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"Elder Long, no matter how much of a threat the loss of the Godslayer Missiles poses to Shrek, the Federation absolutely cannot hand over Eternal Heaven. This is something your Shrek Academy should already understand."
After much back-and-forth, Zhang Zhongli finally spoke plainly.
You people from Shrek should have some sense of reality.
Even if our relationship completely breaks down and conflict erupts, the Federation will never hand over Eternal Heaven to Shrek.
The Federation fears Shrek's immense power and the potential losses from Shrek's retaliation. However, they also know that Shrek is already stretched thin dealing with the two lost Godslayer Missiles and cannot afford another major conflict with the Federation.
The earlier concessions were already the limit.
The Federation Parliament can undergo a complete overhaul, but forget about handing over Eternal Heaven.
"It's acceptable, but on this point, Shrek cannot back down."
"Elder Long, please speak freely."
Seeing Elder Long finally relent, Zhang Zhongli and the other parliamentarians let out a sigh of relief.
However, they relaxed too soon.
"Eternal Heaven must be personally guarded by the War God Hall, and Chen Xinjie must remain stationed there at all times."
Elder Long's words extinguished whatever faint hope Chen Xinjie had left.
It was over.
Jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash away the stain.
There was truly no way out now.
"Additionally, Shrek requires twenty tons each of these rare metals."
Elder Long presented a list.
As the parliamentarians skimmed through it, most didn't think much of it.
The control of rare metal resources was just a number to them.
If the entire Federation had to take the blame, giving away these amounts didn't matter to them.
As long as the parliamentarians themselves weren't paying out of pocket, they didn't care.
However, there were some who understood the implications. After examining Elder Long's list, their hearts trembled.
Only they realized what these rare metals were intended for.
Fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shells—and specifically, ninth-level fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shells!
Twenty tons—just how many cannon shells did Shrek plan to manufacture?
Were they preparing to use these as a replacement for Eternal Heaven?
Since Eternal Heaven couldn't be handed over to Shrek, shouldn't Shrek be allowed to establish a counter-deterrent against the Federation?
Hundreds of ninth-level fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shells, perpetually ready to fire, ensuring that if Shrek were destroyed, the entire continent would perish along with it?
Clearly, those parliamentarians who understood the purpose of the rare metals on the list were thinking along these lines.
Shrek hadn't obtained Eternal Heaven, and they had finally made a concession.
This was a good thing.
As for Elder Long's earlier demand that Chen Xinjie personally guard Eternal Heaven—
Hmph, it only confirmed further the rift between the two sides.
They could allow it.
But while Chen Xinjie remained stationed, his position as the leader of the War God Hall would have to be vacated. A new leader would need to be appointed urgently, even if it meant the new appointee would have to endure hardship while accompanying Chen Xinjie in guarding Eternal Heaven.
As for the rare metals on the list—
"No, ten tons!" Zhang Zhongli, having heard some knowledgeable parliamentarians discuss it, shared the same suspicion—that these rare metals were intended to create ninth-level fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shells to replace Eternal Heaven as a deterrent against the Federation.
Though he felt stifled, he knew he had to accept this point because it was likely Shrek's final compromise.
Still, he had to bargain.
Twenty tons?
Zhang Zhongli wasn't clear on everything, but he recognized diamond essence gold—one of the most expensive and rare metals.
Including it on the list and asking for twenty tons? Was this a joke?
Twenty tons of diamond essence gold?
Had the Federation mined even twenty tons of diamond essence gold in the past thousand years?
Absolutely not.
This was the deepest data the Federation possessed, far beyond what was publicly disclosed.
Even so, it still didn't reach twenty tons.
"The Federation can provide, at most, one hundred kilograms of diamond essence gold."
Zhang Zhongli singled out diamond essence gold.
Other parliamentarians followed suit, pointing out the rarest materials on the list and proposing maximum amounts ranging from one hundred to six hundred kilograms.
After some back-and-forth with these individuals, Elder Long ultimately secured roughly one-third of the Federation's stockpile for the rarest materials. For the more common but still controlled rare metals, he settled for sixteen tons each.
Xu Yuan was unaware of what transpired during the parliamentary session.
After completing the evolution of the Five Elements Rune and advancing his first soul ring to a hundred-thousand-year level, the origin of his Heavenly Origin Brush was finally fully restored.
With that, he began the final stage of crafting his battle armor.
The belt and breastplate took only three days to complete using the two types of perfect alloys he had prepared beforehand.
For the helmet, he chose to craft it using Stellar Iron and Illusion Cloud Bloodstone forged together into Illusion Star Stone.
The forging of Illusion Star Stone proceeded smoothly.
In just two months, Xu Yuan raised his maximum fusion rate from 85% to 99%.
That's right—under Zhen Hua's guidance, he had already attempted the forging of most dual-forged sentient alloys, achieving at least a 70% mastery level.
As his forging skills improved, even though he had previously only managed a 73% fusion rate for Illusion Star Stone, during this period of seclusion, he achieved a leap forward, forging Illusion Star Stone with an 85% fusion rate on his first attempt.
"Two months—it's finally complete."
Xu Yuan gazed at the Illusion Star Stone before him, struggling to suppress the excitement in his eyes despite his best efforts.
Battle armor!
Finally, the last piece was within reach.
Xu Yuan took a deep breath, adjusted his state, and immediately began crafting the helmet.
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Sea God Pavilion
"All the rare metals promised by the Federation have been delivered. The Blacksmiths Association and other guilds have begun accelerated production. While we lack the technology to stabilize spatial channels, we should be able to complete the fabrication of the various soul-guided components for the space-shielding defense system." Feng Wuyu reported on the current status of the academy's associations.
"The inner court disciples have all gathered and are in a state of readiness."
...
One by one, the Pavilion Elders reported on their respective areas of responsibility.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Ya Li, temporarily taking on the role of Pavilion Master, listened to the reports and smiled warmly.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
"For Shrek," Cai Yue'er said with a smile, showing no signs of fatigue.
The other Pavilion Elders echoed in unison:
"For Shrek."
"Ya Li, has Pavilion Master contacted us yet?" Zhuo Shi asked curiously.
To be honest, with Yun Ming absent from the Sea God Pavilion, none of them felt confident.
They knew that Yun Ming had to leave to intimidate those behind the scenes, but without him present, they truly lacked confidence.
After all, with Yun Ming around, they at least had a sliver of resistance. But if Yun Ming weren't here and the Godslayer Missiles were to fall, they would have no hope of survival whatsoever.
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