Wherever the eyes could see, the decks of the two giant ships had at least five levels of structure. These colossal vessels gleamed with a metallic sheen, and the muzzles of soul-guided weapons were clearly visible on their decks.
The sea has never been a place of tranquility. According to federal experts' calculations, the number of soul beasts in the ocean is at least fifty times that on land, which is why marine soul beasts are considered "hard to kill."
Of course, these are past statistics.
Now, the number of marine soul beasts has drastically decreased and is certainly not as high as during their peak.
However, the soul beasts in the deep sea are not to be underestimated, so the essence of long-distance navigation technology lies in how to defend against these marine soul beasts that might attack the ships.
Originally, Star Luo dispatched these giant ships to the Douluo Continent to showcase their technology. However, they discovered that the Federation already had soul-guided aircraft, a more convenient means of soul-guided transportation...
Arriving at the coast, members of both delegations disembarked from their vehicles and boarded the ships.
The personnel on the two giant ships were a mix, with both Federation members and people from the Star Luo Continent.
Federation Secretary-General Pan Wen personally took charge of receiving the teams from the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy. He approached the Amorous Douluo and the Soul Suppressing Douluo, respectfully greeting them.
"Greetings, Your Excellencies."
"Greetings, Secretary-General Pan," both the Amorous Douluo and the Soul Suppressing Douluo nodded in acknowledgment.
Pan Wen appears to be an ordinary middle-aged man, with nothing particularly remarkable about his appearance. However, his ability to hold the crucial position of Federation Secretary-General was undoubtedly beyond question.
There were rumors that he had a chance to become the next Speaker.
Pan Wen smiled and said, "To promote mutual exchange, we have specially arranged for the younger generation from the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy to be on the Star Luo Ocean Liner from the Star Luo Continent. Boarding the ship with you are also members from the Star Luo Royal Academy and the Monster Academy of the Star Luo Continent. They are also very much looking forward to sparring and progressing together with you during the long journey to the Star Luo Continent."
"Let's proceed as Secretary-General Pan has arranged."
Seeing that neither the Amorous Douluo nor the Soul Suppressing Douluo had any objections, Pan Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it was the Amorous Douluo who came this time, not that Moonlight Douluo. He had interacted with her before, and she could shut him up with just one sentence.
"Then, please follow me this way."
Pan Wen led the group with a smile towards the port, where the sea breeze carried a salty and humid scent. In the distance, the silver-gray Star Luo Ocean Liner stood quietly like a steel behemoth, with busy figures faintly visible on its deck.
"This voyage will take approximately two months," Pan Wen introduced as they walked. "The ship is equipped with the most advanced soul-guided training rooms and has specially prepared a viewing platform for everyone. After all, crossing the Storm Sea offers a rare experience of natural wonders."
For the Federation Secretary-General to personally guide everyone on a tour was indeed giving them great face. But to be honest, Pan Wen felt somewhat helpless.
In the past, the most desired achievement for successive Federation Speakers was to control the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy. Although these two are among the four major powers, their autonomy is too great compared to the War God Temple and the Mingde Hall, which are directly under the Federation.
However, the idea of control was just a thought.
The two major powers hold significant positions on the continent, with formidable strength and profound heritage, making direct control unfeasible.
The Spirit Pagoda is more inclined towards being a commercial organization and has cooperated with the Federation for mutual benefit on numerous occasions.
But Shrek Academy is entirely different, it is more like a sacred land for soul masters, independent of the federal system, even possessing its own law enforcement authority and exclusive territory.
The federal government has tried many times to win over Shrek through economic support and policy preferences, but the effects have always been limited. Shrek's leadership has consistently maintained a neutral stance, neither relying on the Federation nor easily interfering in politics, which has left some hardliners in the Federal Parliament both wary and helpless.
However, it is exactly such a Shrek Academy that does not remain neutral in external wars; they have always been representatives supporting the dovish faction.
Pan Wen was well aware that this trip to the Star Luo Continent might be an opportunity for the Federation to further test Shrek's stance.
There have been rumors within the Federation that someone is secretly supporting Star Luo and Tian Dou, and he suspects it might be related to Shrek Academy. If he could find evidence this time, his political career would skyrocket. The Federation could then reform Shrek.
Thinking of this, a subtle glint flashed in Pan Wen's eyes.
Compared to the deep thoughts of these elders, the friction among the younger generation seems quite "pure."
Xie Xie noticed that among the Shrek delegation following the Amorous Douluo, there were quite a few familiar faces. Among them, the soul master with the Holy Light Dragon spirit was staring at Wu Lin, his expression fluctuating.
Xie Xie frowned, "What, are you still not convinced after losing the last match?"
Long Chen changed at Xie Xie upon hearing this but remained silent.
Convinced? Being defeated by bloodline suppression... How could he be convinced?
A flicker of unwillingness passed through Long Chen's eyes, and he unconsciously clenched his fists. In that match, his Holy Light Dragon spirit trembled like a subject before a king in front of Tang Wu Lin, a humiliation he will never forget.
Not to mention, it was because of that defeat that he missed the chance to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes, and the resentment of losing that opportunity has been buried deep in his heart.
Now, seeing Xie Xie and the group again, it was only due to his restraint that he didn't challenge them directly.
After some thought, Long Chen decided to say something, his voice low and cold, "Tang Wulin, don't think that just because you beat me once, you can keep me down. I will challenge you again."
Tang Wulin scratched his head, pretending to be confused as he looked at him.
"Who are you? Do we know each other?"
Long Chen: "..."
After all this, you don't even remember who I am?
Long Chen's face instantly turned red, but before he could retort, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke, his gentle voice yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"This time we are representing the Federation's delegation. Internal conflicts will only make the Star Luo delegation laugh. Settle any grudges privately, don't bring them out in the open."
His gaze swept over the students from Shrek, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Sun Moon Royal Academy, and everyone instinctively straightened their backs.
It wasn't an order, but it carried more weight than any command.
Xie Xie was the first to react, understanding that Huo Yuhao was reminding him, and grinned, "Yuhao is right, we can fight all we want behind closed doors, but in front of outsiders, we need to stand united."
Yuan En Yehui nodded silently, Long Chen frowned but suppressed his anger and did not act out. Ye Xinglan's beautiful eyes looked at Huo Yuhao without any objection.
This was the weight of Huo Yuhao—
Without any title, his mere presence makes him the undisputed leader of the younger generation.
When the Federation delegation needed a core figure, everyone tacitly chose him. Whether it was the pride of Shrek, the elite of the Spirit Pagoda, or the outstanding talents of the Sun Moon Academy, all could only submit willingly in the face of absolute strength and prestige.
The name Huo Yuhao had long become an insurmountable peak for the younger generation. It was a presence that all prodigies feared, a monstrous genius that even the thought of challenging was unthinkable.
The Amorous Douluo, seeing this, had a complex look in his eyes.
This young man had unknowingly conquered all his peers. At this moment, he suddenly realized that the curtain of the new era had long been drawn behind this young man.
"The tide has turned…"