A single sentence from the East Saint silenced everyone.
As Beast Masters of at least the Emperor Level, how could they not have considered this question?
But for all their private considerations, no one had ever brought it out into the open.
They were likely, to some extent, operating under the principle of "ignorance is bliss."
But now, the issue was out in the open. They could no longer deliberately avoid it, even if they wanted to.
’He’s right. No matter how you look at it, the concentration of Heaven and Earth Energy in the Dimension Planes is definitely higher than on the Ancestral Star.’
’So why would these Emperor and Saint Spirit Level Pet Beasts abandon a superior environment for an inferior one?’
’It was a completely illogical phenomenon.’
Seeing how the East Saint’s words had made the room so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the Qiu Saint spoke up to ease the tension. "Let’s not overthink this. There are only two possibilities for why these Emperor and Saint Spirit Level Pet Beasts are invading the Ancestral Star. First, the Ancestral Star holds some immense attraction for them. Second, something has gone wrong within the Dimension Planes."
With a smile, he continued, "Whichever it is, our course is clear: we will simply deal with whatever comes our way."
Finally, he added, "Since this trend is irreversible, all we can do is adapt and act accordingly."
The Yue Saint chimed in as well. "And don’t forget, we’ve excavated a number of documents from ruins within the Dimension Planes in the past."
"Some of those records state that Human Civilization once existed within the Dimension Planes. It might still exist now; it’s just that the Dimension Planes are too vast, a multi-dimensional space of nested layers, so we simply haven’t discovered it yet."
"I believe that if the Human Civilization in the Dimension Planes can coexist peacefully with Extraordinary Creatures, then there’s no reason our own civilization can’t find a similar way to do the same."
He didn’t even consider the idea of completely suppressing or killing all the Extraordinary Creatures invading the Ancestral Star. It was simply impossible; there were too many to kill.
Besides, killing an Emperor Level Extraordinary Creature was no easy task.
And a Saint Spirit Level one was out of the question entirely.
"The Yue Saint is right," the Qiu Saint said, nodding. "We can definitely find a path to peaceful coexistence with the Extraordinary Creatures."
He scanned the faces in the conference room and began his summary. "However, we must not let our guard down. In the days to come, I hope you will all stay vigilant and do your utmost to defend the regions you oversee."
"Inside Zhonghai City itself, we don’t have to worry too much. We have the Four-Directional Barrier, various high-tech systems are operational, and Zhonghai Beast Taming University is here. But the smaller cities surrounding Zhonghai, and even the nearby sea territories—those we must defend."
"This is one of the most important reasons we’ve called you all here today."
"We are preparing to reactivate the Nineteen Towers and designate vigilance zones. Every Emperor Level Beast Master will be required to stand guard in a vigilance zone on a rotating basis to prevent any unforeseen incidents."
"And finally..."
After a moment’s pause, his gaze swept over the crowd before he continued, "We are preparing to disclose this matter to the general public at an opportune time."
"In fact, this decision comes from the highest levels of the Federation and the Beastmaster Association."
Old Mo, the farmer-like man mentioned earlier by the Yue Saint, nodded in agreement. "We certainly have to announce it. Otherwise, if ordinary people with no sense of caution continue to wander about as they please, they’re bound to run into all kinds of dangerous situations."
"Esteemed Beast Masters of Zhonghai City, our Public Security Bureau, the Five Major Federal Legions, the Federation Guard Team, and the Beastmaster Association will lend our full assistance. Under normal circumstances, our Security Officers and guard personnel will conduct patrols and maintain posts. We will only notify you in the event of a special emergency." Just then, a young man in a military uniform stepped forward.
He, too, was an Emperor Level Beast Master, from the Central Earth Legion of the Five Major Federal Legions, also known as the Central Army.
His statement was a direct representation of the official stance; in effect, the Five Major Federal Legions, the Public Security Bureau, the Federation Guard Team, and the Beastmaster Association encompassed the vast majority of the Federation’s official power.
Seeing the young officer speak, the farmer-like Old Mo immediately thought of something and asked, "If the Five Major Legions are participating in this, then what about the Outer Heaven Battlefield?"
Everyone knew that the Five Major Legions were the main force spearheading the development of the Outer Heaven Battlefield. If they were to return to reinforce the Ancestral Star, the situation on the battlefield would undoubtedly be affected.
"It’s not a major issue. We Human Beast Masters are ultimately the dominant force on the Outer Heaven Battlefield. A temporary, strategic contraction won’t be a problem," the young officer explained, his words vague and non-specific.
After the young officer’s statement, the matter was more or less settled. The attendees chatted among themselves for a while longer, and as soon as the meeting concluded, a figure was the first to rush out of the tower.
"Professor Sun, what’s the big rush?" Shi Yulian asked, her curiosity piqued as she watched the figure hurry away.
As fellow professors at Zhonghai Beast Taming University, they were bound to know each other, even if they were from different colleges.
"Something came up at home." Sun Hongyi tossed the words over his shoulder and vanished from sight.
’He couldn’t help it. If he didn’t get back soon, some wild boar was going to get his prize cabbage. Of course he was in a hurry.’
Shi Yulian didn’t think much of it and, a moment later, also left the tower’s council hall.
「Inside Hongqiao Manor.」
Li Qian was chatting with Sun Ruirui and discovered that the young woman truly had a talent for cultivation.
When he had earlier described her as "second only to Professor Sun," there had been a slight element of flattery involved.
After chatting with her for a while, however, he could confirm it. Her expertise regarding the evolution from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit was indeed profound.
To describe her as "second only to Professor Sun" was no exaggeration in the slightest.
"You saw it earlier. Professor Sun’s research is stuck on the final step."
Wasting no more time, Li Qian decided to get straight to the point.
"Strictly speaking, the evolution was a success. The fact that it regressed at the end was likely due to some minor details."
"Have you and Professor Sun discussed this aspect at all?"
Hearing this, Sun Ruirui shook her head helplessly. "No. My uncle almost never lets me get involved with this stuff."
"He shoulders the burden for all of it himself. To be honest, the reason I know so much about the evolution from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit isn’t just from witnessing the process so often. It’s mostly from my own deductions, combined with the books I read, of course."
A flash of surprise crossed Li Qian’s face when he heard this.
"You really are talented in this field. Once the issue with the Apocalypse is resolved, you should consider pursuing this path..."
Li Qian had barely finished speaking when a familiar voice suddenly cut in. "You don’t need to concern yourself with that."
"If Ruirui wants to study cultivation, I’ll teach her myself. And even if my abilities are lacking, I still have the entire Cultivation College of Zhonghai Beast Taming University behind me."