Chapter 534: Mobilize Forces

Anyone who could become a Legend wasn't a fool.

The Kazan Civilization's suppression of the Gaia Civilization, orchestrated by Zhuo Ri, was a gesture to win favor with the genius Hong Feng. This move aimed to secure greater benefits for Kazan both now and in the future.

However, Li Pin's arrival shifted the narrative. Rather than targeting Hong Feng, he set his sights directly on the Ashen Council.

What did this mean? It signified that Li Pin was prepared to confront the Ashen Council head-on.

Whatever hidden resources Zhuo Ri might have had were of no consequence now. From this moment on, this was no longer something a mere Tier Two Legend like him, the Kazan Civilization, or even the promising but still unproven Hong Feng could handle.

The stakes had risen to a battle for dominance within the Candle Light Star Ring.

Until the outcome was clear, staying silent and avoiding mistakes was the only course of action.

***

The White Dove Federation sprang into action following the emergency meeting order.

Lan Chi issued command after command. "Activate the Astral Gate immediately! Summon all Legends who can mobilize within a day! Tell the Grand Patriarch to prepare for a possible attack on the White Dove Federation headquarters by the Ashen Council! Move quickly!"

Many Legends were confused by his actions.

One of them asked, "What's happening? This mobilization feels like preparations for war. But with the Homo Sapien Alliance enforcing peace, war isn't allowed anymore. What's going on?"

Someone else, whose allegiances were less pure, cautiously inquired, "Our relations with the Ashen Council and Immortal Wood Empire have recently improved after the formation of the Candle Light Alliance. Shouldn't we inform them about this large-scale operation to avoid misunderstandings?"

But Lan Chi, the Grand Consul, ignored all questions. He wasn't the only one who ignored them. The other four major clans also executed Lan Chi's orders with remarkable speed.

In the White Dove Federation, when the will of the five major clans aligned, nothing could stand in their way.

***

As the White Dove Federation mobilized swiftly, confusion gripped the Ashen Council.

Council Chairman Ao Qingcang immediately contacted several Legendary councilors within the council.

The councilors began speaking one after another.

"What's going on? Why is the White Dove Federation holding an emergency meeting at the highest level? This authority is reserved for matters concerning the survival of the Candle Light Alliance."

"Could another alliance be preparing to declare war on us? But with the Homo Sapien Alliance enforcing peaceful competition, who would dare to start a war now?"

"I've received the latest intel: the White Dove Federation has begun emergency mobilization. Although the scale isn't vast, the level of involvement is unprecedented. Orders have reached all Legendary figures, and even several Demigods Grand Patriarchs have been instructed to prepare for dire scenarios."

"Demigods?! Has the White Dove Federation gone mad? What are they planning?"

"They've dared to hold the meeting at our Ashen Council headquarters. What's there to fear? The White Dove Federation has Demigods, but don't we have them too?"

"I suggest setting the meeting location on Frost Dragon Planet. With the Frost Dragon Grand Patriarch present, even if the White Dove Federation brings all their Tier Four and Five Legends, they'll have no choice but to follow our rules."

"Not long ago, the White Dove Federation sent a number of high-ranking figures to receive a councilor. Our people couldn't gather specific details due to distance, but could this be tied to their sudden military mobilization?"

"Would a councilor really risk provoking the Homo Sapien Alliance just to act recklessly at a time like this?"

Many of the councilors were Tier Three Legends who have yet to master inner spirit. But they each represented a powerful faction, some of which possessed Demigods or had a history of producing them. Their vast networks stretched across the Candle Light Star Ring and even into the Sixth Spiral Arm.

At that moment, Ao Yunxiao, Hong Feng's guardian, spoke up. "I just received some news that might be related to the White Dove Federation's sudden aggression."

He shared the information. "We recently lost contact with the Kazan Civilization's Tier Two Legend, Zhuo Ri, on the Alliance Star. Shortly after, our operatives reported seeing Li Pin emerge from the Astral Gate with several Legendary figures."

"Li Pin? Just a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist. His return means nothing," remarked a Tier Four deputy chairman, waving dismissively. "This is probably related to the councilor. I suggest we deploy our highest-level operatives to uncover their identity. This could help us understand the White Dove Federation's true intentions."

"Our top operatives are few in number. Using them now risks exposing their identities, which would be a waste. Since the meeting is on our turf, we have the advantage."

Another deputy chairperson replied. "Let's set the meeting at Frost Dragon Planet. The White Dove Federation can mobilize all their Legendary forces, but so can we. If they dare to stir up trouble, we'll make sure they don't leave."

Soon, the deputy chairpersons reached a consensus.

However, Ao Yunxiao watched the developments with hesitation. He had wanted to speak but held back.

He thought,

Li Pin, though a Celestial Martial Artist, has mastered inner spirit. Furthermore, the White Dove Federation's councilor is a Divine Being. Could Li Pin have become his disciple, with the councilor supporting him?

For a long while, the words were stuck in his throat. After all, the idea seemed absurd. Li Pin, with his current strength, was insignificant compared to the councilors who stood at the very top of the entire Yin Luo Galaxy.

Even if he became a Tier Four Legend, such individuals were common in the Candle Light Star Ring. There were dozens of them, and the numbers only grew across the Sixth Spiral Arm and the entire Yin Luo Galaxy.

For a Divine Being to take a disciple, they would likely choose a Tier Four or Five Legend with potential to ascend to Tier Six or become an Astral God. Why would they settle for a Celestial Martial Artist?

Besides, a Demigod would need Astral World Fragments to achieve Divinity, and these fragments were more valuable than divine equipment.

Without becoming a Divine Being, a Demigod who integrated with a primary planet would be mostly confined to their own domain, offering little help if their master was in danger. Why bother to take such an individual as a disciple?

With these thoughts in mind, Ao Yunxiao conformed to the mainstream view and joined the Legendary mobilization.

***

On Alliance Star, Li Pin waited for the Astral Gate inspections to be completed before his journey to the Ashen Council.

At that moment, Si Xing arrived in haste, faster than Yuan Zhenchuan and the others.

He wore a guilty expression as he approached Li Pin. "I've heard about what happened on Alliance Star. This is my oversight. That little rascal Hong Feng's statements gave many civilizations the courage to oppress Gaia. I could only ensure that Gaia remained free from infiltration."

Li Pin nodded. "I understand."

Si Xing was, after all, only a Tier Three Legend.

When Gaia had first become a cosmic civilization, a Tier Three Legend might have seemed unparalleled, standing at the top of a nebula. However, Li Pin's perspective changed since returning from the Divine Treasury Hall. Si Xing's strength didn't seem all that impressive now.

Furthermore, as an Executor of the Homo Sapien Alliance, Si Xing had to consider the Alliance's stance in his actions.

The Si Clan from the Starwheel Sea also seemed dissatisfied with his extended stay here. Protecting Gaia was already a commendable achievement.

"Since you're here, come along and take a look," Li Pin said.

"Take a look?" Si Xing quickly realized. "You're planning... retaliation?"

"Reciprocation is a matter of etiquette."

Si Xing frowned. "But that Hong Feng... he's a genius strongly supported by the Ashen Council."

"You've heard about the Mara World incident, right?" Li Pin asked.

"I have," Si Xing replied, his voice tinged with admiration. "You must have gained a lot from it."

"Right. Since you know, I don't need to explain in detail," Li Pin said, smiling. He had also intended to help Si Xing grasp inner spirit power to repay the favor. "My strength now far exceeds what it was when I left Gaia."

Si Xing understood. He had heard from Xi Lin that Li Pin had teamed up with Fang Chunyang and the others, earning a substantial number of Divine Treasury Points during their venture.

Xi Lin hadn't been specific, but Si Xing estimated they had earned well in the thousands. They might have even earned over ten thousand points. Such a sum could elevate an ordinary Legend to Tier Three in no time.

A genius of Li Pin's caliber might have even reached Tier Five Legend with that amount.

A Tier Five Legend was an individual of substantial standing.

The Candle Light Star Ring held powerful Demigods, but their mobility was limited.

A freely moving Tier Five Legend was already equivalent to the upper limit of power within the Candle Light Star Ring. Such a force was enough to intimidate the Ashen Council, forcing them to make concessions and punish Hong Feng severely.

With that in mind, Si Xing didn't offer any objections. "Alright, then. Let's head there. Besides, if the Homo Sapien Alliance has concerns, I can help deflect them as an Executor."

Li Pin nodded. After instructing Lan Chi to call an emergency meeting, he sent a message to Su Yunguang, the person in charge of the Homo Sapien Alliance's Yin Luo Galaxy office.

Given the situation and with solid reasoning, Su Yunguang wouldn't press too hard. His response would likely mirror Zhi Yun's—as long as no planets were destroyed, no civilizations wiped out, and no major disturbances caused, everything would be fine.

Li Pin, Zhi Yun, Si Xing, and the others waited for a while before Qi Yan rushed in from the direction of the Astral Gate, looking flustered. "We've completed the Astral Gate inspection. The reason the gate to the Ashen Council's trade planet won't open isn't due to an issue on our side.

"The Ashen Council has denied access to our Alliance Planet's Astral Gate network, citing a trust issue. That's why the gate has remained closed."

Li Pin's expression remained calm. "Trust issue?"

He didn't elaborate further. "Then reroute through the White Dove Federation. Open the Astral Gate to them, and I'll inform them to prepare."

"Understood," Qi Yan replied quickly.

Si Xing gave Li Pin a curious glance. His tone when addressing the White Dove Federation seemed more like issuing an order than making a request. But considering Li Pin's usual demeanor, such a commanding tone was hardly surprising.

For Li Pin to seek retribution against Hong Feng, supported by the Ashen Council, he would undoubtedly face immense pressure.

Having the White Dove Federation on their side would significantly ease that burden.

Once they met with the Federation's representatives, Si Xing planned to help smooth things over, fostering collaboration to jointly pressure the Ashen Council into yielding and punishing Hong Feng.

With that in mind, the group soon arrived at the Astral Gate leading to the White Dove Federation and stepped through it.