"I understand that we may be overreacting, but at this critical juncture, the appearance of Yun Ming—the strongest individual on the continent—on the Star Luo Continent is highly unfavorable for the Federation's upcoming actions!"
One of the council members stood up and calmly stated Yun Ming's actions.
"As a citizen of the Federation, does Yun Ming no longer have the freedom to move as he pleases?" another council member countered.
This council member belonged to the dove-ish faction.
(T/N: 'Dove' represents peace, it's the anti-war faction)
The one who had initially criticized Yun Ming, however, was from the hawkish faction.
"The Federation's decisions are the Federation's decisions. Is Yun Ming planning to interfere with the Federation's operations by force?" the hawkish council member rose in anger to rebuke.
He wasn't targeting Yun Ming personally.
Rather, the Federation had long decided on a strategy of war.
The continents of Tian Dou and Star Luo were rich in resources but underdeveloped, holding vast untapped potential that the Federation desperately needed.
In recent years, the hawkish faction had gradually gained the upper hand, and their plans for a unification war against the two continents had begun to take shape. At this crucial moment, Yun Ming's appearance on the Star Luo Continent was something they simply could not tolerate.
What did Yun Ming intend to do?
What was Shrek Academy planning?
Were they supporting the Star Luo and Tian Dou continents, attempting to deter the Federation?
At present, the social atmosphere within the Federation seemed calm, but only the high-ranking decision-makers in the parliament understood that war was imminent—it was just around the corner.
At such a sensitive time, did Shrek Academy, which represented the pinnacle of power on the continent, show signs of collusion with the Star Luo side?
Even some of the dovish council members didn't dare to overly defend Yun Ming at this moment.
They too were puzzled—why had Yun Ming appeared on the Star Luo Continent at such a sensitive time?
His appearance alone might have been acceptable—after all, he was the strongest individual on the continent, perhaps even the strongest on the entire Douluo Planet. He had his own freedom, and no one could control him.
But exposing his whereabouts, exchanging words with En Ci, the strongest individual on the Star Luo Continent, and then traveling across the Star Luo Continent for three whole months without any sign of returning—
What did this mean?
The heads of the dovish council members were spinning.
It was clear that Yun Ming was doing this intentionally, almost as if he wanted the Federation to know. His actions were extremely ostentatious, completely unlike the low-profile behavior he had maintained for decades.
Clearly, Yun Ming wanted the Federation to know something.
And whatever that information was, it was bound to provoke significant dissatisfaction within the Federation's parliament.
"Hmph! Shrek has been enjoying its freedom for too long. Do they really think they're no longer part of the Federation? I say it's time Shrek underwent some reforms!" one council member angrily exclaimed.
All eyes turned to him.
Some were astonished.
Brother, you're bold.
The council member realized he had spoken out of turn, accidentally voicing his inner thoughts, and quickly fell silent.
He could feel the weight of the gazes upon him—some were shocked, some admiring, and a few piercing stares came from those council members affiliated with Shrek Academy.
"Master Long, Shrek and the Federation have always been interdependent and mutually supportive. The Federation has always respected Shrek, and I hope Shrek can also safeguard the Federation's interests," said the first council speaker.
He was neutral, though his words subtly suggested that Yun Ming's actions this time were excessive.
The person referred to as Master Long was an elderly man with graying hair, but his soul power fluctuations were as deep as an abyss.
He was a powerhouse.
To be precise, he didn't belong to any faction—he was Shrek Academy's representative.
"Oh?" Master Long raised his eyelids and looked at the council speaker.
"Zhang Zhongli, are you saying that Shrek has betrayed the Federation?"
"Not at all," Zhang Zhongli quickly replied. "I'm merely suggesting that there's no need for beating around the bush between the Federation and Shrek. If Shrek has any grievances, they should voice them directly instead of acting in this manner."
Zhang Zhongli took a deep breath and continued, "I believe the Federation has done nothing to wrong Shrek, and I truly don't understand why Shrek seems dissatisfied now. I hope Master Long can clarify this for us."
Master Long narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Our academy's new students are simply participating in an exchange program. The Pavilion Master's disciple is among them, so he accompanied them—that's all."
However, no council member present believed this explanation.
Perhaps there was some truth to it, but it certainly wasn't the whole story.
Otherwise, Yun Ming wouldn't have made such a blatant display of his movements.
Still, even though they didn't believe it, no council member dared to challenge him further.
Arguing was pointless.
What Yun Ming had done on the Star Luo Continent was something the Federation needed to investigate, but they couldn't force Master Long to speak.
The meeting ended hastily, with no substantial progress made.
In the end, only a few of the Federation's council leaders remained.
There were hundreds of Federation council members, but only fifteen council leaders.
These fifteen leaders were all direct personnel of the Federation, not affiliated with external forces like Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda, or the Tang Sect.
Of course, only five of the fifteen leaders were physically present; the other ten participated via video conference.
"Shrek's actions this time are unusual. I don't think Yun Ming's visit to the Star Luo Continent is related to the war," one leader remarked.
"But his actions are pressuring the Federation!" Zhang Zhongli said gravely.
As a neutral party, he placed the highest importance on the Federation's interests.
He didn't know what the Federation had done to offend Shrek, causing them to react so strongly.
Without explaining the reason, they were engaging in this silent standoff—a form of quiet but palpable threat weighing heavily on everyone's minds.
This kind of cold violence was something even the Federation's council leaders were unwilling to endure.
"Alright, that's all for this matter."
A voice emerged from the projection.
Everyone fell silent.
Zhang Zhongli looked toward the source of the voice.
Chen Xinjie!
"We need a reason," Zhang Zhongli said firmly.
Chen Xinjie's projection stared at Zhang Zhongli, his gaze sweeping across the entire meeting room.
Despite the vast distance separating them and the fact that it was only a projection, the overwhelming pressure was undeniable.
"Wait," Chen Xinjie said, uttering just one word.
Yet, faced with such an absurd answer, Zhang Zhongli didn't dare to continue questioning.
This answer would be the sole result of the Federation's handling of this incident.
Wait.
Wait for Shrek to provide a reason.
Wait for Shrek to state their demands.
Until then, the Federation's parliament would prepare for every possibility.
It could involve self-investigation, offering apologies, or making compromises and concessions.
This outcome weighed heavily on the council leaders' minds, but there was nowhere to vent their frustration.
Because this conclusion had come from Chen Xinjie.
Yun Ming was the strongest individual on the Douluo Planet, while Chen Xinjie was the strongest under the Federation's banner, second only to Yun Ming on the entire planet.
Despite Shrek's seemingly unreasonable behavior—with no explanation or justification, delivering an inexplicable blow to the Federation's parliament—the parliament had no choice but to endure.
Zhang Zhongli stared at Chen Xinjie's projection, each breath feeling heavier than the last.
Chen Xinjie had conceded.
What could it be?
Whatever interest Shrek had been touched upon must be extraordinary, otherwise Chen Xinjie would never have backed down.
What had happened?
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