Prestige

As far as the eye could see, both giant ships had at least five layers of structure on their decks. The ships gleamed with a metallic luster, and the muzzles of the Soul Tool Weapons were clearly visible on the decks.

The Great Sea is never a calm place. According to calculations by Federation experts, the number of Soul Beast in the ocean is at least fifty times that of Soul Beast on land, which is why Sea Soul Beast are so "resistant to death".

Of course, this is based on past statistics.

The number of Sea Soul Beast has decreased sharply, certainly not as many as in their peak period.

Even so, the Soul Beast in the deep sea should not be underestimated, so the key to long-distance navigation technology lies in how to defend against those Sea Soul Beast that may attack ships.

The original purpose of the Star Luo Empire sending these giant ships to the Douluo Continent was to showcase their technology, but they discovered that the Federation already possessed a more convenient Soul Tool Airplane...

Upon reaching the coast, members of both delegations disembarked from their vehicles and boarded their ships.

The personnel on the two giant ships were a mixed group, including members of the Federation and people from the Star Luo Continent.

Federal Secretary-General Pan Wen personally received the delegation from the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy. He approached the Passionate Douluo and the Soul Suppressing Douluo and respectfully greeted them.

Greetings, Your Excellencies.

"Hello, Secretary-General Pan." Both the Passionate Douluo and the Soul Suppressing Douluo nodded in acknowledgment.

Pan Wen appears to be an ordinary middle-aged man with no particular distinguishing features. However, his ability to hold the important position of Federal Secretary-General is undoubtedly beyond reproach.

There are rumors that he has a chance to become the next speaker.

Pan Wen smiled and said, "To promote exchange between the two sides, we have specially arranged for the younger generation of the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy to board the Star Luo Ocean Carrier from the Star Luo Continent. Also boarding with you are members from the Star Luo Royal Academy and Monster Academy from the Star Luo Continent. They are also very much looking forward to learning from each other and making progress together on the long journey to the Star Luo Continent."

"Let's do as Secretary-General Pan arranges."

Seeing that neither the Passionate Douluo nor the Soul Suppressing Douluo had any objections, Pan Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it was the Passionate Douluo who came this time, not the Moon Splendor Douluo. He had met the latter before, and she could shut him up with a single sentence.

"Please come this way, everyone."

Pan Wen smiled and led everyone toward the port. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and humid scent, rushed toward them. In the distance, the silver-gray Star Luo was quietly anchored like a steel behemoth, with busy figures vaguely visible on its deck.

"This voyage will take about two months," Pan Wen explained as they walked. "The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art soul guidance training room, and we've also prepared a viewing platform for everyone. After all, witnessing the natural wonders while traversing the Storm Sea Region is a rare experience."

The Federal Secretary-General personally led everyone on a tour, which was quite a show of respect. But to be honest, Pan Wen felt somewhat helpless.

In the past, the thing that successive Federation Speaker most hoped to accomplish was to control the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy. After all, although these two were among the four major powers, they had too much autonomy compared to the War God Temple and Ming De Hall, which were directly under the Federation.

The idea of control is just wishful thinking.

Both major powers hold pivotal positions on the continent, possessing immense strength and profound foundations, making direct control utterly unwise. The Spirit Pagoda is somewhat acceptable, as it leans more towards a commercial organization and has already cooperated with the Federation on numerous occasions for mutual benefit. However, Shrek Academy is entirely different; it is more like a Sacred Land for soul masters independent of the Federation system, even possessing its own law enforcement authority and exclusive territory.

The Federal Government has repeatedly tried to win over Shrek through economic support and preferential policies, but the results have always been limited. Shrek's top leadership has always maintained a neutral stance, neither relying on the Federation nor easily interfering in politics, which makes some hardliners in the Federation Parliament both wary and helpless.

However, even with such Shrek family, they would not remain neutral in foreign wars; they have always been representatives of the Dove Faction.

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

There have been rumors within the Federation that someone is secretly supporting Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou, and he thinks it might be related to the Shrek Academy. If he can find evidence this time, his career will soar. The Federation can also reform Shrek.

Thinking of this, a subtle glint flashed in Pan Wen's eyes.

Compared to the deep thoughts of these elders, the frictions among the younger generation seem quite "simple and innocent."

Xie Xie noticed that there were quite a few familiar faces among the Shrek Academy delegation following behind the Passionate Douluo. Among them, the Soul Master with the Radiant Sacred Dragon Martial Soul kept staring at Wulin, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

Xie Xie frowned. "What, you're still not convinced you lost the last competition?"

Upon hearing this, Long Chen glanced at Xie Xie but remained silent.

Surrender? How could I possibly accept being defeated by bloodline suppression?

A hint of resentment flashed in Long Chen's eyes, and his fists clenched involuntarily. In that competition, his Radiant Sacred Dragon Martial Soul trembled like a subject before a king in front of Tang Wulin, a humiliation he would never forget.

Not to mention that because of that defeat, he was unable to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The resentment and bitterness of having his opportunity taken away remained deep in his heart.

The fact that he didn't immediately challenge Xie Xie and his group to a duel when he saw them again is a result of his restraint.

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

Tang Wulin scratched his head, feigning confusion as he looked at him.

Who are you? Do we know each other?

Long Chen: "..."

So after all this time, you've even forgotten who I am?

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

"We are a delegation representing the Federation this time. Internal conflicts will only make us a laughing stock for the Star Luo Empire delegation. Any grudges should be settled privately, not made public."

His gaze swept over the students of Shrek, Spirit Pagoda, and Sun Moon Royal Academy, and everyone unconsciously straightened their backs.

This is not an order, but it carries more weight than any order.

Xie Xie was the first to react, knowing that Huo Yuhao was reminding him. He grinned and said, "Boss Yuhao is right. We can fight however we want behind closed doors, but we need to stick together in front of outsiders."

Yuanen Yehui nodded silently. Long Chen frowned, suppressing his anger and refraining from lashing out. Ye Xinglan looked at Huo Yuhao with her beautiful eyes, offering no objection.

This is the significance of Huo Yuhao.

He doesn't need any titles; just standing there, he is the undisputed leader of the younger generation.

When the Federation delegation needs a key figure, everyone tacitly chooses him. Whether it's the pride of Shrek, the elites of the Spirit Pagoda, or the top students of the Sun Moon Academy, they can only submit willingly in the face of absolute strength and prestige.

The name Huo Yuhao has long been considered an insurmountable peak for the younger generation. He is a figure that inspires awe in all geniuses, a peerless prodigy for whom even the thought of challenging him cannot arise.

A complex emotion flashed in the eyes of the Passionate Douluo upon seeing this scene.

This young man had unknowingly won over all his peers. At this moment, he suddenly realized that the curtain of a new era had already been slowly drawn behind him.

"The tide has turned..."

(End of this chapter)