The study wasn't far from the riverbank. It was a small three-story villa with no decorations to speak of, just rows upon rows of bookshelves. On top of the bookshelves were various models of photon computers. These photon computers were the proof of the Federation's technology.
Since this was the President's study, it was a place of great secrecy. As soon as Ding Meng walked in, he saw an old man sitting on the sofa. It was the Keeper who had been smoking his pipe in the banquet hall.
Before the Keeper could open his mouth, it was Ding Meng who spoke first. "Not everyone is here!"
The Keeper lifted his head, a look of surprise in his eyes. "How old are you two?"
Ling Xingqi said, "Seventy-two!"
"What about you?" The Keeper asked.
Ding Meng said, "Almost forty!"
The Keeper sighed. "You're so young, but you have good taste!"
Suo Mansha smiled and explained, "Ding Meng is crazy!"
The Keeper was even more surprised. "How rare!"
Suo Mansha also explained for Ding Meng and the others, "This is my uncle, Lu Xiaoyun, Elder Lu!"
Ling Xingqi's mouth fell open. "Grandfather Lu of the Southern War?"
"Heh —" Lu Xiaoyun laughed. "Little girl, you still remember me. Too bad I'm old and can't compare to you youngsters."
Ling Xingqi hurriedly bowed. "Grandfather, you're too modest. I wasn't even born when you dominated the Southern War."
Lu Xiaoyun said, "They're all invited by my niece. Sit!"
Ding Meng certainly didn't know who Lu Xiaoyun was, but judging by Ling Xingqi's respectful attitude, he was clearly someone of great renown. Even if he wasn't, the fact that he was a mid-level Wargod was enough to prove that he wasn't simple. The Rabik family was indeed powerful.
However, the fact that Ding Meng said that not everyone was here was enough to make Lu Xiaoyun take him seriously. Although there were many people invited today, only a few core members had the right to enter the study. For example, the Bingyi Group. Ji Chenxue, Junling, and the others were all left behind in the banquet hall. They clearly didn't have the right to enter.
Lu Xiaoyun didn't keep them in suspense. He explained directly, "Xingqi, little friend Ding Meng, I've been asked by Xingfei and my niece to guide everyone. My request is to boldly use young people who have experience, strength, and must be Divine Light martial artists. Since you two are here, I'll show you. Suo Mansha, you can leave!"
Ding Meng and the Transit String looked at each other. What kind of secret was this that even Suo Mansha couldn't listen in?
Lu Xiaoyun casually picked up a mini quantum computer on the coffee table. This quantum computer model was too old. The screen it generated was a simple 3D map. However, Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi could tell at a glance that this was the star field map of the Holy Grail Federation.
Ling Xingqi's eyes were sharp. "It doesn't look complete, right?"
Lu Xiaoyun nodded. "Good eyesight. It is indeed incomplete because the Federation's territory wasn't this big in the past."
"Huh?" Ling Xingqi didn't know why Lu Xiaoyun wanted to show her the map.
Lu Xiaoyun said, "The Federation wasn't called this before. It used to be called the Milky Way Empire. This happened over nine thousand years ago."
Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi's eyes widened. They had never heard of the origin of the Federation because no one knew about it. Only an old pedant like Lu Xiaoyun knew a thing or two.
Lu Xiaoyun said seriously, "The Milky Way Empire's territory was huge. At that time, after a long period of exploration, the human world gradually came up with a set of origin cultivation methods for origin ability users. At the same time, human technology advanced rapidly and became a level zero civilization. However, at this time, the core power of the Milky Way Empire was divided into two factions. One faction was the true martial artists who advocated martial arts, and the other faction was the origin ability users who advocated technological advancement. The entire country was divided into two, which later became the Star Ocean Empire and the Glorious Federation. The two countries waged war for several centuries."
Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi listened quietly.
Lu Xiaoyun continued, "This situation lasted for nearly three thousand years. The Glorious Federation's technology made great progress and became a level one universal civilization, ushering in unprecedented prosperity. Our Rabik family also discovered the Holy Splendor Star System. Our predecessors supported the military's occupation and development of this star system. Later, it was renamed the Holy Grail Federation. The capital was also moved from Beauty to Holy Planet."
"Why did it change its name?" Ding Meng asked calmly.
Lu Xiaoyun said, "I don't know much about it. I only know that changing its name to Holy Splendor means Holy Splendor. However, if you separate the two words, it means Holy Light."
Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi looked at each other again. Their eyes were full of disbelief.
Lu Xiaoyun continued, "The Holy Grail Federation also encountered problems during this period. The scientist who invented the first sensor cabin was poisoned and persecuted. This scientist fled to the remote Zeratul Star System and survived. She created a demon-like poison art that eventually developed into the World Devourer. She became the Holy Grail Federation's number one enemy."
Ding Meng nodded. Leng Yin had told him about the origin of the World Devourer's Immortal Yuan King before. It was basically the same as Lu Xiaoyun's description.
"What about the Empire?" Ling Xingqi asked.
Lu Xiaoyun said, "The Star Ocean Empire changed its name very late. Five hundred years ago, when the Empire was developing the Wacao Star System, they suddenly encountered an alien civilization called the Frog Race. After that, the Star Ocean Empire changed its name to the Norse Empire."
Ding Meng pondered and said, "There must be a reason for the Federal Empire's origin and change of name."
Lu Xiaoyun looked at him with appreciation. It was nice to talk to smart people. They could infer many things from one instance.
"The power of the Protoss, the power of the Demons, the origin of the Steel Mane Nation, the origin of the Frogmen Nation, and the growth of the World Devourer are all directly or indirectly related to the Milky Way Empire. Now, these forces have formed their own forces. I'm telling you this information because the current Federation's higher-ups are more inclined towards the Divine Light martial artists."
Ding Meng understood. "Miss Ling and I are one of the forces?"
Lu Xiaoyun's appreciation grew stronger. "Not only that, but you are also one of the more important forces. Because you were brought to me by Suo Mansha personally, she has high expectations for you."
Ding Meng said, "Then when do we leave?"
Lu Xiaoyun said, "You guys are the last to leave because the people from the other groups will be sent away tonight. You guys leave tomorrow morning. I'll come and inform you. You guys can stay in the resort tonight!"
Ding Meng nodded. "Understood!"
Soon, Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi got up and left. At this time, Suo Mansha came in from outside.
"Uncle, how do you feel?" Suo Mansha asked.
Lu Xiaoyun said, "From the perspective of strength, there are no problems with these two. They are both true Divine Light martial artists."
Suo Mansha said, "Why do you say so?"
Lu Xiaoyun said, "From their performance at the Storm Gathering, Ling Xingqi has the Divine Light inheritance. Ding Meng not only has it, but he has also learned more advanced martial arts. Among the younger generation, they are undoubtedly the best."
Suo Mansha frowned. "There are no problems in other aspects?"
Lu Xiaoyun shook her head. "No!
It's a big problem. The two of them are too calm. They didn't ask anything they shouldn't ask. Just based on this point, the two of them are very shrewd and scheming. "
Suo Mansha pondered. "I'm not worried about Xingqi, but Ding Meng is an unstable factor."
Lu Xiaoyun said, "It's not good for you to have such thoughts!"
Suo Mansha was stunned. "Why?"
Lu Xiaoyun said, "If you doubt people, don't use them. If you don't give them a chance to solve a puzzle that our generation can't solve, then they still can't solve it. If they can solve it, then there will be benefits. If there is meat in the pot, then there will be meat in everyone's bowl."
Suo Mansha said, "I know this, but …"
Lu Xiaoyun interrupted her. "No buts. You should be worried about the Empire's movements."
Suo Mansha said, "Chancellor Wen Yang has already returned to the Empire. Ji Chenyu's group has also left."
Lu Xiaoyun said, "These people are not the main point. The main point is the people from Chuangyu. They will definitely stay."
Suo Mansha said, "If that's the case, isn't Xingfei's decision too risky?"
Lu Xiaoyun said, "I can understand Xingfei's thinking. There are risks in letting people in on a large scale, but how can there be benefits without risks?
Actually, I'm more optimistic about Ding Meng and Ling Xingqi's forces. "
Suo Mansha asked curiously, "Is the Fang family's force stronger?"
Lu Xiaoyun smiled and shook her head. "You can't just look at strength in an expedition. You have to look at the past of these two humans. Ling Xingqi is determined and focused. Ding Meng is very smart. If I'm not wrong, he should be very adaptable. If they work together, the success rate is very high."
Suo Mansha smiled. "They might not work well together."
Lu Xiaoyun nodded and said, "I know. The two of them have personal grudges. It's hard for them to be united. I can understand your choice of people, but I don't agree."
Suo Mansha said, "Please enlighten me."
Lu Xiaoyun said, "I admit that you've learned Xingfei's political methods well over the years when he was president. Balance and check, forming a balance of power. However, you can't ignore the relationship between people. I'm already so old, but I can't say that I have a firm grasp of relationships. Different relationships can also affect the final result. For example, I'm curious. When did Ding Meng and Ji Chenxue get together?
You can't possibly think that Ding Meng is drooling over a beauty, right? "
Suo Mansha spread her hands and said, "Alright, I admit that this is my oversight. However, everything is still under control, right?"
Lu Xiaoyun also seemed to be silent. "Let them depart from here tomorrow?"
Suo Mansha was shocked. "Is that appropriate?"
Lu Xiaoyun said, "I have a feeling that the success rate this time is very high. In order to solve this puzzle, you've worked for so many years. We can't afford to wait. If we don't succeed this time, do we have to wait for another few decades?
Maybe time is a small matter. We can afford to wait. However, the right time may not come again. "
Suo Mansha nodded and said, "Alright, we'll do as you say, Uncle!"