Federal Parliament Building, Councilor's office.
"Daddy, how does it feel?" Ya Li asked indistinctly.
"Oh? What are you talking about, Ya Li?" Qian Gu Fenfeng leaned back in his chair, glancing sidelong at Ya Li beneath his desk.
"Do you mean the Tang Sect Branch's defense layout? That certainly was a great help." Qian Gu Fenfeng chuckled, asking despite knowing the answer.
"You're awful, Daddy. You know perfectly well that isn't what I meant..." Ya Li murmured.
"Don't talk. Keep going." Qian Gu Fenfeng narrowed his eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Councilor, Yun Ming, the Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy, is here to see you."
"Come in." Qian Gu Fenfeng remained unperturbed.
Ya Li's heart tightened, but she soon immersed herself in her work again. She even felt a faint anticipation for Yun Ming's arrival, so she deepened her movements.
"Pavilion Master Yun, I trust you've been well."
"Councilor Qian Gu, how could you classify the Tang Sect as a treasonous organization?" Looking exhausted, Yun Ming rubbed between his brows in irritation. The Federation's recent actions and the Holy Spirit Cult's attacks had clearly caused him considerable trouble.
"Pavilion Master Yun, let's sit down and discuss this."
With that, he had Yun Ming sit in front of him.
"Pavilion Master Yun, this wasn't my intention either. The evidence is simply irrefutable. If I don't do something, I'm afraid those under me will grow dissatisfied."
"Hmph. Who knows whether you've been pulling strings behind the scenes?" After hearing Qian Gu Fenfeng's words, Yun Ming knew he could not get him to withdraw the order to arrest Tang Sect members.
"Councilor Qian Gu, I'll take my leave, then."
"Hiss..."
"Councilor Qian Gu? What's wrong? Your complexion looks off. It isn't that hot right now, is it?"
Qian Gu Fenfeng reached both hands beneath the desk and abruptly pressed down on the back of Ya Li's head.
"Mmph..." Ya Li cried softly.
"It's nothing, Pavilion Master Yun. How has your daughter been lately?"
"Nothing much. She's still as good to me as ever." Only at the mention of Ya Li did Yun Ming's expression relax, a hint of boasting entering his voice.
"Councilor, although I don't have your strength, I married a wife who loves me dearly..." Yun Ming sat back down in front of Qian Gu Fenfeng and talked about his daily life with Ya Li.
"Mmph... gent... gentler."
"..."
Qian Gu Fenfeng said nothing, merely pressing down hard on Ya Li's head with both hands.
"Councilor Qian Gu? Councilor Qian Gu?"
"As you just heard, I'm proud of her!" Yun Ming finished with a tender expression.
"Oh? Indeed."
"Swallow it," Qian Gu Fenfeng said quietly.
"Mmph..."
"Councilor, I'll be going now. Ya Li went shopping with her close friend today. She should be back soon."
"Mm, all right. Take care, Pavilion Master Yun."
The cold roar of metal tore through the city's dawn.
The Sun Moon Federation's Standard-issue Mecha Formation broke through the clouds, casting a dense, dark shadow over the Tang Sect's branch strongholds across the continent.
The heavy alloy mechas gleamed with an icy silver-gray sheen, their cannon muzzles already fully charged. The insignias representing the Federation were now steeped in murderous ferocity.
There were no negotiations, no announcements.
"Open fire!"
The icy command spread to every mecha through the communications channel.
High-Heat Particle Cannons fired with a thunderous roar, their dazzling beams slamming into the Tang Sect Branch's Sect-Protecting Soul Tool Barrier. The barrier shuddered violently, swathes of soul tool runes shattered, and rubble, smoke, and flames shot into the sky.
Tang Sect disciples hastily fought back. Various soul tools struck hard against the mechas' alloy armor, but could only scatter sparks, barely shaking the Federation mechas' heavy defenses.
A handful of Soul Masters unleashed their martial souls in a desperate struggle, waves of soul skills sweeping in every direction. Yet before the organized torrent of mechas, individual strength seemed utterly insignificant.
Tang Sect buildings collapsed one after another with thunderous crashes. Artillery fire ignited wooden pavilions, and raging flames devoured plaques and ancient texts. Smoke filled the streets, where screams, explosions, and the clash of metal mingled.
The Federal Guard and the Guard Army advanced in coordination, their heavy alloy feet crushing the bluestone beneath them.
Shoulder-mounted Soul Cannons poured out constant fire, breaking down the defenses of one branch after another. The Tang Sect elders on duty desperately channeled their soul skills to hold them back, only to be surrounded and attacked by several mechas working together. Their soul light dimmed, and blood stained the broken walls.
Many ordinary Tang Sect disciples fought desperately to cover their companions' retreat. When their hidden weapons ran out, they charged with short blades in hand, only to fall one after another beneath the mechas' cannon fire. Precious Tang Sect archives and hidden weapon workshops burned under the bombardment. Countless blueprints and secret formulas passed down through generations turned to ash in the raging flames.
In city after city, artillery fire tore the Tang Sect's flags to shreds. Tang Sect branches, once renowned throughout the continent, fell one after another. Smoke billowed, shattered walls lay everywhere, and blood soaked the bricks and tiles.
The few members fortunate enough to survive could only flee into the distance amid the chaos. As they looked back at their homes burning fiercely behind them, their eyes were filled with grief, indignation, and helplessness.
Above, the Federation's Mecha Formation continued to patrol, while Tang Sect strongholds fell to ruin one after another. This bloodbath led by the Federation was unfolding mercilessly across the continent.
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