"But things are never that simple."

"In my opinion, the current calm is all because each faction is not fully prepared. When the 'Jade Dragon' completes the construction of the Southern Star Region, or when the Central Star Domain fully restores the Fifth Fleet and Sixth Fleet, or perhaps when the development of the Western Star Region reaches its limit and they have to expand outward, the conflict then will only become more intense."

"The reason they're not fighting now is simply that no one is ready, whether it's the unity of people's hearts, the allocation of resources, or the pursuit of interests."

"For us songstresses, unless we reach the Sun Rank, lower-ranked songstresses are just cannon fodder in the struggles of the major factions, as you can see."

"Back then, Ores had such a high status with the entire Elf Faction behind her support, yet she was dragged onto the battlefield and almost died there." Cini sighed with a kind of empathetic sadness.

"Alright, let's not talk about it anymore." Xiang Ke'er shook her head, her green ponytail swaying along.

"You're worried, aren't you? Worried that more intense conflicts will happen in the future." She looked at the green liquor in her hand, savoring its stimulating taste.

"That's right, you're now at least at the Moon Level, with some self-defense ability, but I'm struggling, still stuck at the Star Level. Now isn't like the past, where various media platforms have been divided up by several major corporate factions, making it difficult to gain popularity through promotion."

While the major corporate factions in the Federation cannot directly control the songstresses, they can indirectly manipulate the popularity and influence of songstresses through restrictions on media platforms, leading to a disparity in resources among songstresses. Stronger songstresses can easily obtain resources, while weaker ones find it harder, entering a vicious cycle.

To break these limitations and through the barriers with their influence, many songstresses actively participate in various activities or join large hobby associations to bypass the blockade of media platforms.

Of course, a few songstresses are completely unrestricted, for example, Blanchi can be seen on almost every media platform in the Western Star Region, whether official or unofficial, she's always the primary figure. Hexia in the Southern Star Region has a similar status, though she is not keen on appearing publicly, and shares some of her promotional resources with other songstresses in the Southern Star Region.

In the Eastern Star Region, the three Moon Level songstresses have similar standing, while other songstresses are much less prominent. In the Northern Star Region, only the 'Light Purple Mo Dian' Ailu Kelu remains active, while other songstresses have either retired, secluded themselves, or shifted their focus elsewhere.

The two drank and grumbled while occasionally enjoying some barbecue delicacies, chatting until late at night before taking a hover car back.

——————

In October 1269, the veteran songstress of the Eastern Star Region, 'Shui Xingling' Fuyi, performed together with 'Feng Erguo' Shui Yanqing, bringing this songstress who had been away from the public eye for years back into focus.

In the subsequent months, 'Shui Xingling' Fuyi brought 'Feng Erguo' Shui Yanqing to every event she attended, the two songstresses appeared inseparable, showcasing an excellent relationship.

Regarding this phenomenon, many analyzed that Fuyi might have chosen Shui Yanqing to take over her connections and influence, as well as her status within the corporate factions.

As a songstress, Fuyi was very senior, over a century old in age, and although she still had a long life as a transcendent, her energy was not what it used to be, and it was challenging to attract younger fans and followers. Instead of watching her influence gradually diminish, it was better to support another songstress while she still had some popularity.

The choice of Shui Yanqing, however, left many puzzled, as she had a particularly unique status, and there were many new-generation songstresses in the Eastern Star Region, among whom 'Star Ring Rhythm' Xuelanke was also quite popular.

However, no matter how outsiders speculated, understanding the truth might only be something Fuyi herself comprehended.

"It's because I have mermaid bloodline." Fuyi said, sitting in front of Shui Yanqing, raising her index finger to produce a string of blue bubbles.

"I love the water, the ocean, and even after entering Tidal Sequence 7, I gained the ability to fully transform into a mermaid, but because I'm a songstress, with a sensitive identity, I never displayed this ability in front of the public."

"I've known about you, Shui Yanqing, honestly, I've been paying attention since your debut, but to avoid suspicion, I never intentionally contacted you." Fuyi rotated her eyes, observing the blue-haired, pink-eyed girl in front of her.

"You look just the same as ten years ago, must be due to your special lineage." Fuyi blinked.

"The 'Light Scale Species' were designed using the 'Angel Prototype' and 'Mermaid' as templates, while you inherited some of the 'Light Scale Species' bloodline." Fuyi explained.

"Among your followers and fans, there have always been a lot of the Mermaid Tribe, I'm aware of this."

"Is that so?" Shui Yanqing lowered her head slightly, her fingers twirling the hair by her ear.

"So, senior, why so suddenly? If calculated based on mermaid lifespan, you are still at an age full of energy." She hadn't finished speaking before Fuyi's raised finger stopped her.

"Don't reveal it so casually, Yanqing." Fuyi wiggled her finger, then beckoned the maid beside her to serve drinks and desserts.

Picking up a delicate pastry and putting it in her mouth, Fuyi closed her eyes to savor its sweetness.

"Don't you think working for nearly a hundred years is a tough job? As a songstress having to participate in all sorts of activities, and if you have many factions surrounding you, that's more responsibility, a lot of chores, for sure."

"As a songstress of the Federation, I have worked hard for nearly 100 years, I've been sincere enough, even the priests of the Golden Flame Grand Cathedral wouldn't dare criticize."

"Aside from the 'Moonstone' Otimene and the 'Nine-colored Nautilus' Muyawadi, there probably isn't a songstress more senior than me now, 'Ultramarine Painted' Idrylia was indeed my senior, but she passed away the year before last."

"Time is truly remarkable; it changes what was once lively into something so steady." She reminisced.

"Actually, Idrylia senior was, in her youth, a particularly vibrant and spirited girl, she often joked around with me and brought me along to have fun."

"Yanqing, you still have many things you want to do, right? But at present, I don't have much interest in 'this side' anymore." Fuyi continued to taste the cake.

"Before I can still walk, I plan to go out and explore." She raised a piece of translucent gummy to the light.

"Senior Fuyi..." Shui Yanqing looked at her in surprise.

"Oh? Surprised, are you? I thought you knew." Fuyi tilted her head slightly.

"I did mention it, I too have mermaid lineage, and as a songstress, I can't possibly have no influence within the Mermaid Clan."

"Since the 'Deep Sea Alliance' is founded by the Mermaid Clan, why would you think I'm completely unaware of it?" She shook the fork with the cake.

"Mermaids have always been a marginalized group in the Federation, though most live like ordinary residents in the Federation, it doesn't mean our ties with clans outside the domain are severed, especially with the trans-spatial communication method of the Aijieka Network."

"But due to the impact of the surveillance by the Court of Judgment, our contact isn't frequent, as we don't want to provoke the Federation's official authorities, so they turn a blind eye to our little moves."

"Now you probably understand the situation." Fuyi finished.

"I, I think I roughly understand." Shui Yanqing exhaled a breath.

"Don't worry too much, you should soon be able to take my place, I've already discussed it with those below, they'll support you fully."

"After two years, when I retire and leave, it'll all be up to you."

"As for you, whatever thoughts you have, just go ahead." She seemed to know Shui Yanqing's wishes through some channel.

"In case of failure in the end, just run away, someone will come to escort you out of the Federation."

"The Milky Way is vast, and the universe even more expansive." Fuyi thought of something.

"Do you know about the world beyond the Milky Way?"

"I'm not very familiar with it."

"Well, that's a world without Extraordinary Power, it's wider and more unknown, perhaps from a higher dimensional perspective, what's called Extraordinary Power here is also just something simple and common."

"The world doesn't end here, don't be shackled by the past, bravely move forward."

"We are constantly exploring, constantly advancing, constantly spreading branches and leaves—the 'Deep Sea Alliance'."