Chapter 14: The Third Meeting with the Chaotic Realm
Tianhe Federation, home to a massive life mother and over a dozen resource planets, is a colossal force that marries mystery with technology.
However, due to developmental direction issues, the Cultivators within the Federation have actually not been very strong, having been in decline for a long time.
It was only in the last hundred years that the exploration of the galaxy required even stronger individuals that cultivation regained its standing.
After resuming cultivation, many of the Federation's top officials realized how beneficial cultivation was.
However, development had been brief, for the strongest practitioners were merely at the Sixth Realm.
Overall, that was not particularly strong.
However, the Federation's energy technology was incredibly advanced, owning fearsome weapons.
According to scholars' estimates, the strongest weapon could perhaps compete with the Eighth Realm, a Galaxy-class power that might or might not exist.
The key issue was that although this technology could not be mass-produced, it was still far simpler than raising a practitioner to the Eighth Realm.
Therefore, Tianhe Federation in itself was also an extremely powerful entity within the region.
The Federation's upper echelons were also aware of the Prophet's revelation.
Using the Divine Artifact left by the ancient Cultivators of the Federation, the Prophet had foreseen the demonic world that devours others, the Chaotic Realm.
Thus, the choice had suddenly become singular.
However, since it required submission, the Councilman did not possess the power to decide unilaterally, hence a council meeting was convened in advance.
All council members were present; no one could refuse.
The Councilman wasted no breath and dove directly into the heart of the matter.
"It's likely clear to all council members that the Prophet made a revelation, and we now know that should the Chaotic Realm come, it will destroy our entire Tianhe Federation and six billion citizens would have no means to survive, we need to make a choice."
"A few years ago, that meeting concluded with no results, but this time, we must decide and rally all our strength."
His words were grave, and while council members might think differently internally, no one opposed openly.
Glancing around, the Councilman reiterated the choices from before:
"One, develop on our own, elevate our capabilities within the limited time, be it technology or the power of Cultivators, as long as we reach a level where we can confront the Source Star and the Chaotic Realm, we won't be subjugated.
Two, seek refuge with the Source Star, become a subordinate, and obtain protection, though surely, this would come at a cost."
Originally, the second option included both the Source Star and the Chaotic Realm, but now, only one choice remained.
"This is a decision that will shape the fate of our Tianhe Federation, you may speak freely."
Suddenly a young council member spoke up: "Councilman, are we truly no match for those two worlds?"
That was the crux of the meeting; otherwise, there wouldn't even have been a need to convene.
"The prophecy made by the Prophet is clear, and you should be well aware, the line of Prophets has never been wrong. It's less of a prophecy and more about receiving information."
This had been settled even before the meeting.
It was just that the young council member was uninformed.
But with the question asked, the Councilman naturally needed to emphasize it again.
Seeing no objection from other council members, the young council member remained silent.
Soon, council members began making inquiries or discussing among themselves.
As time ticked by, the discussions among the council members continued fervently, and the Councilman did not intercept, as this meeting was pivotal for their fate.
However, mid-discussion, the Prophet, recovering from unconsciousness, arrived at the council.
The Councilman was surprised.
Wielding the Divine Artifact, the Prophet had explored the Source Star and the Chaotic Realm and suffered severe injuries. Doctors thought days would be required for complete recovery, yet the Prophet was alert in just one day. Could this be the expected fortitude of a Prophet?
However, with the Prophet present as the bearer of information, entry to the council was justified.
Thus, the council members halted their discussions and watched as the Prophet entered.
"Prophet, may I ask why you are here? Has there been a change in the information previously provided?" the Councilman asked instinctively.
The other council members perked up their ears, hoping for good news.
If an error in assessing the strengths of the Source Star and the Chaotic Realm were found, the matter would resolve easily.
But obviously, things wouldn't turn out as easily as hoped.
"No, there's nothing wrong with the information I provided before. I am here to convey new information, which may aid your decision-making."
With a heightened sense of gravity, the Councilman said, "Prophet, please speak!"
"It's quite simple. I've acquired some information concerning Lifeless True Saint. Therefore, I suggest you choose the Source Star."
Lifeless True Saint was not unfamiliar to the council members present.
A significant portion of the materials before them involved Lifeless True Saint and Daojun—the strongest beings from the Source Star and the Chaotic Realm, respectively.
The Prophet actually had the information on Lifeless True Saint?
The Councilman tried to control his emotions and asked, "Prophet, could you tell us the reason, as you know, such matters cannot be decided hastily."
"There's no problem. I fell into unconsciousness after the prophecy, partly because I had received the information about Lifeless True Saint; the True Saint was described in my received information as:
Supreme benevolence and savior of the distressed. All sentient beings' sufferings will receive the True Saint's salvation. You embody fairness, represent change, treating all sentient like equals… You fell from the Divine Country for the sake of all beings..."
The Prophet recited a long passage, much of it praising Lifeless True Saint.
The council members exchanged glances as they listened.
Eventually, a council member could not help but speak up, a perplexed expression on his face:
"Prophet... Don't you think this sounds very much like what a religious faction would say when trying to deceive people?"
The council member voiced a sentiment many others shared.