185: Dragon Calendar

Star Calendar 100184 (Dragon Calendar 429), Pillar of Leaders, Chen Jun Manor.

Outside the window, the "Shining World Celestial Vault," a dimmed golden satellite forcibly restrained and brought here, still faithfully performed its duty as the "Yao Qiong Mine"—

Pure source energy flowed like an invisible galaxy into the Federation's lifeline.

Inside the manor, however, there was a rare tranquility.

Chen Jun took a slow, deep breath.

This breath seemed to pierce through eleven years of time, exhaling the cold, piercing shards of pain that had accumulated in the deepest part of his Soul.

He opened his eyes...

Those eyes, which once resembled black holes devouring everything and carried the pain of billions of Reincarnation cycles, were still deep, but the heart-stopping dead silence and madness had faded.

In their place was a kind of calmness, as if he had experienced the vicissitudes of eternity and seen through the birth and death of the star sea.

Yet, deep within this calmness, a faint, heart-trembling lingering fear could still be glimpsed.

"Eleven years..."

He whispered to himself, his voice no longer hoarse and frantic, regaining its former clarity but carrying a heavy texture.

"Over ten billion lifetimes of Reincarnation pain... finally... barely digested."

These eleven years were by no means a fleeting moment for him.

It was a torture of the Soul that happened every second, indescribable in words!!!

Every memory of death inherited through [Multiple Benefits] was like a red-hot branding iron, searing his Soul!

It wasn't just the moment of death, but the extreme fear, unwillingness, and resentment before death, as well as the final attachment to loved ones, to life, and to this starry sky...

Billions of such memories intertwined, superimposed, and reincarnated...

If not for the [Multiple Benefits] feature having a hidden effect that exempted his Soul from total collapse, chaos, and self-doubt when inheriting these "beneficial states" (the System judged these Soul-tempering memories as "beneficial states"),

he would have long since been turned into a true madman or a shell without consciousness the moment he inherited the power!

The price—was this eleven years of indescribable Soul-slicing that was worse than death!

His total Soul volume might not have increased, but its "quality" and "resilience" had reached an unimaginable level after eleven years of tempering!

If his Soul was like hard star-iron before, now his Soul was like... neutron star matter, compressed billions of times by the gravity of a black hole!

Condensed!

Resilient!

Almost indestructible!

But recalling everything he endured over these eleven years, Chen Jun still felt a chill from the depths of his Soul...

"This feeling... damn it, it's not something a human can endure..." He couldn't help but curse, subconsciously rubbing his still-throbbing temples:

"This [Multiple Benefits] feature has too much kick..."

After calming down for a while, until he confirmed that the turbulent feeling deep in his Soul had completely subsided, Chen Jun finally had the heart to turn his attention to the system interface that had been silent for eleven years.

With a thought, the pale blue light screen unfolded before his eyes.

[Number of Offspring]: 5.18 trillion

He paused at [Number of Offspring] for a moment.

"5.18 trillion?" Chen Jun raised an eyebrow, "A bit less than expected..."

He wasn't surprised.

These eleven years, he had been fully occupied with digesting painful memories, having no energy to grasp any "Family core values," let alone encourage childbirth.

More importantly, with the explosive growth of Federation resources, especially the unlimited supply from the "Yao Qiong Mine" (Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom), the speed of strength improvement for the younger generation was terrifying.

origin crystals were eaten like candy, Origin marrow could occasionally be tasted, and source heart... that was something he dared not even dream of before, yet now it could be distributed on demand...

Under such resource bombardment, the descendants started with the Innate Martial Body. Within the 100-year Innate Universe Origin affinity period, they basically broke through to the Stellar Level easily before adulthood, or even during childhood! Not to mention the Acquired Universe Origin affinity period increased by the Breakthrough...

What did Stellar Level mean?

It meant the barrier of reproductive isolation skyrocketed geometrically again!

Although the [Numerous Offspring] feature was powerful and could weaken reproductive isolation, a one-fold effect was useless.

The stronger the strength, the greater the reproductive isolation value, and the higher the difficulty of birthing offspring.

Of these 5.18 trillion descendants, over 3 trillion were Stellar Level!

The rest were basically little kids born in the last eleven years, under ten years old, who hadn't had time to break through yet.

"Good heavens," Chen Jun rubbed his chin, "So now in the Family, Stellar Level is a unit of measurement? And War God Level has become a rare protected species?"

His gaze continued downward, landing on the [Remaining Lifespan] column.

[Remaining Lifespan]: 4201 years...+ 12 ...+ 12 ... (99.9 billion... years)

"4201 years..." Chen Jun looked at this number, as well as the nearly 100 billion years of lifespan in the parentheses, his eyes flickering slightly.

With his current Star River Level cultivation and the terrifying Aptitude of the 1.2x Innate Venerable Body, a mere four thousand-plus years of lifespan sounded a bit meager?

But this was just the "acknowledged" lifespan displayed by the System.

His true lifespan had long reached 100 billion years upon breaking through to the Star River Level.

Was this "4201 years" more like an... anchor point?

Or was it the lifespan he "should" have according to the System's judgment, matching his current apparent state?

Or perhaps the System didn't acknowledge the lifespan increased by breaking through strength inherited via [Multiple Benefits]?

A "nesting doll" lifespan?

However, natural lifespan decay no longer consumed the life added by [Longevity Multiplier], so it was a negligible effect.

...

Just as he was thinking—

"Father!"

"Husband!"

Several voices filled with joy and concern came from outside.

Immediately after, Lin Wei, Yun Qinglan, Su Yuan, Chen Xi, and other Family members, as well as core leaders like Chu Yueyao, Mo Heng, and Li Qingshan, filed in.

They had clearly been monitoring Chen Jun's state, and only when they felt his aura completely stabilize did they rush over impatiently.

"Father, you... you have finally recovered!" Yun Qinglan stepped forward quickly, her cold eyes full of excitement and lingering fear.

These eleven years, although Chen Jun had stayed in the manor, the occasionally uncontrollable, Soul-trembling waves of pain made everyone worry!

"Husband, how are you feeling? Is there anywhere else uncomfortable?" Lin Wei also held his hand, tears welling up in her beautiful eyes...

"Ancestor Chen! Ancestor Chen!..." Others also bowed respectfully, their eyes full of boundless fanaticism and awe...

Chen Jun looked at the Family and leaders gathering around, feeling a slight warmth in his heart; the eleven years of cold torture seemed to be diluted significantly.

He smiled, patted Lin Wei's hand, and nodded to Yun Qinglan: "It's fine, it's all over."

His gaze swept over everyone's faces, and he could clearly feel that everyone's strength had made significant progress over these eleven years.

Yun Qinglan had stabilized at the early Peak of the Galaxy Level, her aura deeper.

Chu Yueyao, Shi Yue, Li Qingshan, and others, although still stuck at the Bottleneck between Stellar Level Peak and Star Arm Level, had Foundations many times thicker.

The Law Dao rhymes surrounding them were clear evidence that they hadn't spent less time "bathing" in source energy and comprehending it over these years.

Mo Heng... well, the guy still looked like a mad scientist, but the light of wisdom in his eyes was even more piercing, clearly having advanced his tech tree significantly.

"It seems everyone hasn't been idle these eleven years." Chen Jun laughed.

"Thanks to Ancestor Chen's blessings!" Li Qingshan clasped his fists excitedly, his voice like a bell:

"With the unlimited supply from the Yao Qiong Mine, the Federation is changing with each passing day! Your subordinates dare not be the slightest bit slack!"

"That's right, Ancestor Chen," Mo Heng pushed his glasses, his face carrying the rigorous fanaticism unique to scientific workers:

"Our progress in parsing the 2.9-level Peak technology of the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom has reached 21.88%. Combined with the 2.8-level technology you bestowed upon us, several key technologies have made Breakthrough progress! We are continuously marching towards a Level 3 civilization!"

"Good!" Chen Jun nodded approvingly.

The progress of civilization technology was the Foundation for his offspring's reproduction.

This meant more living space and more survival Guarantees!

At this moment, Li Qingshan seemed to recall something, a slightly fawning smile that didn't quite fit the style of a Sword Venerable appearing on his face as he stepped forward:

"Ancestor Chen, the eleven years you were in seclusion happened to coincide with the implementation of the 'Dragon Calendar', and it is now the 429th year of the Dragon Calendar! Look how time flies!"

"Dragon Calendar?" Chen Jun was slightly startled; he truly had no concept of the passage of time while digesting painful memories.

"Exactly!" Mo Heng took over, his tone carrying a solemnity as if he were stating cosmic truths:

"This is a resolution passed unanimously by this subordinate, Sword Venerable Li, and others after careful calculation and prudent discussion!"

He cleared his throat and began his signature exposition:

"After this subordinate used cross-verification and big data deduction across 720 disciplines such as 'Civilization History,' 'Cosmic epoch Fluctuation Science,' and 'Luck Karma Connection Model'."

"The final conclusion: Setting the day when Ancestor Chen sealed your cultivation, reincarnated into the Federation, and experienced mortal life as the first year of the Dragon Calendar is the plan most in line with the Laws of cosmic development, most conducive to the cohesion of the Federation's Luck, and best able to reflect the orderly inheritance of civilization!"

"Its confidence interval is as high as 99.99...99%! The margin of error is less than Planck time!"

Chen Jun: "..."

Good heavens!

Mo Heng's flattery... was almost reaching the level of cosmic truth!

His flattery skills were even better than back then...

Li Qingshan, unwilling to be outdone, immediately stepped forward and said loudly: "Ancestor Chen! Although this subordinate does not understand those complex data, I deeply feel this proposal is excellent! So I composed a poem to commemorate this grand event!"

He held his head high and recited with great emotion:

"《Setting the Dragon Calendar》"

"A new era opens the Dragon Calendar chapter, the Glazed Star Domain changes to a new sky!"

"The old Divine Kingdom becomes dirt, only our Ancestor Chen lives forever!"

"Sealing cultivation to roam the Mortal World, laughing while watching the winds and clouds spin in his palm!"

"Today the dragon soars beyond the nine heavens, forever suppressing the star river for billions of years!"

After reciting, Li Qingshan specifically added: "This poem has been set to music and recorded on the 'Dragon Calendar Monument' in the virtual universe. Every morning, ten thousand stars play it together, and billions of citizens recite it in unison to commemorate the grace of Ancestor Chen!"

Chen Jun's mouth twitched slightly.

Well, one used scientific argumentation, the other used poetry...

This flattery skill was advancing much faster than their strength...

And "forever suppressing the star river for billions of years"...

But it actually sounded not bad?

"Dragon Calendar"?

He remembered about ten years ago, when the Crown Princess Yan Ji of the Dragonborn Empire visited, she had inadvertently mentioned the term "Descendants of the Dragon."

At that time, he was at a critical stage of digesting pain, and his mood had a rare fluctuation. That nostalgia for his distant hometown...

seemed to have briefly diluted the dead silence in his eyes, and was captured by the meticulous Mo Heng and Li Qingshan?

Unexpectedly, these guys took it to heart and even came up with a "Dragon Calendar"?

Looking at the group of subordinates looking at him eagerly, waiting for praise, Chen Jun smiled helplessly and waved his hand:

"Alright, alright, it's just a way to count years, you guys can handle it as you see fit."

This default attitude immediately made Mo Heng and Li Qingshan flush with excitement, as if they had won a great battle!

Ancestor Chen approved!

Their flattery was on point!

Just then—

"Report—!"

A communication officer's figure appeared outside the manor, his voice carrying a trace of excitement: "Reporting to Ancestor Chen! Crown Princess Yan Ji of the Dragonborn Empire has arrived with generous gifts and is now at the outer port of the Pillar of Leaders!"

Speak of the devil, and he appears.

Chen Jun was in a good mood, so he nodded: "Let her come over."

"Yes!"

Before long, a fiery red figure walked over gracefully.

It was Yan Ji.

Eleven years had passed, and she was as bright and moving as ever, without the slightest fading, her body exuding a noble and powerful aura, and her strength seemed to have improved significantly.

She came forward and respectfully performed the highest etiquette of the Dragonborn Empire to Chen Jun: "Yan Ji, pays respects to Ancestor Chen! Congratulations to Ancestor Chen on coming out of seclusion!"

Her gaze fell on Chen Jun's face, and she keenly noticed that the black hole eyes that once made her heart tremble had now returned to calmness, even carrying a hint of gentleness. Her heart couldn't help but relax, and at the same time, she felt even more awe.

"No need for formalities." Chen Jun nodded slightly, "What is the purpose of Yan Ji's visit this time?"

Yan Ji straightened up, waved her jade hand, and a golden dragon scale emitting intense spatial fluctuations appeared in her hand.

"Ancestor Chen, Father Emperor Wu Huo, grateful for the great kindness of Ancestor Chen and the Federation to our Dragonborn, specially ordered Yan Ji to deliver this item—this is a 'Primordial Dragon Crystal' from the heritage vault of our Dragonborn Empire!"

"Primordial Dragon Crystal?" Chen Jun became a little interested.

"Exactly!" Yan Ji's tone carried a hint of pride, "This item is not an energy crystal, but contains part of the heritage memory and original Dao rhyme of a Primordial Star Dragon! It has miraculous effects for comprehending Laws, tempering the Physical Body, and the Soul!"

As she spoke, she looked at Chen Jun meaningfully.

Clearly, the implementation of the "Dragon Calendar" had already reached the Dragonborn Empire.

Chen Jun took the warm, jade-like golden dragon scale and felt the aura contained within.

"The Dragon Emperor is thoughtful." He smiled faintly and put away the dragon crystal.

After delivering the generous gift, Yan Ji seemed to have completed her main task, and her expression relaxed a lot.

Her beautiful eyes turned, looking at Mo Heng and Li Qingshan, smiling sweetly: "Dean Mo Heng, Sword Venerable Li, just now outside, I seemed to hear you two discussing... 'Dragon Calendar'?"

Mo Heng and Li Qingshan immediately perked up!

The opportunity to perform had come again!

Mo Heng immediately stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and began to popularize science seriously: "Your Highness Yan Ji may not know, this 'Dragon Calendar' is our Federation's..."

He blabbered on, repeating that set of "cosmic truth-level" flattery theory again.

Li Qingshan, even more passionately, recited his "handed-down poem" 《Setting the Dragon Calendar》 again.

Yan Ji listened with bright eyes, especially when hearing "dragon soars beyond the nine heavens," she covered her mouth and chuckled, her gaze towards Chen Jun carrying a hint of indescribable intimacy and recognition.

"Wonderful! Very wonderful!" Yan Ji clapped her hands in praise, "Our Dragonborn Empire are 'Descendants of the Dragon,' using 'Dragon' as a calendar is in line with the Heavenly Dao! Our Dragonborn Empire also feels honored by it!"

Her words were not entirely polite.

The deeper Chen Jun's connection with "Dragon" was, the more beneficial it was to the Dragonborn Empire.

Chen Jun looked at the harmonious, mutual-flattery scene before him, listening to the poetry and arguments that were so awkward they could make one dig out a three-bedroom-and-one-living-room apartment, and helplessly rubbed his temples.

These guys... are really enough.

However, this feeling... seems a bit nostalgic?

He looked inward, looking at the system interface again.

[Remaining Lifespan]: 4201 years...+ 12 ...+ 12 ... (99.9 billion... years)

A thought became clearer and clearer...