262: An invitation from an alliance calling itself the "Guardians of the Galaxy"!

At the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, the embers of war had not yet completely cooled.

The two-dimensional scroll, spanning several light-years, still hung silently in the darkness, like a colossal tombstone, silently narrating the demise of the Star Devourer civilization. In front of the scroll, the massive, silver-white hull of the expedition was bathed in the faint radiation of the Sagittarius A* black hole's accretion disk, appearing exceptionally cold and sacred.

On the bridge, the atmosphere was strangely relaxed.

"Boring, truly boring."

"War Wolf" propped his feet, large enough to crush alloy, on the command console, shaking half a bottle of soda he'd acquired from who-knows-where, a look of utter boredom on his face. His jet-black "Xingtian" power armor still bore a few un-wiped scorch marks, medals from the previous charge, but now they looked more like some trivial decoration.

"I originally thought these bugs would last a bit longer, giving us a good workout. But no, Commander Lu made his move, and they were instantly flattened into a picture. It feels like I took my pants off, and this is what you show me?"

The other Super Soldiers around him also burst into laughter. Although they were complaining, the pride and relief in their eyes were impossible to hide. Once upon a time, humans had to worry about being abducted and dissected by aliens. Now? We're dissecting others and complaining it's not satisfying enough!

"Alright, don't be ungrateful after getting a good deal."

Su Qingying rolled her eyes exasperatedly at the group of warmongers. On her holographic tablet, astronomical data streams were rapidly scrolling. "You only care about fighting, do you know how troublesome it is to clean up the battlefield? heavenly craft is currently busy analyzing the remaining database of the Star-Devouring Hive Mother. That's billions of years of civilization accumulated; even a little residue is enough for us to digest for several years."

At this point, she turned to look at Lu Chen, who had been sitting in the captain's chair with his eyes closed, resting. Her gaze instantly softened with reverence.

"Lu Chen, the gravitational waves around the black hole have stabilized. According to heavenly craft's calculations, our current position has become an absolute forbidden zone for the entire Milky Way Galaxy."

"Forbidden zone?"

Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes, those jet-black pupils seemingly hiding two bottomless abysses. The corners of his mouth curved slightly into a half-smile.

"If it's a forbidden zone, then why are so many flies buzzing around outside?"

"Huh?"

Su Qingying and War Wolf simultaneously froze, instinctively looking at the radar screen.

The next second, although no piercing alarm sounded, heavenly craft's cool voice instantly spread across the bridge.

[Master, large-scale space jump reactions detected.]

[Bearing: Towards the Milky Way Galaxy's Third Spiral Arm. Quantity: Three thousand ships.]

[The對方 has not activated weapon systems, shields are in minimum standby mode, and they are sending peace signals across all frequencies.]

"Peace?" War Wolf suddenly jumped up, tossing the bottle in his hand, his eyes shining. "Is it those guys who were secretly peeking earlier? Damn it, I haven't even gone to find them, and they're delivering themselves to our doorstep?"

The holographic screen instantly switched. In the previously empty star map, dense points of light suddenly appeared.

Immediately after, accompanied by ripples of spatial agitation, a massive fleet of diverse and peculiar designs slowly warped out of hyperspace.

This fleet was truly a "United Nations" of sorts: there were transparent spacecraft made entirely of crystal, biological warships resembling giant plants, and geometric ships purely constrained by energy fields. They represented dozens of different advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy, each of which, in the past, was an existence that Earthlings could only look up to.

But now, this joint fleet, which should have been awe-inspiring, behaved like a flock of startled quails.

They cautiously docked at a safe distance of ten light-seconds from the human fleet. All their weapon muzzles were lowered and even physically locked, and their engine power was suppressed to the minimum, as if fearing that even the slightest noise would invite disaster.

This posture wasn't diplomacy.

It was — pilgrimage.

"Connect them."

Lu Chen shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest. "Let's see what they want to say."

[Yes, Master.]

With heavenly craft's operation, a massive holographic projection unfolded in the center of the bridge.

A spacious and bright council hall appeared in the image, and in the center of the hall stood a slender crystal being radiating a soft blue light. He—or it—was slightly bowing, and although no expression could be seen on its translucent face, the inherent humility and fear emanating from its very core could not be concealed.

"Most respected leader of Earth Civilization, great Dimension Controller, new master of the Milky Way Galaxy."

The crystal being's voice came through the translator, carrying a peculiar resonant tone, every syllable filled with cautious probing. "I am Kristo, the current rotating Speaker of the Galaxy Guardians Alliance, from the Andromeda Civilization."

"I respectfully represent the one hundred and thirty-seven member civilizations under the Alliance to extend our highest regards and congratulate you on eradicating the Star Devourer, this cosmic cancer, bringing true peace to the Milky Way Galaxy."

These words were quite eloquent, even bordering on sickening flattery.

But Lu Chen's face showed no emotion; he merely stared coldly at this so-called leader of one hundred and thirty-seven civilizations, his gaze like he was watching a clumsy clown.

"Guardians Alliance?"

Lu Chen suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it made Kristo on the other side tremble all over.

"If I recall correctly, just an hour ago, your patrol suggested I self-destruct?"

"Misunderstanding! This is an absolute, colossal misunderstanding!"

Kristo nearly knelt down, and the bizarre alien representatives behind him were trembling with fear.

"That patrol captain, Sol, was blind! He has already been dismissed and investigated! If you require it, we can send him over immediately for you to dispose of as you wish!"

"Heh."

Lu Chen let out a soft laugh. That laughter, to Kristo's ears, was even more grating than the sound of the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe.

"Alright, no need to act."

Lu Chen waved his hand, a look of impatience on his face. "I don't like listening to nonsense. You didn't come all this way just to send me a few scapegoats, did you?"

"Speak, what do you want? Or rather, what do you want to offer?"

Hearing this, a huge weight finally lifted from Kristo's heart.

As long as he was willing to talk! As long as he was willing to talk, even if the cost was immense, at least the spark of their civilization would be preserved!

"It's like this, esteemed sir."

Kristo took a deep breath and pulled out a dazzling, star-glowing, rhomboid crystal from his 'chest' (if that counted as a chest), holding it above his head with a devotion akin to an offering.

"Given the divine power demonstrated by Earth Civilization, and your immense contribution to maintaining peace in the Milky Way Galaxy."

"By unanimous vote of the Alliance's Supreme Council, we sincerely invite Earth Civilization to join the 'Galaxy Guardians' Alliance!"

"And—"

Kristo paused, his voice becoming even more impassioned, as if announcing a sacred appointment.

"We will amend the Alliance Charter and establish the sole 'Supreme Regent' seat!"

"This seat will possess veto power over all Alliance civilizations, resource allocation rights, and the authority to declare war!"

"We implore you to become our leader in this turbulent universe, to lead us—"

"To survive!"

Boom—!

As Kristo's words fell, all the humans on the expedition's bridge were stunned.

War Wolf's mouth hung open, soda spilling onto the floor unnoticed. Su Qingying clutched her chest, feeling her heart about to burst.

What did this mean?

This wasn't just acknowledging Earth's dominant position; this was clearly packaging the ownership of the entire Milky Way Galaxy and handing it over to Lu Chen!

One hundred and thirty-seven advanced civilizations!

Billions of star systems!

Endless resources, endless populations, endless technology!

As long as Lu Chen nodded, he would be the sole emperor under this starry sky!

Faced with such immense temptation, even a saint would probably be moved.

However.

Lu Chen did not nod.

He merely looked quietly at the humble crystal being, at the rhomboid crystal representing supreme power, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, which then turned into deep disdain.

"Join you?"

Lu Chen slowly stood up, walking step by step to the holographic projection. Although his figure was not as tall as the other's, his aura was like a towering mountain, suffocating the entire Alliance Council.

"Speaker Kristo, you seem to have misunderstood something."

Lu Chen extended his hand, not to take the crystal, but to lightly flick the empty space, as if flicking away a speck of dust.

"I came to conquer, not to be a nanny."

"You want me to be your leader? To help you solve trivial matters? To protect you cowards who only hide and watch the show?"

"Do you think—"

The corner of Lu Chen's mouth curled into a cruel arc, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

"I look very idle?"

"This..." Kristo was completely dumbfounded.

He had imagined Lu Chen would be greedy, arrogant, or even demand harsh conditions. But he never expected that the other party would refuse?!

And refuse so decisively, so contemptuously!

"Then... then what do you mean?" Kristo's voice trembled; he was truly afraid. If even surrender was rejected, what did the Earthlings want? Did they really intend to kill them all?

"My meaning is very simple."

Lu Chen turned around, no longer looking at the aliens, but directing his gaze out the window at the vast starry river.

"An alliance? I have no interest in such child's play."

"From today onwards, the Milky Way Galaxy doesn't need 'Guardians,' nor does it need a 'Council.'"

"Here, there only needs to be one voice."

"That is—the voice of Earth."

"Want to survive? You can."

Lu Chen suddenly turned back, pointing a finger at Kristo's nose, his voice like a thunderclap!

"Package all your star maps, all your resource distribution, all your core technology data, and send them to my butler."

"Then, disband your ridiculous alliance."

"If you want protection, you must learn how to be a dog."

"The obedient ones, I will reward. The disobedient ones—"

Lu Chen pointed to the two-dimensional scroll outside the window, where the Star Devourer remnants still drifted, his smile so bright it was chilling.

"There's still plenty of space there; I don't mind hanging a few more paintings."

"Now, tell me."

"Your answer?"