Xiao didn't care, "Cooperation with the official civilizations has always been an important business for many Beyond Grade As. Now that this channel is cut off, the large channel for the association to obtain resources will only be the interstellar black market. The three major civilizations will definitely focus on cracking down on this field, and there will probably be a lot of friction at that time."

As he spoke, Han Xiao paused.

"Also, the Super Star Cluster Alliance may need to be contacted..."

There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. He didn't want to help the Super Star Cluster Civilization "rebel," but simple transactions are not something that cannot be considered.

His goal is just to control the intensity of the superpower disasters and try to stabilize the situation, but he also knows that it is impossible to always be harmonious. The three major civilizations will not give up testing, and the balance of power is always swaying. Even if he is a stability seeker, he has to show his fangs and claws.