Fan Zhentong said, "An official explanation? If you want the more detailed version, that Zhenren Ming claimed Celestial Master Lu might face external enemies while stabilizing the esoteric ritual. So if Celestial Master Lu is held down by entities from the opposite side at that moment, it will be all the easier to sever his path of return. The Federation views this as an exceptional opportunity."
Chen Chuan said, "Yet I came upon some intelligence by chance suggesting Celestial Master Lu may have learned of a flaw in the Ring of the World. His departure beyond this world wasn't to stabilize some esoteric ritual, but actually to maintain the Ring of the World."
Fan Zhentong fell silent for a moment upon hearing this. He didn't ask where Chen Chuan had heard such news, but merely said in a low voice:
"Whether that is truly the case, I cannot say, nor does the intelligence held by our delegation allow us to tell. But the security of the Ring of the World is indeed a concern of ours, and we gave special emphasis to this matter during negotiations. The Federation gave us a solemn pledge that regardless of how the situation develops, their first priority will be ensuring the safety of the Ring of the World.
"Naturally, this pledge was not given to our visiting delegation, but to Great Shun's higher echelons. The higher powers of the world are by no means isolated from one another, and they communicate, especially regarding matters touching the Ring of the World's survival.
"So in this matter, perhaps our superiors know the true inside story. But if you will allow me to say..."
He continued slowly, "The way those above view problems is different from ours; they stand from a higher vantage point. If a greater interest is laid before them, or if they judge that the gains outweigh the damages this time, they will consent to the Federation's decision.
"Furthermore, one must consider that if the Federation has truly made up its mind, they will carry it out regardless of what justification the Tianji Sect may have.
"Moreover, what you mentioned, Section Chief Chen—from the perspective of certain people, that makes him all the more necessary to deal with.
"If Celestial Master Lu can mend a flaw, it means he can also find flaws. The Federation would never permit such an enormous threat to exist within its domain. And even if this issue truly exists, wouldn't it be better to replace him with a Celestial Master under their control?"
After hearing this, Chen Chuan pondered briefly, then looked up and said, "Thank you, Mr. Fan. You've answered some of my questions."
Fan Zhentong shook his head. "No need to thank me. This isn't a good thing. Sometimes, the more you know, the more misgivings you have, and the more you lose that original purity—making it impossible to act with the unburdened openness of before."
He looked at Chen Chuan. "Section Chief Chen, if you truly want to seek the real situation, it is actually quite simple. We might not understand the Tianji Sect's actions, but someone does.
"The Tianji Sect has cooperated with the Investigation Delegation. After all, they are also part of guarding the Ring of the World, and detailed records should exist for every shift in the Ring of the World.
"If you have the means, you can ask there. Perhaps you will find the answer you want."
Chen Chuan couldn't help nodding; he indeed harbored that intention.
"Thank you, Mr. Fan."
Fan Zhentong looked at him and said, "Section Chief Chen, for the remainder of the journey until we leave Federation territory, if you have any questions, you may come and ask me anytime."
Chen Chuan looked at him and nodded.
After concluding this conversation and waiting for Fan Zhentong to leave, Chen Chuan used his boundary credential to contact Gao Ming, who was on another airship, instructing him to send a telegram to the Investigation Delegation to look into the matter.
Because internal records of the Investigation Delegation were involved, it would likely be difficult for anyone else to inquire, but Chen Chuan had always maintained good relations with the Investigation Delegation, so it presented little difficulty.
***
Meanwhile, in the Federation Capital, Aurelian Palace, Sovereign Hall.
Cassian and Olin, aides to the Executive Government, along with State Councilors, several internal affairs personnel, and representatives from the military, stood before an operations table.
A light curtain projected down from above, displaying the upper-body holograms of several individuals.
"Chief Security Officer Sivert Drakeholm from Deep Sea Spiral Company, Igor Karnelov from Tower Whale Company of the Noros Theocracy, and Klaus Field, plenipotentiary representative from Colossus Plant..."
Cassian said with a smile, "They have all agreed to join the order of battle against the Tianji Sect this time."
Olin chimed in at an opportune moment: "The Federation Government Hall has received word that Cyrus Morton, Archbishop of the Primordial Sect, and Pontiff Irose of the New Light Cult have already set out. This operation will be conducted under the joint banner of both sects. Additionally, Guangyong of Xiaojue Temple is on his way and will ultimately join our ranks."
A military representative asked, "So this time, we have gathered a total of six Throne martial artists?"
"Indeed. And that is without counting the personnel deployed by our Federation."
One of the internal affairs staff asked, "Is there still no response from the Progenitor Company? Did they not receive our invitation?"
Cassian replied, "Progenitor Company has already answered. They informed us that Chief Consultant Xiang Boqing died not long ago, so they cannot participate in this matter."
"Xiang Boqing is dead?"
Those present were somewhat surprised. Someone frowned and asked, "An excuse?"
Olin followed up, "I'm afraid it is not an excuse. Progenitor Company has already revoked all of his identities within the Federation, and we confirmed through the Martial Artists Council that every agreement signed with him has lost its effect. Unless he found a way to detach from his ritual, then..." He paused. "That is likely the outcome."
"How is that possible?"
Everyone present found it incredible.
This was a Throne martial artist. How could he die so easily? Who could possibly kill him?
Cassian said, "Progenitor Company didn't say explicitly. We currently have a few guesses. It may be that Xiang Boqing took an assignment from Progenitor Company, or sought to find a new path on his own, and went to the world on the opposite side, his whereabouts now unknown.
"Another possibility is internal strife within Progenitor Company, given that not long ago, a key executive, Vice President Gao Xinwen, died.
"We understand that Xiang Boqing was relatively close to Gao Xinwen and was very likely purged in the company infighting.
"Regardless of the reason, it is certain that this person no longer exists."
"I see..."
None of those present pressed further. Even without a Throne martial artist, Progenitor Company still possessed higher echelons of power. Since matters had reached this point, they could not push Progenitor Company any further to take a side.
Olin then spoke up: "Gentlemen, though we are down one person from the original roster, judging by our current strength, it is more than enough to accomplish this operation."
Everyone concurred.
Besides the six mentioned above, the Federation government would deploy three Throne martial artists: Executive Government Advisor Vico Durant, West Coast Council Representative Derian Crossal, and Military Senatorial Commissioner Wells Fantner.
In name, their role was to ensure the security of the Ring of the World and the safety of this operation, but if necessary, they could use that pretext to join the battle.
The military representative glanced at the map and looked up to ask, "Where is the Great Shun visiting delegation now?"
"Both visiting delegations have left Serranocha State and should now be over the Western Ocean."
Cassian looked at his watch. "By this time tomorrow, they should arrive at Geiserfitu Island."
Everyone reflexively glanced at the wall clock. According to the operational timetable, they would formally launch the operation once the Great Shun delegations had exited Federation territory.
***
Over the Western Ocean, in just an hour, Gao Ming received intermittent reply telegrams from the Investigation Delegation. Once all the content was received, he quickly entered it into his boundary credential and transferred it to Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan reviewed it thoroughly after receiving it. The materials provided by the Investigation Delegation were very detailed, containing telegrams exchanged between the Tianji Sect and the Investigation Delegation over the past sixty years, as well as subsequent annual investigation reports.
Judging from these documents, the Tianji Sect had maintained regular contact with the Investigation Delegation.
And as one of the primary guardians of the Ring of the World, the Investigation Delegation maintained detailed records of every alteration to the ring; one could see that the information they provided was essentially consistent with what the Tianji Sect claimed.
Telegrams could not reflect the full picture, so the final document was actually signed by Delegation Leader Meteora himself. He certified that the Tianji Sect had caused no harm to the Ring of the World, and that the Celestial Master's actions had in fact extended the Ring of the World's existence.
After reviewing all of this, Chen Chuan essentially confirmed the truth of the matter. The leader of the Investigation Delegation, in particular, was worthy of utmost trust.
With this understanding, he felt his objective this time might need to shift: not to deal with some Primordial Sect, but to stop the Federation's operation.
If Celestial Master Lu of the Tianji Sect had not gone beyond sixty years ago to fight the otherworldly demon, then today's Great Impact might have arrived ahead of schedule.
And if the Tianji Sect had not chosen to do the same sixty years later—or had simply ignored the matter altogether—they would not have given the Federation this opportunity.
Perhaps the Celestial Master had his own reasons, or perhaps he intended to establish an esoteric ritual for his sect, but his actions had in fact preserved the Ring of the World and delayed the arrival of the opposite world. Everyone across the globe owed him a debt of gratitude.
Therefore, the Tianji Sect by no means deserved such treatment.
He slowly stood up.
A certain brilliance shone in his eyes.
If he truly went to stop it, he would very likely have to face several Throne martial artists simultaneously. Just contemplating that possibility caused waves of pressure to weigh even upon him.
He had fought Xiang Boqing and knew full well the might of a Throne martial artist. Facing one was manageable, but against several, the difficulty would multiply exponentially.
Yet this pressure did not crush him; rather, it caused the mutated tissue throughout his body to surge with exhilaration.
He turned his gaze toward the vast, undulating ocean outside. Now, he only needed to wait until they left Federation territory.
Chapter 1290