After receiving Shepard's report, the Citadel was naturally confused. They didn't suspect that Shepard was lying. After all, such things can be concluded by investigating. As a ghost, Shepard was so sure that the Citadel could not help but believe him. So, the Citadel had no choice but to send a diplomatic team to the Wandering Galaxy again to communicate with Fangzheng.

However, the communication process was not smooth.

At first, the Citadel Council wanted to invite the Tiandao Palace to join the Citadel Council, just like absorbing other races, but this was flatly rejected by Fang Zheng. Just kidding, joining the Citadel means obeying the laws and rules of the Citadel, but Fang Zheng obviously would not allow the Tiandao Palace to obey the rules of foreign forces.

This also made the delegation of the Citadel look confused. After all, according to their experience, most civilized races would choose to join after learning about the Citadel. However, this Tiandao Palace...

Not sensible!

"We hope you can understand that the Treaty of the Citadel is intended to constrain the development of civilizations in the galaxy to avoid unnecessary dangers..."

"But why is it up to you to decide?"

Looking at the Asari envoy in front of him, Fang Zheng in the form of a time dragon was dismissive.

"Your rules and laws are just your rules and laws, not the truth of this universe. The Heavenly Dao Palace does not ask for anything from the Citadel, nor does it want to join the Citadel. So why do you want us to follow your rules?"

"you……"

Listening to the verbal battle between the two sides, Shepard beside him secretly envied Tiandao Palace. After all, as a human, she knew very well what kind of suffering humans had experienced in the Citadel. Although humans joining the Citadel did broaden their horizons and have exchanges with other alien races, in the final analysis, it was because humans were too weak.

You have to know that the reason why humans joined the Citadel was mainly because of the threat of war with the Turian Empire. Although the Asari who were in charge of mediation at the time did not say it directly, humans were not fools and naturally understood the hidden meaning of the other party, which was that only if they joined the Citadel would the mediation take effect. If they refused to join, then a full-scale war between humans and the Turian Empire would be inevitable.

At that time, humans had just left the solar system not long ago, and their power in this regard was not stronger than that of the Turians. Therefore, they finally had to choose to swallow their anger and accept the advice of the Citadel Council and join the Citadel.

After joining the Citadel, the development of human science and technology was also restricted to a certain extent. For example, the Citadel prohibited the creation of artificial intelligence (AI), which almost sealed and abandoned all of human research in artificial intelligence for hundreds of years. Even the manufacture and development of warships were quite restricted. Humans also spent a lot of effort and sacrificed too many resources before they finally managed to occupy a place in the Citadel.

If Shepard had not single-handedly defeated the defected agent Saren and Overlord, it would have taken humans many years to qualify to join the Citadel Council.

In Shepard's opinion, the experience of the Heavenly Palace is actually very similar to that of humans. They first had an armed conflict with the Turians and almost came to the point of war. Then the Citadel Council sent people to negotiate peace and tried to absorb this new force into the Citadel Alliance.

However……

"The Tiandao Palace adheres to the strategy of non-alignment. We will not ally with any force, organization, civilization, or race, nor will we become enemies with any force, organization, civilization, or race without reason. Therefore, we will not join the Citadel, nor will we abide by the laws and rules of the Citadel. We have our own laws and rules, and we will only abide by our own laws and rules."

Faced with Fang Zheng's answer, the Citadel's envoys were stunned and completely speechless.

But what can they do?

The threat of force is useless. During the time they have been in Tiandao Palace, the envoys have also investigated the civilization and technology of Tiandao Palace, and the conclusions they came to are exactly the same as Shepard's. It is obvious that this is a force that possesses technological power that even exceeds that of all existing civilized races. Although the number of people in this force does not seem to be large, their strong strength obviously means they are not afraid of any enemy.

Once a conflict really breaks out between the two sides... the consequences will obviously be disastrous.

In the end, the Citadel had no choice but to compromise.

What the envoys from the Citadel signed with the Tiandao Palace was not the joining agreement they had hoped for, but a Non-Aggression Treaty. Both parties only agreed not to invade each other's territory. In the exploration of undeveloped galaxies, whoever occupied the galaxy first would obtain the right to develop the galaxy.

Without permission, you are not allowed to enter the other party's galaxy without permission. If the warning is ineffective, you will be expelled or even attacked.

This was obviously not what the Citadel expected to see, but for Shepard, seeing this scene was quite refreshing.

If humans had the strength of the Tiandao Palace at the beginning, they probably wouldn't have to compromise in the Citadel.

Unfortunately, I am not as skilled as others and I have no choice but to bow my head.

Logically speaking, after the treaty was signed, Shepard and the others could return home, but...

"Observation team?"

Standing in the communications room, looking at Anderson in front of him, Shepard was confused. However, Senator Anderson nodded.

"That's right. The Tiandao Palace will send an observation team into our galaxy for observation and communication. Under my suggestion, we finally chose you and the Normandy as the leaders of this observation team."

"Wait, why me? You should know that there are more important things to do right now than being a tour guide!"

Hearing Anderson's answer, Shepard jumped up immediately. What a joke, the Reapers will be here soon to harvest the entire galaxy. He has more things to investigate here than a mountain, so how can he have the free time to act as a tour guide for the people from Tiandao Palace?

However, Anderson's expression was more serious than Shepard had imagined.

"That's why we need more powerful support. If what you said is true, relying on our own strength is obviously not enough to resist the Reapers. Although they have not joined the Citadel, they are also a member of the Milky Way..."

At this point, Anderson lowered his voice.

"This is not just my opinion, it's the Star Alliance's opinion."

Hearing this, Shepard immediately understood.

Obviously, humans also took a fancy to the super technology of Tiandao Palace and tried to trade with it to improve their own technology. It seems that this negotiation also stimulated the mood of humans.

After all, in this universe, the bigger the fist, the more truth there is.

"What should I do?"

"You continue your mission and investigate intelligence about the Reapers and Collectors. This observation team will act with you. I hope you can make them understand that the Reapers are not only the enemy of the Covenant and the Citadel, but also the enemy of all life in the galaxy. If, as you said, the Reapers will attack and harvest the galaxy in the near future, we will need a stronger and more powerful ally."

At this point, Anderson's voice turned serious.

"These are my orders to you. Do you understand? Commander Shepard?"

"clear!"

Hearing this, Shepard immediately stood up and saluted.

"Make sure to complete the mission!"