As far as the eye could see, the decks of both giant ships had at least five levels of structure. These giant ships shimmered with metallic luster throughout. On the decks, the muzzles of soul tool weapons were clearly visible installed.
The sea had never been a calm place. According to estimates by Federation experts, the number of spirit beasts in the ocean was at least fifty times that of land spirit beasts. This was also the reason sea spirit beasts were "hard to kill."
Of course, this was statistical data from the past.
Nowadays, the number of sea spirit beasts had sharply decreased. It was certainly not as high as in their peak period.
But even so, the spirit beasts in the deep sea should not be underestimated. So the foundation of ocean navigation technology lay in how to defend against those sea spirit beasts that might attack the ships.
Originally, Xingluo had sent these giant ships to the Douluo Continent to demonstrate their technology. But they discovered that the Federation already had soul powered aircraft, a more convenient soul tool mode of transportation.
Upon Arriving at the coast, the members of both delegations got off the vehicles and boarded the ships.
The personnel arranged on the two giant ships were mixed. There were both Federation members and people from the Xingluo Continent.
Federation Secretary General Pan Wen personally received the teams from the Spirit Transmission Tower and Shrek Academy. He came before Duoqing Douluo and Soul Calming Douluo and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Majesties."
"Hello, Secretary General Pan." Duoqing Douluo and Soul Calming Douluo both nodded in acknowledgment.
Pan Wen appeared to be an unremarkable middle aged man with no special features. However, being able to hold the important position of Federation Secretary General, his abilities were naturally beyond reproach.
There were rumors that he had a chance to become the next Speaker.
Pan Wen smiled. "To promote exchanges between both sides, this time we have specially arranged for the younger generation of the Spirit Transmission Tower and Shrek Academy to be on the Xingluo Hao Ocean Liner. Boarding with you will also be members of the Xingluo Royal Academy and Monster Academy from the Xingluo Continent. They are also very much looking forward to learn from each other and make progress together with you during the long journey to the Xingluo Continent."
"We will follow Secretary General Pan's arrangements."
Seeing that Duoqing Douluo and Soul Calming Douluo had no objections, Pan Wen breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it was Duoqing Douluo who came this time, not that Yuehua Douluo. He had dealt with that one before. One sentence from her could leave him speechless.
"Then please, this way."
Pan Wen smiled and led the group toward the port. The sea breeze carried a Salty and Damp scent, sweeping toward them. In the distance, the silver gray Xingluo Hao lay quietly anchored like a steel beast. Busy figures could be vaguely seen on the deck.
"This voyage will take about two months," Pan Wen introduced as they walked. "The ship is equipped with the most advanced soul tool training rooms. We have also specially prepared observation platforms for everyone. After all, when crossing the storm waters, natural wonders are also a rare experience."
Having the Federation Secretary General personally accompanied everyone on the tour could be said to be giving them face. But to be honest, Pan Wen was actually somewhat resigned.
In the past, the thing that successive Federation Speakers had most wished to accomplish was to bring the Spirit Transmission Tower and Shrek Academy under their control. After all, although these two were among the four major powers, compared to Federation direct forces like the War Temple and Mingde Hall, they had too much autonomy.
But bringing them under control was just wishful thinking.
The two major powers held pivotal positions on the continent. They were powerful and had deep foundations. Direct control was completely undesirable. The Spirit Transmission Tower was manageable. It tended more toward being a commercial organization and had cooperated with the Federation for mutual benefit on many occasions. But Shrek Academy was completely different. It was more like a sacred place for soul masters independent of the Federation system. It even had its own law enforcement authority and exclusive territory.
The Federation government had many attempts to win over Shrek through economic support, policy tilt, and other means, but the results had always been limited. Shrek's high ranking members always maintained a neutral stance. They were neither attached to the Federation nor easily interfered in politics. This made certain hardliners in the Federation Council both wary and helpless.
However, despite this, Shrek's attitude toward foreign wars was not neutral. They had always been representatives supporting the doves.
Pan Wen knew in his heart that this trip to the Xingluo Continent might be an opportunity for the Federation to further test Shrek's attitude.
There had always been rumors within the Federation that someone was secretly supporting Xingluo and Tiandou. He felt this might be related to Shrek Academy. If he could find evidence this time, his career would skyrocket. The Federation could also reform Shrek.
Thinking of this, a hidden gleam flashed in Pan Wen's eyes.
Compared to the deep schemes of these elders, the friction between the younger generation seemed quite "simple."
Xie Xie noticed that among the Shrek Academy delegation following Duoqing Douluo, there were quite a few familiar faces. Among them, that soul master with the Light Sacred Dragon martial soul had been staring at Wulin, his expression uncertain.
Xie Xie frowned. "What, you are still not convinced after losing last time?"
Long Chen glanced at Xie Xie upon hearing this but did not say a word.
Convinced? Defeated by Bloodline Suppression... how could he be convinced?
A trace of unwillingness flashed in Long Chen's eyes. His fists unconsciously clenched. In that match, his Light Sacred Dragon martial soul had trembled before Tang Wulin like a subject encountering a sovereign. This was a humiliation he would never forget.
Not to mention that because of that defeat, he had been unable to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The unwillingness and resentment of having his opportunity taken had always been buried deep in his heart.
Now, meeting Xie Xie and his group again, the fact that he did not challenge them directly was already a result of his restraint.
After thinking for a moment, Long Chen decided to say something. In a low, hard voice, he said, "Tang Wulin, do not think that just because you defeated me once, you can always be above me. I will challenge you again."
Tang Wulin scratched his head, looking at him with deliberate confusion.
"Who are you? Do we know each other?"
Long Chen said, "..."
After all that, you have even forgotten who I am?
Long Chen's face instantly flushed red. But before he could counterattack, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke. His voice was gentle but carried an unquestionable authority.
"This time, we are a delegation representing the Federation. Internal conflicts will only make the Xingluo delegation laugh at us. Settle any grievances privately. Do not bring them out in the open."
His gaze swept over the students of Shrek Academy, the Spirit Transmission Tower, and Sun Moon Academy. Everyone unconsciously straightened their backs.
This was not an order, yet it carried more weight than any order.
Xie Xie was the first to react, knowing that Huo Yuhao was reminding him. He grinned. "Brother Yuhao is right. We can fight each other however we want behind closed doors. In front of outsiders, we need to unite."
Yuanen Yehui nodded silently. Long Chen frowned, then suppressed his anger and did not flare up. Ye Xinglan's beautiful eyes looked at Huo Yuhao without any objection.
This was Huo Yuhao's weight.
He did not need any title. Just by standing there, he was the undeniable leader of the younger generation.
When the Federation delegation needed a core figure, everyone would tacitly choose him. Whether it was the pride of Shrek, the elite of the Spirit Transmission Tower, or the best of Sun Moon Academy, before absolute strength and Prestige, they could only submit willingly.
The name Huo Yuhao had long become an insurmountable peak for the younger generation. He was an existence that made all prodigies stand in awe, an unparalleled monster who could not even be challenged.
Seeing this scene, Duoqing Douluo's eyes flashed with complexity.
This young man had already imperceptibly conquered all his peers. At this moment, he suddenly realized that the curtain of a new era had already been slowly rising behind this young man.
"The Tide Has Truly Turned."
***
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