Lu Yuan spoke, his expression shifting slightly. Just as he had noted before, once he departed, the members of the Heavenly Court would truly have to begin standing on their own.
He naturally trusted the younger generation like Zhu Qingyu and Ice Fairy. Furthermore, most of their formidable foes had already been dealt with by him, so no great upheavals should occur.
Thus, he could leave with peace of mind. Even so, Lu Yuan knew very well that this would be a trial for them—navigating the future without a top powerhouse presiding over everything.
What the Heavenly Court would do next, and whether ordinary citizens could continue to be protected just as before—all of this would demand their full effort.
Lu Yuan believed in the capabilities of the Heavenly Court's ranks. The issue was that believing in them was one thing, but worrying was still inevitable.
"Indeed. After you leave, everything will depend on their leadership," Jiang Ningxian agreed beside him with a nod. She knew that the present stability of Earth and the Milky Way Star Sector was largely due to Lu Yuan's efforts. Without him, the situation would inevitably change. Naturally, the change would not be too drastic because the Jiang clan remained behind, and only a few individuals would be leaving.
Still, because all of them were mighty powerhouses, it would have some impact, great or small.
"In any case, the extraterrestrial heavenly demons are of paramount importance." Lu Yuan was acutely aware that he had to go.
Without lingering further on the subject, he thought for a moment before saying, "Let us set the departure date for three days from now." The members of the Jiang clan could set off at any time, but he still had many arrangements to make.
For instance, after his departure, how should the Heavenly Court deal with the extraterrestrial beings? And how should they handle the chain of subsequent affairs?
In short, Lu Yuan could not simply walk away without preparation.
"Very well." Jiang Ningxian naturally had no objection. With traces of the extraterrestrial heavenly demons already uncovered, leaving a day earlier or later would make little difference.
The two talked for a while longer before Jiang Ningxian exited the room, leaving Lu Yuan by himself.
Lu Yuan did not hesitate. He went to find Zhu Qingyu, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, and the others. He had already thought it through: for this journey beyond the domain, he would go alone. He would take no one with him, for no one knew what perils lay in wait out in the stars.
Although one could walk through the void of space upon reaching the Saint Realm, safely crossing star sectors required strength above the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, if danger struck, it would become extremely troublesome.
Soon, the various Beast Kings and the core members of the Heavenly Court—represented by Zhu Qingyu and her peers—had gathered almost in their entirety. Even Elder Ji and Elder Yun, two elders who had long stepped back from active duties, came out, as this was Lu Yuan's wish. This time was different from before. He was not merely stepping away for a short while; he was leaving this star sector entirely.
Therefore, he had to ensure that everyone was mentally prepared. Of course, only high-ranking and core figures were present; the ordinary ranks of the Heavenly Court were not included, with the gathering extending at most to Beast Kings like the Spirit Monkey. These were the topmost combat strength and foundation of the Heavenly Court, and practically all of them were here.
Once he saw that almost everyone had arrived, Lu Yuan wasted no words and spoke directly, informing everyone present that he would be leaving in three days alongside members of the Jiang clan.
The duration could not be certain—it might be several years, or perhaps several decades. The universe was simply too vast, and the distances between star sectors were far too immense.
Lu Yuan could not guarantee when he would return. Moreover, with their adversaries being extraterrestrial heavenly demons, this uncertainty was all the greater.
Hearing this news, everyone was instantly stunned, completely at a loss. They had initially assumed it would be like previous times, where Lu Yuan left only temporarily, but that was evidently not the case at all.
Years, or even decades... For a time, no one could process it.
"The situation on Earth and across the Milky Way Star Sector has temporarily stabilized," Lu Yuan spoke first, knowing well what everyone present was thinking. "Our ultimate foe is the extraterrestrial heavenly demons. Now that the Jiang clan has discovered their trail, I must go.
"From here on out, everything on Earth and in the Heavenly Court will be entrusted to your leadership."
In truth, he had never viewed the people before him merely as subordinates. Even though he had personally performed the investitures, doing all that had only been to make the Heavenly Court a little stronger. Had there been any other way, Lu Yuan would not have hesitated.
Now that he was on the verge of leaving, there were things that had to be delegated. After all, it was impossible for him to lead everything forever.
Across from him, Elder Ji, Elder Yun, and the younger generation fell into silence upon hearing his words.
Even the Beast Kings, led by the Spirit Monkey and the Golden-Winged Great Peng, were lost for words. All along, Lu Yuan had been their backbone. Both the mutated beasts and the humans felt that as long as he was around, any crisis could ultimately be resolved.
Yet now, Lu Yuan was about to leave. This was no joyful news; it was practically stripping away their sense of security.
No one—not even the Beast Kings—knew what they would do if another crisis arose after Lu Yuan departed.
Rely solely on their own strength? But could they truly resolve it that way? Their thoughts mirrored what Lu Yuan had considered earlier.
Each of them was strong and dependable enough. The problem was that, at this moment, none of them could truly stand on their own. Thus, faced with his impending departure, every one of them appeared deeply hesitant. On one hand, they did not want Lu Yuan to go.
On the other hand, they knew they could not sway his mind. Everyone was well aware that once he made a decision, it could not be changed.
That was precisely what weighed heaviest on their hearts. And Lu Yuan understood this clearly. He rose to his feet, swept his gaze over everyone present, and spoke once more in a measured tone: "This is my decision."
The implication was unmistakable: he was simply informing them.
Regardless of what they thought, he would leave. More importantly, from their reactions, Lu Yuan saw with complete clarity that even without the threat of extraterrestrial heavenly demons, he needed to distance himself for a time.
He had to forge within the Heavenly Court the capacity to stand on its own feet. They could not rely on others for everything. If things continued as they were, no matter how many powerhouses the Heavenly Court possessed in the future, it would never grow into a mighty power capable of shaking the cosmos. Thus, Lu Yuan became all the firmer in his resolve.
Hearing this, everyone understood his determination and exchanged glances. Finally, Zhu Qingyu stepped forward, drew a deep breath, and said, "After you depart, we will carry on just as before. Please rest assured, King Lu!"
Chapter 460