171: Father and daughter have a deep bond

After Yun Qinglan's figure merged into space and she left to execute her reconnaissance mission, the side hall of Chen Jun Manor returned to its usual tranquility.

Chen Jun lay sprawled on the lounge chair, savoring the joy of the System upgrade and the future possibilities brought by the [Many Sons] function, feeling utterly delighted.

He was just about to start another round of *Ancestor Simulator* to see if the new version had added a "Steady Development" function.

At this moment, a soft, incredibly familiar set of footsteps sounded from outside the hall.

Without needing to look up, Chen Jun knew who had arrived.

It was his official wife, Lin Wei, who had supported him through thick and thin and walked with him from humble beginnings.

He looked up and saw Lin Wei gracefully entering the hall, carrying a plate of freshly baked pastries that exuded an enticing aroma and subtle starlight. Time seemed especially kind to this woman who had always stayed by Chen Jun's side.

With unlimited resources continuously poured in, she was already a Stellar Level Peak powerhouse. Her appearance and temperament grew more gentle and beautiful, and the years only deposited more tenderness and elegance in her eyes.

Looking at her husband sprawled in the chair, looking like "life is Perfection," her eyes were full of smiles and affection.

She knew that although her husband seemed lazy, he was actually the stabilizing force of the entire Federation and the root cause of all its prosperity.

"Brother Jun," Lin Wei placed the pastries on the small table beside him, her voice gentle:

"These are freshly made Concentric Pastries, using the newly delivered 'Myriad Affection Flower Nectar.' Would you like to try one?"

Chen Jun looked at his wife, and a ripple stirred in his heart.

Over these past hundred years, he had enjoyed the ultimate pleasure of lying down and winning: a massive Family, a flourishing civilization, successful daughters... everything seemed perfect.

But looking at Lin Wei, he always recalled the early years when they supported each other, cautiously trying to survive at the bottom.

She was his starting point, the first witness and companion on his path to longevity.

Moreover, deep down, he always remembered that Weiwei... wanted a son.

In the past, conditions didn't allow it. The [No Female] rule was strictly enforced. Forget sons, even daughters were... well, various "accidents" and "discouragements."

Now, the System had just upgraded, and the [Many Sons] function had been Awakened. Furthermore, [Only Female] had replaced [No Female].

Wouldn't he be able to have as many sons as he wanted in the future?

Thinking this way, didn't that make his twelve little cotton-padded jackets even more precious?

With the [Only Female] rule locked in place, wouldn't every daughter who married be one less daughter?

"Hiss—"

Thinking of this, Chen Jun took a deep breath... and an idea popped into his head—

If anyone dared to harbor intentions toward his daughters in the future, it would be a blood feud!

That brat Li Mo got off easy... but, for the sake of his precious grandson Zhao Jing, perhaps he could be forgiven?

...Chen Jun, deep in thought, completely forgot who had hosted over four thousand episodes of "If You Are the One."

Who was the one constantly wishing for a grandson?

People... are always like this... that's human nature!

Fickle!

A thought that he had suppressed in his heart for a long time resurfaced—

Lin Wei is now Stellar Level Peak, with an Acquired Moon Body!

If she could get pregnant again, relying on the [Absolute Guarantee], and also—

The [Remaining Lifespan] in his mind: 4013 years... 11... 11... consuming a thousand years of lifespan could raise the Aptitude of the offspring by three major Ranks, reaching the terrifying [Innate Venerable Body]!

It seems Qinglan, with her Innate Yao Body, is already strong enough to solo Galaxy Level opponents?!

What kind of spectacle would the even higher Innate Venerable Body be?!

This wouldn't just fulfill his wife's wish; it would also give his wife the greatest security and provide the Federation with another ultimate insurance policy!

For me, it's just a "small" bonus, definitely not just for better lying down and winning!

Thinking this, Chen Jun's heart, which had long been accustomed to lying flat, once again experienced a ripple named "effort"... He cleared his throat, trying to make his expression sincere and... persuasive.

"Weiwei," he sat up slightly, holding Lin Wei's hand, his tone carrying the sentiment of reminiscing about the past:

"Look, in the blink of an eye, over a hundred years have passed. Xier and Zhao Jing have all settled down, started families, and spread their branches. The Federation has also developed so well..."

Lin Wei looked at him gently, lightly squeezed his hand back, and nodded: "Mhm, it's all thanks to Brother Jun's special Physique."

"Ahem, it's not really a contribution, we all worked together." Chen Jun said modestly, then changed the subject, looking affectionately at Lin Wei:

"Speaking of which, Weiwei, it seems like it's been a long time since we've... well, had a good private exchange." He tried to use his eyes to convey the signal, "I want to put in some effort again."

Lin Wei first froze, then her cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a slightly reproachful look: "Brother Jun, you... you're starting again."

Seeing this, Chen Jun thought he had a chance, especially since Qinglan had been sent away. He quickly struck while the iron was hot, his tone becoming more earnest:

"Weiwei, I know you've always wanted a son. Conditions weren't good before, and later... sigh, things just kept going wrong. It's different now! The Federation is stable, resources are infinite, and my body... well, I feel pretty good! The children are successful and don't need us to worry. Look, shouldn't we... consider having a younger brother for Xi Xi and the others?"

However... Lin Wei's reaction was like a basin of gentle yet firm ice water, extinguishing the small flame he had just lit.

She gently withdrew her hand, picked up a Concentric Pastry, and put it in Chen Jun's hand. Her tone was as soft as water, yet carried undeniable concern and a hint of helplessness:

"Brother Jun, I understand your intentions. But, have you forgotten the repeated warnings from Leader Yun Xi, Dean Mo Heng, and Qinglan?"

She looked at Chen Jun, her eyes clear and serious: "Your Life Origin is different from ordinary people. It seems vast, but in reality, at its core, there is only that weak wisp of Life Fire that belongs uniquely to you. This might be the reason you can attain longevity but cannot Cultivate. Every major expenditure, especially the act of procreation which involves the blending of Life Origin, causes that wisp of fire to fluctuate violently, even risking extinction!"

She sighed, her eyes showing lingering fear: "After giving birth to Xi Xi, Yaoyao, Lu Lu, Xingyu, and Changxi back then, how long was your Life Aura weak? I still remember! Now that you've finally stabilized, how can we take that risk again? The Federation cannot be without you, and this Family cannot be without you. A son... is certainly my wish, but compared to your safety, these are all insignificant."

Chen Jun: "..."

He looked at his wife's gaze, which was full of concern and determination, opened his mouth, but ultimately, all the words like "I can do it" or "I feel great" were stuck in his throat.

Fine, it's that reason again.

For over a hundred years, every time he wanted to put in a little effort, he was rejected... His face turned into a helpless expression of "I knew it." He knew it would be like this!

Every time he showed the slightest inclination to "make an effort," it was ruthlessly crushed by those around him under the pretense of "protecting his fragile little body"!

Although he occasionally harbored the ambition to "make new contributions to the Family and the civilization," he didn't even get a chance to step onto the field!

Besides being forced to lie on the lounge chair and win, he had no other way to exert effort.

Forget it... I'll just continue to lie down and win... I'm already used to it. The occasional urge to struggle is instantly shattered by the overwhelming trend of lying down and winning!

"Sigh..." Chen Jun sighed dramatically, collapsing back into the lounge chair and taking a bite of the Concentric Pastry. "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you."

Seeing him "give up," Lin Wei's face regained its gentle smile, and she handed him a cup of tea: "It's best if Brother Jun thinks that way. Being safe and sound, forever and ever, is what matters most."

Just as Chen Jun was preparing to turn his ambition into appetite and apply his effort to the pastries—

"Buzz!"

The space in front of him fluctuated violently without warning!

A scorching, fierce pressure, carrying an undisguised Aura of Killing, instantly descended!

Immediately afterward, a fiery red figure stepped out as if tearing through the Void Realm!

The newcomer was wearing a fiery Battle Skirt, with a tall and graceful figure, a stunning face that was cold as ice, and especially a pair of Phoenix eyes that, when opened and closed, seemed to swirl with visions of Clashing Weapons and Iron Horses and collapsing stars!

It was Xuan Sha! Her cultivation Realm was Star Arm Level Peak!

The moment she appeared, her eyes, which seemed capable of incinerating stars, fixed intently on Chen Jun, her tone carrying the severity of "hating iron for not becoming steel":

"Father! Has your 'cognitive disorder' flared up again?!"

The pastry Chen Jun had just put into his mouth almost choked him: "???"

Cognitive disorder?

This meme isn't going away, is it?

It was always like this. These warm little cotton jackets... For over a hundred years, whenever he had even the slightest thought of striving and was about to implement it, a "on-duty" daughter would always appear.

He was used to it... Xuan Sha didn't give her father a chance to explain, and began her "education" like a rapid-fire cannon:

"Sister Qinglan specifically sent me a message before she left, saying that Father arranged for her to investigate the surroundings during her 'duty'! Fearing some deep meaning of striving, she urged me to guard strictly!"

She took a step forward, the blazing Law around her almost igniting the space, her voice clanging like a sword's cry:

"Father! Have you forgotten?! You are the cornerstone of our Human Federation! The spiritual symbol of billions of citizens! Your very existence is the greatest strategic deterrent! It is the guarantee of the Federation's eternal continuation!"

"Today's Federation, above, has Sister Qinglan and our other sisters terrifying the Star Sea; in the middle, there are juniors like Zhao Jing and those of the Source generation serving as pillars; below, there are billions of soldiers and endless technology! Why do you, old man, need to risk your 'frail' body again?!"

"Bearing offspring? That's the responsibility of juniors like Zhao Jing and Yuan Hai! Your mission is to live well! To safely enjoy this peaceful and prosperous era! To watch us conquer this empire for you!"

"Your attempt to procreate is essentially a cognitive bias! It's an unclear understanding of your own position! It's irresponsible to the entire Family! It's making a joke of the entire Federation's destiny!"

The more Xuan Sha spoke, the more agitated she became, as if Chen Jun wasn't trying to have a son with his wife, but was going to challenge the entire Liuli System alone:

"Please, immediately, correct your mindset! Recognize reality! Give up any unrealistic ideas of 'effort'! Otherwise, your daughter might have to unite all her sisters to help Father 'sober up'!"

Chen Jun was dumbfounded by this barrage of "care" from his daughter, and forgot to eat the pastry in his hand.

He looked at his daughter, full of Evil Qi, as if she was about to "destroy her Family for righteousness" the next second, and then looked at Lin Wei beside him, who had an expression of "See? I knew this would happen."

Countless Star Beasts galloped through his heart... Good heavens!

That Qinglan girl, before she left, even gave me a "Federation-wide warning"? And "cognitive disorder"? And "old illness relapsed"?

And she specifically sent a message to the most hot-tempered Xuan Sha girl?

I just wanted to be intimate with my wife and have an Innate Venerable Body to give everyone the greatest guarantee!

How did it reach the level of endangering Federation security?!

Where can I reason with this?!

The expression on his face quickly switched from the helplessness of "as expected" to the slumped state of "completely lying down to win."

Alright... effort?

Effort is impossible, not in this lifetime... Everything else is Low Grade, only lying down to win is supreme!

Only by lying flat, collecting rent, and watching the younger generation compete can life be maintained this way... "Alright, alright, I get it." Chen Jun waved his hand, completely slumping into the lounge chair as if his bones had been removed, his voice carrying a hint of a salted fish:

"Your father here has clear cognition, a proper mindset, and absolutely no improper thoughts. Xuan Sha, you should go do whatever you need to do, don't stand here scaring your father's 'fragile' little heart."

Seeing her father's good attitude of "admitting his mistake" and his return to a salted fish demeanor, Xuan Sha's sharp aura finally receded, but she still glared at Chen Jun with a warning look:

"It's good that Father understands! Your daughter takes her leave! If there's any relapse, I will not let it go lightly!"

After speaking, she nodded to Lin Wei again: "Aunt Lin, keep an eye on Father."

Then she transformed into a flash of fire, tearing through space and departing.

Coming in a hurry, leaving in a hurry, leaving behind only the lingering heat of Law in the hall, and... yet again... Chen Jun, slumped in the lounge chair.

Lin Wei looked at her husband's normal salted fish appearance, couldn't help but chuckle, and handed him another pastry: "Alright, Brother Jun, the children are just worried about you."

Chen Jun rolled his eyes, took the pastry, and took a fierce bite, his mind bustling... As he chewed the sweet pastry with the fragrance of myriad flower nectar, he gazed at the dome, his eyes hollow.

Indeed... relying on one's own efforts is not feasible!

Lying down to win is the Kingly Way... Just as Chen Jun once again gave up on treatment and was about to seek virtual "effort" achievements in the "Ancestor Simulator"—

The space in front of him rippled again like water.

This time, the aura was peaceful and profound, carrying a vastness as if it merged with the entire starry sky.

Yun Qinglan's figure quietly appeared, her white dress still pristine.

"Father, I'm back," her clear, cold voice rang out.

Chen Jun's spirit lifted slightly; after all, his daughter had returned from an important task.

"Oh? Qinglan is back so soon? How was it? What's the situation in the surroundings? Did you find any hidden 'old hard coins' or clues to the ten questions of the starry sky?" He put down the pastry and asked with a hint of curiosity.

Yun Qinglan nodded slightly, her tone calm and unruffled, as if stating a trivial matter:

"Preliminary investigation completed. Centered on Cangqiong Seat, there are seventy-two spiral arms."

"Among them, there are a total of three civilizations that have reached Rank 2.5. They are located at the cores of the 'Purple Flame Spiral Arm,' 'Azure Nether Spiral Arm,' and 'Black Stone Spiral Arm,' respectively. Their strongest cultivators are at the Star Arm Level Peak."

"There are a large number of Rank 2.4 civilizations, a total of eight hundred and seventy-nine, scattered everywhere. Their strongest cultivators range from Star Arm Level Middle to High Rank."

"Most civilizations are Rank 2.3 and below, or are in a primitive, uncivilized state. No signs of civilizations significantly exceeding Rank 2.5 have been found."

She paused, then added: "Nor have any clear energy or information remnants related to the 'ten questions of the starry sky' been found."

After reporting, Yun Qinglan stood quietly, awaiting her father's next instructions.

Chen Jun listened, then let out a long, long sigh.

The last trace of gloom on his face vanished, replaced by immense relief and... as expected, calm.

"Just as I thought!" He slapped his thigh, a characteristic smile of laziness and everything-under-control appearing on his face:

"I said it! Our little corner is very remote, where would there be so many hidden big shots? The strongest is only a Rank 2.5 civilization, with Star Arm Level High Rank or Peak cultivators in charge... Tsk tsk, in front of you, Qinglan, isn't that just serving up dishes?"

He was completely at ease.

The surrounding environment was very "safe," perfectly suited for his "steady development" strategy.

As for Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom and the old monsters at Galaxy Level Peak?

In the seventy-two spiral arms scanned by Qinglan's Divine Sense, there was absolutely no information about them!

"Good, good, good! The situation is very good!" Chen Jun nodded in satisfaction, slumping back into his most comfortable posture, and said to Yun Qinglan:

"Qinglan, you've worked hard. Go back and rest well, consolidate your Realm. We'll stick to the original plan, lie low! Let's first manage our own small plot of land well!"

"Yes, Father," Yun Qinglan responded, her figure slowly dissipating.

In the side hall, only Chen Jun and Lin Wei remained again.

Chen Jun picked up the unfinished concentric pastry and happily continued to nibble on it, feeling extremely comfortable.

Although the plan to "strive" to have an Innate Venerable Body had once again fallen through, the confirmation of the "safety" of the external environment allowed him to lie down to win with even greater peace of mind.

He leisurely winked at his wife, "Wei Wei, 'stability first,' right? Fighting and killing is so tiring, how nice it is to lie down and enjoy the scenery, isn't your husband's idea correct?"

Lin Wei looked at her husband's comfortable appearance, smiled gently, and quietly refilled his teacup.

"Mm, Brother Jun is always right."

The slight regret in her heart for not having borne her husband a son also quietly dissipated in this tranquility... As long as he was there, safe and joyful, that was the best...