Chapter 1 The Headquarters of the Super-A Association, Feinn Star

Today was the first regular meeting after the three major civilizations compromised. All Super-A members arrived early, curious about the agreement reached between Black Star and the three major civilizations. They waited for the president to give them an explanation.

"Speaking of which, it's quite sudden. Black Star completed peace talks with the three major civilizations without a word. I didn't even get a whiff of it," Kè Sūyé grumbled.

"I wonder what agreement the president reached with the three major civilizations in private? With Black Star's personality, it shouldn't be a disadvantage for us," Kang De said, his tone uncertain.

Of course, no one present believed the three major civilizations' external statements. Everyone knew that Black Star must have made an insider deal, but no one had found out what was going on.

"By the way, Ames, you're so close to Black Star, did he tell you anything?" Xī sīkē asked, turning his head.

"He didn't tell me," Ames said, turning her head to look at Haila, with a playful smile. "But Haila might know."

"...I don't know either. I haven't seen him recently," Haila pursed her lips and shook her head.

The crowd whispered among themselves for a while before Han Xiao's remote projection finally descended onto the main seat. He looked around and smiled.

"Everyone's here. Let's get straight to the point. The main purpose of summoning everyone this time is to inform you of the agreement I reached with the three major civilizations, as well as the association's next decision."

Han Xiao glanced around and continued when he saw that everyone was listening attentively.

"The three major civilizations have agreed to several of my conditions. They have decided to lift the blockade and sanctions, compensate us for the losses during this period, and provide additional huge compensation. In addition, they will recognize the official status of the Super-A Association and enjoy the same rights as advanced civilizations. This will be written into the Interstellar Universal Law. At the same time, we will get a highly autonomous territory on the edge of the explored universe. That's roughly it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire place was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

The Super-A members present were shocked, looking at Han Xiao in disbelief.

It wasn't that the agreement was bad, but it was too good. They never thought that Black Star could fight for such exaggerated benefits, and even that the three major civilizations would be willing to accept it.

An ordinary truce was still within the realm of understanding. However, the three major civilizations weren't just making concessions, they were practically surrendering! Only when someone had their reproductive organs twisted would they compromise to this extent!

Originally, everyone thought it would be good if the three major civilizations were willing to give some compensation, but they didn't expect such a surprise. In this way, the problems that had been troubling the association were basically solved, reducing many of their worries.

"How did you do it?" Kè Sūyé couldn't help but ask.

Han Xiao glanced subtly at the Super-As from several super-star clusters and said, "I know everyone is curious about the reason for the three major civilizations' concessions, but this matter is quite complicated and there is no definite answer for the time being. Moreover, these benefits are not free. They are part of a deal, and the price is that we have to help the three major civilizations at certain times."

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other.

Seeing this, Han Xiao spread his hands. "If anyone has any opinions, you can bring them up. The foundation of our association's existence is to respect the attitudes of all members. If you think it's not appropriate, we can discuss it again."

Baige'er immediately coughed and stated, "I think it's great. After all, we Resurrected are people who have died once. We can't enjoy the Sanctuary Resurrection. Of course, it's a good thing to avoid the risk of war."

Hearing this, many Resurrected nodded. The hypnotism of the Oathkeeper was deeply rooted in their hearts. In their opinion, if they died again, they could only go to the Underworld and live a low-desire, salted-fish life.

Dielong snorted dismissively. "Tsk, you really disappoint me. I thought I could go on a killing spree and give the three major civilizations an unforgettable lesson to repay them for what they did to me back then. I didn't expect that after hundreds of years, the three major civilizations have also become a bunch of cowards... Black Star, you too. What's there to negotiate? The three major civilizations chose to make concessions because they must be in trouble. We should beat a dog when it's down. You didn't seize such a good opportunity. I thought you were a ruthless person. I really misjudged you!"

"Hmm?"

Han Xiao raised an eyebrow and made an upward nasal sound.

Dielong snorted, his tone not weak at all:

"I didn't expect that you weren't the kind of guy who kicks people when they're down, but a wise man with great righteousness, foresight, and full of rationality. You deserve to be our leader."

"Hmm~" Han Xiao nodded in satisfaction, and the nasal sound immediately sank.

Everyone immediately looked away in disgust, tacitly ignoring Dielong's voice.

Kè Sūyé came out to smooth things over, laughing, "These conditions are all pleasant surprises. Everyone has no objections. But Black Star, the three major civilizations have only expressed their intention to stop fighting and make peace. They haven't recognized our independent status yet. Are you sure they will fulfill the agreement? I still don't think they will compromise so easily."

"There's basically no problem, but we have to wait for a while."

Han Xiao shook his head.

He had already had Heber Lun talk to the leaders of the three major civilizations, increasing their persuasiveness. Once the actual exploration of the three major civilizations had achieved certain results, it would be time to fulfill the treaty.

Moreover, the matter had caused a lot of uproar and was currently in the spotlight. The three major civilizations planned to handle it coldly for a period of time, and then announce it after the heat of public opinion had passed, reducing the response.

"I hope so," Kè Sūyé nodded, curiously asking, "Then what is the association's next development path? Do you have any ideas?"

Han Xiao shook his head. "Everyone should recover your strength first and continue to accumulate power. We'll talk about the future after the three major civilizations fulfill the agreement."

He also remembered a former idea. Once political status was recognized and autonomous territory was obtained, the association's reputation among the superpower groups would rise to a new level. Perhaps he could create a nation exclusive to superpowers, absorbing free superpowers from all over the universe, and the current association would become the ruling council managing the nation.

On the one hand, it was considering future development, and it was necessary to expand the organization's scale and recruit more people. Superpowers, as the "seedlings" of Super-As, were naturally the more the better. On the other hand, it was also to ensure independence. Ordinary superpowers living under the jurisdiction of the three major civilizations would have many worries. If there was a new place to go, they would have a choice, and someone would always be willing to become a resident here.

Moreover, the accumulated contradictions between ordinary people and the superpower class were becoming increasingly acute. Everyone disliked each other. Perhaps giving superpowers a chance to live separately was not a bad idea, and it might be good for everyone.

Of course, the three major civilizations would definitely not be happy to see this scene. Before the threat of the World Tree broke out, Han Xiao would not consider putting it into action.

‘As long as they are superpowers, any race is welcome... Hmm, this behavior looks a bit familiar.’

Han Xiao scratched his head.

If he remembered correctly, this idea was a bit like the character in a comic that was still being serialized in his previous life, it should be the "Big Mom" who established the Whole Cake Island.

Then what am I, Big Daddy?

Han Xiao threw the unreliable thought out of his mind and continued to discuss serious matters with everyone.

After more than an hour of talking, the meeting ended, and everyone dispersed with excitement and ease.

Han Xiao canceled the remote projection and had just returned to his office when Phillip popped up.

"Master, buzz, you have a high-level encrypted message, sent by the Super-Star Cluster Alliance, buzz~"

"Oh, it seems they can't hold back."

Han Xiao opened the message and glanced at it. It was a message from the Super-Star Cluster Alliance inviting him to a meeting.

He wasn't surprised by this. The association was originally cooperating with the Super-Star Cluster Alliance to fight against the three major civilizations. Now that the three major civilizations and the association had stopped targeting each other, the "third party" of the Super-Star Cluster Alliance was suddenly in a difficult position.

Moreover, the Super-A who participated in the meeting just now must have sent the agreement between the two sides back. The Super-Star Cluster Alliance was definitely anxious, fearing that the association and the three major civilizations would join hands again, so they quickly came to test his attitude.

...

Ten minutes later, in the Super-Star Cluster Alliance conference room, the leaders of the major civilizations gathered and sat upright.

Han Xiao's remote projection appeared in the room, and he immediately felt the uniform gaze.

The leader of the Star Arc Civilization spoke in a deep voice, "Black Star, we agreed at the beginning to join forces to fight against the three major civilizations, but what's going on now?"

Han Xiao shrugged. "The goal of the struggle is to seek peace. The association's goal has been achieved, so naturally there is no need to continue fighting the three major civilizations. This is beneficial to the association."

"What about our alliance?"

Han Xiao said unhurriedly, "Our previous alliance had a total of four conditions. Apart from the first condition, which was to fight against the three major civilizations, the other three were two-way resource docking and cooperation. We can continue to cooperate in the future."

The leader of the Star Arc Civilization couldn't help but say, "What if the three major civilizations have objections? You won't break the alliance because of this?"

"Since the three major civilizations have admitted that the association can independently keep the virtual virus technology, it is tantamount to admitting that others have no right to interfere in the association's internal affairs. Which Interstellar Universal Law did my alliance with you violate? What can they do if they have objections?" Han Xiao spread his hands. "Perhaps we can change the first alliance condition and change the condition of jointly fighting against the three major civilizations into the condition that the association cannot actively attack the Super-Star Cluster Civilization except for retaliatory measures. At the same time, the Sanctuary Resurrection quota I promised you is still valid."

Hearing this, everyone was a little surprised. They were prepared for Black Star to go back on his word, but it seemed that Black Star was easy to talk to at the moment.

Han Xiao smiled and said, "To put it bluntly, we don't trust the three major civilizations, so we need to keep a way out. Therefore, we are willing to maintain a good relationship with the Super-Star Cluster Alliance. When the association encountered a blockade, you extended a helping hand. I am personally willing to continue cooperating on an emotional level. I still have this credibility."

"So that's how it is..."

The leader of the Star Arc Civilization breathed a sigh of relief.

Although it felt like having an affair, this result was barely acceptable. The main thing was that Black Star didn't intend to renege on the Sanctuary Resurrection quota, which was good.

What if you're riding two boats? At least we still have the qualifications to be ridden!

As long as we feel good, we can accept being a backup!

...

After the parties expressed their views one after another, even if various conspiracy theories were rampant, the situation quickly calmed down, and interstellar citizens and major forces slowly returned to their usual lives.

The blockade ban was lifted, and the association's various channels were restarted one after another, gradually returning to normal operation. However, the plan to integrate the black market did not stop and was still being carried out by many players.

Big things happened every day, and ordinary people had to continue their lives. The entanglement between the three major civilizations and the association gradually became a topic of conversation after dinner and was no longer on people's lips every day.

But beneath the surface of peace, undercurrents were surging. The three major civilizations were secretly preparing for war and carrying out intensive exploration. The wormhole data left by the Otherworldy Deities was named "World Tree Passage".

With Han Xiao's reminder, the exploration of the three major civilizations was very careful, and they had not yet encountered any life from the World Tree Civilization.

At the same time, the three major civilizations listened to Han Xiao's suggestion and organized a joint expeditionary force, planning to enter the deep layers of the secondary dimensions to find the so-called World Tree body.

Sub-dimensional world, Imperial outpost.

A large-scale expeditionary fleet was gathering here, carrying out the final inspection before departure. The wharf was full of soldiers from the three major civilizations coming and going, with serious faces.

Han Xiao stood on the pier, watching this scene.

Harrison stood beside him with his bag on his back, a little at a loss, and weakly said,

"Your Excellency Black Star, what exactly is this fleet going to find? Why do I have to participate..."

"To find something that concerns the fate of the explored universe."

Han Xiao patted him on the shoulder.

"Do I have to go..." Harrison was almost crying.

He was still young now and not the old explorer he was in his previous life. Moreover, the World Tree War had not yet broken out, and it was not yet a time of total war. He could not yet put life and death aside.

Expeditions to the deep secondary dimensions were not easy tasks. They had to go through countless bizarre secondary dimension worlds, and who knew what they would encounter. One improper response would result in heavy losses, and communication was inconvenient. It was like an isolated army that could not maintain stable contact with the rear.

"What are you afraid of? Didn't I leave you a lot of equipment? If you encounter danger, they are enough to protect you. If that doesn't work, didn't you also bring a set of Ruler clones and a throne? I can teleport over at any time."

Han Xiao patted him on the head.

"I'm afraid I won't have time to call you before I die," Harrison said with a look of despair. "Moreover, so many people are participating. What's the point of having me?"

Han Xiao was helpless and couldn't answer.

In his previous life, Harrison discovered the World Tree body, but this time, who knew if the Goddess of Luck would favor him.

Moreover, the World Tree body was not without protection. Countless dependents were entrenched in the surrounding secondary dimensions, which was extremely dangerous. When the fleet discovered them, it was also when the World Tree discovered them.

However, if they couldn't find the World Tree body, the chances of winning were slim. Sending out an expeditionary force in advance was already one step ahead.

Han Xiao was currently the only outsider cooperating with the three major civilizations to explore the World Tree. In addition to Harrison, he also selected some trusted people to participate in the first batch of sub-dimensional expeditionary forces. Most of them were mechanical lives, mixed with some Black Star Race.

After comforting Harrison for a while, the expeditionary fleet was finally ready.

Harrison took three steps and looked back, finally embarking on the spaceship like he was going to his heroic death.

In the roar of the sub-dimensional dedicated engine, the joint expeditionary fleet slowly set sail, turning into streaks of light and disappearing into the sight of everyone, heading towards the unknown future.