37 Federation Framework (1/2)

Days later, Wang Baole had memorized about seventy to eighty thousand inscriptions. The reason he was so fast had to do with the Crystal Memory Pills and the memory enhancement pills Liu Daobin had given him.

Although the effects of those pills were good, there were just not enough. It left Wang Baole depressed. Even as Head Prefect, there were not enough of these pills to go around even if he had Spirit Stones. Simultaneously, the students from the Inscriptions Hall had a high demand for them. Therefore, purchasing more was taking quite some time.

Even if he used his authority as Head Prefect, he was unable to match the speed at which he expended the pills. Most importantly, Wang Baole understood that it was not a long-term solution since the Qi Fostering Art had explained that pills were only effective in the early stages. Things related to memory would quickly result in a drug resistance, and ultimately, one had to rely on one's own hard work.

It was only worth it if he could obtain pills that were even more effective, ones that could aid him in memorizing more than a hundred thousand Inscriptions, even if they did have a limit. As such, he contacted Xie Haiyang, but even Xie Haiyang required time to obtain higher-quality pills. However, he did tell Wang Baole that Ethereal City had an underground black market that he might be able to obtain some from.

He also told Wang Baole the method to enter the underground black market. However, he finally warned Wang Baole that although Spirit Stones were a common currency in the black market, there were certain priceless treasures that one could only obtain through an exchange of goods.

Also, he needed to hide his identity as that place was filled with all sorts of characters. If he was not careful, he might attract trouble.

Just as Wang Baole was vexing over the problem of memorization, Liu Daobin came once again.

The moment they met, he immediately came forward and spoke politely.

”Head Prefect, Sun Qifang's case has been investigated thoroughly. There are indeed some problems with the case.”

”What problems are there?” Wang Baole put down the inscription dictionary in his hand and pressed his burgeoning forehead. Just as he was about to take a bottle of Ice Spirit Water, he realized that Liu Daobin had already taken the initiative to hand him a bottle from his bag. Such a caring act left Wang Baole very pleased.

”This Sun Qifang is quite a pitiful person. It was only a trivial case of theft, and before he succeeded, he was caught. As a result, Jiang Lin used this as a way to exhort half his Sun family's fortune. Jiang Lin threatened to send Sun Qifang to the Dao College's courts for internal judgment if his request was not met. Head Prefect, now that their family has heard that you have reformed the department, they took the initiative to seek me. They asked if we could be merciful on this matter. Head Prefect, what do you think about it?” asked Liu Daobin with a whisper.

Wang Baole got a clearer picture of the situation after being briefed. He had a general guess about the case, and now that Liu Daobin had investigated and confirmed his conjecture, he came to a decision. Sun Qifang was indeed at fault, but Jiang Lin had gone too overboard. He sighed deeply and raised his head to speak to Liu Daobin.

”Sun Qifang is indeed at fault in this case. However, the punishment does not need to be so severe. Take disciplinary action on him and put him on probation in the college. He can be let off once he shows signs of rehabilitation.”

”Head Prefect, you are strict and impartial! I'm impressed!” Liu Daobin marveled as he cupped his fists.

Liu Daobin's words delighted Wang Baole greatly. He slowly drank the Ice Spirit Water on the table.

Noticing that Wang Baole was in a good mood, Liu Daobin took a few steps forward and whispered into Wang Baole's ear, ”In order to express their gratitude, his family is willing to donate half a kilogram of 90% pure Mystic Silver Sand to our College Discipline Department.”

”Mystic Silver Sand?” Wang Baole blinked. He knew about it. It was a kind of material that was often required in the refinement of high-quality Dharmic artifacts. He took another look at Liu Daobin and knew that Liu Daobin had received a form of bribery. However, Wang Baole had his own judgment of this case and knew that, even if Liu Daobin was biased, he would not dare twist facts.

In addition, the Sun family was skilled at navigating about interpersonal relations. They had not given it in private to him, but instead gifted the College Discipline Department. Furthermore, he had already decided on handling the case impartially, so it was not a form of bribery or extortion. Therefore, he picked up the Ice Spirit Water and considered his words before replying.

”Daobin, do you know the one thing I regret most in my life? It's becoming Head Prefect!

”I didn't want to become Head Prefect at all. That way, I would not encounter so many troubles. That way, I would have lots of time to study. Whatever, I'll leave the matter of the gifts to our College Discipline Department to you. However, make sure not to do it without thought. Everything has to be done justly!” Wang Baole said with a sigh, as he swept Liu Daobin with his gaze. These words were things he had learned from the high officials' autobiographies.

Liu Daobin hurriedly gave the affirmative to expression his loyalty, as well as indicate that he remembered Wang Baole's teachings.

Wang Baole smiled before have a short chat with him. Finally, he yawned, to which Liu Daobin immediately understood. He respectfully took his leave.

Once Liu Daobin was gone, Wang Baole sat there and finished the Ice Spirit Water in his hand in one gulp. His mind was still ruminating over Sun Qifang's case. Although the case was settled, Wang Baole realized that the four great Dao Colleges held a very high status in the Federation from this matter! The power a Head Prefect had over the students was enough to make a family clan enter a fix. Although it was not a big and powerful family clan, the general implications were enough to prove the extraordinary status the Dao College had!

In fact, Wang Baole had heard of some of these matters in the past and knew that although the four great Dao Colleges appeared separate, they were a complete system akin to the Federation. They were bound together for good or ill. It appeared like a massive entity and enjoyed an extremely high status in the Federation. Be it the former or present Federation President, they had come from the four great Dao Colleges. There were even innumerable official positions that were helmed by graduates of the four great Dao Colleges.

It could even be said that more than half of the Federation's positions were part of the four great Dao Colleges' system. However, there was another party that maintained a balance within the Federation; they were the seventeen-member Senate!

The seventeen City Lords of the seventeen main cities formed the seventeen-member Senate. They could decide on the main governmental policies of the Federation and could restrict the Federation President. Of course, this also was intrinsically tied to one's cultivation and the number of experts.

Although both parties seemed to balance each other, appearing united outwardly but divided at heart, there were other factions from all over the world that resembled nobles that forced them to be united.

The noble-like factions had formed an independent system among themselves due to the history of the beast wars as well as their retrieval of the cosmic ancient sword's fragments.

Wang Baole paid attention to the news and knew that they were the Trilunaris Corporation, Galactic Dusk Sect, Plume Manifestation Connate Sect, and the Five Generation Sky Clan!

These four factions seemed submissive to the Federation on the surface, acknowledging that they were part of the Federation, but in fact, they were highly autonomous and were part of a separatist regime!