210: This rule needs to be changed!

Star Dome Council Hall.

This hall, built for the Blue Star Alliance's highest authority in Molten Heart, was itself a miraculous creation.

It floated above the city, its height second only to the artificial "Red Moon Furnace."

Its entire structure was made of a nearly transparent, crystalline alloy.

From below, one could only see a vague outline refracting the sky's light, like a mirage.

Only through a specific teleportation matrix could one reach its interior.

The dome of the Council Hall was a living star map, treated with special technology.

Billions of stars slowly revolved upon it, deep and vast.

Standing within it, one felt as if at the center of the universe, overlooking the river of time.

Inside the Council Hall, the layout was not that of a traditional conference table.

Instead, there were rings of elevated circular seating, like an ancient Roman coliseum, with a spacious platform in the center.

Each seat was crafted from an unknown silver metal, with an emblem engraved on its back representing its identity and affiliation.

At this moment, the hall was bustling with noise.

Generals and representatives from various war zones, main legions, and logistics headquarters of the Alliance were gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices.

Their uniforms varied in style, and the medals on their chests shone brightly.

Each person represented a powerful force, exuding an air of long-held authority with every gesture.

When Su Jin and General Xiang Tian's group entered the Council Hall, the noisy clamor within the hall paused for a moment.

Countless gazes, like searchlights, converged upon them.

Among them were scrutiny, curiosity, inquiry, and some undisguised jealousy and hostility.

"Is that Lord Su Jin, the Commander of Infinite City?"

"He looks... too young. Intelligence says he's only risen to prominence in a few years."

A soft snort came from a corner.

"There are no heroes, so a mere boy has made a name for himself. Those people in the Southern Border War Zone are also incompetent, having to rely on a private lord to save face."

"You can't say that. That was a 'First Merit' personally signed by General Qin Wu, so it carries different weight."

"It's said that the entire Dark Star Empire army group in the Southern Border War Zone fell under his 'Lighthouse' plan..."

Whispers rose from various corners, and although deliberately suppressed, they could not escape the ears of the many powerhouses present.

General Xiang Tian's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.

The furious aura of a Sixteenth Order legendary powerhouse emanated from him, undisguised.

Several officers who had been discussing most vigorously turned pale and reluctantly shut their mouths.

A major in the Central Command's standard dress uniform quickly approached, a professional smile on his face.

"General Xiang Tian, Lord Su Jin, your seats have been arranged. Please follow me."

General Xiang Tian snorted coldly and strode after him.

The elite guards of the Crimson Dragon Legion and ten Ling Shu Sword Guards remained in the outer security area.

Bai Xiao followed behind Su Jin like a true shadow.

Silent, yet he exuded an aura that made anyone attempting to approach him instinctively keep their distance.

The major led them, but bypassed the first, innermost circle of seats, heading directly for the second circle.

General Xiang Tian's steps suddenly halted.

"Stop."

His booming voice echoed through the Council Hall, silencing all other noises.

The major's body stiffened, and he turned around, his smile somewhat forced.

"General Xiang, is there a problem?"

General Xiang Tian extended his large hand and pointed to the empty, prominent seats in the first circle.

Then he pointed to the area where the major was preparing to lead them, where the seats were clearly much more out of the way.

"Are you blind or heartless, you bastard?"

General Xiang Tian's voice showed no restraint, making the air hum.

"The 'First Merit' sits in the second row? Is that how your Central Command arranges seating?"

"Or are you saying that in your eyes, the great victory we in the Southern Border War Zone fought for with our lives is only worthy of sitting here and listening to the noise?"

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding throughout the entire Council Hall.

Everyone's gaze focused on them, and many people showed expressions of anticipating a good show.

Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on the major's forehead.

He was merely following orders; how could he dare to offend General Xiang Tian, this formidable figure?

"General Xiang, this... this is according to procedure."

"The seats in the first circle are reserved for the overall Commanders of the various war zones, the Alliance Marshals, and several veteran Generals..."

"Bullshit!"

General Xiang Tian cursed, "Before I came, Marshal Lin Yuan personally said that Brother Su's merits warranted a seat in the first row!"

"How did it become some damn procedure when it got to you?"

"The bloody struggle of millions of our soldiers in the Southern Border War Zone, is it only met with a cold 'procedure'?"

Just then, a leisurely voice came from behind.

"General Xiang, why bother a messenger?"

"Red Moon Land has its own rules. This is the Alliance capital, not your Southern Border War Zone."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.

They saw a young general, dressed in the white general's uniform of the Starlight Legion, with a handsome but somewhat arrogant face.

He was unhurriedly wiping a medal in his hand.

Around him were several officers also from the Central Starlight Legion, all with playful expressions.

General Xiang Tian's eyes widened, and his anger almost burst forth.

"Wei Yun, it's you again, pretty boy."

"When the Windbreak Corridor was in trouble, your Central Starlight Legion made more noise than anyone. How come now that we've won a battle, you jump out to talk about rules again?"

Wei Yun, the only son of General Wei Feng, the Deputy Commander of the Central Starlight Legion, was already a Major General at a young age and a Sixteenth Order powerhouse.

In Molten Heart, the Central Army was known for its tough tactics and deep connections.

Wei Yun smiled indifferently, stood up, and his gaze passed over General Xiang Tian, landing on Su Jin.

"I'm not targeting the Southern Border War Zone, I'm just stating facts."

"Lord Su, although his merits are outstanding, is ultimately a private lord and not from the Alliance military's official ranks."

"To have him sit as an equal with the Commanders of the Alliance's various war zones is neither reasonable nor permissible by law."

"This is the rule."

He spoke with such grandiosity that many people secretly nodded.

Within the Blue Star Alliance, factions were numerous.

The military, financial magnates, aristocratic families, professional organizations, and lords—various forces were intricately intertwined.

Although the private lord class was an important component of the Alliance, in the eyes of the traditional military forces, they were ultimately "unofficial personnel" and not fit for high-level positions.

Wei Yun's action, while seemingly upholding the rules, was actually an opportunity to suppress Su Jin's momentum and also to admonish the entire Southern Border War Zone.

General Xiang Tian trembled with rage, and the Sixteenth Order pressure made the surrounding air viscous.

Just as he was about to step forward to argue, a hand gently pressed on his arm.

It was Su Jin.

From beginning to end, Su Jin's face showed no ripple, as if the farce before him had nothing to do with him.

He released General Xiang Tian's arm, took a few steps forward, and calmly met Wei Yun's gaze.

The entire Council Hall fell silent.

Everyone wanted to see how this young man, who had stirred up the situation in the Southern Border War Zone, would respond to this display of power.

Su Jin did not speak.

He simply took a step.

Step by step, he walked directly to the most central area of the first circle.

There, several empty seats faced the central platform, offering the best view.

One of these seats was next to the reserved seat for Marshal Lin Yuan, the overall Commander of the Southern Border War Zone.

Wei Yun's brow furrowed, and his voice grew cold: "Lord Su, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to disregard the Alliance's rules?"

Su Jin's steps did not stop.

He walked to that seat, but did not sit down.

He merely reached out and gently brushed the cold metal back of the chair.

Then, he turned around.

His gaze swept over Wei Yun, and over all the faces in the room—some playful, some gloating, some indifferent.

His voice was very soft, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"General Wei, you were wrong just now."

"Rules and regulations are never set in stone."

"When a victory capable of turning the tide of an entire realm's war cannot earn a reasonable and appropriate position..."

"That can only mean one thing..."

Su Jin paused, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

That curve held a youthful sharpness and a chilling dominance.

"—These rules, they need to change."

The moment his words fell.

Behind him, Bai Xiao's always lowered eyelids lifted slightly.

Buzz!

An invisible, intangible, yet soul-freezing aura of annihilation sword intent silently permeated the air, like mercury flowing across the ground.

Wei Yun's arrogant smile instantly froze.

He felt no energy impact, yet his soul was screaming!

The world in his eyes was rapidly losing its color, leaving only black and white.

The magnificent Star Dome ceiling seemed to transform into a silent tombstone.

He felt his thoughts freezing, his breath choked by an invisible hand.

It was a great fear, stemming from the primal instinct of life, when facing "the end" itself.

Several Starlight Legion officers beside him turned even paler, stumbling back half a step, almost collapsing to the ground.

The entire Council Hall was utterly silent.

Everyone felt that tremor originating from the depths of their souls.

It was not merely simple rank suppression, but a higher-level, law-touching, terrifying power.

Was this the confidence of the "First Merit"?

Was this... the power of Infinite City?