36: On the Heavenly Pillar

Pillar of Leaders.

It was not a "pillar" in the literal sense, but a super-giant artificial celestial body suspended in synchronous orbit above Kunlun Star.

Its scale far exceeded any warship or military fortress; its main structure was more like a continent suspended in the starry sky, with an area comparable to a large nation from the old era.

When the exclusive shuttle carrying Chen Jun's family, personally escorted by Qin Pojun, exited the jump and slowly approached, the magnificent sight outside the porthole caused even Chen Jun, who had long since become numb, to involuntarily open his mouth slightly.

It was not a cold jungle of steel, but an aerial divine kingdom emitting a soft Brilliant Light, resembling Mount Olympus from mythology.

Streamlined silver-white architectural complexes were distributed in an orderly fashion according to the undulations of the "land," and countless small aircraft shuttled along invisible lanes like a busy swarm of bees. Beneath the massive transparent dome were lush ecological parks, where one could even see winding rivers and waterfalls.

Energy light bands flowed slowly around the periphery of the "Pillar of Heaven" like auroras, forming a visible, impregnable protective field.

"We... are going to live on that?"

Lin Wei held the just-fed and sleeping Chen Xingyu, her voice trembling with disbelief.

The scene before her eyes far exceeded the limits of imagination for a woman who had just crawled out from the bottom rungs of society.

Compared to this, the prosperity of the Upper District was like a rustic mud hut compared to an imperial palace.

Qin Pojun wore a look of reflected glory as he explained:

"Yes, Ms. Lin. This is the Pillar of Leaders, the residence of Her Excellency Yun Xi, and also where the heart and brain of the Federation reside. Being able to live here is, in itself, a supreme honor and recognition."

The shuttle slid silently into a designated lane without any security scanning procedures—the aircraft capable of reaching this place had already undergone the strictest screening.

When penetrating the force field, only a ripple like water appeared outside the porthole.

The landing process was so smooth that one couldn't feel the slightest movement.

When they stepped out of the cabin, they were on a plaza paved with some unknown Material that was as warm as jade yet incredibly hard.

The air was incredibly fresh, containing a concentration of Universe energy far exceeding that of Zhiyuan Star or even the surface of Kunlun Star; just taking a breath made one feel invigorated.

Lin Wei even felt the Acquired Martial Body energy condensing in her body become a bit more active.

A team of people wearing plain white uniforms, with calm expressions but deep, unfathomable auras, had long been waiting there.

At the lead was a middle-aged woman with a benevolent face; she nodded respectfully to Qin Pojun slightly, then looked warmly at Chen Jun's family.

"Mr. Chen, Mrs. Chen, welcome to the Pillar of Leaders. I am the attendant Lan Qing, and I have been ordered by the leader to be responsible for arranging your daily life here. Please follow me."

Her attitude was polite, even respectful, but the sense of superiority that was carved into her bones and merged with the surrounding environment could not be concealed.

They rode a silent hovercar, driving past the vast plaza that seemed to have no end, passing through architectural complexes of various styles.

Chen Jun saw people walking on the side of the road; their attire was not luxurious, but the Materials and tailoring were extremely exquisite, and everyone wore a look of composure and focus, as if they were thinking about major events concerning the fate of the Federation in every step they took.

What made Chen Jun tremble even more was that here, even his F-grade trash perception could vaguely detect the palpitating energy fluctuations hidden within the passersby.

"My god..."

Chen Jun couldn't help but mutter to Lin Wei beside him,

"Honey, did you feel that? The old man who was sweeping the street just now... uh, I mean that environmental maintenance expert, the energy fluctuation in his body felt scarier than when Su Wan erupts?"

Lin Wei nodded nervously, held the child tighter, and whispered:

"Don't talk nonsense... there's no one sweeping the street here..."

The attendant Lan Qing, who was driving in front, seemed to have heard their whispers, and her voice came over gently:

"Mr. Chen has keen perception. That was Elder Liu from the Environment Department, a Planetary Level intermediate botanist and ecological energy scientist, responsible for maintaining the ancient fern ecological community in District Seven of the 'Heavenly Garden'."

Chen Jun: "..."

Planetary Level intermediate... scientist... sweeping the street... oh no, maintaining an ecological community?

He felt his understanding of "experts" had been completely subverted.

Qin Pojun added calmly from the side:

"The Pillar of Leaders has a permanent population of about 1.2 billion. Among them, 99% are the top scholars, scientists, artists, engineers, and their families from various fields of the Federation. The remaining 1% are responsible for security, logistics, and... practitioners like us. Here, War God Level only qualifies as a beginner who won't hold others back, and Planetary Level is considered the backbone. The mansions of Stellar Level big shots are scattered everywhere."

He paused and looked at Chen Jun:

"As for SSS-grade Aptitude? It's not rare here, after all, there's no potential to become Planetary Level. What's truly scarce are Innate Martial Bodies like Chen Xingyu and Yaoer, as well as... Innate Star Bodies."

Chen Jun was completely speechless.

He had originally thought he had entered another, more Advanced cage.

But now he realized that this "cage" was as big as a country, and the people living inside were not guards, but a group of elites of human civilization that he needed to look up to.

Can this still be called a cage?

A normal person living in a city for their whole life, would they think it's a cage?

No, they would think that's their world.

And now, Chen Jun's world had suddenly been expanded from a dilapidated container, a cramped resettlement villa, and a gorgeous starport prison, to... an entire "country" suspended in the starry sky.

There was the best air, the most beautiful environment, the safest Guarantee, the most top-tier neighbors...

And the most invisible yet most solid barrier—you can never leave, and no one can easily break in.

This kind of "freedom" was a carefully packaged, supreme "captivity."

Thinking this through, Chen Jun suddenly felt a sense of relief to just let it all go.

Resist?

How to resist?

Talk about human rights with these Planetary Level and Stellar Level big shots?

Negotiate terms with the Federation leader?

Don't be ridiculous.

...

Let's just muddle along and let things take their course.

At least, the environment here is genuinely good, my wife and child are genuinely safe, and the living standards are definitely at the top level of the Universe.

Just consider it... retiring early? Although this nursing home is a bit too hardcore.

The hovercar finally stopped in front of a lakeside manor.

The style of the manor was simple and elegant, blending classical and modern technology, with a vast area and complete facilities.

"This is your residence from now on."

Attendant Lan Qing smiled,

"The leader has ordered you to rest well. If you have any needs, you can contact me directly through the indoor System. The leader will find time to meet Mr. Chen in the coming days."

After arranging everything, Lan Qing and Qin Pojun bid farewell and left.

Standing at the entrance of the manor, looking at the picturesque scenery before him, and feeling the Universe energy that had almost condensed into substance, Chen Jun let out a long, long sigh.

"Honey,"

He turned to look at Lin Wei, who was still somewhat bewildered and uneasy, a smile mixed with helplessness, self-mockery, and a hint of resignation appearing on his face,

"Don't think about anything else. This place... tsk, I reckon it's the most expensive 'prison' in the entire Federation. However, well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Let's just settle down here... and 'contribute' to the Federation."

He patted the back of Lin Wei's hand, his tone becoming a bit lighter:

"At least, the conditions of this 'brick and tile house' are quite good. Come on, let's go check out our new home; maybe the water in the swimming pool is even energy liquid!"