35: Yunxi's Arrangements

They entered an elegantly decorated, soundproof tea room.

The fragrance of tea wafted through the air, refreshing the mind, but the atmosphere inside was so heavy it felt as if it could condense into water.

Qin Pojun dismissed all the attendants and personally poured a cup of Spiritual Qi-infused tea for Leader Yun Xi, who sat in the seat of honor.

His hands—the hands of a high-Rank Stellar Level expert—actually trembled with an almost imperceptible quiver.

Yun Xi sat quietly, her pristine white dress unstained by a single speck of dust. Her bare feet rested casually on the mirror-smooth floor. Her calm gaze fell upon the few emerald tea leaves slowly unfurling in the cup, as if the discovery just now—one enough to overturn the Human Federation's entire understanding—hadn't caused much of a ripple in her heart.

However, the more extreme her calmness, the greater the pressure on Qin Pojun.

He knew that the Leader's silence was more terrifying than any thunderous rage.

Finally, unable to bear the silent, immense pressure, Qin Pojun took a deep breath and slowly stepped back two paces. Then, he performed an action that would have caused anyone else's jaw to drop—he straightened his robes and bowed deeply to Yun Xi with utmost solemnity and respect. His voice, carrying unutterably complex emotions, whispered:

"Teacher..."

This call of "Teacher" seemed to traverse tens of thousands of years, containing endless awe and filial devotion.

Yun Xi slowly raised her eyes. Her left eye was clear while her right eye held the weight of ages as she looked at Qin Pojun. Her gaze remained peaceful, yet it possessed a power that could pierce through the human heart.

She did not stop his bow, merely giving a soft "Mhm" in response.

This simple acknowledgement eased Qin Pojun's heart slightly, yet filled him with even more shame.

Within the Human Federation, there was a little-known but supreme tradition.

The vast majority of the Human Federation's existing Innate Star Bodies were Personal Disciples of Leader Yun Xi!

It wasn't mandatory, but it happened naturally, and it was a supreme glory that every Innate Star Body and their Family dreamed of!

For no other reason than that Yun Xi was the only existence in the Human Federation's hundred-thousand-year history who had completed the entire path of growth and successfully reached the Stellar Level Peak!

She knew exactly what to watch out for at every stage of Cultivate, what resources were needed for assistance, what Bottlenecks would be encountered, and how to Breakthrough them.

Her experience and guidance were priceless treasures for any Martial Artist, saving them countless hours of trial and error and helping them avoid innumerable potential detours!

Thus, whenever a new Innate Star Body was born in the Human Federation, at the latest by the age of five—after they had enjoyed their parents' love—Yun Xi would personally appear to take them as a Personal Disciple. She would keep them by her side, teaching them meticulously to lay the firmest Foundation and plan the most suitable path for their growth.

She treated these Disciples like a teacher, and also like a mother.

She not only taught them the way of Cultivate but also the principles of conduct, fostering their sense of responsibility and heart to protect the Human Federation.

Su Xingyao had already been secretly observed by Yun Xi a year ago. She was only waiting for her to become more stable before bringing her to the Pillar of Leaders for personal instruction.

Not only that, Yun Xi also paid special attention to those Innate Martial Bodies who possessed extremely high talent and a glimmer of hope to Breakthrough to the Stellar Level during their window of opportunity.

She would take these children as "Named Disciples." They wouldn't stay by her side personally, but she would regularly check their progress, provide critical guidance, and offer whatever resource support she could mobilize.

The three sisters—Chen Xi, Chen Yao, and Chen Lu—had actually long been on Yun Xi's observation list. Once they all broke through to the War God Level, they would officially enter the assessment sequence for Named Disciples.

A teacher is one who passes on the Dao, teaches skills, and resolves doubts.

Yun Xi's actions had long transcended the usual relationship between master and apprentice.

She was cultivating the future for the entire Human Federation!

She was accumulating the core strength for the continuation of civilization!

She was like a towering tree rooted deep within the Human Federation's civilization, using her branches and leaves to shield those who followed from the wind and rain, hoping they would grow taller and see further.

And this was merely one facet of Yun Xi's greatness.

Qin Pojun understood this deeply.

He himself was a beneficiary and witness to his teacher's greatness.

He was not an Innate Star Body, but a top-tier Innate Martial Body.

Back then, when he was at the War God Level, he had been chosen by his teacher and taken as a Named Disciple because he showed incredible potential and Heart-Nature.

It was his teacher's meticulous guidance and selfless provision of resources that helped him Breakthrough Bottlenecks time and again, eventually condensing an Acquired Moon Body and achieving the Stellar Level, becoming the helmsman of the Star Rail Group and one of the Human Federation's pillars.

Without his teacher, Qin Pojun would not be where he is today.

His teacher's kindness was deeper than the sea of stars!

It was precisely because of this that his current concealment felt exceptionally heavy...

"Teacher..."

Qin Pojun's voice choked up, and he lowered his head even further.

"This student... this student has failed your teachings... I have hidden such an important matter... Please punish me, Teacher!"

Yun Xi looked at him quietly for a long time before letting out a soft sigh.

That sigh was light, yet it seemed to carry the weight of ten thousand years.

"Pojun,"

She spoke, her voice ethereal and peaceful, devoid of blame, containing only a hint of faint regret.

"I watched you grow up. I have never doubted your ability or your loyalty to the Human Federation."

She paused, her gaze seemingly piercing through the walls to see the newborn baby girl and the Chen Jun couple in the delivery room, as well as Qin Qingxuan, who was in secluded meditation in the Jade Washing Studio.

"It's just that this time, you've been foolish."

"Did you think that by keeping such a 'resource' under the Qin Family's control, you could make the Family stand invincible, or even transcend everything?"

Qin Pojun's body trembled, his face turning pale, not daring to answer.

Yun Xi shook her head slightly.

"An ordinary man is innocent, but harboring a jade makes him guilty. You've lived for sixty thousand years; do you still not understand this principle? Furthermore, this 'jade'... does not belong to your Qin Family. It belongs to the entire Human Federation, to the future of our entire human civilization!"

Her tone remained calm, yet it carried a deafening power.

"A 'source' that can stably produce top-tier Innate talent has a value that has long exceeded the scope of what any single Family or power can control! Its existence should be the Human Federation's highest-level secret! Its use should be to maximize the overall interests of the Human Federation! It should not become a private tool for the growth of a single Family!"

"Have you thought about what terrifying consequences would be triggered once the news leaks? Internal strife? The Empire's frantic plundering at any cost? Or even... drawing prying eyes from the deeper Universe that we currently cannot imagine?"

Cold sweat had completely soaked Qin Pojun's back, and his head was almost buried in his chest.

"This student... knows he was wrong... I had a momentary lapse of judgment... Please, Teacher..."

"Enough."

Yun Xi raised her hand slightly, cutting off his plea for punishment.

"Now is not the time to assign blame. The urgent task is to handle all the follow-up, ensure this secret is absolutely safe, ensure the 'source' is completely under control, and... how to maximize the use of this gift from heaven to Cultivate more future pillars for the Human Federation."

Her thinking was clear and cold.

"That man is named Chen Jun, correct?"

Yun Xi asked.

"...Yes."

Qin Pojun answered in a low voice.

"F-rank Affinity, a Mortal Body, yet possessing such Heaven-Defying power... The wonders of the Universe are indeed infinite."

A glimmer of inquisitive light flashed in Yun Xi's eyes.

"Does this... 'ability' of his have any restrictions or costs?"

Qin Pojun didn't dare to hide anything further and quickly recounted the situation regarding the "consumption of life force" that Qin Qingxuan had previously investigated and speculated on, as well as Chen Jun's prematurely aged appearance.

"Consuming life force..."

Yun Xi was lost in thought. She pondered for a moment and said:

"His security level is to be raised to the same level as the 'source.' I will personally take responsibility for conditioning his body."

"Yes! Everything will be done according to Teacher's arrangements!"

Qin Pojun immediately responded. While he felt a sense of relief, his awe deepened.

His teacher always considered the interests of the entire Human Federation.

"That child, Qingxuan..."

Yun Xi's gaze softened slightly.

"She has done well. Considering the big picture and enduring humiliation for a heavy responsibility. The child in her womb is the future of the Human Federation and must not suffer any mishaps. Once she finishes her seclusion and stabilizes her Realm, have her come see me."

"Yes!"

"As for the newborn child, Chen Xingyu..."

A genuine, gentle smile appeared on Yun Xi's face.

"Since she is an Innate Star Body, she is my destined Disciple. Once she is a month old, bring her to the Pillar of Leaders. And have that Su Xingyao come along as well."

Her tone was so matter-of-fact, as if this were a rule of the Universe.

Qin Pojun naturally had no objections.

Yun Xi stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the eternally beautiful sky of Kunlun Star, and said slowly:

"Pojun, you must remember. The land beneath our feet and the starry sky above our heads are not always peaceful. The Tristan Empire's desire to destroy us never dies, and who knows how many unknown dangers are hidden in the depths of the Universe."

"The responsibility of a Leader is not to enjoy power from on high, but to act as a shield with one's body and a sword with one's wisdom, to blaze a trail for the survival of civilization and to safeguard the growth of the younger generations."

"Personal gains and losses, the rise and fall of a Family—all can be cast aside before the spark of civilization."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it struck Qin Pojun's heart like a great bell.

"I will not look further into today's matter. But from now on, I will personally take over everything regarding the 'source.' Your Qin Family must cooperate fully and must not have any further concealment or selfishness. Can you do this?"

Qin Pojun fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed in the most solemn ancient rite, his voice firm and pained:

"This student, Qin Pojun, swears by his Dao Heart and his life! I will strictly abide by Teacher's instructions and prioritize the Human Federation's interests in everything! If I violate this, may the star sea abandon me and my Divine Soul be extinguished!"

Yun Xi turned around, looked at him, and slowly nodded.

"Rise. Take me to meet that... Mr. Chen Jun. And that mother who just gave birth and the newborn."

Qin Pojun quickly stood up and respectfully led the way.

Outside the tea room, the sunlight was just right, spilling onto Yun Xi's pristine white dress and bare feet, as if coating her in a layer of holy radiance.

Qin Pojun looked at his teacher's back, his heart filled with endless admiration and shame.

This was the Leader of the Human Federation.