Chapter 379 Business War

While Sorokin was grumbling inwardly, he saw the hesitation on Lofer's face. Only then did he relax his brow and say lightly,

"Forget it, it's just the first phase of development. Although it's a bit unexpected, compared to our transactions with the three great civilizations, this little profit is not worth mentioning... Although the territory in the War Realm is small, it has value. We will invest heavily here and don't need to compete with more consortiums over at Black Star's side."

Lofer pursed her lips and nodded.

Sorokin paused, narrowed his eyes, and slowly said, "Now that the Black Star Army has such a large territory, it has gained room for development and its ability to withstand pressure has increased, but it is not entirely a bad thing for us. As the focus of the army's operations shifts to the Glittering World territory, it will neglect its business in the Shattered Star Ring. This will make it easier for us to weaken their original business."

"So, first attack the Black Star Army's network of interests in the Shattered Star Ring. We can't shake the Black Star Army's core business, so we must start with the cooperative organizations in various industries of the army, help the War Realm seize some business channels, cut off the Black Star Army's tentacles extending to different industries, and try to shrink the other party's business scale, turning it from a so-called alliance of interests back to its original form, so that Black Star can't comfortably expand and develop."

Lofer hesitated and asked in a low voice, "Father, the Black Star Army has a bright future and its business is booming. To be honest, this kind of method cannot shake the Black Star Army."

"Of course, I know that a Beyond Grade A force is not so easy to suppress, and the rise of the Black Star Army is difficult to contain... But precisely because it is difficult, those people will seek cooperation with me. We have to eat one bite at a time, and as long as we are willing to spend the cost, we can gradually nibble away at it."

Sorokin shook his head, his face indifferent, "Besides, I am not trying to subvert the Black Star Army, but to make things as uncomfortable as possible for Black Star. It will take a long time to see results, so we can take our time... Those guys who are cooperating with me are not in a hurry, so I will be even less in a hurry."

At the same time as the two were plotting, on the other side of the War Realm, Heber was also reading the proposal Lofer had given him in the palace, nodding secretly.

The proposal outlined the Infinite Consortium's support plan for the War Realm, with the goal of allowing the War Realm to learn from the Black Star Army and complete its force transformation, not only as armed mercenaries but also to expand its business in various industries and develop in an all-round way.

The War Realm did not need to set up these industry channels from scratch. What they were eyeing were the well-established channels that many local organizations in the Shattered Star Ring had been operating for many years. They would seize them through means such as acquisitions, with most of the costs borne by the Infinite Consortium.

Seeing the expected investment amount of the Infinite Consortium at the bottom of the proposal, Heber snorted coldly.

"They're really rich."

...

The Black Star Army had been very busy recently.

Consortiums that had passed the initial screening sent people to discuss cooperation, and a large number of the army's clerical staff formed negotiation teams, remotely contacting different consortiums.

Dillard, the leader of negotiation team 098, was currently leading his team in consultations with the senior management team of a large consortium, reading the other party's cooperation requirements.

"... Mr. Dillard, this is the third time we have revised the terms of cooperation according to your wishes. I wonder if you are satisfied?"

The consortium's senior executive secretly sized up Dillard's expression.

"You want at least fifteen years of mining rights for ten resource planets, operating rights and surface modification rights for three ordinary planets, operating rights for two regional quantum network channels, and priority sales channels for dozens of rare resources... Hehe, don't you think the investment amount doesn't match these requirements?" Dillard raised his eyelids, his smile not a smile.

"According to our calculations, the current investment amount is equivalent to our requirements..."

"You want to take advantage of our Black Star Army? If you're not sincere, then there's no need to talk. We have many other candidates, and we don't have time to waste with you." Dillard's tone sank, and he was about to end the communication.

"Wait." The senior executive of the consortium was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Don't misunderstand. We don't have such thoughts. If you're not satisfied with anything, we can talk about it again..."

Appreciating the other party's cautious appearance, Dillard had no expression on his face, but he was secretly pleased in his heart.

In the Black Star Army, he was just an ordinary clerical staff with a limited salary. In interstellar society, whether in terms of status or assets, he was far inferior to the senior executives of the various consortiums opposite him.

However, these wealthy and powerful consortium executives now had to curry favor with him, a small clerk, with enthusiasm and trepidation. Dillard had never enjoyed such treatment before.

Now that countless consortiums were begging to cooperate with the Black Star Army, as a negotiator for the Black Star Army, he firmly occupied the initiative and had the power in his hands, which gave him confidence.

If he hadn't joined the Black Star Army early on, he wouldn't be where he was today, making these arrogant consortiums nod and bow to him.

In order to satisfy his vanity and at the same time seek more benefits for the army, Dillard liked to play with the negotiation objects. He would never let go until he had made things difficult for them several times, being very bureaucratic.

Dillard knew that he was borrowing the name of the Black Star Army to act like a tiger, but he enjoyed it... The boss was so powerful, it would be a pity not to show off his power, and he might not have this opportunity in the future.

The senior executives of the consortium on the opposite side were well aware of Dillard's practices and were so angry that their teeth were itching, but there was nothing they could do. The party seeking cooperation was originally passive.

He would rather endure some anger than miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cooperate with the Black Star Army.

...

Black Star Army headquarters, Army Commander's office.

The Philip projection the size of a finger sat on the edge of the table, swinging his legs, looking up at Han Xiao, and reporting in a crisp voice.

"Investigation completed, forty-five negotiators accepted bribes during the negotiation process, buzz."

"Fire them all, cancel all the cooperation agreements they negotiated, and no longer cooperate with these consortiums."

Han Xiao frowned.

As the army's scale grew, it was inevitable that some people would have selfish intentions, being generous with others' money and exchanging the army's interests for personal gain.

He didn't mind the army members showing off their power in the name of the army, but if anyone betrayed the army's interests, he would not agree. As a virtual mechanic, the entire army was under his surveillance, and no one could secretly accept bribes under his nose.

After dealing with this troublesome matter, Han Xiao rubbed his eyes and was about to go to the practice room to complete today's qi force training when the communicator suddenly vibrated.

Picking up the communicator and taking a look, Han Xiao's eyes suddenly lit up and a smile appeared on his face.

The empire has finally approved my exchange application!

Having accumulated more than 12,000 Empire Contribution Points, Han Xiao had applied to the empire a few days ago to exchange for the last Ultimate Knowledge.

In just a few years, Black Star had made so many contributions that he could exchange for all the Ultimate Knowledge, probably the fastest efficiency in history. The biggest attraction of a cosmic civilization to Beyond Grade As was the Ultimate Knowledge. Now that Han Xiao had collected all the Ultimate Knowledge of the Mechanic class, the Crimson Dynasty was quite hesitant, and the approval time was much longer than before.

However, rewards must be given for merit, and the empire could not go back on its word. At this moment, Han Xiao received the last Mechanic class Ultimate Knowledge sent by the Crimson Dynasty...

Control Branch—[Spacetime Theory]!

Beyond Grade A mages can travel through various sub-dimensions. This Mechanic class Ultimate Knowledge can also achieve similar effects. As a more profound space-time technology, it can be applied to star gate manufacturing, interstellar navigation, high warp speed engines, new generation thrusters, and many other aspects.

In combat, this knowledge is more inclined to improve the mobility of mechanics, and it is also suitable for various space-type devices, both offensive and defensive, and is good at control.

With this Ultimate Knowledge, the difficulty of a face-tanking mechanic had increased by more than one level. The greatest effect was to make up for the core shortcomings of the mechanic... But Han Xiao was an exception, and it was good enough if he didn't face-tank others, so this Ultimate Knowledge had always been ranked at the bottom of his exchange order.

Because it was core knowledge, there was no triple learning penalty, and each level only required 8 potential points, which was just enough to complete the class advancement mission [Knowledgeable].

"After learning this one, all the Ultimate Knowledge will be collected, and the rest is to slowly upgrade all the knowledge levels."

Han Xiao made up his mind and chose to learn.

[Detected Mechanic class Ultimate Knowledge: [Spacetime Theory], do you want to use 8 potential points to learn it?]

[Learning in progress...]

[Learning successful! You have mastered [Spacetime Theory]!]

[You have obtained the specialty [Hyperspace Thinking]!]

[You have learned all the Ultimate Knowledge, your specialty [Master of Ultimate Knowledge] effect has been enhanced!]

[You have learned all the class knowledge, you have obtained the specialty [Omniscient Mechanic]!]

[[Hyperspace Thinking]: Performance of space-type devices is enhanced, control effect is greatly strengthened, control time is extended by 50%~100%, your domain-type skills are enhanced, your space-type skills are enhanced, the mobility of any mechanical equipment +20%, your mental resistance +40%]

[[Master of Ultimate Knowledge] is strengthened, the original effect of mechanical creations attribute +15%→25%, mechanical affinity +150%→600%, new effect: all Mechanic class skill levels +1 (can break the upper limit)]

[[Omniscient Mechanic]: Mechanical creation attribute +20%, all Mechanic class skill levels +2 (can break the upper limit), you additionally obtain 1500 intelligence, 500 free attribute points]

[Additional effect i: Every 20 points of intelligence increases 1% mechanical affinity]

[Additional effect 2: Passive aura, the life forms around you gain beneficial effects, intelligence +200]