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Although joining the Federation essentially resolved the historical grievances between Shrek and the former Sun Moon Empire at their root, there were still lingering tensions between Shrek Academy and the Sun-Moon Hall.
After all, the past rivalries had come at a cost.
These were just unresolved issues from history.
Moreover, part of the reason Shrek had lost its former glory was due to the rise of Sun-Moon Hall.
Even if Shrek couldn't match up in the competition, the two sides had always existed in a competitive relationship.
To reclaim its former brilliance, Shrek would inevitably have to face Sun-Moon Hall as a formidable rival.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy?
It was never the academy that defeated Shrek—it was Sun-Moon Hall.
Unfortunately, most of the elders were still unaware of the upcoming reforms that would soon reshape Sun-Moon Hall.
Sun-Moon Hall would shift to functioning solely as a research institution and as a key center for soul tool development, no longer serving as an institute for cultivating powerful individuals.
The Federation would reorganize the Douluo Temple, which would handle the registration of all Mecha Masters across the continent and recruit them as internal members, overseeing their cultivation and development.
This proposal was one that Su Yu planned to put forward.
And he was the only one qualified to make such a suggestion.
This proposal would also be submitted during a Federation meeting—after a "friendly discussion" with Shrek.
Above the Sea God Pavilion—
Qian Duoduo and the other elders wore solemn expressions.
From the current lineup of Sea God Pavilion elders, it was clear that Shrek now placed immense value on the Soul Tool Department.
Qian Duoduo was the Pavilion Master, Fan Yu was the head of the Soul Tool Department, and there were two other level-seven soul engineers from the department sitting on the Sea God Pavilion—something entirely unprecedented in the past.
Of course, Zhang Lexuan had also joined the Sea God Pavilion and become one of its elders.
She was now at the level of a Titled Douluo.
Unfortunately, during her dedicated period of cultivation, the entire Douluo Continent had undergone earth-shaking changes.
During the previous war, Zhang Lexuan had remained in seclusion for cultivation and did not participate, largely thanks to Qian Duoduo.
There was no choice—Zhang Lexuan's talent was even more frightening than Ma Xiaotao's. She was truly the greatest prodigy the Inner Court had seen in a hundred years.
Of course, the distinction between the Inner and Outer Court no longer existed.
Her eighth spirit ring was already a 100,000-year spirit ring!
That was a truly terrifying configuration.
In Qian Duoduo's eyes, she was the key to Shrek's future revival. That's why he had fought hard to keep her out of the conflict during the war.
Back then, there had already been two opposing views within Shrek.
After all, the unification of the Sun Moon Empire was an unstoppable trend at the time, and Shrek had to consider how to position itself in the future under the new regime.
Thus, Zhang Lexuan became a bridge for this transition.
Once she matured, she would be the new Sea God Pavilion Master, and she had relatively fewer conflicts with the former Sun Moon Empire.
What no one had anticipated was that after the continent was unified, the Sun Moon royal bloodline would be severed, and Su Yu, Jing Hongchen, and Kong Deming would go on to establish the Federation.
Upon seeing Zhang Lexuan, Su Wen's heart stirred, and he more or less guessed her identity.
A Moon Martial Soul?
Was it related to Kong Deming's Silver Moon Martial Soul?
The thought flashed through his mind, but he didn't ask.
If there was a connection, he would eventually find out.
"Su Yu."
"Pavilion Master Qian, Shrek truly has deep roots. After enduring such upheaval, it still continues to produce remarkable talent."
Su Yu swept the area with his spiritual power and quickly detected the numerous gifted soul masters currently in the Inner Court.
One of the biggest changes brought about by the Federation's unification was a shift in ideology.
The previous regional divisions, especially the hostile attitudes between different empires, had begun to fade.
Because of that, many soul masters from the former Sun Moon Empire now joined Shrek Academy without hesitation.
Today, Mecha Masters had become the pinnacle of soul master development, and that path inevitably required the full potential of a soul master's power.
Clearly, Shrek had an advantage in this regard.
Moreover, Shrek was just an academy. One could study martial souls here and then return to Sun-Moon Hall for soul tool training—the two didn't conflict. In fact, during the brief six months of the continent's unification, there had already been exceptional cases of individuals simultaneously enrolled in both Shrek and Sun-Moon Hall.
It was much like how one could once be a student of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and also part of Sun-Moon Hall.
As for fears of technological theft, Su Yu wasn't worried.
Technology was about advancement, not preservation.
Only with competition could breakthroughs occur.
With Shrek trailing closely behind, Sun-Moon Hall might actually gain motivation to push soul tool research further.
"This is all thanks to the Federation's system," Qian Duoduo said sincerely.
He genuinely believed in the current structure of the Federation.
At the very least, with the Federation's support, Shrek's development of its Soul Tool Department had bypassed years of slow growth.
Although it had lost its mythical aura and no longer shone with past glory, as a Federation-certified academy under its administration, Shrek now enjoyed access to its resources.
The foundational heritage of the Soul Tool Department was one such benefit.
"Your Grace, Lan Ling, you wouldn't have come to Shrek Academy without reason. What is it that the Federation needs from us this time?" Yan Shaozhe finally spoke.
His tone was stiff, but it was clear that he had already lowered his stance considerably.
Back when Su Yu revealed his true identity, it caused him considerable torment for a while. Deep down, he was extremely unwilling to believe it.
However, Su Yu had no reason to fabricate such a story.
Even as time passed and the Sun Moon Empire no longer needed such tactics, and the public pressure began to fade, the truth about his origins was never officially clarified.
In fact, even the results uncovered by numerous powerful figures from Shrek pointed toward the same conclusion that Su Yu had revealed.
Notably, some time ago, Du Bushi had visited Shrek and dropped a shocking revelation—Ye Yushui possessed twin martial souls, and her second soul was indeed the Light Phoenix.
This news deeply unsettled Yan Shaozhe, only for Du Bushi to laugh heartily and leave afterward.
"Shrek Academy boasts many powerful individuals. This time, I've come on behalf of the Federation to summon the elite members of the Sea God Pavilion to the Extreme North to join the battle."
As soon as Su Yu spoke, Qian Duoduo and the other elders felt their hearts skip a beat.
Go to the Extreme North to fight?
What war?
Previously, when the Federation conscripted soul masters to form an army, it was already to engage in some kind of warfare.
And now, they wanted Shrek to join too?
Although the full details of the Abyss were never publicly disclosed, Shrek had made active efforts to integrate with the Federation and had faintly learned that the conflict involved forces from beyond the continent's plane.
Still, they hadn't expected the situation to escalate to the point where the Sea God Pavilion would need to contribute personnel.
As much as they hated to admit it, Su Yu certainly had access to even stronger and closer allies than those in the Pavilion.
"The Sea God Pavilion currently has a considerable number of Super Douluo. I hope all of them can head to the Extreme North to participate in the battle. Over there, everything follows military rules. They offer soul armor crafting techniques and even rewards for crafting services. So if anyone wants to become a Mecha Master, that's the fastest and best place to do it."
"As for guarding the academy, you don't need to worry. All Super Douluo on the continent will be summoned. Furthermore, until this war ends, anyone at level 95 and above is strictly prohibited from exerting any influence or taking action within the continent," Su Yu stated.
Qian Duoduo and the elders carefully considered Su Yu's words.
A military structure?
That meant fairness.
If Su Yu said so, then as long as they earned enough military merit, obtaining soul armor crafting techniques wouldn't be difficult—even techniques for creating super-grade soul armor. Otherwise, Su Yu wouldn't tell a group of Super Douluo that becoming Mecha Masters there was the best option.
Even if they lacked the technical ability to create their own soul armor, the military could provide assistance.
They were, undeniably, tempted.
After all, the power of a Mecha Master was clear for all to see.
Even Zhang Lexuan's eyes flickered, clearly intrigued.
She had long considered soul armor.
Without it, even if she reached the level of Limit Douluo, she still wouldn't qualify as one of the true peak-level powerhouses.
This was the current state of the Douluo Continent.
"If this truly is a war involving the entire Douluo Continent, then of course we won't just stand by. However, we're only Super Douluo. Without super-grade soul armor, we cannot unleash the full combat strength of Limit Douluo," someone stated.
"No problem. Your primary role isn't to engage in Limit Douluo-level combat," Su Yu replied.
Hearing Su Yu's response, the Sea God Pavilion elders fell silent.
They were unwilling to accept it.
But they had no choice.
Ten years ago, they never would have imagined that one day, they wouldn't even qualify to fight on the top-tier battlefield.
The threshold for top combat power had shifted—from Super Douluo to today's Limit Douluo.
The Sea God Pavilion elders began preparations and would arrive at the Extreme North within three days.
Su Yu didn't linger.
In Heaven Dou City, at the Sun-Moon Hall branch—
"Convene the Federal Council."
"Yes, sir!"
Su Yu still held immense authority—this was currently the only real flaw in the federal system.
A true powerhouse cannot be restrained by any system.
It wasn't that the system was inherently flawed; rather, the principle of strength above all was the most fundamental rule of this world.
The following day, the meeting commenced.
"Mobilize all Super Douluo across the continent?"
Many council members gasped at Su Yu's proposal.
Was this a move against the most powerful individuals on the continent?
Since the Federation's unification, every major force had openly acknowledged its authority, but the Federation had yet to truly mobilize those forces.
And now, the first mobilization was a sweeping conscription of top-tier combatants.
All of them?
Was this a show of force?
Or had the war in the Extreme North reached such a critical and dangerous stage?
"In fact, it's not just the Super Douluo. Some outstanding soul masters are also needed. I urge all council members to pay close attention—right now, the best place to become a mecha master is the Extreme North."
Su Yu outlined the setup in the Extreme North, and once again, multiple sharp intakes of breath filled the hall.
The scale of this operation was staggering.
Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming—these legendary figures—were actually going to take part in crafting soul armor?
Of course, they would only be involved in the forging of super-grade soul armor.
Xuan Ziwen would handle the production of high-level soul armor.
In addition, many elite soul engineers from Sun-Moon Hall would form the support team, providing crafting services for soul masters.
The earliest mecha squads used only standardized soul armor, but over time, tailored, personalized armor production had gradually taken over.
"Your Grace Lan Ling, are we issuing this conscription order to the entire soul master population?" one council member asked.
"No, that won't be necessary," Su Yu replied, shaking his head.
There was no need to let every soul master know about the Abyss. It would only add to their anxiety.
"All Super Douluo across the continent should be notified. Titled Douluo as well. If they are unwilling to go to the Extreme North, they won't be forced—but they must sign a confidentiality agreement. As for those below Titled Douluo, we will only recruit elite individuals."
Of course, even the elites would be required to sign the same agreement.
The council members diligently recorded Su Yu's requests.
Although the vote to formally approve the proposal hadn't yet taken place, everyone present knew it was essentially guaranteed to pass.
At the very least, no one dared to oppose Su Yu—at least not right now.
Once the formalities were out of the way, Su Yu finally let out a long breath of relief.
"For at least the next year, I won't concern myself with Federation affairs anymore."
With that, Su Yu announced his seclusion.
Yangguang Continent.
In a tranquil mountain valley surrounded by lush scenery, Xiao Huo trained bare-chested, channeling fire-elemental energy to temper his body.
Floating behind him were spiritual runes, while Su Yu's spiritual force, transformed into a spirit body, silently observed with closed eyes.
Though it was only a strand of spiritual power, it was quite substantial. With the continuous spiritual support of the rune of sentience, as long as there were no large-scale disturbances, its consumption and recovery were nearly balanced.
He could also independently comprehend the rules of this world.
Just like Electrolux had once done.
Without warning, a figure appeared above the valley.
Su Yu sensed the spatial fluctuation and looked up.
"Lucky kid," Rong Nianbing said with a click of his tongue, his eyes lighting up as he looked at the cultivating Xiao Huo.
Truth be told, Rong Nianbing had taken note of Xiao Huo the day he was born.
After all, he was a rare "genius" whose soul had perfect compatibility with fire elements and whose body harmonized flawlessly with wind elements—a child carrying substantial destiny.
But back then, Rong Nianbing had lamented that such two conflicting "talents" were housed in the same person.
Even he couldn't help Xiao Huo overcome those side effects without a cost.
It was only with Su Yu's arrival that Xiao Huo gained a real chance.
Su Yu's guidance even set Xiao Huo on his path of cultivation.
"So, you're planning to use this kid to explore and understand the cultivation system here," Rong Nianbing said with a smile as he observed Xiao Huo's training.
His foundation was solid, and his rate of improvement was truly astonishing.
It had only been three short months, and he'd already reached the fourth tier.
To rise from no cultivation base to this level in such a short time—even Rong Nianbing was impressed.
He quickly deduced some of the details of Su Yu's method of training Xiao Huo.
It was clearly beneficial to Xiao Huo, and it also helped Su Yu in gaining deeper insight into the cultivation framework of Yangguang Continent.
"Hm?" Suddenly, Rong Nianbing let out a soft exclamation.
He sensed fluctuations in Xiao Huo's spiritual energy.
"Is this your rune technique?"
Su Yu shook his head slightly.
"I won't let him touch rune techniques before he reaches the divine level."
Magical energy was more compatible with this world's systems—that was one reason. The other was that rune techniques consumed too much mental focus.
Pursuing godhood via rune techniques was exceedingly difficult.
Rong Nianbing nodded, not pressing further about Xiao Huo.
"I just received a message from the Sea God. Something seems to be going wrong in the Divine Realm. You'd better be cautious—your true self back on the Douluo Continent should tread carefully. That Abyss situation needs to be handled with extreme care," he warned seriously.
"You can contact your true body, right?"
(End of Chapter)