281: In conclusion, the future of the Earth Federation is entrusted to you.

Golden light streamed through the bridge of the expedition, and the portal leading to the core of the genesis engine now emitted a sacred yet unsettling aura.

Lu Chen stood before the glowing gate, his figure appearing somewhat slender, yet in everyone's eyes, this back was heavier and grander than the black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

He did not step in immediately.

Because he knew that once he went, his return date would be uncertain. Perhaps it would be a triumphant return a second later, or perhaps eternal loss. Before he entered that pure logical world to fight a desperate battle with the 'Zero' virus, he had to leave one last 'insurance' for this civilization that had not yet fully matured.

"heavenly craft."

Lu Chen didn't turn around, merely called out softly.

[Present, Master.]

heavenly craft's figure appeared beside him, her perfect virtual face now filled with reluctance and sorrow. She knew what her master was about to do—a 'sacrifice' that she, as an artificial intelligence, could not comprehend yet was deeply moved by.

"Initiate full-spectrum broadcast."

Lu Chen's voice was as calm as if he were giving instructions for a mundane chore.

"Connect to the Earth Federation's Supreme Council, all members of the 'Jiuzhou' Fleet, and all pioneers at the Moon and Mars bases."

"I have a few words I'd like to say to them."

[Yes! Full-spectrum broadcast initiated! Signal covers the entire Milky Way Galaxy!]

As heavenly craft performed the operation, a massive holographic screen unfolded before Lu Chen. The image was divided into countless small squares, showing countless anxious, worried, yet adoring faces.

There were white-haired old men, 'War Wolves' covered in the smoke of battle, scientists furiously calculating data in laboratories, and ordinary immigrants gazing at the stars from Mars farms.

At this moment, everyone's gaze, spanning light-years, converged on this young man.

"Everyone, I am Lu Chen."

Lu Chen spoke. He didn't use an impassioned tone or emotional rhetoric, but rather spoke like old friends chatting.

"It seems we've run into a little trouble."

"That old fellow hiding in the black hole is a bit stubborn and not very cooperative with the treatment. So I have to go in myself and perform some 'brain surgery' on it."

This slightly teasing remark somewhat eased the previously suffocatingly heavy atmosphere. But everyone knew that the so-called "little trouble" was a desperate situation that even a Star Destroyer Cannon couldn't breach, a dimensional trap capable of erasing all existence!

"This surgery might take a while."

Lu Chen's gaze deepened, as if piercing through the screen and into everyone's hearts.

"While I am gone, the Earth Federation must not fall into chaos."

"Nor can it stop."

Lu Chen's gaze fixed on the screen.

"I am here." His voice trembled slightly as he stood ramrod straight, like a soldier undergoing inspection.

"From today onwards, the Earth Federation will enter 'independent operation' mode."

Lu Chen said each word deliberately, every word as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Don't expect me to pull you back from the brink of the cliff every time like before. And don't wait for me to give you new black technologies."

"Babies must be weaned, and eaglets must learn to fly alone."

"I have unlocked the highest authority for all technical databases of the pangu, Nuwa, and god of fire. I have given the key to heavenly craft."

"The path ahead, you must walk yourselves."

His eyes moistened, and he nodded heavily: "Don't worry! As long as this old man is still here, the Federation won't fall into chaos! We'll wait for you to come home!"

"Very good."

Lu Chen's gaze shifted to the 'War Wolves' and the Super Soldiers covered in blood.

"War Wolf."

"Present!!!"

War Wolf slammed his chest armor, letting out a thunderous roar. This man, who bled but did not cry, now had tearful tiger eyes and trembled all over.

"You are the sword of the Federation, and the shield of humanity."

Lu Chen's voice became cold and stern.

"When I am not here, if anyone dares to bare their fangs at Earth, whether it be an alien civilization or internal ambitious individuals—"

"No need to ask for instructions, no need to hesitate."

"Just kill them!"

"Even if this starry sky runs red with blood, you must uphold humanity's dignity!"

"Yes!!!" War Wolf roared in response, "Your subordinate accepts the command! I swear to defend the Federation to the death!"

After giving all these instructions, Lu Chen let out a soft breath.

He finally turned around and looked at the stunning woman who had been standing not far from him, biting her lip and holding back tears.

Su Qingying.

Seeing her reddened eyes, Lu Chen's hardened heart finally softened a little.

He walked over and, in front of all humanity, gently embraced her.

"Qingying."

He whispered softly in her ear, his voice as gentle as a dream.

"I'm sorry, I'm making you wait for me again."

"You... you bastard..." Su Qingying finally couldn't hold back, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Lu Chen's clothes. "You're always like this! Always leaving the most dangerous things for yourself! Have you ever considered my feelings?!"

"I have."

Lu Chen gently stroked her long hair. "Precisely because I have, I must go."

"Because I want to give you, and our future, a truly peaceful and prosperous era."

He released her embrace and took off the control core, a crystal pendant emitting a faint blue light, from his neck. It symbolized the highest authority of the 'Spark'.

Then, he solemnly placed it around Su Qingying's neck.

"Take this."

Lu Chen looked into her eyes, his expression incredibly serious.

"If, and I mean if—"

"If after ten years, I still haven't returned."

"Then, you will be the next inheritor of the 'Spark'."

"You will be the new navigator."

"No! I don't want it!" Su Qingying tried to take off the pendant. "I only want you back! I only want you!"

"Wear it!"

Lu Chen suddenly roared, his tone filled with an unquestionable dominance.

"This is responsibility! And it is an order!"

"Academician Su Qingying, do you want to see human civilization lost in the dark forest?!"

Su Qingying froze.

She looked into Lu Chen's eyes, filled with determination and expectation, and finally, with trembling hands, gripped the cold pendant.

She knew this was more than just a pendant.

It was Lu Chen's life.

And the future of all human civilization.

"I... I promise you."

Su Qingying wiped away her tears, her eyes regaining their determination. She was the woman Lu Chen had chosen; she absolutely could not disgrace him at this moment.

"I will guard it, guard the Federation, until the day you return."

"If you don't return—"

A hint of madness flashed in her eyes.

"Then I will lead all of human civilization into that high-dimensional world to find you!"

"Hahahahaha! Good!"

Lu Chen laughed heartily, his laughter filled with heroism and joy.

"Truly my woman, Lu Chen!"

"With those words, even if I were in hell, I would carve a bloody path to crawl back!"

Having said that, he no longer harbored any reluctance.

He turned abruptly and strode towards the dazzling portal.

His black trench coat flapped in the energy turbulence, and that slightly slender back, at this moment, seemed to support the entire starry sky.

"heavenly craft!"

"Seal the passage!"

"Until I emerge, no one is to approach the black hole event horizon by half a step!"

[Yes! Master, please take care!]

As heavenly craft's tearful voice faded, the golden light instantly swallowed Lu Chen's figure.

In that final moment, all Earthlings, all warriors, all scientists, saw the young man's last gesture through the screen.

He did not look back.

He simply raised his right hand high, giving a big—

V-sign to the world behind him.

It was a declaration of victory.

And his deepest love and promise to this world.

The light gate closed.

The center of the Milky Way Galaxy once again returned to dead silence.

But everyone knew this was only a temporary calm.

On that invisible high-dimensional battlefield, the young man named Lu Chen was fighting a—

One-man war for humanity's tomorrow!