Xie An followed the secretary to the entrance of a private room.
"Temple Master, I can't escort you any farther. Please go in by yourself."
Xie An nodded and stepped inside. The moment he entered, something resembling a contract appeared in his mind.
"You are about to enter a top-secret meeting. Please sign the agreement first."
"I agree to sign."
An invisible restriction settled over his mind.
However, after examining it closely, Xie An found that he seemed able to break free of it.
Still, to be on the safe side, he chose to sign.
A tree that stood out in the forest would be battered by the wind.
Inside the meeting room stood a huge round table.
Three people were already seated at it: Chen Xinjie, commander of the Sea God Legion; Yu Guanzhi, commander of the Central Legion; and the Douluo Federation Council Chairman.
The Council Chairman was the first to greet Xie An when he arrived.
Though the Council Chairman himself was not especially powerful, possessing only the strength of a Titled Douluo,
he represented nearly every powerful force on the continent apart from Shrek and the Tang Sect.
He was a true spokesperson for them all.
The current Council Chairman was also something of an exception. With his exceptional political skills, he had effectively balanced the interests of all sides and earned everyone's respect.
Yu Guanzhi greeted Xie An next, while Hanhai Douluo Chen Xinjie was the last to do so.
Yu Guanzhi commanded the Central Legion. One of them was on Mount Ming City, the other below it.
As a result, the two knew each other very well.
Xie An spotted a nameplate bearing his name and sat down.
There were seven seats, each with a holographic display beside it.
Xie An and the others had already taken four of them.
In the minutes before the meeting began, one figure after another appeared on the holographic screens.
The first face to appear belonged to Dong Zi'an of the Western Legion.
Dong Zi'an had risen from humble beginnings. Thanks to his Mutated Martial Soul and his outstanding performance on the battlefield, he had eventually become commander of the Western Legion.
When Dong Zi'an saw Xie An, he waved at him through the screen in greeting.
Next to appear was Yin Moshang of the Northwest Legion, a Level 98 Super Douluo.
After him came the commander of the Northern Legion, Guo Zhenfeng. Compared with the other bigwigs, most of whom were over a hundred years old, he looked strikingly young at only forty or fifty.
Every one of these people held great power and was utterly loyal to the Federation.
At least for now.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the Council Chairman said gravely, "All right, everyone's here. Let's begin."
The words "Plan to Destroy Shrek" appeared in large, unmistakable letters in the meeting hall.
Yet no one present showed the slightest surprise. They were all calm, as if they had expected this.
"Shrek Academy has grown increasingly brazen in recent years. A few months ago, War God Temple Master Xie An reported to me that their graduates had once again come to Ming City to take their so-called graduation exams."
"They're trampling the Federation's laws and dignity underfoot."
"Shrek Academy's students are already starting to show signs of knowing only Shrek and not the Federation."
"Therefore, we must destroy it."
The Council Chairman spoke in a solemn voice.
"Exactly. The graduates from Shrek Academy are the most unruly and disobedient soldiers in the Western Legion."
Dong Zi'an, commander of the Western Legion, was the first to agree.
"Shrek Academy should be destroyed. Otherwise, we'll end up in a situation like the one in ancient times, where a vassal's vassal wasn't considered our vassal."
Yu Guanzhi of the Central Legion agreed as well.
"How do we destroy it?"
To everyone's surprise, Hanhai Douluo Chen Xinjie stroked the ring on his finger and was the first to ask.
"Have the Spirit Pagoda collude with the Evil Soul Masters to do it."
"The Spirit Pagoda's master still bears a grudge against Yun Ming for knocking out a row of his teeth."
The Council Chairman revealed his plan.
"The Spirit Pagoda and the Holy Spirit Cult won't be enough, will they?"
"The Spirit Pagoda can't openly attack Shrek Academy."
"And the Holy Spirit Cult's lot are always skulking in the shadows. They're hardly up to the task."
Xie An asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I've already authorized Chen Xinjie to release two Level 12 God-Slaying Soul Guidance Shells."
"I'm sorry, Xie An. I won't do that again. You'll be responsible for secretly handing the second God-Slaying Cannonball over to the Spirit Pagoda."
"Chen Xinjie, don't get involved any further."
Recalling what Xie An had told him before the meeting—that one God-Slaying Fixed Soul Guidance Shell was already in the hands of the Holy Spirit Cult—the Council Chairman spoke with some remorse.
Xie An gave a cold snort but said nothing.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
Just as the Council Chairman was about to call for a show of hands, Xie An suddenly spoke up.
"I don't think destroying Shrek should mean merely destroying it physically. We should destroy it in spirit as well."
"Oh? Temple Master Xie, do you have a good idea?"
"Nothing special. The Skysea Alliance will be held in five years, and I hope the tournament can take place in my hometown, Eastsea City."
"I'll invite Shrek to compete in my name."
"Then I'll arrange for our people to defeat Shrek and make everyone realize that Shrek isn't invincible."
"Speaking of Eastsea City, Chen Xinjie, can you explain why Evil Soul Masters managed to infiltrate my home?"
"Are your Sea God Legion and Eastsea Legion just good for nothing?"
The Council Chairman furrowed his brow, but said nothing.
The other legion commanders watched with interest.
"He's probably been thinking about his old flame, Long Yeyue, all day. You ought to cut him some slack, War God Temple Master."
The blunt Dong Zi'an spoke teasingly.
To everyone's surprise, Hanhai Douluo Chen Xinjie didn't get angry. He only said gravely, "This is indeed my responsibility. When I return, I'll investigate thoroughly and give Temple Master Xie an explanation."
"Any other questions?"
Seeing the matter settled, the Council Chairman continued.
"I have a question,"
said Yu Guanzhi, commander of the Central Legion.
"How can we ensure that the God-Slaying Fixed Soul Guidance Shells won't land on our own heads?"
At that question, the others understood the concern as well, and all eyes turned to the Council Chairman.
"Commander, you don't need to worry. The scientists have already programmed the Level 12 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells in advance. They absolutely won't appear over our heads."
"Should the Tang Sect be destroyed as well?"
This time, Guo Zhenfeng was the one to speak.
"The Tang Sect is closely tied to Shrek. It must be dealt with too."
"Besides, some of the Tang Sect's advanced technologies have already threatened the Federation's standing."
"The Federation cannot allow an organization like that to exist."
"If there are no further objections, let's vote by show of hands on whether to approve the motion to destroy Shrek."
All seven hands went up at once, without a moment's hesitation.
"Good. The motion has passed unanimously."
"Once you return, keep acting as if we're yielding to and respecting Shrek. We must not let them suspect anything."
"Don't worry. Who among us doesn't want to destroy Shrek? We'll all keep our mouths shut."
Before you continue