C44 The Military Conference

In the military headquarters' conference room, the Marshal, alongside two Eight-star Generals and twelve Seven-star Generals, were engaged in a video conference. The Marshal slammed a stack of documents on the conference table, glanced at the virtual images of the fourteen Federation Military leaders, and announced, "Here's the latest list of serious offenders I've compiled for transport to the Exile Planet."

"Over the previous eight years, we've had a total of 6,523 serious offenders. Yet, in just a few months, that number has surged by over 17,000."

"The Spirit Stone incident has stirred up quite the storm in the last couple of days, causing the number of serious offenders to skyrocket. We've seen an increase of over a thousand in just two days."

Unable to contain his frustration, a hot-tempered Seven-star General slammed his fist onto the conference table, the sound echoing through the video to the other military leaders.

"What in the world is the Parliament thinking? They're so set on balancing power that they've taken bribes from the wealthiest elites, compromising Jiang Que's safety by allowing these billionaires to hire top hackers to tamper with the data and systems of our large warships. And as if that weren't enough, they're indiscriminately admitting these serious offenders without any vetting."

"They're completely oblivious to the fact that among these criminals, there are undoubtedly spies from the all other races, all intent on assassinating Jiang Que."

"The security of Jiang Que and his awareness of the Human Federation's existence are crucial to the destiny of our entire species!"

Another Seven-star General with a dark demeanor offered a sardonic smile. "Calm down! The research institute's findings suggest that our human aptitude for cultivation is significantly inferior to that of the all other races. We're bound to hit a ceiling soon."

"Jiang Que is likely to reach the limit of his ability to create cultivation methods very soon. After his next breakthrough, it might become exceedingly difficult for him to develop a cultivation method that aligns with his new level."

"His safety isn't as critical as the public believes. To advance on our path of cultivation, we must lean on technological advancements and the imaginative power of future generations of prodigies. It's through their continuous breakthroughs and enhancements that we'll slowly build and fortify our legacy."

The irate Seven-star General retorted with a huff, "Jiang Wudi decimated your family, and you've been bitter ever since."

Jiang Wudi and Jiang Que are not the same. Jiang Que has made significant contributions to the Human Race. On that merit alone, we are obligated to ensure his safety. Furthermore, if he were to suffer any mishap, the uninformed public would undoubtedly be enraged.

The Seven-star General, his expression dark, did not take offense at the sarcasm. He spoke with unruffled calm, "Remember, this plan wasn't my idea. In fact, I'm just as taken aback by the Federation Parliament's line of thinking."

"Jiang Que has indeed made substantial contributions to humanity, but in the eyes of Parliament, his achievements are secondary to the future interests of the Human Race."

"In fact, it's quite the opposite. Given Jiang Que's contributions, if he were to leave the Exile Planet and enter politics in the future, his character and reputation would surely make him a formidable rival for many factions."

"For the higher-ups in Parliament, making Jiang Que disappear might seem like a favorable outcome once they've exploited all his value."

"Under normal circumstances, the Federation Parliament should be maximizing the situation's benefits. They ought to use the serious offenders to uncover the extent of the forces cultivated by all other races within the Human Race and then find a way to thoroughly eliminate Jiang Que."

"Yet, to date, according to our Federation Military intelligence, the Federation Parliament's intelligence agency has not thoroughly investigated this matter."

"That's the most unusual part. Regardless, even if there are individuals in the upper echelons of the Federation Parliament who are friendly with all other races, they wouldn't betray the Human Federation for the benefit of those races."

"If that were the case, following the catastrophic defeat a century ago, our Human Race would have already crumbled."

The military's top brass were deep in thought, troubled by this conundrum.

"The Parliament operates differently from our military. They are a nest of sly and crafty individuals, surely concocting schemes beyond our ken."

The sole female among the Seven-star Generals mused, "We may be adept at devising combat strategies, but we are no match for the devious minds in Parliament, who can treat their worst enemies with brotherly affection."

"Rather than speculating about their plans, it's better to disregard them and proceed with our own. Let's mobilize the full force of our intelligence agency and leverage those convicts to root out any spies from the other races."

"If Parliament feels we're obstructing their agenda, they'll surely reach out to the Marshal. We can then respond appropriately based on the specifics of the situation."

Despite feeling somewhat disheartened, the generals couldn't help but nod in agreement.

In times past, even though the Federation Military was subordinate to the Federation Parliament, the military operated independently, and Parliament wouldn't dare meddle in its operations. In fact, it was Parliament that had to make way for the military's strategies.

But the greatest defeat in the history of the Human Race a century ago not only inflicted severe losses on the military but also diminished its prestige to an all-time low. Consequently, whenever Parliament made an odd decision, the military was compelled to hold a high-level meeting to address the issue.

Previously, the military wouldn't concern itself with Parliament's decisions, focusing solely on its own strategic planning.

"That's all for now! The meeting is adjourned!" Marshal Yin Yan declared decisively after a moment of contemplation.

The two Eight-star Generals and twelve Seven-star Generals, who wielded military authority and safeguarded the entire Milky Way, promptly ended their video communications.

Their holographic images vanished. Yet, Marshal Yin Yan remained seated at the conference table, his stern face betraying a look of deep contemplation.

"Longer lifespans, vast financial interests, the threat of traitors from other races, the intricate dynamics among neighboring races of the Milky Way... No matter how you slice it, the Federation Parliament's recent decision is riddled with conflicting interests. What exactly is Parliament plotting?"

As time marched on, the populace reveled in the joy brought by the Spirit Stones, which doubled their cultivation speed.

Meanwhile, the various powers lay concealed in the shadows, silently biding their time as their schemes and strategies gradually came to fruition.

On Exile Planet, aside from occasionally aiding the Four Great Armies with the Little Gold Ball to tackle ferocious beasts beyond their capability, Jiang Que devoted his days to refining and crafting a Method Circulating Scroll, guided by the Sword Intent he had discerned.

The day to dispatch a new contingent of convicts to Exile Planet had finally dawned.

The entire Human Race was captivated by the unfolding events.

The high-ranking officials from the surrounding races also turned their gaze toward the Exile Planet.

With the widespread belief that Jiang Que's new cultivation method had gone awry, the sword technique he was on the verge of developing went largely unnoticed.