The elders' questions and choices

An announcement came over the intercom. "Passengers, we are about to arrive at Mingdu Airport. Please prepare for departure. Representatives from the Federation Parliament and the military will be there to greet you. Please follow the instructions and disembark in an orderly manner."

The announcement was delivered in the standard announcer's voice, but the phrase "The Federation Parliament and the military will be dispatched to greet them" instantly made the atmosphere in the cabin more tense. Why such a grand reception for a returning mission?

The Passionate Douluo gazed at the people below; was he there for him and the other Shrek teachers and students?

The Soul Tool Airplane landed smoothly, taxied, and finally came to a stop at the designated berth. The cabin door opened, and a unique metallic scent belonging to Mingdu rushed in.

A group of people were already waiting at the foot of the gangway. Leading them was an elderly man with gleaming epaulets and a stern face.

Federation Three-Star General, Commander of the Central Army, Yu Guanzhi, Demigod with the Titled Douluo Divine Brush!

Huo Yuhao noticed this person immediately.

Based on the more detailed information he had learned in the past two days, if this Central Army Commander hadn't arrived at the War God Temple in time and deterred those who were there to meet the "Heaven Blessed Douluo," the War God Temple would have suffered considerable casualties.

For a moment, even the Divine Brush Douluo's attention was drawn to Huo Yuhao.

This was the first time he had met this future heir of the Spirit Pagoda.

That one glance sent a ripple through the mind of the Divine Brush Douluo, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

The aura emanating from Huo Yuhao —is his Second Soul Core almost complete?

The Second Soul Core, which only Titled Douluo and even Super Douluo can condense, he wants to condense it at the Soul Saint?

Yu Guanzhi was shocked. As Demigod, his eyesight was naturally excellent. At such close range, he detected that subtle yet incredibly pure Soul Power fluctuation, which seemed to be forming its own cycle.

Soul Saint realm cultivator condensing Second Soul Core? This is simply unheard of! Even the Spirit Ice Douluo, who reorganized the Soul Core system Ten Thousand Years Ago, only began condensing Second Soul Core at the Titled Douluo level.

No wonder the Spirit Pagoda values him so much----

With a silent sigh, Yu Guanzhi stepped forward. "Welcome back, members of the delegation. Given the special circumstances that occurred while the delegation was in the Star Luo Empire, your cooperation in the investigation is needed. Please follow the guidance and proceed to the designated area to provide a brief explanation. During this time, please cooperate with the staff; the Federation will protect your legal rights."

The Passionate Douluo and his old friend exchanged a glance, knowing that the friend was giving him face by not making things clear.

This old friend is standing here to block him, lest he run back to Shrek and cause unforeseen complications.

Others may just be going through the motions, but he and the Shrek teachers in the delegation will likely be temporarily confined until they have thought things through.

The facts were pretty much what the Passionate Douluo had thought.

Apart from him, Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, and the Soul Suppressing Douluo who fought against the Holy Spirit Cult were all allowed to leave after reporting the information they knew.

The members of the delegation other than Shrek only went through the motions before being allowed to leave, including the members of the Dawn Society.

Meanwhile, the Shrek teachers and students in the delegation were left behind, while the students were taken to a large hall to meet some people who had been waiting there.

When Yue Zhengyu arrived in the hall and saw one of the elderly men, he trembled.

Grandpa, what are you doing here?

The old man was none other than Le Yue Zhengen, the commander of the Southern Legion, Limit Douluo, and Titled Douluo Angel!

"Stop asking, come to me, and then come home with me!"

Yue Zhengen- eun spoke calmly, nodding to the Federation staff member who had brought the children over.

The latter didn't say anything.

He's just a first-year student at the Shrek Academy; compared to Yue Zhengen and the Yue Family, he's nothing.

Anyway Yue Zhengen has already shown through his actions that he will stand firmly on the side of the Federation and will not collude with Shrek, and that's enough.

Yue Zhengyu shrank back, secretly greeted his companion, and walked over to Yue Zhengen's side.

Not only Yue Zhengyu, but almost all the Shrek Academy students with family influence met their clansmen here.

Ye Xinglan looked at the old man in front of her, her expression changing slightly.

"What's wrong, Xinglan? It's been so long, don't you recognize me?"

The old man was burly, dressed in a sharp dark gray suit, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

Uncle----

Ye Xinglan lowered her eyes.

Upon returning to the Federation, the Passionate Douluo's expression and the Federation's actions both revealed a hint of strangeness. Being quick-witted, she immediately realized that something might have happened at the academy.

Otherwise, her elders wouldn't have approached her.

Ye Xinglan, the head of the Ye Family whom Ye Xiaoyuan a deep look in his eyes. "Heh, you call me that so stiffly. It seems your thoughts haven't changed much over the years. That's true, after all, the longer you stay at Shrek, the more devoted you'll become to it."

Ye Xinglan remained silent.

"Ye Xinglan has this side to him?"

After going through the process and arriving at the Spirit Pagoda group in the hall, Xie Xie watched this scene with amazement.

"I thought she always had that icy expression."

Several people around her nodded in agreement, while Xu Xiaoyan tilted her head and looked around. "Something feels off. All the people here are elders of Shrek Academy students."

Upon hearing this, Tang Wulin seemed to realize something and immediately took out his Soul Guidance Screen to search for recent trending topics on the Spirit Pagoda Internal Network. Seeing a news article, his expression changed slightly, and he exclaimed, "Shrek Academy stormed the War God Temple and stole the Eternal Heaven Kingdom?"

Wang Jinxi and Xu Xiaoyan suddenly widened their eyes, while Xie Xie scratched his head.

What is the Eternal Heaven Kingdom?

"Idiot, I told you not to study history properly!"

Xu Xiaoyan's eyes were still filled with shock, but she subconsciously retorted, "That's a strategic weapon of the Federation, Level 12 Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell!"

The voices of the group were not muffled and were particularly clear in the somewhat quiet hall. Not only them, but many of the Shrek students who had been brought in also vaguely heard words such as "Eternal Heaven Kingdom" and "Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell".

The already tense atmosphere instantly intensified, whispers arose, and many Shrek students wore expressions of disbelief and panic.

The family members who came to pick them up, however, showed no reaction, clearly indicating that they already knew.

Ye Xinglan naturally heard it too. She suddenly raised her head and looked at the Soul Guidance Screen in Tang Wulin's hand, then quickly turned to her uncle Ye Xiaoyuan. Her lips moved, as if she wanted to question him, but she held back and did not speak. However, the stubbornness and questioning in her eyes were almost overflowing.

Ye Xiaoyuan showed no surprise, but looking at Ye Xinglan, his voice deepened. "You once said that you hated the power struggles and intrigues within your family. You liked Shrek, liked its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, and therefore wanted to stay Shrek."

"Then tell me now. Do you still like the peace and tranquility of a place that stormed the Federation's highest military institution and brazenly seized the Federation's most powerful deterrent weapon?"

Ye Xinglan opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't make a sound.

Her uncle's words were like a cold chisel, carving a hideous crack in the spiritual world she had always relied on for refuge. Outside the crack was a howling storm of reality she had never imagined.

Do you like it?

She loved the tranquility of Sea God Lake, the Inner Court, and the pure joy she felt when she and her companions sweated it out on the training field. Those images were clear and warm, forming the foundation of her clear swordsmanship, and representing the "peace and tranquility" she was willing to linger in.

But what if—the backdrop to these scenes—was based on Shrek's insane act of stealing a God Rank weapon and turning against the entire Federation?

Beneath that tranquility, is there an undercurrent powerful enough to overturn everything?

"I—I don't know."

Ye Xinglan's voice was hoarse, "I don't believe our academy would do such a thing. Someone must be slandering us—"

"Slander?" Ye Xiaoyuan let out a short, sneer, pointing to the family representatives in the hall with their various expressions. "Look here, Xinglan. Why are we here? Did we all believe this slander? Or do you think you're smarter than us?"

"This is not an accusation by one or two individuals, but an attack on the highest Federation military institution and the theft of the Federation ultimate weapon!"

The War God Temple is a testament to his power; the on-site Soul Power records and video evidence are undeniable!

Ye Xiaoyuan's voice was low, but every word struck Ye Xinglan's heart like a hammer. "Shrek has already used its actions to nail itself, and the entire academy, to the opposite side of the Federation. This is not a matter of whether you like it or not, but a matter of survival or Destruction!"

Ye Xinglan felt a wave of dizziness.

Stripped of all emotional filters, her uncle's words revealed only the cold, cruel logic of reality. She couldn't refute them, because the evidence, the family's reactions, even the facts left behind by the Passionate Douluo, and Shen Yi's sudden communication all corroborated this despairing "reality."

"The family is giving you one last chance."

Ye Xiaoyuan's voice pulled her back from her dizziness, "Leave Shrek, accept the family's arrangements and the Federation's scrutiny, and you can still pursue your Sword Dao."

"What if—I don't?" Ye Xinglan raised her head, her eyes slightly red, yet also filled with a hint of stubbornness. "I want to go back to Shrek and get some answers—"

"That family will publicly declare that they are severing ties with you, and that all your actions are unrelated to the Ye Family. You will face the Federation investigation and possible charges alone."

Ye Xiaoyuan coldly interrupted, "If you think that a mere Soul Ancestor can change anything, can stand up to the power of the Federation, then go ahead and try. The Ye Family will not be responsible for your actions; we cannot afford this risk!"

Seeing Ye Xinglan lower her head as if all her strength had been drained, her classmates felt a little sorry for her. Among them, Yue Zhengyu turned to look at his grandfather, hoping that he could lend a helping hand, but found that his expression was equally cold.

"Zhengyu, if you want to return to Shrek, then the next heir of the family should be changed."

"Don't forget, our family is part of the Federation," Yue Zhengen said indifferently.

Yue Zhengyu's expression changed slightly, but he finally nodded gently.

"I see."