Chapter 1280 - Withdrawal and Conditions (2/2)
On the Star Pupil Civilization’s mother planet, Psyker stood in front of the window, overlooking the bustling city. Flying vehicles passed as they emitted trails of flames in the neighborhood, and the glow was reflected across his seven pupils simultaneously, like countless flashing meteors.
At this moment, a few of the upper echelons walked into his office.
“Has everything been settled?” Psyker blandly asked, without turning his head back.
“Yes… we’ve made them express their attitude in the council,” someone replied with a low voice. They seemed rather disappointed.
Psyker turned around and slowly said, “Get ready for my retirement ceremony as soon as possible.”
Upon hearing this, the expressions of several of the upper echelons became heavier. They revealed a sense of helpless sorrow.
Seeing this, Psyker smiled. “You will soon take over my authority. Don’t be so glum.”
One of them could not help but grit his teeth and ask, “Do you have to do this? Can’t we be like Planet Aquamarine and express our objections?”
Hearing this, Psyker fell silent. “… I’m not Black Star. He alone can make the three Universal Civilizations fear his presence. I don’t have that ability.”
Psyker was uncomfortable in his heart. He shook his head gently before looking out of the window again as he whispered, “If we wish for the civilization to avoid the attacks of the three Universal Civilizations, then I can only step down… In the end, we are all involuntary people trapped within the torrent of the times.”
The three Universal Civilizations’ sanctions specified that the Beyond Grade A could not interfere in civilization politics in any form, even if they had always been the leader of the civilization. Psyker attached importance to the Sanctum Revival, but he could not sit back and watch his civilization be sanctioned. Thus, he decided to surrender his power and step down.
As the saying went, when there were policies at the top, there would be countermeasures from the bottom. As long as the political connection between himself and his civilization was broken, the Star Pupil Civilization would not meet the standard to be sanctioned and would not be downgraded. After becoming a free man, he could also throw himself into the struggle of the Beyond Grade As without any baggage.
At the same time, Psyker was not completely letting go. Going rogue was just a temporary measure to avoid the limelight. If the association reached a balance with the three Universal Civilizations, he would still have the chance to regain power.
Furthermore, having led his civilization for so long, he wished to let go and take a break.
“I understand.”
The rest of the upper echelons helplessly nodded.
At this moment, someone thought of something and said, “By the way, the Shattered Star Ring Council passed a bill, asking us to cooperate with the sanctions. What should we do?”
Psyker’s eyes flashed, his tone playful, as he replied, “You guys decide. I’ll just remind you not to take it so seriously. The civilizations of Shattered Star Ring are cooperating with each other, but no one will do their best… because all of them are smart, knowing that both the three Universal Civilizations and the Beyond Grade A Association cannot be offended. If we leave ourselves a way out, we will have better days ahead. Don’t worry about that. The civilizations themselves know what to do.”
…
In the Super Star Cluster Alliance remote conference room, the rest of the Star Cluster leaders gathered in a hall, everyone showing solemn expressions, displaying a majestic attitude.
Everyone was serious as though awaiting a distinguished guest. It was precisely Han Xiao.
A few days ago, after learning about the attitude of the association, the Super Star Cluster Alliance had issued a private invitation to Black Star to have a meeting with them and received a positive answer.
The leaders had made a show out of this meeting. On one hand, they wished to show their sincerity and cooperation to Black Star… Basically, they were willing to pretend and butter up to him.
Time ticked by, and Han Xiao’s projection suddenly appeared.
Surveying around, Han Xiao greeted, “Hey, everyone’s here?”
“Your Excellency Black Star.”
Everyone nodded.
This should be the first time all the leaders of the Super Star Cluster Alliance were speaking with Black Star. No matter what emotions they had, everyone suppressed them to be cordial.
In fact, most of the grievances between the Super Star Cluster Civilization and Han Xiao were only limited to the friction during the Flickering War, which was no deep hatred.
Only the Three Kings of Modo secretly clenched their fists, trembling in anger.
Their grudges with Han Xiao were the greatest, since they were directly kicked out of the Flickering War. There was also one of their leaders whom they suspected to have died in an assassination from the Black Star Army. The other party’s hands were covered in Modo blood.
If it were not for the overall situation, the Three Kings of Modo would have pounced on Han Xiao.
Han Xiao swept his gaze across the room, disregarding them as he slowly spoke. “I’m quite busy, and I believe everyone knows why, so let’s make this long story short. I also roughly understand the purpose of you inviting me to meet. From your standpoint, you also hope that there’ll be an organization that can resist against the three Universal Civilizations. Now that we have flipped the table with the three Universal Civilizations, the association needs new allies. As long as their price is right, cooperation between our two parties will not be a problem.”
“Very good, this is also what we want.” The leader of Star Arc Civilization coughed and expressed their agreement as the representative. “So, what do you want?”
“Channels, territories, resources, funds, intelligence networks…” Han Xiao listed the most urgent needs of the association, as well as hiding the rare materials needed for the Sanctum key openings within.
After discussion, the Star Arc Civilization’s leader nodded. “These things can be provided, and the share meets your requirements. Long-term supply will also not be a problem. In order to show our sincerity, we will give them to you as soon as possible.”
“Then your conditions?” Han Xiao calmly replied.
“First, we hope that the association will continue to confront the three Universal Civilizations and carry out more counterattacks.” The leader stretched out a finger.
“Sure.”
“Second, we hope to get assistance from the association’s top people, such as combat strength, techniques, and the like.”
“Okay.”
“Third, we hope the association can provide its own channels and special products. Working closely with the Super Star Cluster Alliance will help both of us achieve a win-win situation.”
“Okay.”
“Lastly… we hope that you will use the Sanctum Revival to resurrect all of our dead Beyond Grade As, especially those who were sacrificed during the Tragedy of the Pinnacles!”
As his voice sounded, everyone became more eager, staring firmly at Han Xiao.
The last condition was their core requirement. If they could resurrect their direct ancestors, then in terms of advanced combatants, the Super Star Cluster Alliance would be able to stand up against the three Universal Civilizations.
Moreover, the Tragedy of the Pinnacles was an eternal thorn in their hides. If this could be remedied, then it would all be worth it!
Han Xiao did not find it surprising. He stared at everyone with a playful smile, but a cold gleam seemed to flash across his eyes like that of a reaper’s scythe.
“The three Universal Civilizations gave the same conditions, and I rejected them. However, that was then, and this is now. I can consider this request… but the current price you are offering is far from enough.”