142: fellow townsman Yan Xiao

Time passed. For an interstellar civilization, a year was but a fleeting moment.

However, for the Human Federation, the changes this past year were earth-shaking.

The technology shared generously by the Dragonborn Empire was like a timely rain. The Federation's technology tree grew and branched out at an unprecedented, frantic speed.

The Academy of Sciences, led by Mo Heng, had already preliminary mastered a small portion of the cornerstone technologies of a Level 2.4 civilization, making Breakthrough progress particularly in energy utilization efficiency and Materials science.

The over five hundred thousand Stellar Level "Mine Slaves" were even more indispensable. The output of origin crystals increased steadily, and the Planet-level Peak powerhouses of the Federation ushered in a golden age of Breakthroughs.

The entire Federation was like a super engine filled with top-tier fuel, roaring as it raced forward... and at the center of all this prosperity and clamor, Chen Jun's manor still maintained its unique tranquility and... "busyness."

Under the "farsighted" ideological guidance of his grandfather, Comrade Chen Zhaojing had finally shifted his work focus from "front-line production" to "ideological education" and "Family management."

Although the dull pain in his kidneys hadn't completely vanished... looking at the children surrounding his knees, their heads filled with the "core values of Family reproduction" instilled by his grandfather, his eyes were full of a sense of mission and... deep "sympathy" for his children's future, as if he could feel it himself.

"Great-Grandfather! Why do the stars blink?" a delicately carved great-grandson pointed at the night sky and asked in a milky voice.

Chen Jun happily picked her up and began an on-site lesson: "Because they are looking to see which star will be filled with our Chen Family people in the future!"

Chen Zhaojing silently recorded on the side: "Hmm, combine astronomical knowledge with the Family mission and write it into the new 'Enlightenment Textbook'."

In this warm atmosphere—

As the appointed time approached, the fluctuations of the Law in the quiet room reached their Peak!

On this day, above the Pillar of Leaders, the originally brilliant starry sky suddenly turned dim.

It wasn't that the stars had gone out, but rather all the light seemed to be absorbed by an invisible force, converging above the quiet room!

A massive, slowly rotating Law vortex appeared out of thin air. In the center of the vortex, a white-clothed figure was vaguely visible.

There was no world-shaking momentum, but when that vortex condensed to the extreme and suddenly contracted inward, merging into Yun Qinglan's body in an instant—

"Buzz..."

An indescribable, mysterious ripple spread out like water patterns, instantly sweeping across the entire Kunlun Star, across the Federation's territory, and even... rippling out toward the more distant starry sky!

At this moment, within the Federation's territory, all powerhouses above the Planetary Level felt something, as if they heard a slight resonance from the Origin of the Universe!

It was as if some boundary had been quietly stepped through.

The door to the quiet room opened, and Yun Qinglan stepped out slowly.

She was still in that same white robe, her bare feet like jade, her appearance ethereal and transcendent.

But her gaze had become deeper, as if it contained the birth and death of an entire galaxy.

The aura around her was harmonious and restrained, without a single fluctuation, as if she had become one with the entire Universe.

Star Arm Level Peak!

She had succeeded!

"Father," Yun Qinglan walked up to Chen Jun, who had been waiting outside for a long time, her ethereal voice carrying a hint of relief from fulfilling her promise, "We can set out."

Chen Jun looked at his daughter, feeling the vast aura from her that made his Soul feel comfortable and peaceful even when restrained, and his old heart was greatly comforted!

"Good! Good! My Qinglan is truly amazing!" He patted his daughter's shoulder hard, his face blooming with a smile.

With a daughter like this, what more could a father ask for?

In this Cangqiong Seat, where else could he, Chen Jun, not go?!

He waved his hand with high spirits:

"Let's go! Daughter! Dad will take you... uh, you'll take Dad to the Dragonborn Empire for a visit!"

A very faint smile flashed in Yun Qinglan's eyes as she nodded gently.

She raised her jade-like hand and made a light stroke toward the Void Realm ahead—

Screech!

An incredibly stable spatial portal, its edges flowing with mysterious runes, unfolded like a scroll.

Opposite the portal was the starry sky scenery of the Dragonborn Empire!

Opening a door directly to cross endless Star Domains!

This was the great power of the Star Arm Level Peak!

Chen Jun clicked his tongue in wonder and sat unceremoniously on the "Starry Sky Throne" that his daughter had specially condensed for him out of pure Law.

"Depart!"

Yun Qinglan took a step forward, leading Chen Jun and that magnificent throne into the spatial portal.

The portal slowly closed.

On the Pillar of Leaders, the crowd led by Yun Xi watched them depart.

Shi Yue muttered to himself: "This move by Her Highness Qinglan... I'm afraid even His Majesty the Dragon Emperor would be dumbfounded if he saw it?"

Li Qingshan held his sword, a look of longing on his face: "Star Arm Level Peak... seeing Her Highness Qinglan, my life is worth it... I wonder if I, Old Li, can break through to the Star Arm Level... even if it's just the primary level..."

Chu Yueyao had already begun to plan the next blueprint for the Federation's development after Ancestor Chen and Her Highness Qinglan brought back more "testimonies of friendship"... When the surrounding scenery stabilized again, Chen Jun found he was no longer at the Pillar of Leaders.

He was standing on a massive plaza cast from some kind of dark-gold metal.

In front of the plaza was a complex of palaces as towering as mountains, exuding an ancient, primordial aura—the Dragon Emperor Palace!

And directly in front of them, Dragon Emperor Yan Wuhuo, along with the Crown Princess Yan Ji, were leading a dense, endless line of civil and military officials of the Dragonborn Empire, maintaining a bowing posture as if they had been waiting here for a long time.

Only, the expressions on their faces were frozen in surprise and being caught off guard.

Clearly, Yun Qinglan's "one-step arrival" method had completely exceeded their plans and imagination!

Yan Wuhuo was the first to react. He felt the Peak pressure from Yun Qinglan, which was as unfathomable as the core of the Universe and made his Soul tremble slightly, and waves of shock crashed in his heart!

One year!

It really was only one year!

She had broken through from the high level to the Peak?!

Is... is this the terror of the Innate Radiant Body?!

He forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart, put on his warmest and most respectful smile, took a step forward, and bowed deeply:

"Wuhuo, leading all high-level officials of the Dragonborn Empire, welcomes Your Excellency Ancestor Chen! Welcomes Her Highness Qinglan!!!"

His voice was loud, filled with immense excitement and honor!

Chen Jun was also a bit dazed by this display and subconsciously replied: "Uh... hello everyone, you've all worked hard."

Yan Wuhuo quickly said: "It's not hard! Not hard at all! To be able to welcome Ancestor Chen and Your Highness is our supreme glory! Ancestor Chen, Her Highness Qinglan, please!"

The following process was of the highest imperial standards.

A grand welcoming ceremony, brilliant energy fireworks, carefully prepared song and dance performances... it was extremely luxurious and grand.

But Chen Jun's thoughts had already flown to the legendary "Yanhuang Ancestral Star" and the "ten questions of the starry sky."

After completing the necessary polite meetings, Chen Jun directly made his request: "Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor, I am very curious about the 'ten questions of the starry sky' left by your ancestor. I wonder if I may go and see them now?"

Yan Wuhuo naturally had no reason not to comply: "Of course! Ancestor Chen, please follow me!"

He personally led Chen Jun and Yun Qinglan through layers of palaces to a Forbidden Ground in the deepest part of the Dragon Emperor Palace.

There were no ornate decorations here, only an incredibly ancient stone tablet, seemingly polished from a single piece of chaos stone, standing quietly under the starry sky.

On the stone tablet, there were no fancy patterns, only ten lines of questions carved in a script containing the power of the Law. These were the "ten questions of the starry sky":

First: Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron?

Second: Odd changes, even stays the same?

Third: Which school is the best for excavator technology?

Fourth: Palace jade liquid wine?

Fifth: Bright moonlight before the bed, suspected to be frost on the ground?

Sixth: No gifts are accepted this holiday season, only accept?

Seventh: Goose, goose, goose, neck curved towards the sky and singing?

Eighth: The vast horizon is my love?

Ninth: Love you walking alone in the dark alley?

Tenth: Your energy is beyond your imagination, what is this?

Yan Wuhuo and Yan Ji respectfully retreated to a distance, leaving the space to Chen Jun.

Yun Qinglan stood quietly by Chen Jun's side, her ethereal gaze sweeping over the stone tablet, seemingly also analyzing the mysteries within.

Looking at these familiar yet ridiculous "exam questions," the corners of Chen Jun's mouth couldn't help but twitch again.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling extremely complex, as if he were taking an exam back on Blue Star, and began to "answer the questions."

As soon as he approached the stone tablet, the Law of the tablet connected directly to his thoughts.

So Chen Jun used his thoughts to match the answers one by one.

He wrote in standard simplified Chinese characters with his mind!

And he used... the most orderly regular script taught by language teachers, complaining incessantly in his heart while writing... "First question: Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron?" — Chen Jun wrote down: Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon.

The periodic table of elements, a piece of cake.

"Second question: Odd changes, even stays the same?" — Chen Jun wrote: Signs depend on the quadrant.

Math teacher, I didn't let you down!

"Third question: Which excavator technology is the best?" — Chen Jun wrote: Look for Lanxiang in Shandong, China.

Hometown fellow, this ad placement really spans time and the galaxy!

"Fourth question: Palace Jade Dew Wine?" — Chen Jun wrote: One hundred and eighty per cup.

How is this wine? Listen to me brag!

"Fifth question: Moonlight before the bed, suspected to be frost on the ground?" — Chen Jun wrote: Raising my head to watch the bright moon, lowering my head to think of home.

Hometown fellow, you must miss home too... "Sixth question: No gifts this holiday, gifts only receive?" — Chen Jun wrote: Naobaijin.

This brainwashing ad is truly timeless... "Seventh question: Goose, goose, goose, curved neck singing to the sky?" — Chen Jun wrote: White feathers float on green water, red palms paddle clear waves.

Comrade Luo Binwang, your poem has broken out of the Universe!

"Eighth question: The vast horizon is my love?" — Chen Jun wrote: Flowers are blooming at the foot of the rolling green mountains.

Can't help but hum along, what should I do...?

"Ninth question: Love you walking alone in the dark alley?" — Chen Jun wrote: Love your look of not kneeling.

Lonely Warrior, Universe Version!

"Tenth question: Your energy is beyond your imagination, what is this?" — Chen Jun wrote: Red Bull.

Tired or sleepy, drink Dongpeng Special Drink... No, it's Red Bull!

He wrote quickly, almost reflexively... The moment Chen Jun's thought fell on the tenth answer—

"Buzz!!!"

The entire stone stele suddenly erupted with indescribable brilliant light!

That light wasn't an energy explosion, but countless Law runes being activated, intertwined, and resonating in an instant!

An incredibly clear image, condensed entirely from Laws, slowly emerged and solidified above the stone stele.

It appeared directly in Chen Jun's Sea of Consciousness... In the image was a... very ordinary young man.

He wore a slightly loose white T-shirt, faded jeans on his lower half, and on his feet... he was actually wearing a pair of very down-to-earth flip-flops?!

His hair was a bit messy, but his eyes were very bright, carrying a cynical yet exploratory spirit.

He scratched his head, grinned at Chen Jun, revealing two rows of white teeth, and actually spoke in standard Mandarin:

"Hey! Hometown fellow! It wasn't easy to answer these ten questions correctly, right? Especially those last few ads and hit songs; if you haven't lived in our neck of the woods, you'd definitely be stumped!"

This familiar accent, this down-to-earth look, gave Chen Jun an instant urge to burst into tears!

It's a Hometown fellow!

It really is a Hometown fellow!!!

The young man in the image was the founding emperor of the Dragonborn Empire, Yan Xiao!

He continued speaking, as if recording a video message for those who came after:

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yan Xiao, and I transmigrated in the year 2025 AD. I was binge-watching a show late at night when everything went black, and I ended up here. My luck was decent; I awakened the 'Innate Sun Body' Aptitude, which counts as a Golden Finger."

"Later, I became a big shot, the founding emperor of this Dragonborn Empire, known as 'Yanhuang.' Actually, I just missed my old home and wanted to give myself some prestige, hehe."

At this point, his expression became a bit sentimental and serious:

"After I broke through to the Galaxy Level, I enjoyed a lifespan of ten million years. In the millions of years I've spent in the sea of stars, I've successively encountered fifteen Hometown fellows who also came from Blue Star."

"The time span was from 2025 to 2035; they all transmigrated during those ten years. But the weird thing is, the timeline of transmigrating to this world is completely chaotic! There was a kid from 2035 who actually arrived tens of thousands of years earlier than me on the timeline! Isn't that ridiculous?"

Yan Xiao spread his hands, a face full of "I'm also very confused."

"Every one of us Hometown fellows brought some kind of 'Golden Finger'."

"Those who transmigrated to backward civilizations are generally highly educated intellectuals who rely on knowledge to change their fate; those who transmigrated to advanced civilizations mostly have Heaven-Defying natural Aptitudes, at least one Rank higher than the civilization's highest Aptitude; if you transmigrate to a biochemical apocalypse or a civilization near collapse, you'll likely come with a space item or something for survival."

He counted on his fingers:

"But!" Yan Xiao's tone paused, and his expression became a bit depressed, even with a hint of jealousy, "Among the sixteen of us, not one awakened a System! Not a single one! You can't believe everything in novels!"

"My 'Innate Sun Body' is already the most badass Golden Finger among us! The others are even worse! Everyone had to rely on their own hard work! What happened to the standard Transmigration starter pack? Did the goddamned Heavenly Dao embezzle our Blue Star people's benefits?!"

He flipped the bird at the void, venting his dissatisfaction before continuing:

"I've pondered for a long time and have a bold guess: Does every Blue Star person get a chance to transmigrate to another world after death? And different 'newbie gift packs' are assigned based on your life before death or just randomly? It's just that our group had bad luck and didn't pull an SSR like a 'System'?"

"Sigh, the biggest regret is not having a System!" Yan Xiao sighed deeply towards the sky, his feet in flip-flops shaking. "If I had a System, I might have broken through beyond the Galaxy Level and gone back to Blue Star to take a look long ago! Why would I need to work so hard?"

His image began to flicker slightly, as if the energy was about to run out.

"Alright, enough nonsense. Being able to come here and see this image means you're not just a Hometown fellow, but one of our own—even our brainwaves match!"

"I've left some insights on cultivation, some research notes on the 'time paradox' of this Universe, and all technological data for civilizations from Level 0.5 to Level 2.8, all hidden inside the core of the stone stele. Access has been opened to you."

"If the kids of the Dragonborn Empire are still somewhat competent, help look after them in the future. After all, my descendants still carry our Huaxia blood!"

"If the Dragonborn Empire has declined, give them a copy of my backed-up technological data. If the Dragonborn are stronger, ask them for more powerful technology. I've left an ancestral teaching—anyone who can answer the ten questions of the starry sky must have any request granted, as long as it doesn't affect the survival of the civilization."

"Hometown fellow, keep going! The Universe is big and full of pitfalls, but as long as you're alive, there's hope! Maybe one day, you'll find the way 'home'..."

"Oh, and say hello to any Hometown fellows you might meet later for me! Tell them Comrade Yan Xiao is doing alright here in the sea of stars! If you meet a Hometown fellow in the future, help them if you can... After all, I suspect this is a different Universe, and Hometown fellows must work together to find the way home faster!"

"Finally, in terms of technology, pay special attention to developing celestial computers and virtual universe technology. I suspect the path beyond Level 3 civilizations is hidden within..."

As his voice fell, Yan Xiao's image gave Chen Jun a rogueish yet incredibly sincere smile, waved his hand, and then slowly dissipated like starlight.

The light of the stone stele also gradually faded, returning to its ancient appearance.

Chen Jun stood in place, speechless for a long time.

But his heart was in turmoil; the amount of information was massive!

Yan Xiao?!

Transmigrated in 2025?!

Fifteen Hometown fellows?!

Transmigrated in the 2025-2035 range?!

Chaotic timeline?!

Only small Golden Fingers, all relying on effort?! None had a System?!

The hypothesis that all Blue Star people transmigrate after death?!

...All of this provided crucial clues for him to peel back a corner of the mysterious veil of this Universe!

Especially the "no System" and "all Blue Star people transmigrate after death" hypotheses gave him a whole new perspective on his own Transmigration... Yun Qinglan watched her father quietly, sensing the intense fluctuations in his heart... Although she couldn't see or hear that Law-based image, she could sense that it contained extremely high-level Law information and had resonated deeply with her father.

She didn't interrupt, just silently stood guard by his side.

In the distance, although Yan Wuhuo and Yan Ji couldn't see the specific content, seeing the stone stele's phenomenon and Chen Jun's solemn expression, their hearts were filled with even more awe and reverence.

Ancestor Chen indeed has a very deep connection with the First Ancestor!

Chen Jun slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his eyes returning to calm, but deep within, there was an extra hint of inquiry and determination...