Chapter 2881: The Unlucky Netherworld
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Whether or not to accept the gifts from the imperium was a topic of debate in the federal parliament.
The problem was obvious. Doing so would expose the coordinates of the federation.
Although the federation could set the s.p.a.ce jump point in the Dragon Snake s.p.a.ce Zone or even the desolate s.p.a.ce zone far away from the federation and jump to the center of the federation again after the transfer, the s.p.a.ce jump point could not be too far away from the federation after all. Somebody
with ill intentions might trace it back to the nest of the federation.
However, the coordinates of the federation were no longer a secret.
After all, before the Black Wind Fleet attacked the federation, they had been in close contact with the imperium. Even if they did not send all the coordinates, half of the parameters had been sent.
With enough time and computational ability, it was not a problem to infer the approximate coordinates of the federation. After another three to five years of searching, the federation would be exposed sooner or later.
Under such circ.u.mstances, defending the coordinates of the federation was like deceiving oneself.
Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, Ding Lingdang still pa.s.sed the motion to communicate with the imperium directly through the upgrade method.
In the meantime, the magical equipment that the revolutionaries offered to the federation for free was also the culmination of the most cutting-edge technology of the imperium, including but not limited to the latest crystal suits and s.p.a.ce shuttles of the imperium, which could help the federation break
the seal of technology for hundreds of years in many fields.
Having said that, Ding Lingdang was apparently more concerned about Li Yao’s news than the magical equipment and technology.
“The reception went very well. I’ve arranged all the guests of the imperium to stay in the Dragon Snake s.p.a.ce Zone for the time being. The negotiations and research work will be carried out there, too. It will be a barrier between the Dragon Snake s.p.a.ce Zone and the center of the federation.
Jin Xinyue said, “As for Master—Li Yao, there is no news about him yet. Of course, there is no bad news, either.
“Understood. You will be fully responsible for it. I believe that you will get the most benefits from the imperium.
Ding Lingdang pondered for a moment. Then she turned around and asked, “Director, what are the reactions of the people? What is the latest reaction of the public opinion about our possible expedition to the center of the universe?”
“Same old, same as the enlarged version of the previous discussion.”
“Some of them felt their blood boiling, some sighed, some were impa.s.sioned, and some were ill at ease. Some were particularly impatient and excited, believing that the Star Ocean Imperium and the Sanctuary Alliance were nothing special. As long as the ‘master of justice’ of the federation arrived in the
center of the sea of stars, he would be able to sweep away all the demons and devils effortlessly. Some were too pessimistic and believed that the federation was doomed. They thought that it would be best to dig deep holes right now, acc.u.mulate enough food, and flee to the underground shelters where
they could hide for hundreds of years, or even thousands of years. They were noisy, chaotic, and had their own opinions. It was hard to tell whether or not they had any unified ideas and waves.
“wait—”
Ding Lingdang said, “There are still people who think that the imperium and the Sanctuary Alliance are nothing special and that we can win easily?”
“In fact, there are many people who are impatient and reckless. Even in the federal army, many of them think that they are the best in the world.
Spring Breeze said, “From a certain point of view, we are all frogs at the bottom of a well at the edge of the sea of stars. Although we have been exaggerating the formidability and terror of the Star Ocean Imperium for the past hundred years, the only people of the Star Ocean Imperium that we have ever
fought against are the Black Wind Fleet. And that battle ended in a complete victory for us. The remnants of the Black Wind Fleet even chose to obediently surrender. This kind of experience has given quite a few people of the Star Ocean Imperium, the Federation Army, and the cultivators the
misconception that all citizens of the Star Ocean Imperium will be like the Black Wind Cultivators. They might even be as easy to talk to as Di Feiwen. Does the Speaker feel that it is possible for them to not be proud and not be arrogant?”
“Therefore, if we are really going to send out troops, we must first find a way to suppress the arrogance of a frog at the bottom of a well and put ourselves in the right place. Otherwise, when we march to the center of the sea of stars with inexplicable pride and conceit, our pride will turn into desperation
when we run into setbacks. The conceit raised by a victory might be shattered by a failure, too. It is not a good thing.
“But right now, the pride of a frog in a well is exactly what I need.
Hardly had he finished his speech when Jin Xinyue interrupted him. “In fact, right now, the citizens of the federation have not cooled down from the great victory a few years ago yet. All they need to do is turn on the propaganda machine and inspire the citizens with certain… symbolic events. The chaotic
discussions will be consolidated into a unified ideology, and the cheers of the citizens will be heard. The parliament will make the call to march into the center of the sea of stars!
“wait—”
Ding Lingdang narrowed her eyes and looked at Jin Xinyue warily. “Director Jin, are you up to some dirty tricks behind my back again?”
“No, no, no. Mr. Speaker, you are mistaken. No. Absolutely not!”
Jin Xinyue raised three fingers and swore. “I’ve learned my lesson last time. It’s true. I did not do anything suspicious in secret, nor did I violate the laws of the federation. Everything I did was legal, public, and mentioned in the work briefing. You can check and ask me at any time. I promise to tell you
everything I know.
“Is that so?”
Ding Lingdang was still frowning. “Why do you make me more and more worried? What do you want exactly?”
“Lwant to rescue Li Yao. Whether it is my master, Li Yao, or ‘Supreme Being of the Three Realms, Father of the Federation’, Li Yao, I want to spare no effort and save him at any cost.
Jin Xinyue looked at Ding Lingdang in the eyes and said, “Mr. Speaker, or rather… my good wife, don’t you want to?”
“Of course I do. But the power granted to me by my billions of compatriots forbids me from thinking that way and my personal feelings are above the interests of the entire federation.
Ding Lingdang’s clenched fists loosened again. She said in a low voice, “I’ve been holding it in for a long time. I almost couldn’t bear it any longer. Thankfully, my term will be over 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 sea of
stars to look for Li Yao even if Iam alone!
“However, aren’t you afraid that it will be too late?”
“I don’t want to say anything inauspicious,” Jin Xinyue said. “Of course, Master is blessed. He can turn misfortune into fortune and create miracles every time. But he has also thrown himself into more dangerous swirls and unpredictable abysses every time. He has been increasing the risk factor time
and time again. One day, he will—he will—”
“will I fall?”
Ding Lingdang asked back.
Jin Xinyue was dazed for a moment. Hesitating for a moment, she nodded.
“That would be too unlucky.”
Ding Lingdang sighed.
“This is not ‘unlucky’, is it?”
Jin Xinyue was confused. “Master’s life and death are indeed unfortunate—
“You misunderstood me. I did not say that your master was unlucky. I meant that the Yama, the devils, the devils, and the ghosts in the deepest level of h.e.l.l were unlucky.
Ding Lingdang looked at her fists and said casually, “If your master dies, I will have no choice but to demolish the entire h.e.l.l and smash the devils and the ten kings of h.e.l.l standing in my way into pieces. Then, I will rescue your master’s soul. Wouldn’t the demons and devils living in the h.e.l.l that I
accidentally stomped on be very unlucky?”
Jin Xinyue was rendered speechless.
“But Li Yao is my man. We’ve been apart for too many years. Our lives are far from enough!”
Ding Lingdang suddenly stood up. The redness in her eyes was absorbed into the deepest part of her eyes and turned into two unquenchable flames. Together with her long, red hair, which was dancing without any wind, she looked even more intimidating.
The supreme speaker of the Star Glory Federation said resolutely, one word after another, “I don’t want him to die. It doesn’t matter whether he is in the deepest level of h.e.l.l, in the deepest level of h.e.l.l, or even on the wretched Earth. I would like to see… where he dares to stay!”
While the meeting that would decide the fate of the federation and even the future of the human civilization was being held in the meeting room of the super wars.h.i.+p Kunlun in the dockyard of the s.p.a.ce ring, in Li Yao’s hometown, Meng Xiaolang, an excellent graduate of the best military school in the
federation, was also walking home proudly.
Floating Spear City today was completely different from a hundred years ago.
As Li Yao’s hometown and the headquarters of many enterprises and sects of the ‘Glorious Sunlight Group’ and the ‘Li Yao Department, Floating Spear City had grown from a simple military town into a super metropolis that focused on economic development.
The skysc.r.a.pers, the man-made dome that covered hundreds of square kilometers, the fresh air mixed with the elements of crystals, and the super shuttle traffic system that was as fast as lightning and silent as a living creature all highlighted the vitality of the city.
Of course, no matter how the era changed, some things would always be embedded into the bones of the city and would not change.
For example, the city’s admiration for soldiers, the enthusiasm for war, and even the extreme fighting spirit.
Even though Meng Xiaolang had not been officially awarded the military rank yet and was just a graduate of the military school who did not carry any flowers on his shoulders, his straight black military uniform was enough to make people look at him with envy and admiration, especially those
flower-like girls. The way they looked at Meng Xiaolang with a smile made Meng Xiaolang’s heart bloom.
Over the past few days, Floating Spear City had been particularly lively.
The citizens were restless because of the war between the Star Ocean Imperium and the Sanctuary Alliance and whether or not the federation should intervene.
Today, the federation was quite open-minded. Everybody could say whatever they wanted, not to mention that the a.s.sault of the Black Wind Fleet was something that everybody had just experienced. n.o.body believed that the imperium was unconcemed about the inexplicable disappearance of the Black
Wind Fleet. Sooner or later, the power of the federation and the center of the universe would collide brutally.
Right now, it was just tomorrow..