CHAPTER 1527: CHAPTER 35: FRAGMENTED STAR REGIONS

Eastern Star Region, Feikelo Star Domain, ’Fei Huan’ γ Inhabited Planet.

A large hall built with blue and white colors, with elegant wave elements in the style, and some decorations aptly adorned with pearl elements, keeps it from being monotonous, evoking a sense of calm.

Passing through the grand hall, there is a pool exclusively for the Songstress on the inside. Shui Yanqing is currently soaking in the water, her long hair like seaweed spread out, as she looks at the mural outlined in light colors, lost in thought, occasionally closing her eyes for a short rest.

Beside the pool are three large stained glass windows in a row, their surfaces delicately textured like waves, diffusing the light so that the scenery inside and outside is unclear, yet allowing light to illuminate the clear bluish water of the pool.

Inside, it is exceptionally quiet, with only the occasional sound of gentle water being heard.

The envoy mission dispatched by the Central Star Domain has put a lot of pressure on the various factions in the Eastern Star Region, not only because they feel their Star Domain cannot resist, but also because they suspect some forces within the Eastern Star Region have betrayed them and already aligned with the Central Star Domain. Despite a series of meetings, internal rifts have grown larger, and even good ideas and suggestions are not voiced openly in meetings, but rather shared in secret with Luo Fenghua, Otibelo, and Shui Yanqing.

Compared to others, the possibility of these three Songstresses surrendering is the smallest. They are also not threatened by the large groups in the Central Star Domain, so they are considered trustworthy.

The more such news Shui Yanqing received, the more pessimistic she felt, because although most people still outwardly spoke of resistance, many were already disheartened, starting to consider how to find a position in the new order.

Compared to the Central Star Domain, the Eastern Star Region is significantly weaker, with just the Fifth Fleet already suffocating everyone, not to mention the Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Fleets that have not yet been deployed.

Looking back now, more than a decade ago, it seemed like a legendary tale that Blanchi could lead the Western Star Region’s United Fleet to defeat the Central Star Domain.

"Probably at that time, people didn’t know the immense influence a Sunshine-level Songstress could bring."

Before Blanchi ascended the Crown, the Federation hadn’t seen the power of a Solar Crown for centuries. The absence of a Sunshine-level Songstress made people overlook and forget this power. Thus, suddenly, not only was the legitimacy of the Central Star Domain threatened, but their suppressive measures were also passive and hasty, allowing the Western Star Region to succeed against all odds.

But now the situation is different. After Blanchi’s death, currently, within the Federation, the only two Songstresses capable of ascending a Crown are Prin and Hexia. However, Hexia ascended to the Moon Crown, and the Crown was limited to the residents of a single planet, which many see as less prestigious than Prin’s.

So, officially, Prin Coco is currently the most powerful Songstress in the Federation. With this trump card, the Central Star Domain also possesses an incredibly strong six main fleets, standing at a peak of confidence. With Blanchi’s passing, the Western Star Region became weak. They no longer have worries and concerns, naturally wanting to reclaim their past position.

Under this grandeur, even those knowledgeable in the Eastern Star Region who want to resist must consider the fear and concerns of the majority.

The opportunity for independence and autonomy is undoubtedly good, but is it worthwhile to fight for it at the cost of possible reckoning and collapse? After all, everyone is familiar with the previous governance and leadership of the Federation.

Without the same desperate environment as the Western Star Region, neither the citizens nor the upper echelons of the Eastern Star Region have a strong will to resist.

"Keeping the faith is truly difficult." In the water, Shui Yanqing stands, cupping a handful of clear water and watching it flow through her fingers, bringing a bit of coolness with the water droplets.

Afterward, she steps out of the pool foot by foot via the ladder, stepping onto the white carved stone slabs, shaking off the water droplets on her body, and then opens the door to walk towards a nearby dressing room.

In the afternoon, in the courtyard outside.

"Lady Shui Yanqing, Miss Hexia has arrived." Sitting under the grapevine arbor, Shui Yanqing hears the voice and lifts her head to nod slightly.

"I’ll go meet her."

A few minutes later, the two walk side by side into the courtyard, standing under the grapevine arbor, still enthusiastically catching up and discussing recent years’ matters, showing no sign of wanting to sit down and talk.

"Ah, sorry, I almost forgot. Let’s go sit over there for a bit." After a while, Shui Yanqing realizes, taking Tilan by the hand towards the nearby table and chairs.

Since graduating, she has seldom interacted with other Songstresses, mostly acting alone or residing in the research institute. It’s rare for her to meet Tilan this time, and the suppressed emotions and desire to express them inevitably surfaces.

"No problem," Tilan smiles with twinkling eyes. She understands that Shui Yanqing was genuinely happy to see her just now, so she doesn’t mind them standing and talking all this while; this is the scenario that should exist between good friends.

After sitting down, Shui Yanqing calms her previously overly excited emotions slightly, and then pours some cold-brewed floral tea for Tilan and herself.

"I got a bit out of hand earlier." Her reason for inviting her over this time was for proper business.

"Actually, the reason I invited you over, Tilan, was to..." She is thinking of how to explain the current situation of the Eastern Star Region well.

"I understand. Is it because of the envoy mission?" Even in the Southern Star Region, Tilan has heard about the envoy mission visiting the Eastern Star Region this time.