The Road Ahead Is Long

"The likelihood of war being declared is low. The distance between us is too great, with the spheres of influence of several civilizations lying in between."

"The Federation has no military bases in those regions. If they launch an expedition against the Southern Martial Star Realm, the length of the supply line would be more than they could bear."

Li Chengyuan paused, lightly tapping the star map twice with his fingers.

"But the Federation will not do nothing. You should know Xu Wuyi's temperament. If he could storm the Feathered Human Homeworld alone and kill the Feather Emperor, then he could cross the Astral Battlefield alone to come cause us trouble."

"Besides, the Federation's war on the Northern Front is basically over. Shen Jin and Qin Wu will soon be free to act. By then, if the Federation exerts pressure simultaneously along the southern, central, and northern lines, the Southern Martial Star Realm's defenses will be crushed until they cannot breathe."

Li Jingliu's brows furrowed slightly. "Father Emperor means that the Federation will not declare war, but will retaliate through other means?"

"Yes." Li Chengyuan turned around, his sunken eyes fixed on Li Jingliu. "And their methods of retaliation will be highly flexible. They may intensify their pressure on the Southern Martial Star Realm in the Astral Battlefield, or join forces with Azure and True Dragon to isolate us diplomatically."

"They may also send people to infiltrate the Southern Martial Star Realm's sphere of influence and knock on the heads of those small civilizations dependent on us, one by one. There are many methods, but only one goal: to let the entire Astral Battlefield see what becomes of those who oppose the Federation."

He returned to the dragon throne and sat down, his aged fingers lightly tapping the imperial desk