After Shi Lang left the Ikeran territory, the team headed straight to the Federation. The spaceship was very advanced, and it took them a few hours to traverse the galaxy. This might not have been possible for normal humans. Their physiques were tempered to the limits. Otherwise, they would have to rest after every round of hyperspace jumps.
Shi Lang sighed as the spaceship entered the Federal war planet atmosphere and said, "I wish to reach the realm of Mahayana."
Jill asked, "Why do you sound desperate, boss?"
Shi Lang replied, "Oh, the realm of Mahayana is not only the last hurdle before crossing into the realm of an ascended mortal but also allows the practitioner to travel through space while wrapping the void."
This casual statement shocked the team, and Sonic said, "To think a human body can do that. Damn."
Shi Lang rolled his eyes and said, "If I told you that the entire high council of the Citadel is capable of doing that, what would you think?"
The people gulped and glanced at Crystal, who raised her chin slightly. Then, Shi Lang said, "Sonic, hurry up. Your sister-in-law will be arriving soon."
Sonic nodded, and the ship landed. Shi lang said while the team followed him, "Jill, arrange a meeting with the secret divisions. I want them to undertake this mining. Also, Crystal, tell the seniors in the high council if they agree to help with the cover-up, we will leave two mines at their disposal. I do not know the quality of the spirit stones mined. So, you know?"
Crystal replied, "Rest assured, boss, I know what to do."
Shi Lang nodded, and the team approached the pre-arranged barracks. Chun was following them with a confused gaze. She looked around and could not understand why was a team from this primitive solar system able to defeat the proud Ikeran forces like they were insects.
Shi Lang could sense her emotions, but he did not say anything. He didn't need to say anything. It will all unfold in due time. The team entered the barracks, and they all took showers and rested. When Shi Lang contacted Amelia, the latter told him they would arrive six hours later.
Shi Lang took this time to sit down and sort out his thoughts. The burst of emotions earlier and the discovery told him that in this galaxy or the universe lay a possibility that blood refiners still lived. He did not know how the Ikerans discovered the blood-refining techniques, but they did. So if those techniques had been provided to them by some external source, there was a chance that they might come after Shi Lang.
The young man could not do much about that but only faced the threats head-on. However, if the blood-refining sutras were discovered from some ruin, then it meant the war all those ages ago did not manage to erase the scourge successfully. Shi Lang did not want to spare a thought that any blood refiner survived in the Federation. It was not suitable for the upcoming era of change.
While Shi Lang was pondering, he devised a countermeasure for this.
...
Six hours later, Amelia and his family landed on the war planet. His parents were given the status of visitors. They will have to leave for the Federation after a few hours. They were allowed to stay on a planet dedicated to the service members because of Shi Lang and Amelia.
Shi Lang introduced Chun to Amelia and told her what needed to be done, and the lady agreed to help Chun. Since the lady had experience teaching and was strict, she would be a good fit for the FSA. This way, she can share her knowledge with the students and give them a better prospect of the galaxy.
Chun was slightly dissatisfied when Shi Lang told her her task was more than just guiding the students. She was sent there to protect them and locate even more talented people. Chun said, "Sir, I am not nearly strong enough to deal with the soldiers on this base. I do not know what is making you all so strong. I also know about spiritual cultivation. However, against these soldiers, I will not last ten moves. How can I protect anyone else?"
Shi Lang shook his head and said, "That is because your past has always haunted you because you always thought you were inferior. The Ikeran main family made people feel inadequate so that they could control their thoughts at a subconscious level. What makes you think that you will not last ten moves against these guys is the aura they all have.
The aura I mention is not the aura of their cultivation but the aura of their dao heart. They all strive to reach a level where they can step at the peak of the world. They do not think about survival but only surpass themselves. Becoming the better version of what they were the day before.
The soldiers and almost everyone in the federation want to be better than their old selves. The only competition is ourselves. Therefore, you must think carefully throughout your life when you have thought about achieving the top. Whether it was cultivation or battles you have fought, all you cared about was surviving.
Those who wish to survive are always hesitating. Amelia is sending you to the school so that you can realize your true potential. You can get better, and the binds around you will slowly come undone. Do you understand?"
Chun was surprised. She did not expect Shi Lang to be able to look this deep into her heart. She shivered and did not know what else to say. Amelia smiled faintly. This was the reason she loved Shi Lang. He was able to bring out the best in the other person. At this moment, she sensed a tug on her sleeve and saw Shi Tao looking at her and asking in sign language, 'This big sister is going to be our teacher?'
She did not use sign language but communicated with telepathy. Shi Tao said, 'Big brother Theseus will like her.'
Amelia was amused, and Shi Tao said, 'He likes someone commanding. Sister Vanessa said he suffers from masochistic syndrome.'
Amelia could not help but chuckle and said, "I need to give these rascals more homework. They are spoiling my princess."
Shi Tao shook her head like a rattle and said, "No, mom, please, they will die. Sister Lina is already missing her martial arts training because of all that homework."
In amusement, Shi Lang raised his eyebrow and said, "Chun, life is filled with many colors. If you always let your past get the better of you, you can never see through your future."
Chun did not reply but stood there silently. In the meantime, Shi Lang and Shi Tao made faces at each other. Finally, after a few minutes, Chun said, "Sir, I accept the task."
Shi Lang nodded, saying, "Amy will see through your documentation and other processes. If you are given a trial to check skills, do not worry and perform with some confidence. You are not weak. You are only hesitating."
Chun nodded. She did not truly understand the depth of Shi Lang's words but decided to seek if something in all this could get her out of her shell.
...
Amelia and Shi Lang returned to the Federation with the rest of the family. The secret divisions and general council meeting would be held in the parliament office. The protocols were to be adequately followed. Commander Silence asserted this.
Shi Lang did not mind, and the Ace division was left on the war planet to meet with any representative of the spirit beast community to discuss my distribution. Jill was in command.
Amelia took Chun to the administrative block to get her unique Identity cards. They will not be covering that she was an Ikeran, nor will she be given any special treatment. In the eyes of the system, she was an immigrant, and only when her accumulated merit has surpassed a certain level will she be awarded citizenship.
Chun did not mind this and accepted the rules.
...
Shi Lang entered the meeting room and found fifty people looking at him eagerly. The young man chuckled and said, "Can you all not look at me like I am some fried chicken served to a starving person?"
The people chuckled, and Commander Silence said, "General Shi Lang, the purpose."
Shi Lang sighed and said, "You need to chill out, Boss. Here, take a look at this."
Then he took out the star map marking the ten locations and said, "These locations are classified as Spirit stone mines by the ikerans. Now, the Ikeras clan has fallen under the hand of the big four. Yes, this detail is an act of stealing. You can play the nice guy in front of the big four if you want, but they will not allow the federation to grow. So, here is what I propose..."
After an hour, Commander Silence said, "Those who vote, say Aye."
The hall echoed with loud Ayes. Commander Silence said, "The plan is passed and this operation will be conducted under SSS grade secrecy, the distribution of the stones will be controlled strictly."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "One more thing, Boss."
This attracted the attention of the council and Shi Lang said, "The blood refiners I mentioned. They might be from the Federation."
The entire Council was shocked and shaken by these words.