116: Let's fight for another five hundred years!

A strand of simulated sunlight precisely pierced through the dome, spilling onto Chen Zhaojing's face.

His eyelids twitched, and before the soft yet unquestionable life energy field could completely "pull" him out of sleep, his body had already spontaneously sat up...

Five years!

Five whole years!!!

His biological clock was more accurate than the most precise atomic clock!

He rubbed the space between his eyebrows, feeling the surging energy flow within him—like a sea of stars, yet faintly carrying a warning of "overuse"—and let out a long sigh...

The physique of a War God Peak, in certain specific aspects, did not seem to be omnipotent.

"Your Highness, you are awake." The personal attendant's voice came through the built-in communication, as steady as always.

"The morning wake-up exercises will begin in three minutes. Today's 'Origin Consolidation Drink' has been prepared. Director Mo Heng reminds you that the new formula includes 'Void Realm Whale Placenta Extract,' so the taste might have... an improvement in layering."

The corners of Chen Zhaojing's mouth twitched slightly. He said nothing and silently got out of bed...

He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking his "Kingdom"...

The Bai Xi Palace below was no longer what it had been five years ago. Buildings of vastly different styles were attached to it, dividing it into distinct yet intermingling "specialized production areas."

The "Abundance Zone" in the southeast corner was bustling early in the morning.

A four-year-old boy with a tiger-headed, tiger-brained look was carrying a mini alloy hoe taller than himself, digging fiercely at a patch of glowing "Star Potatoes."

He was shouting, "Grow fast! Grow strong! My mom said only the ones that grow well get priority allocation for the new 'Star Dome Tractor' model!"

Beside him, a little girl with pigtails was struggling to pull out a star pet that looked like a dandelion gone sentient, which was trying to gnaw on her shoe. She complained in a milky voice: "Brother! Chen Yuanyue! Your 'Shoe-Gnawing Beast' is biting me again!"

Chen Yuanyue didn't even look up: "Yuanmeng, don't make noise! Can't you see I'm busy with production? Food is fundamental!"

Chen Zhaojing rubbed his forehead...

This accent, this demeanor—he was a living, breathing little Cui Hua.

...

Shifting his gaze to the "Wisdom Jungle" in the northwest corner, several streamlined silver-white buildings shimmered in the morning light.

A few older children were surrounding a holographic projection displaying a complex genetic spiral structure.

A boy wearing small gold-rimmed glasses pushed up his frames and said with an old-fashioned air: "According to my calculations, if we insert a 'happy gene' segment from a 'Ying Ying Beast' into this base pair sequence, theoretically, we can increase the dopamine secretion level during the embryonic stage by 13.7 percent."

Another girl with a ponytail immediately retorted: "Chen Yuanshi, your model didn't consider the methylation effects of epigenetics! Besides, the 'Ying Ying Beast' gene is unstable and easily leads to emotional instability in offspring!"

"Chen Yuanle! That's conservatism! Science requires bold hypotheses!"

Well, Lady Li Na's "little geniuses" were having another academic debate.

...

The "Soft Rhythm Pavilion" in the southwest corner was a picture of "harmony."

Several pregnant women were doing high-difficulty yoga to ethereal music, their bodies impossibly flexible.

Meanwhile, their children were spontaneously conducting "human structure exploration" on the soft mats nearby.

A toddler who looked like he had just learned to walk was trying hard to pull his foot behind his head, his little face flushed red.

Chen Zhaojing's eyelids twitched, terrified that he would hear the "snap" of a dislocated bone in the next second.

...

Just then, the micro-terminal on his wrist vibrated, and a holographic screen automatically unfolded in front of him—Your Highness's Schedule Planning and Productivity Improvement Detailed Table, Version 100.86》

The densely packed, color-coded blocks made his temples throb...

From the first to the second quarter of the Chen hour, conduct "Morning Body and Mind Harmonization" with Lady Wang Li, who is six months pregnant again.

Location: Soft Rhythm Pavilion · Meditation Platform. Through collaborative meditation, stabilize the life magnetic field within the lady, which is slightly active due to fetal movement.

Need to guide the lady to complete three sets of deep breathing. During this time, palms must gently stroke her abdomen to feel and record the fetal energy fluctuations.

...

Transition from the second to the third quarter of the Chen hour, consume the "Instant Energy Supplement."

Listen to Secretary Chu Yueyao's briefing on yesterday's data from each garden, such as statistics on increased crying frequency, toy damage rates, and abnormal energy snack consumption.

...

From the third quarter of the Chen hour to the start of the Si hour, conduct "Prenatal Education Frontier Information Synchronization" with Lady Li Na.

Location: Wisdom Jungle · Third Seminar Room. Topic: "On the Potential Impact of Paternal Mental Stress on Offspring Telomere Length and Intervention Windows."

Read the summary in advance and prepare at least two questions.

...

From the start of the Si hour to the first quarter of the Si hour, quickly visit Chen Yuanhai and Chen Yuanmeng. The two had a physical conflict yesterday over competing for the "Variable Form Starship Model," and they need comfort and mediation. Location: Children's Public Activity Area · Mediation Corner.

...

Chen Zhaojing took a deep breath, like a warrior about to step onto the battlefield!

He began the "Morning Vitality Wake-up Exercises" Plus Version!

Three hundred and sixty energy nodes were activated one by one through specific movements, a mix of soreness, numbness, and swelling making him completely awake...

After finishing the exercises, he expressionlessly picked up the "Origin Consolidation Drink" next to him, which emitted an eerie dark green glow and an indescribable odor, and downed it in one gulp.

In an instant, various flavors exploded on his taste buds, accompanied by a strange, warm current that violently nourished his life Origin, sweeping through his entire body.

He let out a burp that tasted sour and spicy, his eyes becoming resolute again!

First quarter of the Chen hour, Soft Rhythm Pavilion · Meditation Platform.

Lady Wang Li sat cross-legged on a jade prayer mat, her abdomen protruding, her aura rounded and harmonious, as if she were one with the surrounding space.

Seeing Chen Zhaojing, she smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Your Highness, you have arrived. Today, I feel the fetal movement is a bit livelier than usual; perhaps it needs the father's energy to soothe it." Her voice was ethereal and soft.

Chen Zhaojing tried to make his smile look natural: "Thank you for your hard work, Li'er. Let's begin."

He sat behind Wang Li as instructed and gently placed his palm on her rounded abdomen.

Immediately, a strong and active life fluctuation was transmitted over; the little one seemed to be throwing a combination punch inside.

He closed his eyes, trying to mobilize his Mental Energy, attempting to complete the "feel and record" task on the schedule.

Internally, however, he was complaining frantically:

How do you record this? Fluctuation amplitude is 5% too high? Frequency is 0.3 Hz over the limit?

Grandpa Mo Heng, give me a standard!

"Your Highness, please follow my breathing rhythm." Wang Li guided him.

Chen Zhaojing hurriedly collected his thoughts and cooperated with the deep, long breaths.

For a time, the only sounds on the Meditation Platform were the long, slow breathing and... the "Origin Consolidation Drink" that hadn't been fully digested in Chen Zhaojing's stomach, faintly growling.

...

Second quarter of the Chen hour, on the way to the transition.

Chen Zhaojing was practically flying, gliding through the specially made fast-track passage.

At the same time, he tore open a tube of "lemon-flavored" energy supplement gel and stuffed it into his mouth. An extremely artificial, teeth-achingly sour taste exploded, but his spirit was indeed invigorated.

Beside his ear came Secretary Chu Yueyao's emotionless, electronically synthesized voice:

"Briefing begins. Yesterday's data: Total crying frequency was 387 times, a 5% increase month-on-month. Primary conflict source: Insufficient quantity of the newly arrived 'Black Hole Swallower' toy. Toy damage rate: 12.4%, with the core damaged item being the 'Imitation Great Emperor of Bedrock Armor.' Abnormal energy snack consumption: 'Abundance Zone' consumption exceeded the standard by 150%; Lady Cui Hua reported that it was used to 'encourage labor.' Additionally, Xuntian Pavilion received three complaints claiming that there were unexplained light beams and energy fluctuations in Bai Xi Palace at night, affecting data from surrounding observation stations. It has been replied to as 'children's nighttime activities' according to convention."

Chen Zhaojing: "... Understood."

What else could he say?

...

Third quarter of the Chen hour, Wisdom Jungle · Third Seminar Room.

Lady Li Na had already set up the holographic projection, which displayed densely packed data and charts.

She pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a calm light.

"Your Highness, please sit. Today we will discuss the impact of paternal mental stress on offspring telomeres."

"Telomere length is closely related to cell aging and lifespan. Existing research indicates that sustained high-intensity mental stress may lead to the shortening of paternal germ cell telomeres and affect offspring through epigenetic mechanisms..."

Chen Zhaojing sat upright, struggling to keep up with Li Na's speaking speed.

Mental stress?

His biggest mental stress right now was this damn schedule and the hundreds of crying, hungry... and soon-to-be-hungry children outside!

"... Therefore, maintaining Your Highness's peace of mind, optimizing time management, and reducing ineffective social interactions and emotional consumption are crucial for improving the quality of offspring and extending their potential lifespan." Li Na concluded, then looked at him.

"Your Highness, do you have any questions?"

Chen Zhaojing took a deep breath and asked the question from the depths of his Soul: "Li Na, may I ask... how do you define 'ineffective social interaction'? For example, handling inquiries from thirty wives about children's education simultaneously—is that considered effective or ineffective?"

Li Na paused for a moment, clearly not expecting such a "practical" question. She pushed up her glasses again and answered seriously:

"From an efficiency perspective, collective, standardized information transmission is superior to individualized, repetitive communication. It is recommended to establish a standardized knowledge base and an intelligent Q&A System. But from an emotional maintenance perspective... this topic requires further research."

Chen Zhaojing: "... Thank you." He knew it.

Start of the Si hour, Children's Public Activity Area · Mediation Corner.

Chen Yuanhai and Chen Yuanmeng, the two little ones, were sitting back-to-back, sulking, with the "Variable Form Starship Model" that had been torn in two placed between them.

Chen Zhaojing walked over, crouched down, and tried to make his voice as gentle as possible: "Hai'er, Meng'er, what's wrong?"

Chen Yuanhai complained first: "Dad! Yuanmeng grabbed it first! I said I was playing with it first!"

Chen Yuanmeng immediately turned her head, her big eyes brimming with tears: "He played with it for a long time and wouldn't give it to me! He even said my Star Dance looked like a star pet rolling on the ground!"

Chen Zhaojing felt a headache coming on. A prompt came through his earpiece at the right time:

"Target: Chen Yuanhai, male, 4 years old... Recent trouble record: Yesterday, modified sister Yuanshi's painting into an abstract style. Target: Chen Yuanmeng, female, 4 years old... Recent performance: Flexibility rating is excellent under the guidance of Lady Wang Li. Recommended mediation strategy: Emphasize the importance of sharing and promise to reissue a new toy later."

He cleared his throat and began to recite the script: "Hai'er, Meng'er, you are brother and sister; you must learn to share. Toys are fun when played with together, right? It doesn't matter if this one is broken; Dad will have Grandpa Mo Heng make you a better one..."

"Really?" The two little ones immediately turned their heads, looking at him with bright eyes.

"Really." Chen Zhaojing bit the bullet and promised, already calculating how to bring it up to Mo Heng.

The Academy of Sciences had been looking at him lately like he was a bottomless resource-devouring monster.

After finally calming the two little ones down and watching them run off hand-in-hand—though Yuan Hai secretly made a face at Yuanmeng—Chen Zhaojing let out a sigh of relief and felt mentally exhausted again...

Noon, strategic supply time.

He sat on a specially made "dining chair" with energy infusion functions. In front of him was not a meal, but a cup of thick, liquid "nutritional essence" emitting high heat and high energy...

He needed to finish it within fifteen minutes while performing "deep meditation recovery"...

He picked up the cup, as if performing some ritual, and gulped it down.

Taste?

It didn't matter anymore...

It was just fuel!

Then he closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, guiding the energy to flow through his body, repairing the energy consumed in the morning.

Deep in meditation, he seemed to hear his kidneys emitting a faint sound of protest...

The afternoon schedule was equally "rich and colorful"...

He accompanied an art-loving wife to appreciate her newly painted "Picture of a Hundred Children Playing in Spring," the densely packed little figures on the painting making his eyes dizzy...

He needed to precisely comment on how the expressions of three of the children "captured the vibrancy of life"...

He accompanied a wife from a martial arts Family for "prenatal adaptive combat drills"...

He needed to carefully block her palms that looked soft but could actually shatter a warship, while also recording the "stability of her fetal heart rate in a combat state"...

He was even dragged to attend a seminar organized by several wives on "How to Efficiently Utilize Your Highness's Schedule Gaps for Parent-Child Interaction"...

He listened to them analyze his time blocks using project management software and propose various "optimization plans"...

Evening, group dinner...

Sitting around the huge circular dining table were over twenty wives.

The children were in the area next to them, looked after by the nanny team—although the noises coming from that side sounded more like a small-scale interstellar war...

The table was filled with delicacies, but the atmosphere was somewhat... academic?

"According to my latest research, introducing specific frequency star-pulse fluctuations in the third month of pregnancy helps improve the fetus's spatial perception ability," one wife said.

"I think the timing for adding complementary food should be brought forward, especially DHA-rich Star Sea Algae, which is crucial for brain development," another wife followed up.

"Physical training cannot be ignored! I see that child Yuanyue has great potential; he should start the Great Emperor of Bedrock's 'Immovable as a Mountain' basic training early!"

"Artistic cultivation is fundamental! A life without aesthetics is pale!"

...

Chen Zhaojing buried his head in his food, trying to minimize his presence...

Occasionally, when named and asked for his opinion, he could only vaguely indicate that "every wife has a point, and it needs to be considered comprehensively," like a weak monarch facing a cabinet full of factions.

Midnight, main master bedroom...

Chen Zhaojing finally collapsed onto that priceless, calming wood bed.

His body felt hollowed out, but his spirit was somewhat hyperactive due to over-operation...

He forced himself to complete today's "work summary and reflection," and entered into the terminal:

"Today, meditation with Lady Wang Li, fetal fluctuation activity rating: High. Seminar with Lady Li Na, takeaway: Need further research on the definition of 'ineffective social interaction.' Mediated conflict between Yuan Hai and Yuanmeng, result: Success, cost: Promised a new toy. Afternoon art appreciation, comments received wife's approval. Combat drills, no injury, data recorded. Seminar..."

After finishing the input, he closed the terminal, and the room fell into darkness...

In the silence, he could almost hear the faint groans of every part inside his body...

There were still seventeen wives who were not pregnant...

The "clearing" goal that Grandpa was looking forward to...

He rubbed his waist, which still felt a bit sore, and a complex and indescribable smile appeared on his face...

There was achievement, there was fatigue, there was the pride of being an "engine," and there was also a... tiny bit of fear regarding the future?

"Seventeen more this year..." he muttered to himself, "Grandpa said, we must strive to achieve the 'clearing' goal early every year, 'improve efficiency,' and achieve 'procreate as much as possible'..."

He took a deep breath, and the familiar flame of struggle ignited in his eyes again!

"For the Family!"

"For the Federation!"

"I... can fight for another five hundred years!!!!!"

The voice was loud and clear, resounding through the clouds!

But if you listened carefully, it seemed to carry a little bit of... a tremolo?