"No—!"
Xia Bin's grief-stricken roar pierced the sky. He could not accept the reality before him.
The other members of the War God Temple were equally overcome with sorrow and fury. One after another, they released their martial souls and rushed toward Xia Bin.
Guan Yue's fall brought tears to Ya Li's eyes. Yun Ming and Zang Xin were consumed with grief.
"I'll kill you!" Xia Bin roared, killing intent surging as he unleashed his Storm Divine Dragon martial soul.
A pale-cyan giant dragon materialized, lightning flickering across its body as fierce gales howled around it. Each beat of its wings resounded with thunder and wind.
The Storm Divine Dragon—a true dragon-type martial soul—was on par with the Bright Holy Dragon and Dark Holy Dragon. It possessed dual wind and lightning attributes.
"I'd like to see you try!" Bear Lord had intended to assist Di Tian, but since this one was courting death, he would gladly oblige.
After consuming the Bloodline Pill, his strength had reached an astonishing level. He had no fear of this demi-god before him.
Xia Bin released his four-word battle armor and engaged Bear Lord in fierce combat. Every strike carried lethal intent.
Bear Lord was the same. The Bloodline Pill would only last twenty minutes. Once the effect faded, he would enter an extreme state of weakness.
Within that window, he had to kill his opponent.
Of the six War Gods who followed Xia Bin, one went to retrieve Guan Yue's body, while the other five prepared to assist Xia Bin in slaying Bear Lord.
"Go help them," Gu Ming said to Xu Lin and the others, clearly stating his position.
"Understood."
Xu Lin immediately released his three-word battle armor and flew toward the battlefield.
Alongside him were Xu Chuan and three other directors of the Sun Moon Royal Academy.
Xu Lin and Xu Chuan were both level ninety-seven, only a step away from ninety-eight.
The other three were Super Douluo as well—one level ninety-six, the other two level ninety-five.
All five wore three-word battle armor outfitted with numerous soul-guided weapons, giving their armor a heavy appearance.
"You two should join as well. Only by truly contributing will the Dragon-Phoenix Palace remember this favor. When the time comes, it'll be easier to request medicinal pills."
Gu Ming said this to the two old friends beside him.
He had persuaded them to get involved with the promise of the Hundred-Year Longevity Pill.
Of course, he had not guaranteed the pill outright—only that helping now might earn the Dragon-Phoenix Palace's goodwill, and with it, a chance at the pill.
"Very well."
Both men's eyes flashed with longing for life.
The opportunity to extend their lifespan was right before them—they had to seize it.
They released their martial souls and flew into battle against the War God Temple members.
One was level ninety-eight, the other level ninety-seven—both formidable.
Originally, Bear One and the others had intended to assist Bear Lord, but Yun Ze stopped them. Since others were helping, there was no need.
Yun Ze understood why they were assisting. With the Dragon-Phoenix Palace having made many enemies, he would not reject such goodwill.
At most, he would refine some pills for them later. For him, that was no difficult task.
"Elder Gu, if Elder Wu and Elder Xing are injured, it would be a tremendous loss for the Federation!"
Yu Guanzhi said anxiously.
Wu Bo and Xing Zhuo were core researchers at the Federal Research Institute, having made tremendous contributions to the Federation's technological advancement.
Over the past century, they had been among the central driving forces behind federal technological progress.
If they were to fall, the Research Institute might lose its backbone. Federal technology development could stagnate.
The impact would be enormous—especially for the military, whose weapon systems might remain outdated for years.
"This was their own decision," Gu Ming replied.
He too worried for his old friends.
But there was no choice. If they wanted the Hundred-Year Longevity Pill, they had to take risks. Nothing comes without cost.
"General Yu, I believe I should advise you again," Gu Ming continued, changing the topic.
"About what?" Yu Guanzhi asked.
"As I said before, this matter has nothing to do with you. There's no need for you to involve yourself."
"I understand that you promised Zang Xin assistance because you want Tang Sect's weapons. But you must remember—they are a civilian faction."
"If most of the military's weapons come from Tang Sect, then you will be constrained by them."
"What would it mean if the military were controlled by a civilian organization?"
"And if they supply your weapons, they will know exactly what equipment the army uses."
"A civilian power with full knowledge of the military's arsenal—what consequences would that bring?"
Gu Ming's two questions made Yu Guanzhi's pupils contract. He fell silent.
"General Yu, Tang Sect is not only the Federation's Tang Sect. They also have branches in the Star Luo Empire and the Dou Ling Empire."
Gu Ming's tone carried deeper meaning.
He spoke partly to relieve pressure on the Dragon-Phoenix Palace, preventing the military from acting against them.
But he was also stating objective facts.
If one day Tang Sect betrayed the Federation, the military would be placed in an extremely passive position.
In this era, soul-guided weapons defined military strength.
If the enemy knew everything about them—what then?
What worried him most was the possibility of hidden backdoors. If Tang Sect retained control mechanisms within those weapons, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Yu Guanzhi's expression darkened further.
Indeed—Tang Sect did not belong solely to the Federation.
Seeing that his words had taken effect, Gu Ming patted Yu Guanzhi's shoulder.
"Xiao Yu, think carefully about what I've said. Relying on civilian forces for military armaments… that is ultimately a hidden danger."
Gu Ming and Yu Guanzhi's father were of the same generation and had shared a good relationship. By seniority, calling him "Xiao Yu" was appropriate.
He only used it occasionally, though—normally he addressed him as "General Yu," out of respect.
"General, I believe Elder Gu is right," said an officer who had served under Yu Guanzhi for decades.
"If Tang Sect were ever to betray the Federation, it would be devastating for us."
Yu Guanzhi pondered for a moment before issuing an order:
"When the army arrives, have them stand by and prepare for combat—but do not engage."
"I need to think this through."
He did not immediately blacklist Tang Sect's weapons, but his former eagerness had diminished. Vigilance had taken root.
Meanwhile, Wu Bo, Xing Zhuo, and the others intercepted the War God Temple members, and battle erupted.
In both numbers and individual strength, the Sun Moon Royal Academy and Research Institute side held the advantage.
Those who came were their strongest.
They did not fear these few War Gods.