71: True Strongest Level 3

Three years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye...

Chen Jun Manor...

In the living room, the floor heating System maintained the temperature at the most pleasant level, and the air was filled with a mix of top-tier calming incense, spirit fruit tea, and a faint, lingering... scent of medicinal cuisine.

Lin Wei gently placed a pot of "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Soup," which she had carefully stewed for six hours, on the coffee table in front of Chen Jun. The soup pot was made of warm jade capable of locking in spiritual energy, and the soup inside was crystal clear, emitting a majestic yet gentle life energy.

This was made using "Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Jade Ginseng" as the main ingredient, which a Stellar Level Old Ancestor had sent over recently as a "consolation gift," claiming it could keep a Planetary Level Expert alive with their last breath, supplemented by dozens of other precious ingredients.

Her movements were so gentle they were almost cautious. The look in her eyes as she gazed at her husband was filled with an inseparable, deep affection and... a bone-deep heartache hidden deep within her gaze...

Chen Jun leaned back into the soft sofa, covered by a thin blanket made of cloud silk velvet, a specialty of "Ice Silkworm Star" that could nourish the Meridians.

He looked... surprisingly decent?

His complexion was even rosier than it had been three years ago, his eyes were clear, and judging solely by his state, he didn't look like someone on the verge of death at all.

Only Lin Wei knew that this was merely a false prosperity piled up by massive amounts of top-tier resources, a rootless and duckweed-like illusion, a flash of brilliance before death bought by burning his last life Origin...

"Brother Jun, drink it while it's hot. I added some newly arrived 'Star Orchid' to today's soup; the taste should be better." Lin Wei's voice was so gentle it could almost drip water. She picked up a jade spoon and gently stirred the soup, trying to cool it down faster.

Chen Jun watched his wife's cautious demeanor, as if she were treating a fragile treasure. He felt both warm and amused, along with an indescribable heartache...

Over the past three years, he had told Lin Wei countless times: "Wei Wei, don't worry, I feel great. I can still live for a long time..."

But every time, Lin Wei would look at him with that "I understand, please don't comfort me anymore" expression, filled with heartache and sadness, and then take care of him even more meticulously.

She lived every day as if it were his last.

As if she wanted to compress the love and care of the next few decades and pour it all into him during these final days.

Overthinking is a disease, and it's contagious...

And Lin Wei's case, due to the attitude of the Stellar Level big shots, had already seeped into her bones...

"Alright, alright, I'll drink it, I'll drink it." Chen Jun smiled helplessly and took the soup pot.

The soup tasted truly superb, the energy was gentle, and drinking it made his whole body feel warm. Although it had no life-extending effect on his Mortal Body, which had its upper limit locked by the System, the taste was a genuine pleasure.

As he drank, he used his consciousness to internally view the interface that only he could see:

【Remaining Lifespan】: 62 years ...+ 10 ...+ 10 ...

Hmm, very stable!

Stable happiness...

Just as he was happily enjoying his wife's loving soup, a wave of energy, extremely slight yet precisely controlled so as not to disturb the courtyard while still being enough for those inside to notice, drifted in from outside the manor.

A cold yet deliberately softened female voice came through the access control System, carrying a hint of just the right amount of surprise at an "accidental encounter":

"Mr. Chen, Madam Lin, are you at home? I, Yue Yao, was passing by the neighborhood and sensed that your residence was full of vitality, so I decided to drop by for a moment."

It's Chu Yueyao!

Chen Jun's hand trembled, and he almost spilled the soup...

Here we go again!

In these three years, these Stellar Level big shots seemed to have made an appointment to take turns "passing by"!

The frequency, and the coincidence of their routes, made him suspect that the Pillar of Leaders had been modified to orbit his manor!

Lin Wei hurriedly stood up, a complex expression on her face—a mix of awe for the Stellar-level Experts and a hint of... realization?

She walked quickly to the courtyard gate and opened it.

There stood Chu Yueyao in a moon-white dress, standing gracefully outside the door, with a faint, almost "gentle" smile on her face.

She was carrying an exquisite jade box in her hand, with runes flowing on the box; one look and it was clear it was no ordinary object.

"Pavilion Master Yue Yao, welcome. Please, come in." Lin Wei respectfully welcomed her in.

Chu Yueyao stepped into the living room, her gaze immediately falling on Chen Jun, who was "weakly" drinking soup.

That look was so complex it could fill a psychology textbook!

There was appreciation for a "hero," pity for a "dying man," caution for fear of upsetting him, and even a hint of... relief?

As if saying, "Finally, it's almost over; please, for heaven's sake, don't let anything go wrong at the last minute!"

This was already the umpteenth time she had come.

"Mr. Chen's complexion... is very good today!" Chu Yueyao weighed her words, trying hard to make her tone sound sincere and not forced. "It seems Madam Lin is taking care of you extremely well."

Chen Jun set down the soup pot, squeezing out a perfectly measured, indifferent smile that suggested he had "seen through life and death": "Thank you for your concern, Pavilion Master. It is all thanks to Wei Wei's hard work. What brings you by my humble abode today?"

Chu Yueyao took the opportunity to place the jade box on the table, saying "casually": "I was just out inspecting the 'Star Domain Defense Line' (an administrative department on the other side of the Pillar of Leaders), and on my way back, I remembered that I had obtained a small piece of 'Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Calming Wood Core' a few days ago. It has miraculous effects on calming the mind and stabilizing the soul. Thinking that Mr. Chen might find it useful, I brought it along on my way. It's just a small trinket, not worth mentioning; please feel free to play with it when you have some leisure time."

Inspecting the Star Domain Defense Line happens to be on the way to my house?!

That turn is sharper than a starship jump!

Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit-Calming Wood Core?

Last time that old guy Mo Heng sent 'Spirit-Calming Jade,' and this time you send 'Wood Core.' Did you all gang up to raid the nest of some ancient civilization's sacred tree?

And a small trinket?

This thing could serve as a family heirloom for a War God Level expert!

Chen Jun thought this, but on the surface, he wore an expression of "feeling undeserving."

According to the "hospice care" response principles he had summarized over the past three years: act undeserving, accept the gift with tears in your eyes, express gratitude, and enjoy life...

"This... is too valuable. Pavilion Master, you are so generous every time you come, I really feel terrible..."

"Mr. Chen, please do not decline!" Chu Yueyao's tone grew slightly heavier, carrying a kind of "earnestness" that would not be refused. "Everything you have done for... for the Federation, how can it be measured by these worldly possessions? Please accept it with peace of mind; it will satisfy our good intentions."

Here it comes, here it comes!

It's starting again!

I'm practically becoming a movie star!

Not only is my space ring full, but my warehouse at home is almost overflowing too!

...

Lin Wei watched from the side, her eyes slightly red, feeling moved and sour in her heart: "Pavilion Master Yue Yao and the other adults are truly... so good to Brother Jun. Even though Brother Jun is... he deserves all of this."

She fell into her own overthinking again: These big shots must be compensating him so painstakingly during his final moments because of guilt and gratitude...

"If that is the case... I will accept it with shame." Chen Jun sighed "helplessly," his acting skills reaching the Transcendent level...

Seeing him accept it, Chu Yueyao was visibly relieved. She exchanged a few more pleasantries, mainly praising Lin Wei for being virtuous and the children for being cute, never mentioning any topic that might cause "sadness," as if she were truly just a neighbor dropping by.

A quarter of an hour later, she excused herself on the grounds of having business at the Pavilion and rose to leave. Before leaving, she took one last deep look at Chen Jun, a gaze that seemed to be saying to herself: "Hold on, two more months at most! We're almost... free!"

After seeing Chu Yueyao off, Lin Wei returned to the living room. Looking at the jade box, she leaned gently on Chen Jun's shoulder, her voice choked with sobs: "Brother Jun... Pavilion Master Yue Yao and the others... they actually keep your kindness in their hearts..."

Chen Jun put his arm around his wife's shoulder, feeling her tremble. His heart was a mix of complex emotions, and he could only gently pat her back to comfort her: "Silly Wei Wei, I told you I'm fine. Look at me, aren't I doing quite well? Stop letting your imagination run wild."

"Mm..." Lin Wei buried her face in his neck and nodded forcefully, though tears fell silently, "I know... I know you don't want me to worry... My Brother Jun is the best..."

What a sin...

When will this misunderstanding ever end?

But...

Being cared for by his wife like this, it feels... not bad?

Chu Yueyao's visit was like flipping a switch.

For the next half-day, the manor's doorbell rang at a frequency that was polite, yet never allowed for a dull moment...

"Mr. Chen, Madam Lin! It's me, Wang Youcai! Our branch's latest 'Household Ecological Energy Field Generator' is undergoing pilot installation, and your residence is our top priority! It's absolutely quiet and imperceptible, and can optimize the indoor energy environment, which is beneficial for the children's growth!" — And so, the manor's energy environment was optimized to a purity that was almost perverted.

"Mr. Chen, greetings! I am Little Li from 'Starry Sky Express'! I have specially... again... delivered a batch of the latest seasonal 'Dreamy Neon' children's clothing from 'Elf Star' for the Young Misses to wear for the new season!" —The children's clothing delivered was so gorgeous it could be worn directly to the Federation's most top-tier banquet.

"Your Excellency Chen Jun, sorry to intrude. I am the Dean of the Federation Academy of Arts. Hearing that Your Excellency has a refined taste for classical music, I have specially selected a batch of original sound crystals of lost ancient Earth music scores, hoping they may help relieve Your Excellency's worries and soothe your spirit..." —The gift was high-end and elegant, and the flattery was delivered without leaving a trace.

...

Every visitor, regardless of their rank, had an attitude so respectful it was almost devout.

When the Planetary Level officials saw that Stellar Level big shots were frequently "visiting" in person, they mentally elevated Chen Jun's status to the heavens!

The gifts were given until their hands went soft, and the excuses were one more fresh and refined than the last. If they weren't tied up with government affairs, they would really want to come and deliver them in person every time, just like the Stellar Level big shots...

From the initial "reluctant acceptance" to the later "numbly signing for delivery," Chen Jun's internal complaints never stopped...

Ecological energy field?

The energy concentration in my home is almost liquefied now!

Children's clothing?

The children's clothes are so numerous they could open a museum!

Ancient Earth music scores?

I would like to listen to them, but unfortunately, this ancient Earth is ultimately not that Earth...

Forget it... they are all good things, I'll keep them as dowries for my daughters!

Lin Wei stood by, silently shedding tears, viewing all of this as the outside world's final respect and attempt to retain her husband. It was heartbreaking yet moving...

Just on this afternoon intertwined with chaos and warmth, a light and energetic sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by the crisp, bell-like laughter of a young girl.

"Dad! Mom! We're back!"

A slender figure, like an elf bathing in sunlight, nimbly crossed the golden maple leaf path and ran towards the living room.

It was none other than the eighteen-year-old Chen Xi!

Time seemed to have shown her special favor; the last vestiges of a young girl's immaturity had faded, leaving her standing tall and graceful, stunningly beautiful.

She inherited the best of her parents' looks, with picturesque features, skin as white as snow, and a pair of eyes that were clear, bright, and radiant when she looked around.

A simple Martial Artist training suit outlined her well-developed figure, upright and full of youthful vitality.

Her entire body flowed with the vigorous vitality belonging to an Innate Martial Body and a budding, sharp aura.

In three years, with the cultivation of the top resources of the Pillar of Leaders and the guidance of teachers arranged by Yun Xi, her cultivation had already reached the early stage of Planetary Level!

An eighteen-year-old at the Planetary Level, even in the elite-filled Pillar of Leaders, could be called stunningly talented!

This was especially thanks to those Stellar Level big shots, who were not only wealthy and generous but also "kind and amiable"...

Following behind her were Chen Yao and Chen Lu, who had also grown quite a bit and now had the appearance of young girls. The two sisters were also radiant, their cultivation having reached the War God Peak, just one step away from the Planetary Level.

"Big sister, slow down!" Chen Yao shouted with a smile.

"Dad! Mom! Today my teacher praised my fist technique for improving! They said I'm about to comprehend a Domain!" Chen Lu waved her little fist excitedly.

Watching his daughters return, Chen Jun's face instantly bloomed with the purest, warmest smile—a kind of pride and happiness that came from the bottom of his heart.

He stood up subconsciously.

However, when his gaze landed on his eldest daughter, Chen Xi, that smile unconsciously became mixed with a trace of extremely complex emotions.

Eighteen years old...

In his memories of Blue Star, this was the age of just becoming an adult, about to enter university and start one's life.

Here, in the Federation, especially in his eyes, eighteen years old meant a lot...

Chen Xi was already a grown young woman.

She was no longer that little girl who needed him to hold her in his arms, tease her, and cherish her.

She had her own world, her own pursuits, and in the future, she would have her own... partner and family.

A complex emotion unique to an old father, mixed with pride, reluctance, and worry, surged into Chen Jun's heart like a tide.

He watched in a daze.

Lin Wei keenly noticed the anomaly in her husband's gaze.

She followed Chen Jun's gaze to look at their eldest daughter, and her heart immediately understood, followed by a sharp bitterness and deeper pity.

She had misunderstood!

She thought Chen Jun was worried... worried that after he "passed away," Xi'er wouldn't have found a place to belong, with no one to take care of her...

She thought Chen Jun's complex gaze was because he regretted that he might not be able to see his eldest daughter put on her wedding dress with his own eyes...

"Brother Jun..." Lin Wei gently held Chen Jun's hand, her voice carrying a trace of choked-up comfort, "Don't worry... Xi'er is still young, and her cultivation is progressing so quickly now, and Leader Yun Xi values her so much. In the future... in the future, she will definitely meet a good man..."

Chen Jun was pulled back to reality by his wife's words. He was stunned at first, then realized Lin Wei had mentally concocted another grand drama, and he couldn't help but laugh and cry internally.

My silly Wei Wei...

With me here, what brat would dare to bully my daughter?!

What I'm worried about is that my daughter is so outstanding that the average man simply isn't good enough for her. When will the System 【Multiple Benefits】 activate?

What I'm worried about is that such an outstanding daughter is getting married, and my heart can't bear it!

He quickly composed himself, patted the back of Lin Wei's hand, and smiled: "What are you thinking about? My Xi'er is so outstanding, of course I'm not worried. I just think... time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Xi'er has become a grown young woman."

At this moment, Chen Xi had already run into the living room, bringing with her an aura of sunshine. She threw herself in front of Chen Jun and Lin Wei, grinning as she linked arms with one of them in each hand: "Dad! Mom! I'm back! Huh, Dad, why were you looking at me just now? Is there something on my face?"

The young girl was charming and bright, with no guile.

Chen Jun looked at his daughter's bright smiling face, and the slight thought he had because of the 【Multiple Benefits】 function was instantly diluted.

He reached out, habitually wanting to ruffle his daughter's hair, just like when she was a child. But halfway through, he felt that his daughter was grown up, and this seemed a bit inappropriate. In the end, he just gently patted her shoulder, his tone full of doting: "Nothing there. Dad just thinks that my Xi'er is getting prettier and prettier, almost catching up to what your mother looked like when she was young."

Chen Xi was a bit embarrassed by her father's praise. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she pouted: "Dad! You're teasing me again!"

Lin Wei watched the interaction between father and daughter, her heart both warm and sour. She forced a smile: "Your father is right, our Xi'er is the best looking. Go wash your hands quickly, today we have the 'Tiger Marrow Soup' you love."

"Wow! That's great!" Chen Yao and Chen Lu also cheered and rushed in.

The living room was instantly filled with the laughter of the young girls, dispelling the slight gloom brought about by the previous "hospice care."

Chen Jun looked at the daughters chattering around him, watched his wife's gentle and busy figure, and felt this incredibly real happiness. The steadily beating lifespan number deep in his consciousness made him feel incredibly at ease.

Screw the 【Multiple Benefits】 activation!

I have a happy family, my daughters are successful, and I have a long lifespan!

This is the real, tangible happiness!

If I have to act, then I'll act; if they want to give gifts, then let them give gifts. As long as my wife and children are happy, I can cooperate with your act for a lifetime!

Anyway... I really have a lifetime!

I won't kick the bucket even after you all have!

Time is on my side!

However, the tree desires to be still, but the wind will not cease.

Just as the family was preparing to enjoy a warm dinner, outside the manor, an even more vast, even more heart-palpitating, enormous pressure came from afar and gradually descended.

This pressure was not deliberately exerted, yet it was as if the entire starry sky was slowly overturning, causing all energy flow inside and outside the courtyard to stagnate!

Even the chattering Chen Xi and her two sisters instantly quieted down, their little faces showing expressions of awe.

Lin Wei's expression also changed slightly.

This aura... is...

Chen Jun's mouth twitched slightly.

Well...

The greatest "best actor"... has arrived!

Leader Yun Xi, has arrived in person!

A true expert!

It does not lie in how many enemies one can eliminate, but in how many potential enemies one can make afraid to be, and unable to be, enemies, scrambling to become "filial sons and obedient grandsons"...

Even... more willing to, racking their brains to perform, offering you the most wonderful care that even your own parents wouldn't enjoy...

Chen Jun adjusted his expression, preparing to welcome this most heavyweight "visitor."

Life is like a play, it all depends on acting.