Chapter 1 The Sowing of Discord

The Sorokin Star Cluster, controlled by Klent, was separated from the Colton Star Cluster of the Purple Crystal by a barren belt of space. Since the outbreak of conflict, the two sides had temporarily closed their transfer stargates, and could only 'smuggle' through the barren universe.

A massive war realm fleet had just crossed the barren universe and entered Colton's border, the West Wind Star System.

This was a vanguard force mainly for probing, consisting of fifteen Expedition-class main ships, thousands of frigates and assault ships, plus special ship types, with a total of more than ten thousand warships.

There were twenty-six Calamity Grade powerhouses, including the eight vanguard officers under Overlord.

The remote commander was Jude, head of the War Realm's staff, also an A-grade powerhouse and an old subordinate of Overlord.

"...According to intelligence, the Purple Crystal has been deploying troops, preparing to intercept the vanguard force. Your primary mission is to occupy the marked uninhabited planets, use the War Fortress expansion pack provided by the Crimson Empire, and build a base.

This is a secret war that the authorities cannot intervene in. The civilization of the West Wind Star System will not send troops to stop you from building fortresses on uninhabited planets. They will not and dare not."

At this time, the staff department was holding a remote meeting. The commanders of each formation of the vanguard army, as well as the seven vanguard officers, were listening to Jude's instructions.

Only the chief vanguard officer was absent. Everyone was used to it. Under the remote command of the staff department, the vanguard officers only needed to obey orders and fight. The chief vanguard officer had a special status and his strength was awe-inspiring. Rather than attending meetings, he preferred to stay in the cultivation room. He had this privilege.

Jude analyzed the strategy for a while, then said:

"Not all star system-level civilizations in Colton's star systems are vassals of the Purple Crystal civilization. Whoever controls the star cluster, some star system civilizations do not mind. They will remain neutral and will not hinder us. Unless necessary, do not conflict with the local civilization. Let them understand Klent's intentions and befriend them..."

With the restrictions of the *Peace Treaty*, star cluster-level civilizations had protective charms. Klent's goal was not to destroy the Purple Crystal. Klent's ambition was always to expand its territory, wanting to seize several star systems from Colton. Using the War Realm as a proxy was to create a layer of intermediaries, not to provoke wars between civilizations, but to confine the conflict to the level of secret warfare.

As long as the War Realm gained a firm foothold in several star systems, Klent behind it could spread its influence through the War Realm, weaken the Purple Crystal's control in the region, slowly erode it, and make the Purple Crystal, the nominal ruler of the star cluster, exist in name only in these areas.

This did not conflict with the star system civilizations. The War Realm would not seize the jurisdiction of the star system civilizations, and would even befriend them, harming only the Purple Crystal civilization.

To put it simply, this was like two gangs fighting for protection money...

Since they seized territory, they naturally had to defend it to have a future. The invasion of the War Realm was not like DarkStar's hit-and-run tactics. This also meant that the war would be very fierce and last a long time, with brain matter splattered everywhere.

The goal of this vanguard force was to establish a bridgehead in the West Wind Star System and, at the same time, test the Purple Crystal civilization's counterattack capabilities.

The crowd nodded. They had long understood the strategic plan, and were just listening to Jude reiterate it again.

The second vanguard officer, Shoulade, pondered, "There are quite a few members of the No. 0 Bureau. There should be one or two hundred Calamity Grades. This vanguard force only has more than twenty people. Even if each of our vanguard officers is worth three, I can be worth five, and the chief can fight ten, that's still a lot of combat power short. The main force had better catch up soon."

Jude nodded, "Time is tight, and the Purple Crystal cannot mobilize too many people in a short period of time. Moreover, the enemy, like us, is also probing in the first engagement and will not send too many people to attack. The vanguard forces entering from other star systems will also distract the Purple Crystal's forces for you."

The West Wind Star System was just one of the War Realm's targets. The War Realm had the ability to branch out in multiple directions and lengthen the battle lines.

As a condition of the secret war agreement, Klent helped the War Realm to gather most of the armed forces within the star cluster. The scale of the War Realm had now expanded to a new level, and it could completely deploy hundreds of Calamity Grades.

At this moment, a virtual projection suddenly entered the remote meeting.

The crowd looked over, and the seven vanguard officers nodded and saluted.

"Chief."

This person had dark red skin, hard facial lines, and sharp eyes, with a domineering aura. The corners of his eyes, temples, lips, and jaw were covered with fine dragon scales. He seemed to be a mixed-blood dragon, but his appearance did not reveal which dragon clan he belonged to. He wore a heavy suit of armor, but could not hide his burly and majestic figure, which was even taller than Mazarks.

Forthos Sloter, the chief vanguard officer under Overlord, whose name alone was known to be cruel, nicknamed "War Dragon" and "Overlord's Left Hand", was Heber's right-hand man.

Jude asked in confusion, "Do you have any comments?"

Forthos was expressionless, his tone filled with murderous intent.

"I don't care about anyone else, Black Star must be mine."

His aura was domineering, quite like Heber.

The War Realm had long known that Han Xiao stood on the Purple Crystal's side. Black Star was an important cadre of Longtan, and because of the past grudges between the two sides, many people in the War Realm were looking forward to fighting him.

Among them, Forthos's killing intent was the most resolute.

Once, at Overlord's party, Han Xiao defeated Kailor and gained the limelight, scraping Overlord's face. Heber did not take this trivial matter to heart, but Forthos's worship of Overlord was almost fanatical. He could not tolerate anyone damaging Overlord's reputation.

Heber did not pursue the matter, but Forthos would not let it go. Black Star had long been on his must-kill list, and this secret war was a good opportunity.

Of course, everything was in the interest of the overall situation. Forthos would not act on his own for the sake of Black Star.

"As long as Black Star falls into my hands, I will kill him on the spot!"

Forthos's tone was as steely and resolute as iron, his heart unwavering.

--Daring to make a move in the War Realm's base camp, and even winning against their cadre... courting death!

...

Austin the [Warlock] floated in the palace of the Red Robe Hermit Order, explaining his understanding of magic to a group of his Forbidden Witches.

The Star Field was frequently chaotic, but he was living a very leisurely life. Anyway, he remained neutral, and no one would come to provoke him.

After lecturing for a while, Austin suddenly stopped, feeling something in his heart. He looked out at the starry sky outside the palace, his gaze seeming to penetrate the endless galaxy.

Just a moment ago, Austin was unconsciously distracted, and the Colton Star Cluster and Black Star's figure suddenly appeared in his mind.

A grand mage like him, who had mastered mystical arts, would always have inexplicable intuitions, which often had a meaning.

"Colton... Hmm, Klent and Purple Crystal are fighting, an event that is unrelated to me, why did it trigger my intuition?"

Austin was a little puzzled, talking to himself.

He was not interested in the secret war between the two star cluster civilizations. In his opinion, both sides were not only fighting for territory, but also had a deeper reason for weakening the private armed forces in their territories. Although Klent and Purple Crystal were hostile, they should have a tacit understanding on this point.

Therefore, Austin had always been unwilling to cooperate with any star cluster civilization.

"My intuition should be unrelated to the war, then the reason lies in Black Star..."

Austin chanted a few spells, casting a mystical technique. As the light flickered, he divined for a while, and his round, chubby face suddenly revealed a look of realization.

"So that's how it is, my Forbidden Witches are under his command..."

After thinking for a while, Austin stretched out his finger and pointed at a few Forbidden Witches present.

"You bring them back. If Black Star obstructs you, just say it's my intention, and he will give me some face."

The Forbidden Witches who were pointed at were taciturn, nodded slightly, and turned to leave the palace.

...

Han Xiao gathered his troops and responded to the No. 0 Bureau's emergency mobilization, arriving at the West Wind Star System to meet up with the main force of the No. 0 Bureau.

He brought three hundred modified warships, along with Lagi, as well as Melos, Aroshia, and more than a dozen other B-grade cadres. Reynold stayed behind at the base, and Sylvia, who was too weak, did not come along.

Participating in the war was to grind faction contribution points and better accumulate strength. Han Xiao would not be so straightforward as to risk his life. Sacrificing the hard-earned family fortune would be a losing business.

He would act according to his capabilities.

Other members of the No. 0 Bureau had the same idea. No one would mobilize their entire forces. Everyone had their own selfish motives. This was a common problem of joint forces.

The War Realm did not have such concerns. Overlord's will controlled all the troops.

"This is the benefit of having a Super-A Grade powerhouse."

Han Xiao sighed.

Arriving at the gathering place, there were already many allied troops waiting in formation, with a total of nearly ten thousand warships. The Arc Light Organization had provided eight hundred warships, contributing the most.

As the leader of the Black Star Army, Han Xiao was also invited to participate in the pre-war meeting.

The commander was an official from the Purple Crystal. The Purple Crystal also knew the drawbacks of the joint forces, so they sent someone to unify the command of the troops to improve efficiency.

At the meeting, Han Xiao learned about the situation they faced.

The War Realm's vanguard force had already established a bridgehead on an uninhabited planet in the West Wind Star System and deployed various defensive measures. The goal of this battle was to probe and attack, trying to destroy the vanguard force's base and drive out the enemy.

Each faction accepted their respective responsibilities, and Han Xiao also received his tactical mission.

[【Local Battle - Containment on the Flank】]

[Mission Introduction: This is the tactical instruction given to you by your faction. Complete it.]

[Mission Requirements: Contain or defeat the enemy's flank fleet]

[Note: Mission rewards will be given based on completion after this battlefield ends]

This was a small objective attached to the S-grade main mission. In different battles of the secret war, a preliminary tactical objective would be given in advance, such as the "Containment on the Flank" this time. During the battle, the tactical objective would be randomly changed based on changes on the battlefield, and new tactical missions would be obtained temporarily.

War was not a one-man affair. Doing one's duty was the most basic requirement. As long as one strictly executed the tactics, even if they lost a local battle, they would receive high-completion mission rewards - grinding faction contribution points relied on this kind of tactical mission.

Completing the tactical missions of the local battles would also improve the mission evaluation of the S-grade main mission [Secret War - No. 0 Bureau].

Han Xiao had brought three hundred warships, which were not suitable for a frontal assault, so he was sent to the flank for cover. He was not the only one assigned to this task. The missions of several other allies were also to contain the flanks.

After the meeting, Han Xiao walked out of the camp. At this time, someone called out to him from behind.

Turning his head, he saw Savitt, the leader of the Arc Light Organization for this operation, a high-level cadre of the Arc Light Organization and an A-grade powerhouse.

"Black Star, I have a favor to ask of you."

Savitt walked up quickly, revealing a friendly smile and speaking with great respect.

Han Xiao had Longtan's background, so basically everyone was very polite to him. Everyone was a knowledgeable expert, so naturally they would not make enemies of their comrades for no reason.

"Speak."

Han Xiao nodded.

"I know you are a very powerful virtual mechanic. While you are containing the flank forces, I hope you can take some time to use virtual intrusion to help us deal with the War Realm's frontal forces and reduce our pressure."

Savitt spoke earnestly.

The Arc Light Organization was responsible for the frontal assault. Savitt had heard of Han Xiao's abilities, so he came to ask for help.

"That's not a problem. If the pressure on my side isn't too great, I'll help you." Han Xiao patted Savitt on the shoulder.

"Good, thank you." Savitt was overjoyed.

After the two said goodbye, Han Xiao returned to his own camp and summoned his men to give them some instructions.

Large-scale wars were extremely dangerous, and no one could guarantee a safe return. He told everyone to pay attention to safety, protect themselves, and not think about showing off.

...

A day later, the allied forces of the No. 0 Bureau set off, heading straight for the War Realm's vanguard force's planetary stronghold.