37: Codenamed "Torch"

Hearing Chen Jun's self-deprecating yet incredibly realistic banter, Lin Wei was stunned for a moment before she burst out laughing, the lingering anxiety between her brows dissipating mostly with that laugh.

"You... you're always so irreverent."

She lightly punched Chen Jun's arm in mock annoyance, but her tone was much lighter.

"But you're right. This place... it's probably a paradise that many in the Human Federation couldn't even dream of. Although... although it might not be as free, compared to our days in the Shantytown worrying about where our next meal would come from, it's like heaven and earth."

She looked around the estate, which was as beautiful as a fairyland, breathing in the air that made her whole body feel comfortable, and her gaze gradually became relieved: "Since we're here, let's make the best of it. For Xi'er, Yaoer, Lu Lu, and Xingyu, and for you—as long as our family is together and safe, anywhere is home. Especially here."

She paused, her voice dropping a bit, carrying a trace of dreamlike sentiment.

"Sometimes, I'm really afraid this is just a dream, and I'll wake up back in that drafty little shack..."

Chen Jun put his arm around his wife's shoulders and gave them a firm squeeze.

"Silly girl, I've already figured it out. Since we can't resist life, we might as well enjoy it. Let's see just how luxurious this top-tier 'nursing home' of the Human Federation really is..."

Just as Chen Jun's family began to explore their new home, marveling at the technology and comfort inside that far exceeded their imagination...

At the core area of the Pillar of Leaders.

Inside a magnificent hall that seemed to be condensed directly from starlight, a meeting concerning the ultimate destiny of the Human Federation's future was being held silently.

There was no public announcement, no tedious formalities.

But inside the hall, the holographic projections that lit up one after another—some solid, some slightly illusory—were each enough to cause a shockwave across a galaxy if they appeared in the outside world!

All three hundred and eight existing Stellar-level Experts of the Human Federation, whether they were in the bustling Capital Circle, far away on the smoke-filled frontlines of the war against the Tristan Empire, or deep in the Wild Star Domains on scientific expeditions, had all "descended" here at this moment!

Their titles varied—Dragon King of Prison Suppression, Sword Venerable of the Nine Heavens, Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion, Dean Xuanji, Blaze Army Lord... Behind every name was a legend recorded in films or books, each a towering pillar supporting the dome of human civilization.

Their appearances and temperaments were also different; some were as majestic as mountains, some were elegant and otherworldly, some were filled with chilling Evil Qi, and some possessed deep-seated wisdom.

But without exception, they all possessed power as unfathomable as the deep abyss and the vast sea, along with profound gazes that could see through the world, honed over long years.

Their attire ranged from the latest stellar energy battle armor to ancient-style robes and scholar's gowns, from crisp Human Federation Marshal uniforms to white coats covered in scientific symbols.

At this moment, these major figures, whose every step could make the Human Federation's territories tremble, all stood solemnly, their gazes fixed on the main seat at the very front of the hall.

There, Yun Xi quietly appeared.

She was still in a plain white dress, her bare feet suspended three inches above the ground. No overbearing Aura emanated from her, but the moment she appeared, all the Stellar Level energy fluctuations in the entire hall naturally converged and subsided, as if a cluster of stars were revolving around their sole center.

Her gaze calmly swept over every expert below; her left eye clearly reflected the present, while her right eye held the vicissitudes of ancient times.

"Teacher!"

Three hundred and eight Stellar-level Experts, regardless of age, seniority, strength, or position, all bowed slightly and spoke in unison.

Their voices echoed in the hall, carrying heartfelt reverence.

This was civilization's praise for its pioneer, the gratitude of the younger generation for their guide, and power's tribute to wisdom and magnanimity.

Yun Xi nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

She didn't waste time with pleasantries and went straight to the point, her cold and ethereal voice reaching the ears of every expert:

"I have gathered you all today because of a matter concerning the future survival and prosperity of our human civilization. This matter is classified as the Human Federation's highest secret, codename 'kindling'."

As she spoke, light converged in front of her, quickly constructing an extremely detailed and complex dynamic holographic model.

At the core of the model was the image of a middle-aged man with an ordinary, even somewhat weary and weathered face—it was Chen Jun.

The background of the model began to flow and demonstrate in the form of a timeline and chain of events.

"This man is named Chen Jun. A former resident of Zhiyuan Star, energy affinity: F-Rank, Mortal Body."

Yun Xi's voice had no emotional fluctuations; she was simply stating facts.

A very slight ripple of commotion arose among the crowd below.

F-Rank Mortal Body?

How could such a person be related to the "future of civilization"?

But no one spoke; everyone watched and listened patiently.

They believed that the Leader would never speak without purpose.

"Around Star Year 99776, he united with Lin Wei, who was also an F-Rank Mortal Body."

Fragments of Chen Jun and Lin Wei living together in the Shantytown appeared in the holographic image; the scenes were simple, even a bit desolate.

"Eleven years ago, their eldest daughter, Chen Xi, was born."

The screen switched to a baby girl.

"When Chen Xi turned five, she participated in the Human Federation's Aptitude census."

The image became clear, showing that sensational scene at the District Seven Public Testing Center!

The testing instrument erupted with the brilliant light representing an "Innate Martial Body," along with the expressions of unbelievable shock on the faces of the surrounding staff!

"Census result: Innate Martial Body!"

Yun Xi's voice fell.

In the hall, several Stellar-level Experts nodded slightly, their eyes showing signs of appreciation.

"Innate Martial Body? Not bad! For F-Rank parents to give birth to an Innate Martial Body is an extremely low-probability event, but the Universe is vast and full of wonders; it's quite a pleasant story."

An old man in a researcher's white robe, known as Dean Xuanji, smiled as he stroked his beard. He was the helm of the Federation Academy of Sciences.

"She's a good prospect. With proper training, she will be another fierce general of our Human Federation in the future."

A Blaze Army Lord, with marshal's insignia on his shoulders and an Aura like a sea of blood and rock, said in a deep voice. He seemed to already see another elite who could step onto the battlefield.

Most experts held similar thoughts, feeling gratified but not overly surprised.

After all, while an Innate Martial Body was rare, a few would always appear every year given the Human Federation's massive population base.

Yun Xi didn't care about the reaction below and continued to state calmly:

"Ten years ago, the second daughter, Chen Yao, was born."

"Nine years ago, the third daughter, Chen Lu, was born."

"When the second daughter Chen Yao turned five, she participated in the Aptitude census."

The holographic image became clear again, this time at the more advanced "Hall of Enlightenment" testing center in the Upper District.

When almost the same brilliant light erupted again from the testing instrument Chen Yao was in, the screen captured the expressions of all the staff on-site, even including several War God Level officials, who were instantly petrified as if they had seen a ghost!

"Census result: Innate Martial Body!"

Yun Xi's voice remained calm.

But this time, the originally relaxed and appreciative atmosphere in the hall instantly froze!

The smiles on the faces of all the Stellar-level Experts slightly stiffened.

"Another one?"

Dean Xuanji's hand stroking his beard stopped, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"Both sisters are? This... a coincidence?"

Another female expert with an ethereal temperament, known as the Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion, frowned slightly.

The probability was already outrageously low!

F-Rank parents, and two consecutive offspring are both Innate Martial Bodies?

This had already exceeded the scope of "luck"!

However, before they could think further, Yun Xi's voice rang out again, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating even larger ripples:

"On the same day, because the eldest daughter Chen Xi was already an Innate Martial Body, their family received significant attention from Qin Qingxuan of the Star Rail Group, and an advance Aptitude estimation test was conducted on the third daughter, Chen Lu."

In the image, a flight vehicle quietly scanned a smaller girl.

The light shone once more!

Although it wasn't as brilliant as her two older sisters', the unmistakable "Innate Martial Body" Aptitude marker clearly entered the eyes of all the Stellar-level Experts!

"Estimation result: Innate Martial Body!"

Boom!

At this moment, the hall could no longer maintain absolute silence!

Three hundred and eight Stellar-level Experts almost simultaneously had slight changes in their Auras. Though they immediately restrained themselves, the countless shocked and unbelievable gazes interweaving at that moment seemed to cause the energy field of the entire hall to fluctuate for an instant!

"A third one?!"

The Dragon King of Prison Suppression roared in a low voice, his physique as burly as a mountain, his tiger-like eyes wide and round.

"This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The Sword Venerable of the Nine Heavens' voice was sharp, and an invisible Sword Intent seemed to hum around him.

"An F-Rank Bloodline, producing top-tier Aptitude three times in a row? Unheard of! Unprecedented in all of history!"

"Could it be some kind of unknown genetic mutation? Or..."

Dean Xuanji had completely fallen into the state of a mad scientist's contemplation, staring feverishly at Chen Jun in the holographic image.

"We must immediately conduct the most comprehensive genetic sequencing and life Origin analysis!"

All calmness and composure vanished.

When things are this abnormal, there must be something behind it!

Three consecutive offspring, all Innate Martial Bodies!

This had completely overturned their understanding of genetics and the Laws of life!

Yun Xi's gaze swept over the commotion below; she seemed to have long anticipated everyone's reaction.

She didn't explain, but just gave a light tap.

The holographic image changed again.

A woman with a cold temperament and exquisite beauty appeared on the screen, but there was a hint of a difficult-to-resolve knot between her brows—Su Wan.

Her lower abdomen was slightly bulging.

"Chen Jun united with a woman named Su Wan and fathered a daughter named Su Xingyao."

The image fast-forwarded; a baby girl was born, and a secret but high-specification Aptitude test was conducted in a special monitoring environment.

The moment the test results came out—

The entire hall instantly fell into a dead silence!

A light even more dazzling and profound than before, as if containing endless stellar vortices, occupied the entire image!

Above that light, a clear Aptitude marker they were all most familiar with slowly rotated—

"Innate Star Body!"

Those words were like bolts of Chaos Lightning striking into the deepest part of every Stellar Level Expert's mind!

"Star... Star Body?!"

The Blaze Army Lord took a sudden step forward, his virtual figure flickering, his face filled with a complex expression of shock and wild joy.

"Innate Star Body! It really is an Innate Star Body!"

An elderly Stellar Level Old Ancestor's voice trembled, so excited he could hardly contain himself.

"Su Wan... I remember her. Her talent was decent, but she was only an Acquired Martial Body. How could she give birth to an Innate Star Body?!"

The Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion's beautiful eyes were full of disbelief.

Everyone's gaze once again locked onto that seemingly ordinary man in the image—Chen Jun!

If three consecutive Innate Martial Bodies were a subversion of cognition, then the appearance of an Innate Star Body was already a miracle!

An F-Rank Mortal Body, united with an Acquired Martial Body, gave birth to the legendary Innate Star Body?!

This could no longer be explained by any existing scientific theory or probability!

However, the miracles did not end there.

Yun Xi's voice, as if leading them to peel away layers of a mythological veil, rang out again:

"Chen Jun united with his first wife, Lin Wei, once more."

In the image, Lin Wei's abdomen was bulging again.

"Just a few days ago, the fourth daughter, Chen Xingyu, was born."

Another secret high-specification test.

That same brilliant, deep starlight, symbolizing an infinite future, lit up again!

"Test result: Innate Star Body!"

Silence!

Absolute silence!

Inside the hall, one could hear a pin drop!

The three hundred and eight Stellar-level Experts seemed to have collectively turned into statues; even the flickering of their virtual projections seemed to have stopped.

Shock was no longer visible on their faces; instead, it was a kind of near-numb, incomprehensible daze and awe.

Another Innate Star Body!

Still that F-Rank Mortal Body man!

Still that first wife who was originally an F-Rank Mortal Body!

This could no longer be described as a miracle; this was simply... a gift from the Law!

A bug in the Universe!

Before they could recover from the impact of these two consecutive Innate Star Bodies, Yun Xi's final announcement was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, or like throwing a supernova into their already tumultuous Seas of Consciousness!

"About a year ago, Chen Jun united with Qin Qingxuan, the daughter of Qin Pojun and the former head of the Star Rail Group on Zhiyuan Star."

Qin Qingxuan's image appeared; her powerful energy Rank made her recognizable to many present.

"Currently, Qin Qingxuan's pregnancy has been confirmed."

Yun Xi's voice paused slightly, as if even she felt a very subtle fluctuation in her emotions when mentioning this.

She looked up, her gaze sweeping over all the petrified experts below, and said every word clearly:

"Based on a preliminary judgment of the intensity of the 'Innate Nurturing Feedback' borne by the mother and the Origin fluctuations emitted by the fetus..."

"The expected Aptitude is—"

In the holographic image, a singular scene was simulated: it was as if a cold and bright moon was slowly rising in the endless sea of stars, its moonlight spilling down, purifying all things, and causing the Laws of the Universe to emit a subtle and profound resonance... Yun Xi's voice, accompanied by this vision, spread through the hall:

"Innate Moon Body!"

Thud!

An elderly Stellar Level Old Ancestor, due to excessive emotional agitation, had his virtual projection blur, nearly "disconnecting" on the spot!

The invisible Sword Intent swirling around the Sword Venerable of the Nine Heavens completely spiraled out of control, emitting a piercing screech and slicing through the surrounding virtual space!

Dean Xuanji's mouth hung open, and he didn't even notice the virtual data pad falling from his hand onto the virtual floor.

The Dragon King of Prison Suppression, the Blaze Army Lord, the Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion... all the experts, without exception, completely lost their composure!

Innate Moon Body!

That was the Innate Moon Body!

In the entire hundred-thousand-year history of the Human Federation, there had been only one Innate Moon Body!

And that was the Leader before them—Yun Xi!

And now, the Leader was telling them that another Innate Moon Body was being nurtured?!

And the source of all this pointed to that seemingly ordinary, even somewhat weak F-Rank man—Chen Jun!

At this moment, no one thought about probability, science, or genes anymore!

The way they looked at Chen Jun's image had completely changed.

It was no longer curiosity toward a "lucky person" or an "abnormal individual," but as if they were looking at an inexhaustible, peerless Treasure Trove capable of supporting the leap of an entire civilization!

The kindling of civilization!

The hope for the future!

Yun Xi took in everyone's reactions and spoke slowly, her voice returning to absolute calm and majesty:

"Now, do you all understand the meaning of the word 'kindling'?"

"Chen Jun, and this inexplicable, unreplicable 'ability' he possesses, will become the most core strategic resource for our Human Federation against the Tristan Empire and even for venturing into the deeper Universe in the future!"

"His value exceeds any one of us here, including me."

"His safety is the Human Federation's highest security!"

"His existence is the Human Federation's highest secret!"

"Effective immediately, the 'Kindling Guardian Group' is established, with me personally serving as the group leader, and everyone present as members. We will jointly formulate all protection and... follow-up plans regarding Chen Jun."

"The survival of civilization depends on this."

"Everyone, let us strive together."

Inside the starlight hall, after the dead silence came three hundred and eight firm gazes like burning stars, along with a unified response that shook the starry sky:

"We obey the Teacher's (Leader's) command! For the survival of civilization, we will not hesitate even in the face of death!"