Shi Lang was standing inside the ring. Tex was standing in front of him with shock written on his face. He could understand what Shi Lang was talking about.

While he was thinking about what Shi Lang preached, he could sense that the threshold of his breakthrough was loosening a little. The thought process had been initiated and he said, “I acknowledge you as my friend from now on. In the entire citadel, if you have any trouble or someone bothers you, call for me, I will not let you down.”

Shi Lang smiled and said, “I accept your friendship, Master Tex. I hope that you can cash in on this opportunity.”

Tex laughed and said, “Will borrow your auspicious words, Brother Lang.”

Shi Lang smiled and then he asked, “Anyone else who would like to spar with me?”

Announcer Xiao Ling stepped in before anyone from the crowd could reply and said, “Master Shi Lang, please spare us some business. The people here are all waiting for the matches they have bet on.”

Shi Lang chuckled and said, “Fine, thank you for accommodating me.”

That said Tex led Shi Lang to the gathering area, where Crystal met them and Tex said, “Well, Brother Lang, I will leave you with Princess Crystal, and go back to meditate. My heart is too excited.”

Shi Lang smiled and said, “Please carry on.”

Tex left in a hurry and Crystal said, “Boss, why did you hold back?”

Shi Lang shook his head and said, “I did not hold back, it’s just that I forgot to check whether the limiter was upgraded or not.”

Crystal doubted that he would forget something like this, but she was sure that he did not reveal his complete strength. Shi Lang was a black bellied person, who would take revenge for every petty reason, so if he did not mention anything that meant, he was sure of his win.

Crystal was not a fool to take Shi Lang’s word for it. She understood the limitations of the cultivation realm he had on his body, if he could still win in such a condition, then it was evident how strong he was.

Crystal sighed and said, “Boss, where to now?”

Shi Lang thought about it and said, “Let me go back to The Federation. You can then come over with the representatives of the spirit beast clans. That way you can help me mediate the negotiations for the alliance. The old people back in the federation have become very uneasy.”

Crystal thought about it and then with a nod she agreed to this suggestion and then led Shi Lang to the array point where the young man had appeared first.

Shi Lang looked around and a look of nostalgia appeared in his eyes. Crystal could not comprehend what was going on with this young man.

She wanted to ask something when the look vanished and Shi Lang said, “Let’s go. I have a lot of work to do.”

Crystal nodded and then looking at a few guards, she said, “Initiate the formation. Set the coordinates to the federation”

The guards all looked at the young Terran and then at the princess before they replied, “Yes, your highness.”

Crystal nodded and said goodbye to Shi Lang before she went out to stand out of the array circle.

Shi Lang waved to her and the next moment he sensed a gentle suction and found that a wormhole had opened up in front of him.

The young Terran cast one more glance on the scenery and then walked inside the wormhole. What he could not say to anyone was that the Citadel was designed in a spitting image of a city he spent most of his life in.

The city of myriad dreams. Shi Lang was fourteen when he embarked on the path of cultivation and this city was his home. The person who sent the beasts to this planet all that time ago, was a genius in that city.

Shi Lang idealized to catch up to that man, but he never could. A few decades later, when Shi Lang managed to run away from a batch of strong pursuers, he met the person he idolized.

The person was badly injured and might have died, if not for Shi Lang to give up his treasured elixir and revive him. The man was moved and when he asked why did Shi Lang help him?

Shi Lang replied, “If you die, then who will I chase after, and who will I surpass you.”

The man was surprised but before he could ask anything, Shi Lang left the place, never to meet him again.

While Shi Lang was feeling nostalgic, something similar was going on in the council chambers of the Citadel.

In front of the twelve members stood a man, who was keeping an eye on Shi Lang during this entire time. This man had white hair and a long beard. Even the twelve high chair members were standing in front of him with a revered expression on their faces.

The old man said, “This person has to be respected. You are not to let down the alliance and if the humans make any mistake, guide them towards the correct path. Do you understand?”

This seemingly simple sound made the twelve people shocked, and they wanted to ask why must Shi Lang he respected and what was his status when the old man said, “This is something that you should not know.”

The twelve people exchanged glances and the old man vanished.

…

Inside the depths of a bamboo forest located on some remote corner of the Citadel was a row of shacks. The old man who was addressing the council just a few moments ago, appeared next to the shack and was about to enter when a hoarse voice sounded.

“Ninth, is it settled?”

The old man replied, “Yes, elder brother, it has been settled.”

“What do you think of that human?”, Asked the voice from one of the shacks.

Ninth replied, “He is the one mentioned in the records left by the master. I could sense the energy of his soul matching the soul imprint on that card.”

The voice let out a humm and said, “Let nature take its turn. Make sure those young ones do not implicate him with any trouble. Also, when the time is right, discuss the methods of the blood shadows. They have become quite the menace of the Citadel.”

The old man named ninth nodded and cast a gaze at the distant sky as he said, “I hope that we still have some more time at hand.”

Then he entered the shack. Shi Lang was unaware of everything that was going on here.

…

Shi Lang appeared back in the valley on the war planet. His appearance set off a wave of sighs in the ace division who were guarding the parameter.

The young man smiled and said, “Alright it is me. Calm down.”

The people took back their weapons and Shi Lang walked over to Shi Tao, who was standing behind Jill with a smile on her face.

The little girl hugged him and Shi Lang said, “Call the cabinet, and the general council. We need to hold a meeting here on the war planet as soon as possible and this valley must have some pavilions and gazebos built to enhance the scenery. The pacts are to be signed.”

The people nodded and they got to work and just when everyone was moving away, Shi Lang said, Sparrow, issue a notice, all the strongest students in the Federation are to be present here.

Have them come and experience what strength is. Give them a chance to open their world horizons. Also, call the teachers from the Federal Star Academy, Amelia is to be present at the main meeting panel. Her strength is going to be key here.

All the ace division members are to stand behind the meeting panel. Convey these words to the authorities. I do not care what they think of ranks, but I will not let the spirit beasts overwhelm us.”

…

With that said, the people rushed off to work. After the messages were sent, the ace division began to rush to break through the last blockade of the primal soul barrier.

The date to sign the pacts was decided to be a week from the day. The rest of the division members were burning through and one after the other thunder tribulations shocked the people.

The entire war planet was buzzing with activity and their morale was raised high. As the people were buzzing with activity, the day of signing was upon them.

…

Shi Lang stood on the highest tallest peak around the valley, gazing at the array on the ground. Amelia stood beside him and asked, “Is this your goal?”

The young man shook his head and said, “This, my love, is the starting line.”