Chapter 1 Old Star River, Modo Civilization, Three Kings Star

"...The recent series of assassinations of officials has had an extremely negative impact on society. The identity of the perpetrator is unknown, but judging from various clues, the Red Empire is behind these events. Clearly, Marty has failed; his methods have not been able to deceive the Empire."

Inside the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an important meeting was taking place. Numerous ministers gathered to discuss the recent events, each of them looking grim.

The series of assassinations of officials had affected social stability, causing countless citizens of Modo to feel anxious and the entire ruling class to lose face.

With their own safety threatened, these high-ranking ministers were all extremely furious.

"Too arrogant! Does the Empire really think of us as one of those low-level civilizations that can't resist?! If we unite with other Super Star Cluster civilizations in the Old Star River to declare independence, taking this star region out of the rule of the three great civilizations, let's see how they'll deal with that!" A volatile military minister slammed the table, his face full of anger.

"It's best to say less of such emotional words," someone next to him warned.

The others present didn't take these words seriously either. Although all Super Star Cluster civilizations had long harbored resentment against the three great civilizations and wanted to replace them at any moment, declaring independence had no way back. Unless they were confident, no one would support it.

After venting, everyone returned to the main topic, discussing how to deal with the situation.

"No matter what, we must first prevent more assassinations from happening, but we can't negotiate with the Empire or soften our stance. There's nothing to talk about with them. They definitely want to confirm our crime of using the natives, making us compensate for the Empire's losses in the war with the natives—dream on!"

"Yes, declare that the incident has nothing to do with us. If the Empire produces evidence, we'll insist it's fabricated."

"Also, we must assert that the Empire assassinated our officials without any basis, submit an application to the Civilization Council, and demand sanctions against such despicable methods. The Glorious and the Void Spirit should stand with us, and we can also win over more Super Star Cluster civilizations. The universe is not the Empire's one-man show."

Someone shook their head, not optimistic about this plan. "The Shattered World is about to open to the outside world; I doubt many people want to openly break ties with the Empire."

"Then what do we do? We can't just let the Empire murder our cadres."

"Hmph, let's just retaliate in kind. They assassinate our officials, and we assassinate their officers. It's not like we don't have any espers."

Someone couldn't help but object, saying, "Assassinate people from the Empire? Have you forgotten the Peak of Grief incident?"

Hearing this, anger welled up on most people's faces.

They hadn't forgotten this shameful period of history from over a thousand years ago. The Super As of the three great civilizations harmed each other, and because they suffered heavy losses, fearing the loss of their strategic advantage of individual might, they fabricated a baseless crime and slaughtered all the Super A allies of the Super Star Cluster civilizations, including the Modo Civilization, and then left triumphantly.

This not only greatly damaged the Super Star Cluster civilizations of the time in terms of individual might, but also left a long-lasting negative impact, causing many later Super As to worry about their personal safety and not dare to accept the Super Star Cluster's overtures. The three great civilizations used this to bring more Super As into their hands, which was almost a devastating blow to the Super Star Cluster civilizations.

Therefore, the Modo Civilization knew that the others could assassinate their people as revenge and warning, but if they assassinated the other side, it would be a provocation to the ruling power of the three great civilizations, which would lead to a bloody storm. The Glorious and the Void Spirit would no longer stand by and watch, but would join the Empire in dealing with Modo. In maintaining ruling authority, the three great civilizations were in the same boat.

They had experienced this kind of rogue behavior many times, repeatedly swallowing their anger, and their resentment had long been deep-seated.

"Don't get sidetracked. The assassination incident is actually just a small matter. The Empire has a sense of proportion; they wouldn't dare to push us too hard… But we can't just not fight back, and we must pay attention to the strength of the retaliation. We can't touch the Empire itself, so we can only take a step back and mess with their allied forces… Well, but only the forces, don't kill any Super As."

"I think Beoni is very suitable. His forces are rooted in the Old Star River, and it's easy to deal with him. This can also show our attitude."

In a few words, everyone decided Beoni's misfortune for the next period.

For Super Star Cluster civilizations, unless it was someone like Manison the Mechanic Emperor, Void Lord Kothier, or Black Star Han Xiao, ordinary Super As were really nothing in their eyes. Even Star Cluster grade civilizations could kill Super As, let alone Super Star Cluster civilizations.

The Empire sent people to assassinate our officials, and we must avenge this.

As for the fact that we initially played tricks, causing the Empire to suffer losses in the war, and we were in the wrong first…

So what? Wasn't that our original purpose?

We're all rogues, so let's not judge each other.

At this moment, someone said worriedly:

"These are all small matters. What I'm concerned about is that the Empire will use this incident to restrict our future entry into the Shattered World."

"What are you afraid of? The Shattered World will open to the outside world sooner or later, and even the Empire can't stop this general trend. If they specifically prohibit us from entering, then we'll make a fuss! Not just us, other Super Star Cluster civilizations will definitely stand with us. Let's see if the Empire can withstand the pressure!"

The Modo Civilization wasn't worried about offending the Empire and losing the opportunity to enter the Shattered World.

All Super Star Cluster civilizations knew that even if the Shattered World opened, the three great civilizations would definitely suppress their development, so they had already secretly formed a strategic alliance, deciding to join forces to break the situation.

The Shattered World was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Super Star Cluster civilizations were willing to unite for this.

Even if only the Modo family was suppressed in the Shattered World, other Super Star Cluster civilizations would still come forward to support them. Although everyone didn't like helping competitors, compared to that, it was more important to join forces to break the blockade of the three great civilizations. On this issue, Super Star Cluster civilizations understood the principle of shared lips and teeth and wouldn't sweep the snow in front of their own doors, allowing themselves to be divided.

Besides, the Empire was currently stretched thin and could only use assassinations, a means that didn't hurt or itch, to warn them. The Modo Civilization had discovered this and wasn't really afraid. They were secretly rubbing their hands, just waiting for the Shattered World to open and make a big splash.

Super Star Cluster civilizations had the confidence to compete with the three great civilizations. After all, they were different from Star Cluster grade civilizations and no longer had room to curry favor with the three great civilizations. They couldn't achieve a roundabout overtaking without causing trouble.

They could only fight, only snatch.

...

At the headquarters of the Endless Financial Group, Manison the Mechanic Emperor, Void Lord Kothier, and Beast Ancestor Gorutan visited Sorokin again.

"I wonder what the three of you are here for today?"

In the bright and clean office of the Financial Group's leader, the four sat in a circle. Sorokin glanced at the three and smiled faintly.

"Our transaction, do you still remember it?" Gorutan asked in a muffled voice.

"Of course, I'm responsible for engaging in commercial competition with the Black Star Army, squeezing their business space, applying external pressure, and helping you plot the Evolutionary Totem," Sorokin said unhurriedly.

Kothier spoke, his voice ethereal, "However, your achievements in recent years don't seem to be very good."

The Black Star Army had withstood the pressure from the Endless Financial Group, and the desired effect had not been achieved. This made the forces behind the three of them unhappy. The three of Manison were here today on behalf of the forces behind them to question him.

"Heh." Sorokin didn't take it seriously, and said calmly, "I said, the Black Star Army is not so easy to deal with."

"We want you to increase your efforts."

"No problem." Sorokin smiled lightly, "But, I've shown my sincerity, now it's your turn."

If you want the horse to run, you must first let the horse eat grass. The three understood that Sorokin was asking the forces behind them to fulfill part of the cooperation promise they made at the beginning, otherwise they shouldn't come to offer opinions.

Manison said slowly, "It's not a big problem. Those resource support, policy preferences, and in-depth cooperation projects will be implemented soon."

"Then I'll wait." Sorokin smiled, "Coincidentally, my next plan also needs to wait for the opportunity."

"What plan?" Gorutan asked.

Sorokin cleared his throat and said slowly:

"After these years of competition, I have reached a stalemate with the Black Star Army, and it is difficult to open up new breakthroughs in the Shattered Star Ring. So I set my sights on the Shattered World, which is the new focus of the Black Star Army's development."

"I have inside information that the Empire will open the Shattered World to the outside world during the fourth exploration phase. At that time, there will be a carnival for the entire universe, and countless forces will pour in, forming a new pattern, especially in the commercial sector. Countless financial groups are waiting to seize the market, and this is also my opportunity."

He had long been eyeing the development of the Shattered World, waiting for the Endless Financial Group to enter and seize the market. At that time, he could use economic means to put pressure on the Black Star Army's territory.

If the army got the benefits of the territory, it would have to bear the responsibility and risk of management. Sorokin wanted to open a new battlefield in another main base of the army.

The resource output, demand, and circulation in the territory were a huge market. The Endless Financial Group had ways to use wealth to seize market share, squeezing out the living space of other normal enterprises in the Black Star territory.

At that time, whether it was remotely controlling some interstellar enterprises, thereby affecting the efficiency of resource circulation, or using trade methods to add obstacles to the economic construction of the Black Star territory, or building smuggling and intelligence channels in the Black Star territory around the markets of different industries, all of them could bring more pressure to the Black Star Army. These were precisely the means that the Endless Financial Group was familiar with.

Of course, Sorokin's main goal was to allow the Endless Financial Group to expand and develop.

Compared to the benefits of the Shattered World, the cost of suppressing the Black Star Army was insignificant in his eyes.

...

The small friction between the Red Empire and the Modo Civilization did not evolve into a more serious conflict due to the mutual restraint of both sides, and did not have much impact on the overall environment of peaceful development in the universe.

The main theme of the era of exploration and expansion affected all aspects. Most civilizations and private forces were law-abiding and kept paying attention to the development progress of the Shattered World, and were quietly preparing manpower and material resources for the opening of the Shattered World on a certain day in the future.

Affected by the general environment, the interstellar pattern maintained a calm state, and occasional small-scale disturbances were harmless.

In this environment, the Empire's second phase of exploration was successfully completed, and the third phase of exploration followed closely. The Empire used this as a bargaining chip to sign more allies and vassals, making the third phase of the exploration force even stronger.

In peaceful times, the pace of time seemed to become more silent. It was as if one looked back and suddenly realized that another year had passed.

Without too many twists and turns, the Empire completed its goals as scheduled, and the third phase of exploration successfully entered its final stage.

On July 15, Star Sea Calendar 729, the Red Empire finally issued a decree that the entire universe had been waiting for:

——In the upcoming fourth exploration phase, the Shattered World will be officially opened to the outside world!

Like detonating a psionic energy bomb.

The universe, which had been calm for more than ten years, instantly boiled over!