Welcome our new Patron: Majorence! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to 'Chapter 393: Xu Yuan, the Shadow Emperor' on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
------------------------------------------------------
Zang Xin's eyes widened.
He stared hard at Ya Li, then shifted his gaze to the other Pavilion Elders, finally fixing his attention on Yun Ming.
He had to confirm that he hadn't misheard just now.
"The Federation? No, it definitely wasn't the Federation planning to act." Zang Xin muttered to himself. "So, who's planning to use the Godslayer Missiles against Shrek and Tang Sect? But the Godslayer Missiles are under Federation supervision—could it be..."
As he analyzed, he observed the reactions of the people from Shrek, and his heart sank deeper with each passing moment.
They're lost!
The Godslayer Missiles are gone.
At this moment, Zang Xin felt everything was absurd.
Could the Federation really pull off such an outrageous operation?
"How did they lose them?"
Yun Ming slowly shook his head, gazing firmly at Zang Xin. "With Chen Xinjie's assistance, I've already investigated several Chairmen I suspected, but so far, there's no trace. However, I can confirm that the initial theft of the Godslayer Missiles targeted Shrek and Tang Sect."
It was Xu Yuan's warning that first made him sense a faint crisis. Afterward, upon closer examination, he grew increasingly alarmed.
"So, your recent movements in the Star Luo Continent were to warn the Federation?"
Not only to warm up the Federation Parliament beforehand, but Yun Ming's trip to the Star Luo Continent, including today's visit to the Demon Suppressing Pass to suppress Dong Zi'an, were also meant to show the Federation that he wasn't confined to the Sea God Pavilion.
After becoming widely recognized as the strongest person on the continent, Yun Ming had mostly stayed within the Sea God Pavilion.
But his recent actions were already demonstrating to the outside world that he could leave the Sea God Pavilion—and do so without anyone noticing.
Without Yun Ming, destroying Shrek might be easier and free of unexpected surprises. But if Yun Ming weren't dealt with simultaneously, vengeance would surely follow.
An untethered, uncontested strongest person on the continent was absolutely terrifying.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit Sect wouldn't fear him—they might risk violating all norms by letting Yun Ming roam freely while still bombing Shrek.
But the Spirit Pagoda would never allow it.
Qiangu Dongfeng himself was uneasy, knowing that if Yun Ming weren't neutralized, the Spirit Pagoda would quickly be destroyed by the lone wolf that Yun Ming had become.
If everyone abides by the rules, they can investigate evidence before acting.
But if my side has already been destroyed by those who disregard the rules, then I don't need to follow them either.
No need for so-called evidence—mere suspicion is enough.
Once concrete evidence is found during retaliation, the retribution will be even more severe.
In summary, Qiangu Dongfeng wouldn't allow the Holy Spirit Sect to launch the Godslayer Missiles unless they were certain Yun Ming was still in the Sea God Pavilion.
In fact, without Qiangu Dongfeng's cooperation, the Godslayer Missiles couldn't have been transported to Shrek City, let alone activated undetected.
A twelfth-level fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shell—its activation alone would generate terrifying energy fluctuations. The resources required were unimaginable.
The process itself caused massive disturbances.
Without Qiangu Dongfeng's cooperation, the Holy Spirit Sect couldn't successfully launch it within Shrek City.
Even outside the city, the Holy Spirit Sect almost certainly couldn't succeed. And even if they somehow managed to activate it, the likelihood of the Godslayer Missile being intercepted would increase significantly.
The Godslayer Missile was indeed terrifying in power, but not unstoppable.
To be precise, it wasn't about interception—it was about altering its trajectory.
It would still explode, but where it exploded and the extent of casualties were beyond the Holy Spirit Sect's control.
When asked whether Tang Sect possessed technology to deploy a defensive system against the Godslayer Missiles, Zang Xin hesitated for a moment before revealing the situation.
"Our Tang Sect has been developing a super-energy soul-guided array defense system for nearly a hundred years."
---
Yun Ming's gaze sharpened.
Could this grand formation possibly defend against the Godslayer Missile?
Just as he thought this, seeing Zang Xin's expression made Yun Ming's heart sink.
Sure enough, what Zang Xin said next made Yun Ming sigh involuntarily.
"It's close, but not quite there yet. This defensive system has been in development for nearly a century and is nearing completion—but it'll take at least five more years to finish. These five years..." Zang Xin's face darkened.
Based on his understanding of this defensive system, even the Godslayer Missile wouldn't be able to instantly destroy the area it protected.
While the system might not completely block the entire missile, it would undoubtedly intercept much of the explosive force and most of the aftershocks when the missile detonated.
That was enough.
Both Shrek Academy and Tang Sect would have ample time to evacuate their students and disciples, avoiding the final aftershocks of the Godslayer Missile.
Or perhaps no evacuation would even be necessary. The remaining aftershocks could likely be countered by someone of Yun Ming's caliber—a demi-god.
The possibility of emerging unscathed wasn't entirely out of reach.
However, this defensive system still needed some time to be fully developed.
"What if we don't need to block the explosion itself, just withstand the aftershocks?" Yun Ming asked.
Zang Xin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Are you suggesting you'll rely on your own strength to withstand the initial damage of the Godslayer Missile?"
Yun Ming shook his head.
Seeing this, Zang Xin sighed in relief.
A twelfth-level fixed-installation soul-guided cannon shell was absolutely capable of threatening god-level beings. If Yun Ming could personally withstand the most destructive part of its explosion, it would be utterly shocking.
"I'm only asking—can such a defensive system exist?" Yun Ming pressed again.
Zang Xin helplessly shook his head. "I'm not sure. I'll return to Tang Sect and consult the experts developing the defensive system."
Yun Ming sighed in disappointment.
"Regardless, we cannot skimp on the preparations. The defensive system must cover not only Shrek Academy and Tang Sect headquarters but the entire Shrek City. Otherwise, even if our two forces survive, we won't avoid catastrophic civilian casualties," Yun Ming said.
Though Zang Xin thought the resource consumption would be immense, he didn't object and nodded in agreement.
"Leave the rest to us."
Yun Ming waved his hand, signaling Zang Xin could leave.
"I'll go back and investigate our Tang Sect's technology further to see if we can find a more effective countermeasure," Zang Xin said. He had come completely unprepared and hadn't expected to receive such explosive intel.
Godslayer Missiles.
With such a crisis looming over his head, he had no intention of wasting time on fruitless discussions. He wanted to hurry back to Tang Sect and consult Ling Zichen about the situation.
After Zang Xin left, Yun Ming's gaze drifted, as though he were looking at the many statues in Shrek's Spirit Ice Plaza.
"May the Sea God protect Shrek..."
Yun Ming didn't place his hopes on divine protection—he merely made the remark with a self-deprecating tone before turning to look at Ya Li and the others.
"Ya Li, as the designer, quickly perfect Little Yuan's linked technology and develop it to four-word battle armor standards."
"Sister Yue..."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow