Chapter 1 Diplomacy

The EsGod Faction had a diplomatic embassy on the mother planet of the Crimson Dynasty. The diplomatic ambassador visited the Tyrannical Hamil Palace, the political core of the dynasty, to consult and negotiate with the relevant responsible officials of the dynasty on the matter of the ransom for Dillon and Metheus.

The negotiations had been going on for several months. From the beginning, when the dynasty officials were unyielding, they had gradually accepted some conditions. The diplomatic ambassador of the EsGod Faction knew that he was making progress step by step.

"Regarding Clause 53 of the ransom, we have additional information…"

The diplomatic ambassador spoke eloquently, and the dynasty officials nodded and listened, occasionally asking a question or two. In this matter, they did not have the power to make their own decisions. In fact, they were just mouthpieces for the higher-ups on both sides, and their attitude was the attitude of the higher-ups.

After listening for a while, the dynasty official's communicator suddenly rang. After receiving the message, the diplomatic ambassador tactfully stopped speaking, signaling to wait until he finished dealing with it before continuing.

The dynasty official opened the communicator, glanced at it a few times, and then put the communicator away.

Seeing this, the diplomatic ambassador was about to continue, but the dynasty official raised his palm, signaling him to stop.

"Let's call it a day. All previous conditions are overturned. Go back and make a new ransom agreement."

The diplomatic ambassador was shocked. "Weren't the previous agreements already discussed? Why suddenly…"

The dynasty official waved his hand, interrupting the other party's words. He stood up, looked down at the diplomatic ambassador, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, a smile that made the diplomatic ambassador feel uneasy with a sense of smugness and superiority.

"Go back and wait for news from your higher-ups, or you can watch the news today, and you will know why."

…

Three months later, there was new progress in the situation between the Crimson Dynasty and the EsGod Faction.

On this day, the dynasty issued a new statement to the entire universe, announcing that they had successfully captured two Super A Grades from the EsGod Faction. Thus, the dynasty had four prisoners in its hands.

The dynasty's counterattack was like thunder, making many forces in the universe tremble. Seeing the EsGod Faction suffer such a great loss, some gloated, some rejoiced secretly, and some shared the same hatred.

In more than a dozen star fields, among the interstellar citizens of countless civilizations, this news also caused a sensation. In the eyes of ordinary people, Super A Grades were almost like gods, as far away as legends. This time, a full four high and mighty Super A Grades had fallen from grace and become prisoners.

Since the beginning of the Star Sea Calendar, it had been many years since there had been an incident of a group of Super A Grades being captured. Countless interstellar citizens felt as if they were witnessing history, and this sensational event would surely be recorded in history.

On the forum, the players' views on this incident focused on another angle.

The Regional Search mission had been completed, and the players who provided clues shared a generous reward. In the legion program, Phillip sent them a unified message, praising them for their contributions, which proved that they had contributed to the dynasty capturing the two Super A Grades.

Several players who initially discovered the abnormality of Sagman and the other posted on the forum to publicize their rewards, which made many players realize that the direction of this major event plot had been inadvertently changed by them, and they had participated in this plot, causing a considerable impact.

From Version 1.0 to 3.0, players gradually realized that their influence on the plot was increasing, and their intervention in the Star Sea was deepening. Usually, when performing side quests on weak planets, players could feel their influence in changing the plot, but this time, they were changing a major event plot related to the struggle with a universe-level civilization, which was several levels higher.

The sense of accomplishment and fun brought by realizing the importance of one's actions was more gratifying than simple mission rewards.

This incident was also recorded by the players in the chronicles of the Shattered Star Ring.

Every player could write chronicles, which caused redundant consequences. The officials would screen the events, sort them out, and put some trivial matters in the appendix. Only such noteworthy major events could be put in the main post. The players who wrote the post could sign their names and receive rewards, which many people were proud of.

…

In another star cluster of the Shattered Star Ring, a snake-like fleet lined up in front of a public Star Gate station, among which was an inconspicuous ordinary spaceship.

Inside the ship, the virtual screen was displaying a news report, the dynasty news station announced the results of the pursuit operation, and two Super A Grades from the EsGod Faction were captured alive.

*Ding.*

The virtual screen was turned off.

Nija put down the remote control, supported his forehead with one hand, and his expression was very complicated.

"Sagman and the others were captured by the dynasty…"

Of the four people who escaped Shining World together, two had already been captured, and Sisko's situation was also very bad. It seemed that only he could safely escape the Shattered Star Ring. Nija couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow for his fallen comrades.

He remembered that when they set off, the six of them were full of confidence and felt that it was a sure thing. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, they had been completely wiped out, fleeing in panic, and many were captured, leaving only a mess.

He heard that the higher-ups of the EsGod Faction were negotiating with the Crimson Dynasty to discuss the ransom, but now, the dynasty had two more bargaining chips in its hands. The price the EsGod Faction had to pay was even greater. Moreover, he did not think that the Crimson Dynasty would allow the EsGod Faction to redeem everyone. Among the four captured, some would probably experience long-term imprisonment.

"At least… I brought back the Allgod's Staff…"

Nija shook his head gently. Now, he could only use this excuse to comfort himself and the EsGod Faction.

…

"Fortunately, Nija brought the Allgod's Staff, and didn't let the dynasty snatch it…"

At the EsGod Faction's Bishop Council meeting, many bishops frowned. Someone said this in a tone of relief, only to be met with a helpless glance from others.

One of the bishops sighed, "We activated the spy network in the Shattered Star Ring, but we couldn't bring back all the Super A Grade combat power. The price we paid far exceeded the benefits. Sagman and Tylerdy fell into the hands of the dynasty, increasing the bargaining chips in their hands. We need to pay more ransom. The dynasty won't be polite to us."

The ransom between two universe-level civilizations would not be simple money, but political, military, and economic conditions in many aspects.

The conference table was filled with gloom, and the bishops looked lost, with no time to be angry.

Dillon, Metheus, Tylerdy, and Sagman did not only represent themselves. The four of them each had their own Super A Grade forces, which were huge and full of experts. Now that the leaders were captured, these Super A Grade forces were in turmoil and panic. The EsGod Faction had to stabilize these allied forces and bear huge pressure.

In addition to the attention of other Super A Grade combat powers, the EsGod Faction not only had to redeem people, but also had to do it as soon as possible, so as not to chill the hearts of its allies, otherwise it would be difficult to attract new Super A Grades to work for them in the future.

There would always be old Super A Grades who died and new Super A Grades who were born. The time scale of civilizations was very long, and the Super A Grades under their command were constantly updated and iterated. From a long-term perspective, the reputation and credibility of civilizations in this regard were more important than the four captured themselves.

In terms of updates and iterations, the Crimson Dynasty currently had an absolute advantage…

As the record holder for the fastest time to reach Super A Grade, Black Star was undoubtedly a potential stock. After this battle, Black Star, who had only reached Super A Grade not long ago, had initially shown his edge faster than many forces had expected.

In the foreseeable future, with the abilities Black Star had shown, he would definitely become a strong man that the Crimson Dynasty could rely on. The most terrible thing was Black Star's age. He was the youngest of all Super A Grades and could serve the dynasty for hundreds or thousands of years.

In other words, they would probably have to deal with this guy constantly for the next few hundred years.

The higher-ups of the EsGod Faction were jealous and disillusioned at the thought that the Crimson Dynasty had such a potential stock.

They also wanted to strangle Black Star, but this attempt caused them heavy losses. The EsGod Faction was forced to temporarily give up the Evolution Cube.

Before eliminating the impact of this incident, the EsGod Faction did not intend to find trouble with Black Star again, and did not even want to look at him.

The EsGod Faction admitted that they had suffered a loss this time.

This debt would be recorded for now.

It would be settled in the future.

There was still a long way to go!

…

"Sagman and the others have suffered a loss this time."

In a dark room, the Super A Grades of the EsGod Faction gathered here through remote projection. The seats at the round table were vacant in six places.

Due to this incident, the Super A Grades of the EsGod Faction gathered together to discuss this storm.

"When the EsGod Faction planned this operation, they came to me. They only saw the huge difference in combat power, so they thought it was impossible to fail, but I felt there was a risk, so I refused the call. Metheus, that reckless man, replaced my position. Now it seems that I was lucky not to agree at that time." Someone couldn't help but say in hindsight.

"It's a pity that I'm being watched by many forces and can't be transferred secretly. Otherwise, if I had participated in this operation, the result would have been different." Someone else said lightly.

The EsGod Faction also had existences similar to the Crimson Dynasty's Three Great Pillars, but the strongest few Super A Grades did not participate in this operation, because they were strong, so they were more closely monitored, and any disturbance would attract attention. The EsGod Faction believed that the Allgod's Staff and numerical advantage were enough to crush the dynasty, so they found Sagman and six Super A Grades. The highest strength, Sagman and Nija, were still far from the strongest Super A Grades.

"However, no matter what, Sagman and the others had a numerical advantage, but they still failed to snatch the Evolution Cube. The abilities Black Star showed this time were an unexpected factor. It seems we have another strong opponent."

"Well… in a few decades, the dynasty's Three Pillars will probably become the dynasty's Four Pillars…"

The impression of Han Xiao in the minds of the Super A Grades present became even deeper as allies of the same camp suffered at the hands of Black Star.

"What do you think, everyone? Are we waiting for the EsGod Faction to redeem people, or are we going to intercept the dynasty's fleet escorting the prisoners and rescue them midway?"

"Let's wait and see. If the EsGod Faction can solve the problem, let's not complicate the situation… Besides, the intelligence from the EsGod Faction shows that Black Star can seal Super A Grades. Although I don't know what kind of universe treasure it is, it's obviously not that easy to break."

Everyone nodded, and they were all wary of the second mysterious universe treasure in Han Xiao's hand.

According to the general practice, the most important condition for rescuing the four Super A Grade prisoners that the dynasty was escorting was to cooperate from the inside out.

Now, the EsGod Faction said that Black Star could seal Super A Grades. With the intelligence capabilities of a universe-level civilization, this was definitely not groundless.

The difficulty of rescuing them midway without internal and external cooperation would increase sharply. It seemed to be just an insignificant change, but it affected the whole situation.

The Super A Grades present had friendships with Sagman and the others, but this friendship was not enough to make them take risks.

…

The faint blue spatial energy vortex stirred up ripples like tides, and a mighty dynasty fleet spewed out orange-red propulsion flames and slowly drove out of the Star Gate, leaving behind trails of afterimages that slowly faded away, among which was a giant dragon whose size was comparable to a battleship.

The faint light of the Star Gate sprinkled on the hull of each battleship, leaving mottled light and shadows on the angular mechanical structure of the hull, illuminating the armor cracks and dents, and the damaged outer armor was full of battle traces.

Several Black Star Army spaceships hovered not far from the Star Gate, slowly approaching the heavily armed main ship of this fleet. The damage to the main ship was especially terrible, with large areas of armor plate torn off, and dozens of holes filled with nano-repair materials, all indicating the intensity of the battle.

The spaceship docked with the main ship, and the mechanical structures around the hatch were embedded and locked together, completing the connection.

*Chi-*

The hatch slid open, and Han Xiao walked into the main ship along the passage. Under the guidance of the dynasty soldiers, he came all the way to the heavily guarded detention area, where two restraint cabins were placed.

The inner walls of the restraint cabin were made of an extremely tough alloy material, which was difficult to escape from the inside out. The internal structure was automatically adjusted according to the prisoner's body size to fix it. The sandwich layer was equipped with various devices to provide high pressure, electromagnetic fields for restraint, and weaken the transmission of energy. The two restraint cabins were currently holding Sagman and the other.

The restraint cabin could not completely restrict Super A Grades, but the two had been seriously injured and were unable to break free, and Herber, Beonil, and other dynasty Super A Grades were watching from the side.

Han Xiao's main body came to join them in order to use the Time Amber to completely seal the two.

"Sovereign." Uldir and other Apostle Weapons greeted him.

"Thank you for your hard work." Han Xiao nodded and took back the mechanical body.

The mechanical body carried his [Sovereign's Descent] and fought against Sagman and the other. It was impossible to be unscathed and needed to be repaired to a certain extent.

Sagman and the other had nowhere to escape and fought with all their might. The combat power they burst out with was not to be underestimated. Especially Sagman, when he used all his abilities, his destructive power was amazing and caused a certain amount of damage to the fleet, but in the end, he was still suppressed by the dynasty Super A Grades.

Tarrokov's remote projection came forward and nodded, "You're here, I've been waiting for you."

"Release them." Han Xiao asked the dynasty soldiers to open the restraint cabins, took out the Time Amber, and sealed Sagman and Tylerdy one after another.

"This is much safer, there will be no risk of escape." Tarrokov tapped the amber ball with satisfaction.

Ravenlaude couldn't help but look at Han Xiao. He felt that the Time Amber was more and more useful, and he was lost, envious.

Tarrokov asked the soldiers to move the two amber balls away and took Han Xiao and the others to the conference room.

After everyone was seated, he looked at Han Xiao and said, "Your Excellency the Marshal is satisfied with our progress. She has learned of Black Star's contribution and has specially given him praise."

Han Xiao nodded. He had contributed a lot to the pursuit operation, providing a lot of intelligence. After capturing the two, his panel gave a prompt and he received 4,500 dynasty contribution points.

Not only that, Tarrokov had also privately revealed to him that this contribution would make the dynasty tend to favor him in the division of the Shining World territory, and he would have the opportunity to obtain a larger and better fief.

This sudden incident not only turned the danger into safety, but also turned the tables. The dynasty higher-ups now had a very good impression of Han Xiao.

"The dynasty's pursuit operation is over. After that, we will vigorously search for spies from the EsGod Faction, but this work will be taken over by the Intelligence Bureau. The dynasty has another mission for you."

Tarrokov changed the subject, "Next, the dynasty needs you to escort the four prisoners to the Star Cluster Corridor to prevent the EsGod Faction from intercepting them along the way."

Everyone nodded. It was right to be cautious, and they could not lose these bargaining chips due to carelessness.

"However, the escort personnel do not include Black Star and the Overlord."

Everyone looked over, and Han Xiao and Herber were a little surprised.

"What do you want us to do?" Herber asked in a deep voice.

Tarrokov opened the star map, zoomed in on the view, and pointed to the territory of the Star Pupils Civilization.

"I need you two to lead some dynasty fleets to the territory of the Star Pupils Civilization."

"To catch Sisko?" Herber frowned.

"No, you're just going to put pressure on them." Tarrokov shook his head, "Sisko's situation is different from others. He's a civilization leader, and his base camp is in the Shattered Star Ring. Originally, the dynasty did plan to deal with him, but after you caught Sagman and Tylerdy, Your Excellency the Marshal canceled this plan. You can treat it as a kind of balance-oriented concession."

"Well, that's not bad." Macrocell interjected, "We have four prisoners in our hands, and Sisko is a person who has nowhere to escape. Continuing to pursue him may not be a good thing for the dynasty."

The other few people had no roots in the Shattered Star Ring. If they were caught, they could only blame themselves for not escaping. Sisko was someone who could not run away from the temple, but if the dynasty went to the territory of a quasi-Star Cluster-level civilization and forcibly took away their civilization leader, it would cause a lot of backlash, and the EsGod Faction could not sit idly by and watch the forces they protected be bullied like this, otherwise they would lose the trust of their allies.

The dynasty was not afraid of these consequences, but since they had captured new prisoners, they did not need Sisko as a backup option. If it was not necessary, the dynasty did not want to cause excessive backlash, so they changed the original plan and acted according to the circumstances.

Of course, not catching Sisko did not mean that they would not pursue his actions. It was very necessary to contain the development of the Star Pupils Civilization. If they could drive a force close to the EsGod Faction out of this star field, that would be great.

In order to develop Shining World, the Crimson Dynasty mobilized hundreds of millions of warships. Now that they had transferred part of the fleet to the Shattered Star Ring, the armed forces that could be mobilized in this star field even exceeded the total of the other two. Even if the Light Federation was the nominal ruler here, it was useless.

In a word, they could do whatever they wanted.

"What a pity." Han Xiao raised his eyebrows. He could not catch the other party, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. He had always been very interested in Sisko's body structure. Every time he saw Sisko, he wanted to poke this guy's eyes.

However, he had taken away the "treasure of the clan" in the eyes of the Star Pupils Civilization, and the two sides were at odds with each other. Now, they were going to put pressure on other people's territory aggressively, which seemed a little too arrogant.

'It seems I have to bring more people, so I don't get beaten up…' Han Xiao thought to himself.