210: The heavens rise and the winds rise.

Under Ancestor Chen's “efforts,” the Human Federation was thriving.

Especially Ancestor Chen's six-character mantra—"Hunker down, develop, don't rush."

This was regarded as a sacred decree throughout the Federation. Everyone, from the lowest to the highest ranks, was frantically boosting "productivity." With the technology of a Level 3.0 Civilization and the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom's Mine providing a safety net, there was no need to worry about living space or resources.

In contrast to the harmonious scene in the Federation, the chen clan bloodline had caused the Cangqiong Seat Spiral Arm to lose its balance... Cangqiong Seat, edge Star Domain, Loren Civilization's Capital Planet—Supreme Deliberation Hall.

This place, which usually simulated a peaceful and serene azure sky, was now shrouded in an invisible gloom, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

The elderly Duke Loren, Otto Loren, tightly gripped the Scepter's armrest with his withered fingers, his knuckles white from the effort.

His eyes, once wise but now filled with worry, were fixed on the massive Star Map suspended in the center of the deliberation hall.

On the Star Map, the Territory representing the Loren Civilization was a gentle, aquamarine color, symbolizing peace and stability.

However, surrounding this aquamarine area, especially along the long border shared with the Guangyao Empire, countless alarming crimson dots were densely scattered.

Those dots were like thick blood dripping into clear water, constantly spreading and converging, exuding unmistakable aggression.

"Gentlemen," Duke Otto's voice was as dry as sandpaper, carrying an undisguised tremor, "The latest, highest-priority intelligence from the Observation Post... has been synchronized to your Terminals."

He didn't need to say more; all the high-ranking officials of the Loren Civilization present—

The Minister of Military Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Chief of Internal Affairs, the Star Domain Governors... were already pale as they stared at the scrolling data on the Light Screens before them.

It wasn't just data; it was more like cold, written Death Notices.

The Minister of Military Affairs, an iron-blooded and calm old general, spoke with a hoarseness he didn't even notice:

"Your Grace... the former Light and Shadow Civilization, now the Guangyao Empire's 'Light of Dawn' Fleet Group, has completed its third round of wartime resupply. The energy signature of its Flagship... has... has exceeded that of our most advanced 'Silent Sea Guardian' Battleship by thirty thousand percent. And this is only one of their seven publicly known Main Fleets."

He paused, swallowed with difficulty, and continued: "According to energy signature analysis... the Guangyao Empire has added over five hundred thousand individuals confirmed to possess Stellar Level Life Fluctuations in the past three years. This number is five hundred times the total number of Stellar-level Experts currently existing in our Loren Civilization."

"A three-year increase that is five hundred times our total..."

This data struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

A wave of suppressed gasps sounded in the deliberation hall... The Minister of Finance's voice was tearful, and he was practically accusing them: "How... how can they be so fast?! This defies the laws of Civilization Development Model! Where did all those Geniuses come from?!"

The Chief of Internal Affairs bitterly interjected, pulling up Cultural and Social Analysis Reports from various channels. The Light Screen displayed images and texts intercepted from the Guangyao Empire's Public Information Network:

A grand "Model Fertility Family" Commendation Ceremony was being held in a huge plaza. Every member of the honored families had extraordinary auras. The youngest child, who looked only five or six years old, was already faintly exhibiting War God Level Energy Fluctuations.

The host passionately shouted slogans: "More births, better births, Glorious Empire! Prosperous Bloodline, Martial Dao Endures Forever!"

On the flyleaf of an Introductory Textbook at a school, a striking slogan was printed: "Branching Out and Spreading the Leaves is the Foundation of a Strong Clan! Strive to reproduce, live up to your prime!"

Even the conscription advertisements were full of a unique style: "Join the Imperial Legion, fight to protect our Bloodline and future! Behind you are thousands of clansmen who need your protection!"

"They're crazy... they've all gone crazy..." a Civil Official muttered, "The entire civilization, from top to bottom, is obsessed with 'reproduction' and 'Bloodline'! This is not a normal Civilization Development Model at all!"

Duke Otto closed his eyes wearily, his voice weak yet clearly revealing the root cause:

"Because... they possess the 'chen clan bloodline'."

The two words "Chen Clan" seemed to carry magic, plunging the entire deliberation hall into instant silence.

Everyone knew what those two words meant... It was the Legendary Family of the Human Federation, the Bloodline of Ancestor Chen, who was suspected to be an Ancient Existence and who suppressed the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom with a single thought!

It was the incredible source that guaranteed the birth of Innate Martial Body individuals!

"Your Majesty Radiance, the Emperor of the Guangyao Empire," the Minister of Military Affairs said with a complicated tone, carrying indescribable envy and a hint of jealousy:

"Is the son of Ancestor Chen's Great-Granddaughter, Chen Yuanhua. The purest chen clan bloodline flows within him. It was precisely because of this that he was able to easily inherit the Imperial Throne back then, based on the 'merit' of having one hundred and seventy-two Innate Martial Body offspring."

"The Crown Prince of the Sea Song Civilization is the son of Ancestor Chen's other Great-Granddaughter, Chen Yuanlin."

"The Chief Executive Heir of the Xuanji Federation is the son of Ms. Chen Yuanjing."

"And the son of the Marshal of the Iron Wall Alliance, the Young Lord of the Star Ring Chamber of Commerce... They have all, to varying degrees, successfully married Chen Clan women, even if they were only from Collateral Branches! Their Ruling Core has been infiltrated and transformed by the chen clan bloodline!"

The Minister of Finance thumped his chest and stamped his feet, practically bursting into tears:

"Why! Why didn't our Imperial Princes work harder back then?! Why couldn't we gain the favor of a Chen Clan woman?! Even a female from the most peripheral Collateral Line would have been fine!"

His lament voiced the deepest regret and helplessness in the hearts of all Loren high-ranking officials, and indeed, all leaders of civilizations without the chen clan bloodline.

It wasn't that they didn't want to; the competition was simply too fierce!

The Chen Clan of the Human Federation had frighteningly high standards.

Their Imperial Princes and Young Talents didn't even rank highly in the eyes of Chen Clan women.

When the Human Federation rose and the magic of the chen clan bloodline first manifested, they also tried to make contact, but either they couldn't find a way in, or their gifts and sincerity were outmatched by stronger competitors.

One step slow, every step slow... Now, watching those civilizations with the chen clan bloodline inflate like balloons, they could only hide in the corner, trembling, tasting the bitterness of "lag behind and you will be beaten."

"They... don't need to Declare War." The Minister of Military Affairs pointed to the crimson Fleet Markers on the Star Map that had already formed a surrounding posture:

"Their soldiers are singing Battle Songs in the Barracks, with lyrics like 'Bloodline guides the direction, Martial Body forges glory,' 'Just waiting for the Motherland's command, we rush to the battlefield,' and 'We are always ready to answer the call of the Motherland.' Their desire for expansion no longer needs any pretext to conceal itself."

"Our three thousand Star Systems are probably no different from their backyard in their eyes." Duke Otto slowly opened his eyes, which were full of desperate bloodshot lines:

"The Star Sea Council's Convention? Before absolute power, a Convention is just a piece of waste paper. When we cannot pose a threat to them, the Council will not risk angering a group of... 'chen clan bloodline Civilizations' with infinite potential."

He raised his head, surveyed the silent Officials below, and spoke with his last ounce of strength:

"Submit a Protest Note to the Star Sea Council; the procedure must be followed. But hold no hope."

"Activate the Civilization's Highest Emergency Status, mobilize all military forces, even if it is a futile effort."

"Finally..." He paused, his voice carrying a faint trace of hope, "Use all our secret channels, spare no expense, and try to contact the Human Federation... or any intermediary connected to the Chen Clan. Express our... intent to submit, and our willingness to pay any price, just to... establish even the weakest Marriage Alliance with the Chen Clan."

This was practically begging.

In the face of an absolute power gap, dignity was already a luxury.

The fate of the Loren Civilization seemed sealed.

They were like a lone boat on the sea before a storm, watching helplessly as the "Giant Ships" driven by the chen clan bloodline raised their sails, about to embark on a Journey of Conquest that would sweep across the entire Cangqiong Seat.

Guangyao Empire, deep within the Imperial Palace.

In stark contrast to the desperate repression of the Loren Civilization, here there was pervasive vitality and... a slightly strange "busyness."

Emperor Radiance was not sitting formally upon the Imperial Throne, which symbolized Supreme power.

In fact, it had been a long time since the Imperial Throne had hosted its master for an extended period.

At this moment, Radiance was in an Imperial Palace Side Hall, in a special room modified to resemble a combination of a top-tier Biological Laboratory and a Cultivation Quiet Room.

He wore a simple Royal Cultivation Robe. Although there were still faint shadows under his eyes, his entire aura was vast and full of vitality, like the rising sun.

His Stellar Level Peak cultivation was incredibly stable!

Dozens of Light Screens floated before him. One displayed the real-time deployment of the Empire Border Fleet, especially in the direction of the Loren Civilization.

Another showed the dynamic statistical curve of the number of "Innate Martial Body" newborns in the Empire's various Star Domains, a curve that was soaring almost vertically.

Yet another was the latest Experimental Report submitted by the Imperial Academy of Sciences regarding the auxiliary effect of a new type of "High-Energy Nutrient Solution" on improving the probability of conception... His Personal Inner Attendant, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man with a similarly strong aura, was bowing and reporting:

"Your Majesty, General Gangyan, Commander of the Seventh Fleet, has sent a confidential message. Troop morale is high, and all pre-war preparations are complete. They are ready to execute the 'Pioneer' Plan at any moment." The inner attendant's voice was calm, as if discussing a trivial matter.

Radiance shifted his gaze from the "High-Energy Nutrient Solution" report, glanced at the border Star Map, and a curve of absolute control appeared at the corner of his mouth:

"Tell Gangyan to proceed as planned. The Empire's Territory needs to match the Empire's growing power and population. The Lorens... if they can't hold onto those resources, they should yield them to those who need them more."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The inner attendant recorded the instruction and continued to report, "In addition, news has arrived from the Grand Emperor's side: a new batch of three hundred selected 'Consort Candidates' has arrived at the Imperial Capital and is undergoing Aptitude checks and... Bloodline Compatibility Pre-Screening."

Upon hearing this, Radiance's mouth twitched slightly, and he subconsciously rubbed his lower back... Even with his Stellar Level Peak physique, facing the seven thousand two hundred... no, the continuously increasing Harem Beauties in the Harem, he often felt overwhelmed.

But thinking that this concerned the future of the Empire, the continuation of the Bloodline, and the invisible "Competitiveness" within the Chen Clan Lineage, he could only suppress this "hardship" deep in his heart.

Unlike Chen Yuanhai and the others, he was the Ruler of a Country, the leader of a civilization. No matter how much hardship or exhaustion he faced, he had to bear it himself!

Except for occasionally complaining to his Mother, Chen Yuanhua, no one could help him!

"Understood, proceed according to the procedure." He waved his hand. "Ensure resource supply, especially safeguards for pregnant Consorts; they must be the best."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, the Cabinet has listed this as the highest priority, and all resources are preferentially supplied to the Imperial Family." The inner attendant said respectfully, then added:

"The Sea Song Civilization and the Xuanji Federation also seem to have similar... 'pioneering' intentions recently. Our actions might trigger a chain reaction."

Radiance snorted coldly: "The resources in the Cangqiong Seat are finite. If we don't become stronger, others will leave us behind. Ancestor Chen, that old man, blessed the Star Sea, but opportunity is only reserved for those who are prepared and bold. If they move, we must move too. Let's see who is faster and whose methods are more ruthless!"

His eyes shone with the light of ambition.

Possessing the chen clan bloodline was luck, but turning that luck into real strength and Territory required their own efforts.

He not only wanted to be an Emperor with strong reproductive capabilities but also a Heroic Ruler who would expand territory and make the name of the Guangyao Empire resonate throughout the Cangqiong Seat!

"Let Gangyan act without restraint! The Empire needs more living space to accommodate our increasing number of Innate Martial Body descendants!"

Sea Song Civilization, Deep Blue Royal Court.

Crown Prince Cangming, son of Chen Yuanlin, was suspended in the center of the massive "Deep Sea Resonance Field."

Surrounding him was a powerful force field woven by two thousand eight hundred Consorts using ethereal singing and Mental Energy Fluctuations.

Unlike Radiance, who relied on quantity, the Sea Song Civilization emphasized "quality" and "resonance."

Cangming's cultivation had also reached the Stellar Level Peak, his aura long and profound, carrying the vastness of the ocean.

He received news from the border, and a hunter's smile, similar to Radiance's, appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Has Radiance lost his patience? Good..." His Mental Energy Fluctuation transmitted to the Auxiliary Minister beside him:

"Order the 'Abyssal Fleet' to advance. Target... the Castro Commercial Alliance. Their Star Domain is very suitable for conversion into our Marine Ecological Paradise."

"Yes, Your Highness. Also, preliminary results have been achieved in the research on the new 'Tidal Symbiotic Bacteria Group' to enhance the Mental Energy talent of Offspring..."

"Increase investment! The Empire's future requires more outstanding Heirs!" Cangming commanded without hesitation.

Expansion and reproduction, like the two wings of a sea current, drove the Sea Song Civilization forward rapidly.

Xuanji Federation, top floor of the "Tower of Truth."

The Chief Executive Heir, Rui, son of Chen Yuanjing, and the current Chief Executive, adjusted the Gold-Rimmed Glasses on the bridge of his nose.

On the Light Screen before him were complex Star Maps, a Social Structure Analysis Report of the Loren Civilization, and a "Feasibility Plan for Utilizing Loren Civilization's Panic Psychology for 'Soft Cultural Infiltration' and 'Technological Asymmetric Strike'."

He was not eager to mobilize fleets like Radiance and Cangming, but analyzed calmly:

"Direct Military Conflict costs too much and easily provokes backlash from the Star Sea Council. Perhaps... we can start with economic and technological aspects. Loren Civilization's mining technology has seventeen clear loopholes. We can use Commercial Means to acquire their Mining Companies at low prices, indirectly controlling their Vital Industries. Simultaneously, we can support pro-Xuan Ji Factions internally..."

His thinking was meticulous, as if he were playing a grand game of chess.

Expansion does not necessarily require continuous cannon fire.

"Digesting" opponents with knowledge and wisdom is also conquest.

But his goal was equally clear—to gain more resources and Influence for the Xuanji Federation and for the chen clan bloodline flowing within him.

The Iron Wall Alliance, the Star Ring Chamber of Commerce... one civilization after another possessing the chen clan bloodline, as if injected with a Super Stimulant, began turning the massive power and population pressure accumulated from the internal "Fertility Race" toward external expansion.

The Loren Civilization was merely the first target singled out.

Soon, the Castro Commercial Alliance, the Free Planets Confederacy... one civilization after another without the protection of the chen clan bloodline began to feel suffocating pressure from all directions.

Soldiers sang Battle Songs and sharpened their weapons in the Barracks... scientists frantically tackled key problems in Laboratories, boosting national strength... rulers exhausted their minds in the Palace, either plotting expansion or desperately seeking ways to self-preserve or even the Way to Cling to Power... A massive storm, indirectly triggered by the chen clan bloodline and sweeping across the entire Cangqiong Seat Spiral Arm, had already begun.

And the source of this storm seemed to have no connection with Ancestor Chen, who was safely lying down and winning on the Pillar of Leaders, sprawled in his Supreme lounge chair, his posture having been refined through countless trials, reaching the realm of "Dao Follows Nature"...