Even in preparation for war, the very core of the Federation was relocated to a mysterious corner, allowing for swift relocation in wartime and preserving the Federation's strength as much as possible.

Responsibilities were responsibilities, and understanding was understanding. But as long as distance remained, it was destined to be distance forever.

Therefore, this constituted a major problem within the Federation, and thus, a significant loophole.

As a result, in this round, the Federation Science Institute found itself passively taking blows even before it could counter, completely incapacitated!

Then, it was time for the next step: spreading all sorts of rumors designed to sow suspicion. This was evident in certain reports. For instance, content suggesting that the establishment of the Federal Eighth Elixir Company was orchestrated by shadowy financial groups sprung up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, appearing all over the Federation. These forces exerted their utmost to thrust this narrative before everyone's eyes.

Given this, everyone knew there was no smoke without fire. So, how truthful was this article? Who could be sure? Even if the report was false, could there be a similar financial group standing behind Yao Yao? Otherwise, where could such a young girl, not even twenty years old, have acquired such capabilities, and how could she possibly stand on the Federation's stage?

Consequently, even if people were unwilling to believe it, doubts instantly arose, and a palpable wave of unease spread!

And this was a method at which these noble families and financial groups excelled. Its name was: a seed forcibly planted in people's minds!

Seeds, naturally, need to sprout, and for that, they require more nutrients. In the Federation of today, there was no doubt that this low-cost yet extremely effective method was the most useful and favored avenue for the noble families and financial groups.

After all, the Federation today was not as peaceful as it was in remote antiquity or even ancient times. Although weapons capable of destroying the world existed back then, it was still incomparable to the contemporary admiration for powerful individual might. As a result, some would naturally be high above, while others would be at the very bottom. Between these two, there would always be a huge, insurmountable chasm.

After all, Yao Yao's dreams were beautiful, but reality was harsh. The fissures rooted deep within, and the myriad forms of looking up to others, naturally formed an incomprehensible barrier between her and the vast majority of her supporters in the Federation. Could it really be as simple as it appeared on the surface?

These minute aspects of people's hearts were the fertile earth where such doubts could continuously grow. Moreover, concerning matters that seemed true yet false, false yet true, so what if they caused a ruckus in the Upper and Lower Houses of the Federation, or even in the courts?

To these backstage manipulators, who could prove that these statements were deliberate smokescreens or rumors released by the major noble families? In the end, at most, they would just shut down or ban these obscure workshops and then send those carefully prepared scapegoats to prison! It was so simple!

Therefore, once these hidden giants behind the scenes made their move, all rational people immediately understood: Yao Yao had been thoroughly ensnared in their hunting trap!

Because in such a large Federation, until the day Yao Yao came out of the secret prison and learned about this matter, not a single person had stepped forward to speak up for her, to try and restore the trust of the Federation's people, or to offer sufficient support!

Without a doubt, everyone was waiting: waiting for Yao Yao to prove her innocence, or for the major noble families to completely shatter the illusion of the Federation Science Institute supporting Yao Yao.

Because many wise people knew: even if you won over the four major Martial Arts Academies of the Federation, so what? Those powerful and decisive graduates were not born to serve the Federation Science Institute or the four academies. Their only responsibility was to be the first to die gloriously on the battlefield when the Beast Clan invaded the Federation!

Thus, as this malicious campaign of slander and deliberate distortion of Yao Yao's intentions took root, the prevailing mood in the entire Federation began to change! It became strange and unpredictable, hard to discern, like a layer of treacherous clouds enveloping the Federation, casting a chilling wind everywhere.

Because some bystanders witnessing these events once again recognized the terrifying power of these influential figures, a growing sense of caution and gravity filled their hearts.

"...There is no hope! That woman can't even hope to poke a hole through this barrier, let alone leave a sizable dent; it's simply too difficult..."

"...She is too naive! When has the Federation ever lacked grand ambitions or boundless fantasies? But what did that achieve? In the end, didn't they all become puppets dancing to the tune of these influential figures..."

"Hehe! Another grand play! This reminds me of the Federal Charity Elixir Plan proposed in the past, calling for self-sacrifice and distributing elixirs to every person to strengthen the Federation… Who could have imagined that several decades have passed and those old geezers who proposed that plan are either dead or disabled, yet now, it seems there's finally a successor..."

Even some influential figures with inside knowledge were instantly aware of the challenges Yao Yao was about to face when the noble families made their move. This was true for Wang Zhan's alma mater—at the Chu State Military Academy, two vice-deans who had chosen to retire were now doing odd jobs.

Liu Zhenfeng and Lv Zhenglong! One was a Grandmaster, and the other was also a Grandmaster. Although their realms were not high, few could ignore their influence.

And so, these two old fellows, having just returned from their odd jobs, no longer possessed the stern demeanor they had as deans. Instead, they appeared somewhat carefree, dressed very simply. Of course, that was if one could ignore the brows, shaped like three lines, perpetually knitted behind the haze of smoke.

"SIGH..." Liu Zhenfeng took a deep drag from his pipe, his face a mixture of emotions as he looked at the newspaper before him, and on that newspaper, the name of the most famous woman in the Federation: Yao Yao!

Back then, they had personally rescued the little girl trapped in the Demon Cave and sent her to the Federation Science Institute. But now, how desolate their current circumstances were compared to their past. And all of this, in the final analysis, was because they had personally let go of a person destined to create a storm in the Federation.

Of course, this wasn't born out of jealousy, but guilt. After all, even if Wang Zhan never returned, he had brought back the title of the Federation's number one to Chu State Military Academy. Just like... his sister.

Therefore, Lv Zhenglong finally couldn't help but sigh deeply. "Old Liu, I now feel that letting Wang Zhan go back then was so damn frustrating!"

They were cunning old foxes, after all. It was only after seeing Wei Daoming for the first time that they immediately arrived at an undeniable truth in their hearts: Yao Yao's audacious act of taking center stage despite facing severe censure, and her ability to gain the support of the Federation's four major Martial Arts Academies—if that kid Wang Zhan hadn't been involved, it would be a preposterous lie!

After all, the people of the Federation might not know, but how could they not? Yao Yao was clearly Wang Zhan's girlfriend. Even when Wang Zhan was trapped on that small battlefield in the wilderness of Oceania, Yao Yao had publicly appeared before all eyewitnesses!

However, how could the two old codgers have known that after Wang Zhan parted ways with them, he was like a bird soaring freely in the vast sky, or a fish leaping in the wide ocean? He instantly shot to prominence, his rise becoming ever more dramatic!

Could it be that Chu State Military Academy couldn't even protect one of its own young students? How utterly galling!

Liu Zhenfeng gave a bitter smile, looking at his old partner. "So what about it? We were the ones who let him go, and we were the ones who brought back the title of the Federation's number one. We witnessed the estrangement. If Wang Zhan soars high into the sky, would we two old fogeys have the gall to go and apologize to him?"

Lv Zhenglong fell silent, then heaved a long, drawn-out, helpless sigh. "Alas..."

However, just then, Liu Zhenfeng comforted Lv Zhenglong, saying, "So, let's not dwell on Wang Zhan's matter. But old friend, we rescued this lass. Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

Lv Zhenglong blinked. "You mean, you want to mend the relationship between Wang Zhan and us through Yao Yao?"

Liu Zhenfeng's expression froze for a moment, then darkened. Looking emotionlessly at Lv Zhenglong, he said sternly, "Old chap, if you're not willing to go on like this, then go back to Chu State Military Academy and teach!"

Lv Zhenglong was caught off guard. "Old Liu, what are you talking about? I just want to lessen my own guilt so I don't feel so stifled. If my mind isn't at ease, I feel terribly restless!…"

Liu Zhenfeng looked at him for several moments, Lv Zhenglong unflinchingly meeting his gaze. Only after taking another heavy puff from his dry pipe did Liu Zhenfeng speak in a muffled voice. "Whether that kid Wang Zhan chooses to forgive us two old fogeys or not, that's his prerogative. And whether we feel guilty about it or not is none of his business either. If he really has the ability to keep soaring, I'll be damned if I'm not happy for him... But this girl is different! She's not like Wang Zhan! It's not just that we rescued her, or that she ended up tied to the Federation Science Institute's ship because of us. Simply because we two are among the few who know the truth, I just don't feel right staying in the background... If I don't do something, I'll feel even worse!"

Without a doubt, the two old men felt guilty about Wang Zhan. But it was clear Liu Zhenfeng harbored some resentment towards Wang Zhan! Even if Wang Zhan became the Federation's president, so what? Resentment is resentment.

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