Chapter 1054: Unreasonable Demands

"Excessively cooperative... fixed routes... evading inquiries... data tampering..."

A trace of a smile curled at the corners of Li Fengmin's mouth.

"Just as expected. They are playing along with our act, and their acting... is becoming increasingly clumsy."

Li Fengmin walked to the communication console and connected to the encrypted channel with Sergeant Safo.

"Lord Safo, I have been briefed on the oversight situation. Do you have anything to add on your end?"

Sergeant Safo's voice came through the speaker of his helmet.

"Diplomat Li. The Alien's patience is nearing its limit. While accompanying them on an inspection of the underground mines, one of our battle-brothers 'inadvertently' approached an unmarked ventilation duct with abnormal energy readings. The Saikeishan escorting us showed signs of nervousness, and their psychic fluctuations spiked. Although they suppressed it immediately, it did not escape our sensors. What they are hiding is far deeper and far more dangerous than what we have seen."

Li Fengmin nodded.

"Consistent with our assessment. Their agreement to those seemingly unreasonable demands is not a genuine submission, but a delaying tactic, an attempt to muddle through with these half-truths and compromises to buy time. It seems that conventional pressure and inspections are no longer enough to make them bare their true Liaya."

Li Fengmin paused, a flash of determination in his eyes.

"Since they enjoy acting, we shall help them push this performance... to its climax. Prepare yourself, Sergeant Safo, and assemble the core members of the delegation and your squad. We are going to their palace once more."

Sergeant Safo nodded and asked.

"Understood. Is a new 'script' required?"

"Of course. This time, we will not play by the rules. I intend to put forward demands that they cannot handle with 'cooperation' and 'stalling' any longer. Demands that are... sufficiently unreasonable, sufficiently absurd, and sufficient to pierce through their disguise."

One hour later, Yongshuang Star, Saikeishan Wanggong.

Below the throne, the Saikeishan nobles were all present on both sides, even Count Kainuo, who had been "claiming illness," was prominently in attendance.

Frost King Ailamande sat high upon the throne, and Li Fengmin, accompanied by his diplomatic team and the Dark Angels squad led by Safo, stood once again in the center of the ice-crystal hall.

Unlike last time, two attendants behind Li Fengmin each held a metal case covered with the Star Alliance emblem.

"Ailamande, based on our preliminary assessment of your 'cooperation' over the past few days, as well as our initial verification of the personnel and data you submitted, we have found that your so-called 'sincerity' has serious flaws and is far from the admission standards for subordinate civilizations of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Ailamande's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

"Why does the Special Envoy say this? Our race has done our utmost to satisfy your demands..."

"Done your utmost?"

Li Fengmin interrupted him.

"Opening a few inconsequential abandoned facilities, sending a few apprentices with only a superficial understanding of core techniques to pose as masters, and submitting a technical dossier full of loopholes and suspected forgeries... Is this the Saikeishan race's 'utmost'? Is this your longing for the Emperor's protection?"

Count Kainuo's breathing became heavy, his fists clenched at his sides.

Grand Duke Moge hurriedly stepped forward, attempting to ease the atmosphere.

"Special Envoy, please calm your anger! The technical data may have omissions due to its age, and the cultivation masters may have been a misunderstanding on our part... As for the inspection areas, they are indeed the main areas of our race's current activity, there is absolutely no intent to deliberately conceal anything!"

Li Fengmin ignored Moge entirely, his gaze fixed on Ailamande as he continued.

"In view of your serious lack of integrity and the highly suspicious nature of your willingness to submit, in accordance with Article 17 of the Emergency Provisions of the 'Subordinate Civilization Management Regulations' and the authorization granted to the Star Alliance Special Envoy to act at their discretion, I, on behalf of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, hereby present the final sincerity verification requirements to the Saikeishan race."

Li Fengmin turned slightly, signaling the first attendant behind him to open the metal case.

Inside the case were several rows of metal collars glowing with a faint blue light, with psychic Rune engraved on their surfaces.

"First, mandatory psychic identification Collar.

To ensure that your high-ranking officials and key technical personnel do not engage in activities harmful to the interests of the Star Alliance or attempt to flee during the inspection period, Frost King Ailamande, as well as all cabinet members and tribal leaders present, must immediately wear this model of psychic collar.

This collar will monitor the wearer's location, psychic fluctuations, and vital signs in real-time; it cannot be removed without our authorization. This is a necessary measure to ensure the effectiveness of the 'inquiry'."

"Collar?! He wants to pen us up like livestock?!"

"This is going too far! This is an utter humiliation!"

Even the most composed and steady Grand Duke Moge was trembling, unable to speak.

Ailamande, his hands gripping the armrests of the throne, squeezed out through gritted teeth.

"Special Envoy Li Fengmin... is this move... perhaps too..."

Li Fengmin cut Ailamande off directly.

"Second,"

Li Fengmin signaled the second attendant to open the case, which contained several small but high-precision drilling and sampling devices.

"Royal Ice Core Gene Sampling. The Star Alliance suspects that the heritage of the Saikeishan royal family may be related to some form of unnatural genetic modification or Alien contamination.

To ensure the 'purity' of the ruling class of future vassal civilizations, we need to collect gene samples from the Frost King's direct bloodline within at least three generations, and... conduct core sampling of the ice layer one hundred meters deep beneath the base of this throne to verify whether its history matches what you have stated."

This time, even General Hanjian could not help but step forward, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Li Fengmin! You are questioning the bloodline of our King and desecrating the sacred relics of our race's origin!"

Li Fengmin glanced at him coldly.

"It is a scientific verification, where does the desecration come from? Unless... you have something to hide."

Without waiting for the other party to retort, Li Fengmin threw out the third demand.

"Third, immediate cultural transformation pilot program."

Li Fengmin raised his hand to point at the ice walls on both sides of the hall, which were carved with ancient Saikeishan Rune and history.

"These patterns, these so-called 'historical records,' their content and aesthetics do not conform to the mainstream cultural values of the Star Alliance and may contain inductive or exclusionary dross.

It is now required that, starting today, all carvings and decorations in the Lin Dong Zheng Dian that do not meet Star Alliance standards be removed immediately, and our accompanying cultural consultants will guide your craftsmen to replace them with content that praises the Emperor's great achievements and expounds upon Star Alliance law.

First, we shall begin with that largest mural behind the throne, which depicts your so-called 'Epic of the Ice Plain Migration'."

"You're full of shit!"