Inside the Douluo Federation Council, the atmosphere was heavy.
Many people held their breath, trying to lower their presence.
The Federation Speaker, sitting at the head, had a livid face. His knuckles knocked on the conference table, producing a dull sound. Each knock seemed to strike everyone's heart.
"The War Temple was attacked. The Eternal Heaven was stolen."
His voice was dry. His gaze turned to those councilors previously close to Shrek, barely containing his anger.
"The attacker was Heaven Favored Douluo. Who can tell me why a Limit Douluo who disappeared for many years suddenly reappeared and did such a thing?"
The meeting room was dead silent.
The councilors close to Shrek all lowered their heads, not daring to answer.
As councilors, they were more sober than those below. They knew that Paper Cannot Wrap Fire. So they had not covered for Heaven Favored Douluo earlier. Therefore, for now, they could still sit here, receiving the Federation's anger.
But from now on, their influence would certainly be greatly reduced. Many were already calculating internally how to cut ties with Shrek to preserve their current positions and their families' interests.
As for those who had tampered with things or belonged entirely to the Shrek faction?
Most had already been dismissed and investigated. Some had even been invited by the Dark Department for "tea."
The Speaker's cold gaze slowly swept over those lowered heads, finally stopping on the Federation emblem hanging on the wall.
"Heaven Favored Douluo." He enunciated each word heavily. "The former Sea God Pavilion Master. Now, he has become a thief who stole the Federation's highest strategic weapon, a thug who attacked the War Temple."
The Speaker leaned forward slightly, his hands on the edge of the table.
"And according to Federation Secretary General Pan Wen's investigation in Xingluo, Shrek Academy's high ranking members, through their secret channels in Xingluo, have had large scale financial transactions, transfers of sensitive soul tool technology, and spirit soul transactions with Xingluo for thousands of years."
"Whoosh."
Although they had heard some rumors before, hearing the Speaker's accusations still shocked some.
This time, Shrek truly had left no retreat for itself.
"Silence."
The Speaker barked, his gaze like lightning. "Some evidence still needs to await the delegation's return to be determined. There are also doubts surrounding Heaven Favored Douluo's case. But the facts and existing clues from these years are already conclusive enough. Shrek is no longer the sacred place that cultivated talent for the Federation."
"Its high ranking members have degenerated into an interest group attempting to establish an independent kingdom within the Federation, even deeply tied with foreign forces."
The Speaker's accusations were like heavy hammers, beating on everyone's hearts.
Colluding with Xingluo, transferring technology, and spirit soul transactions. These were all serious crimes. Especially the spirit soul transactions with Xingluo, which almost touched the bottom line of the Spirit Transmission Tower and spirit beasts.
Some councilors' gazes instinctively turned to those representing the Spirit Transmission Tower. Their faces were equally cold.
"Everyone. A force that has rotted internally and colluded with external enemies now sits in our heartland. It enjoys the Federation's resources yet has reached its poisonous hand into the Federation's heart. The ruins of the War Temple are still burning. The loss of the Eternal Heaven means we have lost our sharpest sword. How should this debt be settled?"
No one answered. Everyone could feel the killing intent in those words, and a trace of barely perceptible, deep fear.
The Speaker took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to immediately send in the army.
He knew better than anyone Shrek's depth. Its network penetrated every corner of the Federation's military, political, commercial, academic, and research sectors. A Single Move Could Affect the Whole Situation. A forceful war would first cause the Federation itself to suffer Great Loss of Vitality, possibly even division, allowing the evil soul masters and Xingluo to profit from the conflict.
But the Federation's patience had limits. To this extent, regardless of whether Shrek Academy was innocent or not, it must pay a price.
The Speaker stood up, scanning the councilors below.
"Now, I announce."
"First. Mingde Hall is to implement a maximum level blockade of Shrek City and all its directly affiliated areas. Land routes, airspace, information networks, all are to be interrupted. No unauthorized personnel, materials, or soul tool signals are to enter or leave. Violators may be dealt with by any means, including force."
"Second. All assets, accounts, and research projects of Shrek Academy and its affiliated parties within the Federation are to be frozen. The Federation Reserve Bank and the Logistics Supervision Department are to jointly execute, conducting a full audit of all past fund flows and resource allocation records."
"Third. Outstanding graduates of Shrek Academy serving in the Federation government and various municipal Federation departments are to have their positions suspended pending review. During the review period, their duties are to be temporarily assumed by deputies or Federation appointed personnel. This applies especially to those from several generations of Shrek Seven Devils."
"Finally." The Speaker's gaze became deep, slowly sweeping the room. "The Federation is well aware that over ten thousand years, Shrek has had a mix of good and bad. There are scum who have colluded with the enemy, and there are upright people who are loyal to the Federation, who have been deceived or forced into silence. And the people of Shrek City naturally include many innocents."
"Based on this, the Federation gives those within Shrek, and all who are unwilling to go along with Shrek, a chance to clarify and choose again."
"The Federation will establish several 'Security Declaration and Citizen Registration Points' outside Shrek City. Anyone within Shrek City, whether a Sea God Pavilion elder, a student, or a resident, as long as they voluntarily leave Shrek City and pass a preliminary review, can obtain a temporary security status and special temporary identification."
"Those holding temporary identification will have their personal safety guaranteed by the Federation. The Federation will provide necessary living assistance and help them resettle in other cities. However, soul masters among them will need to undergo the same scrutiny as Dark Department members at regular intervals. Their thousand-year spirit souls will need to have their contracts temporarily dissolved and re-signed. The spirit souls will be provided by the Federation, with the best replacement."
"The Federation promises that for those who leave Shrek City through formal channels and complete registration, their personal information and safety will be strictly protected, avoiding retaliation and public opinion influence as much as possible."
At this point, the Speaker paused before continuing. "At the same time, dispatch soul powered aircraft to the Xingluo Continent to bring back the delegation. The above promises take effect immediately. The deadline is set for the third day after the returns delegation to the Federation."
The time was not long, nor short. Given the speed of soul powered aircraft, it would take about six to seven days for the delegation to return and complete basic reporting and evidence handover.
This gave the Shrek side about a week to respond. It was also the final deadline for them to give the Federation an account. If they could not satisfy the Federation, then all hell would break loose.
"The above resolution. If anyone has objections, they may raise them now. If there are none, they take effect immediately and are to be executed."
After hearing the last part, knowing the Speaker had not lost his mind, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and naturally had no objections.
After a few breaths, seeing no one stand up or speak, the Speaker nodded slightly, unsurprised.
"Then, the resolution is passed. Adjourn. Execute."
...
The Federation Speaker walked out of the meeting room, hearing the low discussion from within. He said to his secretary, who had followed him, "Notify the remaining War Gods at the War Temple to prepare for battle. They can redeem themselves by performing meritorious deeds."
The secretary quickly recorded.
"Furthermore, the Spirit Transmission Tower has unique influence among soul masters and the public. Please have the Spirit Transmission Tower come forward to guide public opinion, reduce the social panic caused by the incident, and reassure the soul master forces who are confused and afraid of the current situation."
At this point, the Federation Speaker paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Contact the Dark Department Head. Ask him to abandon his current mission and return to the Federation immediately."
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)