"The most troublesome thing is that we are now besieged in the Old Galaxy, unable to obtain new resources. Sooner or later, we will be done for.
"I feel the same way."
...
Long Bai stood on the stage, quietly looking at everyone.
At this time, Senior Member Bai Kedi was the first to stand up. Nervously, he said to Long Bai.
"Lord Long Bai, I donāt know if I should say this."
"Iāve said it before, speak freely!"
Long Bai replied coldly.
"Then Iāll say it. Lord Long Bai, although we won this time and temporarily repelled the enemy, our situation hasnāt improved because of it. Rather, itās worsening. Our troops have suffered heavy casualties, resources are heavily consumed, and weāre facing severe economic and production issues. Moreover, weāre trapped in the Old Galaxy and canāt get out. As time progresses, weāll grow weaker. Should the enemy return, we might not be able to hold out."
Bai Kedi said to Long Bai.
"And then?"
Long Bai looked indifferently at Member Bai Kedi.
"I think we should give up that Divine Artifact; we really canāt hold out any longer."
Bai Kedi gritted his teeth and proposed.
"I think Member Bai Kedi is right. Itās not that we donāt understand the long-term view; itās just that we canāt even make it through the present."
...
Many council members followed suit in agreement.
Long Chen, Alicia, and Farlo, for the first time, fell into rare silence.
If it were before, they would have stood up to oppose it.
At this time, Long Ying listened to the words of Bai Kedi and others, and his expression suddenly turned gloomy. Then he stood up and said.
"I oppose. If we hand over the Divine Artifact now, wouldnāt all our past sacrifices be a joke? Moreover, once it is handed over, itās tantamount to handing our lives over to the enemy."
"Lord Long Ying, we also know that doing this is tantamount to slow suicide. The problem is, if we donāt do this, we probably wonāt survive the next wave."
Bai Kedi and the others argued one after the other.
"That wonāt work."
Long Ying strongly opposed.
If Long Bai truly compromised, then all would be lost. No matter which side obtained the artifact, he would have no chance of taking it back, nor any opportunity to rise to power.
At this moment, everyone looked at Long Bai, awaiting her decision.
Long Bai changed her usual indisputable attitude and said, somewhat conceding.
"What youāre saying makes sense, let me consider this matter!"
"Council Chairman Long Bai is wise!"
...
Bai Kedi and others were overjoyed to see Long Bai did not outright reject it.
"The matter of the Divine Artifact will be set aside for now. Now, I announce one thing: abandon the Guangqi Star, Earth Flame Star, and Steel Rock Star defense lines. Everyone and all troops must retreat to the Third Planet. The Third Planet will activate underground shelter facilities to accommodate all returning citizens."
Long Bai directly told everyone.
"What? We have to shrink back to the Third Planet?"
Everyone was dumbfounded upon hearing this.
"Yes, concentrate all strength, only then can absolute safety be ensured."
Long Bai gave the order without leaving room for doubt.
"Yes."
After hesitating for a moment, everyone eventually responded in agreement.
...
As the order was issued,
Earth Flame Star defense line.
One after another, the Light Annihilation Heavenly Weapons folded up, the Crystal Origin Fortress activated propulsion devices, and numerous ships turned their bows, preparing to evacuate.
Officers controlled their Mecha, commanding their subordinates to shout.
"Move fast!"
"Take all weapons and resources that can be carried!"
"If you really canāt carry them, abandon them all!"
...
At this moment, one by one, war correspondents pointed their cameras at the retreating troops, reporting in real-time.
"The Federation Council has issued the latest evacuation order. Everyone can see that the defense weapons and troops are retreating..."
"Didnāt we win? Why do we have to abandon our home again?"
"Thereās no choice. If we donāt retreat, when the enemy comes back to attack, weāll have to fight on multiple fronts, which would be very prone to problems."
"But if we all retreat to the Third Planet, and the enemy comes without being repelled, wouldnāt we all perish?"
"Thereās no choice; every advantage has its disadvantage."
...
Inside the Star Cluster Forum, numerous citizens watched the evacuation footage, discussing worriedly.
...
--------------------------------------
In the pitch-black world.
Su Ming continually fell into the bottomless Abyss, allowing the darkness to swallow him.
He wasnāt afraid or scared, only feeling an unusual familiarity.
Suddenly, the pitch-black surroundings changed dramatically.
When Su Ming came back to his senses, he once again returned to the solemn, majestic, sacred hall, wearing the Crown of Silence and sitting on the throne.
Still, all around, figures surrounded him, constantly accusing him.
"Itās not your fault; the fault is ours!"
...
Su Ming looked at these accusing figures, only feeling that they became increasingly blurred, even the figure of his most loyal subordinate, Omiser, became extremely vague.
Soon, the figures and things in the hall started to disappear one by one.
Su Ming sat solitary on the throne as a long-buried memory gradually surfaced.
That day, he fulfilled his ideals and realized great unification!
But what followed was rebellion everywhere, with resisting forces attacking the capital from various places.
The flames of war reignited.
He sat alone on the throne, his heart filled with anger, confusion, and reluctance.
Recalling to this point, Su Ming couldnāt help but clench his fists, which creaked as negative emotions of helplessness, fatigue, etc., surged in his heart.
At this moment, he felt very, very tired, and his heart gradually turned cold!
He didnāt know what he did wrong.