107: People-benefiting Plan

The Federation's ten-year paid holiday was only halfway through, but a silent revolution had permeated the civilization's most minute capillaries like spring rain—

Among the ordinary citizens with E-rank and F-rank Aptitude, who comprised 75% of the Federation's total population, numbering nearly hundreds of trillions.

Once, they were the most inconspicuous dust in the Star Sea, silent, replaceable cogs in the vast machinery of civilization.

Their life trajectories were almost predetermined: they could only engage in extremely trivial jobs that required a touch of human warmth.

They toiled their entire lives, providing the most basic production and services for civilization, procreating, and then silently growing old... But today, countless such families were experiencing a dreamlike scenario their ancestors had never imagined for thousands of generations.

Zhiyuan Star, District Seven, the former shantytown, now the “New Sprout” Community.

Old Wang was a typical F-rank Aptitude citizen, forty-five years old this year, and had worked as a sorter at the community material distribution center for most of his life.

His wife, Xiao Li, was also F-rank, working as a cleaner at the community childcare center. They had five children, all of whom were sent to the orphanage.

At this moment, Old Wang and his wife, along with all the residents in their old shantytown building, stood dumbfounded in the open space downstairs.

In the sky, it wasn't the usual civilian hovercars commuting back and forth.

Instead, there were three “Thunder Falcon-III” assault ships, painted with the Federation military's emblem, with sharp lines and emanating an invisible Divine Might!

These warships usually only appeared in the news when fighting Star Pirates!

What made their brains crash even more was that the figures disembarking from the warships were not robots, but three important individuals dressed in crisp Federation military officer uniforms, their epaulets clearly marked with the “War General Rank”!

Behind them followed a team of “Dragon Tooth” Special Forces members, whose movements were as precise as machines but whose eyes were as sharp as eagles, all at the Peak Warrior Rank!

War General Rank!

In the perception of ordinary citizens like Old Wang, these were important individuals they wouldn't even have the qualifications to glimpse from afar on normal days!

And now, three such important individuals had personally come before their dilapidated shantytown!

The leading War General Rank officer had a resolute face. His gaze swept over the group of ordinary residents, who were so nervous they were almost fainting... He showed no impatience, instead revealing a smile that was as gentle as possible, though still immensely authoritative in the residents' eyes.

“Fellow Federation citizens, there's no need to be nervous,” the officer's voice came through the loudspeaker, clear and steady.

“By the highest directive of the Federation, effective immediately, the ‘people-benefiting plan’ is launched. We will provide free installation and upgrades of the latest generation of ‘Homeland Guardian’ all-purpose living assistance robots for everyone, and optimize the safety and comfort of your residences.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the special forces team members and accompanying engineering robots quickly sprang into action... Streamlined robots, gleaming with a soft blue light, slid out from the assault ships' cargo holds.

They came in various forms: some for cleaning, some for cooking, some for medical monitoring, some for security alerts, and even educational robots specifically for accompanying children and assisting with studies... Their technological content and sophistication far surpassed any civilian version on the market!

Even more astonishing, several large engineering robots began scanning the entire shantytown building... Then, they sprayed special nanomaterials, rapidly repairing the old structure of the building, reinforcing its load-bearing capacity, and even generating an efficient light-energy absorbing film and temperature regulating layer on the exterior walls.

Inside the building, old pipelines were silently replaced, the air purification System was upgraded, and even the furniture in every household was scanned and then optimized and reassembled on-site by nanorobots!

Becoming more ergonomic, and the Materials more comfortable and durable!

Old Wang watched with wide eyes as the “Star Chef MAX” robot, emitting the fragrance of food, equipped with a database of thousands of recipes, and even capable of customizing nutritional plans based on Family health data, was delivered to his home... He watched the old optical screen on the wall seamlessly replaced by the latest ultra-thin, foldable holographic projection wall with an immersive viewing experience... All of this was free?!

“Sir... Sir!” Old Wang mustered the greatest courage of his life, his voice trembling as he asked the officer, “This... why is this happening? We... we are just F-rank...”

The officer looked at him, his eyes calm: “The prosperity of the Federation is inseparable from the contributions of every citizen. It is the Federation's duty to ensure all citizens live better lives, and it is also the purpose of the ‘people-benefiting plan’. From now on, you no longer need to struggle for a livelihood, you will enjoy the welfare and living security provided by the Federation, and you can freely pursue your personal hobbies and enjoy life.”

At this moment, a young officer, a Warrior Rank Second Lieutenant, standing beside the War General Rank officer, looked at the “grand spectacle” before him.

Especially seeing those residents who were clearly old and whose Aptitude was locked, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes.

He couldn't help but whisper to another War General Rank officer beside him:

“Major, with all due respect, isn't investing these precious resources into these... these E and F-rank citizens who are destined to never achieve a Breakthrough and whose lifespans are only a little over a hundred years... somewhat inefficient? A waste of resources?”

“According to the ‘Federation Resource Optimization White Paper’, we only need to ensure the orphanage System is complete, so we can screen out promising talents for cultivation.”

“These adult E and F-rank individuals are like... like leeks in the field, cut down again and again, replaced every two decades or so. Investing resources for them to enjoy, from the perspective of civilization's development, is completely negative returns, a huge waste!”

His questioning represented the sentiments of many lower-ranking officers and some administrative personnel.

In a concept that prioritized efficiency, this was indeed difficult to comprehend.

Upon hearing this, the War General Rank Major's face suddenly darkened. He abruptly turned, his gaze piercing the Second Lieutenant like lightning.

The powerful Mental Energy pressure instantly made the Second Lieutenant's face turn pale, cold sweat streaming down.

“Idiot!” The Colonel's voice, like an ice pick, harshly stabbed into the Lieutenant's mind.

“Who permitted you to question the highest directive?! Look closely! Listen carefully! This is the ‘people-benefiting plan’! Its priority supersedes all existing Laws and regulations!”

He stared intently at the Second Lieutenant, speaking each word with the weight of a star: “Because this is the will personally cared for and issued by Ancestor Chen, the guardian of civilization!”

The words “Ancestor Chen” exploded like Nine Heavens thunder in the minds of the Second Lieutenant and all the officers and soldiers around who were secretly listening!

The Second Lieutenant who had raised the question instantly had his pupils constrict, the color draining from his face... his body uncontrollably trembled slightly, his eyes filled with extreme fear and regret!

Ancestor Chen, the guardian of civilization!

That supreme existence, hidden behind the scenes, who single-handedly brought about the Leader's Breakthrough and saved the Federation from collapse!

His will was the ultimate direction of the Federation!

It was an iron Law that needed to be adhered to more than the Laws of the Universe!

“To make Ancestor Chen, that venerable elder, even a tiny bit happier when he occasionally thinks of it...” The Major's voice carried immense reverence.

“This is the only and eternal ‘optimal solution’ for the Federation and for civilization! Your damned efficiency and returns, that bit of resources, are not even stardust before Ancestor Chen's will! Do you understand?!”

“I... I understand! This subordinate is dull! This subordinate deserves to die!” The Second Lieutenant's voice trembled as he quickly bowed his head, no longer daring to have any questions.

Everyone who heard this conversation subconsciously straightened their backs, their eyes becoming incredibly firm and... fanatical?

To serve in executing Ancestor Chen's will was their supreme glory!

Similar scenes were simultaneously unfolding across countless similar communities and planets within the Federation's territory... Warrior Rank and War General Rank officers personally led teams, delivering the most cutting-edge civilian technology and care into millions of households.

Countless E-rank and F-rank citizens went from initial apprehension and disbelief to later being overwhelmed with gratitude and utterly devoted to the Federation and Ancestor Chen.

An unprecedented sense of cohesion and happiness slowly permeated the Federation's lower strata... For the first time, this vast group, once considered a “burden,” genuinely felt the warmth from the top echelons of civilization, regardless of cost.

They didn't know that the source of this Federation-wide storm was merely Chen Jun's soft sigh before his brother's tomb... However... at this moment, the source who triggered this storm sweeping the Federation—Chen Jun.

Was plunged into a deeply realistic low mood that he himself had never anticipated... Pillar of Leaders, Chen Jun Manor.

Chen Jun wasn't sprawled in the “Myriad Enjoyment Eternal lounge chair” as usual, enjoying Shi Yue's massage or Li Qingshan's tea.

He sat alone in the Stargazing Pavilion, a cup of “Star Vortex Sword Soul,” meticulously refined by Li Qingshan but now slightly cool, beside him.

He gazed at the “Four Seasons Star Vortex Garden” outside the pavilion, impeccably maintained by Chu Yueyao, every leaf shimmering with the radiance of life, yet his eyes were unfocused... No acting, no pretense... A profound sense of emptiness and boredom, originating from the depths of his being, was pervasive, corroding his mind.

Since returning from Zhiyuan Star, the powerlessness of witnessing his brother's eternal slumber, and his own inability to reverse the past despite possessing boundless authority... formed a stark contrast with this exquisitely perfect life before him.

He had everything ordinary people, and even countless powerhouses in the Federation, dreamed of.

Theoretically eternal life, supreme status, endless resources, a powerful daughter... Yet he felt as if he was living in a magnificent bubble, meticulously woven by the entire civilization.

Everything was perfect, so perfect... it was fake!

He began to miss the time in the District Seven shantytown, sharing a synthetic steak with Li Goudan, a satisfaction that, though bitter, was incredibly real.

Human nature is truly strange; what one doesn't have is always the best... This emotion wasn't deliberately created, but naturally overflowed from the depths of his heart, flowing through his brows and settling in his eyes.

“Sigh...”

A long sigh, genuinely laced with depression, escaped Chen Jun's lips.

This sigh... was completely different from the performative sighs he usually made to maintain his "persona."

It was heavy, and forlorn... Su Xingyao, who always guarded the Manor like a shadow, immediately sensed the difference in her father's sigh.

His other daughters, whose Mental Energy had never truly left their father, detected his abnormality almost simultaneously.

Yue Xi awoke from her pure comprehension of the Law of Solar Radiance, frowning slightly.

Xuan Sha stopped her combat simulation, a flicker of doubt crossing her crimson eyes.

Data streams froze in Su Yuan's emerald eyes, replaced by worry.

Liu Qing's silver-gray eyes flickered slightly, and the energy flow of the jade soil beneath her feet showed a barely perceptible turbulence.

Even Yun Qinglan, who was discussing the Law with Yun Xi in the Jingsi Hall, instantly paused her speech, tilting her head to sense the unusually heavy atmosphere emanating from her father.

"Daddy... he seems genuinely unhappy?" Yun Qinglan blinked her starry eyes, looking at Yun Xi.

Yun Xi slowly opened her eyes. The pair of eyes, interwoven with clarity and ancient wisdom, seemed to pierce through space, landing on the solitary, desolate figure in the Stargazing Pavilion.

She felt it.

It wasn't a clumsy performance for the sake of "opening channels," nor was it a pretense to gain attention.

It was a genuine... confusion and low spirits? Something she had never sensed in Chen Jun, who always seemed eternally optimistic and eternally lying flat.

She subtly furrowed her delicate brows.

Chen Jun's state was of immense importance.

His "special Physique," his emotional fluctuations—no one knew if they would affect the seemingly weak but all-sustaining Origin of life.

More importantly... she didn't want to see him like this!

Although their beginning stemmed from a seemingly mutually beneficial transaction... the shared daughters, and over a hundred years of cohabitation afterward... some things had long since quietly changed... "Issue the order."

Yun Xi's ethereal voice echoed within the Jingsi Hall, calm yet carrying undeniable Divine Might.

"Convene the Federal Supreme Council."

"Agenda: Analysis of the reasons for Chen Jun's low spirits and corresponding strategies."

...A moment later, at the Pillar of Leaders, Highest Deliberation Hall.

Unlike the solemnity of past discussions concerning military affairs, national strategies, and civilization strategy, the atmosphere in the hall now held a strange sense of... tension and concern?

All Stellar Level and above powerhouses of the Federation had gathered once more.

There was no trace of slackness on anyone's face; instead, they were filled with solemnity and... eagerness?

Ancestor Chen was unhappy!

This was ten million times more serious than the Empire invading again!

Yun Xi sat in the main seat, her plain white dress trailing the ground, her bare feet hovering above it, her gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd below.

"Chen Jun has been depressed lately, and this is not an act," she stated directly, her voice ethereal. "Do any of you know the reason? Or do you have a good strategy to cheer him up?"

The great figures exchanged glances, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

Ancestor Chen now held an extremely honored status, could obtain resources on demand, had successful daughters, and his partner was a Star Arm Level leader... what more could he be dissatisfied with?

Shi Yue scratched his head, which was as hard as a star core, and spoke first in a booming voice:

"Teacher, has my technique for massaging feet regressed again? Or did Li Qingshan brew the tea incorrectly? I'll go upgrade the Star Core Foot Massage Great Technique right now!"

Li Qingshan gave Shi Yue a cold glance, Sword Qi faintly visible around him: "My Sword Intent-infused tea is dynamically adjusted using Ancestor Chen's life magnetic field fluctuations as a guide, absolutely without error. It is rather certain people whose crude force control might disturb Ancestor Chen."

"You're full of nonsense!" Shi Yue glared.

"Enough," Yun Xi said faintly, suppressing the argument between the two.

Chu Yueyao pondered for a moment, stepped forward, and bowed elegantly: "Teacher, Chen Jun's mood has been low ever since he returned from Zhiyuan Star. Could it be... related to mourning the deceased Li Goudan? Perhaps the sight triggered deep emotions?"

Dean Mo Heng pushed up his glasses; countless data streams flashed across the lenses:

"Based on my observation and model analysis, after experiencing 'extreme satisfaction,' Ancestor Chen might have entered a 'hierarchy of needs' Bottleneck period."

"According to scientific theory, when needs such as survival, safety, belonging, and respect are overly satisfied, the individual may feel confusion regarding 'self-actualization' or 'meaning of life'..."

The great figures listened, half understanding, but all felt it made a lot of sense.

Qin Pojun, steady and experienced, slowly said: "Ancestor Chen cherishes the past and values emotion. Perhaps... he feels that although life is good now, it lacks a bit of... Mortal World flavor? Lacks the sense of fulfillment from striving forward during those humble beginnings?"

Limitless Dragon exhaled a plume of sulfurous breath: "That's easy! We'll find an excuse and accompany Ancestor Chen in acting out a 'private visit' or 'life experience' drama? Let him relive... er, the taste of struggle?"

Everyone's eyes lit up, thinking this seemed like a possible solution.

Just then, a clear, ethereal voice rang out; it was Yun Qinglan.

She tilted her head, her starry eyes showing confusion: "But if Daddy wants something, couldn't he just say it? Why can't we guess? And, hasn't our 'people-benefiting plan' already made life much better for many ordinary people? Daddy should be a little happy if he knew, right?"

Hearing this, everyone felt a bit awkward.

The "people-benefiting plan" was indeed initiated by a sigh from Ancestor Chen.

But in their eagerness to execute it "perfectly," they made too much of a commotion, losing the natural sense of "silent nourishment."

Furthermore, what Ancestor Chen truly cared about might not be the result of improving the lives of ordinary citizens, but some kind of... special emotion contained within it?

Yun Xi listened to the discussion, her eyes lowered in thought.

She recalled Chen Jun's profound sadness at the Li Clan Graveyard... and remembered the fleeting light in his eyes when he occasionally looked toward the starry sky... She slowly raised her gaze, sweeping over the crowd.

"Perhaps, we were all wrong."

Her voice was still calm, yet carried the clarity of seeing the essence of the matter.

"We always thought about piling the best of everything in the world before him, believing this was the best reward and protection for him."

"Yet we forgot to ask if he... truly needed these things?"

"What he misses might not be hardship itself, but the unreserved friendship, the true and genuine struggle and companionship found within that hardship."

"What we gave was too much, too full, too perfect... which instead made him... feel lost."

Yun Xi's words were like a clear spring, cleansing the hearts of every powerhouse present.

They suddenly realized the truth!

That's right!

They had always been good to Ancestor Chen in the way *they* thought was "good," but had never truly considered things from his perspective.

He pulled them back from the brink of civilization's collapse, granting them unprecedented hope and future.

And they, in turn, gently confined him within a magnificent cage built of resources and reverence.

He lost his worries, lost his goals, and even lost... genuine emotion?

How could this not be a tragedy?

"Then... Teacher, what should we do?" Chu Yueyao humbly asked for guidance.

Yun Xi's gaze once again turned toward Chen Jun Manor. In the depths of her eternal eyes, a tiny ripple named "heartache" arose.

"Perhaps..."

She spoke softly.

"We should learn to... 'let go'."

"Let him come into contact with some reality that is... not so 'perfect'."

"Let him rediscover something, besides lying flat, that makes him feel 'alive'."

"For example..." Yun Qinglan's eyes brightened, and she quickly interjected, "Should we let Daddy go play with the descendants of Uncle Li? Or let him personally help those he wants to help? We won't interfere, we'll just watch from behind?"

Everyone pondered this, deep in thought.

This might be a direction.

No longer a grand "plan," but a silent "fulfillment."

Let Ancestor Chen discover, intervene, and experience that sense of "meaning" that originates from his true heart, rather than being pre-arranged.

Shi Yue slapped his thigh suddenly: "I get it! It's about giving Ancestor Chen... something to do! Something to think about! And it has to be what *he* wants to do, not what we arrange!"

Li Qingshan nodded slightly: "The Sword Dao also requires experience in the Mortal World before the state of mind can achieve Perfection. Ancestor Chen... is likely the same."

Dean Mo Heng excitedly adjusted his glasses: "We can construct a safe, controllable 'real-life experience sandbox' and allow Ancestor Chen to explore freely within it..."

Qin Pojun stroked his beard: "I will instruct my Family disciples to approach the descendants of the Li Clan in a more natural way, creating some... non-intrusive 'fate' connections."

Seeing that the crowd below had finally found a direction, Yun Xi nodded slightly.

"This matter requires caution and naturalness."

"Everything must prioritize Chen Jun's own wishes. We should... observe the changes quietly and provide timely assistance."

"You may disperse."

The crowd bowed, accepting the order, and quietly withdrew, carrying a new sense of understanding and mission.

The Highest Council ended, and a new, invisible directive began circulating among the top circle:

Create opportunities for Ancestor Chen to "contact reality" and "find meaning" in the most natural way possible, satisfying his emotional needs.

All actions must be low-key, and must treat Ancestor Chen's own wishes as the highest criterion... Meanwhile, Chen Jun in the Stargazing Pavilion remained completely unaware of all this.

"So boring..."

He merely sighed casually again, stood up listlessly, shuffled his slippers, and slowly walked back...