Him and their stars.

Chapter 2141, Chapter Two Thousand One Thirty-Nine: The Will of the Void is the Will of Civilization
Yu Lian admitted that he was indeed starting to worry. He didn't know if Little Gray had come with him. This robot lady was capable of such things; she loved to go to the heart of any conflict and observe everything firsthand.

This was her duty, stemmed from her overflowing desire to gossip, and perhaps also from her ability to hide and extricate herself.

But now, Yu Lian is beginning to doubt this.

Fortunately, after waiting for several seconds, he didn't hear a cold "heh" from Little Gray inside his head. Hopefully, she gave in.

The Emperor seemed oblivious to Yu Lian's unusual reaction, but abruptly changed the subject: "The resistance of the Ring of Miracles has ended. Your last warriors were forced into the deep valley of the G-877 plate and launched a desperate counterattack against our army. 219 were killed in action, and the remaining 87 were seriously wounded and captured. This happened on May 12, right after you captured Chenxiao Fortress."

Yu Lian's eyes narrowed slightly.

His entire understanding of the Dawn Nebula battle situation came from secondhand information obtained from Yang Xiyi. However, with the Imperial fleet now highly active, the Yang fleet of New Shenzhou had abandoned its operation to harass the Miracle Ring from Babel, and naturally could not receive the latest battle updates.

Yu Lian already knew that all his comrades in the New World were left to fend for themselves. He just subconsciously overlooked that fact.

"Don't worry, they are all warriors and will naturally receive the treatment they deserve. However, I cannot give you a list of prisoners right now. Also, let me let you know, young man, even if you kill me now, the Empire will never relinquish ownership of the Ring of Miracles."

In the midst of Yu Lian's silence, he continued, "The battle at Yaochi is also over. Marshal Li Gele's garrison soldiers are remarkable; they have already killed six figures of Imperial soldiers."

"But this battle is already over." The emperor's tone carried a hint of regret: "The Oracle has arrived at that planet, and it brought eight dragons with it."

No, it's just a planet and a small town, with only about 200,000 civilians. Do we really need to deploy a dragon ship?

"The dragon boat was just something I did on the spur of the moment; it was originally intended for use on the Ring of Miracles," the Emperor explained. "The battlecruiser hiding in the Jade Pool Sea has already been found and sunk."

Yu Lian let out a sigh of relief.

"The garrison of the Miracle Ring has been transferred to Yaochi, sealing off all the passes through which the defenders could launch an offensive. While undergoing reorganization and training, they are also constructing fortifications and tunnels that can penetrate deep underground, gradually tightening the encirclement. A young general named Metig proposed this tactic, and it has indeed been very effective."

I've heard of that name before. The orange cat was the chief of staff of the Grand Marshal's Office during the Empress's era, that is, the chief of general staff.

He looked at Yu Lian with a hint of regret: "Actually, we should have adopted this tactic a long time ago. But since the war has already started, and since you have already demonstrated a new approach to military building, it would be a pity not to make a few moves."

Are they using the 38th Division of Yaochi and the soldiers and civilians of Marshal Li Gele as sparring partners?

"They are indeed heroes. Without them, we simply cannot imagine that the invincible stormtrooper and grenadier system could be so clumsy and sluggish. Now, all the remaining grenadiers and stormtroopers on the Imperial homeland, a total of 780 million, are on Deer Park. I demand that they begin to reorganize and train according to your methods and tactics, and give me results in six months. If it's not me, then it's Brin."

Very well, he has indeed decided it will be an orange cat. Although this is not surprising.

Very well, he really did treat the 38th Division as a sparring partner.

You might learn new organizational structures and tactics, and even gain an advantage in equipment, but these are merely superficial. Can you truly grasp the essence of military building?
...Well, from the Imperial Army's perspective, even just on the surface, it's enough to boost the entire army's combat effectiveness.

As for the essence, to be honest, Yu Lian himself wasn't sure if he had truly grasped it. He didn't have the time.

"We've already amassed a million men at Yaochi, trapping Marshal Li Gele and preparing to wear him down until the defenders surrender. They've performed exceptionally well, but they're now exhausted. We, on the other hand, have plenty of time and reserves. The future of this planet is open to discussion," the Emperor said to himself. He then gave Yu Lian a meaningful look, a hint of mischief in his eyes: "We can trust our descendants. They'll certainly be smarter than we are."

Emperor Elisel was already making arrangements for the post-war period. He told Yu Lian that the Ring of Miracles could not be abandoned, but Yaochi Star was on the list of parties to negotiate with.

"The battle at Xinyumen is still ongoing. Your mobilization was timely. The true commander is also excellent. The frontline commander has abandoned his plan to play hide-and-seek with you in the southern desert, and only wants to control the northern plains and the coast of the inland sea. Of course, there are many idealistic sand tribes on that planet, but most have succumbed to power, just like all the rebels. Yu Lianqing, there are rebellions in the empire every day, but this will not shake its foundations." The Emperor said:

"Once the Imperial Fleet is free to move and arrives over Xinyumen from Nantianmen, the game of hide-and-seek on the sand sea will be meaningless. Hopefully, they will be smarter."

He is certainly right; this is common sense in war.

But don't our comrades in the New World know this?

"Marshal Farrell's all-out attack on the Frost King's Gorge began two hours ago. I've replenished Lord Farrell with two dragonships and three dreadnoughts. These forces should have been able to enter the Shengyuan Sector before that boy, Gert, to stop you. But even if they do arrive, they might not be able to stop the specters of the Enlightened. Precious Astral Knights and adult Star Dragons shouldn't die from the long-range beams of Arc Cannons; they should be sent to the most important places. My men once tried to send the fleet through the Abyss Nebula, bypassing the Frost King's Gorge to intercept you. Now, they can certainly do the same again, harassing the Frost King's Fortress from the rear, and flanking Marshal Farrell from both sides."

Although it still involved an element of gambling, it was indeed a very clear-headed and sharp tactic. They didn't even want to give Marshal Bonaparte's outer fleet the chance to withdraw to the Alliance.

The outer fleet is in danger. Unless the alliance is truly willing to mobilize its entire force along the high seas border to rescue King Han.

The Emperor said, "And on Fei Mo's side, Ikenloga already crossed the Wanwang Pass on the 7th. He will join forces with Estai, giving them an absolute numerical advantage over the Alliance fleet. Yu Lianqing, no matter what tricks your comrades and the Alliance are planning, the Empire will not give up that starry sky. The Alliance can certainly extend its tentacles here, and so can you, young Earthling leader, haven't you already done so?"

Neither the Original Color Interstellar Space nor the Donkey Flag Transport Station are my subordinates. Yu Lian wanted to say this, but he didn't know where to begin. He shook his head and said, "The principles of a great man's actions are not something I can explain to you."

An inexplicable and overwhelming sense of oppression, like a star suddenly collapsing, left Yu Lian with nowhere to retreat. But precisely because of this, he could never back down.

"It's truly gratifying to have such national strength and military power to squander," Yu Lian said with a smile, looking like someone who had been through it all.

The emperor smiled and said, "You've experienced it? Yes, you must have. This is no ordinary enjoyment!"

"But Your Majesty, are you not going to tell me that, apart from the Heavenly Domain that I attacked, the Empire is winning on all fronts? And that my attack on the Heavenly Domain is meaningless?"

"No, I'm telling you, young Earthling leader, even if I fall here, the Empire will continue to advance in this way. The current troop movements aren't all my doing. Hahaha, actually, there's more than one person already waiting for my demise, isn't there? Yu Lianqing, you know that, don't you?"

Yu Lian smiled and nodded, forcing a sympathetic expression: "Every tyrant who's at his wit's end has to face this, right? It's a unique experience that you can't miss." He then adopted the air of someone who'd been there before.

That said, if an emperor emeritus wields absolute power and remotely controls the government, wouldn't he be considered a tyrant? And if his own grandson were to force him to perform a public mourning ceremony, could that be considered a dead end?

"Oh? It seems you've also chosen a magnificent ending on that magnificent stage!" The emperor seemed quite interested.

As expected! The Emperor knew about my online game with the orange cat.

And judging from the tone of someone who's been there, it's safe to say that this guy must have participated before.

The emperor revealed a candid expression, the resentment and bitterness in his eyes disappearing in an instant: "Hahaha, you're right, a dictator who is abandoned by all is a dictator who has lost the support of the people. However, the reason this scene is happening in the empire is not because of this. In fact, I should have died sixty years ago."

"..."

"Because I am a Forsaken! Your War of Independence made me choose to give up. In the history of the Galactic Empire, Forsaken emperors don't have a good reputation. I didn't die at that time only because I am a Ninth Ring."

Is being the emperor of an empire such a cruel profession? Yu Lian was genuinely shocked this time, and his sympathy became more sincere.

Of course, this so-called "death" should be a figurative concept rather than the literal meaning, right?
"But, despite being fully prepared for your second conquest, despite having a year-long strategic window, it still ended up like this. The Tirelo abandoned me when you entered the Celestial Realm. Perhaps, I really should have died." His spirit body still flowed with vibrant, bright floral light, but now it was filled with a sorrowful, oppressive feeling, making him truly resemble a ghost.

This 'death' should be understood literally, right?

However, this viewpoint is too idealistic. From a materialist perspective, shouldn't he have been beaten to that state by his master?
The emperor denied it: "No, it was because the Tirelo people were tired of me that Lan Jiufeng was able to deliver that successful blow!"

Although Elithel's words seemed like an attempt to save face, Yu Lian couldn't refute them. Perhaps in the realm of truth, such metaphysics could play a decisive role.

He took a deep breath: "Where is my master? Where is my master's wife?"

"No need to rush. The young leader of Earthlings, no need to rush. Of course he is still alive. But as Earthlings' sharpest sword, he has done everything he could."

The emperor's spirit waved his hand again, and the iron-ringed crown floated towards Yu Lian again, stopping only three to five meters away from his sight.

"Answer me, Earthling, what is He?"

"The Void Crown. The symbol of the Galactic Empire and the Dawn Royal Family, the Galactic Empire's most precious Enlightened Treasure. However, its effects are unknown, its origin is unknown, and its side effects are also unknown." Yu Lian began reciting. He tried to mobilize his psionic energy and mental power, hoping to resonate with this ordinary crown.

Naturally, he gained nothing.

“Indeed. However, it is not a powerful weapon, nor a special treasure, but rather the source of the contract.” The emperor’s spirit gazed at the phantom of the crown, his tone carrying a genuine realization for the first time:
"It is linked to the source of the Dawn Holy Dragon's bloodline, linked to the 'truth' that has existed since time immemorial in the Void Realm. It binds the bloodlines of the Dragon Kings, yet bestows glory upon the Tirelo people. Yu Lianqing, do you not believe that the will of the Tirelo people comes from it? Are we all its puppets?"

Yu Lian fell silent. The information he had gathered from the Alliance, from the Serpent, and even from the vacillating King Wei, all seemed to confirm this, but if that were truly the case, Yu Lian felt it was rather superficial.

"Young man, you're wrong again. It's not that He controls us, but that He responds to our desires. If any emperor cannot fulfill their ambitions, it's time for a change of ruler. If this is a curse, it's the choice of the entire Tireiro people. As for whether there's a way to escape this curse, do you want to know? I can tell you now. The obsessions of past emperors, including mine, have all been placed there." The emperor stared intently at Yu Lian.

“I haven’t asked, and I don’t intend to ask any further,” Yu Lian solemnly stated.

"Beyond the realm of truth, there lies an even higher dimension. Only by reaching that level can one contemplate the future of humanity and Him. And before that..."

"The will of the void is the will of civilization!"

"The will of civilization is the will of all living beings!"

His incarnation was still a semi-transparent projection, but the melody of his spirit was quietly hidden beneath the halo that was not even slightly undulating, brewing into a storm of nebula.

The emperor made no attempt to conceal his gathering of power. Even though he was now just a spirit, he could still freeze all the air in the space.

"Now, it's time to choose a dignified end," the Emperor said. "Yu Lianqing, can you do it?"

"I will do my best," Yu Lian said. "And what if I fail?"

"At least you can see the secrets of another layer of the Void Crown. We are waiting for the future."

Yu Lian heard the other person's voice and felt the temperature drop. He had just thrown all of Dawn's dimensional sword pellets into the air when the "void crown" that had been floating in his sight suddenly disappeared, "jumping" into every fold of the mystical dimension in a way that transcended the understanding of three-dimensional space.

At the same moment, an indescribable sense of constraint descended upon him. Yu Lian felt that he could still move his body freely, but the burning passion in his soul subsided in an instant. His emotions barely fluctuated anymore, yet he slowly sank into the abyss.

This is a completely new experience unlike anything I've ever had before.

At the same time, the emperor's spirit, which had been standing still like a sculpture, began to move.

In Yu Lian's conscious perception at this moment, the other party's spirit had already expanded into a giant that blotted out the sky. Its limbs and head had reached beyond the sky, looking down at him, who was like an ant.

Looking down at himself, about to melt into the mud.

Well, this is definitely a completely new experience.