Him and their stars.

Chapter 2226 Even without being a ruler, one can still be a pioneer.
She possesses a very distinct imperial shipbuilding style, with sharp lines and a dignified form, resembling a majestic, mobile castle. Yet, this colossal ship is painted in very commonplace light blue, dark blue, and green, representing the sky, the sea, and the earth, respectively.

This paint scheme is just too similar to everyone else's.

“I knew it,” Yu Lian said.

This colossal ship, needless to say, is none other than the new "Independence," the only Titan ship in the Blue Star Community!
...After all, it's hard to say for sure whether the Wide-Range Silent Ship can actually be considered a Titan.

This was once the Natural Emblem of the Galactic Empire, and it was also the greatest spoils of war the Commonwealth acquired in the First Battle of Said.

Thinking about it carefully, I had already made outstanding contributions even before I drove Little Gray through the Heavenly Realm. I was, at the very least, a part of the people who made history. Thinking of this, Yu Lian was filled with pride.

In fact, although the Nature Emblem was once an Imperial warship, it had long since taken on the form of an Earthling.

As soon as she appeared, the main cannon, which had already been fully charged, began to roar.

Several blazing spears of light streaked across the void, precisely striking a gas giant planet not far away. Or rather, it was an Imperial warship that had just escaped the giant planet's orbit.

The sixth moon of this giant planet has water and oxygen. A warlord once established a well-developed base and settlement there.

After the Empire arrived, they began to expand the outposts and outposts, added artillery positions, missile silos and docks, and even stationed two regiments of assault troops, probably in preparation for forming a pincer movement with the fortress.

However, these Marines had barely left their shipyard when they were met with a fierce attack.

Four transport ships and five intra-stellar gunships disappeared into space within half a minute.

After its successful attack, the Titan accelerated again, heading straight towards the fortress. As it accelerated, it unleashed a barrage of sub-light-speed missiles.

The soldiers of the Commonwealth aboard the Independence seemed completely unconcerned about harming their allies inside the fortress.

However, Yu Lian felt that these missiles were very likely equipped with special warheads. Even if they were blanks, it would be enough to cause chaos among the fortress defenders and relieve pressure on his assault team comrades.

Chester Rozes, perhaps? There should only be Chester Rozes himself on the ship. Yu Lian thought.

The emotions surging within him almost transformed into a scorching torrent, and he longed to join in immediately. At this moment, his fighting spirit surpassed even that of when he confronted the Emperor in the Heavenly Realm.

Yes, these are the people he most wanted to fight alongside, and the people he most wanted to become! They are not lambs waiting to be saved, and he himself is merely using the knowledge of his ancestors to help them become the people they were destined to be!
He was about to send Biceffleurs into battle, but in that instant, everything around him seemed to freeze.

The starlight faded, the roar of gunfire receded, and even the flow of time became viscous and slow.

A vast and unstoppable will descended silently, condensing into light in Yu Lian's vision.

“It’s like a lingering ghost…” Yu Lian sighed heavily.

"I already told you, her greatest strength is her persistence," Xiao Hui said.

"Croak!" Bisefeleus flapped his wings, seemingly in response. He couldn't find a spatial fold where he could roam freely, and he said that flying over there was just too tiring.

Light converged and sculpted before Yu Lian, outlining the figure of a woman. She wore a classically styled imperial marshal's uniform, her long, dazzling golden hair flowing down her back and transforming into a sun. Her perfect face resembled a jade statue sculpted by a divine craftsman, and her majestic golden eyes contained what seemed to hold the entire galaxy.

More importantly, she and Feifei look eight or nine points alike.

Alternatively, it could be interpreted as Fei Fei's new skin featuring a glamorous court makeup look, which is also acceptable.

After careful consideration, Yu Lian guessed that this person was most likely Empress Iwenya herself.

Interestingly, despite the many similarities in their eyes and eyebrows, they are clearly two different people. Come to think of it, it seems few people have ever questioned the relationship between Feifei and the Morning Dawn Royal Family, which is quite intriguing.

Looking back now, aside from the jet-black hair and eye color, it was probably the overall impression created by his temperament and demeanor.

Considering the connection between the Void Crown and the emperors throughout history, its interface should have a wide variety of skins available.

Yu Lian looked at the other person, feeling a bit of a headache.

She resembled Feifei, so it was difficult for her to feel hostility. But since she wasn't Feifei, she didn't feel offended.

More importantly, considering the setting of a certain virtual timeline, I still have some... well, some kind of lingering affection for this empress from five hundred years ago.

"Do you see it, my warrior?" the illusory image of the queen spoke. This time, her smile and voice were like those of a soothing older sister.

Yu Liande admitted that this was also his favorite. Yes, Feifei, besides Shudao Mountain, is also quite therapeutic.

"Did you see the light emanating from these creatures? It is a powerful force that does not depend on any divine artifact, but originates from the indomitable spirit and desire of life itself. They nurture order in chaos, and they ignite sparks in darkness."

Did Old Ba and his team's incredible feat even move the Void Crown? Yu Lian felt even more inexplicably impressed.

“I witnessed all of this in a time long ago. It was the day you call the Age of Galactic Exploration. It was a wild yet progressive era. I have met such people, and I have come for their vision.”

The early era of galactic exploration was indeed an era of risking one's life to expand the frontiers of civilization, and it was also an era of continuous progress. Yu Lian remembered that in his previous life, he constantly lamented that he hadn't traveled 3000 years earlier, otherwise he could have easily become a powerful ruler in the universe.

To establish one's own government and yamen, to become a king and a tyrant—wouldn't that be wonderful?
...Well, those are thoughts from a past life.

“They fought for a vague ideal, and for themselves. It was such an idealistic flame that it ignited the universe, yet consumed them.” Empress Iwenya gazed meaningfully at Yulian: “They were actually fighting for you, and you have an obligation to make their efforts rewarded.”

"What exactly do you want to say?"

He slightly raised his hand, and the ancient crown floated in his hand.

"Come, my warrior, choose a more fundamental path. Accept it." She gazed at Yu Lian, her eyes filled with expectation.

There was no seductive or alluring flattery on her face, but rather a burning sense of mission: "You are not a conqueror, nor a ruler, so you do not need to bear the arrogance of a ruler. However, you are a guide, and you must shoulder the responsibility of a guide, unifying this chaotic sea of ​​stars with your will, and making this stagnant universe move with your ideals!"

Looking at the other person, Yu Lian had to admit that she actually found her words quite pleasing to the ear this time.

"Young great man, gather together the radiant spirit of these great ideals. Guide them toward a brighter future. The glittering stars need you, and your comrades need you too. They have proven the epic of mortals. But you, Yu Lian, the creator and pioneer of history, you should be the guardian of this epic, you should even elevate it. Do not dwell on your status as a ruler, but live up to your original ideals; you need strength."

Yu Lian lowered his eyelids slightly, seemingly caught in a long struggle between heaven and man.

"Isn't this the best answer you've been waiting for right now? Embrace the future, my warrior!"

Empress Iwenya's voice remained calm and warm, and the illusory crown was ancient and solemn. Even the unique ruby ​​appeared exceptionally dignified at this moment.

She was not trying to persuade Yu Lian to become an evil ruler; she was simply trying to persuade him to accept a heavy and selfless responsibility.

Yes, guiding, protecting, and elevating—these are the things idealists should practice first. These are the true pioneers.

For a fleeting moment, Yu Lian almost nodded.

He felt he should accept this inescapable responsibility. To ensure his comrades' blood was not shed in vain, and to push this epic tale of mortals to a more glorious conclusion, he needed greater power, and he needed more time. He needed ample resources to plan, to lay the groundwork, and to complete the core that would gather all the light.

His thoughts were churning, as if he were about to be overwhelmed by some lofty sense of mission.

Then, he bit his tongue hard until it bled.

He waved his hand sternly at Empress Iwenya opposite him, then placed his hand to his ear. He "heard" clear and intense energy vibrations and spatial fluctuations!

Yu Lian suddenly looked up, and the predicament formed by confusion was instantly shattered.

His gaze pierced through the stagnant void and landed on the Elathel Fortress.

Of course, he also heard Little Gray's voice at the same time: "How embarrassing! You know, you were stunned for at least two and a half minutes, and you didn't respond no matter how I called you."

“Aga!” said the competition expert. Yu Lian didn’t quite understand what he was talking about either.

There were only two and a half minutes left, which meant that two and a half years would be excellent. Yu Lian comforted himself.

At the edge of his spiritual vision, on the half-built fluid metal layer of the Elathel Fortress, a dazzling light flickered on and off!
That was a reflection from artillery fire.

The missile swarm from the Independence was shot down one by one by the fortress's dense anti-aircraft fire, bursting into the starry sky.

However, such dense defensive firepower could not stop the attack that occurred inside.

The fluid metal layer began to sway, as if it were being subjected to abnormally violent tides caused by the immense gravity of a celestial body.

At this moment, the strategic weapon named "Emperor's Scepter" by the Empire is tearing through the fixed supports of the dock, breaking free from the constraints of the fortress little by little!
(End of this chapter)