Firmament Tribunal, the Calm Before the Storm

On the eve of the Sea God Pavilion meeting, the council hall was brightly lit.

Chen Xuan had summoned most of the senior elders in advance.

All nine core senior elders were present, along with more than ten Outer Pavilion senior elders. The spacious council hall was packed to capacity.

Mu An sat upright in the seat of honor, his eyes half-closed as he quietly listened to the discussion.

"Since we're reforming it, we should give it a more resounding name." Elder Lin was the first to speak.

"The title All-Continent Inquisitorial Legion is far too weak. It simply cannot cow the various factions."

Elder Song immediately followed, saying, "Why not call it the Tribunal? It upholds justice, and the name would be fitting."

"Exactly. Tribunal is excellent. Let's call it the Firmament Tribunal."

Chen Xuan spoke slowly. "Above Shrek lies the firmament.

"Under heaven, all things and all forces may be judged."

The council hall instantly fell silent.

"Firmament Tribunal..." Xian Lin'er softly repeated, a faint gleam appearing in her eyes. "That name is imposing enough."

"Good! Then it's decided!" Qian Duoduo slapped his thigh. The name alone carried immense intimidation.

"Now that the name is settled, let's discuss the real matter." Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly as he asked his question.

"The four core factions selected this time include Shrek, Illustrious Virtue Hall, the Body Sect, and the Clear Sky Sect.

"However, Illustrious Virtue Hall belongs to the Sun Moon Empire. Including it among the core factions would be no different from allowing the Sun Moon Empire to directly enter the Tribunal's core seats.

"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"It is not inappropriate.

"Precisely because it belongs to the Sun Moon Empire, we must bring it in."

Cai Mei'er directly cut off his doubts.

"If we only gather the Three Empires and the major sects while allowing the Sun Moon Empire to remain outside.

"They will sooner or later harbor other intentions and stir up trouble.

"It would be better to give them a seat from the start and firmly bind them within the continent's rules."

"Mei'er is absolutely right." Chen Xuan nodded slightly.

"Illustrious Virtue Hall is powerful, but it also fears the other three core factions joining forces to restrain it.

"The more it wants to secure its seat and establish itself within the continent's order, the more earnestly it must contribute.

"This is a scheme to lure the enemy into the trap."

An Outer Pavilion senior elder rose and asked, "Then how should the four great empires be handled?

"The Tribunal's authority will far surpass that of the former Inquisitorial Legion. They may not agree to this."

"Agree?" Chen Xuan sneered. "It is not their place to agree."

He walked to the continent map hanging on the wall and raised a hand to tap several key regions.

"The Body Sect is rooted in the Heaven Dou Empire, the Clear Sky Sect lies hidden in the Star Luo Empire, and Illustrious Virtue Hall is established in the Sun Moon Empire.

"If these three sects wish to secure their core seats, they will naturally return home to negotiate with their respective imperial courts.

"Think about it. These top sects possess deep foundations and immense power. Which imperial court can completely suppress them?

"Would Heaven Dou dare force the Body Sect to bow its head? Would Star Luo dare slam the table before the Clear Sky Sect?

"If they truly reached a deadlock, it would still be uncertain who was stronger, who was weaker, and who would yield first.

"As for Douling, there is no need to concern ourselves with it."

"Well said!" Another Outer Pavilion senior elder brightened.

"These core sects are the pillars and foundations of their respective nations.

"Once they declare their participation, no court among the four nations will dare strongly obstruct them."

Chen Xuan returned to his seat and continued, "The Tribunal's headquarters will rotate every five years. For the first five-year term, Shrek will take charge first.

"These first five years are of utmost importance.

"The Tribunal's structure, regulations, personnel assignments, resource distribution—all core rules will be finalized and solidified during these five years.

"If later terms wish to make changes, they must receive the joint approval of all four core factions.

"Tell me, then: is this first headquarters term truly a benefit, or a burden?"

"It is a burden," Xian Lin'er answered at once.

"The first party in charge must invest the most funds, contribute the most effort, and bear the greatest burden.

"Those who take over later need only act according to the established regulations, making things easier and less demanding for them instead."

Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly. "In that case, will the other factions think that Shrek has seized the advantage and taken all the benefits?"

"If they truly regard it as an opportunity, then once the five-year term ends, they are welcome to compete to take over. Shrek will never stop them."

Chen Xuan spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

Cai Mei'er raised another concern. "But what if the factions in charge later act recklessly and undermine the rules? How should that be handled?"

Chen Xuan smiled faintly. "Leaving aside the major sects, the empires' dignity will not permit them to act wantonly.

"The other two core factions, along with the many subordinate factions across the continent, will all be watching and restraining one another.

"Whoever dares abuse authority and disrupt the rules will be pulled from their seat by the other two before Shrek even needs to act."

Qian Duoduo asked bluntly, "What if the Three Empires shirk responsibility and refuse to provide funds or manpower?"

"If they refuse to contribute, then they will have no right to call upon Tribunal personnel.

"If Evil Soul Masters later bring chaos to their borders, they need not come to Shrek for aid again.

"On this continent, there has never been any reason for people to enjoy peace and security without putting in effort."

At that moment, another Outer Pavilion senior elder asked, "How should we Outer Pavilion senior elders be assigned?"

"Each of the four core sects will provide three people, while nine Outer Pavilion senior elders will be selected to jointly form the Tribunal's Arbitration Council, for a total of twenty-one seats.

"Major matters can only be enacted with the approval of seventy percent of the seats."

At this point, Chen Xuan paused briefly, his tone gaining an unquestionable firmness.

"Shrek's Sea God Pavilion will hold veto power. This is the bottom line. Without that authority, there is no need to establish this Firmament Tribunal at all."

As soon as those words fell, the entire hall became silent.

After a moment of silence, Mu En slowly opened his eyes and uttered only one word. "Approved."

Chen Xuan rose and bowed to Mu En. "Then tomorrow, I must trouble Elder Mu to personally announce the matter."

That same night, undercurrents stirred and private discussions continued throughout the encampments of the various factions outside Shrek City.

The Southern Pacifying King of Douling and the Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul met in secret once more.

"Shrek has kept all the factions in the city and forbidden them from leaving freely. They must be discussing something of enormous importance."

The Southern Pacifying King lowered his voice. "In my opinion, it is very likely related to the reform of Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion."

"Reforming the Inquisitorial Legion?" The Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul knitted his brows tightly.

"Yan Shaozhe's attitude was already forceful before. Could it be that this time, they intend to go even further and consolidate their authority?"

"Hard to guess, hard to guess indeed!" the Southern Pacifying King said gravely.

"The Shrek of today is already entirely different from what it once was.

"I keep feeling that their ambitions are far more than a simple reform of the Inquisitorial Legion.

"Even the Sun Moon Empire's upper ranks were invited this time. With such a grand display, this is certainly no small matter."

"Then all we can do is watch and adapt to the situation."

The Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul sighed softly. "Our three nations share information and advance or retreat together. In any case, Shrek will not be able to target us one by one and easily manipulate us."

Elsewhere, the Elder Prince of the Star Luo Empire spoke quietly to his confidant.

"Shrek has gathered nearly half the continent's factions in the city this time. If it were only to deal with the aftermath of the Inquisitorial Legion, why would they need such a massive display?

"In this old man's opinion, they intend to reshape the power structure of the entire continent."