294: The leader of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" alliance came to pay his respects in person!

At the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, what was once the 'Forbidden Death Zone' is now a bustling scene.

The colossal 'Taichu' fortress floats silently at the edge of the black hole, emitting a soft yet majestic milky white halo, like a newborn heart powerfully beating, delivering a continuous stream of energy to the entire expeditionary legion. Tens of thousands of engineering robots are cleaning the battlefield, dragging the Star Devourer remnants into furnaces to be converted into the foundation for Earth Civilization's expansion.

However, at the very top of the fortress, in a reception hall constructed from transparent photonic crystals, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

Lu Chen sat on a seemingly ordinary chair, which was actually condensed from pure high-dimensional energy, gently swirling a cup of tea from Earth. His demeanor was leisurely, his gaze profound, as if the world-destroying war that had just occurred was not commanded by him, but rather he had just woken up from a nap. Standing behind him were Su Qingying, in silver-white battle armor with a cold and beautiful face, and 'War Wolf,' exuding an aura of iron-blooded ferocity.

Opposite them was a newly opened interstellar teleportation gate.

"They're here."

Qingying said in a low voice, her hand on the hilt of her lightsaber, her gaze vigilant.

Accompanied by a melodious chime, ripples spread across the teleportation gate's light screen. Immediately after, a group of alien beings, diverse in form yet all radiating powerful life force fields, slowly emerged.

The one leading them was not the previously timid Speaker Kristo, but a being that appeared much older and more sacred.

It was an energy life form composed entirely of flowing starlight. It had no fixed facial features, but countless miniature galaxies seemed to rotate within its body. With every step, the floor beneath its feet rippled with circles of dazzling patterns.

It was the supreme leader of the Galaxy Guardians Alliance, who had lived for thirty thousand years — 'Prophet' Viren.

Following behind Viren were more than a dozen creatures of various forms, each a significant Third-level civilization leader within the alliance. On their home planets, they were undisputed rulers, but at this moment, before Lu Chen, they were as submissive as a group of primary school students awaiting a lecture from their teacher.

"Great leader of Earth Civilization, controller beyond dimensions, Your Excellency Lu Chen."

Viren stopped ten meters from Lu Chen and slowly bowed its starlight-composed waist. Its voice did not travel through the air but resonated directly in Lu Chen's mind, carrying an ancient and humble tone.

"I am Viren, representing the one hundred and thirty-seven member civilizations under the Galaxy Guardians Alliance, specially here to... atone for our sins and offer you our highest respect."

With its action, the dozen or so civilization leaders behind it also knelt down in unison. Some on one knee, some prostrate, though the etiquette differed, their expressions of trepidation were identical.

If this scene were to be broadcast to any corner of the Milky Way Galaxy, it would be enough to cause an earthquake of magnitude twelve.

The alliance that had ruled the Milky Way Galaxy for countless ages, knelt today.

Lu Chen did not speak immediately; he merely took a quiet sip of tea, his gaze indifferently sweeping over this group of former 'overlords.' The invisible pressure made every alien leader present feel breathless, as if a Sword of Damocles hung over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

"Prophet, Viren?"

After a long silence, Lu Chen finally spoke. His voice was not loud but carried an undeniable authority.

"I have heard of you. Legend says you can foresee the future, and see the fate of the Milky Way Galaxy. So..."

Lu Chen put down his teacup and leaned slightly forward, his gaze piercing Viren's starlight body like a blade.

"Did you foresee that you would be kneeling here today?"

This provocative and sarcastic question instantly dropped the atmosphere to freezing point.

Several leaders behind Viren trembled violently, clearly terrified. But Viren did not panic; it maintained its bowing posture, its voice filled with bitterness and helplessness.

"I saw destruction, and I also saw new life."

Viren slowly straightened up, and the starlight-composed face seemed to reveal a hint of sorrow. "In my prophecy, the Star Devourer would consume everything, and the Milky Way Galaxy would become a desolate wasteland. To avoid this outcome, our alliance chose 'conservatism,' chose to hide in folded space, barely surviving, attempting to preserve the spark of civilization in this manner."

"In my prophecy, the Star Devourer would consume everything, and the Milky Way Galaxy would become a desolate wasteland. To avoid this outcome, our alliance chose 'conservatism,' chose to hide in folded space, barely surviving, attempting to preserve the spark of civilization in this manner."

"We thought this was wisdom, a way to survive."

At this point, the starlight on Viren's body flickered intensely, as if undergoing a fierce internal struggle.

"Until your appearance, until that golden divine light tore through the darkness."

"Only then did I realize how terribly wrong we were. True survival is not hiding but resisting; true future is not granted but... fought for!"

"Therefore, Your Excellency Lu Chen, you not only defeated the Star Devourer, but also defeated our 'destiny.'"

"This kneel, we do so wholeheartedly."

Listening to these words, the coldness in Lu Chen's eyes receded slightly.

This old fellow was indeed much smarter and more honest than Kristo. It didn't make excuses or try to cover up its cowardice with hypocritical diplomatic rhetoric; instead, it directly admitted its mistakes and expressed submission.

"Interesting."

Lu Chen's fingers tapped gently on the armrest, "Since you are so frank, I won't beat around the bush either."

"As I said before, from today onwards, there will be only one voice in the Milky Way Galaxy, and that is the voice of Earth. Your alliance is disbanded."

"This..."

Several civilization leaders couldn't help but look up, their eyes filled with panic. Disbanding the alliance meant stripping them of their last political capital, reducing them completely to vassals of Earth.

But Viren showed no hesitation. It nodded slightly, its voice calm: "As you wish, Your Excellency. Before coming, I had already signed the alliance dissolution order. From this moment on, the Galaxy Guardians are history. We... are all subordinate states of the Earth Federation."

Saying this, Viren conjured a brilliant, glowing cube from its 'bosom' (though it had no bosom, it was condensed from starlight).

"This is the 'Heart of the Galaxy,' the database of all star charts, technology trees, and resource distribution maps accumulated by the alliance over hundreds of millions of years."

"Now, it is yours."

Looking at the cube slowly floating over, War Wolf and Qingying couldn't help but hold their breath.

This was the transfer of power!

Accepting this meant accepting the crown of the entire Milky Way Galaxy!

Lu Chen reached out and took the cube, feeling the vast, ocean-like flow of information within, a satisfied smile finally gracing his lips.

"Very good. Since you are so sensible, I will not treat you unfairly."

Lu Chen stood up, his aura instantly shifting from oppressive to inclusive, like a true monarch surveying his subjects.

"The Earth Federation is not a bandit; we don't engage in colonialism. As long as you abide by my rules and pay your 'survival tax' on time, I can guarantee your safety."

"Even..."

Lu Chen pointed to the now docile black hole outside the window, and the magnificent 'Taichu' fortress.

"I can also give you an opportunity, an opportunity to access the legacy of a 'God-level civilization.'"

"As long as you perform well, I can consider opening up some of the 'Taichu' engine's energy interfaces to you, and even impart some basic dimensional technology."

"What?!"

This time, Viren could no longer maintain its composure. The starlight on its body instantly flared, its voice filled with incredible ecstasy!

"You... you're serious? You're willing to share the technology of gods?!"

One must know, under the dark forest law, technological blockade is an iron rule! Who would be foolish enough to teach their core technology to others?

"Why not?"

Lu Chen smiled, a smile of immense confidence and arrogance.

"Because in my eyes, you are no longer a potential threat."

"Moreover..."

His gaze penetrated the dome of the palace, directed towards the distant, even darker depths of the universe.

"Our enemies have never been each other."

"Viren, you must have sensed it too, right? That true shadow approaching the Milky Way Galaxy..."

Viren trembled, its starlight instantly dimming, its voice tinged with deep fear.

"You mean... 'the cleaners'?"

"Precisely."

Lu Chen nodded, his eyes burning with fierce battle intent.

"In four hundred years, they will arrive. That will be the true battle of life and death."

"Earth alone might win, but it would be exhausting. I need helpers, I need cannon fodder, and I also need... witnesses."

"So, go back and tell your people."

"If you want to live, if you want to evolve, then extract every bit of your war potential!"

"Follow me, and let's burn this dark forest..."

"Completely through!"