Him and their stars.

Chapter 2183 History Ends

Yu Lian looked up at the blue sky, once again lamenting that he was indeed out of place with these undeniably powerful rulers because he wasn't anti-human enough. However, that was no longer the point.

He lowered his eyelids and sighed, "Was it you who introduced the King of Wei to become a snake?"

A flicker of surprise crossed the High Priest's eyes, but he still bowed with a forced smile: "General, you have a keen eye. However, before His Highness King Velent joined the organization, I had already taken over the Stargazing Pavilion and withdrawn. As for that prince, he simply found his own way. Just so you know, Your Excellency, the organization cooperates with too many forces. Overtly, covertly, in the underworld, in the business world, in politics, in the alliances, and even in the Empire. Each person is responsible for a separate matter. Most of the time, the relationships among the organization's higher-ups are really just like club partners."

Yu Lian now understands. The Serpent of the World is indeed a loosely organized troublemaking group, but as long as "Future" can maintain its lofty mystique and behind-the-scenes control, the organization's survival will be on a religious level.

He suddenly felt less inclined to delve into the true identity of "Future," though his curiosity remained. His demigod-level intuition told him that even if he learned the truth, it wouldn't change the current situation.

Or perhaps, the truth is definitely not what you hope for.

Compared to that, how the other party stabilized the corpse of the Void Realm Lord was more of a practical concern. Yu Lian felt that even if he couldn't use it himself, it would definitely be helpful for the future teaching and development of the Spirit Research Association.

He ate his cake while staring intently at the two of them.

Trend, like a well-trained and understanding old butler, quickly picked up the conversation. His tone was as calm as if discussing a candy recipe: "The Dawn Angel-class application armor adopts a relatively radical technical solution. In the gaps of the composite armor, quite intricate engravings are mechanically carved, much like the neural network on the surface of a living organism. The Imperial Heavenly Palace Institute originally considered whether it was possible to solidify various large arrays within these complex circuits to achieve a higher-dimensional enhancement of mysticism. As it turns out, this approach was successful, but it also seemed redundant."

Norddos said, "Whether it's defense, speed, or endurance, the bonuses from the Spirit Array can never compare to the application of new technologies. Unless we use the expensive Zero Element."

Yu Lian took a swig of the iced cola that had just been delivered, feeling quite pleased.

"However, we can use multiple 'imprisonments' and 'shapings' to stabilize the Void Remains. Thus, this body, which combines Void Remains characteristics with cutting-edge mechanical technology, has become one of His Majesty's most powerful backup containers for his soul, far surpassing those fragile original bodies."

"I see. Humans, and immature clones, have their limits. So he decided not to be human."

Old man Trend chimed in, "Yes. From that perspective, His Majesty is actually a hidden cybernetic enthusiast."

Norddos, however, argued in a less confident voice: "He was merely trying to expand the boundaries of knowledge, to liberate the soul, and to seek a realm beyond truth."

Yu Lian nodded expressionlessly: "Very good, I believe you."

His attention seemed to shift to the robot that came over next to him, so he waved his hand, and a fragrant skewer of grilled meat, still glistening with oil, flew into his hand.

He started eating large chunks of food, his manner of eating like that of an old mercenary who hadn't eaten for three days.

Norddos watched the other's actions and felt a chill run down his spine, as if his own flesh had been ripped out. However, he still forced a smile and said, "In any case, this is a useful attempt."

Trend looked at Yu Lian, still wearing that sweet, amiable smile, but his gaze was deep and resolute: "This experiment cannot be considered a success. However, failure is a normal part of any exploration into the unknown. This is a scientific experiment, just like your ideal, which is also a social experiment."

"This knowledge may benefit civilization in another form in the future," the High Priest said.

"The Empire has explored the future borders, and the Serpent has obtained valuable data. Everyone has a bright future ahead?" Yu Lian laughed, "That's good. But I need all your data."

The two men looked at each other, but after exchanging a brief glance, they bowed simultaneously: "There's a lot of information, but it will definitely be delivered to you safely within 72 hours."

"Send it directly to the Lingyan Association's newly opened office in Baiyujing."

"Understood." The two bowed simultaneously.

The Star Seer even added, "I will personally travel to the New Divine Continent to request a meeting with Master Lan."

“You probably won’t see it, but the remote and impoverished areas of the new Shenzhou are indeed very suitable for retirement.” Yu Lian looked at the other person meaningfully: “Such an environment is very suitable for organizing one’s life’s learning, writing books and establishing doctrines, which would be excellent.”

“Although your nobility and benevolence are virtues known throughout the universe, I am still deeply honored to have been bathed in your glory!” High Priest Norddos also let out a relaxed laugh. After standing up again, his breathing was completely relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his body: “His Majesty has fallen, my mission is over, and my cooperation with the ‘Serpent of the Ring’ has come to an end.”

Old man Trend's eyes were full of warmth, as if he were truly saying goodbye to an old friend or colleague who was retiring: "Thank you for your hard work."

Norddos shuddered, stepped back two paces, and said, "Well then, it's time to do something for myself. The future of the Empire needs a new sun, but that's no longer my concern."

He bowed to Yu Lian again, glanced at Trend, and slowly became transparent, disappearing unsteadily into the dazzling yet empty backdrop of the amusement park.

The chief star-gazer has indeed laid down a heavy burden, but his physical and mental state is rapidly approaching his true age.

The High Priest of Norddos doesn't have much time left. Once Yu Lian confirmed this, he could only hope that the old man could leave behind as much information and data as possible before he perished.

He then looked at Mr. Trend: "The empire will experience some turmoil in the future, but it won't last long. Its true national strength won't actually be greatly damaged."

"But the Alliance won't let this opportunity slip by. That's why it's a great era." Old man Trend watched Yu Lian finish the last skewer of savory grilled meat, wiped his hands, and a hint of seriousness finally crept into his sweet smile.

At this point, he no longer resembled a well-trained butler, but rather a serious and meticulous scholar.

Yu Lian said that he was indeed more used to this way.

"To be honest, the Serpent of the Universe and the great 'Future God' have been observing and predicting the future of the galaxy."

"I know, this is your job. The 'prophet' lady from before is proof enough. It's a pity she died such a horrible death, like a mere tool." "Being the mastermind comes at a price. Even the leader of the alliance dies, let alone the Thirteen Faces and the Executor." Old Man Trend revealed a slightly melancholic expression: "In the past two hundred years, I've almost died several times myself, but by luck, I always escaped with my life, and managed to establish the Brotherhood and the Guild. If I were to say what contribution I've made to this world, it would be this."

“Yes, merits are merits and demerits are demerits. Even if I beat you to death right now, you will still be respected for all eternity as the founder of the Engineers’ Guild.” Yu Lian picked up a large glass that was at least one and a half liters long and poured in the remaining half of the iced cola.

Trend bowed deeply again with gratitude, as if acknowledging that Yu Lian was ready to let him go, and continued, "We once judged that a great era that would truly shake the existing order would arrive in this era. The trigger for its arrival might be the birth of the Zerg swarm. They will either constitute a natural disaster in this universe or become a new form of civilization. Originally, the former was more likely."

Do you know that the Overlord of the Swarm is your old master's daughter? Yu Lian looked into the old man Terend's eyes and said nothing more.

Essentially, Shirley is a classic example of trying anything as a last resort; as long as she can live, it's a bonus.

"From a macro perspective, becoming a natural disaster isn't necessarily a bad thing. It will become a whip to torture the entire galactic civilization." Old Man Trend said with a neutral expression, "In addition, the raiders, under the leadership of Great Khan Tomiteli, have launched a grand revenge against the civilized nations after a thousand years of silence! This should be another opportunity."

Yu Lian nodded.

In another timeline, while Toghril Khan failed to complete the monumental expedition spanning two million light-years, he skillfully navigated the confrontation between the two major factions, continuously expanding his sphere of influence. At his peak, his plundering forces even reached the core star sectors of the two great powers.

By the time Yulian returned, although Toda Khan had died a heroic death, her younger brother had successfully inherited the throne. The raiders had already acquired a large number of valuable people and strategic resources in the early stages of the war, and controlled many important strategic star systems. The Ero royal family and its followers had entered a period of active expansion and were far from being defeated.

Well, she might be one of the biggest victims of the butterfly effect that can compete with herself.

"The pressure and destruction they bring are enough to force the entire galactic civilization to make fundamental changes, whether towards unity or towards a more extreme form. That's what we originally thought..." Trend paused, his gaze deep, as if piercing through the false blue sky of Paradise and seeing the changing trajectory of the Milky Way: "However, the changes in cause and effect are unpredictable, and the future we see is always just a possibility."

Yu Lian shrugged: "Possibility is a sad topic, but it's not shameful."

“These two major external factors have disappeared, which can’t be said to be unrelated to you. On the contrary, it is you yourself, and the set of idealism you brought that makes people yearn for you, that has grown into the biggest internal factor stirring up the galaxy today. But, you in the past were just…” He paused, pondering his words.

"Just one by the roadside?" Yu Lian laughed.

“No, no, no, it’s just one of the many storms of the times,” he said.

Yu Lian seemed to be deep in thought, as if he felt the spicy skewers weren't spicy enough. So the robot that had just delivered the barbecue quickly brought out another rack, displaying a dazzling array of condiments such as chili powder, chili oil, chili sauce, and sour sauce, at least thirty kinds in total.

"As things stand, our observational models still have huge blind spots. Therefore, snakes will continue to be active in the coming era. Of course, not to be any behind-the-scenes manipulators. In fact, as you know, we have never had the ability to manipulate things behind the scenes. We only ever provide temporary collaborators with whatever help we can."

Yu Lian nodded and began to season the remaining skewers.

"The organization's work has always been simply to observe and record, and, when necessary, to ensure that the flames of diversity are not completely extinguished by a single storm."

Yu Lian chewed on the kebab without saying anything, only gesturing for him to continue.

"As for the Brotherhood of Omnics and the Engineers' Guild, my protégé Samos will continue to lead them." The old cyborg's voice still carried a reassuring gentleness and certainty, like that of a reliable elder: "Rest assured, everything has been handed over. Samos, and the vast majority of the Guild and the Brotherhood members, will uphold their original ideals and become one of your most steadfast supporters. You can trust their loyalty. You know he is trustworthy."

“Samos, ha, that’s Thomas backwards.” Yu Lian raised an eyebrow, thinking of that old classmate from his school days. He had always felt that this kid was more suited to be a promising engineer than a soldier.

Looking back now, it seems understandable why the Omnic Brotherhood, led by Samos, harbored such hostility towards the Katai and the Sand People of New Jade Gate in my past life.

But all of that is in the past.

On this timeline, New Jade Gate was even the location of the first branch of the Engineers' Guild. Samos was still leading the Sand People in a fierce battle against the Empire.

"When news of the battle here reaches the New World, the fighting at Xinyumen can come to an end. I hope he is safe," Yu Lian said.

"He's safe. If he can't even pass this test, then the eternal chip in the computing unit will have been wasted. How can he then lead the future of the cybernetic body school?"

Yu Lian picked up a skewer of grilled meat: "I have never doubted the sincerity of the Brotherhood and the Guild. So, what about you personally, and the Serpent of the World that you represent? By the way, shouldn't you be able to represent the Serpent of the World now?"

Trend stated frankly, "At least for now, and at least for the foreseeable future, the Serpent of the Ring is not your enemy, Lord Yu Lian. In fact, the organization's current leader is already your... friend. You should have full confidence in your charisma."

Since he is the "leader of the organization," he certainly cannot be the "future leader." So who could it be? It can only be the new "present" and the "past."

And he's my old friend?
Yu Lian thought for a while but couldn't come up with a solution. He figured the white fox and the orange cat probably knew more about these things than he did. That was normal, since the Empire and the Alliance were the snake's long-time clients compared to him, a harmless newcomer to the power arena.

"As for the 'Future' Lord, do you really want to know? If you really want to understand, He will not hide His identity."

Yu Lian finished the last skewer of grilled meat: "Actually, I've already guessed some of it, so there's no need to go into too much detail."

He looked up at the void crown in the sky and suddenly felt a slight urge to summon Little Gray.

“You have a profound understanding.” Trend bowed again and said, “We are merely observers, and we will witness the day when different seeds grow into towering trees. Your ideal is now that most peculiar seed, the one that intrigues us the most.”

Just then, a clear female voice suddenly interrupted: "Yes, He doesn't water, He doesn't weed, He only bears witness. So, He is the guide. That guy who forbids things is about to turn himself into a ghost."

Don't you yourself seem to have a lot of ghosts behind you?

Furthermore, at this point, isn't it obvious that there are "prohibited items" that are simply an attempt to cover up the truth?
Yu Lian watched as Xiao Hui's figure, accompanied by subtle streaks of light, slowly solidified beside the candy store. She was still dressed in her classic mecha girl attire, arms crossed, watching Trend with great interest.