133: The spark will shine forever

Days later, night fell, but the Federation's starry sky had never been so bright.

It wasn't just the light of the stars, but also the screens lighting up synchronously on countless planets, weaving into a river of information.

Tonight was the premiere of the latest promotional film,

All entertainment channels were paused, and public holographic projection arrays were all in place.

Every Federation citizen, whether in the bustling Capital Star or a remote colonial outpost, stopped their busy work... Pillar of Leaders, Federation Central Broadcasting Building, Holographic Studio One—

"Three, two, one... signal connected, synchronized across the entire Federation, begin!"

Following the director's command, the massive circular holographic screen in the center of the studio suddenly lit up.

The opening scene was the deep, boundless Universe, with stars like sand, silent and eternal.

A gentle yet powerful female voice slowly resounded, carrying a hint of compassion and warning:

"Looking up at the starry sky, we once thought we were the only ones in the Universe, a one-in-a-billion miracle."

The scene switched, showing several low-level civilizations of different styles.

A primitive tribe that had just learned to use fire danced around a bonfire.

A planet entering the steam age, with chimneys standing tall and trains roaring.

A civilization initially exploring atomic energy, their scientists cheering the first successful chain reaction... "We once thought the starry sky was friendly, waiting for us to explore and establish diplomatic relations."

"But the truth is often cruel."

The scene suddenly turned dark and bloody!

The

"This is the dark forest Law of the Universe. The weak are prey to the strong, cold and ruthless. When you are weak, your demise might be due to a strong one's unintentional passing by, a casual cleanup."

The scene changed again, focusing on the ferocious, blood-dripping fangs emblem—the Blood Blade Pirate Group.

"The Blood Blade Pirate Group is one of the most brutal predators in this dark forest."

The camera zoomed in, showing the overwhelming scale of the pirate fleet, and the terrifying aura interwoven from over twenty thousand Stellar Level beings.

Through top-notch special effects technology, viewers felt as if they were there, experiencing a suffocating sense of oppression.

"They carried the will of destruction and death, rushing towards us—the Human Federation."

The tragedy of AG-7 Agricultural Star was presented cautiously and restrainedly:

Orbital defense platforms silently annihilated under red beams;

Ground forces crushed under absolute power;

Shelters turned into furnaces;

Children's songs abruptly ceased... Heroism and despair, through the screen, fiercely gripped the heart of every Federation citizen... Countless viewers covered their mouths, tears in their eyes, their bodies trembling slightly from fear and lingering dread... They seemed to hear the final cries and wails of their compatriots... "Just as the spark of civilization was about to be extinguished, and darkness was about to swallow everything—"

The screen suddenly lit up!

A female host, Su Qing, dressed in a capable professional suit, with a gentle yet resolute demeanor, appeared in the center of the screen. She was the Federation's ace host.

"Good evening, fellow Federation citizens. I am Su Qing."

Su Qing's voice, clear and steady, was transmitted to every corner of the Federation through the quantum communication network.

"Tonight, we will collectively revisit a painful history and witness a great victory."

She turned sideways, and the giant holographic screen began to display unsettling images.

These were not special effects, but the last video data from destroyed civilizations, painstakingly restored by the Federation's intelligence department.

It showed the ruins of civilizations like the Lorraine Federation and the Kaster Commercial Alliance, completely erased by the Blood Blade Pirate Group—

Shattered planets, solidified city ruins, empty starry skies... These scenes silently narrated the cruelty of the

Su Qing's tone was solemn: "Look at these destroyed civilizations. Some had already taken their first steps into interstellar space, some even possessed decent technology. But they fell, fell due to weakness, fell due to... not being strong enough!"

The screen froze on a simulated photo of a Lorraine Federation child before the destruction, the innocent smile forming a tragic contrast with the background of ruins.

"And our Federation is fortunate!"

Su Qing's voice suddenly rose, filled with power.

The holographic image switched accordingly, showing the peaceful and idyllic scenery of AG-7 Agricultural Star before the attack, rapidly intercut with the tragic scenes of pirates descending and war raging afterward, the stark contrast impacting the hearts of every viewer.

"We also faced a catastrophe! We also felt despair! But we stood firm! We not only defended our homeland but also completely pushed back and crushed the enemies who brought destruction!"

Stirring background music played, and the scene shifted to the Federation fleet assembling, with warriors swearing allegiance, ready to die.

But soon, the scene transcended the scope of conventional warfare.

"However, what truly determines the fate of civilization has never been the number of warships, but... the supreme power that protects civilization!"

On the holographic screen, six figures, like Incarnations of the star sea, slowly appeared—Yun Xi, Yun Qinglan, Yue Xi, Xuan Sha, Su Yuan, Liu Qing!

Their images were not real combat footage, which would have exceeded the limits of ordinary equipment, but were displayed through top-tier artistic processing and energy simulation, showcasing an unparalleled majesty and vastness!

The music became grand and sacred... "It is our Federation's supreme leader, Her Majesty Yun Xi! It is our supreme Her Highness Qinglan! It is our glorious four Sun Body Your Highnesses, Yue Xi, Xuan Sha, Su Yuan, and Liu Qing!" Su Qing's voice was filled with immense reverence and pride.

"It was they! With the supreme might of Star Arm Level, they throttled the source of destruction in its cradle before the enemy even stepped into our territory!"

"It was they! With a flick of a finger, they froze the main pirate warships, capturing enemy leaders as easily as picking something out of a pocket!"

The screen simulated the pirate fleet freezing under an invisible force, and the shocking scene of pirate commanders like Worton being compressed into tiny figures, albeit an artistic re-enactment.

Although not witnessed firsthand, that absolute, crushing sense of power was deeply imprinted in the hearts of every viewer through the screen.

The entire nation erupted!

Deafening cheers burst forth in countless squares!

People cried tears of joy, waving the Federation flag, shouting the names of their leaders and Your Highnesses!

"Star Arm Level! This is the power of Star Arm Level!"

"Long live the Federation! Long live the Leader! Long live Your Highnesses!"

"With Your Highnesses here, we are no longer afraid of any enemy!"

...Just at this emotional peak, Su Qing's tone led everyone to a deeper level of thought... "But!" Her voice again became profound, and the screen switched back to the tranquil starry sky.

"Those who possess supreme military power are not necessarily benevolent; more often, they regard the weak as ants. This is a natural difference caused by different life levels! Just as you wouldn't consider an ant to be the same species as you! Even if! This ant looks exactly like you, in reality! The life levels of those strong ones have already evolved multiple times!"

"In the Universe, it is common for powerful individuals to enslave, exploit, or even destroy weaker civilizations! And even... treat their own civilization like gods viewing ants!"

"Just like the Blood Blade Pirate Group, they also possess great power, but what do they use it for? Whether internally or externally, it is plunder, slaughter, and the creation of endless suffering!"

The screen once again flashed the tragic state of the destroyed civilizations, and the cruel atrocities within the pirates!

"So, what determines the direction in which power is used? What makes the Star Arm Level Your Highnesses of our Federation willing to protect every ordinary life under this starry sky?"

Su Qing's gaze seemed to penetrate the screen, looking directly into the Soul of every citizen.

She paused slightly, letting the question echo in everyone's hearts.

Then, the image on the holographic screen changed.

The background music also became soft and respectful.

What appeared on the screen was no longer a magnificent war or a powerful Your Highness, but an image of a... lounge chair.

On the chair, a figure leaned back leisurely, with a gentle face and profound eyes, as if he saw through everything.

It was Chen Jun!

"The answer, perhaps, lies with our 'guardian of civilization,' Ancestor Chen." Su Qing's voice carried a guiding reverence.

At this moment, in the guest seating area of the studio, a beam of light shone, illuminating a young scholar wearing a white robe from the Academy of Sciences and glasses.

He was one of Director Mo Heng's Personal Disciples — Zhao Qiming.

"We are honored to invite Senior Researcher of the Academy of Sciences, Academician Zhao Qiming." Su Qing turned to Zhao Qiming.

"Academician Zhao, as we know, Ancestor Chen played a crucial role in the strategic decision-making against the Blood Blade Pirate Group. Could you interpret this for us from your perspective?"

Zhao Qiming pushed up his glasses, his face filled with infinite admiration for his mentor and Ancestor Chen. He took a deep breath and began to speak.

His narration was not a dry technical analysis, but full of emotion and insight.

He recounted how Ancestor Chen, at a critical moment, set the strategic tone of "rooting out evil," eliminating any possibility of compromise.

He described how Ancestor Chen's seemingly casual but profoundly wise concept of "a country within a country" transformed enemies into shields, winning the Federation unprecedented strategic depth and security.

He even mentioned a detail, which was, of course, approved by the higher-ups:

"When formulating the final combat plan, the only thing Ancestor Chen emphasized was 'destroying the enemy outside our borders' and 'not letting ordinary citizens suffer the ravages of war again.' He placed our safety first!"

Zhao Qiming said emotionally, "Powerful strength may win wars, but only a great heart and wisdom can guide civilization towards light. Ancestor Chen is the lighthouse guiding our Federation's direction."

Su Qing interjected at the opportune moment, her voice becoming deeper, introducing a broader perspective:

"And Ancestor Chen's contributions to the Federation go far beyond that. I wonder if everyone still remembers the 'people-benefiting plan' that swept across the entire Federation and thoroughly improved the lives of countless grassroots citizens?"

The screen switched, showing a comparison before and after the implementation of the "people-benefiting plan":

Dilapidated slums were transformed into neatly planned communities, outdated medical facilities were replaced by Advanced medical centers, and children studied in brand new schools... countless ordinary people smiled with happiness.

"This plan, which cost a huge amount but truly benefited hundreds of millions of people's livelihoods," Su Qing said word by word, "its initial proposer was none other than Ancestor Chen. It was his sigh, 'The Federation's grassroots citizens are still living too poorly,' when he returned to his hometown Zhiyuan Star, that ignited the fire of this great change!"

"He cares about the sacrifices of warriors and the well-being of common people. He has etched a civilization's respect for individual life into the Federation's genes."

The image returned to Chen Jun's calm and profound face.

"So, we can answer the initial question." Su Qing's voice carried a final sublimation, "Why is our Federation different? Why are our strong willing to protect the weak? Why can our civilization ignite an undying spark eternal brilliance in the dark forest?"

"It is precisely because we have Ancestor Chen!"

"It is he! Who, with wisdom and benevolence transcending the Star Sea, shaped the Soul of the Federation!"

"It is he! Who made us believe that powerful strength can be used to create, not destroy! It can be used to protect, not plunder!"

"If the supreme military power of the Leader and all Your Highnesses is the Federation's towering shield! Then Ancestor Chen's existence is the Federation's founding Soul, the eternal light that illuminates our path forward!"

The promotional video slowly concluded with Chen Jun's image and the words "Eternal Light," as the solemn Federation national anthem played as background music.

Silence.

Followed by a thunderous, overwhelming resonance and frenzy that swept across the entire Federation!

"Ancestor Chen! It's Ancestor Chen!"

"So the people-benefiting plan was also Ancestor Chen's idea!"

"I knew it! There must be a reason why our Your Highnesses are so powerful yet benevolent!"

"Ancestor Chen is the true stabilizing force of the Federation!"

...Public opinion was like a ignited sea of stars, and the reverence and love for Chen Jun reached an unprecedented peak!

Federation Supreme Propaganda Department, Deputy Minister's Office... Zhao Ming turned off the holographic screen in his office and let out a long sigh of relief, a complex smile, a mix of excitement and lingering fear, appearing on his face.

It's done!

The effect of this promotion far exceeded expectations!

As the Deputy Minister of the Supreme Propaganda Department, the experience of almost angering Ancestor Chen due to inappropriate language still made him feel lingering fear... Although Ancestor Chen, being magnanimous, did not pursue it, he himself could never let it go.

He regarded that mistake as the biggest stain on his career and thought day and night about how to make amends.

The previous promotion, which honored Ancestor Chen as the "guardian of civilization," he had exhausted himself and contributed greatly, but he always felt it wasn't enough!

This time, regarding the war against the Blood Blade Pirate Group, he keenly grasped the core — the greatest credit, the most fundamental reason, must be attributed to Ancestor Chen!

It was he who, against all dissenting opinions, set this tone in the propaganda plan!

It was he who personally crafted Su Qing's most crucial narration, linking Ancestor Chen with the "Soul of the Federation"!

It was he who coordinated all parties to officially publicize the connection between the "people-benefiting plan" and Ancestor Chen for the first time!

He did all this, not for promotion or wealth, but to... make amends for his mistakes, or rather, to flatter?!

No, Zhao Ming corrected himself in his heart, how could this be called flattery?

This was stating facts! This was demonstrating truth!

Because deep down, he had an unwavering, even somewhat fanatical belief:

Ancestor Chen's strength was definitely above Stellar Level! He was very likely the legendary... Galaxy Level!

Look at the attitude of the Leader and all Your Highnesses towards Ancestor Chen!

That was not just respect, it was an intrinsic, almost instinctive respect and protection!

Ancestor Chen's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, his transcendence in the face of the Star Sea collapsing before him without changing expression... all of this pointed to an incredible conclusion—

"Ancestor Chen, that venerable elder... is undoubtedly Galaxy Level!" Zhao Ming clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming with firm resolve.

"As long as I can serve Ancestor Chen well and make him satisfied, that is my greatest contribution to the Federation! And it is my, Zhao Ming's... only path to redemption!"

He looked out the window at the brilliant Pillar of Leaders, his heart filled with piety and anticipation.

This promotional video was just the first step in his "making amends"!

He secretly vowed that in the future, he would use all the resources of the Propaganda Department to spread Ancestor Chen's merits, Ancestor Chen's wisdom, and Ancestor Chen's benevolence to every corner of the Federation!

And even... to the future Star Sea!

He wanted everyone to know that the Federation's true foundation and glory rested solely on Ancestor Chen!

And at this moment, Chen Jun, who was fanatically worshipped by billions of people and regarded by Zhao Ming as a great Galaxy Level existence... was leisurely lying in his own courtyard, enjoying the "Starry Delicacy Soup" fed to him by Lin Wei, while teasing his giggling great-granddaughter in his arms, completely unaware of the storm sweeping across the entire Federation because of him... He just felt that tonight's stars seemed a little brighter than yesterday.

"Hmm, the soup is good." He smacked his lips and smiled at Lin Wei, "Let's have this again tomorrow."