172: Five years of earth-shattering changes

Star Year 100173, time flowed like a stream, lazily passing five years through Chen Jun's fingertips.

At Chen Jun Manor, everything seemed no different from five years ago. Chen Jun was still slumped in his lounge chair.

He had just finished an idle game in the virtual universe called “Leisurely Fishing for Billions of Light-Years,” achieving the ultimate accomplishment of “Fishing the Entire Star Sea Without Missing a Rod,” and was now boredly exiting.

He casually picked up a plate of newly offered “Star Jelly” nearby and popped a piece into his mouth.

“Tsk, this texture... truly wonderful.”

After enjoying his snack, Chen Jun checked his System interface.

This was one of the few “active” behaviors in hisWin by lying down (lying down to win) career.

【Rank】: Rank 3 (Descendants required for next Rank: one yotta)

【Total Current Descendants】: 2.58... trillion

“2.58 trillion... in five years, it only increased from one trillion to this much?” Chen Jun counted on his fingers, beginning his “precise calculation” time.

“According to the estimated exponential model, it should increase a hundredfold in twenty years, so tenfold in ten years, and in five years, it should be... 3.16 times! Under the estimated state, the population should have reached 3.16 trillion! Plus, the reduction of reproductive isolation by half due to the ‘Many Children’ feature should double that!”

He picked up a cup of new tea nearby, took a delightful sip, and continued his rigorous academic analysis internally:

“But what's the result? Reality only gave 2.58 times! Not even three times! My descendants have already worked very hard under theEncouragement (urging) of the Family's core values!”

Chen Jun knew exactly where the problem lay.

Firstly, there was the issue of the dissemination efficiency of the “Family's core values.”

Back then, Chen Zhaojing was personally overseen by him, and the “Yuan” generation, such as Chen Yuanhai, were taught by his words and actions. Through storytelling and setting examples, the belief of “expanding the Family line” was ingrained in their bones.

By the generations of “Yan,” “Si,” and “Chang,” although the base number was larger, with the personal instruction of “meritorious elders” like Chen Zhaojing and Chen Yuanhai, and the exemplary power passed down through the Family, they could barely maintain that fervor of “struggling for the great cause of Family reproduction for life.”

But what about later generations?

“Yong,” “Cheng,” “Fu,” “Ze,” “Chang”... the youngest children were already in the “Ze” generation!

The population base was expanding exponentially, and even if he, the Old Ancestor, wanted to personally conduct “core values” education, he couldn't Clone himself to do it!

Those distant descendants might not even see him in person their entire lives, only experiencing his glory through virtual universe images and Family legends.

Is brainwashing ten thousand people the same difficulty as brainwashing a trillion people?

Enthusiasm and belief were inevitably diluted by the vast population base and the invisible sense of distance.

It's like a drop of ink in a cup of water can change its color, but if it drops into a lake, can the lake still change color?

Many younger generations now reproduce more out of habit, a Family tradition, rather than the original “sacred sense of mission.”

Secondly, and most fundamentally—the instinct of life evolution and the shackles of reproductive isolation.

The 【Many Children】 function was indeed Heaven-Defying, weakening reproductive isolation among powerful individuals by a full factor of two!

This was already a great power that leveraged the fundamental Laws of the Universe!

But the strength of the descendants of his Old Chen Family was also rising!

The new generation had an Innate Martial Body as a baseline. With the Federation's massive resources and Rank 2.7 technology, breaking through to Planetary Level after adulthood was like child's play, and Stellar-level Experts emerged in an endless stream.

The stronger the individual, the higher their life level, and the stronger the reproductive isolation with their spouse!

This was an iron Law!

Although the 【Many Children】 function created an opening in this iron Law, increasing the originally minuscule probability by a factor of two.

But this small probability was still a drop in the bucket compared to the “demand” brought by the exponentially growing population base.

Is there really a big difference between a one-in-one-hundred-thousand chance of winning and a two-in-one-hundred-thousand chance?

Stellar-level Experts might work for a year and still not achieve as significant “results” as they did in a single day at War God Level, not to mention that War God Level itself has a much lower pregnancy probability than ordinary people.

“Alas, as expected, imagination is rich, but reality is lean.” Chen Jun put down his teacup, picked up a newly offered “Ice Fire Intertwined Candy” from a peculiar Star Domain, threw it into his mouth, and savored the wonderful sensation of extreme cold and extreme heat colliding on his tongue.

“Expecting them to explode exponentially like hatching chicks is still a bit idealistic. The larger the base, the harder it is to maintain a high growth rate...”

However, this faint melancholy lingered in his heart for less than three seconds before being replaced by a more powerful emotion—

It doesn't matter!

Anyway, I have plenty of time!

Looking at the steadily ticking remaining Lifespan on the System interface.

Chen Jun's thoughts instantly cleared.

“What's the rush? Only five years have passed.” He comfortably adjusted his slumped posture to get even more comfortable, “If a hundred years isn't enough, then two hundred years! If two hundred years isn't enough, then five hundred years! Time is my best friend!”

“When the 【Many Children】 function upgrades again and weakens reproductive isolation by another ten or hundred times... will upgrading still be a problem then?!”

Thinking this way, Chen Jun suddenly found the number 2.58 trillion much more pleasing to the eye.

“Hmm, 2.58 trillion, that's not bad! Actually, it's not slow at all!”

He delightedly picked up another “Ice Fire Intertwined Candy,” preparing to continue experiencing the thrill of a virtual Family population breaking through “one yotta” in the “Ancestor Simulator.”

However, just as Chen Jun's consciousness was about to sink into the virtual universe—

An indescribable, vast fluctuation, as if originating from the very beginning of the Universe, so immense that it made stars tremble and Laws submit, swept across the entire Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom like a thought tide surpassing the speed of light, without any warning!!!

“Buzz—!!!”

This was not a sound, but the cheer of the Universe's Laws themselves!

At this moment, within the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, all beings above Stellar Level, no matter where they were or what they were doing, seemed to hear an ancient sound of a broken shackle, piercing through time and space, deep within their Souls!

...At the core of the Liuli System, in the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, a place of chaotic Laws.

The ancient seated figure—Huang Yu—whose aura had originally been extremely restrained, as if integrated with the Origin of Laws, suddenly underwent an earth-shattering transformation!

No longer integration, but... transcendence!

Within him, the Star River Level barrier that had trapped him for over 980,000 years, thin as a cicada's wing yet indestructible, silently melted away at this moment, like ice and snow in the sun!

There was no world-shattering explosion, no destructive anomaly.

Only a complete, transcendent leap in the essence of life!

His consciousness, as if from a surging river, instantly expanded into an boundless Star Sea!

His perception was no longer limited to the Liuli System, but spread towards the vaster, deeper Star River!

One hundred billion years!

A terrifying Lifespan of a full one hundred billion years!

Power!

Endless power!

The power to stir the Origin of the entire Liuli System with a single thought surged within him!

He, Huang Yu, the supreme Dominator of the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, the only Innate Radiant Body, in the final years before the end of his million-year intimate period—

Succeeded!!!

Star River Level!!!

Huang Yu slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, there were no longer scenes of galaxies forming and perishing; instead, there was the Reincarnation of the Star River, the absolute indifference and supreme Divine Might of one who wielded the authority of the Star River.

He gently raised a hand, fingers slightly splayed.

In an instant, all the Law lines within hundreds of millions of light-years around him vibrated and hummed intensely at an unprecedented frequency, like subjects bowing to their king, emitting incredibly docile fluctuations!

He felt the vast, abyssal, seemingly inexhaustible power within him, felt the long Lifespan of one hundred billion years... an unprecedented ecstasy and complacency, enough to overwhelm any reason, exploded in his heart, which had been dormant for nearly a million years!

“I succeeded... Hahahaha! This Dominator... succeeded!!!”

...A deep laugh filled with supreme majesty echoed in this Law-filled land, causing the energy of the entire Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom to surge!

“Star River Level! One hundred billion years of Lifespan! From now on, the Liuli System... no! Everything within this Dominator's gaze shall prostrate at this Dominator's feet!”

He slowly stood up.

Just the act of standing caused the core of the entire Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, a super composite continent comparable to tens of thousands of Star Systems, to tremble slightly!

“Issue a decree!”

Huang Yu's voice, like a judgment from the Universe's Laws, instantly resonated in the minds of every high-ranking official of the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom:

“The entire nation shall celebrate! A grand celebration for one hundred thousand years!!”

“This Dominator wants the entire Liuli System, no! The entire Kaleidoscope Star River to know—”

“A new era has arrived!!!”

...Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, “Shining World Celestial Vault” Palace.

At this moment, it had transformed into an ocean of celebration!

No, even “ocean” seemed pale and weak to describe it!

The palace itself was infinitely expanded, with countless layers of folded space, capable of accommodating trillions of yottas of beings!

The dome no longer simulated the starry sky; instead, Huang Yu, with his supreme power, directly drew in the most dazzling “Source of Ten Thousand Stars” light from the core of the Liuli System. It cascaded like billions of golden waterfalls, each ray of light containing Law fragments that would intoxicate Star Arm Level experts!

The ground was paved with a liquid “Sea of Origin Marrow.” Divine Kingdom members walking on it could absorb pure Origin Law energy with every step.

Countless “Star Dao Fruits,” emitting an enticing fragrance and capable of extending the Lifespan of Star Arm Level beings, hung like the most common decorations on branches crafted from “Eternal Divine Gold.”

Tamed Starry Sky Behemoths from all over the Liuli System let out melodious and joyful cries, pulling exquisitely luxurious chariots, traversing through space, scattering “Flowers of Celebration” condensed from pure light energy.

Furthermore, trillions of exceptionally beautiful maidens of various races, with diverse temperaments, danced gracefully in neon robes. Their dance steps stirred energy flows, forming magnificent cosmic wonders.

The music played was no ordinary melody, but the “Chapter of Star River Resonance” personally conducted by Galaxy Level experts, stirring the Laws. All who heard it felt their minds cleansed and their cultivation subtly improved.

This was the ultimate luxury and grand spectacle displayed by a Rank 2.9 Peak civilization to celebrate its Dominator's Breakthrough to the legendary Star River Level!

Venerable Hui Guang, Venerable Huang Jin, and ten other high-level Galaxy Level experts, as well as thousands of initial and intermediate Galaxy Level experts, and countless Star Arm Level experts, were all gathered here.

Their faces were filled with genuine excitement, fanaticism, and pride!

The Dominator's Breakthrough to Star River Level meant that the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom would no longer merely be the overlord of the Liuli System but would gain the qualification to advance into the broader Kaleidoscope Star River!

It meant their civilization Rank would be at least Rank 3, truly progressing towards the legendary Rank 4 civilization!

It meant that the status, resources, and future of all of them would be elevated to an unprecedented height!

“Congratulations, Dominator! Ascending to the Star River! Dominating all ages! May the Divine Kingdom prosper forever!”

“Congratulations, Dominator! Ascending to the Star River! Dominating all ages! May the Divine Kingdom prosper forever!”

...The deafening shouts of homage converged into a torrent of energy, almost tearing apart this space, which had been reinforced countless times!

Huang Yu sat high upon his Divine Throne, enjoying the worship of trillions of yottas of his subjects.

His gaze swept over the crowd below, watching the Galaxy Level and Star Arm Level experts, who usually commanded great awe, now as excited and joyful as children. The sense of controlling everything swelled to its extreme within him.

Returning home in wealth without showing it off is like walking in embroidered clothes at night!

Breaking through to Star River Level—a Star System might not produce one in tens of trillions of years!

If he didn't celebrate lavishly, if he didn't let the entire Star System know, wouldn't he be wasting this supreme power?

Wasting these one hundred billion years of Lifespan?!

The celebration proceeded with ultimate luxury and fanaticism.

Fine wine flowed like a galaxy!

Delicacies piled up like nebulae!

Songs and dances never ceased, and energy boiled!

...Just as the festive atmosphere reached its climax, and everyone was immersed in boundless joy and infinite anticipation for the future—

Huang Yu, upon his Divine Throne, suddenly curved his lips into a playful smile, tinged with a hint of cruel amusement.

He gently raised his hand, and all the clamor instantly ceased, all eyes respectfully focused on him.

“The celebration is very good,” Huang Yu's voice was calm, yet it carried a power that could solidify Laws, “However, one thing is still missing to enhance the wine's flavor.”

His gaze seemed to pierce through endless time and space, precisely landing on that distant, secluded Star Domain, on that figure in a white dress, as cold as an immortal.

He could clearly perceive that the newly ascended Innate Radiant Body was female.

The next moment, Huang Yu slowly spoke in a tone as casual as instructing a servant to fetch a toy, yet arrogant and domineering to the extreme:

“Go.”

“Capture that newly ascended female Innate Radiant Body and bring her to this Dominator.”

“How can a Star River feast be without a peerless beauty to dance and entertain?”

“Taking an Innate Radiant Body as a concubine—an Innate Radiant Body that appears only once every hundred billion years or so in a Star System, and is billions of times rarer than an Acquired Radiant Body—only then does it match this Dominator's status today!”

As his words fell, he casually waved his hand, as if merely issuing a trivial command.

“Hui Guang, you shall go, hmm... you ten, go personally.”

“A mere initial Galaxy Level, must this Dominator personally take action?”

With the command issued, Huang Yu no longer paid attention to the matter, as if the Innate Radiant Body about to be captured was already a destined side dish for his banquet.

He picked up a cup of Divine Wine brewed from “Star River Essence,” took a leisurely sip, and continued to enjoy this Peak moment that belonged to him and the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom... Inside the palace, there was dead silence.

Everyone was shaken to their core by the Dominator's sudden, utterly domineering yet self-evident command!

Capturing a Galaxy Level existence with an Innate Radiant Body... just to... take her as a concubine for entertainment?!

What arrogance! Whatdomineering (overbearingness)?!

But the next moment, an even more fervent cheer erupted:

“Dominator Divine Might! Taking an Innate Radiant Body as a concubine is perfectly suited for this feast!”

“With Venerable Hui Guang taking action, it will surely be a cinch!”

“To the Dominator! To the Divine Kingdom!”

...Venerable Hui Guang and the other nine high-level Galaxy Level Venerables stepped forward in unison, bowing to receive their orders, their faces showing no hesitation, only absolute obedience and the cold resolve to execute the Dominator's will.

“We respectfully obey the Dominator's Divine Decree! We shall capture this woman and present her before the Dominator's chariot!”

Ten terrifying auras of high-level Galaxy Level experts soared into the sky, tearing through space, and instantly vanished from the celebration.

They headed straight for the distant Sagittarius Arm, which was still unaware of the impending disaster!

...The Dominator Huang Yu of the Yaoqiong Divine Kingdom, having broken through to Star River Level, casually issued the command to capture Yun Qinglan as a concubine during his grand celebration.

The storm had transformed into a giant claw tearing through the Star Sea, reaching out ferociously!