The musicians started to play, and the party officially began. The guests all had their own interests, so they spread out and found a more private place to discuss business.
Heber brought a few guests up the stairs. Not far away, the Klent high official also brought a few people up the stairs from the other side.
Seeing this, Han Xiao could not help but narrow his eyes, deep in thought.
The Tyrant and the Klents are allies, and he has secretly sided with the Red Empire. Maybe the Klents have also become friends with the Red Empire, and it happened even earlier than the Tyrant. After all, if the Red Empire wants to rope in the organizations in the Shattered Star Ring, their first choice should be the Star Cluster civilizations. The Klents were roped in first, and then they recommended their ally, the Bloodshed Land. The Tyrant recommended the envoy to the Dragon Emperor and the Magus. It's very likely that the Klents asked him to communicate with the Beyond Grade As …
Han Xiao's thoughts turned quickly. This meant that among the seven Star Cluster civilizations in the Shattered Star Ring, the Klent Kingdom had most likely sided with the Red Empire.
Connecting it to the storyline in his previous life, the main storyline of Version 3.0 [Crimson Tide] was that the expansion of the Red Empire had shaken all the Star Fields, and the Shattered Star Ring was no exception. However, a lot of the chaos was not directly caused by the Red Empire but by the organizations of the various Star Fields.
At that time, the players did not know the inside story, but now, Han Xiao had connected the two. Maybe the organizations causing trouble in the [Crimson Tide] were all instructed by the Red Empire to cause chaos in the galaxy.
Heber did not introduce Zoel to all the guests. It was probably because the Red Empire did not want to be too conspicuous and would only talk to the representatives of some of the stronger organizations in private, just like the Beyond Grade A meeting yesterday.
"The storm has already begun to brew …"
Han Xiao shook his head silently. According to his calculations, the impact of the Red Empire's actions would not appear in Version 2.0 for the time being. The biggest possibility was that it would happen gradually in the ten years after the Version 2.0 update and evolve into Version 3.0 [Crimson Tide].
Currently, it was still the early stages of Version 2.0. Other than the Blue Star players, the players from the other novice planets were still playing in the mud. There were still a few years until the version update. During this time, the possibility of something big happening was very low.
The Blue Star players' original Main Storyline was the battle between Dark-star and Godora. Now that Dark-star had collapsed, the Black Star Corps had become the players' new Main Storyline. The storyline had become a semi-free exploration mode. Therefore, the players would not encounter any major events in Version 2.0.
This was the best time to develop a faction.
While Han Technician was pondering, Rossozzi came over.
"Black Star, I have something to discuss with you."
"Sir Rossos, what do you suggest?"
Han Xiao came back to his senses, smiled slightly, and nodded in greeting.
Rossos habitually rubbed the messy tentacles on his chin and said, "I wish to invest in Floating Dragon and your Black Star Corps. Perhaps we should discuss the terms of cooperation in detail."
Han Xiao's eyes sparkled. Woah, I'm in luck. Another money-giver!
He turned around and took a look. Ames did not object and gave Han Xiao full authority to decide. Han Xiao then pulled Rossos to the side, and the two of them started to discuss the details.
Not long after, the two of them quickly finalized the investment plan. The terms were similar to the Noriose Financial Group's. Both financial groups would provide resources to Floating Dragon and the Black Star Corps for a long time in exchange for other benefits.
Investing in armed forces had always been an important investment for large financial groups, and Rossos was no exception. After confirming the details, he walked away with satisfaction.
The official contract and funds would be sent over after the meeting. Han Xiao was very happy. This way, the Black Star Corps would have one more sponsor, which would be very helpful for the development of the faction. Noriose Financial Group and Rossos Financial Group were the financial backers of the Black Star Corps for the time being.
"Black Star."
This time, someone called out to him.
Han Xiao turned around and saw that the person who had spoken was Austin. He had brought a group of Forbidden Sorcerers with him.
"Your Excellency Magus, why are you looking for me?" Facing a Beyond Grade A, Han Xiao's eyes were very solemn.
Austin did not say anything. He smiled faintly and opened his palm. A deep blue light lit up in his palm, turning into a vortex. Very soon, the light disappeared, and a small gray ball appeared in his palm.
Han Xiao took a closer look. This small ball was not a physical object but a cluster of gray mist. It was surging but was compressed by some kind of energy, maintaining the shape of a small ball.
"This is …" Han Xiao was a little confused. He could not figure out Austin's intentions.
Austin played with the gray mist ball and slowly said, "Once, my spiritual body was roaming in a certain phantom level secondary plane and encountered a powerful and strange Void Lord. It almost corroded my spiritual body, but I defeated it in the end. This is the core essence left behind by that Void Lord. I want to give it to you."
Han Xiao was stunned.
The core essence of a Void Lord was an extremely rare item. Almost only Mages could collect this material.
Traveling to secondary planes was an ability that only high-level Mages had, and they could often obtain all kinds of strange items.
In terms of profiteering … cough, in terms of production, Mages and Mechanics were the best among the five Super classes. In terms of collecting materials, Mages might even be better than Mechanics.
Mechanics were in a state of bankruptcy all year round, while Mages were the opposite. A class that could burn mana to make money at zero cost (enchantment) was practically the public enemy. They were not called Mages for nothing.
Han Xiao knew very well that one who was unaccountably solicitous was hiding evil intentions. What did Austin mean by suddenly giving him a gift? He could not be trying to steal him like Heber, right? Heber took the direct route. Could it be that Austin took the indirect route?
"Why are you giving it to me?"
"Because I feel that you might need it more than me." Austin winked.
Hearing this, Han Xiao suddenly had an idea.
Right, when I used Observer's Mark on Zoel yesterday, I was discovered by Austin.
Could that be the reason?
"You're not a Mage, but you can use Void Energy. Looks like you've been corroded by Void Genes before. Most species that are corroded by Void Genes end up becoming monsters, but you managed to control it and turn it into your own ability. You're very lucky. Since that's the case, the Void Lord's Core Essence can strengthen this ability and give you more power …" Austin confirmed Han Xiao's guess.
Austin did not know that Han Xiao had the player interface. The way he saw it, Black Star being able to use Void Energy was only because he had been corroded by Void Genes. Furthermore, Floating Dragon Island happened to have Void Dragon skeletons buried there, so he thought that he had guessed what had happened. Thus, he wanted to help Ames' officers.
In any case, it was a piece of cake for him.
"…" Han Xiao could only cough and agree with Austin's words. He started to ponder in silence.
He was already a Void Race, and the Void Lord's Core Essence could strengthen his Void Genes and increase his attributes. Furthermore, during the next Race Evolution, he would have a chance to skip the next stage of the evolution chain and enter the later stages, where stronger Void Species options would appear.
It was indeed very useful. It was a good thing, and its rarity was at the level where it was priceless.
"What do I have to pay?" Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. Although he was tempted, he knew that he should not accept something that he did not deserve.
Austin had a lot of resources, and the Void Lord's Core Essence was just a drop in the ocean. However, he did not feel that Austin needed to give it to him.
Even if Austin was helping Ames' officers because of her, Han Xiao was not willing to accept the kindness of an unfamiliar Beyond Grade A.
His relationship with Austin had not reached the point where he could accept a gift with a clear conscience.
"This is for you. You don't have to, hmm …" Austin seemed to have thought of something. He suddenly changed his words halfway through his sentence. "Perhaps there will be a day when I will need your help. Just treat this as an advance payment."
"Sounds good, as long as it doesn't go against my principles."
"Of course."
Han Xiao put the item in his pocket and nodded at Austin to thank him.
Austin smiled, and his face looked very cute. He slowly said, "Heber is a little stupid, and Ames is not attentive. I know your potential better than them. Maybe one day, you'll leave the Dragon Emperor and establish your own faction. This Star Field has not had a new legend for too long … I'll keep an eye on you. Don't disappoint me."
Without waiting for Han Xiao's reply, Austin turned around and left with the Forbidden Sorcerers.
Han Xiao had a strange expression.
Austin did not put on any airs, and his attitude was very friendly, giving him a good impression. However, what he said at the end made him feel like he was facing an elder …
…
As the gathering went on, all the VIPs present had their own business to discuss. The guests chatted enthusiastically, and occasionally, someone would look for Han Xiao to talk about some topics, but it was not frequent.
Other than Rossozzi and Austin, the others who came to talk mostly just chatted. Han Xiao was also happy to be free. When there was no one to talk to, Han Xiao, Ames, and the other two would sit in a corner and enjoy food and drinks, talking and laughing.
As time passed, the gathering gradually came to an end. Everyone basically got the information they wanted or the cooperation agreement. Han Xiao also eavesdropped on some information that was not considered confidential but that normal people would not know. After all, everyone present was a VIPs, and any information they casually revealed was quite valuable.
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