He hid the tenderness in his eyes and bowed slightly, every courtesy observed:
"Greetings, Aunt Chang Xi. Greetings, Senior Ziwei."
Chang Xi nodded with a gentle smile. "It's been years, Little Six. You've truly grown into a mighty figure of the Star River, worthy of your foundation as a Solar Supreme."
Ziwei nodded calmly. "Young friend Lu Ya has guarded the blazing sun alone for ages, preserving the Star River's tradition of the yang pole. Your Merit runs deep. I admire you."
Lu Ya returned their greetings with a slight bow, then looked back at Xi He. His gaze was clear and open as he spoke first:
"Mother, now that you've returned and come to the Solar Star, I imagine it's for the sake of the Star River and authority over the sun.
Though I've lived alone upon the blazing sun for years and kept apart from worldly affairs, even I know that the worlds are merging, the Star Sea is being reordered, and the Zhou Tian Stars Great Formation is expanding toward completion."
"The sun is the foundation of the Star River's yang pole. It cannot remain without a rightful master indefinitely.
I know I've only held this divine office temporarily. My cultivation and fate cannot fully bear authority over the suns of all worlds."
His voice was sincere and frank, without the slightest desire to cling to power:
"Now that you've returned, Mother, Taiyin can return to its rightful place and a new order can be established in the Star River. Authority over the sun should return to the system of the stars and become part of the Zhou Tian Stars Great Formation.
If it will steady the Star River and complete the order of all worlds, I'm willing to hand over the authority I've held in trust