152: All nations pay tribute

The news of the eleven Star Arm Level Peak powerhouses of the Free United States being annihilated with a flick of a finger by a mysterious girl in a white dress in the Star Shattering Belt was like a thought storm exceeding the speed of light, instantly sweeping across the entire Sagittarius Arm!

Initially, almost every civilization leader who received the information thought it was a clumsy rumor released by the Dragonborn Empire to stabilize the situation.

"Eleven Star Arm Level Peak powerhouses? By one person? Annihilated with a flick of a finger? Are the Dragonborn drunk on dragon blood honey wine?!" — This was the first reaction of the vast majority of civilization administrators.

However, when news from different channels was repeatedly cross-verified...

Silence...

A deathly silence...

The silence first permeated the remaining eight 2.4-level civilizations of the Sagittarius Arm...

Immediately following, there was an uncontrollable shudder that swept through the Soul!

Those were eleven Star Arm Level Peak powerhouses!

They were the ultimate power accumulated by the Free United States over a billion years of time, draining the potential of their civilization!

They were terrifying existences capable of sweeping across the entire Sagittarius Arm and reshaping the hegemony pattern!

Just like that... gone?

Evaporated like dew under the sun?

That girl in the white dress... who exactly is she?!

Where did she come from?!

What is her relationship with the Dragonborn Empire?!

...

Countless questions and immense fear filled the hearts of every civilization capable of spying on this battle.

They realized that the sky of the Sagittarius Arm... was about to change!

The old balance had been completely shattered; a new, unfathomable existence with absolute crushing power had arrived!

And this figure seemed to have a deep connection with the Dragonborn Empire!

"Investigate! At all costs! Use all lurking 'dark agents', I want to know everything about that girl in the white dress! Also, immediately re-evaluate all intelligence on the Dragonborn Empire!"

Similar orders were frantically issued by the highest decision-making levels of the various civilizations in the star arm.

"Human Federation?"

"Her Highness Yun Qinglan?"

"Ancestor Chen?"

"Prepare gifts!"

"Prepare the highest-specification diplomatic mission! We must visit the Dragonborn Empire at the fastest speed... No, it's visiting the Human Federation! Right! The focus is the Human Federation!"

...

After various investigations, the shrewd rulers had already sensed the key —

The technological advantage suddenly displayed by the Dragonborn Empire and that mysterious powerhouse seemed to vaguely point to that newly risen ally of the Dragonborn —

The Human Federation!

Especially that existence whom Dragon Emperor Yan Wuhuo respectfully addressed as "Ancestor Chen"!

For a time, the legal hyperspace routes leading to the Dragonborn Empire and the Human Federation welcomed unprecedented congestion!

Various diplomatic starships, representing the Peak of technology and aesthetics of different civilizations, flocked in from every corner of the star arm like they were going to a market...

The scale was so vast that it surpassed any galactic event in the billion-year modern history of the Sagittarius Arm!

...

Just as the outside world was surging and the ten thousand nations were restless.

The actual center of the storm — the Human Federation's Pillar of Leaders, Chen Jun Manor, still maintained a unique kind of... leisure?

Chen Jun was sprawled on his Supreme-edition lounge chair, with dozens of light screens floating in front of him...

They displayed the reports just submitted by the virtual universe Administration regarding the "Ancestor Chen's Deep Meaning" trend that followed his recent "gaming behavior" in the virtual universe.

【"Interstellar Farmer": Sales of the 'Ancestor Chen-style Mythical Farm' DLC exceeded 10 billion trillion virtual universe coins; the 'Leisurely Old Chen' style vest, straw hat, and broken hoe fashion have become the best-selling apparel in the virtual universe this quarter, bar none.】

【"Civilization Rise": The number of Peak online users for the 'Heaven-Defying Fortune' System hit a new high; the 'Ordinary Player' style beast-skin skirt is in short supply, and the manufacturer requests to purchase backend resource authorization to expand production.】

【"Deep Sea Fishing": 'Ancestor Chen-style Fishing Rod' (Basic Version) has sold 280 trillion sets】

...

"Tsk, these guys, they're just blindly following trends." Chen Jun curled his lips and casually closed the light screen, "I just played a game, where is there so much deep meaning?"

He picked up a drink brewed from the upgraded version of the "Billion Stars Worship Tea" — "billion stars resonance tea", and took a satisfied sip.

Right at this moment —

"Father." Yun Qinglan's figure appeared silently beside him, holding something that... looked like an invitation?

Chen Jun was a bit surprised, his daughter usually didn't bother with these mundane matters. "What's wrong, Qinglan? Who sent the invitation? Didn't I say, just let Chu Yueyao and the others handle general social engagements."

Yun Qinglan handed over the invitation, her voice cold: "Dragon Emperor Yan Wuhuo, accompanied by his daughter Yan Ji, and... special envoys from a total of 1.75 million civilizations of level 2.0 or above in the Sagittarius Arm, have gathered at the void platform outside the Pillar of Leaders. They say they wish to 'pay homage' to Ancestor Chen. With so many people, your daughter is not at ease."

"Pfft —!!!"

Chen Jun sprayed out a mouthful of billion stars resonance tea, almost choking.

"How... how many?! 1.75 million civilization envoys?!"

He widened his eyes and took the invitation, which was of extraordinary material, iridescent, and had an astonishing capacity. It was densely filled with civilization emblems, representative names, and various "tribute" gifts in the common language of the Sagittarius Arm...

Good heavens!

This lineup... are they planning to hold an interstellar party?!

"What are they here for?" Chen Jun rubbed his temples, feeling a bit speechless, "My place isn't a tourist attraction."

Yun Qinglan answered calmly: "According to the information from the Dragon Emperor, it is to thank Father and me for our help in the Star Shattering Belt battle, and... to express their 'highest respect' and 'deepest greetings' to Father, bringing a few 'insignificant' gifts."

Chen Jun's mouth twitched, looking at the dense list of gift names that an ordinary person couldn't finish reading in three years.

This is called insignificant?

These aliens have a unique way of flattering.

He didn't need to think to know that these guys were nominally here to thank and pay homage, but in reality, they were likely here to probe the situation and cling to his thigh!

After all, his daughter's battle was simply too shocking!

"Sigh, the tree wants to be still, but the wind won't stop..." Chen Jun sighed in a Versailles manner, sprawled back into the chair, "Fine, since they're already here... can't refuse gifts, right?"

He looked at Yun Qinglan: "Qinglan, you arrange it... well, the scene doesn't need to be too big, keep it simple, just find a place for them to sit. As for me... I'll reluctantly see them."

Yun Qinglan nodded slightly: "Yes, Father."

...

Pillar of Leaders, outer void platform.

This was originally a plaza used for docking large visitor starships, but now it had been temporarily remodeled into a venue for the "Ten Thousand Nations Homage".

There were no luxurious decorations, no noisy honor guards.

There was only the endless starry sky as a background, and a kind of invisibly pervasive, awe-inspiring tranquility.

However, it was on this seemingly "simple" platform that over 80% of the representatives of level 2.0+ civilizations in the entire Sagittarius Arm were gathered!

The alien envoys were arranged clearly according to their civilization Rank and strength.

Various civilization representatives who maintained human forms but had different skin colors, hair colors, and pupils...

Without exception, they had restrained all their energy fluctuations and Auras, behaving like the most humble students.

Every envoy had an undisguised excitement, curiosity, and a trace of... indescribable nervousness on their faces?

As if they weren't about to see a civilization guardian, but... some kind of god-like existence?!

Dragon Emperor Yan Wuhuo and Crown Princess Yan Ji stood at the very front of all the envoys.

Yan Wuhuo wore a grand Nine-Dragon Imperial Robe, his demeanor dignified, but between his brows, he was filled with heartfelt respect for this Pillar of Leaders, especially for the existence about to appear.

Yan Ji was in a gorgeous palace dress, with a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, her beautiful face carrying a trace of expectation, her eyes looking towards the depths of the platform from time to time.

Finally, under the focus of thousands of eyes, the space in the depths of the platform rippled slightly.

A figure slowly emerged, accompanied by a lazy yawn.

No colorful clouds, no divine music.

Chen Jun was still in that seemingly plain and unremarkable casual wear, looking like he had just woken up? Rubbing his eyes, he walked slowly to the oversized lounge chair specially prepared for him in the center of the platform... and skillfully "sprawled" down.

The envoys: "???"

This is... the high existence of the Human Federation who decided the fate of the Free United States with a flick of a finger while drinking tea, was respectfully addressed as "Ancestor Chen" by the Dragon Emperor, and is suspected to have a deep connection with that goddess in the white dress?!

This style... is it a bit too... approachable?!

However, no one dared to show any strangeness.

In the face of absolute strength, any eccentricity is a manifestation of personality!

"Aha —" Chen Jun yawned again, waved his hand, and said with a bit of just-woken-up nasal tone: "You're all here? Sit wherever you like, don't be polite, just treat it like your own home."

The envoys looked at each other, looking at the empty, starry-floor platform...

Sit?

Sit where?

...

It was Yan Wuhuo who reacted quickly; he immediately bowed, his voice loud: "Greetings, Ancestor Chen! Ancestor Chen's blessings cover the sea of stars, and your grace covers the sky! That you are so approachable is truly our great fortune!"

After finishing, he took the lead... uh, using the etiquette of the Dragonborn royal Family, sat cross-legged in the void, his posture dignified.

Seeing this, the other envoys followed suit, and one after another, according to their respective civilization's etiquette, made a "sitting" posture.

Chen Jun looked at this scene and was amused; these aliens were quite sensible.

"Hmm, all quite polite." He nodded with satisfaction, "That... Old Yan, and all the friends who have come from afar, what's up today, gathering here? I'm a person who likes to be direct."

Yan Wuhuo immediately stood up, bowed again, and offered a shimmering space ring with both hands:

"Ancestor Chen, in the battle of the Star Shattering Belt, thanks to Her Highness Qinglan's intervention, the Empire was saved from collapse, and trillions of trillions of Dragonborn citizens were saved from fire and water! The grace is like a rebirth! This is a little 'meager heart' from our Dragonborn Empire, it is 70% of all the source marrow in our imperial treasury, as well as ownership contracts for some rare mineral Star Domains, as a token of gratitude, I hope Ancestor Chen will accept it!"

As soon as these words came out, a sound of gasping for air immediately rang out from behind!

The Dragonborn Empire's treasury... 70% of all source marrow?!

And ownership of rare mineral stars?!

This move... is too big!

source marrow is hard currency even for Star Arm Level powerhouses!

How many years has the Dragonborn Empire accumulated?

This 70% is probably an astronomical figure!!!

Chen Jun didn't really feel anything, source marrow?

He couldn't Cultivate anyway, so it wasn't of much use to him.

However... it was their intention after all, it would be a waste not to take it.

He couldn't use it, but the younger generation could!

Although source marrow couldn't help Stellar Level Peak reach Star Arm Level, the effect was more than a billion billion times stronger than origin crystals!

The energy of origin crystals and source marrow could help those below Planetary Level accumulate energy quickly, and those below Stellar Level comprehend Laws quickly.

Unfortunately, it couldn't help Stellar Level Peak and Star Arm Level Peak break through barriers. The reason it could help Planetary Level Peak break through was that breaking through to Stellar Level only required comprehending a trace of Law.

But Stellar Level and Star Arm Level had already comprehended Laws, so origin crystals and source marrow could only help Stellar Level and Star Arm Level accumulate energy and Laws.

Even so, the effect was already quite Heaven-Defying!

"Oh my, Old Yan, you are too polite." Chen Jun signaled to Chu Yueyao and other Federation high-level officials nearby to accept it, "We are all brother allied nations, helping each other is what should be done."

Seeing Ancestor Chen accept the gift, a heavy stone in Yan Wuhuo's heart fell, and his smile became even more sincere.

With the Dragon Emperor taking the lead, other civilization representatives immediately seized the opportunity to perform.

"Respected, Supreme Your Excellency Ancestor Chen!" an envoy with skin shimmering like pearls spoke impatiently, using a stiff but extremely respectful common tongue:

"On behalf of the Pearl Vortex Community, I extend my highest greetings to you! We offer our race's greatest treasure—ten thousand 'Hearts of the Tide,' each taking one hundred thousand years to gestate! May your brilliance be as eternal as the tides!"

"Your Highness Ancestor Chen!" a semi-mechanical envoy stepped forward. "I, the Mechanical Ark Coalition, wish to offer permanent access to our Ark's core database, as well as a Stellar Level mechanical guard legion custom-made for you!"

"Great Ancestor Chen..." an envoy shrouded in a hazy halo drifted forward. "My Kingdom of Light wishes to offer mining rights to the 'Eternal Brilliant Light' Star Domain, which is rich in pure light energy crystals..."

"Ancestor Chen..."

"Supreme Ancestor Chen..."

...

In an instant, the entire platform turned into a massive gift-offering scene!

Various unheard-of rare treasures, resource Star Domains, technical permissions, servant legions... were being announced as if they were worthless!

Behind every name lay immense wealth sufficient to drive a low-level civilization mad and make an Intermediate civilization green with envy!

Yet the rulers of these civilizations were scrambling to offer them up, solely to become a familiar face before Ancestor Chen and express their "respect".

Chen Jun initially found it somewhat interesting, but as he listened, he began to feel drowsy...

These things... sounded impressive, but it seemed like... he had no use for them?

He couldn't Cultivate anyway, so what would he need so many energy crystals for?

Besides rewarding his great-grandsons who were working hard to reproduce, what other use could they have?

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; ever since the sons of that brat Chen Zhaojing came of age...

He was too lazy to even personally manage the procreation; just casually giving orders in the shadows was enough...

He just needed to Lying Down to Win more thoroughly!

As for technical permissions?

With Mo Heng and the entire Academy of Sciences messing around with it, and having the Level 2.8 civilization technology left behind by his Hometown fellow Yan Xiao that was ahead of the entire Sagittarius Arm, he couldn't be bothered to worry about it.

Servant legions?

With that bunch of guys like Li Qingshan and Zhou Zhenshan fighting to pour tea, wasn't that enough?

...

Chen Jun was now so lazy that he couldn't even be bothered to accept gifts; previously he would "play along," "feign refusal," "tearfully accept," and "express gratitude"...

He just wanted to figure out how to pass the time, Lying Down to Win securely, and incidentally wait for the triggering of the "Multiple Benefits" function and the System upgrade.

"Alright, alright." Chen Jun couldn't help but interrupt another envoy who was preparing to give a long-winded introduction to their gift:

"Everyone, I have received your good intentions. As for the gifts... I'll just accept 'a billion points' worth of useful ones, just to show a gesture. Take the rest back; developing your own civilizations is more important."

When the envoys heard this, they didn't realize Ancestor Chen meant "a billion points," and immediately panicked!

Ancestor Chen wouldn't accept their gifts?!

That wouldn't do!

Wouldn't that mean he refused to accept their "good intentions"?!

"Ancestor Chen! Please, you must accept! This is just a 'meager' token of our good intentions!"

"That's right, Ancestor Chen! If you refuse to accept, our hearts will be uneasy!"

"Ancestor Chen..."

...

The scene was somewhat "chaotic" for a moment, as the envoys almost started fighting over who got to give their gifts...

Chen Jun watched this scene and finally "tearfully" accepted them all...

The subsequent "audience" turned into a formalized friendly exchange.

Chen Jun was basically in a state of perfunctory "uh-huh, yeah," spending most of the time lost in thought, his mind wandering elsewhere...

Yet the envoys didn't feel slighted in the slightest; instead, they believed this was a manifestation of "The Great Dao is simple" and "returning to simplicity," and their gazes toward Chen Jun became even more reverent.

The audience ceremony, or rather, Chen Jun's "meet-and-greet," finally neared its end.

The envoys from various civilizations, filled with excitement, reverence, and a trace of trance, boarded their respective starships and left the Pillar of Leaders.

They needed to return quickly and report every detail of this "audience" to their home countries—especially Ancestor Chen's extraordinary Aura, which appeared Mortal but was actually a case of "returning to simplicity" and "The Great Dao is simple."

...

As the envoys of the ten thousand nations returned, Chen Jun sprawled contentedly on his lounge chair.

"Sigh, this boring yet fulfilling life of Lying Down to Win..." Chen Jun sighed with a touch of Versailles-style humblebrag, and casually clicked on a seemingly extremely niche single-player game titled 《The Lonely Fisherman》.

"Hmm, this game is not bad," Chen Jun felt satisfied, transforming into a fisherman wearing a tank top, a worn-out straw hat, and sitting on a small stool. "The art style is unique, the gameplay is simple, and it looks like no one will disturb me."

He cast the bait into a virtual body of water named "Silent Star Lake".

【Ding! Detected Lying Down to Win Ancestor entering the game. The 'Myriad Worlds Fishing Enthusiasts Community' has automatically activated the 'Supreme Loner' gift pack for you! Wishing you... lonely fishing and enjoying the solitude!】

Chen Jun: "(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"

The corners of his mouth twitched...

"This fresh and refined single-player game..."

He had just set up his fishing rod in the virtual universe and was preparing to cut a piece of Star Pastry to taste when he heard an extremely faint "rustling" sound behind him in reality.

Without exiting the virtual universe, he knew it must be Li Qingshan and Zhou Zhenshan, who were "scheming" against each other over who had the qualifications to serve him a freshly brewed cup of "billion stars resonance tea"...

They were likely engaged in a silent "clash of Auras" and "battle of gazes".

Zhou Zhenshan had obtained an antique-looking purple clay teapot from somewhere and was using his Stellar Level power to carefully control the temperature at the molecular level, his face beaming with the piety of a "professional tea master".

Li Qingshan, meanwhile, was indignant. Ever since Zhou Zhenshan broke through to Stellar Level, he felt that his job of serving tea and pouring wine had faced unprecedented challenges, and his sword heart was no longer quite as rounded...

Chen Jun ignored this bunch of bored old guys and continued fishing...

He turned his attention back to the game, indicating he was waiting patiently.

Just at this incredibly relaxed and comfortable moment—

【Ding!】

A System notification sound, not from the game but originating from deep within his Soul—one that only he could perceive—rang out without warning!

【System level upgrade conditions have been met!】

【Current Level: 1 (99.99%) → 2 (0.00%)!】

【System upgrading...】

Chen Jun's hand froze in mid-air!

He could even feel his own heart—that of a Lying Down to Win immortal who had weathered many storms and had long been calm as an ancient well—skip a beat ungratefully!

How... how much?!

Level 2?!

Just like that... without any warning... it upgraded?!

He subconsciously inspected the system interface:

...

【Level】: 2 (Descendants required for next level: One trillion)

...

At the same time, a vast, warm current, seemingly originating from the Origin of the Universe, surged into his limbs and bones without warning, washing over his Soul!

This feeling... was not an increase in power, but a kind of... slight loosening of his life level?

A deeper perception of "existence" itself?

Chen Jun's body, which had been sprawled in the chair, involuntarily straightened up a bit.

On his face, which was accustomed to expressions of "laziness" and "watching the show," a rare trace of... irrepressible excitement appeared?!

Even with his current mindset as a "Lying Down to Win immortal," facing this System upgrade—which he had anticipated for who knows how many years and which could be called one of the most important milestones on his path to immortality—he couldn't hold it together at all!

Ah!!!

The System had finally upgraded to Level 2!!!

The "extraordinary years" of the past few years flashed through his mind in an instant...

Ever since that brat Chen Zhaojing spread his branches and leaves, and the first batch of great-grandchildren like Chen Yuanyue came of age, the reproduction speed of the Chen Family officially entered a terrifying stage of "exponential explosion"!

The first year: The forty-two great-grandsons from Chen Yuanyue's batch who had just come of age, under the efficient mode of "virtual dating, real-life marriage," and those two hundred-plus great-granddaughters-in-Law, added over three hundred great-great-grandchildren to Chen Jun that year! Under the guidance of scientific child-rearing, many were pregnant with twins or even triplets, and the System progress bar visibly grew by a small chunk.

The second year: The terrifying part began. Over a hundred more great-grandsons came of age, and this batch of new strength joined the reproductive army, contributing over six hundred great-great-grandchildren that year! At the same time, many of the first batch of "Seniors" like Chen Yuanyue married new wives, and their "second children" contributed another eight hundred-plus!

That year, the number of great-great-grandchildren directly broke through two thousand! The System progress bar was like it was riding a rocket!

The third year: The snowball rolled larger and larger! Another hundred or so great-grandsons came of age, and this new force gave birth to one thousand! And the first two batches of "veteran" great-grandsons continued to go full throttle, contributing another two thousand-plus! The total number of great-great-grandchildren broke through the five-thousand mark! The System progress bar had reached a critical point that made one's heart race!

The fourth year: In reality, it was less than four years. Just a few months after the "Ten Thousand Nations Coming to Court," there was another batch of newly matured great-grandsons, and the reproductive capacity of the previous batches was further enhanced by the fact that they had married multiple wives! The System level indicator of over seven thousand great-great-grandchildren was easily surpassed in a natural state that was almost like "water flowing to form a channel" and "fruit ripening to fall"!

The great-granddaughters could do as they pleased; free love was fine. The manifestation of the Family's core values still had to rely on the ones with "parts".

Chen Jun had sighed at the time: "This bunch of brats, under the blessing of the Family's core values, are more enthusiastic than the last when it comes to having kids... but, well done!"

It was precisely this exponential explosion in Family population that accumulated the "experience" needed for his upgrade, finally allowing him to accumulate strength and break through the shackles of Level 1 in one fell swoop today!

Excitement!

Indescribable excitement!

Chen Jun felt his hands trembling slightly...

He forced himself to take a few deep breaths, running the "peace of mind" technique essential for immortals, and barely managed to suppress the urge to look up and roar at the sky:

"Calm down, calm down, Chen Jun, you are a mature Lying Down to Win immortal; what storms haven't you seen..."

"But you really haven't seen a System upgrade before!" he added to himself internally, his eyes fixed on the system interface.

【System upgrade complete!】

【Congratulations to the host for advancing to Level 2!】

【Unlocked: Skill Point x 1】

【Skill points can be used to strengthen existing core functions or awaken brand-new functions. Please choose carefully.】

A concise and clear selection interface appeared in Chen Jun's mind:

【Please select the direction for using the skill point】:

Option 1, Strengthen 【Longevity Multiplier】: Effect increased tenfold! Each biological child alive in the world provides the host with a standard lifespan increase from 【1 day】 to 【10 days】 per day! Real-time settlement, concealment effect synchronized and improved.

Option 2, Strengthen 【Multiple Benefits】: Effect increased tenfold! When each grandchild or descendant thereafter dies, the host's effect of inheriting their 'beneficial status gains' is increased tenfold! Concealment effect synchronized and improved.

Option 3, Awaken New Function: Randomly awaken a new System function related to "reproduction," "Family," or "growth."

Looking at these three options, Chen Jun instantly calmed down, and his brain began to operate at high speed...