Chapter 1006: Hidden Bloody Rule

Chapter 1006: The Hidden Law of Bloodshed

As the various magnates arrived in the Shattered Star Ring, this sector grew increasingly bustling; as the foremost figures of the supernatural world, every Super A-grade commanded the gaze of countless interstellar citizens and factions, akin to peculiar idol stars.

Setting aside their personal legends, another vital source of a Super A-grade’s fame lay in the Vane Cards. Every titan possessed a dedicated deck, and with so many across the cosmos shirking duties to play cards, these magnates were known by heart.

This mindset closely mirrored a collector’s obsession, much like the thrill of gathering the hundred-and-eight Heroes of Liangshan cards hidden within snack packs.

On this day, starships circled at a distance from the Black Star Army headquarters, the majority belonging to journalists who had caught wind of the event; nearly eighty to ninety percent of the Shattered Star Ring’s media had descended upon the scene.

These reporters had camped here for days, witnessing fleet after fleet of Super A-grades slip into the Black Star headquarters, their sense of wonder deepening with each arrival.

“How many have arrived so far?”

“Twenty-seven! And more Super A-grades who’ve entered the Shattered Star Ring are still en route.”

“With so many Super A-grades gathering, something monumental must be brewing!”

“Could they be planning a rebellion?!”

Their curiosity itched unbearably; they nearly longed to storm the Black Star headquarters this very instant to unearth the truth.

Ever since the first Super A-grade, Ames, had arrived, these paparazzi had been driven out, barred from entering the Black Star compound and left to circle outside as mere spectators.

With their curiosity left starved, the journalists resembled a troop of frenzied baboons, unable to sit still for even a moment.

Though the Empire had leaked whispers, they offered only ambiguous hints; to preserve an aura of mystery, they deliberately withheld the reason for this gathering, precisely to fuel external speculation and debate.

One had to admit, this tactic of dangling suspense like a literary masterpiece proved remarkably effective; the Shattered Star Ring was already drowning in attention over the Shining World affair, and as news of the Super A-grade convergence spread, it drew the gaze of the entire cosmos.

Every mind brimmed with questions.

What purpose drove nearly eighty percent of the universe’s Super A-grades to suddenly convene in person?

The circle of Super A-grades remained far too distant for common folk; devoid of insider knowledge, countless enigmas crowded their thoughts.

Among them, discussions surrounding Black Star dominated, reigniting the cosmos’s fascination with Han Xiao once more.

Why had all these titans chosen the Black Star Army as their rendezvous?

How did Black Star command such immediate, widespread allegiance?

Over the years, Han Xiao had adhered to a policy of low profiles, generating little news until recently stirring up fresh waves; many harbored the illusion that Black Star had been weaving secret schemes in the shadows, which alone explained his sudden ascent to such staggering heights.

Not long ago, the Black Star Army welcomed its second Super A-grade, and now it hosted seventy to eighty percent of the universe’s elite; surely, a grand maneuver was underway!

Nearly everyone speculated as much.

Just then, two more fleets warped in from the distance, arriving one after the other, their outer armor bearing the insignias of the Machine Empire and the Void Lord—none other than the armadas of McNisson and Cthulhu Suye.

“Quick, hurry and record it!”

“Figures of McNisson and Cthulhu Suye’s caliber actually showed up; Black Star’s prestige is truly staggering!”

The two fleets glided past the media vessels, descending toward the Black Star headquarters while scores of journalists fumbled frantically to capture the descent.

Barred from entry, all these reporters could do was log the roster of arriving Super A-grades, then wait with bated breath for any news to leak out.

……

The two fleets docked at the legion’s harbor, and the avatars of McNisson and Cthulhu Suye disembarked; as old acquaintances, they swiftly fell into conversation.

“So you’ve come as well. It seems the Void Spirit is also here to bolster Black Star’s prestige this time,” McNisson chuckled softly.

“Hasn’t the Radiance sent representatives too?”

Cthulhu Suye’s tone was faint, his voice seeming to drift from the void itself, utterly ethereal.

“The Radiance is the Radiance, and I am myself. Our objectives for this visit differ,” McNisson replied evenly.

“Drawing such a clean line so readily; aren’t you afraid of offending the Radiance?” Cthulhu Suye shook his head. “Then what is your aim?”

“Do you remember the last time so many Super A-grades gathered like this?”

“I’ve forgotten.”

“I suspect the three Universal Civilizations are forgetting too. It’s the perfect time to remind them,” McNisson said casually.

Cthulhu Suye paused, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. “This may not bode well for us. The more attention we draw, the more they will fear us. We might well trigger another Calamity of the Apex.”

“Good and ill always walk hand in hand. Though we Super A-grades belong to different factions, we share the same tier. We’ve long been scattered sand, but moving together now has seized the cosmos’s attention. I believe the others will see the sheer power of our unity. If we harness this force, we can demand far more,” McNisson spoke slowly.

“You haven’t changed. Still the same rhetoric,” Cthulhu Suye’s voice betrayed no emotion. “The Ancients, the Machine Race, the Infinite Financial Group… you hold vast resources. Yet… at your stage, going alone no longer works. You must leverage everyone… Speak, what new ‘-er’ faction are you concocting this time?”

“It is merely mutual exploitation. I am not the sole beneficiary; every Super A-grade stands to gain. Is that not favorable?” McNisson smiled.

“You know me well enough. Unless you can help me complete my final divine metamorphosis, do not come seeking me for such schemes again,” Cthulhu Suye waved his hand.

Unbothered, McNisson shifted the subject. “Let us set that aside for now. Those void delicacies you sent last time were exquisite. Send me another batch, would you?”

“Certainly. Return the Scepter of Ten Thousand Gods first.”

“Are you dreaming?”

As they traded casual barbs, a dozen or so Super A-grades waiting on the dock approached, mostly hailing from the Radiance and the Void Spirit.

These individuals had arrived earlier; with the roster incomplete, they had been lodging at the legion headquarters for some time. Now that their respective leaders had arrived, they came specifically to greet them.

Among them stood a single outlier: Sorokin, lingering alone outside the crowd, a smile plastered across his face.

“Why are you here to receive us?” McNisson cast him a sidelong glance.

“Though this is Black Star’s territory, you two are vital shareholders of the Financial Group. It is only proper that I welcome you,” Sorokin replied with earnest sincerity.

To the onlookers, his tone reeked of a sycophant clinging to coattails, perfectly aligning with their long-held impression of Sorokin.

Just then, Han Xiao approached, drawing every gaze toward him as he smiled. “Welcome to the Black Star Army. Follow me; your quarters have been prepared.”

“Black Star.” Over a dozen Super A-grades turned, offering greetings, their eyes complex and laden with unspoken meaning.

Some had only heard Black Star’s name and never met him in person, but during their stay at the legion, they had already become acquainted with Han Xiao.

In truth, most Super A-grades present had no desire to attend; only the direct orders from the Radiance and Void Spirit high commands had compelled them to grace this gathering as reluctant guests.

Yet, however unwilling they felt, standing on another’s turf demanded restraint; to act arrogantly would be to thoroughly offend Han Xiao, and provoking a peak Super A-grade renowned for his combat prowess was naturally unwise.

McNisson nodded toward Han Xiao. “We meet again. If my memory serves, this should be my second time on your territory.”

“Three times,” Han Xiao raised a brow. “You’ve forgotten the time we fought.”

“Fair enough.” McNisson shook his head with a chuckle, taking no offense.

Since their last backroom dealings over a decade ago, Han Xiao had remained quiet; McNisson had long concluded that Han Xiao had conceded defeat and abandoned any challenge to his throne, leaving him harboring no particular grudge.

He had defeated countless Mechanics over the years; once they submitted, he ceased his pursuits… After all, the dignity of the Mechanic God’s chief deity had to be maintained.

“This is the Void Lord, Cthulhu Suye. If I’m not mistaken, this should be your first meeting,” McNisson turned his head to introduce him.

“Indeed, our first meeting, though your reputation precedes you,” Han Xiao smiled, extending his hand proactively. “An honor to meet you, Lord Cthulhu Suye.”

Cthulhu Suye gave Han Xiao’s hand a brief clasp. “I hear Black Star’s name often. You’ve become a legend yourself. The honor is mine. I hear you carry void bloodline; I suspect we shall have much to discuss.”

After a round of polished mutual flattery, Han Xiao guided the group to their respective quarters. Once the Radiance and Void Spirit contingents settled in, only Sorokin remained by his side.

“Lord Black Star, your prestige truly astounds me. So many magnates have come to grace your presence,” Sorokin offered seemingly sincere praise, though to Han Xiao’s ears, it rang utterly hollow.

Han Xiao curled his lip. “I actually thought you wouldn’t show up.”

“How could that be! I’m expanding operations in the Shattered Star Ring, and you are the hegemon of this sector. How would I dare slight you? I know you harbor some misunderstandings toward me, and while our businesses compete, I personally hold you in the highest regard,” Sorokin forced a smile. “Perhaps the future will yet bring opportunities for us to cooperate.”

Han Xiao knew the man’s shamelessness rivaled his own, a fact he had long grown accustomed to, and clicked his tongue. “Didn’t Heber come with you?”

“He said he’d wait until the very last day to arrive,” Solokin chuckled, betraying Heber without a second thought. “Even though he’s practically next door to you, he’s still throwing a childish tantrum.”

“Hmph. Noted.”

Han Xiao waved his hand, leaving the perpetually smirking Solokin behind as he turned away, his mind already churning in quiet contemplation.

Setting aside the allies of the Three Universal Civilizations who had come merely under orders to show face, the rest harbored their own hidden agendas; a fellow like Solokin had likely eagerly trotted over to blend in and mask his true colors, while seizing the chance to mingle with these Beyond Grade A experts, and that old fox from the Mechanical Nation seemed to be plotting something else entirely…

The Beyond Grade A figures gathering at the Black Star Army could be sorted into three camps: first, the Empire’s allies and insiders like Emes and Austin; second, the representatives dispatched by the other two cosmic civilizations to pay their respects; and third, the factional and neutral Beyond Grade A experts, most of whom had come simply to forge new ties.

Yet their individual schemes would hardly sway the event’s outcome, and Han Xiao paid them little mind.

In his eyes, the true crux of this Beyond Grade A symposium lay in the waiting period before the formal talks; hosting these titans on his turf for a dozen days or so would erect a stage for exchange, allowing experts who rarely crossed paths to mingle freely—bound as they usually were by territory and faction, such an open gathering of so many overlords was unheard of.

This would allow them all to network and exchange favors, while giving him a chance to probe these newly met Beyond Grade A figures… and not just for himself; everyone’s circle of influence would expand considerably, tightening the bonds across the entire Beyond Grade A stratum.

Han Xiao sought not only to elevate his own prestige and maintain order in the star sector, but also to foster interaction among the other Beyond Grade A experts, offering them a rare chance to mend fences and build rapport.

Though conflicts and old grudges might fester among them, should the World Tree War erupt, they would all stand as comrades-in-arms; he simply wished to lay some goodwill in advance.

Moreover, if the Beyond Grade A class remained a fractured, leaderless mob, it would inevitably breed dire consequences.

‘The Esper Catastrophe has its spark, yet it is also the tide of history; I can only hope this summit of mine will stir some change…’ Han Xiao mused in silence.

……

“Your Excellency, nearly thirty Beyond Grade A experts have already taken residence at the Black Star Army headquarters, with final estimates ranging between seventy and eighty.”

On the homeworld of the Radiant Federation, Balder listened to the Chief Council Elder’s report, his brow furrowed and his expression heavy with contemplation.

Weighing various factors, he had chosen to send allies merely to show face, yet he suddenly realized that concentrating so many Beyond Grade A figures in one place wielded a terrifying might; a simple gathering had already shaken the cosmos, sparking a frenzy of public discourse, its influence far more daunting than he had anticipated.

“There are too many Beyond Grade A experts…”

“Indeed. In a few days, the Black Star Army headquarters may well become the most dangerous place in the universe,” the Chief Council Elder replied, his own complexion grim.

“You misunderstand me.” Balder lifted his gaze to meet the elder’s. “What I mean is… there are simply too many Beyond Grade A experts in the universe.”

The Chief Council Elder’s expression shifted abruptly.

Balder rose to his feet, strode to the window, and gazed out at the vista beyond, speaking slowly. “Beyond Grade A experts enjoy vast lifespans; barring mishaps, even the shortest-lived endure for centuries or millennia, and some possess near-endless longevity. Though the odds of their emergence are slim, given the ratio of natural deaths to new births, the total number of Beyond Grade A figures in the cosmos will only ever climb. A hundred… two hundred… someday, there will be tens of thousands!

When that day comes, individual might… will slip entirely beyond our control!”

The Chief Council Elder’s face hardened into utter solemnity. “Are you suggesting… a new purge? Like the Fall of the Pinnacle?”

Balder shook his head. “The Fall of the Pinnacle was an accident, yet it laid bare how we must handle the Beyond Grade A question. Though their numbers remain manageable for now, if we fail to prepare for the rainy day, a flood of supreme individual power is inevitable… Thus, a purge of the Beyond Grade A class is necessary. However, I have no intention of carrying it out during my term.”

“Agreed. The Shimmering World is vital to the entire cosmos; now is certainly not the time for a purge,” the Chief Council Elder nodded.

Should too many irrational concentrations of individual power arise, the very fabric of order would teeter on the brink; in his view, purging the Beyond Grade A class had nothing to do with personal grudges, but everything to do with preserving cosmic stability. Yet such an act would inevitably trigger short-term upheaval and painful aftershocks, making it a scorching hot potato for any leader of a cosmic civilization—no one wished to dirty their hands with such grim work while in office.

To him, it was akin to maintaining the ecological balance of the universe: not to eradicate the Beyond Grade A experts, but to cap their total numbers, keeping the ratio between individual might and collective strength within a safe threshold.

In an era of peace devoid of external foes, should this ratio tip out of balance, the consequences would be unfathomable.

This was no sudden whim of his; in truth, the Three Universal Civilizations had drafted similar contingency plans in private years ago. Yet as the Beyond Grade A class had never truly slipped their leash, the protocol was never enacted—a silent, shared understanding among the three cosmic sovereigns.

“I wonder if Black Star convened this summit with precisely this intention in mind…” Balder recalled Manison’s stance, his voice faltering slightly before he murmured in reflection. “The Mechanical Nation has likely deduced the inevitability of a purge as well. Does he mean to rally the Beyond Grade A experts to flex their might before us? Or perhaps to elevate their standing? Tsk… two deeply calculating old foxes.”

He had to admit, his wariness toward the Beyond Grade A stratum had deepened considerably, yet with a purge impossible for now, he could only transmute that dread into heightened regard.

“Black Star, Mechanical Nation… are you truly seeking to consolidate the power of the Beyond Grade A class…” Balder’s gaze grew dark and unfathomable.