104: True Strongest Level 5

The day after the Imperial Expeditionary Force was annihilated and the Federation achieved victory.

The citizens of the Federation were immersed in a nearly frenzied joy, a mix of surviving a catastrophe and celebrating a glorious victory.

This joy subsequently transformed into god-like adoration for Leader Yun Xi and infinite anticipation for the future.

However, beneath this wave of celebration sweeping across the entire civilization... a new surge of curiosity, gratitude, and near-mythical speculation targeting another individual was spreading like wildfire... All of this stemmed from a propaganda documentary titled "Dawn's Light Breaking·guardian of civilization," which the Federation official media urgently produced and broadcast continuously starting one hour after the victory.

The film reviewed the arduousness and greatness of Leader Yun Xi's hundred thousand years of guardianship with magnificent, epic strokes.

It focused on depicting the cruelty of the Empire's invasion and the desperate situation faced by the Federation, concluding with the climax of Yun Xi stepping out and annihilating the Imperial Expeditionary Force single-handedly with an invincible posture!

But what truly sparked nationwide discussion and wild theorizing was a segment and narration in the middle of the film—one that seemed casual but was repeatedly emphasized and given decisive significance.

The screen showed an external long shot of Chen Jun Manor, located in the Core Zone of the Pillar of Leadership.

A solemn and respectful voice-over immediately followed:

"...During the Federation's darkest and most critical moment, and when our great leader, Her Majesty Yun Xi, faced the final choice due to the hundred-thousand-year iron law of the Universe..."

The scene switched to a silhouette of Yun Xi sitting alone under the vast starry sky, carrying a trace of solitude and determination.

"...It was a great existence hidden behind the scenes who, through methods and sacrifices we cannot comprehend, provided crucial assistance to the Leader, laying the most solid foundation for this glorious victory!"

The camera once again showed a long shot of Chen Jun Manor, featuring only a fleeting, blurry shadow of Chen Jun walking in the courtyard, dressed in silk pajamas.

"He! His identity is a mystery, his power unknown! He! He is indifferent to fame and fortune, hidden among mortals! He is the key for the Leader to Breakthrough ancient shackles and step into the Supreme Realm! He is our Federation's true... guardian of civilization!"

"His name may be unknown. But his achievements will shine alongside the Federation and coexist with the Sea of Stars!"

The film did not explicitly state how Chen Jun helped Yun Xi achieve the Breakthrough, nor did it mention any sensitive information regarding Physique or reproduction.

It deliberately created an extreme sense of ambiguity and reverence, shaping Chen Jun into a mysterious, reclusive expert who saved civilization during a crisis.

This deliberate omission gave the Federation's hundreds of billions of citizens infinite room for imagination!

The interstellar network completely exploded, with screen-swiping speeds once again exceeding the speed of light...!

"Holy crap! A guardian of civilization?! More awesome than the Leader?!"

"I knew it! How could the Leader suddenly Break through the hundred-thousand-year limit! Turns out a benefactor helped!"

"Who is this Big Shot?! His manor is in the Core Zone of the Pillar of Leadership?! This identity! This status! He must be an existence beyond our imagination!"

"The Analysis Emperor has arrived! Based on the height and Physique of the blurry shadow in the footage, and his ability to reside in the Core Zone of the Pillar of Leadership, this Big Shot is at least Stellar Level Peak! No! He might be an older existence! Perhaps an old monster who has lived for a million years!"

"The person upstairs has too small a perspective! Can an ordinary Stellar Level expert enable the Leader to Break through to Star Arm Level? I guess this Big Shot is Star Arm Level himself! Perhaps even a legendary Galaxy Level Big Shot! Hiding in our Federation!"

"Yes, yes, yes! That must be it! The Empire's invasion angered the Big Shot, who casually gave the Leader some guidance, and the Leader Broke through, then turned around and wiped out the Empire! What a wish-fulfillment novel script!"

"Wuwuwu... Thank you, Big Shot! If it weren't for the Big Shot, we would probably all be slaves of the Empire now! Thinking about how the Empire treats lower civilizations... gives me chills!"

"Those Imperial scum! When they conquer a civilization, everyone Warrior Rank and above is forced to be a 'miner,' using their entire lives to condense Source Coins! Ordinary people are either drained of life energy as biological batteries, or they are transformed into mindless killing machines, or thrown onto harsh planets to be mining slaves until they die of exhaustion! Women suffer even worse fates... They are not a civilization at all; they are the cancer cells of the Universe!"

"We are so lucky! We have the Leader protecting us, and this mysterious Big Shot taking action at the critical moment! Otherwise, the fate of our Federation certainly wouldn't be much better than those civilizations destroyed by the Empire!"

"Weakness is the original sin! In the eyes of higher civilizations, lower civilizations are no different from rocks on the roadside. If they are in a good mood, maybe they ignore you; if they are in a bad mood, or if you possess resources they need, they crush you casually. It's too rare for a civilization like our Federation to have a powerful expert step forward and counter-kill at the crucial moment!"

"We salute the guardian of civilization! Although we do not know who you are, we will never forget your kindness!"

...On the network, speculation about the identity of the "guardian of civilization" intensified, with all sorts of outrageous versions emerging.

Some claimed he was an ancient, sleeping Human Race mighty expert, others said he was a super powerhouse from another Universe traveling here... In the public's imagination, Chen Jun's image had become incomparably tall, mysterious, and supremely powerful... Outside Chen Jun Manor, in the Core Zone of the Pillar of Leadership.

Chen Jun woke up naturally, just like always... He finished his "Love Breakfast," personally crafted by Shi Yue and nourished by Li Qingshan's Sword Qi, served by the gentle Lin Wei... Then, shuffling in slippers and wearing his silk pajamas embroidered with [Master Chen of the Federation, Resting, Do Not Disturb], he prepared to go out for a stroll to aid digestion.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he strolled out of the manor gate, humming a tuneless ditty and taking slow, swaggering steps.

However, the atmosphere outside the gate today seemed... different?

First was his neighbor, Old Man Zhang, who liked tending to his luminous plants.

Usually, when Chen Jun went out, Old Man Zhang would either pretend not to see him, focusing on pruning his precious plants, or he would loudly tease, "Kid, out here wasting Universe energy again?"

But today, Old Man Zhang spotted Chen Jun emerging from a distance and immediately put down his gardening shears.

He straightened up, and the face that usually held a hint of mockery and a "back in my day" expression was now unprecedentedly solemn.

He didn't speak; he simply bowed slightly toward Chen Jun and performed an extremely standard, even ancient-sounding, Hand-over-Heart Salute.

His eyes no longer looked at an "interesting Junior" or a "lucky kid," but were filled with deep, heartfelt respect.

Chen Jun was stunned by Old Man Zhang's sudden formal gesture and nodded back subconsciously, muttering inwardly, "What's gotten into this old guy? Even if he lost my interstellar match-3 record, he shouldn't be giving such a grand salute, right?"

He continued walking and encountered Old Madam Wang, who was practicing Health-Preserving Boxing in the open space by the lake.

Old Madam Wang's boxing technique was still slow and rhythmic, but today, her Fist Intent seemed more complete and reserved.

As Chen Jun passed by, her boxing movements didn't stop, but she slightly turned her head and gave Chen Jun a kindly and... grateful smile?

Chen Jun was even more puzzled, but he grinned back as a response.

Along the way, he met several neighbors living nearby.

There was the couple, The Artist and the "Postdoctoral Researcher in Materials Science." When they saw Chen Jun, they immediately stopped talking. The Artist subconsciously adjusted his already neat clothes, while the Postdoctoral Researcher pushed up his glasses, his eyes filled with scrutiny and... awe?

There were also several neighbors whom he usually only greeted with a nod, whose auras were unfathomable; today, upon seeing him, they all stopped, either nodding in greeting or bowing slightly, their polite attitude making Chen Jun feel completely uncomfortable.

"That's weird... Why are these old guys and old gals so polite today?" Chen Jun scratched his head, completely baffled. "Did my Breakthrough in yesterday's dream project into reality? Did they sense my Overlord Qi leaking out?"

Carrying a belly full of questions, he strolled toward the Central Plaza of the Core Zone of the Pillar of Leadership... This area was usually busy, but today it was packed with people, gathering countless Federation citizens who came to admire the Pillar of Leaders and soak in the atmosphere of victory.

As usual, Chen Jun prepared to cross the crowd to the "Star Core Teahouse" run by Old Man Li on the other side of the plaza to listen to some music and drink a free cup of "Sword Qi Nourishing Tea."

However, the moment he stepped into the plaza, he felt that something was wrong.

The originally noisy crowd, upon seeing him... or rather... upon seeing the pajamas he was wearing that read, [Master Chen of the Federation: Resting, Do Not Disturb], were instantly silenced as if a mute button had been pressed... Countless gazes focused on him in a flash, like spotlights.

Those gazes were no longer those of curiosity, scrutiny, or the habitual awe reserved for big shots living in the Core Zone; instead, they were... a kind of fervent glow mixed with excitement, worship, and gratitude, even a hint of... fanaticism?!

Immediately following, a scene that made Chen Jun's scalp tingle occurred.

The young mother closest to him, who was holding a child, instantly had her eyes light up, and an excited blush spread across her face the moment she saw him.

She subconsciously hugged her child tighter, then bowed deeply towards Chen Jun, nearly at a ninety-degree angle!

Her husband beside her, a sturdy man who looked honest and simple, also reacted and quickly followed suit, bowing awkwardly but full of sincerity.

It was like the first domino tile being pushed over.

Centered around Chen Jun, the bowing crowd spread out like ripples!

People spontaneously and silently cleared a path for him, and as he passed, regardless of gender, age, or cultivation level—the vast majority who could come here were the Federation's top elites—they all cast the most respectful glances at him, bowing their heads deeply, bending their bodies, or saluting by placing a hand over their chest... No one made a noise, and no one stepped forward to disturb him.

Only a silent reverence, heavy as the Star Sea, permeated and flowed through the air.

Chen Jun was completely bewildered!

He froze where he stood, stuck between advancing and retreating.

What the hell... is going on?!

Did I grow flowers on my face?!

Or did I put my pajamas on backward?!

He subconsciously looked down and checked his pajamas; the large characters [Master Chen of the Federation: Resting, Do Not Disturb] were clearly printed on his chest. Nothing was wrong!

Just as he was utterly confused (like a monk trying to feel a ten-foot-tall statue's head), his gaze inadvertently swept across the center of the plaza to the colossal holographic screen, which was a thousand meters high and continuously playing the promotional film, *Dawn Breaking: guardian of civilization*.

The screen happened to be showing a long shot of his manor, accompanied by a voiceover filled with reverence:

[...He is a great existence hidden behind the scenes... He is the key for the Leader to break through ancient shackles and step into the Supreme Realm! He is the true... guardian of civilization of our Federation!]

Chen Jun: "!!!"

He suddenly widened his eyes, staring at the manor on the screen—whose outline was deliberately blurred but still faintly recognizable as his home—and listening to the narration that elevated him to a divine altar... A rush of blood "buzzed" to his head, making his cheeks burn and his toes awkwardly carve out a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment inside his slippers!

I... What the heck?!

This... this promotional film... is talking about me?!!!

Describing me as a Hidden Master?! A guardian of civilization?!!!

Damn it... Chen Jun felt like his brain's CPU was about to burn out!

He understood instantly!

He understood why Old Man Zhang and Old Madam Wang's attitudes had changed so drastically!

He understood why the neighbors were so polite along the way!

He understood why these people in the plaza looked at him with the eyes of a savior and bowed to him!

It was all because of this damn promotional film!!!

Because his "contribution" of "helping" Yun Xi achieve a Breakthrough had been infinitely magnified by the Federation's official channels and packaged into a myth!!!

Without his knowledge, he had been molded into an invisible Supreme, whose merits surpassed the world and who saved the Federation from catastrophe?!!!

A feeling that was utterly absurd, extremely comical, and yet carried a hint of... secret pleasure, shot through his body like an electric current.

This... what the hell... I didn't do anything?!

Wasn't it just... er, having a thorough "Strategic Cooperation" with Yun Xi?

How did that turn into saving civilization and becoming a hero?!

This misunderstanding... is too huge, isn't it?!

However, looking at the genuine gratitude and respect in the surrounding gazes, and feeling the heavy, silent homage, Chen Jun's heart, which was accustomed to "Lying Flat" and "acting," felt an unusual stirring for the very first time.

This feeling of being sincerely revered by billions of people... seems... pretty good?

He took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the turmoil in his heart, and habitually put on his harmless, slightly "weak," and "confused" expression.

He awkwardly and "helplessly" waved his hand at the bowing crowd, as if saying, "Please don't do this, I don't deserve it," and then quickened his pace, practically "fleeing" the plaza.

But his inner monologue became more active than ever before.

"Honor... status... I have them all?"

"Now, with just one word from me, the entire Federation will move according to my will?"

"And I... didn't do anything?"

"It's all thanks to my daughters... and the mother of my children?"

Chen Jun walked quickly, his thoughts racing.

He recalled an old saying from Blue Star—"Invisible flexing is the most deadly!"

What kind of swagger could be higher than his current level?

He didn't need to work hard, Cultivate, or fight to the death.

He just needed to... lie down?!

Lying down, his daughters became Star Arm Level!

Lying down, the mother of his children became Star Arm Level and wiped out the Empire with a backhand!

Lying down, he became the "guardian of civilization" for whom the entire Federation was eternally grateful!

Lying down, he could enjoy Shi Yue's massage, Li Qingshan's tea, Mo Heng's Game Pod, and Chu Yueyao's attentive service... All the honor, status, and resources seemed to grow legs and run straight into his arms!

Before, he was obsessed with "Breaking the Deadlock," obsessed with activating [Multiple Benefits] to gain personal strength, thinking he could Destroy the Star River with a snap of his fingers in the future... But look at him now?

Destroy the Star River with a snap of his fingers?

With Yun Xi and his daughters taking action, did he need to do it himself?

All he, Chen Mouren, needed to do was shout "666" from the back!

Strength?

What kind of low-level pursuit is that?!

A true Powerhouse!

It's not about how many enemies you can eliminate, nor how powerful you are yourself... but about... how many potential "enemies" who *can* eliminate your enemies you can get to work for you! To risk their lives for you! And still be eternally grateful!

Shouldn't the highest level of swagger for a Blue Star person be lying down until the end, watching enemies turn to ash, watching allies bow their heads in submission, watching the Universe tremble beneath their feet, while they... don't even have to lift a finger?!

Why bother competing?!

Lie flat!

Must lie flat!

Lie flat resolutely!

Lie flat with confidence!

Lie flat with style!

Lie flat with skill!

Lie flat until he becomes the most carefree, most invincible, and most... "innocent" Immortal in this Star Sea of the Universe!

Thinking of this, Chen Jun suddenly felt enlightened, and his Dao Heart became Clear!

The slightest bit of depression he had felt before due to his inability to "Open Source" completely vanished at this moment!

Perspective!

This is perspective!

...He thought happily, and his footsteps became much lighter.

Returning to the manor, he saw Shi Yue waiting at the entrance with a Star Marrow Jade File, the fragrance of Li Qingshan's Sword Qi tea faintly wafted over, and Mo Heng sent a confirmation request for the 1088th optimization plan for the Game Pod... Chen Jun's face revealed a heartfelt, satisfied smile, like someone who had secretly eaten honey.

This Path of Lying Flat Immortality is truly becoming more enjoyable the further he walks down it!

He decided that starting today, he would more seriously... play the role of the "weak," "needs rest" guardian of civilization.

After all, enjoying life is the most important thing on the path to immortality.

As for strength?

Heh heh, what is that?

Is it as powerful as my daughter and the mother of my children?

Chen Jun leisurely lay back in his "Ten Thousand Joys Eternal lounge chair," enjoying Shi Yue's professional foot care, squinting his eyes, and began planning whether to play *interstellar match-3* that afternoon or try Mo Heng's newly delivered *All-Universe Gourmet Simulator*... Hiding his merit and fame, lying flat to win the Universe... With his thoughts now clear... This!

is the ultimate romance... and advanced swagger that he, Chen Jun, this Blue Star Transmigrator, truly seeks!