Tang Yinmeng was somewhat furious. Whether it was the Tang Sect or Shrek Academy, they had always been the embodiment of justice in her heart.
Yet now, they had done something like this.
Her faith suddenly crumbled, making it difficult for her to accept for a moment.
Seeing her reaction, Lan Muzi let out a soft sigh and said, "Actually, the Academy and the Tang Sect had no other choice. If it weren't for those short-sighted officials in the Federation, the Academy wouldn't have had to go this far."
"What does this have to do with the Federation?" Tang Yinmeng asked, frowning.
Lan Muzi sighed again. "Sigh! You already know that in recent years, the conflict between the Federation and Shrek Academy has been intensifying. But what you see is only the surface—things are actually far worse than you imagine. Especially half a year ago, when Xia Yi displayed the talent of a Divine Craftsman in Heaven Dou City, the Federation became even more unscrupulous. There were even some parliament members who proposed that the Federation government should control Shrek Academy's student enrollment. Although the proposal didn't pass, this was only the first test. It won't be long before they make another move."
Lan Muzi glanced in the direction of Xia Yi and Gu Yue and continued, "If something happens to Xia Yi, then the Academy and the Tang Sect can push Tang Wulin into the position of a Divine Craftsman. At that time, if we also show a closer relationship with the Star Luo Continent, the Federation government will have no choice but to beg us instead. I don't think the Federation would want the next Divine Craftsman to appear in the Star Luo Continent, right?"
Over the past few years, the Federation's relationship with Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect had become increasingly strained.
Even when Yali personally intervened, she couldn't bring Wu Zhangkong back from Mingdu, which was a clear sign of how bad things had become.
Right now, Shrek Academy was desperate to prove itself.
Lan Muzi wasn't just Long Yeyue's disciple—he was also the designated next Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion.
Long Yeyue had been grooming him, so he was privy to many things.
Even Cai Yue'er didn't know as much about this plan targeting Xia Yi and Gu Yue as he did.
However, he was merely mentioning this to Tang Yinmeng in passing.
He didn't go into detail about the process.
He didn't want Tang Yinmeng to see him as a cold-blooded person.
Lan Muzi still remembered what Long Yeyue had told him:
"Those who seek greatness cannot be bound by trivialities. A true strong individual must have a heart like a great tree—the higher it reaches for the light, the deeper its roots must extend into the soil, into the darkness, into the abyss. If you cannot endure the darkness, then you do not deserve to enjoy the light."
Tang Yinmeng looked at Lan Muzi. She knew his status in Shrek Academy—he must know a lot more than he was willing to say.
"No matter what, I trust that Brother Lan has his reasons for whatever he does," Tang Yinmeng said, no longer pressing him, instead holding tightly onto his arm.
Lan Muzi used his spiritual power to envelop himself and Tang Yinmeng.
His spiritual power was exceptionally strong, just one step away from the Spirit Domain Realm.
Unless someone possessed late-stage Spirit Domain Realm spiritual power, it would be impossible for anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation without him noticing.
And on this ship, let alone late-stage Spirit Domain, there wasn't even a single person at the early stage of the Spirit Domain Realm.
So even in this crowded environment, he wasn't worried that anyone could overhear their conversation.
Little did he know, their conversation had already been heard clearly by someone.
The moment he released his spiritual power, the Demon Emperor and the hidden savage beasts had already locked onto them.
"Heh, I thought only our Holy Spirit Cult had ill intentions, but it turns out every organization has their own hidden agendas," the Demon Emperor chuckled, glancing at Xia Yi and Gu Yue with an increasingly amused smile.
"They're plotting against me, and you're laughing so happily?" Xia Yi rolled his eyes.
Before he could think further, the representative from the Star Luo Empire suddenly picked up a microphone and spoke.
"Welcome, everyone, to tonight's banquet. Greetings! I am Sima Lanxiao, Minister of External Affairs from the Star Luo Continent and the Star Luo Empire. I'm delighted to meet so many friends from various industries of the Douluo Continent. Tonight, let us not leave until we are drunk! We will also be playing some games. We will select the best-dressed gentleman and lady, the most handsome man and beautiful woman, as well as the best dancing pair of the evening. Each of them will receive a prize provided by the Star Luo Empire."
Sima Lanxiao was a tall middle-aged man with handsome features and golden hair. His voice was deep and magnetic, full of infectious enthusiasm. As he spoke, the already lively atmosphere of the banquet reached a new peak.
"Come on, let's go play," Gu Yue glanced at the Demon Emperor before pulling Xia Yi into the crowd.
"I don't know how to dance," Xia Yi said awkwardly, looking at the men and women around him freely enjoying themselves.
"If you don't know, that's all the more reason to try! Put your hand on my waist and follow my movements." Hearing that Xia Yi couldn't dance, Gu Yue became even more interested. She grabbed his right hand and placed it on her waist, then took his left hand and began to move.
From her hands, a natural force flowed, guiding Xia Yi's body to follow her rhythm.
Although Xia Yi didn't know how to dance, he was a quick learner with fast reflexes. Though his steps were initially a little off, he soon managed to keep up with Gu Yue.
His movements were clumsy, but he could still dance.
"Hee hee, you're learning pretty fast!" Gu Yue giggled and gradually sped up.
"Of course! Do you even know who your husband is?" Xia Yi smirked smugly, his steps becoming more refined. Before long, he no longer needed Gu Yue's guidance.
Holding Gu Yue, he matched the rhythm of the music, moving in perfect sync with her, his steps smooth and confident as if he had mastered the dance completely.
"Stop showing off!" Gu Yue rolled her eyes at him.
Before Xia Yi could respond, Di Tian's voice suddenly echoed in both his and Gu Yue's minds.
"Master, the Demon Emperor has left. She went to the adjacent ship with Pan Wen and Sima Lanxiao."
There were two massive ships: one was the Star Luo, belonging to the Star Luo Empire, where Xia Yi and Gu Yue were currently, and the other was the Far Ocean, representing the Douluo Continent.
Tonight's social event was being held on both ships simultaneously.
Though they were a thousand meters apart, traveling between them in a mecha would take only a few minutes.
Both the Federation's Pan Wen and the Star Luo Empire's Sima Lanxiao needed to move between the two ships.
But why was the Demon Emperor following them?
Xia Yi shook his head, signaling Di Tian to ignore it.
As long as the Demon Emperor wasn't threatening their safety, there was no need to interfere.
Meanwhile, on the Far Ocean, after Pan Wen and Sima Lanxiao boarded, Sima Lanxiao accompanied Pan Wen to the main event hall.
However, one of Sima Lanxiao's attendants turned and slipped into the lively crowd.
The scene was too bustling for Pan Wen to notice anything unusual.
The attendant quietly approached the Far Ocean's control room door.
Someone was already waiting inside.
That person was none other than Shrek Academy's senior disciple, Lan Muzi.
At some point, he had already boarded the Far Ocean.
As a set of codes was entered, the control room door slowly opened.
"The Far Ocean is the Federation's most advanced ship, far more advanced than your Star Luo, and even some of the Federation's warships use the same power system. You have ten minutes to observe and take notes," Lan Muzi said indifferently.
As he spoke, Sima Lanxiao's attendant took out a notebook and began manually recording data about the Far Ocean.
Soul tools couldn't be used to take pictures here, or it would trigger an alarm, so everything had to be written down by hand.
Ten minutes passed quickly.
Lan Muzi and Sima Lanxiao's attendant left the control room on time.
"Remember the terms of our agreement," Lan Muzi said solemnly.
"Rest assured, we've already reported to His Majesty, and he has personally agreed," the attendant replied.
"Good. Remember your words," Lan Muzi nodded before flying back to the Star Luo.
(End of Chapter)