Chapter 205: Prestige

Wherever his gaze fell, the decks of both colossal ships had at least five structural levels; the hulls gleamed with metallic luster, and cannon muzzles of mounted soul guide weapons were clearly visible on the decks.

The sea has never been a tranquil place. According to Federation experts' calculations, the number of soul beasts in the ocean is at least fifty times that of land soul beasts — this is also why sea soul beasts are "hard to kill."

Of course, these are past statistical data.

Nowadays the number of sea soul beasts has plummeted; there certainly aren't as many as during the peak era.

Even so, those soul beasts in the deep sea cannot be underestimated, so the foundation of long-distance navigation technology lies in how to defend against sea soul beasts that might attack the ships.

Originally, Star Luo dispatched these colossal ships to Douluo Continent to showcase their own technology, but as a result they discovered the Federation actually already possessed soul guidance aircraft — a more convenient soul guide transportation tool...

Arriving at the coast, members of both delegations disembarked and boarded the ships in succession.

The personnel arranged on the two colossal ships were mixed — there were Federation members as well as people from Star Luo Continent.

Federation Secretary-General Pan Wen personally received the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek teams, approaching Douluo Duo Qing and Douluo Zhen Hun, bowing respectfully to them.

"Greetings, Your Excellencies."

"Hello, Secretary-General Pan." Douluo Duo Qing and Douluo Zhen Hun both nodded in acknowledgment.

Pan Wen looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, with nothing remarkable about his appearance. However, to hold the crucial post of Federation Secretary-General, his capability is naturally beyond reproach.

Rumor has it he has a chance to become the next Chairman.

Pan Wen smiled and said: "To promote exchange between both sides, this time we specially arranged the younger generations of the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek aboard Star Luo Continent's Star Luo No. ocean liner. Boarding with you are also members from Star Luo Continent's Star Luo Royal Academy and Monster Academy. They are also very much looking forward to mutually sparring and advancing together during the long voyage to Star Luo Continent."

"We'll go with Secretary-General Pan's arrangement."

Seeing Douluo Duo Qing and Douluo Zhen Hun raise no objection upon hearing this, Pan Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Good thing it's Douluo Duo Qing who came this time, not that Moon Hua Douluo. He's interacted with her — one sentence from her could choke him to death.

"Then honored guests, please come this way."

Pan Wen smiled and led everyone toward the harbor; the sea wind carried a salty, damp aura rushing at their faces. In the distance, the silver-gray Star Luo No. lay quietly at anchor like a steel behemoth; busy figures could be faintly seen on the deck.

"This voyage will take approximately two months," Pan Wen introduced as they walked, "the ship is equipped with the most advanced soul guide training rooms, and observation decks have been specially prepared for everyone. After all, when crossing the Storm Sea Area, natural wonders are also a rare experience."

The Federation Secretary-General personally guiding everyone on a tour can be said to have given full face. But truthfully, Pan Wen felt somewhat helpless inside.

In the past, what successive Federation Chairmen most hoped to accomplish was to control the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy — after all, although these two rank among the Four Great Powers, compared to the War God Hall and Mingde Hall which are Federation directly-subordinate forces, their autonomy is too great.

But controlling them is just wishful thinking.

The status of these two great powers on the continent is pivotal; their strength is formidable, their foundation deep. Direct control is fundamentally inadvisable. The Spirit Pagoda is still alright — it leans more toward a commercial organization, and the number of times it has cooperated with the Federation for mutual benefit is not small. But Shrek Academy is completely different; it is more like a soul master holy land independent of the Federation system, even possessing its own law enforcement authority and exclusive territory.

The Federation government has attempted many times to win over Shrek through economic support, policy favoritism, and other means, but the effect has always been limited. Shrek's high-level leadership has consistently upheld a neutral stance — neither relying on the Federation nor lightly interfering in politics — which makes certain hardliners in the Federal Parliament both wary and helpless.

However, such a Shrek, in its attitude toward foreign wars, would not maintain neutrality; it has always been the representative of the dove faction.

Pan Wen knew clearly in his heart that this trip to Star Luo Continent might be the Federation's opportunity to further probe Shrek's attitude.

There have always been rumors within the Federation that someone secretly supports Star Luo and Tian Dou; he feels it might be related to Shrek Academy. If he could find evidence this time, his official career would soar. On the Federation's side, they could also rectify Shrek.

Thinking here, a trace of hidden sharp light flashed in the depths of Pan Wen's eyes. And compared to these elders' profound schemes, the friction among the younger generation appeared quite "simple."

Xie Xie discovered that among the Shrek delegation following behind Douluo Duo Qing there were quite a few familiar faces; among them, that soul master with the HolyLightDragon martial soul kept staring at Wu Lin, his expression shifting between dark and clear.

Xie Xie frowned: "What, still not convinced after losing last competition?"

Long Chen glanced at Xie Xie upon hearing this, without uttering a sound.

Convinced? Defeated by bloodline suppression... how could I be convinced?

A trace of unwillingness flashed in Long Chen's eyes; his fists unconsciously clenched tight. In that competition, his HolyLightDragon martial soul before Tang Wulin actually trembled incessantly like a subject meeting his sovereign — a humiliation he would never forget in his lifetime.

Not to mention that because of that defeat, he couldn't go to the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well; the opportunity was snatched away — this unwillingness and resentment have been buried deep in his heart all along.

Now seeing Xie Xie's group again, not directly challenging them to a duel was already the result of his restraint.

After pondering a moment, Long Chen still decided to say something, speaking in a low, cold, hard voice: "Tang Wulin, don't think that just because you beat me once, you can keep suppressing me forever. I will challenge you again."

Tang Wulin scratched his head, feigning a puzzled look at him.

"Who are you? Do we know each other?"

Long Chen: "..."

After all that, you don't even remember who I am?

Long Chen's face instantly flushed crimson, but before he could retaliate, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke, his voice gentle yet carrying an indisputable authority.

"This time we represent the Federation's delegation; internal contradictions arising will only make the Star Luo delegation see a joke. Whatever grievances, settle them in private; don't display them openly."

His gaze swept over the students of Shrek, Spirit Pagoda, and Sun Moon Royal Academy; every person unconsciously straightened their spine.

This wasn't an order, yet it carried more weight than any order.

Xie Xie was the first to react, knowing Huo Yuhao was reminding him; he grinned: "Big Brother Yuhao is right; behind closed doors we can fight however we want, but before outsiders we must unite."

Yuan En Yehui nodded silently; Long Chen frowned, also suppressing his anger, no longer flaring up. Ye Xinglan's beautiful eyes looked at Huo Yuhao, without any objection.

This is Huo Yuhao's weight —

Without any title, he stands there, the undisputed leader of the younger generation.

When the Federation delegation needs a core figure, everyone tacitly chooses him. Whether Shrek's pride, Spirit Pagoda's elites, or Sun Moon Academy's outstanding talents — before absolute strength and prestige, all can only submit wholeheartedly.

The three characters Huo Yuhao have long become an insurmountable peak for the younger generation. He is an existence that makes all heaven's chosen look up in awe, a peerless freak before whom even the thought of challenge cannot arise.

Douluo Duo Qing saw this scene; a complex look flashed in her eyes.

This young man has already unknowingly conquered all his peers. At this moment he suddenly realized with a start: the curtain of the new era has already slowly risen behind this young man.

"The general trend is set..."

(End of Chapter)