19: Decide

Chen Jun stared blankly at the starry sky outside the window, not even noticing the slight sound of footsteps behind him.

"Daddy?"

A clear voice, tinged with a hint of worry, rang out.

Chen Jun snapped back to reality, hurriedly wiped his face, and switched the military channel, not wanting his daughter to see the cruel war, before turning around with a forced smile.

It was Chen Xi.

She had arrived in the living room at some point, still wearing her silver-blue Star Track Academy uniform. A trace of confusion was on her small face as she looked at the light screen in front of her father, which hadn't been fully turned off and still bore traces of war news.

"Xi Xi, you're back? How were your classes today?"

Chen Jun tried hard to make his voice sound normal.

Chen Xi did not answer immediately. She walked to her father's side, imitated his posture, looked out at the vast starry sky, and then said softly:

"Daddy, are you watching the Interstellar Military Channel too? Our teacher often makes us watch it as well."

Chen Jun's heart tightened:

"Your... teacher makes you watch this?"

"Mm-hmm."

Chen Xi nodded, her eyes clear and earnest. She didn't have the fear that most children her age shouldn't have; instead, she possessed a calmness driven by a sense of duty.

"Teacher Su says we are the future of the Federation and must know what is happening on the front lines and how powerful our enemies are. The teacher says that knowledge and power are meaningless if they cannot be used for protection."

She paused, a firmness appearing on her young face that didn't match her age:

"Daddy, when I grow up, I want to join the military, or like Teacher Su said, become a brilliant scientist, build the most powerful warships and weapons, and drive those bad Empire people away! That way, not so many uncles and aunts will sacrifice themselves, and their families won't be so sad."

As his daughter spoke, her face seemed to glow with a pure light.

He looked at his daughter's young yet determined profile, watching the longing for the future and the sense of belonging to the Federation in her eyes, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

His daughter, having enjoyed the top-tier resources and training provided by the Federation, had naturally developed a desire to give back.

Yet everything she possessed was, in a sense, exchanged for the consumption of his own lifespan. If his daughter's Aptitude were the same as his, the grand ideals of the Federation would have absolutely nothing to do with her.

He thought about his remaining 18 years of life. Even if he kept his secret guarded tightly, what could he do in these 18 years?

Would he just drag out his existence, watching his daughters step onto a broader stage while he accelerated toward old age, eventually becoming a burden to them?

Perhaps he wouldn't even live to see the day they truly shone?

Conversely, if... if he could use this limited lifespan to secure a safer, stronger future for the Federation for his daughters, to clear some obstacles for them... or even, if he could exchange for a longer life for himself and Lin Wei, so he could accompany them for longer...

A crazy and bold idea began to grow wildly in his heart.

He reached out and gently stroked his daughter's hair, his voice slightly hoarse:

"Xi Xi, you want to protect the Federation and everyone, and Daddy is very proud of you. But... war is cruel; you must become strong enough."

Chen Xi snuggled into her father's arms, feeling his comforting scent, and for once, showed a hint of a little girl's reliance:

"I know, Daddy. I will train very, very hard! Once I become a Planet-level Expert, I will be able to protect Daddy, Mommy, and my little sisters!"

His daughter's words were innocent yet filled with power!

He hugged his daughter tightly, took a deep breath, and seemed to have made a certain decision:

"Good, Daddy believes in you. Go rest, Daddy... still has some things to think about."

After sending his daughter away, Chen Jun sat alone in the living room for a long time, until night completely veiled the starry sky.

He finally picked up his internal communicator and connected to Qin Qingxuan's private line.

"Manager Qin, this is Chen Jun. I think... we need to talk again."

...

It was still that spacious yet oppressive office.

Qin Qingxuan seemed to have expected him to come and was waiting calmly.

Chen Jun did not beat around the bush. He looked directly into Qin Qingxuan's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, and said in as calm a tone as possible:

"Manager Qin, I cannot give you a definitive explanation, and there is no so-called 'key' or 'item'."

He carefully weighed his words, weaving a lie that was half-true and half-false:

"I suspect... I may have an extremely special Physique. This Physique causes me to consume a certain 'Origin' of my own, or rather... my life force, when... procreating."

He observed Qin Qingxuan's reaction. She remained expressionless, though her gaze became slightly more focused.

"After every... time, I feel unusually exhausted, and my aging accelerates. The Aptitude of Xi Xi, Yao Yao, and Lu Lu, perhaps... perhaps that is what was exchanged for this consumption."

He said with difficulty, trying his best to make it look like he was stating a conjecture,

"This is just my speculation; I cannot prove it."

Qin Qingxuan's fingers tapped lightly on the desk. She didn't speak, signaling him to continue.

Chen Jun gritted his teeth and decided to cast some bait, also to secure the greatest benefit for himself:

"And... I have a vague feeling that... the higher the Aptitude and life level of the spouse I unite with, the better the 'exchange' might... be."

He finally revealed his true intent and made his request:

"Therefore, if... if you wish to verify my speculation, or if you hope for... better 'results', first, you need to improve the Aptitude of my wife, Lin Wei. She is only F-rank. If she can undergo Awakening for an Acquired Martial Body and reach the Warrior Rank..."

Qin Qingxuan finally spoke, her voice cold and rational:

"Mr. Chen, you should know that with F-rank Aptitude, one's life form is basically solidified after reaching adulthood. To forcibly awaken genetic potential and guide the condensation of an Acquired Martial Body requires an astronomical amount of resources, and the process carries significant risks. The success rate is not one hundred percent."

She paused and looked at Chen Jun with a sharp gaze: "In a situation where you cannot provide conclusive evidence, and it is merely an unverifiable 'speculation' and 'feeling', it is difficult for me to agree to such a huge investment of resources that might just go down the drain."

Chen Jun's heart sank.

However, Qin Qingxuan changed the subject:

"However, if your 'speculation' can be verified... or rather, if you are willing to 'prove' your value first."

She leaned forward slightly and tossed out a bargaining chip that made Chen Jun's heart stop:

"Then, not only can I mobilize all resources to ensure that Ms. Lin Wei safely undergoes Awakening for an Acquired Martial Body, but I can even... help you break through the shackles of F-rank, allowing you to enter the Warrior Rank as well."

"Once you undergo Awakening for an Acquired Martial Body, your maximum lifespan will increase to two hundred years. This means you will have more time to accompany your exceptionally talented daughters."

Two hundred years!

This number exploded in Chen Jun's mind like a thunderclap!

To someone like him, who only had 18 years of life left, this was an irresistible temptation!

This meant he could accompany his daughters for over a hundred more years!

Seeing the intense longing bursting forth in Chen Jun's eyes, Qin Qingxuan knew she had found the most effective Breakthrough point.

"Of course, the prerequisite for everything is,"

She resumed her cold tone,

"that your 'Physique' can indeed bring the value that meets expectations. You need to prove it with facts."

After a long silence, Chen Jun slowly lifted his head, looked at Qin Qingxuan with complex eyes, and said in a dry voice:

"I... what do I need to do?"