Chapter 159 The Approaching Storm

Fei'en Star, Super-A Grade Association headquarters.

"...The ones I'm introducing are the new members joining the association. From now on, everyone will be partners on the same front."

In the meeting hall, Han Xiao gestured to the newcomers present with a smile. They were Joey and the other recluses, as well as the new batch of Holy Covenant members who had emerged from seclusion.

After Mannison's database was plundered by the three major civilizations, he quickly arranged for the group to join the association, and today was the day of the welcoming meeting.

Hearing Han Xiao's introduction, the numerous Super-A Grades present sized up the newcomers, nodding slightly, their eyes flashing with surprise.

Although everyone was already aware of the Sanctuary Revival, they were still amazed to see another batch of revived individuals.

Moreover, this time, not only were there revived individuals, but Black Star had also attracted several unfamiliar recluses to join the association, strengthening its influence. In their view, this was undoubtedly Black Star's countermeasure against the three major civilizations' ban, and everyone couldn't help but feel invigorated.

At the same time, this basically proved that Black Star could use the Sanctuary Revival more than once, which was what most people present cared about, and they secretly rejoiced.

"Now that you've joined the association, we're all family. Please, take a seat," Kressia said with a smile.

Joey and the others sighed and reluctantly took their seats. Although they had some social anxiety, they cheered themselves up and interacted with the other Super-A Grades, getting to know each other.

The members of the Holy Covenant exchanged glances, understanding each other tacitly, without giving themselves away, chatting as if they were meeting for the first time.

Everyone chatted with the newcomers for a while, the atmosphere was harmonious, like a big family.

Han Xiao waited for a while, seeing that everyone knew each other well enough, he smiled and said, "Alright, everyone knows each other. Actually, there's another matter to deal with today besides welcoming the new members."

Hearing this, the room immediately quieted down, and everyone turned their heads to focus their attention on Han Xiao, waiting for the president's next words.

Seeing this, Han Xiao restrained his smile and slowly said:

"Not long ago, the three major civilizations joined forces to invade the Machinery Country's database and succeeded. This matter is both a test of us by the three major civilizations and a provocation, so today I want to hear everyone's suggestions on how we should respond."

Everyone subconsciously looked at Mannison, only to see Mannison's eyes slightly closed, looking calm and composed.

"I know about this matter, and I received a request for assistance at the time," Kant said thoughtfully. "Mannison is a member of the association. For both personal and rational reasons, we should seek justice for him."

"That's right, although Mannison has low taste, a vile personality, a narrow mind, and is old, ugly, and shameless, he is still one of us. The association cannot pretend that nothing happened when he was attacked by the three major civilizations for no reason," Hunter said in a muffled voice.

"I agree," Secret Master nodded.

Hunter turned his head and glanced at him, "Which point do you agree with, being old and ugly, or that the association should stand up for him?"

"...I agree with both," Secret Master's eyes twitched, feeling that his own luck had inexplicably leaked a bit.

Mannison snorted, opened his eyes, and interjected, "Let's just talk about the matter. Some people shouldn't make personal attacks."

"Seriously? Is it illegal to tell the truth?" Hunter asked in surprise.

Mannison took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

Don't be angry, don't be angry, no one will replace you if you get sick...

Han Xiao gave Hunter an approving look and asked for everyone's opinions.

Basically, ninety percent of the people agreed that the association should stand up for Mannison. It wasn't that they had a good relationship with Old Man Mannison, but they hoped that they would receive the same treatment if they encountered a similar situation in the future.

"...Since most people agree, the association will immediately condemn the three major civilizations for this matter and demand a response. At the same time, please mobilize your armed forces on a large scale, follow the association's orders, and if necessary, we may take military action against the three major civilizations."

Hearing this, everyone was slightly stunned.

They thought that a condemnation would be enough, or at most a group of mechanics would go and cause trouble for the affiliated forces of the three major civilizations. How did it sound like Black Star was going to directly start a war?

However, everyone's surprise only lasted for a few seconds, and their mood quickly calmed down. There were no objections.

With the guarantee of the Sanctuary Revival, most people were still confident enough. Fighting wasn't out of the question, and most people felt that the military action that Black Star mentioned was probably just an exercise or a demonstration. After all, the current situation was barely maintaining a balance, and it didn't seem like a war was about to break out.

"Well, also, in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again, I suggest that everyone concentrate their main bodies in the Shattered Star Ring, so as not to give the three major civilizations a chance to defeat us one by one. Of course, this is not a compulsion. If some people really don't want to come, they don't have to come, but they will be responsible for the consequences..."

As he said this, Han Xiao glanced at Mannison and said slowly.

Mannison closed his eyes again, pretending not to hear. He wouldn't let his well-hidden main body appear in front of others.

Most people didn't have any objections to this. Many people had been staying in the Shattered Star Ring recently, managing their forces here, so they didn't have to rush. And some Super-A Grades who had large families and businesses in other star fields didn't have any problems staying here temporarily.

Everyone discussed for a while, confirmed the arrangements for the next step, and then went offline and disbanded the meeting.

Soon, only Han Xiao, Kressia, and Ames were left in the meeting hall.

"You're not going offline yet? I have some private matters to discuss with Old Kressia."

Han Xiao glanced at Ames and said.

Ames shook her head and sighed, "Izo asked me to tell you that he saw a confrontation that was attracting the attention of the entire universe. The two sides of the confrontation were the association and the three major civilizations. The future scene he saw ended abruptly here. He only knew that the final result would change the direction of the universe's destiny. He asked you to handle it with caution."

"The old man has another prophecy..." Han Xiao narrowed his eyes and nodded, "I understand. You wait for me at home. I'll use the Emperor to pick you up after the meeting."

Ames smiled lightly and disappeared offline.

Now there were only two people left in the room.

Kressia eavesdropped on the conversation just now, his eyebrows twitched, and he said in a low voice, "Black Star, are we really going to start a serious fight with the three major civilizations?"

"Very likely." Han Xiao casually explained the matter of the virtual rebellion virus.

Kressia couldn't help but change his expression, not knowing what to say. After a long time, he sighed: "Machinery Country is still too stubborn, but there's no way around it. Who told you not to let him know that the Sanctuary Revival is unlimited... If there wasn't the factor of the virtual rebellion virus, your plan could have been steadily realized. The added layer of fear has only added to the chaos and changed the flavor of things."

"Heh, even if he knew the truth, he would probably think that the Sanctuary Revival and the virtual rebellion virus are a perfect match." Han Xiao curled his lips. "Don't mention him. In short, be prepared. Let your void overlords monitor the movements of the three major civilizations' dimensional legions in the secondary dimension world. If they mobilize their troops to deal with us, they definitely won't hold back."

"Understood."

Kressia nodded and went offline.

...

The confrontation between the Super-A Grade Association and the three major civilizations had been going on for quite some time, and the interstellar society had gradually become accustomed to this tense atmosphere.

However, on this day, the Super-A Grade Association publicly condemned the three major civilizations for invading its member Mannison, demanding an explanation. The Glorious Federation, one of the three major civilizations, unwilling to be outdone, claimed that Mannison had repeatedly stolen their secrets, and that this move was a long-overdue reckoning, a punishment that should have happened long ago.

Similar conflicts were commonplace for interstellar citizens, who thought this was just another day of pleasant bickering between the two sides. But the changes that followed made many people smell an unusual wind.

According to past practice, the association and the three major civilizations would condemn each other back and forth, and it would soon be over. Even if there were any punishments, they would only be strikes against the development of the other side's forces, like the blockade ban.

But this time, the interstellar citizens and major forces were stunned to find that the two sides seemed to be serious.

After the statements were issued, the three major civilizations and the Super-A Grade Association unexpectedly mobilized their forces on a large scale at the same time. The fleets of the three major civilizations sailed out of the Central Star Sea and were arrayed in various star fields, while the forces of the Super-A Grade forces mainly gathered in the Shattered Star Ring. There was a surge of activity everywhere.

At this time, even the slow-witted ordinary people realized that something seemed wrong. Although the association and the three major civilizations had not issued any more statements after issuing one statement, this posture clearly meant that they would start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

Since the two sides had been in opposition, most interstellar citizens had only been watching the fun. At this time, they all became nervous at the same time, fearing that a war of this scale would affect them.

On the Internet, the public opinion that hoped the three major civilizations would wipe out the Super-A Grades was mostly just lip service. But when this scene seemed to be really about to happen, many people panicked, fearing that a war of this scale would affect them.

For a time, the atmosphere throughout interstellar society became tense, and countless eyes were staring at the movements of both sides, as if they saw a storm brewing rapidly.

...

"Strange, why aren't the three major civilizations suddenly cowed?"

In the summit conference room of the Beyond Grade A Alliance, the leaders were all looking surprised.

In their analysis, the three major civilizations should not easily start a war due to various concerns, and the same was true for the association. But how could the two sides suddenly become impulsive and want to act rashly?

If Mannison's invasion was the trigger, the leaders of the various Beyond Grade A alliances felt that it was not enough. It was just that a copy of the database was stolen, and no one was beaten or killed. Was there a need to make such a big fuss?

"Could it be that the three major civilizations have changed their thinking and want to cut the Gordian knot at the expense of losses?" Someone asked suspiciously.

"Not likely, right? Don't forget that we're still here. If the three major civilizations and the association were to suffer a lose-lose situation, wouldn't that give us a chance to rise to the top?" The leader of the Star Arc Civilization hesitated.

It was because of their existence that the previous weak balance was maintained. If they were not worried that the Beyond Grade A Alliance would profit, the two sides might have already taken action.

"What should we do?"

"Just watch and see. If they really want to fight, it's also a good thing for us..."

The leader of Star Arc rolled his eyes and said:

"But we must be careful of the three major civilizations taking the opportunity to drag us in as well. It's not the first time they've done something like this. We'd better arrange heavy troops on the border. We don't need to interfere in their disputes, just maintain territorial security."

The Beyond Grade A leaders discussed in low voices, their tones all vaguely excited. Although they didn't know why the three major civilizations and the association had suddenly become impulsive, it wasn't bad news for them.

...

Time passed quickly in the atmosphere of an impending storm. Under the tense attention of the interstellar society, the mobilization of troops on both sides became more and more frequent and obvious. They didn't hide anything at all, constantly placing pieces and deploying their formations like in a game of chess, but they never touched each other, never created friction, as if they didn't exist.

And the two sides still hadn't issued any new statements to the outside world, which led to all kinds of rumors spreading, and public opinion was spreading panic everywhere.

The population flow in the major star fields also showed a chain reaction. Interstellar citizens who stayed in the Shattered Star Ring left on a large scale, causing congestion in the star gates. The scale of the crowds going to the Central Star Sea and some marginal star fields to take refuge became larger and larger.

Under the eyes of the world, a super-large-scale joint fleet of the three major civilizations advanced into the Ancient Star Desert and went straight to the Mechanical Race's territory.

At the same time, the three major civilizations finally issued a joint statement:

"After analysis of the Mechanical Country's database by the Academy of Sciences, we have obtained conclusive evidence to prove that the Mechanical Country has been secretly developing the virtual rebellion virus, attempting to replicate the source of this universal disaster, and has achieved relevant results, attempting to harm the Star Sea.

Hereby, the Glorious Federation, the Crimson Empire, and the Void Spirit Religion represent the interstellar society in issuing a joint ultimatum to the Mechanical Country—immediately hand over the virtual rebellion virus technology and destroy all backup data under our supervision. We will spare no effort to safeguard the security of the interstellar society!"

On the day the statement was released, the shadow of the intelligent plague once again loomed over the heads of the interstellar society and in the hearts of countless interstellar citizens. Panic swept through star systems one after another at an incredible speed.

The virtual rebellion virus still exists in the world?!

After finally eradicating this scourge virus that threatened the entire universe, someone actually created it again for their own selfish purposes?!

The interstellar society directly exploded!

Accompanying the shock and fear was a rage from the bottom of their hearts.

Mechanical Country, you deserve to die!