Hearing Delegation Leader Xie's instructions, Gui Zihan and the other two men responded in unison. Wang Tongshan and Bian Zhijie did not forget to cast a glance at Chen Chuan.
Kawatua was not entirely without strength. They could still field two martial artists at the Longevity View level—their Divine Guards.
Moreover, they held the home-field advantage and had laid down who knew how many rituals. That meant if the Federation wanted to make a move, they would have to deploy at least several times as many martial artists to succeed, just like last time.
Against ordinary martial artists, the delegation members could manage, but in a battle of this caliber, they undoubtedly could not intervene. They could only rely on Chen Chuan to step forward.
With Chen Chuan stepping in, they felt the matter was essentially secure. This was not blind faith, but confidence Chen Chuan had built up in their minds through battle after battle.
Especially after these past two clashes, they all felt that the Federation would likely have to send a true Throne martial artist to stop him.
At this moment, Chen Chuan was not thinking about that. Last time, it had been a stroke of luck that they wiped out the main force attacking Kawatua, ultimately preventing the enemy's plan from being carried out.
If the Federation meant to strike again, they would certainly make more meticulous and thorough preparations, taking into account the strength possessed by this Great Shun visiting delegation.
Therefore, the mobilized personnel might be greater in number and higher in tier. However, if he were a high-ranking official on the Federation side, he would certainly restrict their travel there through procedural and institutional means, nipping the matter in the bud.
And to accomplish that, the factions of both the East and West Coasts would need to set aside their conflicts temporarily and make a concerted effort.
Thinking of this, he said, "Delegation Leader Xie, regarding this matter, is it possible for the East and West Coasts to join hands?"
Wang Tongshan and Bian Zhijie were also puzzled. Weren't the East and West Coast parties fraught with conflict? Could the two sides really work together?
Delegation Leader Xie said solemnly, "Most of the time they won't, but under certain circumstances, it does happen. Especially when it is difficult for one side to secure benefits alone, and factions within the other side are willing to promote cooperation, an agreement can still be reached."
He paused. "Here, we have to look at the broader picture. Today, a trend of thought is spreading among the upper echelons of countries worldwide: after the Great Impact arrives, there will inevitably be global-scale recooperation.
"When that time comes, everything will come down to national strength. Besides the benchmark of martial force, there will also be a competition of resources and foundation.
"Whoever can seize the upper hand in this competition now will secure global dominance in the future.
"Thus, every country in the world is integrating resources and seeking its own way forward. Our strongest competitor is the Linax Federation.
"They occupy the finest and virtually unexploited convergence zone in the world, with no need to worry about indigenous populations or historical entanglements. Over the past century, they have also absorbed vast amounts of technology and old aristocratic wealth from our East Continent and the Yono Continent.
"In both potential and raw strength, they are capable of rivaling us.
"As for the people of Yono, united they might be able to contend with us, but currently their opinions are divided, each scheming against the other. In truth, they have fallen a step behind us in the competition."
He did not elaborate on the other regions. Major powers and territories such as the Noros Theocracy, the Palanio Faith Region, and the Sanmawojia Continental Association were indeed formidable, but taken individually, none qualified to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.
Deputy Delegation Leaders Lu Guangde and He Yishan grasped the underlying implications. Both were administrative officials with a certain breadth of vision, and they could not help but think that the two nations did not necessarily have to compete—they could also cooperate.
If they reached an accord—one that ensured that no matter who took the lead, the other side's interests would not be harmed—it would be advantageous to both.
Could the negotiations of the First Visiting Delegation involve this very matter?
The two exchanged glances, suddenly feeling it was very likely. No one could predict where outright competition might lead, whereas united, the two powers would be more than enough to overwhelm the rest of the world. Even if one side gained the dominant position, if the other side led the remaining countries and regions against it, nothing could be accomplished smoothly. But if the two joined hands or forged a reciprocal agreement, all problems would be resolved perfectly.
The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Aside from this, they could think of nothing else worthy of such repeated deliberations between the two nations.
Lu Guangde thought of another point: if that were the case, Kawatua's importance became even greater. The existence of this territory could drag the Federation down. Even if they could cooperate, whoever could be the leader would never want to settle for second place.
He said, "Delegation Leader, should we find a way to notify Kawatua?"
Wang Tongshan, however, did not view the idea favorably. Having followed Delegation Leader Xie for so many days, he had gained considerable understanding of these First People.
He said derisively, "What good is it if Kawatua knows? They're only thinking of reconciling with the Federation. I think letting them take a beating wouldn't hurt—it might wake them up."
Bian Zhijie glanced at Delegation Leader Xie and agreed. "Indeed. As long as Kawatua's upper echelon doesn't change, even if we warn them, it probably won't make any difference."
Delegation Leader Xie then said, "If the intelligence is certain, we still must notify Kawatua. However, there has indeed been an issue regarding Kawatua lately, which is what I intended to address next."
He gestured, and the assistant responsible for taking minutes immediately handed a prepared document to everyone present.
Chen Chuan took it and glanced over it. Recently, an East Coast congressman had proposed in Congress that they were considering the complete annexation of Kawatua into the Federation, but that Kawatua needed to take the initiative and shoulder certain duties and obligations.
Some opposed this proposal, while others supported it.
Yet Kawatua's response was remarkably eager. They were seeking through various channels to open communications with the Federation's high-level leadership.
Lu Guangde said, "It seems the Federation has changed its approach."
He Yishan remarked, "Compared to sheer plunder, this time the Federation wants Kawatua to willingly empty out its own coffers. A soft knife cuts far deeper."
Wang Tongshan looked through the papers. The terms did not merely demand that Kawatua disband its armed forces; they also required Kawatua's martial artists to sign agreements to serve in the Federation military, and levied an immense sum of wealth to make up for alleged back taxes over the years. Beyond that, there were even harsher conditions, such as offering up Kawatua's Sacred Tree.
He said, "Such harsh conditions are practically digging up their roots. How could Kawatua possibly agree?"
Yet no one spoke.
After a moment, Delegation Leader Xie said, "For so many years, Kawatua has been striving to join the Federation. Demanding as the conditions are, it is not certain they will refuse, because conditions can be negotiated."
Those negotiating the terms were, in the end, the upper echelon of Kawatua, with no regard for the middle and lower classes. As long as the elites preserved their wealth, they too could legally become Federation citizens.
Delegation Leader Xie continued, "We cannot simply stand by without intervening. Kawatua is not entirely made up of such people; there is also a faction determined to resist. We need to support and bolster that faction's strength."
He looked toward Lu Guangde and He Yishan. "This must be handled promptly. I cannot get away over the next few days. When the time comes, one of you two will need to make the trip in my stead and handle this matter properly."
Lu Guangde and He Yishan immediately expressed their readiness, stating they would await orders at any time.
Having covered these matters, Delegation Leader Xie looked toward Gui Zihan and asked, "Group Leader Gui, has the date for the Dome Sword Academy Invitational been set?"
Gui Zihan said, "It hasn't been officially finalized, but it should be scheduled for early March."
Over the past few days, he had led a team to tour the Dome Sword Academy, and during the visit, the academy had proposed holding an invitational tournament.
The participants in this competition would not only include members of the Great Shun visiting delegation, but also delegates and corporate representatives from various nations.
This was likewise a contest of strength.
Delegation Leader Xie said solemnly, "Group Leader Gui, this matter is entrusted to your full responsibility. If you lack anything, you may request it from the delegation, but you must win this competition."
Gui Zihan nodded gravely.
Wang Tongshan and Bian Zhijie looked at Gui Zihan with envy.
Ever since entering the Federation, the two of them had followed Delegation Leader Xie. Although their contributions were not small, they were participants rather than leaders in most situations.
Gui Zihan, after following Chen Chuan, had not only experienced several battles along the way but was now taking charge independently. That was true standing. In any future political events of this nature, he would be the first person considered.
Once Delegation Leader Xie had concluded the primary agenda, he offered no further remarks. Seeing that time was up, he adjourned the meeting.
Everyone rose and departed.
Returning to his quarters, Chen Chuan went over to the external implant, placed the storage sheath Delegation Leader Xie had given him into the external implant's storage compartment, and then resumed his cultivation.
Two days later, heavy rain poured over the capital. Around nine in the evening, a figure wearing a hat and a face-covering mask stepped into a public telephone booth.
After dropping in a coin, the person dialed a number, hung up, dialed again, and inserted another coin. After repeating this three times, the caller recited a code phrase, finally saying, "Startled Forest Bird requests connection."
After a brief wait, a voice sounded from the receiver: "Startled Forest Bird, what do you have to report?"
The person said, "Xie Xinmin has an extremely important file that essentially covers recent finances along with the various corporations and groups supporting Great Shun. Among them are several critically important technical dossiers, as well as some rare specimens, some of which the Federation cannot afford to lose. In addition, I suspect that certain materials and seed specimens obtained from the Throat of the Star Spirit, which were inconvenient to transport back to their homeland, are also included."
Hearing this, the other side realized the value of these items and asked, "Where is the file now?"
"Currently in the hands of Target Number Two."
The receiver's voice turned grave. "That will be difficult."
"It's not entirely without opportunity," the person added. "He likely won't carry it on his person."
"Do you know the exact location where it is stored?"
"By my assessment, the item is certain to be kept inside that external implant. It is exceptionally safe that way."
"How do you plan to take it?"
"I've observed that during Target Number Two's recent outings, he did not bring the external implant with him. So as long as he makes another move or goes out, I have a fair chance of going in and retrieving it."
The person angled their body slightly, observing the pedestrians passing by outside. "An opportunity has presented itself recently—"
Chapter 1202