Whether or not to accept the gifts from the Imperium was a subject that had been discussed many times in the parliament of the Federation, too.
The problem was obvious. Doing so would expose the coordinates of the Federation.
Although the Federation could set the jump point in the Dragon Snake Space Zone or even the Desolate Space Zone far away from the Federation and jump to the heartland of the Federation again after a transfer, the jump point could not be too far away from the Federation after all. It would be very easy for those who were interested to trace the clues and find the nest of the Federation.
However, the coordinates of the Federation were no secret.
After all, the Black Wind Fleet had been in close contact with the Imperium before it attacked the Federation. Even if it did not send all the coordinates, it had at least sent half of them.
As long as there was enough time and computational ability, it would not be a problem to infer the rough coordinates of the Federation. After a couple of years of searching, the Federation would be exposed sooner or later.
Under such circumstances, it would be nothing more than self-deception if they kept guarding the coordinates of the Federation.
Therefore, after much consideration, Ding Ling Dong decided to pass the proposal of direct starship-to-starship communication with the Imperium despite the majority's objections.
The magical equipment that the reformists offered to the Federation for free under the circumstances was also the crystallization of the most cutting-edge technologies of the Imperium, including but not limited to the latest Crystal Suit and space shuttles of the Imperium. They could help the Federation break the technological barriers that had been blocked for hundreds of years in many fields.
That being said, what Ding Ling Dong cared about most was obviously not the magical equipment and the technologies but the news about Li Yao.
"The reception went very well. I've arranged for the guests from the Imperium to stay in the Dragon Snake Space Zone for now. The relevant negotiations and research work will be carried out there, too. It is sort of a 'wall' to be built between the Dragon Snake Space Zone and the heartland of the Federation."
Jin Xinyue said, "As for my master, Li Yao, there is no news about him yet. Of course, there is no bad news, either."
"Understood. You are fully in charge of this matter. I believe that you will be able to extract the greatest benefits from the people of the Imperium."
Ding Ling Dong pondered for a moment and turned to Guo Chunfeng. "Director Guo, what are the reactions of the public? What's the latest reaction to our possible expedition to the center of the cosmos?"
"It's still the same, just like an enlarged version of what we discussed just now."
Some people are particularly impatient and excited, believing that the Imperium and the Holy League are not a big deal at all and that as long as the 'righteous army' of the Federation arrives at the center of the cosmos, they will be able to sweep away all the evils. Some people are too pessimistic and believe that the Federation is doomed and that it would be best for them to start digging holes right now and escape to the underground shelters to hide for hundreds of years. It is hard to say whether or not they have the same idea. "
"Wait a minute …"
Ding Ling Dong said, "Some people also believe that the Imperium and the Holy League are not a big deal and that we can win easily?"
"In fact, a lot of people share such impatience and impulsiveness. Even in the Union Army, a lot of people believe that they are the best in the world," Guo Chunfeng said.
"From some point of view, we are all frogs at the bottom of the well at the edge of the cosmos. Although we have been exaggerating the magnificence and horror of the Imperium in the past hundred years, the only enemy of the Imperium that we have ever fought is the Black Wind Fleet. That battle ended in a crushing victory for us, and the remnants of the Black Wind Fleet even chose to surrender obediently. Such an experience gave a lot of people of the Federation, the Union Army, and the Cultivators the illusion that all the people of the Imperium will be as nice as the Cultivators of the Black Wind Fleet or even as easy to talk to as Di Feiwen. Do you think that it is possible for them not to be proud and arrogant, Speaker?
"Therefore, even if we are to deploy troops, we must find a way to suppress the arrogance of the frogs at the bottom of the well and correct our position. Otherwise, if they go to the center of the cosmos with uncanny pride and arrogance, their pride will turn into desperation after the slightest setback. The arrogance that is boosted by a victory may be completely shattered by a failure, which is certainly not a good thing.
"But right now, the arrogance of the frogs at the bottom of the well happens to be of use to me."
Hardly had Guo Chunfeng finished his sentence when Jin Xinyue hurried to continue. "In fact, right now, the people of the Federation haven't completely cooled down from the great victory years ago. As long as we turn on the propaganda machine and slightly stimulate them with a certain … landmark event, the chaotic discussions will be condensed into a unified ideology that will sweep across all the people. Then, the parliament will make the decision to march to the center of the cosmos!"
"Wait —"
Ding Ling Dong narrowed her eyes and looked at Jin Xinyue warily. "Director Jin, you are not playing any clandestine tricks behind my back again, are you?"
"No, no, no. Madam Speaker, you have completely misunderstood me. No. Absolutely not!"
Jin Xinyue extended three fingers and swore. "I've learned my lesson from last time. Really, I'm definitely not playing any clandestine tricks in secret or violating the laws of the Federation at all. Everything that I've done is legal and open. Also, it has been mentioned in my work briefings. You are free to check and ask any questions. I guarantee that I will tell you everything that I know."
"Is that so?"
Ding Ling Dong was still frowning. "Why do I feel more and more uneasy when you say so? What do you want exactly?"
"I want to rescue Li Yao. Both Li Yao, my master, and Li Yao, the dominator of three Sectors and the father of the Federation, I want to save him by whatever means possible."
Jin Xinyue looked at Ding Ling Dong in the eyes. "Madam Speaker, or rather … my dear masteress, do you not want to?"
"Of course I do, but the power that billions of compatriots have given me does not allow me to think in such a way. It does not allow my personal feelings to override the interests of the entire Federation."
Ding Ling Dong loosened her clenched fists and said in a low voice, "I've held it back for too long. I can barely hold it back anymore. Thankfully, my term will be over very soon. By then, I will be able to put down all my burdens and regain my freedom. By then, I will go to the center of the cosmos and look for Li Yao even if I'm all by myself!"
"But are you not scared that it will be too late by then?"
Jin Xinyue said, "I — I don't want to say anything ominous. Master is naturally blessed and can turn misfortunes into blessings and create miracles every time. But he also throws himself into more dangerous swirls and unpredictable abysses every time. As the danger level increases, one day, he will … he will …"
"Will he perish?"
Ding Ling Dong asked back.
Jin Xinyue was slightly dazed. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded her head in the end.
"Then, he will be too unlucky."
Ding Ling Dong sighed.
"It's not 'unlucky', is it?"
Jin Xinyue was confused. "Master's life is not about whether or not he is unlucky —"
"You misunderstood me. I'm not saying that your master is unlucky. I'm saying that the devils, devils, and ghosts in the deepest level of hell are unlucky."
Looking at her fists, Ding Lingdang said casually, "If your master had really perished, I would have had to tear down the entire Netherworld and beat the Demonic Emperor of the Abyss and the Ten Kings of Hell who stood in my way into meat paste. Then, I would have saved your master's soul. Wouldn't the demons and ghosts who lived in the Netherworld and were accidentally stomped to the ground by me be very unlucky?"
Jin Xinyue: "…"
"Li Yao is my man. We haven't been together for so many years. We haven't had enough time together!"
Ding Lingdang abruptly stood up. The redness in her eyes was completely retracted into the depths of her eyes, turning into two flames that would never be extinguished. Together with her long scarlet hair that fluttered in the absence of wind, she appeared even more domineering and tyrannical.
The Supreme Speaker of the Xing Yao Federation declared resolutely, one word after another, "I don't want him to die. I don't care about the deepest level of hell, the netherworld, or even the goddamn Earth. I'd like to see who dares to keep him alive!"
…
While the meeting that would decide the fate of the federation and even the future of the civilization of mankind was being held in the meeting room of the super warship Kunlun in the dock at the edge of the Uranian Ring Planet, Meng Xiaolang, an excellent graduate of the First Military Academy of the federation, was on his way home with his head held high and his chest held high, his face full of confidence.
Floating Spear City today was completely different from a hundred years ago.
As Li Yao's hometown and the headquarters of the 'Glorious Sunlight Group' and 'Li Yao's faction', Floating Spear City had developed from a simple military town into a super metropolis that focused on the economy of headquarter, conference, education, and research.
Rows upon rows of skyscrapers, an artificial dome that covered hundreds of square kilometers, the fresh air that was mixed with the elements of crystals, and the super shuttle transportation system that was as fast as lightning, silent, and crowded as if it were alive, all demonstrated the vitality of the city.
Of course, no matter how times had changed, certain things had always been melted into the bones of the city and would never change.
For example, this city's worship of soldiers, enthusiasm for war, and even excessive enthusiasm. It was a kind of martial spirit that went a little to the extreme.
Even though Meng Xiaolang had not been officially conferred a military rank and was only a graduate of the military academy, he did not have a flower on his shoulder. However, just his well-ironed black military academy uniform was enough to make passersby reveal looks of envy and worship, especially those young ladies who were like flower buds. The way they looked at Meng Xiaolang with a smile made the flower buds in Meng Xiaolang's heart blossom.
Floating Spear City was particularly lively and even restless over the past few days, too.
The reason for the restlessness of the people was naturally the war between the Imperium and the Holy League, as well as the issue of whether or not the Federation should intervene.
The Federation today was quite open. Everybody could speak freely. Besides, the assault of the Black Wind Fleet was something that everybody had just experienced in person. Nobody thought that the Imperium would turn a blind eye to the uncanny disappearance of the Black Wind Fleet. One day, the Federation and the superpowers at the center of the cosmos would have a brutal collision.
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