As the words fell, the council hall plunged into a deathly silence.
The influential figures present were all seasoned veterans, well aware of the helplessness and heaviness in the Speaker's voice.
The so-called most securely guarded ultimate weapon of the Federation had been stolen—both warheads at the same time. This was not something a single person or even an ordinary organization could accomplish.
Each faction and power had deeply intertwined roots, making it impossible for anyone to claim complete control or knowledge of their subordinates' actions.
Who could guarantee that their own people were entirely clean?
After all, Shrek Academy's reputation within the Federation was far from stellar.
Even among those close to Shrek Academy, there were certainly individuals who harbored resentment.
Thus, the unspoken message behind the Speaker's words was clear: No thorough investigation, no accountability!
Digging deeper into this would mean that everyone present—without exception—would be guilty of crimes punishable by the extermination of their entire clans.
The collective silence of the powerful figures in the room was an unmistakable sign of their tacit agreement.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The Speaker knocked on the table three times before withdrawing his hands below the tabletop, officially closing the matter of the stolen rank-12 stationary soul-guided shells.
Those who perished from Shrek Academy had died in vain.
With the Speaker's signature hand gesture completed, someone immediately proposed a solution for the next issue at hand.
The man known as the Strongest Battlefield Commander on the Continent, Godly Brush Douluo Yu Guanzhi, was the first to rise.
Despite his advanced age of over eighty, his sharp eyes and strong presence had not dulled in the slightest.
With a solemn voice, he declared, "I propose that the Eternal Heaven be placed at the lowest level of the War God Hall, guarded at all times by Hanhai Douluo Chen Xinjie and his eighteen War Gods."
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes turned toward Chen Xinjie, nodding in unanimous agreement.
It wasn't just due to Yu Guanzhi's high prestige, but also because everyone trusted Chen Xinjie completely.
This general, who had safeguarded the Federation for two hundred years and had unparalleled military achievements, was undoubtedly the most loyal individual to the Sun-Moon Federation.
Moreover, the War God Hall was the most powerful force exclusively belonging to the Federation—all eighteen War Gods were military elites.
The military was a remarkable institution: individuals from all walks of life entered, but they came out as an unbreakable unit.
At this stage, no one was more suited to guard Eternal Heaven than Chen Xinjie and his War God Hall.
Under the weight of expectation, Chen Xinjie slowly stood up, his expression solemn as he swore, "Gentlemen, I swear here today that from the moment Eternal Heaven is delivered to War God Hall, I shall never waver in my duty—not for anyone, nor for any reason!"
"I shall stand with Eternal Heaven! I shall stand with the Sun-Moon Federation!"
Spirit Pagoda Headquarters
千古东风 (Qiangu Dongfeng) had just finished listening to his grandson Qiangu Zhangting express his desire to marry Gu Yuena, the personal disciple of Leng Yaozhu.
Before he could even go find Leng Yaozhu to discuss the matter, she had already stormed into his office.
"Why?! Tell me, why?!"
Her eyes were bloodshot, and as her jade-like hands slammed onto the table before her, a loud crash echoed through the room.
The desk, made from a fusion of various durable alloys, instantly crumbled into dust.
Seeing the enraged Leng Yaozhu before him, Qiangu Dongfeng furrowed his brows, realizing that his grandson's plan for marriage might have to be postponed.
With a helpless sigh, he spoke, "Yaozhu, calm down."
"The bombing of Shrek Academy happened so suddenly that even I have no leads."
"We need a proper investigation before drawing conclusions."
"Investigate?!"
"Qiangu Dongfeng! Do you think I don't know the kind of person you are?! You've brushed me off once, twice—you think I don't see through you?!"
"Even if the Holy Spirit Cult is capable of acquiring two rank-12 stationary soul-guided shells, there's no way they could smuggle them into Shrek City under Yun Ming's watchful eye without your secret support!"
"Now I remember! Four years ago, you gathered an immense amount of resources, claiming it was for securing Star Luo Empire's support in the conflict against Tang Sect."
"But when I investigated, there were too many inconsistencies! Now that I think about it, you must have used those resources to acquire the rank-12 soul-guided shells, didn't you?!"
"Was it you?! Was it you?!"
Leng Yaozhu's voice was furious as she pointed a trembling finger at Qiangu Dongfeng, nearly jabbing his hooked nose.
Qiangu Dongfeng's face darkened.
"How could I possibly commit such an act that defies the heavens?"
"Don't forget, our Spirit Pagoda was founded by Ice Spirit Douluo Huo Yuhao—one of Shrek's Seven Monsters from ten thousand years ago."
"Our organizations share a bond of brotherhood, a friendship that has lasted millennia."
"Even if we've had some friction in recent years, I would never go so far as to wipe them out completely."
His tone softened slightly as he continued.
"Yaozhu, I am just as bewildered as you are."
"Who could have anticipated that the Holy Spirit Cult would be bold enough to attack both Shrek Academy and Tang Sect Headquarters outright?"
"I know Yun Ming's death is a heavy blow to you. But we must approach this matter with a calm and rational mind."
Leng Yaozhu gritted her teeth. "Calm? How do you expect me to be calm?"
"Qiangu Dongfeng, don't let me find out you were involved in this."
"If I do, even if it costs me my life, I will make sure we perish together!"
With that, she stormed out, leaving behind a grim-faced Qiangu Dongfeng.
Just then, a side door opened, and a trusted aide approached him.
"Pagoda Master, we have confirmed the situation."
"Yun Ming burned his life force and his Half-God status, depleting the Golden Tree's accumulated energy to counteract most of the two rank-12 stationary soul-guided shells' destructive power, allowing half of Shrek City's population to survive."
"However, as the epicenter of the explosion, Shrek Academy and Tang Sect Headquarters were completely annihilated—no survivors."
"The Holy Spirit Cult even launched an additional rank-9 soul-guided shell at Shrek Academy to ensure total eradication."
"They suffered heavy losses as well—twenty Soul Douluo-level evil soul masters and hundreds of mid-tier evil soul masters were sacrificed to activate the two rank-12 shells."
"Moreover, Yun Ming's final attack destroyed their 'Apocalypse Skull.' Apart from Ghost Emperor escaping, all eight of their Titled Douluo perished—an irreparable loss."
Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Excellent. Excellent!"
"Yun Ming, Ghost Emperor—you both lived up to my expectations."
"Proceed as planned. Deploy Spirit Pagoda's elite to hunt down any remaining members of the Holy Spirit Cult. If found, kill them on sight."
"At this moment, we must take a firm stance."
"Also, keep a close watch on Vice Pagoda Master Leng. Do not allow her to act recklessly."
"Understood."
As his aide departed, Qiangu Dongfeng stepped to the window, gazing at the drifting white clouds.
His eyes narrowed in pleasure, as if the very air smelled sweeter—his ambitions had reached their peak.
Heaven Dou City
"The final battlefield will be the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters!"
Di Tian declared to the gathered beast kings, finalizing his battleground.
(End of Chapter)