Chapter 246

The Dawn Light dragged its battered hull, struggling through the void. After the right engine overloaded and was completely wrecked, it could only rely on auxiliary thrusters and Yuexi guiding void energy with her own power for slow acceleration. The shield system was completely down, the hull's exterior covered in ferocious scars from energy beam burns and debris impacts, like a wounded soldier crawling back from the battlefield.

The atmosphere on the bridge was heavy. The Shadow Councilor's sacrifice was like a block of ice, freezing the joy of survival. The surviving Star Dust Guard numbered fewer than twenty, each wounded, silently treating their wounds and arranging the relics of fallen comrades. The Lava Councilor's fire crystal on his chest dimmed; he sat silently in the corner, like a suppressed volcano. The Flowing Water Councilor was surrounded by a wisp of chilly sorrow. Elder Qingmu continuously generated gentle life energy to nourish the wounded, but the worry in her brows would not fade.

Li Qingxuan's shoulder wound, which had originally healed, split open again from the previous energy impact, bleeding and staining his collar. He refused Elder Qingmu's treatment, gesturing for her to conserve her strength for those who needed it more. Leaning against the cold bulkhead, he felt the faint but lasting warmth from his Life Imprint within, and through the broken porthole he gazed at the seemingly eternal darkness outside.

The resolute image of the Shadow Councilor detonating the beacon repeatedly surfaced in his mind. These 'Watchers,' for that slim hope, could truly sacrifice their lives without hesitation. This weight gave him a deeper understanding of the responsibility on his shoulders.

"How much longer until we return to the Slumber of the Stars?" Li Qingxuan asked in a hoarse voice.

Yuexi stood before the main console, data streaming in her silver eyes, her cool face also showing a hint of fatigue: "At our current speed, we need at least fifteen standard days. Moreover, we cannot return directly; we must transfer and make preliminary repairs at an outpost on the periphery, otherwise the Dawn Light won't reach its destination."

Fifteen days… Li Qingxuan closed his eyes, wondering how the Lightbringer Alliance and Shadow Hall were faring now, whether Huang Rong and Xingren had safely arrived—everything was unknown. This feeling of isolation was unpleasant.

"Your Excellency Yuexi," Li Qingxuan spoke again, "regarding the False Emperor and the Exile Land, what plans does the Council have moving forward?"

Yuexi fell silent for a moment, as if organizing her words: "The success of the Dawn Operation proved that multifaceted rune power can indeed affect the rift, providing the Council with a new approach and… a glimmer of hope. But Shadow's sacrifice also shows False Emperor and the entity behind it react extremely intensely."

She turned to face Li Qingxuan and the others: "According to the final data and analysis transmitted by the Dawn Light, the Council preliminarily judges that the False Emperor forcibly accelerated the seal's collapse; its purpose may not merely be to purge rebel forces. Perhaps it seeks to forcibly fuse with those ancient horrors before they fully awaken, or… to use them as a sacrifice to achieve some more terrible end."

Fusing ancient gods? A sacrifice? Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts. This is even crazier than simply releasing monsters!

"We must stop him!" the Lava Councilor snapped his head up, eyes blazing with anger, "We cannot let Shadow die in vain!"

"Stopping him is inevitable." Yuexi nodded, "but the method needs adjustment. A frontal assault on the rift area would be like striking a stone with an egg. The Council will likely shift its strategic focus to two fronts."

"First, fully search for and gather other holders of Primordial Rune Fragments. The Dawn Operation proved the feasibility of rune synergy; if we could amass more and more complete rune power, perhaps we could construct a stronger seal, or find a direct method against the False Emperor and those ancient horrors."

"Second," Yuexi's gaze fell on Li Qingxuan, "attempt to contact known external resistance forces, such as the Lightbringer Alliance you belong to and the Shadow Hall, to consolidate strength. The False Emperor is everyone's enemy; fragmented resistance will only be picked off one by one."

Li Qingxuan's spirits lifted; this coincided exactly with his own prior thoughts!

"Is the Council willing to proactively contact them?" he confirmed.

"That depends on whether we can make contact." Yuexi gave a slight nod, "The Stellar Language Array has been continuously transmitting specific-frequency identification signals outward, but void interference causes severe signal attenuation; whether it can be received and decoded remains unknown."

At least this is a positive direction. Li Qingxuan felt somewhat relieved.

The long journey home passed in silence and healing. During it, they encountered several small groups of void creatures and energy turbulence, but thanks to Yuexi and several councilors working together, they all passed through safely.

Fifteen days later, the battered Dawn Light finally reached a hidden outpost on the periphery of the Slumber of the Stars—the Silent Outpost. There they received timely repairs and supplies, while the severely wounded were left behind for further treatment.

After a brief rest, they transferred to another small high-speed communications vessel; Li Qingxuan, Yuexi, Elder Qingmu, the Lava Councilor, the Flowing Water Councilor, and a few core guards finally returned to the ring-shaped space station hovering above the sleeping nebula—the Slumber of the Stars.

Their return caused quite a stir. Especially as news of the Shadow Councilor's sacrifice spread, the entire space station was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.

Without delay, they were led straight to the Star Observation Hall.

At this moment, the Star Observation Hall's atmosphere was even more solemn and grave than before. All councilors were present, and even some guardians who were usually out in the field participated via remote projection.

The Starry Councilor took the main seat, voice low and powerful: "Heroes of the Dawn Operation, welcome back. The intelligence and results you brought back, as well as Shadow's sacrifice, are fully known to the Council. This battle, though costly, is of great significance. It proves that even when facing the ancient evil of the Exile Land, we are not entirely without means to resist."

He paused, scanning the assembly: "Based on the experience and lessons of this operation, the Council has made the following resolutions!"

"First, officially launch the 'Rune Mobilization Order'! All Watchers, mobilize all resources to search for scattered Primordial Rune Fragments and their bearers across the Star Sea! Prioritize seeking clues of runes—'Earth,' 'Light,' 'Storm,' etc. —that have affinity with the confirmed runes (Life, Molten Fire, Flowing Water)."

"Second, raise the priority of external contact! Expand the power of the Stellar Language Array, attempt to establish stable communications with all known star domains emitting resistance signals! If necessary, dispatch envoy teams to proactively make contact."

"Third, establish a 'Rift Surveillance Network'! Set up concealed observation points around Rift Seven and other explored rift peripheries to monitor their dynamics in real time, providing early warning for subsequent actions!"

"Fourth, Your Excellency Li Qingxuan," the Starry Councilor's gaze fell on Li Qingxuan, "in recognition of your pivotal role in the Dawn Operation and your potential bearing the Life Seed, the Council formally invites you to join the Watchers Council, assuming the position of 'Life Warden,' and to participate in all subsequent core decisions."

Upon these words, a slight stir rose in the hall. Directly inviting an 'outsider' to join the highest council and granting them 'warden' authority is extremely rare in Watcher history.

Li Qingxuan could feel many eyes refocusing on him—some approving, some scrutinizing, some doubtful.

He did not answer immediately, but took a deep breath and spoke loudly: "Joining the Council, I have no excuse to refuse. But I need to know what concrete plans the Council has for saving my homeland, the Lightbringer Alliance, and for dealing with the impending Eye of Reckoning."

He had never forgotten that over the Lightbringer Alliance hung the False Emperor's Damocles sword, lowered three years ago.

The Starry Councilor and several core councilors exchanged glances, then spoke slowly: "The crisis of the Lightbringer Alliance is also our crisis. The Eye of Reckoning is a manifestation of the False Emperor's authority; directly opposing it is not the best course. The Council believes the optimal solution is to weaken the False Emperor at its root before its arrival, or… sever its link to the Eye of Reckoning. And the key to all this may lie in the Exile Land and… the Primordial Rune."

This answer was somewhat vague, but Li Qingxuan understood it was the most rational judgment the Council could make based on current information. Expecting the Watchers to go all out in a hard resistance against the Eye of Reckoning is unrealistic; their battlefield lies on a broader scale.

"I accept." Li Qingxuan said without hesitation, in a low voice. Only by merging with it could he better draw on this power to protect everything he wishes to protect.

"Good." The Starry Councilor nodded, "Then, new Life Warden Li Qingxuan, your primary task is to quickly familiarize yourself with the Watchers' system, enhance your strength, and assist the Council in seeking clues to other rune fragments."

This new identity means new responsibilities and challenges.

Li Qingxuan's journey, at the Slumber of the Stars, has turned a new page. Meanwhile, at the far end of the Star Sea, Huang Rong and the others are also about to encounter their own adventure.

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