Phillip sent out a message and received a reply a few seconds later.

“Master, hum… They would like to meet you privately. You can decide the time and place.”

“If that’s the case…” Han Xiao contemplated.

This matter was a little sensitive since the Federation of Light had come to find him. However, Beyond Grade A allies were not subordinates of a Universal Civilization, and he had a certain degree of freedom and rights. Even if the dynasty knew about the meeting between them, it was not a big deal.

Han Xiao thought for a few seconds before saying, “Tell them that I don’t accept a private meeting. I temporarily do not wish to have a ‘shared secret’ with them. Invite them over to the Black Star Army as guests. They can come if they are willing, but there isn’t a need to meet them if they aren’t.”

The other party was the one who took the initiative to find him, and he did not do anything wrong. It would not be good for him to behave sneakily. Thus, he might as well invite them over to his territory openly. If not, it would seem as though he was concocting some secret plan with the Federation of Light, which would attract more misunderstandings.

The second mission of the Spacetime Amber was for him to come into contact with the descendants of Spacetime Freezer. Because the Federation of Light was protecting that race, Han Xiao had not completed the mission yet. But since the other party was taking the initiative to request a meeting, Han Xiao treated it as a small surprise, and it would save him quite a bit of energy.

However, he could not seem too anxious. Since the other party had taken the initiative to meet him, the rules would be set by him.

After sending out an invitation, the Federation of Light did not give a reply as though they were considering it.

Han Xiao was not too anxious. He then took out his communicator and called Tarrokov.

Tarrokov appeared, and he said with a smile, “Black Star, you have the time to contact me already?”

“Haha, chief commander, how are things recently?”

“Sigh, it’s still the same as always. We are still eating dirt in the Flickering World. When will you come back to continue your exploration?”

“In a while.”

“Hurry up then. The first exploration phase will end in a few years, and we will enter the construction phase. We will only start off our second exploration after digesting the territories of the three Star Clusters.”

Han Xiao then chatted casually with the other party for a while before saying with a serious expression, “I haven’t contacted the outside world during this period, and the negotiations should have been going on for a few months already. Has the dynasty reached an agreement with the Arcane Church?”

“There shouldn’t be any problem.” Tarrokov nodded. “Although both parties look like they are in conflict on the surface, they have already come to an agreement in private. The only thing that is left are the details of the agreement. The Arcane Church paid a heavy price in order to ransom their experts, but the exact figure is confidential. I can only say that the other party made huge concessions in military, economic, and political affairs. They also released some of their technological skills. In any case, the dynasty promised the Arcane Church to release three Beyond Grade As—Dylan, Taylor, and Mercer. Only Sagman is still in our hands as a bargaining chip.”

Han Xiao nodded.

The foundation of a civilization was their people, and the conflicts between the civilizations were usually because of status and resources. Compared to the long history of a civilization, every Beyond Grade A was no more than a shooting star in a part of their history. Returning three Beyond Grade A captives in exchange for resources was a trade that the dynasty was extremely willing to do. At the same time, it could be said that the three Universal Civilizations were on the same tide. Despite having their own conflicts, it was impossible for any party to wipe out the others. Apart from their conflicts, it was also important for them to suppress the civilizations beneath them and maintain order.

“Right, how did they deal with the Spacetime Amber?” Han Xiao asked.

As the Arcane Church researched the Spacetime Amber, the name of the Spacetime Amber had spread throughout the universe, and every large organization was now aware of it. The two Universal Treasures in Black Star’s hands were the Evolution Cube and Spacetime Amber. As such, Black Star had a special status in the universe.

“The Arcane Church isn’t able to break the seal and wants to invite the dynasty to help them. The dynasty dragged the matter on and didn’t contact you, so you are still unaware about it.”

“Does the dynasty plan to agree to it?”

“Hmm, the Arcane Church is willing to pay the price, and the dynasty is going to ask you to unseal one of the captives. They also want you to make a trip to the Central Galaxy.”

“Alright.” Han Xiao nodded. The players now had the Gulal Civilization and Flickering World, so they were having the time of their lives. He would not need to interfere with the players until the end of Version 3.0, so he would be free.

Furthermore, he was also prepared to head to the Central Galaxy and find some helpers to deal with EsGod.

“I would like to ask, has the dynasty found EsGod yet?”

“We have found some clues. Some eyewitnesses claim to have seen the Fallen Ark at the Primeval Star River. The wormhole cluster in the Shattered Star Ring should have sent them there.”

“As long as their whereabouts are known,” Han Xiao said. “The Arcane Church has already given in, and the dynasty can only channel some manpower to deal with the accomplice EsGod.”

Tarrokov observed Han Xiao’s appearance and said with a smile, “I feel as though you are extremely determined to kill EsGod.”

“That’s right. He had been eyeing up the Evolution Cube for such a long time and almost took my life. Can I not hate him?” Han Xiao shrugged.

“This isn’t the same.” Tarrokov shook his head but did not continue.

It was not only because of the Evolution Cube. He felt that Han Xiao’s enmity toward EsGod had a sense of urgency within it, as though EsGod posed a huge threat to him.

“In any case, the upper echelons have already sent out their forces to attack the Fallen Ark. EsGod isn’t in his main camp. The dynasty plans to send manpower to kill him, and you are also on the list. Even if you don’t ask, the upper echelons will find you regarding this matter.”

“Alright, I will be there. I can participate in this mission during my trip to the Central Galaxy.”

Han Xiao then chatted casually for a while more before hanging up.

As the final boss of the evil faction, EsGod had been able to avoid death.

The three Universal Civilizations had tried to deal with him many times before but were unable to kill him. It might be possible that the dynasty only treated killing EsGod as putting up a show.

He was probably the only one who resolutely wanted to kill EsGod.

I hope that history doesn’t repeat itself, Han Xiao thought to himself.

If he could wipe out EsGod this time, he would be able to resolve the threat of the World Tree entering early.

It was not that Han Xiao did not have any confidence in the three Universal Civilizations. In his previous life, the three Universal Civilizations won a pyrrhic victory, so they might not be able to emerge victorious at the moment.

A few ferocious characters from the later versions had not grown up fully yet.

Especially the players.

Ding!

Right at this moment, Phillip received the reply from the Federation of Light indicating that they would accept his invitation.

…

On the other side, in the Federation of Light’s Shattered Star Ring stronghold, Mona placed down his communicator. He was the emissary in charge of contacting Han Xiao this time and also a descendant of Spacetime Freezer. His skin was light blue with diamond-like crystals growing on it.

“Black Star has agreed to meet us,” Mona reported to the upper echelons.

“Alright, remember your mission. First, you must probe Black Star’s attitude. Second, you need to investigate the origins of the Spacetime Amber. If the probing isn’t ideal, do not mention the trade. Also, do not make any unnecessary moves.”

Mona nodded solemnly.

The Federation of Light wanted the seal on the Ten Thousand Deity Scepter to be undone, but Black Star was an ally of the dynasty. Thus, it was unlikely for him to help them. Without sufficient benefits, Black Star would not risk offending the dynasty to help them undo the seal.

Black Star was able to get most resources from the dynasty, and there was no need to make a deal with them. Thus, the Federation of Light can only probe to see if Black Star had any special requirements.

Even if the hope was slim, the Federation of Light would have to give it a try. Bader truly could not bear to just stare at a useless Ten Thousand Deity Scepter.

Since they had already offended the Arcane Church, they could not walk out without any benefits.

“I will not make any rash moves, but His Excellency Manison…” Mona then turned to look at a mechanical host beside him.

This was Manison’s Lord’s Descent host that was not activated yet. Manison’s consciousness had not descended on it, and it was being controlled by AI from afar.

Upon hearing those words, Manison appeared through a long-distance projection.

“You don’t need to bother about me. I will be paying Black Star a visit in a personal capacity and not interfere with your affairs.”

Mona could only nod as he heard that. At his level, he did not have the right to control Manison.

Manison shook his head with a strange look on his face.

In truth, Manison had been looking forward to meeting Han Xiao for a long time. He paid close attention to all the Beyond Grade A Mechanics.

Black Star’s name had resounded throughout the Beyond Grade A ranks in the universe, and he had long wanted to test Black Star’s strength.

Only then would he know the price he had to pay for the Spacetime Amber.