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"They fight their battles; it has nothing to do with us. We never participate in wars."
As Ya Li finished speaking, Elder Li, a senior elder, was the first to express his confusion. Shrek Academy was aloof and never participated in the federal grand competition, only providing the venue.
They always looked down on outsiders coming to Shrek City for competitions, viewing them like a monkey show.
Ya Li said, "According to tradition, the most outstanding participants of each competition can enter our academy as exchange students, and the top three teams have the right to visit our academy."
"I think we can expand the scale, send a signal, and draw some federal forces to our side."
"Hoo—"
Feng Wuyu stroked his beard, frowning. "Is that really necessary? Everything about Shrek is independent."
From fundamental taxation, administration, military, and diplomacy, to the four major sub-professional associations, Shrek Academy had its own system. As the president of the Shrek City Forging Master Association, Feng Wuyu was not fond of outsiders and disliked external communication.
After all, his forging skills were far inferior to Zhen Hua's; he could never catch up in this lifetime, so what was there to communicate about?
Yun Ming glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "Precisely because of this, we must put down our arrogance. Shrek's students come from all over the federation, and a large amount of its resources also come from the federation."
"Wuyu, if you step out of Sea God Island and look at the streets and alleys of Shrek City, the prices of many daily necessities are soaring. Shrek City has suffered heavy economic losses this year."
Hearing this, Feng Wuyu's expression changed in surprise. "It's that serious?"
Ya Li said bitterly, "Aside from the tools that Tang Sect can produce, the prices of one-third of the daily necessities in Shrek City are fluctuating drastically. The root cause is the economic decoupling from the Yu Family and Le Family, with the Mortal World Family and Kong Family also contributing."
Zhuo Shi angrily said, "Shameless coercion! Do they think this will make Shrek surrender?!"
At these words, the elders all erupted, angrily denouncing the four great families' unethical economic attacks, completely forgetting that Shrek's prosperity today came from leeching off the federation.
The currency equivalent in Shrek City was contribution points. Outsiders doing business with them were essentially exchanging their federal currencys and industrial products for contribution points that had no purchasing power in the federation, which was no different from giving things away for free.
After Feng Zaixing discovered this, he immediately felt that Shrek's move was even more shameless than the Bretton Woods system. Even the 'Understanding King' who issued currency before taking office and then played the stock market after taking office seemed like an honest person compared to them!
A certain hegemon on Blue Star used paper money to tie hard currencies like gold and oil, but Shrek was even better, pulling off a scam with empty words! They didn't even print a piece of waste paper!
With the power of one city, they took free, high-quality, and inexpensive civilian goods, Cultivate resources, and huge federal currencys from the entire federation. A portion of every federal citizen's tax went into their pockets!
Thinking that a portion of the money he paid in advance for taxes went to Shrek, Feng Zaixing's eyes went dark with anger. He immediately translated some economic knowledge into terms that Douluo Continent people could understand and launched a full-scale economic decoupling.
You like to run an independent kingdom, huh? Let's see how you operate without external support!
Yun Ming, who had spent his life fighting and loving, did not understand economics, but he understood the Tang Sect's protests. He raised his hand and said helplessly,
"I understand everyone's feelings, but I have to tell you that not only have we suffered huge economic losses and had to use reserves to maintain prices, but the Tang Sect is also having a big headache."
"That bastard Qiangu Dongfeng is also joining in the fun. He'd rather lose money than withdraw his economic businesses from Shrek City, making it difficult for us to even conduct smuggling operations."
"So now, it's time for us to put down our pride, gather our strength, and begin our defense."
The elders immediately fell silent.
Shrek's ability to exist independently in the world was most strongly guaranteed by its unbreakable Alliance with the Tang Sect. To put it harshly, if Shrek City ever ran out of food, the Tang Sect would sell everything they had to send it.
But if the Tang Sect also had problems, it meant that Shrek's strength was insufficient.
Yun Ming felt a little relieved seeing this scene. In reality, Zang Xin was more than just having a headache; he was almost frantic.
Shrek's golden body was shattered, and now the tables had turned. Some groups within the federation had reached a consensus and united to suppress the Shrek faction.
Among the five great families, the Yu Family was first, with immense influence in both military and political circles; the Le Family was the southern overlord, deeply entrenched; the Kong Family and Mortal World Family were old research families, with their reach extending across the continent.
Many enterprises controlled by the Yu Family and Le Family preferred to connect with the technology of the Kong Family and Mortal World Family rather than take Tang Sect orders. Zang Xin had already conveyed the pressure from the Tang Sect to Yun Ming, with some people believing they had been severely exploited by Shrek.
"We can stand shoulder to shoulder with you and face the blade together, but there's a limit! Our Tang Sect still needs to do business with the federation!"
Surrendering to the federation at this point was impossible. After discussion, Yun Ming and Ya Li unanimously decided to put down their lofty pride, gather their strength, win over allies, and challenge the anti-Shrek group.
Leading their old allies, they would charge against the opposing forces!
For twenty thousand years, Shrek's reputation had permeated every corner of the continent. A small failure in the inner courtyard was harmless. Over thirty percent of the federal council members were from the Shrek faction, and its graduates were elites in various industries.
As long as they united their strength, resisting the four great families would be no problem.
"Zhuo Shi, have the Tang Sect closely monitor the movements of the Evil Soul Master. If possible, kill a few Evil Soul Masters to make a name for yourselves!"
"Yes."
"Tower Master Qian Gu, I have long admired your reputation."
Days after the Sea God's Pavilion meeting concluded, Feng Zaixing entered Shrek's outer city for the first time and ascended the Spirit Pagoda's headquarters, the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda.
Facing the Spirit Pagoda Master, with whom he had collaborated remotely many times, Feng Zaixing appeared neither humble nor arrogant, his friendly and polite smile carrying a hint of detachment.
"Haha, Young Lord's name is like thunder to me too!" Getting to meet the young man who had caused Shrek trouble multiple times up close, Qiangu Dongfeng's face also showed great interest. After exchanging pleasantries, he observed him closely.
In terms of appearance alone, he had never seen anyone more handsome. This Young Lord of the Body Sect was tall and strong, with an excellent countenance. The Seraphim genes were very good.
His Cultivation was somewhat inscrutable; a powerful individual had left some means on him.
With a thought, he smiled and said, "I've heard that Young Lord usually Cultivates diligently. Why do you have time to visit my Spirit Pagoda today?"
"Could it be that your Cultivation has reached a Bottleneck, and you need a spirit to Breakthrough?"
"My Spirit Pagoda is not as vast as the federal empire, but we do have many treasured spirits. If Young Lord sees one he likes, feel free to pick any!"
Qiangu Dongfeng acted extremely magnanimous, as if the person who called the Ghost Emperor was not him at all.
Feng Zaixing cupped his hands. "Tower Master, you are too kind. I am not here for spirits today. I am a federal public servant, here to earn money. When the federation earns money, it should be done with proper justification."
"Well said! Shrek City has two major forces, Shrek and Tang Sect, both of whom sell weapons to the neighboring continent to fight the federation!"
Qiangu Dongfeng snapped his fingers, a mocking smile on his face. "They're all earning Cultivate resources!"
Kong Yao smiled faintly. "The Spirit Pagoda has branches across three continents. It seems Tower Master Qian Gu has a deep understanding. Would you care to enlighten us?"
"No, no, no, my Spirit Pagoda only runs errands for the federation, and only one of its legs; all profits from selling spirits must be sent back to headquarters and taxed by the federation."
Hearing Kong Yao's implied meaning, Qiangu Dongfeng immediately stated his position, then added, "If you two are in a hurry to make money, then the two continents are a good place to go. Our Spirit Pagoda can not only support military expenses but also provide a batch of spirits to the military!"
"The two continents are far away, and military matters are significant, not to be decided in a short time." Feng Zaixing waved his hand. He had not yet grown up, so why fight a war? Military merits would not reach his hands.
Kong Yao stroked his beard and smiled. "Moreover, once war breaks out, how do we know if Shrek Tang won't leak intelligence or provide weapons? This war cannot be fought yet."
Qiangu Dongfeng showed a hint of regret and nodded. "Then, you two cannot blame my Spirit Pagoda for being unable to help. Money in Shrek City is not easy to earn."
"I don't think so," Feng Zaixing smiled and said. "Shrek Academy has always been pressing down on the Spirit Pagoda. If this resentment isn't released, how can your pagoda become the true number one organization on the continent?"
"Compared to Shrek Tang, the federation would be happier to see the Spirit Pagoda establish an academy and Cultivate talents from all over the world."
"Is that true?" Qiangu Dongfeng leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Feng Zaixing without moving.
Establishing a Spirit Pagoda Academy was a crucial step in his career plan.
"It is true," Feng Zaixing replied calmly.
"Of course, we need the Tower Master's stance. Although I am but a Junior, I wish to set up a challenge arena under the Spirit Pagoda. What does the Tower Master think?"
As he slowly stated his goal, Qiangu Dongfeng's expression changed, and the joy on his face grew even stronger.
"Good! This matter is exactly what I wished for! I, the Tower Master, congratulate Young Lord in advance on your triumphant victory, overwhelming a generation of Shrek!"
"Thank you, Tower Master. It's a pleasure to cooperate." Feng Zaixing stood up with a smile and bid farewell to Kong Yao.
Qiangu Dongfeng's smile was warm as he watched the two leave the Spirit Pagoda entrance.
In no time, the smile on his face vanished. He took out his communicator, dialed a top-secret number, and said to the person on the other end,
"Ghost Emperor, I cannot cooperate with you to eliminate Feng Zaixing for now. Letting them and Shrek Tang fight to the death is the best option right now!"