"That makes sense." The legislators whispered softly among themselves. Objectively speaking, what was said was reasonable.
If this were a simple matter, then Yun Ming's single "I think so" would have been enough to convict someone, and they wouldn't care.
But this matter was far too serious — it could be called the worst tragedy since the founding of the Federation.
For something this big to be decided by a single "I think so" would be absurd. If Dragon-Phoenix Hall were wrongly accused, that would be yet another tragedy.
Ya Li frowned. Long Yeyue was about to stand up — judging by her posture, she was about to explode in anger — but Ya Li grabbed her and gently shook her head.
Yun Ming's gaze was sharp. He first coldly glanced at Qian Gu Dongfeng, with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
When Qian Gu Dongfeng saw that look, he immediately felt choked with anger.
It was as if Yun Ming were saying, "Have you forgotten last time's lesson?"
"To still dare be so arrogant — just you wait, you'll be crying later." Qian Gu Dongfeng suppressed his anger.
Anyway, they were already preparing to steal that thing. Once successful, Shrek would be the one facing destruction.
"Xu Lin, Director Gu, at a time like this you still dare to speak in defense of Dragon-Phoenix Hall. Are you trying to commit a crime against all under heaven?" Yun Ming questioned harshly.
His words were sonorous and powerful; coupled with his sharp eyes and earth-shattering aura, the pressure was immense.
Xu Lin and Gu Ming both felt tremendous pressure, as if Yun Ming's words were spears already hanging before their eyes, about to stab down.
"As expected of the Sky-Piercing Douluo… truly formidable," Gu Ming thought in shock.
After taking two hundred-year life-extension pills, his vitality had returned to its peak and his strength had advanced a step.
Later, with the Soul-Raising Pill given by Yun Ze, his soul power had further increased and he had reached level ninety-nine.
He was now an Extreme Douluo, a quasi-demigod — yet even so, he still felt pressured.
This showed just how terrifying Yun Ming's strength was; in a real fight, he would be completely suppressed.
If Gu Ming felt this way, Xu Lin felt even worse.
At level ninety-seven, the pressure on him was far heavier.
He had not yet used a high-grade Soul-Raising Pill; he planned to save it for breaking into the extreme level later.
Gu Ming stood up and stared directly at Yun Ming, not cowed, with some anger:
"Yun Ming, what do you mean by that?"
"Does stating objective facts count as speaking in defense of Dragon-Phoenix Hall now?"
"You're being far too overbearing. I simply said something that contradicts your view, and suddenly I'm 'committing a crime against all under heaven'?"
"Then if I were to say two sentences unfavorable to Shrek Academy, wouldn't I be becoming an enemy of the entire world?"
"Good!" Qian Gu Dongfeng shouted loudly.
This chance to make Yun Ming uncomfortable — he would not miss it.
"Elder Gu is right. He's merely stating objective facts, yet in your mouth, Yun Ming, he becomes a public enemy."
"Yun Ming, since when can you represent all the people of the Federation? Or is it that Shrek's opinion equals the Federation's opinion?"
As soon as he said this, many legislators frowned, displeased.
Shrek Academy really was too domineering.
"Qian Gu Dongfeng, if you dare keep slandering Shrek like that, don't blame me for being rude to you!" Long Yeyue suddenly stood up and shouted angrily.
"Isn't that exactly the attitude you're displaying?" Qian Gu Dongfeng said calmly.
That relaxed expression made Long Yeyue even angrier — she really wanted to attack him on the spot.
"This is the Federal Council, not a marketplace. What kind of behavior is this, arguing like this here?" Yu Guanzhi stood up and said with an unhappy face.
"General Yu is right. Everyone, please calm down," the Speaker added at the right moment.
"Hmph." Long Yeyue snorted and sat down.
Gu Ming also sat down, very dissatisfied with Shrek Academy.
Qian Gu Dongfeng had remained seated the whole time and said nothing further after Yu Guanzhi spoke.
"I think Elder Gu makes sense," Yu Guanzhi said.
"If you have evidence, Yun Ming, then present it. Once we verify it, we definitely won't let Dragon-Phoenix Hall off."
"But if there's no evidence, we have no reason — and no need — to move against them."
"Extreme Douluo, especially quasi-god level ones, are not something to provoke lightly."
As the commander of the Central Army Group, Yu Guanzhi wasn't afraid of quasi-god level powerhouses — but he didn't want to make enemies of them lightly either.
"Mhm, agreed," many legislators voiced support.
The legislators from Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect remained silent.
Guan Yue of the War God Hall did not agree outright. Instead, he said:
"Senior Brother, can you explain why you suspect Dragon-Phoenix Hall?"
Calling him "Senior Brother" was very deliberate — it showed his relationship with Yun Ming and indirectly stated his stance.
"I can." Yun Ming looked at Guan Yue. The two exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
Yun Ming explained his suspicions, which made many legislators thoughtful — it did sound somewhat reasonable.
"In terms of motive, Dragon-Phoenix Hall is the most likely, and they also have the strength to do this," Yun Ming said in a deep voice.
"That makes sense. I propose a strict investigation into Dragon-Phoenix Hall," Zang Xin, the Affectionate Douluo of the Tang Sect, stated.
"The War God Hall also requests a strict investigation into Dragon-Phoenix Hall," Guan Yue followed, directly declaring the War God Hall's stance.
Gu Ming frowned slightly and exchanged looks with Xu Lin. After Xu Lin nodded faintly, Gu Ming also spoke:
"I also think a strict investigation is necessary — but how should we investigate?"
"We can't just arrest them and interrogate them harshly, can we? If they refuse to confess, do we torture them?"
"This involves Titled Douluo. That definitely won't work. If they're guilty, fine — but if they're innocent, that would be forcing them to fight back."
The chief of the Federal Police Department immediately vetoed the idea of harsh interrogation.
That kind of torture would fall to him — and against ordinary people maybe, but against Extreme Douluo, that would just be sending himself to death.
Soul masters were proud — Titled Douluo even more so. How could they endure such humiliation?
Forget torturing them — even arresting an Extreme Douluo made him terrified.
"I have an idea," Yu Guanzhi said after some thought.
"Didn't we find energy residue at the Su Mu residence in Floating City? We can use that to determine whether Dragon-Phoenix Hall is the culprit."
"This information is currently sealed and unknown to outsiders — the killer doesn't know either."
"Based on the other crime scenes, they probably think they left no traces and that everything was perfect. To avoid suspicion, they wouldn't have anyone leave."
"In that case, we just need to check whether anyone in Dragon-Phoenix Hall has energy fluctuations matching that residue, and we can confirm it."
(End of Chapter)