Chapter 1 News One More Sensational Than the Last

The news stories were one more sensational than the last, and many interstellar reporters were stunned. Han Xiao smiled, feeling he had basically achieved his goal.

Use the DarkStar leader to earn a wave of Faction Contribution, use new battle achievements to boost his reputation, and then use this to frame Klent… No, this time it was probably true guilt.

Han Xiao glanced at the shocked reporters and nodded to himself.

‘With these media channels, it’s estimated that the Shocking Department will be online in less than an hour.’

After Han Xiao and the Gedora and Purple Crystal sides announced the news, he got down to business. Han Xiao officially handed over the DarkStar leader to the personnel brought by Seerose the Fifth. The interface immediately rang with a series of notifications. Gedora's favorability had long since reached its maximum. The Gaulgold Medal he had obtained a few years ago had solidified their relationship as [Revered], and there was no higher level to ascend to.

On the other hand, Seerose the Fifth's personal favorability went straight to the limit of 100. Han Xiao felt that Seerose the Fifth's eyes were full of appreciation, trust, and affection, as if saying with his eyes, "Let's establish a steel-like bond, brother."

As Han Xiao expected, there were also gains in terms of Legend Points, but it wasn't about obtaining new Legend Points, but about upgrading an old one. The original [DarkStar Destroyer] was only a star system-level Legend Point, but now it had been upgraded to a star cluster-level one, greatly increasing the percentage bonus for various mission reward amounts.

The reward amount has always been very important. This is the function of the NPC template, which does not consume his own experience. He uses the amount to provide players with missions. Han Xiao has always implemented the idea of using players as a transfer station for benefits. He uses the reward amount to fertilize players every day, and then uses various means to earn back the reward amount that he could not originally use, thereby increasing his harvest.

However, in Version 2.0, Han Xiao's Faction Reward amount was not enough to benefit everyone equally. At that time, the Black Star Army's scale had not reached one million, and its territory was basically limited to Gedora's territory.

But now it's different. Only three short years have passed during the update, and the Black Star Army has expanded dozens or hundreds of times. Han Xiao's Faction Reward amount has also skyrocketed, and he doesn't know how many times it is compared to Version 2.0. If the Black Star Army's development speed continues until the opening of Version 3.0, let alone one million players, he can afford to support three million players, and the fertilizer is extremely sufficient.

It just so happens that Version 3.0 is also the peak period for the number of players in his previous life.

Han Xiao has always felt that the Reward amount is also an overall evaluation of himself. The higher his strength and influence, the higher the Reward amount, like an indirect system for evaluating influence.

The handover ceremony was very short. Han Xiao invited Seerose the Fifth to meet privately. The two left the pier, and the press conference came to an end. The interstellar reporters were very satisfied with their gains this time, feeling that the trip was worthwhile, and the crowd dispersed.

Borek was distraught, wandering aimlessly with the crowd, like a walking corpse.

The DarkStar leader was the organization's last hope. Seeing the leader captured, Borek knew that the organization had been completely destroyed and was suddenly plunged into confusion.

The sense of mission to lurk for the rise of DarkStar was the direction of his life and the driving force behind his hard work. But now, the organization he had worked so hard for had been destroyed, and Borek didn't know what to do in the future, having lost his goal.

‘Maybe, the leader's mission should be inherited by me. The future of the mixed-blood Gedora… is my responsibility!’ Borek's heart suddenly burned. He felt like he had found the goal of his life.

The numb eyes gradually regained their brightness, and a firm look appeared on Borek's face.

That's right, I am the last DarkStar. As long as I am still here, then…

Before he could regain his faith, Melos walked over and happened to see Borek. He recognized this progressive employee who had been commended throughout the entire army. He said, "Borek, the army is going to promote a group of rookies recently. Please arrange a large-scale test for the training camp as soon as possible. The reserve members who pass can be promoted."

"Understood!" Borek's mind hadn't turned around yet, but his body was already carrying out his instinct. He subconsciously stood up straight and listened to the order.

After Melos walked away, Borek fell from his beautiful imagination back to the cold reality. His waist, which had only straightened for a few seconds, slumped down again, and his whole person exuded an aura of "heart as dead ashes".

Inheriting DarkStar's mission is good, but Gedora is not what it used to be, with the Black Star Army protecting it.

As soon as he thought of this, Borek's ambition vanished.

Sigh, what kind of revolution am I going to make? Aren't I afraid of living too long? Anyway, I'm already in the shape of Black Star, so I'll just work honestly…

It's not that I don't want to be reckless, but life has smoothed out my edges (physically).

"Perhaps all of this is fate's choice."

Borek sighed and made up his mind… to accept his fate.

…

In a private reception room, Han Xiao and Seerose the Fifth sat opposite each other.

"Your Excellency Black Star, you've really given me a surprise. Without the leader, DarkStar has completely disappeared, and the internal conflicts between pure-bloods and mixed-bloods can be alleviated somewhat, at least no one will be able to provoke them anymore."

Seerose the Fifth's tone was sincere and his attitude respectful. Han Xiao's status in the Shattered Star Ring was completely different from what it used to be, and he didn't dare to be casual in his attitude.

Han Xiao nodded. "I've removed a major problem for you. I have a small request. I hope you can cooperate with the Purple Crystal people as much as possible during the trial. This is a good opportunity to deal a political blow to Klent. Although the secret war has nothing to do with you, I still hope you can cooperate."

"Of course, this is our duty!" Seerose the Fifth had an expression of unwavering commitment. Even if Han Xiao didn't say it, he would cooperate. After all, Purple Crystal was also the Star Cluster Boss they wanted to curry favor with.

"Well, the real reason I came to you this time is because there's something even more important." Han Xiao rubbed his chin. "The news of DarkStar's destruction can appropriately alleviate your internal conflicts, but it's a temporary solution. The conflicts between pure-bloods and mixed-bloods will not be eliminated because of this. In the future, there will still be radical elements who inherit DarkStar's legacy and rebel against you."

Seerose the Fifth sighed. "I know, but the sense of superiority of bloodlines is a stubborn disease that is more difficult to eradicate than the system. This is a tradition that has been inherited for countless years. So many previous leaders in history have not been able to solve this problem. They can only alleviate it, not cure it."

"That's not necessarily true." Han Xiao's lips curled up. "I have a way that might be able to further weaken your bloodline conflicts. Are you interested?"

"You have a way?" Seerose the Fifth looked dubious. "Of course I'm interested, but this is not a problem that can be solved by human power."

"Hehe, I recently made a friend. Her name is Roselyn…"

Han Xiao repeated Roselyn's experience and abilities. Although he didn't say it directly, Seerose the Fifth already understood Han Xiao's subtext, which was to use Roselyn's abilities to give the Gedora people a shallow brainwashing, reverse their concepts. To deal with deeply ingrained traditions, Roselyn was an extremely useful tool.

Seerose the Fifth opened his mouth wide, staring at Han Xiao in horror, unable to believe that his suggestion was so bold—this was directly telling the leader of a civilization that he wanted to brainwash their entire civilization!

Y-You bastard… are you being too polite?!

As the supreme leader, such an excessive request barely needed any thought. Seerose the Fifth was about to refuse, but suddenly thought of something, frowned, shut his mouth, and pondered.

Although brainwashing an entire civilization was excessive and sensitive, it seemed to be able to quickly solve the deeply rooted bloodline conflicts. Seerose the Fifth was both tempted and repulsed. According to normal methods, bloodline conflicts might never be eliminated, but taking this unorthodox approach, if something went wrong, it would be a major event involving all Gedora people.

If someone else made such a request, Seerose the Fifth would refuse without saying a word, but the person who made this request was the deeply trusted Black Star, so Seerose the Fifth did not refuse immediately, but fell into hesitation.

"This is too risky, isn't it…"

"Don't you trust me?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "In that case, we can apply for private notarization from the Purple Crystal Civilization. This can prevent me from having ulterior motives."

"But, can you ensure that Roselyn won't mess around?"

"Based on my understanding of her, she basically won't do that." Han Xiao shook his head.

[Bloodline] was the only S-grade mission in the interface. Originally, he didn't have many clues, but now that he had Roselyn, it was like having a wicked way to clear the game, which was worth a try.

It was necessary to discuss it directly with Seerose the Fifth. Otherwise, unilaterally brainwashing a star system civilization protected by the *Peace Treaty*, the consequences would be unimaginable. Han Xiao didn't have a necessary need for this mission, so he would only carry out this plan with official recognition, and brainwashing in a fair and open manner would naturally be much more efficient than doing it secretly.

Seeing that Seerose the Fifth was still hesitating, Han Xiao rolled his eyes and said, "I know what you're worried about. As the leader of a civilization, you have to help outsiders brainwash your own people. Even if your goal is good, this behavior itself is very sensitive and violates your responsibilities, but you don't necessarily have to take coercive brainwashing measures. You can give the Gedora people the right to choose."

Seerose the Fifth seemed thoughtful. Indeed, this was the aspect he was worried about.

"You can directly announce this matter to all the people, of course, you can't use the word brainwashing. You have to change it to a nicer excuse, such as instilling the belief that everyone is equal, emphasizing that it is to solve bloodline conflicts, and downplaying the possible bad results.

Then, introduce various related welfare systems, such as what new privileges people who accept brainwashing have, and people who don't accept it have to pay more taxes, or transfer bloodline conflicts into new class conflicts, use public opinion to claim that those who dare not accept brainwashing are backward people who are not motivated and stubbornly conservative, and even re-plan the colony stars, forcing people who do not accept brainwashing to live together, and establish spiritual slums, etc. Anyway, there are many means. You are a professional leader and know how to play better than me. Just weigh it yourself."

Han Xiao painstakingly persuaded him, which sounded like a devil's temptation to Seerose the Fifth, but he just couldn't make up his mind to refuse. This man's suggestion was damn sweet.

Seerose the Fifth could be like one former leader after another, not deal with bloodline conflicts, not seek merit but seek no fault, and no one would say anything.

But he also saw an opportunity because of this. Once he completed something that countless former leaders had not done, this leader of his would become one of the most brilliant leaders in history. This was an unprecedented achievement!

Seerose the Fifth gritted his teeth. "I… I'll go back and consider it. This matter is too important, and I can't make a decision now."

"That's right."

Han Xiao smiled without saying a word.

He didn't want to persuade Seerose the Fifth all at once. Do his job in his position. Even if he seduced Seerose the Fifth's selfishness, he wouldn't dare to mess around with the entire civilization. He would definitely go back and gather a think tank to conduct a brainstorming session. Without careful consideration, he would never agree.

After sending away the conflicted Seerose the Fifth, Han Xiao didn't rest and rushed to the mechanical modification room to start making machines behind closed doors.

"I've been working so hard for the Silver Heritage Blueprint for so long, and I can finally reap the rewards!"

With the ability to complete the class advancement mission, Han Xiao didn't want to delay any longer and felt that it was time to advance his class.