Chapter 1 A Glimmer of Hope

The three-dimensional star chart displayed the region of the Shattered Star Ring, shining brightly in the black, unexplored universe. A luminous patch marked the Rich Star Cluster discovered by the three great Civilization's probes beyond the Shattered Star Ring, in the desolate belt of the universe. Named the Dawn Star Cluster, it was the starting point for the Shattered Star Ring's exploration.

The Dawn Star Cluster was the first region explored by the probes and was currently the only star cluster officially belonging to the Shattered Star Ring, marked in green as the bridgehead for the new Star Field's development. Extending outward was a vast expanse of unexplored territory painted in gray.

At a glance, the only illuminated Dawn Star Cluster looked like an isolated island in a vast ocean.

Developing a new Star Field was a massive undertaking, impossible to achieve overnight, and the construction period was difficult to estimate. After all, on-site development was different from astronomical observation.

The Crimson Empire spent more than a decade obtaining the Dawn Star Cluster from the Radiant Federation, defining it as the starting point of the new Star Field. Due to the checks and balances between the two powers, development remained stagnant. However, the astronomical observations of the three great Civilizations never stopped. Over ten years of observation had outlined the approximate territory of the Shattered Star Ring, completing the initial map.

In the star chart provided by the Crimson Empire, the Shattered Star Ring was roughly divided into nineteen star clusters of varying sizes. The Dawn Star Cluster accounted for only 3% of the entire Star Field's territory, with the rest being unexplored regions.

Desolate belts in the universe came in different sizes. The interior of a Star Field usually included many small and medium-sized desolate belts, while super-large desolate belts were defined as the borders separating Star Fields. The Shattered Star Ring was no exception, with an estimated seven thousand small and medium-sized desolate belts scattered throughout its interior, between star regions and star systems.

Therefore, choosing a region was crucial for the Empire's exploration teams. If the exploration direction was filled with desolate belts everywhere, the profits would be meager.

"The Empire's first-phase development will focus on exploring the three star clusters adjacent to the Dawn Star Cluster." Su Yi manipulated the star chart, zooming in to show the others. "They are the Renoir Star Cluster, the Golar Star Cluster, and the Crown Ring Star Cluster."

Han Xiao, Herber, and Klent representatives stared intently at the star chart. It was a preliminary astronomical observation map, which was subject to error due to the complex cosmic environment, but the general distribution of planets was unlikely to be wrong.

Of the three star clusters, the Golar Star Cluster was the largest and had several obvious desolate belts. The other two were more moderate.

There were two types of desolate belts: one where planets were sparse and widely spaced, or lacked stellar systems and certain high-energy celestial bodies, which were barren regions that could be discovered through astronomical observation; the other type was where the planetary resources within the region were generally depleted. This type was more subtle than the former, appearing to be a normal region but requiring on-site exploration to confirm it was a desolate belt.

Although the star chart showed a general distribution, the information for each planet was mostly unknown. This was a semi-finished star chart. The Crimson Empire's development involved on-site exploration, completing detailed information for each planet on the star chart, correcting astronomical observation errors, and preemptively occupying the resource-rich planets.

This was the job of the exploration teams—even obvious desolate belts had to be explored.

The number of planets in a Star Field was countless. Even if the Empire only planned to explore three star clusters in the first phase, it was still a massive undertaking.

"The Renoir Star Cluster." Herber looked at it for a while and made his choice.

The War Realm and Klent Empire advanced together, jointly developing a region.

"Black Star, what about you?" Su Yi turned his head.

Han Xiao stroked his chin. "I'll choose the Golar Star Cluster."

"Golar, the fewest people chose that area... okay." Su Yi nodded.

Han Xiao smiled inwardly.

He and Herber had agreed to explore separately and not interfere with each other. Besides, he knew that the potential benefits of the Golar Star Cluster were greater.

The Golar Star Cluster might seem to have more obvious desolate belts than the other two, but in reality, the other two star clusters also had many hidden desolate belts. The three were about the same, but the desolate belts in the Golar Star Cluster also contained some interstellar civilization ruins, which were of considerable archaeological value.

In terms of resources, the Golar Star Cluster was slightly larger, with numerous stellar systems, and slightly more habitable and resource planets. In terms of species, the Golar Star Cluster had more intelligent races that had formed civilizations, and most of them were still in the surface civilization stage, making exploration more convenient.

In his previous life, the Golar Star Cluster was one of the most prosperous star clusters in the Shattered Star Ring, suitable for investment. Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, Han Xiao decided to develop the Golar Star Cluster.

There was another important reason: the ownerless cosmic treasure in the Shattered Star Ring that Han Xiao remembered was located in a desolate belt adjacent to the Golar Star Cluster. It was not part of the Empire's first-phase development area, but being closer would make it easier for him to get there.

'Apart from me, no one knows about the existence of this cosmic treasure yet.' Han Xiao's eyes flickered.

He was determined to get it.

At this moment, the interface popped up with a mission notification.

[You have triggered the S+ Grade Series Mission: 【The Shattered Star Ring】]

[Mission Introduction: The Shattered Star Ring, a new Star Field symbolizes a new pattern. Exploring this Star Field is both your duty and your opportunity.]

[Hint: Mission requirements, mission rewards, exploration point standards, and mission evaluation depend on the Faction.]

[You belong to the Crimson Empire Faction and the Black Star Army Faction.]

[Mission Requirements: According to the divided areas, explore the Shattered Star Ring for the Crimson Empire as a member of the Black Star Army.]

[You have obtained the first exploration target.]

[Current exploration area: Golar Star Cluster]

[Personal Exploration Points: 0]

[Total Exploration Points: 0]

[Current Evaluation: E-]

[Note: Mission rewards depend on mission evaluation, and mission evaluation depends on total exploration points.]

[Exploration points come from exploration results, such as completing on-site planetary exploration, completing planetary data, correcting star chart errors, successfully deploying regional observation buoys, discovering civilization ruins, researching planetary history, contacting intelligent species, operating base transfer stations, discovering habitable planets and resource planets, discovering rare resources, and other behaviors.]

"The Shattered Star Ring's main storyline!" Han Xiao was excited.

This main storyline mission was large in scale and complex in its mechanics. It was a combination of a series of missions and a Faction series mission, with a difficulty of S+, mainly due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of the links.

First of all, the details of this mission would change depending on the Faction. Not all players were members of the Crimson Empire. After the Shattered Star Ring was opened, players from various Star Fields represented different forces, with different exploration areas and different reward algorithms.

Like the Crimson Empire Faction, the exploration area was larger, which meant that the difficulty was higher.

For example, exploration points were divided into personal and total. Personal points were the result of one's own efforts. Every time a certain number of points were accumulated, a reward would be given. However, the point standard for triggering stage rewards for the Crimson Empire Faction was higher than that of other Factions, but the rewards were also more generous.

Total exploration points were the sum of the personal points of players in the same Faction. Players in the same Faction needed to work together. There were also stage rewards—the total points were linked to the mission evaluation. When the total points were enough to raise the evaluation by one small level, all players in the same Faction could receive rewards, which were distributed according to the ranking of players' personal exploration points.

Each exploration area was equivalent to one link in a series of missions. After completing the area exploration, the rewards would be settled based on the evaluation. After changing to a new exploration area, personal points and total points would be cleared and recalculated. The S+ grade total mission 【The Shattered Star Ring】 would only be settled after the entire Star Field had been explored, and the rewards would be calculated based on the points and mission evaluation of each exploration area.

Han Xiao's eyes turned. The exploration had not officially started yet, but receiving this mission could be distributed to the members of the army to mobilize them in advance.

It would also let the players know that they had a new main storyline after the Secret War.

After finishing the business, the star chart flashed and retracted into Su Yi's wrist chip.

"I will report your intentions to the Empire, and there shouldn't be any problems." Su Yi smiled.

The Shattered Star Ring was the closest to the Shattered Star Ring, and its allies in this area were the first echelon of exploration pioneers. The selected areas would generally not change.

"There's one more thing." Su Yi looked at Han Xiao. "The first batch of elite personnel to receive the Evolution Cube modification has already entered the Shattered Star Ring with the Empire's transport team. They will arrive at the Colton Star Cluster in a while. Black Star, don't forget to welcome them. There will be the Empire's first wave of supplies for you in the transport team."

"Okay, I'll go back after the meeting. I'll make it in time." Han Xiao nodded and asked curiously, "Who are in the first batch of modified personnel?"

"I have a list here. Take a look." Su Yi casually sent him a copy of the information.

Opening the list and scanning through it, Han Xiao's heart stirred slightly.

There were 30,000 people on the list, all of whom were military elites selected by the Empire. There were familiar names on the list, and more than one, in the list of officers at the front.

He had a very deep impression of one of the names.

"One of the future marshals of the Empire... Taine Armelos?"

Han Xiao's eyes widened slightly.

At this moment, Su Yi continued, "After this batch of elites is modified, a small number of them will stay to participate in the development of the Shattered Star Ring, while most of them will return to the Empire to continue their training. You can go to the Central Star Sea with them to meet the Empire's upper echelons... Black Star? Black Star??"

"Oh." Han Xiao came back to his senses. "I heard you. Let's do that."

"Okay." Su Yi didn't think much about it and nodded. "That's all. I have nothing else to say."

Everyone nodded, and Han Xiao left Herber's palace, his mind still on the business they had just discussed.

...

Back in his suite, Han Xiao had barely sat down when there was a knock on the door. Hella opened the door, and several people were standing outside.

This group was representatives of other Star Cluster civilizations in the Shattered Star Ring. Seeing Han Xiao return, they followed on his heels. Han Xiao had just entered the door when they came to visit.

"Your Excellency Black Star, we hope to talk to you." One of them said with a smile.

"Please come in." Han Xiao invited them in, knowing their intentions.

Sure enough, after a few casual chats, the topic turned to the Evolution Cube.

And these people were just the beginning. After that, representatives of the various forces participating in the Overlord Gathering came to visit one after another.

Soon, 95% of the people in the entire guest room castle had arrived.

The huge suite suddenly became crowded.

The Evolution Cube was a rare commodity, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

The Overlord Gathering was originally an event for Herber to consolidate his influence, and the guests were all big figures in the Shattered Star Ring. Now, it was convenient for Han Xiao to expand his network, making a wedding dress for others.

Taking advantage of the good opportunity, Han Xiao also officially negotiated cooperation with various forces.

"Regarding the Evolution Cube, the Crimson Empire has not restricted my right to use it independently. If you want to borrow it, it's not impossible, as long as you can meet my conditions..."

Han Xiao's tone was smiling.

The big figures in the room all quieted down and listened quietly. Only Han Xiao's voice was left in the room.

Ames watched this scene from outside the crowd, her eyes fixed on Han Xiao, who was talking eloquently in the crowd, with a strange smile in her eyes.

"You're really suitable for managing a force..."