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"You all go to the Douling Continent to fight the Holy Spirit Cult. It's best if you achieve something, but even if you don't, you must put on a strong display. I will stay here and contact all Hidden Sects that we can ally with. The Federation has caused too much slaughter; they must be feeling insecure."
Cao Dezhi stated his proposal, then crossed his arms and concentrated on deployment: "Yun Ming, you guys simply aren't good at handling public opinion. Shrek made a mistake this time, but it's not without a chance for recovery. I suggest you hold a mobilization rally to express your determination."
"This public opinion must not only spread throughout the Federation but also reach the other two continents. Otherwise, if you remain silent, the Holy Spirit Cult's sins will truly be blamed on you."
Yun Ming nodded repeatedly. Having always relied only on martial force to solve problems, he suddenly had an epiphany. Old Cao, you truly deserve to have been the captain back then; your mind is sharp.
"Zang Xin, you go too. Not only must you express the Tang Sect's resolve, but you must also offer condolences to the royal families of the other two continents."
Cao Dezhi looked at Zang Xin again, displaying the high intelligence level of Shrek personnel: "If a branch is destroyed, it can be rebuilt, but if people's morale collapses, that's real trouble. We can even increase cooperation to prevent war preemptively."
Zang Xin was stunned upon hearing this: "What do you mean? Are we going to move more of our forces?"
"The Douluo Continent will always be the headquarters, but we do not wish to see war break out. Selling them weapons, or even manufacturing weapons there, is feasible."
Cao Dezhi slowly said: "If the Sun Moon Federation cannot establish new arms factories, can't we build them in the Star Luo Empire? I guarantee that the Star Luo Emperor, upon hearing this news, will not only refuse your money but will be willing to pay you extra."
Zang Xin nodded, his brows furrowed as he said: "But if we do this, won't the Federation—"
"The situation is already this bad; it can't get much worse." Cao Dezhi sighed, speaking forlornly: "Given our contributions to the Blood God Legion over the years, the military will give me some Face. You secretly go meet Dai Tianling to finalize this matter. Since our provision of weapons to the Star Luo Empire is already public knowledge, as long as we don't expose this, the problem shouldn't be major."
Having said that, his deep gaze sharpened, and he whispered: "If absolutely necessary, we must prepare for relocation; but that is the very last thing we will consider."
"Understood."
Yun Ming and Zang Xin agreed simultaneously. They knew what the other party meant.
If they couldn't survive here, they would take all their assets and flee to the Star Luo Empire to start anew.
Relying on the technology still retained by the Tang Sect and the appeal of Shrek, they could still stand against the Sun Moon Federation!
With the grand strategy finalized, Yun Ming, who had been depressed for several years, finally felt better and smiled with confidence.
"I hope certain people in the Federation understand the gravity of the situation and don't push us too far, otherwise—hmpf."
Cao Dezhi nodded and suddenly said: "Actually, I still want to try uniting with the Spirit Pagoda. After all, we fundamentally share the same interests; but Qiangu Dongfeng is difficult to negotiate with."
Yun Ming got a headache just hearing that name, and he scolded irritably: "He is now hand-in-glove with the Hawk Faction and has long been blinded by the benefits the Federation offers."
Cao Dezhi opened his mouth, wanting to say that this matter was not entirely the fault of the Qiangu Family.
Zang Xin, understanding Cao Dezhi's thoughts, immediately said: "Old Cao, you don't know this, but Qiangu Dongfeng is very ambitious now. His Spirit Pagoda Academy actually formulated final exams similar to Shrek Outer Court's, requiring students to travel out and challenge various academies and powers."
"Just in the past couple of days, many branches have reported back to headquarters that they encountered challenges from Spirit Pagoda Academy students. It must be deliberate!"
Cao Dezhi frowned immediately. After pondering for a moment, he lamented: "Very well, I will personally go see him another day. I hope I can make that fellow sober up."
What a pity. The original Shrek Tang Spirit Pagoda alliance was truly united, advancing and retreating together. If those three Families were of one mind, how would the Federation dare to pressure them excessively?
Now, they could only first contact the Hidden Sects that were still surviving.
Mingdu, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, was filled with bustling noise.
The "Welcome Federal Investigation Bureau Heroes Returning from Campaign Rally" commenced. Luan Hongchen and Kong Yao, acting as academy representatives, welcomed the triumphant return of the One Heart Society, led by Major General Feng Zaixing.
Immediately, salute cannons fired in unison, streamers fluttered, gongs and drums roared, and voices surged.
On the podium, while Feng Zaixing delivered an inspirational speech to the starry-eyed students, he simultaneously split off a portion of his mental force to communicate with Luan Hongchen, whose old Face was creased into a chrysanthemum-like smile.
"I say, Dean, when are you going to get down to some serious business? The moment I return, you make me give a speech."
Luan Hongchen righteously replied: "Allowing outstanding students to serve as role models and hosting a school-wide celebration—what is more important business than that?"
"You have no idea how many high officials and dignitaries have called my office this past year, trying to arrange for their children to join the One Heart Society. Of course, I haven't agreed to any of them.
If you were willing to go give speeches for them, the appearance fee would be at least several million federal currency. If you prepared seriously, it could easily be over ten—"
"—million."
Feng Zaixing found this amusing: "So, I can raise funds for the One Heart Society just by giving speeches?"
"Absolutely. You are now a legitimate Major General of the Federation, and the Federal Investigation Bureau has become an undeniable force because of your existence."
Luan Hongchen joked: "Even the land and school district housing near our academy have skyrocketed in price over the past few years. Property speculators have made a fortune."
"Forget it. I haven't fallen so low that I need to sell my Face to make money. The illicit assets confiscated from those twelve Hidden Families and Sects are enough to cover Mingdu's tax revenue for many years."
Feng Zaixing retorted: "Speaking of which, when I eliminated them, I notified you to participate in the asset processing. How many years' worth of funding did you secure for our academy?"
"Well—I didn't get much." Luan Hongchen's eyes flickered, and he said very modestly: "You guys took the bulk of the Spirit Bones and Heaven And Earth Treasures. How much could I possibly get? Just enough to build ten more Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academies, that's all."
Feng Zaixing's mouth twitched. He stopped communicating with Luan Hongchen, and his brilliant gaze swept over the students, dropping a bombshell: "Students, I have good news to share with you all regarding my return. After discussions with the academy, starting today, the academy's facilities will undergo a comprehensive upgrade, and funding for teaching resources will be doubled."
"This funding will be jointly borne by our One Heart Society and the Dean's Hongchen Family. We are committed to creating the best teaching environment and cultivating the best Geniuses!"
The restless crowd and the students who had grown somewhat tired of the speech instantly perked up. Starting with someone unknown, the entire venue erupted in thunderous cheering.
"Senior Feng is mighty! Dean Hongchen is mighty!" "Long live the One Heart Society! Long live the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"
"Salute to Major General Feng!" "Salute to the One Heart Society!"—
Xu Xiaoyan stood in the crowd shouting, while Tang Wulin and Xie Xie beside her opened their mouths in astonishment.
"Wu Lin, do you think there's any chance for us to become exchange students here?" Xie Xie nudged Tang Wulin with his elbow.
Tang Wulin quietly reminded him: "Our academy has never had exchange students, and Deputy Pagoda Master Leng even asked us to pass a message to Gu Yue, asking her to go back and visit her."
"I forgot about that."
Xie Xie, who had come to visit his classmates under the guise of the final exams while also carrying out a mission for his superior, slapped his forehead and abandoned the fantasy.
Alas, when would their Spirit Pagoda Academy produce such a generous big brother?
While Xie Xie sighed internally, Feng Zaixing continued to speak on the stage, pushing the atmosphere to a climax: "For this comprehensive upgrade of the academy, I invite all students to serve as supervisors. Any feedback or suggestions can be directed to the One Heart Society's station within the academy."
He waved his fist, and his emotionally charged voice, full of cadence, spread throughout the entire academy, echoing for ten miles around.
"The Federation's great plan for ten thousand years lies in educating new talent. Anyone who dares to seek personal gain in this matter, I will send him to prison for life. Anyone who dares to sabotage the Federation, I will take his head!"
"I tell everyone here today: you are my classmates, Feng Zaixing's classmates, and you are the comrades of our One Heart Society in building the future of the Federation. Anyone who tries to stop us from marching toward prosperity will be crushed into dust! Together, we will create a new glory for ourselves and the Federation!"
As soon as these words were spoken, tens of thousands cheered. From the students to the teachers, and even academy high-ranking officials like Luan Hongchen, everyone felt a sense of pride and honor.
The young man on the high platform might not have had the highest cultivation, but simply standing there, he possessed an unparalleled power that compelled them to believe and follow him.
At this moment, Gu Yue, standing not far from Feng Zaixing, felt somewhat dazed.
Peerless grace, followers gathered like clouds—this was the prestige she had always dreamed of.
Her eyes glanced at the silver-haired Na'er beside her, who was wearing a lavender dress and smiling faintly. Gu Yue murmured in her heart: "I guess you have good foresight. No, wait, your good foresight is my good foresight."
"Therefore, it is My good foresight, having discovered a human with limitless potential."
"This man is worthy of being My Dragon Consort."
Yuanen Yehui, as Feng Zaixing's only direct disciple, naturally sat on the other side of Na'er. As she watched Feng Zaixing commanding the realm, an inexplicable emotion grew increasingly intense within her.
It was a sense of security that meant she wouldn't need to fear or panic even if Heaven Falls and Earth Collapses, allowing her to hide behind him—a feeling that made her deeply infatuated.
Focusing her gaze on his handsome, peerless, majestic, and brilliant Face, she felt her heart beating extremely fast.
Just then, a steady and powerful voice reached her ear: "Disciple, go back and prepare. I am taking you home for a trip to meet your family."
Yuanen Yehui suddenly widened her beautiful eyes, looking disbelievingly at Feng Zaixing, who had just finished his speech on the high platform.
He said he was taking her home to meet her family?