Chapter 148: Chapter 148

Federal Calendar 7708, October 18th, noon.

Combining the intelligence he had on the Star Traveler Society and the direction indicated by Ayla Morningstar, Loren landed outside a Gray Zone, following the map marked on his portable computer.

According to intelligence provided by the Interstellar Hunter Association, there was a branch here in this Gray Zone.

The Star Traveler Society, an organization defined by the Federation as a "cult," was extremely rampant in its activities within the Radiant Flow Star Domain.

It was almost operating in a semi-open state.

While the Star Traveler Society hid and skulked about in other star domains, here in the Radiant Flow Star Domain, they even dared to go out on the streets to recruit members.

They would also organize anti-Federation demonstrations from time to time.

As for why the Star Traveler Society exhibited such a split in behavior, it was thanks to the Federation's not having a high degree of control over the Radiant Flow Star Domain, or rather, the Federation's intentional indulgence.

For the current corrupt Federation, these superhuman organizations opposing the Federation were impossible to completely eradicate.

Even if the Federation wiped out this "Star Traveler Society," another "Star Traveler Society" would arise.

Thus, the Federation increased its crackdown on resistance organizations in other star domains, striving to drive all resistance organizations into the Radiant Flow Star Domain.

For the Federation, it was better to let one star domain rot than to let several rot.

After all, the Federation's control over the Radiant Flow Star Domain had never been particularly strong since ancient times.

The Federation deliberately facilitated this situation.

The history of the Federation's new era was a history of tug-of-war between the Central Star Domain and the affiliated star domains.

The Central Star Domain was the center of power, politics, and economy for the entire Federation, the true core of the Federation.

If the Central Star Domain was strong, the affiliated star domains would tacitly cede benefits to the Central Star Domain.

But if the Central Star Domain weakened, then the other star domains would be unwilling to cede benefits to the Central Star Domain.

Some radical star domains would even loudly shout slogans like "Break away from the Federation, be independent and self-reliant."

And the Radiant Flow Star Domain happened to be the most radical among those radical star domains.

Coupled with the fact that the Radiant Flow Star Domain was located at the outermost edge of Federation territory, it also perpetually gathered a large number of forces from outside the Federation.

With all these factors stacked together.

All sorts of forces wanting to infiltrate the Federation, all sorts of superhumans dissatisfied with the Federation forming resistance organizations, and all sorts of schemers operating in the shadows, all gathered within the Radiant Flow Star Domain.

And in the intelligence Loren saw, there was a widely circulated saying in the Radiant Flow Star Domain.

"If it suddenly starts raining from the sky, those unfortunate enough to get wet are all warriors fighting against the Federation."

This was the new world, and this was also a paradise for warriors and schemers.

In the intelligence given to Loren by the Interstellar Hunter Association.

This Radiant Flow Star Domain, a famous lawless land within the Federation, had 37 habitable planets, plus one Main City, and countless undeveloped Resource Planets.

The Federation's Security Department and Energy Department only controlled half of the Main City and a number of Resource Planets.

As for the Federation Military, due to the pressure from dealing with The Empire, the Land of the Gods, and alien races from the Star Realm, the Federation Military didn't even have a garrison stationed in the Radiant Flow Star Domain.

They directly threw this mess to the Energy Department and Security Department.

With the military showing weakness, the other two departments with real power had to step up.

The Energy Department was interested because of the countless Resource Planets here.

The Security Department was because they still had "ideals," and the department was filled with countless agents unwilling to see the Federation fall.

Having undergone strict training, they were the only people in the Federation willing to choose absolute loyalty for the sake of "ideals."

The Federation had already deteriorated, with most people quietly waiting for this behemoth to collapse, hoping to get a piece of the pie.

A small number of people had also begun looking for new ways out. The great ship was about to break apart, and these people were trying to use the ship's deck to build some new, smaller boats.

This was also why schemers in the shadows began their activities. The Marquis Hunter of the Dusk Star Domain and those Justice Party members all belonged to this category.

While recalling the intelligence in his mind, Loren walked into this Gray Zone.

After entering this Gray Zone, he ignored those who were warily watching him from the shadows, took out that Federation Coin from his pocket, and casually played with it.

"Is Marcus Rhine here? If he is, heads."

After silently reciting this in his heart, he tossed the coin.

The coin landed, tails.

Loren regretfully shook his head. It seemed the other party wasn't at the branch in this Gray Zone. Then he could only do other things first...

Loren casually walked towards a shop on the street, pushed the door open, and went in.

The wind chime hanging behind the door rang, its clear, pleasant sound echoing inside the shop.

"Hello, do you know where the shop that buys stolen goods is? I killed some people and have a bunch of spatial storage devices to sell."

After entering, Loren asked the owner of this shop with a smile.

"Go out, turn right. The weapons shop at the end of this street, Old George is buying. He has wide connections."

The owner of this shop answered very carefully and in detail.

Cold sweat unconsciously dripped down his forehead. Being able to kill a bunch of superhumans who possessed spatial storage devices itself indicated something...

Moreover, he recognized Loren.

It was that ruthless character with the 3 billion bounty – "Night Raven" Las Loren...

He had only checked his bounty notice yesterday, how unlucky! Never thought he'd run into him today...

"Thank you. Don't be nervous, sir. I'm just here to find someone today."

After explaining, Loren lightly tipped his hat, turned, pushed the door open, and left.

The sound of the wind chime at the door lingered for a long time.

"Thank goodness, he was just asking for directions..." The shop owner let out a long sigh of relief.

Clearly, Loren's unique style of doing things had spread throughout the Federation's Gray Zones along with his 3 billion bounty...

In a corner at the end of the street.

A tall figure with black wings growing from its back stood outside the door of a somewhat aged shop.

Loren reached out and pushed the door open. "Hello, is Old George here? I've come to sell some things."

Everyone inside the shop, looking at Loren who had pushed the door and entered, all fell into a stunned daze.

Soon, a kind-looking old man with white hair spoke up, breaking the silence.

"...Welcome, Mr. Loren. I am Old George. May I ask what you wish to sell?"

Loren calmly walked past the shop assistants inside who didn't dare move a muscle and came to the glass counter filled with weapons.

He took out thirteen spatial storage devices from his black coat and placed them on the glass counter.

After taking them out, Loren's figure noticeably looked thinner.

One could imagine how many pockets inside that black coat these thirteen spatial storage devices had occupied.

"Oh right, forgot to take this out."

After saying this, Loren picked up a rather inconspicuous spatial ring that was also placed on the counter, waved his hand, and took out 5000 Spirit Stones.

These were the "boat tickets" he had prepared in advance in the Jadeite Star Domain. A pity, he didn't get the chance to spend them...

After putting these 5000 Spirit Stones back into the "Crimson Tear," Loren threw this inconspicuous spatial ring back onto the glass counter.

"Here, just these. Give me a quote." Loren said with a smile.