Chapter 248

Li Qingxuan quickly walked through the corridor dotted with luminous plants, heading straight for the Star Observation Hall. The life emblem on his chest warmed slightly with his steps, the faint resonance from his distant homeland not yet fully faded, mixed with worry over Huang Rong and Xingren's whereabouts, making his mood unable to calm.

When he entered the Star Observation Hall, he saw several familiar councilors—Yuexi, Elder Qingmu, Lava Councilor, and Flowing Water Councilor—already present, seemingly discussing something. The Starry Councilor sat high in the main seat, the face shrouded in a halo turning toward him.

"Life Guardian, what matters so urgent?" the Starry Councilor's voice was calm, yet carried a deep insight into everything.

Li Qingxuan took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and clearly and concisely reported his success in making initial contact with the Light Alliance and the news of Huang Rong and Xingren's disappearance.

"... The situation is thus. The Light Alliance is the frontline position against the False Emperor; now the Eye of Reckoning threat looms near, urgently needing aid. And my companions Huang Rong and Xingren, having lost their way in the Void while transmitting intelligence, their fate unknown, must be searched for posthaste!" Li Qingxuan's voice carried undeniable firmness: "In the name of the Life Guardian, I implore the council to immediately dispatch forces to support the Light Alliance and search for our missing comrades!"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Yuexi spoke first, a glint of realization flashing in their silver eyes: "Being able to contact our homeland is indeed fortunate. The Light Alliance's ability to persist under the False Emperor's pressure and successfully receive and decode our signals shows its strength and potential are worthy of note."

Elder Qingmu nodded slightly, speaking gently: "The response of the Tree of Life also proves that the life origin of that star region remains resilient. Both emotionally and rationally, we should not stand by while it is destroyed by the Eye of Reckoning."

The Lava Councilor snorted, voice like muffled thunder: "The False Emperor's lackeys, wreaking havoc everywhere! Supporting allies, searching for comrades—no question! I'm willing to lead the team!"

Though the Flowing Water Councilor did not speak, the rippling water vapor around them expressed agreement.

However, not all councilors held an optimistic attitude.

A councilor clad in silver-blue robes, with an ancient and stern countenance—known as the Silver Star Elder of the Starlight Folk—spoke in a low voice: "Li Qingxuan's feelings as a Life Guardian are understandable. However, the council's resources are limited; the current primary task is to monitor the fissures of the Exile Land, search for other rune fragments, and consolidate internal strength. Dispatching a force sufficient to counter the Eye of Reckoning and conduct a wide-ranging Void search would require diverting large numbers of personnel and ships, inevitably affecting the execution of core tasks."

Another councilor, whose form was blurred and seemed composed of data streams (a virtual projection), also emitted a synthesized electronic tone: "The risk assessment is too high. The coordinates of the Light Alliance have been exposed to the False Emperor's gaze for three years; whether its defense system can hold until reinforcements arrive is unknown. Void searching is like looking for a needle in a haystack, with minuscule success rate. It is advised to prioritize ensuring the safety of the Slumber of the Stars and core tasks."

The realistic and harsh analysis was like a bucket of cold water thrown down.

Li Qingxuan clenched his fists, knowing these concerns were not without reason. But he could not give up.

"Silver Star Elder, esteemed councilors," Li Qingxuan gazed over the few who opposed, his voice calm and powerful, "I understand the council's difficulties. But consider this: the Light Alliance is not an isolated outpost; it is a microcosm of countless worlds still resisting the False Emperor's tyranny. If we stand by and let it perish, what will other watching forces think? And where will the Watchers' vow to guard the Order's Fire Seed lie?"

He paused, then continued: "As for searching for our companions, Huang Rong and Xingren carry vital intelligence about the Exile Land and the False Emperor's plans; their value is beyond doubt. Moreover, I believe their disappearance may not be entirely a bad thing."

Upon these words, even supporters like Yuexi showed expressions of doubt.

Li Qingxuan explained: "They departed via the 'Root Projection' of the Life Beacon Oasis. Though this method is dangerous, it is not entirely random. The beacon network left by the ancients, its launch trajectories likely point to other extant beacon nodes, or… to hidden areas left from antiquity that the False Emperor has not discovered. Finding them could not only rescue our companions but also possibly uncover new allies, or… important clues about other rune fragments."

This perspective was quite novel, elevating a simple rescue operation into an exploration mission that could bring strategic gains.

The hall once again fell into discussion. The councilors exchanged opinions rapidly via spiritual power.

After a long while, the Starry Councilor raised a hand, halting all debate.

"What Life Guardian Li Qingxuan said is not without reason," the Starry Councilor spoke slowly, "the Watchers are not those who shrink into self-preservation. To stand by and let others perish goes against the ancients' wishes. Consolidating resistance forces is also the council's established policy."

He gazed over the entire assembly: "Then, resource allocation requires trade-offs. The council's decision is as follows—"

"First, no large-scale expeditionary force will be dispatched. However, authority is granted to Life Guardian Li Qingxuan to form a compact special task force, to proceed to the star region where the Light Alliance is located, to carry out assessment, support, and intelligence-sharing missions. The task force shall not exceed three high-speed vessels; its members shall be recruited by Li Qingxuan himself, with the council able to provide some personnel and material support."

"Second, the mission to search for Huang Rong and Xingren shall be incorporated into the 'Rune Mobilization Order' framework. Relevant information and energy signatures will be broadcast to all external guardians and known allies, leveraging broader forces for the search. At the same time, the monitoring level of the ancients' beacon node network shall be heightened, watching for anomalous signals."

"Third, this operation shall be codenamed 'Starfire'. It aims to demonstrate that, even in the darkest times, the fire of hope does not extinguish, and can grow into a prairie blaze!"

This decision amounted to a compromise. Although no large army was dispatched, it granted Li Qingxuan great autonomy and formally elevated the support of the Light Alliance and the search for companions to the level of a council mission.

"Thank you, council!" Li Qingxuan felt a heavy stone lift from his heart as he performed a solemn salute. This was the best outcome he could currently achieve.

"No need for thanks," the Starry Councilor said, "the 'Starfire' operation is also a trial by the council. May you not disappoint expectations, kindling more hope's light. Specific matters can be discussed with Guardian Yuexi."

The meeting ended.

Li Qingxuan immediately consulted with Yuexi, Elder Qingmu, and others regarding the concrete formation plan for the 'Starfire' task force. Personnel, vessels, equipment, routes… myriad details needed to be settled swiftly.

Meanwhile, at the far end of the endless Void, within the lost vessel Moonlight, Huang Rong, Xingren, and others, after enduring prolonged hibernation and initial system repairs, finally turned their gaze toward the starfield beyond the porthole—an unfamiliar region that faintly conveyed some kind of summoning ripple…

The hopeful Starfire had already been quietly ignited in various corners.

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