138: I'm familiar with this.

At the border of the Human Federation territory, the "Watcher" space station.

As the official gateway to the Federation's newest periphery, surrounded by the Star Pirate Autonomous Dominion, the work at this space station was usually so dull it could bore a bird to death.

The station master, Wang Laoshi, was true to his name—an honest old Soul who had been stuck at the Planetary Level initial stage for eight hundred years. His greatest hobby was tending to the few pots of "star moss" in the space station that were said to absorb cosmic radiation.

At this moment, he was yawning, routinely glancing at the monitoring screen—it was peaceful, with not even a passing meteorite in sight.

"Sigh, another day of doing nothing..." Wang Laoshi stretched and prepared to water the star moss.

Suddenly!

"Hum—!!! Alarm! Alarm! Large-scale space jump fluctuations detected! Coordinates: K-77 Star Domain! Energy Rank... incalculable! Quantity... 1... no, it's 3! 3 giant unidentified warships are approaching!!!"

The monitor operator's scream, laced with tears, instantly scared Wang Laoshi's sleepiness to the nine heavens!

He scrambled to the main screen, only to see three huge, distinct light spots tearing through space at a speed beyond the Federation's understanding, rushing straight toward the border!

One of them was entirely silver-white, with a streamlined design, exuding a sense of precise technology;

Another was brilliantly golden, with a huge holy emblem carved on the bow, full of solemnity and majesty;

The third was like a moving botanical garden, its hull covered in lush greenery, emitting a majestic aura of life.

"Oh my god! This... which civilization's capital ship is this?! Looking at this level of technology, it's at least Rank 2.2 or higher! What do they want?! An invasion?!" Wang Laoshi's legs trembled uncontrollably, his voice shaking like a sieve.

Almost reflexively, he reached for the highest alarm button that went straight to the Pillar of Leaders!

However, just as his finger was about to touch the button—

Those three giant warships, at a distance of 0.1 light-years from the border, all together... stopped?

Immediately after, a broadcast in the common language, precisely translated and with a tone that even carried a hint of... sycophancy?, was transmitted throughout the "Watcher" space station and instantly sent back to the Federation via quantum communication:

"Respected friends of the Human Federation! Greetings!"

"We are a friendly delegation from the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate/Holy Radiance Empire/Star Spirit Federation!"

"With the most sincere respect and best wishes, we have come to visit the great, glorious, and correct Human Federation!"

"We have brought insignificant gifts symbolizing our friendship, hoping to establish a permanent, mutually beneficial, and friendly relationship with your civilization!"

"Requesting... requesting permission to enter!"

Wang Laoshi: "???"

Monitor operator: "???"

All space station staff: "???"

Everyone was stunned!

Myriad Merchant Conglomerate? Holy Radiance Empire? Star Spirit Federation?!

These were all prominent Rank 2.2 and 2.3 civilizations in the surrounding Star Domains!

Usually, when the Federation wanted to strike up a conversation, they would ignore us with their noses in the air!

What happened today? Did the sun rise in the west? Or were the physical constants of the Universe modified?!

Not only did they come personally, but... they were also so polite?! Even a bit... humble?!

Wang Laoshi pinched his thigh hard, wincing in pain. It wasn't a dream!

He trembled, thinking about what to do according to the emergency plan. After recalling all the plans... he realized—there was no such situation of a "friendly delegation" invasion in the plans?!

So he stammered a reply: "Wel... welcome to the Human Federation... plea... please state your... specific purpose?"

Pillar of Leaders, Highest Council Chamber. The emergency high-level meeting had an equally bizarre atmosphere...

On the holographic star map, those three giant warships, with their distinct styles but technology levels that clearly crushed the Federation's, were parked obediently outside the border like three tame sheep.

Chu Yueyao looked at the official holographic visit post sent by the other party, with wording so humble it was almost sickening, and frowned: "The Myriad Merchant Conglomerate is willing to provide the complete 'Shadow Stealth' technology and production line, and include one hundred thousand units of 'Void Gold' as a gift?"

"The Holy Radiance Empire is willing to share its latest generation of 'Holy Barrier' energy shield technology and offer one hundred crystals of 'Source of Holy Light'?"

"The Star Spirit Federation... is willing to open partial access to its 'Life Genetic Map Library' and gift a living seedling of the 'Eternal Life Tree'?!"

Shi Yue touched his chin, looking incredulous: "These guys... did they take the wrong medicine? A few years ago, our reconnaissance ships were even expelled by their patrol teams; why have they suddenly become Santa Claus today?"

Li Qingshan held his sword and snorted coldly: "Showing courtesy without reason usually implies deceit! I think they must have seen the might of Her Highness Qinglan and the others, got scared out of their wits, and came to hedge their bets early!"

Mo Heng pushed up his glasses, his eyes gleaming with the light of a scientist seeing a Treasure Trove: "Although their motives are impure, these technologies... are exactly what we urgently need! Especially 'Shadow Stealth' and 'Holy Barrier'; if we can master them, our national defense strength will improve by several levels! And that 'Eternal Life Tree' seedling... it's a legendary longevity treasure!"

Everyone argued endlessly; some advocated for cautious contact, some advocated for accepting everything, and others suspected it was a sugar-coated bullet...

In the end, everyone's gaze habitually turned back to Chen Jun in the corner.

Chen Jun was still sprawled on the lounge chair, holding an "Emotion Fruit" newly cultivated by Su Yuan that could change color according to one's mood, teasing a great-grandson in his arms who was curiously reaching out.

Sensing everyone's gaze, he didn't even lift his head and said casually: "Why would we push away things that have been delivered to our doorstep?"

He took a bite of the fruit, and it instantly turned into the rainbow color representing "joy."

"If they are willing to give, we will accept it with tears... ahem, accept it happily. As for what schemes they have..."

Chen Jun smiled, stuffed the remaining half of the fruit into his great-grandson's hand, and watched the little one happily munch on it.

"In the face of absolute strength, all schemes are paper tigers. Those girls in our family aren't just for show."

The big shots looked at each other, then suddenly realized!

That's right! Who cares what conspiracies or plots they have! In front of the six Star Arm Level Your Highnesses, these are all fleeting clouds!

They are willing to bring generous gifts to curry favor; what does this mean? It means the prestige of Your Highnesses has already spread throughout the Star Sea! It means the Federation's status is not what it used to be! This is a great thing!

"Ancestor Chen is wise!" Shi Yue was the first to react, saying excitedly, "Our perspective was too small! They are here to pay tribute, intimidated by the Divine Might of Your Highnesses!"

"Right, right, right! Tribute! It is tribute!" Li Qingshan immediately followed up, "Our Federation is now a superior nation qualified to receive tribute from all nations!"

Chu Yueyao quickly regained her composure: "Since that's the case, I will immediately arrange the highest-spec reception ceremony; we cannot let the 'friendly nations' think we are being rude."

Mo Heng had already started rubbing his hands: "I must organize the best team immediately to prepare for receiving and researching those technologies! Especially that Eternal Life Tree seedling; where would be the best place to cultivate it..."

Borderline, "Watcher" space station. Wang Laoshi felt a mix of excitement, anxiety, and a touch of absurdity, thinking, "I've really seen it all today."

He personally guided the three massive delegation warships as they slowly entered the Federation's territory, heading toward the Capital Star, Kunlun Star.

Along the way, the three giant warships behaved extremely "obediently," even... actively slowing down to avoid "disturbing" the weak Federation civilian ships along the route.

When the delegation fleet arrived at the periphery of Kunlun Star, the Federation had also set up the highest-spec welcoming formation—although compared to the giant warships of the other side, the Federation's welcoming fleet seemed a bit... petite?

The envoy from the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate, a Stellar Level Peak old man wearing gorgeous formal attire with a smile like a standard business template, was the first to walk out of the hatch.

He held a silver metal box emitting spatial fluctuations with both hands, bowed deeply to Chu Yueyao and the others who were welcoming him, his smile so bright it could blind people:

"Respected Excellencies of the Human Federation! I am Otto, Chief Business Executive of the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate! On behalf of the Supreme Council of our Conglomerate, I extend the highest respect to the great Federation!"

He opened the metal box, which was neatly lined with countless data crystals and metal ingots emitting a faint light.

"This is a small token of our Conglomerate's sincerity—the complete 'Shadow Stealth' technology system, and one hundred thousand units of 'Void Gold'! May this open an eternal friendship and cooperation between our two civilizations!"

Chu Yueyao remained expressionless, but inwardly ecstatic, she accepted it and responded in the most official tone: "Thank you for the generous gift from the Myriad Merchant Conglomerate; the Federation will keep it in mind."

Immediately after, the envoy from the Holy Radiance Empire, a Stellar Level Peak bishop wearing golden holy robes with a solemn expression, stepped out with a dignified gait.

In his hand, he held a treasure box condensed from Holy Light, inside which floated over a hundred crystals that looked like small suns.

"In the name of the Holy Light!" The bishop's voice was like a chant, "The Holy Radiance Empire wishes to share in the guidance of the Holy Light with the Human Federation! These are one hundred blocks of 'Source of Holy Light' and the technical core of our Empire's 'Holy Barrier'; we hope to make a small contribution to the eternal stability of your nation!"

Shi Yue stepped forward and accepted it steadily, feeling that the treasure box in his hand was heavy, representing the future security Guarantee of the Federation.

Finally, the envoy from the Star Spirit Federation, a Stellar Level Peak scholar wearing robes woven like tree bark with a gentle aura, walked out holding a transparent ecological canister wrapped in emerald green vines.

Inside the container, a sapling, only half a meter tall, exuding a rich aura of life and seeming to contain the Laws of a Small World, was swaying gently.

"Knowledge and life are the most precious treasures of the Universe." The Star Spirit scholar's voice was ethereal. "The Star Spirit Federation wishes to share this path with the Human Federation. This is a sapling of the 'Eternal Life Tree,' along with a partial access key to our Federation's 'Life Genetic Map Library.' May the wisdom of our two civilizations be like the Tree of Life, evergreen and never fading!"

Mo Heng practically lunged forward, carefully taking the ecological container. Looking at the World Tree sapling inside, his eyes glowed with greed, and he muttered incessantly, "Life-extending treasure... truly a wonderful treasure..."

After delivering the gifts, the three envoys remained absurdly respectful, even carrying a hint of... relief?

As if they had completed some extremely important task?

Chu Yueyao followed protocol and invited them into the Pillar of Leaders for friendly talks.

The three envoys politely declined in unison:

"We dare not disturb the peace of your Federation's leaders!"

"Our gifts have been delivered, our intentions expressed, and we shall return to report back now!"

"We look forward to our next friendly exchange with your Federation!"

Having said this, they practically fled, boarding their respective massive warships, starting their engines, and vanishing instantly into the depths of the starry sky...

They came in a hurry, and left in a hurry...

Leaving only the Federation's high-ranking officials behind, staring at the three heavy, priceless "generous gifts" in their hands, feeling completely bewildered...

They just... left?

They traveled all this way just to deliver a gift?

They didn't even stay for a drink of water?

"What... exactly are they afraid of?" a Planetary Level official murmured to himself.

"It is not fear," Li Qingshan said, holding his sword, his gaze deep, "It is awe."

Shi Yue took a deep breath, looking in the direction they had left, filled with emotion: "It seems the shock caused by Her Highness Qinglan and the others the last time they acted was far greater than we imagined..."

Mo Heng was already hugging the Eternal Life Tree sapling and starting to study it: "Forget about it! Studying the treasure is more important! Hahaha! We're rich! We're really rich this time!"

Just as the entire Federation was still immersed in the confusion and ecstasy of the "unexpected windfall," before they had even recovered—

"Hum——!!!"

A spatial fluctuation, more terrifying and overwhelming than the previous three combined, as if it could make the entire galaxy tremble, erupted once again at the Federation's border!

This time, even the surface of Kunlun Star felt a slight tremor!

"Alarm! Alarm! Detected... an incomprehensible super-giant spatial jump! Energy level... exceeds detection limits!!! Target... target volume... comparable to a small star?! It is heading straight toward the Pillar of Leaders!!!"

The report from the "Watcher" space station was already laced with tears!

Wang Laoshi looked at the behemoth on the screen, as huge as a crimson star, exuding a terrifying Dragon might that made his Soul wail, and simply rolled his eyes back and passed out...

Pillar of Leaders, highest command center.

Everyone was alarmed!

Even Yun Xi, who had been in a state of semi-seclusion, opened her eyes again, a flash of solemnity passing through them.

The figures of the five Your Highnesses, including Yun Qinglan and Yue Xi, also appeared quietly, their gazes cast toward the starry sky.

"This aura... Star Arm Level intermediate?" Yun Xi whispered to herself.

On the holographic star map, that crimson starship, so massive it was suffocating—the "blazing dragon"—slowly approached the Pillar of Leaders like an emperor descending upon the world.

It didn't even stop at the border, appearing directly in the outer orbit of Kunlun Star with an unstoppable yet precisely controlled posture!

The shadow cast by the massive hull covered half the planet!

This time, Stellar Level big shots like Shi Yue and Li Qingshan all felt immense pressure!

As if ants had encountered a Dragon!

Did the other party come with good intentions or malice?

Just then, the hatch of the "blazing dragon" slowly opened.

A figure, crimson as flame and peerlessly elegant, walked down step by step from the Void Realm.

She wore no protective gear, exposed directly to the vacuum of the Universe, with the brilliance of Law flowing around her like liquid fire, making the entire starry sky pale in comparison!

Star Arm Level intermediate!

Yan Ji's gaze, filled with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny, swept over the Federation members who were on high alert.

Finally, her gaze passed over everyone and landed precisely on Chen Jun, who was vaguely protected in the center by the others, still lounging on his custom-made floating lounge chair, holding an "Emotion Fruit" and preparing to put it into his mouth.

Her pupils contracted imperceptibly.

It's him?!

The man who made her Imperial Father value him so much that he went to such lengths to have her come in person and deliver the Empire's supreme treasures?!

She actually... couldn't see through him at all?!

In her Star Arm Level intermediate perception, that man was like a cloud of mist, appearing ordinary, like a Mortal, with his life aura even so weak it was only a thread?!

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible to be a Mortal!

If he were a Mortal, he should have died the next second!

This is a disguise!!!

At least Star Arm Level high! Or even... higher!!!

Even with her Imperial Father at Star Arm Level high, she could sense him; this man might be even more powerful than her Imperial Father!!!

Star Arm Level Peak!

It must be Star Arm Level Peak!!!

Yan Ji suppressed the waves in her heart, revealing a perfectly appropriate smile, carrying the nobility of the Dragonborn royalty and respect for a powerhouse.

She cleared her throat and, in a clear and powerful voice, spoke the words that caused all the Federation big shots to petrify on the spot once again:

"The 2200th Imperial Crown Princess of the Dragonborn Empire, Yan Ji, by order of my Imperial Father, has come specifically to pay respects to the four Sun Body Your Highnesses of the Human Federation and Your Excellency 'Ancestor Chen'!"

She nodded slightly, which counted as a salute, and then waved her jade hand!

"Hum——!"

Ten light orbs of varying sizes, all exuding vast energy fluctuations and ancient auras, floated before her like ten small stars!

Each light orb contained a supreme treasure enough to drive a 2.4-level civilization crazy!

There was a star jade carved with nine lifelike Dragons, seemingly carrying the Luck of a nation;

There was cyan liquid stored in a jade marrow bottle, exuding an aura that made the Soul itself rejoice;

There was dark gold wood that seemed to possess life, constantly changing its form...

"This is a small token of my Dragonborn Empire's sincerity: the Nine Dragon Star Jade, Million-Year Void Cyan Marrow, Immortal Dragon Soul Wood... and other such ten modest gifts, to express our respect."

Yan Ji's voice carried a hint of unquestionable dominance, yet strangely blended with special respect for Chen Jun:

"My Dragonborn Empire is willing to recognize the Human Federation's status as a 2.4-level civilization and conclude a covenant of brotherly civilizations with your Federation, to watch over the star sea and explore the future together!"

She paused, her gaze looking at Chen Jun again, her tone carrying a hint of meaningful implication:

"Additionally, I heard that your Federation has just entered the 2.1 level, and your foundation may be lacking. On this trip, I happened to capture 500,000 Stellar Level 'Mine Slave', whose cultivation has been sealed and stored in the ship's cargo hold. I will gift them all to your Federation to help with your urgent needs."

"Pfft——!"

Shi Yue, who was drinking tea to calm his nerves, spat it all out!

Li Qingshan's Sword Qi almost went out of control!

The World Tree sapling in Mo Heng's hands almost fell to the ground!

Chu Yueyao's icy expression completely crumbled!

Five hundred thousand!?...Stellar Level!?...Mine Slave!?!!!

You happened to... capture them!?!!!

The way you "happened to" do that... isn't it a bit too domineering!?!!!

The big shots' brains completely shut down!

They felt the amount of information they received today was more than what they had accumulated over the past tens of thousands of years!

And even more outrageous!

And Chen Jun, who was at the center of the storm, had just slowly finished eating that "Emotion Fruit."

The fruit melted in his mouth, turning into a seven-colored stream of light representing "extreme comfort."

He wiped his mouth, looked up at the peerlessly elegant and shockingly generous Dragonborn Crown Princess in the air, and revealed a smile that was incredibly "innocent" yet carried a hint of "embarrassment."

He rubbed his hands together, like a simple farmer seeing relatives bring over a huge pile of New Year's goods, and said in his unique, slightly lazy, and sincere tone:

"Oh my, you guys... you didn't have to bring so much stuff just for visiting... you're being too polite! You're being too much of a stranger!"

As he spoke, he winked at Chu Yueyao and the others, who were still in a daze.

That look clearly said:

What are you still standing there for?

Hurry up and accept it with tears in your eyes!

This heaven-sent wealth, only a fool would refuse it!!!

Then, he revealed an even more "honest" smile to Yan Ji:

"Since Her Highness the Crown Princess and the Dragonborn Empire are so generous, then we... shall accept with gratitude?"

"This friendship, our Human Federation, will remember it!"

Watching Chen Jun's practiced appearance of "reluctantly" "accepting gifts with tears," and looking at the Federation big shots' expressions—from confusion to ecstasy, then to trying hard to maintain a serious face while their mouths were crazily curling upward...

Yan Ji's mouth also couldn't help but twitch slightly.

This "Ancestor Chen"... seems...

More... interesting than she imagined?

She suddenly felt that her Imperial Father's decision this time, perhaps... was very correct?

As for the Federation members, looking at the mountain of supreme treasures, technology, origin crystals, and the 500,000 Stellar Level Mine Slave in the cargo hold who were waiting to be fed...

Only one thought was frantically echoing in their hearts:

"Ancestor Chen... is awesome!!!"

After accepting the gifts, Chen Jun contentedly slumped back into his chair, hiding his merits and fame.

Accepting gifts, it's not shameful.

Especially when they are delivered to your door, accepting them with tears and expressing gratitude is the greatest respect you can show the other party!!!

This...!

I'm an expert at this!!!