Chapter 931: Trouble Appears

Chapter 931: The Troublemaker Makes an Entrance

The Colin Group was a local enterprise in the Broken Ring, surviving on resource extraction, logistics transportation, and processing material production—dozens of businesses under its umbrella, rather well-known, though not reaching the stature of a true financial conglomerate. Yet it stood as a galactic-level enterprise listed across the star domain, maintaining cooperative relationships with numerous civilization-level and planetary-level cultures. Its annual revenue was, by all accounts, substantial. Simultaneously, the group functioned as an ally of the Black Star Legion, providing the military force with business channels.

These commercial conglomerates allied with the Black Star Legion for two reasons: securing evolutionary cube quotas and capitalizing on the Legion’s local influence. By association with the Legion, they could enjoy certain privileges, their business operations smoother, while organizations unaffiliated with the Legion found themselves increasingly sidelined, denied contracts. Over time, this gave rise to the concept of a benefits alliance—many commercial entities, unwilling to fall behind, chose to align with the Legion. Thus, the benefits web that the Black Star Legion had cultivated across the Broken Ring over several years began to take shape.

The Colin Group was among the first to partner with the Black Star Legion. Years of steady growth followed, prospects brightening. Yet in the boardroom of its headquarters, all corporate executives and shareholders had gathered, faces etched with worry, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

The current leader, Colin Drew, sat at the head of the table, his features grim, voice laced with suppressed fury.

“The Hebrew Civilization and Sethルウ Civilization have both terminated our cooperation. They not only reclaimed the planetary mining rights we’d purchased but also canceled long-term material supply contracts. I’d been negotiating with the Veth people, and if I could secure their orders, the group would gain access to a new business territory. The talks had nearly concluded, but suddenly the Veth people overturned prior terms, aligning with others instead. Our situation is dire.”

A senior executive sighed. “Indeed, many formerly cooperative civilization officials have severed ties with us. This isn’t normal—it must be rivals stirring up trouble behind the scenes…”

“Hmph. I know exactly who’s to blame.” Colin’s voice dripped with cold venom. “A few weeks back, the Infinite Corporation contacted me, seeking to acquire the Colin Group. I rejected them. Lately, all the disturbances within our ranks stem from them.”

“What? Are you serious?!”

“Why wouldn’t I know the Infinite Corporation reached out to us?”

Many stared in shock, unaware of this development. A few senior executives, however, remained silent, their expressions unreadable, clearly privy to the truth all along.

Colin’s tone grew sharper. “I’ve investigated. The Infinite Corporation has been systematically acquiring enterprises across the Broken Ring. Those that refused have faced pressure. Reports suggest they’re preparing for a large-scale incursion into the Broken Ring, likely due to plans to develop the Radiant World. They’ve decided to invest heavily in factories within the Hebrew and Sethルウ Civilizations. There must have been some agreement reached behind the scenes, prompting those civilizations to cut ties with us. The competitor who blocked the Veth people’s orders? It’s the enterprise they recently acquired.”

At that moment, the second-largest shareholder of a rival group—unfriendly to Colin—smirked. “Not just that. Several key cooperative enterprises have also halted business dealings with us. Multiple civilizations have ceased approving our loans. Dozens of mid-level operatives have resigned, leaving gaps in our operations. Our business has plummeted by over thirty percent, and our stock price has crashed. I warned you all—this was avoidable. We shouldn’t have rejected the Infinite Corporation. They’re one of the largest in the universe. Becoming their subsidiary? What’s wrong with that?”

Colin’s face paled.

He knew all too well the Infinite Corporation’s influence, wealth, and brand power—none of which they could match. If they allied with them, partners would have no hesitation abandoning this local enterprise for the promise of greater gains.

Colin’s frustration mounted. He slammed his fist on the table, the black protruding bone spur on his hand leaving a shallow dent in the wood. He bit his lip, teeth gritted.

“Forget it. The Colin Group is my life’s work. I won’t capitulate to the Infinite Corporation’s acquisition demands!”

“Then how do you propose to fix this? If you can’t, the group will collapse. You’re all shareholders—do you want to gamble on a reckless decision that destroys everything? Ask yourselves.” The second shareholder’s tone was sharp with criticism.

Colin furrowed his brow, silent for a moment before shaking his head. “I… have no solution for now.”

The second shareholder stood, slapping a document onto the table. “Since there’s no other option, sign this share acquisition agreement.”

Colin’s face shifted, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the paper. “Has the Infinite Corporation bought you over?!”

“Bought me? I’m just doing what’s best for the group’s future.”

The second shareholder chuckled, then cast a glance around the stunned or composed executives. A silent signal passed through the room.

Another major shareholder, equally in on the scheme, rose to plead. “Colin, accept the Infinite Corporation’s offer. We can’t withstand a cosmic-level conglomerate. Their acquisition price is generous. With their support, our operations could expand further.”

One by one, the others began urging him to comply.

“Y-you…” Colin blinked in disbelief. These so-called advocates had already been compromised. Their combined shares could oust him entirely.

The decision-making core had been infiltrated from within.

The remaining executives, wavering but sensing opportunity, fixed Colin with hopeful gazes.

Colin’s expression wavered. Clenching his jaw, he asked hoarsely, “If I refuse, are you planning to sideline me?”

The second shareholder shrugged. “It depends on your choices. If your decisions lead the group toward ruin, we’ll have no choice but to intervene.”

Colin stared at the acquisition contract, his teeth clenched, weighing his options in silence. After what felt like an eternity, he snatched the document, scrutinized it, then—without a word—signed his name.

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

A sudden applause erupted as the door swung open. A man entered, smiling confidently.

“A wise choice.”

Colin frowned, but before he could ask, the second shareholder stepped forward.

“This is Mr. Mick, a high-ranking executive of the Infinite Corporation.”

“Of course. The one who bought me out.” Colin’s voice dripped with disdain.

“Hmph. No need for hostility. The Colin Group will now operate under our banner—we’re colleagues.”

Mick bowed slightly. “I’m here to inform everyone: the original leadership structure won’t undergo major changes. You’ll remain the group’s core executives.”

Expressions varied—some relieved, others indifferent.

Mick glanced around. “But operational direction requires adjustment. You must immediately terminate all cooperation with the Black Star Legion.”

“Why?” Colin frowned. “What does that have to do with the acquisition?”

“Because the Infinite Corporation has partnered with the Warfield Domain. They’re preparing to replicate the Legion’s benefits alliance strategy, requiring organizations to join their ranks. Every entity we’ve acquired must redirect their channels to Warfield Domain.”

Mick’s smile remained calm.

Colin’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, his eyes widened. He’d attended the previous Black Star gathering, where he’d met Sorogan—only to realize Sorogan had invested in Warfield Domain, using it to counter the Legion’s allies. As a Broken Ring native, Colin’s mind raced with a bold hypothesis:

*—No… the Infinite Corporation isn’t merely seeking to invade the Broken Ring. On the surface, they’re acquiring us, but their true target might be the Black Star Legion itself.*

*We’re just pawns caught in the crossfire…*

The Colin Group was merely one of many. Over recent months, numerous Broken Ring enterprises had been acquired or controlled. Some, overwhelmed by financial might, welcomed the Infinite Corporation’s fold, their leaders departing with smiles. For those refusing, the Corporation’s tactics were varied: sowing discord among executives, consolidating small shareholders to overthrow major ones, malicious acquisitions, bribing key personnel, investing in factories to sway civilizations, or directly poaching markets with superior products. The Infinite Corporation’s arsenal of strategies was vast—dozens of combinations, each capable of crippling enterprises. Even those resisting inevitably faced pressure, and accepting acquisition meant lesser losses.

The Infinite Corporation couldn’t directly challenge the Legion’s colossal scale, so they methodically chipped away at local enterprises. To these mid-sized groups, the cosmic-level titan was an insurmountable leviathan—no match for their dimensions.

They had funds, but the Infinite Corporation… was exceptionally wealthy.

Through such maneuvers, the Corporation amassed local enterprises over months, securing a web of channels, firmly planting its flag in the Broken Ring, drawing widespread attention and alarm.

Meanwhile, Warfield Domain and the Infinite Corporation jointly issued an announcement, declaring their strategic partnership. Warfield Domain stated its intent to expand operations, transitioning into a multifaceted benefits alliance—though unspoken, all in the Broken Ring understood: Warfield Domain was emulating the Black Star Legion.

“The Infinite Corporation and Warfield Domain have allied?!”

At the Legion’s headquarters, Chief of Staff Westyia reviewed the reports, her expression grave.

“Chief of Staff, Warfield Domain seeks to encroach on our business. Conflicts have emerged. Those acquired by the Infinite Corporation have already severed ties with us, joining Warfield Domain instead,” her secretary reported, voice tinged with concern.

“They no longer seek evolutionary cube quotas?” Westyia frowned.

“This… I’m unsure. Though these entities are private, their demand for evolutionary cubes may have waned over the years.”

Westyia nodded.

Indeed. Private organizations and civilizations differed. Even years ago, they’d largely secured their quotas. Cooperation now hinged on the benefits alliance’s influence. With acquisition, they followed the Infinite Corporation’s lead.

Commercial rivalry hinges on power, wealth, influence—never force. Warfield Domain itself was a top-tier A-level force, equivalent in rank, also an Empire League ally. The Infinite Corporation used it as a shield, making resistance impossible.

Westyia smirked inwardly, reviewing the reports meticulously.

The Infinite Conglomerate’s power is vast, yet it cannot, by its own might, confront every enterprise across an entire star domain. Those civilizations, for their part, would never abandon the cooperation of evolution blocks. Thus, the Infinite Conglomerate must act through private organizations, though acquisitions still demand capital. Larger-scale entities have yet to come under its scrutiny.

The Infinite Conglomerate is a formidable river dragon, winding its way through the currents of power. Even such strength has its limits; for now, it has only subdued a fraction of enterprises. It has steadied itself in the star domain’s markets, and though it may seek to acquire more organizations, it must proceed step by step.

Thus far, the Black Star Legion has lost some business channels, yet the wounds remain superficial. Its peripheral operations bear the brunt of impact, while its core ventures—Evolution Block collaborations, Shining World Development, and Resource Planet mining—remain as solid as bedrock.

Yet this trend… demands caution.

The Infinite Conglomerate’s foray into the war industry is fraught with peril. Should the war domain ignite, it could stand toe-to-toe with the Black Star Legion, sapping the Legion’s allies and shrinking its influence. Such a contraction would hamper the Legion’s growth, derail the grand design its leader has charted, and unleash grave consequences.

Mindful of this, Xiwaya’s brow darkened. She withdrew a communicator.

“I must inform the master at once.”