60: Star Alliance secrets, on the eve of the decision

After the Luminous Moon Emissary departed, the Cloud Court Hall fell into a brief silence. Nie Li stood to the side, digesting the astonishing information he had just heard, his expression constantly changing. Star Domain, Alliance, Abyss, world heart... these terms constructed a grand and perilous picture that far exceeded his previous imagination.

"Court Master, this matter..." Nie Li looked at Yun Feng, hesitating to speak. He deeply understood the weight of this decision.

Yun Feng toyed with the star brilliance token, which was cool to the touch and contained starlight within, not answering immediately. He extended a wisp of Divine Sense, carefully probing into the star brilliance token.

In an instant, a vast yet non-aggressive stream of information surged into his mind. It wasn't specific Cultivation Techniques or secrets, but rather an introductory overview of the basic framework and historical origins of the Starfield Watch Alliance.

The Alliance was indeed an extremely loose Alliance, composed of countless worlds like Cangwu World (Demon Spirit Continent) that possessed independent civilizations and a world heart. Its core principle was only one: on the premise of ensuring the survival of their own world, they would not invade each other, and when encountering an “external great enemy” (primarily referring to the Abyss, but also mentioning other unknown threats) that they could not resist independently, they could, on a voluntary basis, provide limited intelligence and support to each other.

The Alliance had no mandatory conscription orders; it was more like an information-sharing and risk-warning platform. The relationship between members was closer to “neighbors” than “comrades-in-arms.”

The information also mentioned Xu, confirming that he was the previous recorded Watcher of Cangwu World, with his status marked as [Deceased, lost contact at the end of the “Heavenly Meteorite War”]. The Heavenly Meteorite War was a large-scale invasion launched by the Abyss against Cangwu World tens of thousands of years ago. Although it was ultimately repelled, this world paid a heavy price, with many powerhouses perishing, including Xu.

Yun Feng withdrew his Divine Sense, a thoughtful look in his eyes. The Alliance's model was better than he had expected; it had fewer restraints and was more like an Advanced “intelligence exchange station” and “help platform.”

"What do you think should be done?" Yun Feng threw the question to Nie Li, intending to test his judgment.

Nie Li pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts, and slowly said, "In my humble opinion, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Firstly, we can learn about the Star Domain situation and enemy intelligence, avoiding isolation and knowing ourselves and our enemies. Secondly, in times of crisis, there might be a glimmer of hope for external aid. Thirdly, we might be able to find clues about the whereabouts of the world heart from it. The drawbacks... lie in potentially exposing our existence too early, being targeted by more powerful enemies, and... perhaps needing to fulfill that 'limited' support obligation in the future."

The analysis was clear and hit the nail on the head. Yun Feng nodded slightly; Nie Li was now capable of handling matters independently, and his horizons had broadened considerably.

"What you said is correct." Yun Feng stood up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the hall and looking towards the endless Void Realm. "Isolation is not a long-term solution. The calamity of the Abyss is not a matter for my world alone. We shall join this Alliance."

He made his decision. Risks certainly existed, but compared to facing unknown horrors alone in ignorance, possessing more information and potential allies was clearly a wiser choice.

"However, before formally responding, some preparations are still needed." Yun Feng changed the subject. "Nie Li, I intend to go into seclusion for a period to try and refine this token, and to communicate further with the Luminous Moon Emissary to glean more details. All internal and external affairs of the Cloud Court will still be handled by you entirely."

"Yes! Court Master, rest assured!" Nie Li solemnly accepted the order.

Yun Feng no longer delayed. His figure flashed, and he returned to the core secret chamber. He set up layers of Restrictions, then held the star brilliance token, his mind sinking into it.

He did not directly refine it, but first enveloped the token with his Legendary Soul Power and a trace of imperceptible chaos source blood aura, carefully sensing its internal structure and energy circuits to ensure there were no hidden tricks. With the System's assistance, after confirming everything was in order, he then slowly began to refine this miraculous item for inter-Star Domain communication with his Soul imprint.

At the same time, he sent a wisp of Divine Thought through the pre-reserved channel within the token, sending a request for communication to the Luminous Moon Emissary who remained outside the heavens.

Almost instantly, the Luminous Moon Emissary's gentle reply came back: "Has Court Master Yun made a decision?"

"There are still a few matters I wish to inquire about," Yun Feng's Divine Thought transmitted. "What are the specific rights and responsibilities of joining the Alliance? What is the limit of the so-called 'limited support'? And how do members within the Alliance communicate, and will it expose the coordinates of this world?"

These questions went straight to the core, concerning the safety of the Cloud Court and even the entire Demon Spirit Continent.

The Luminous Moon Emissary seemed well-prepared for these questions and patiently answered: "Court Master Yun's caution is only proper. The rights and responsibilities of Alliance members are all recorded in the 'Star Alliance Covenant.' Once you officially join, you can consult it with your star brilliance token. 'Limited support' usually refers to intelligence sharing, technical borrowing, or, with their consent, inviting an Incarnation of an ally to descend and assist in battle. It will never forcibly demand member realms to send troops into other realms for combat; this is a major taboo."

"Communication is primarily conducted through the star brilliance token. Information is encrypted and routed through the Alliance's central 'Myriad Worlds Astrolabe,' making it theoretically extremely difficult to trace. Furthermore, the coordinates of member realms are top-secret. Unless you actively disclose them, the Alliance will not record exact locations, only referring to them by code names, such as 'Cangwu.'"

The answers were quite frank, dispelling many of Yun Feng's doubts.

"In addition," the Luminous Moon Emissary added, "as a new member, you have the right to freely access the Alliance's basic intelligence database, which contains some public information about the Abyss and other identified external forces. Perhaps it will be of some help to you."

Basic intelligence database! Yun Feng's heart stirred; this was exactly what he needed most at the moment!

"Good, this venerable one agrees to join the Starfield Watch Alliance." Yun Feng no longer hesitated, making his final decision.

"A wise choice, Court Master Yun." The Luminous Moon Emissary's tone carried a hint of relief. "Welcome to the ranks of the Watchers. I will open your access to the 'Star Alliance Covenant' and the basic intelligence database shortly. May the starlight guide you, and may the Watchers endure."

The communication ended. Yun Feng could feel that the connection between him and the star brilliance token in his hand had become much closer, and an entrance to a vast ocean of information seemed to have opened within it.

He did not rush to peruse the intelligence database, but first calmed his mind and completely refined the star brilliance token. When the last Soul imprint merged into the token's core, he felt as if he had touched an invisible and vast network. At the other end of the network were countless points of light, emitting auras that were either strong or weak, but all carried the meaning of "order" and "guardianship."

Those were the Alliance members scattered throughout the boundless Star Domain.

An unprecedentedly broad vision unfolded before him. He knew that from this moment on, the Cloud Court and even the entire Demon Spirit Continent would enter a completely new stage. The path ahead would undoubtedly be more magnificent and fraught with greater peril.