39: The belated controversy

Pillar of Leaders, Yun Xi's residence — Jingsi Hall.

This place was like a miniature starry sky that had been carved out separately.

Beneath one's feet were flowing nebulae, and overhead were ancient constellations, but there was none of the cold, deathly silence of the Universe; instead, it was filled with a gentle and vast life energy.

Yun Xi often sat here in meditation; her consciousness seemed to merge with this place, extending to every corner of the Human Federation's territory, perceiving the breath and pulse of civilization.

At this moment, she was suspended in the center of the hall, her eyes slightly closed; her left eye reflected the flow of the galaxy, while her right eye held the sedimentation of eons of rise and fall.

The preliminary deployment regarding the "kindling" project had already been transmitted through thought.

Just then, at the edge of Jingsi Hall, a slowly rotating phantom of a pale blue star lit up slightly, and a clear and respectful thought wave was transmitted: "Leader, Venerable Yuehua requests an audience."

Yun Xi slowly opened her eyes, a flash of imperceptible understanding crossing them.

Yuehua... She had indeed come.

"Come in."

Yun Xi's voice resonated peacefully throughout the hall.

Starlight rippled slightly, and a graceful figure penetrated the barrier of the hall walls, appearing silently before Yun Xi.

The person was dressed in a moon-white classical long dress, with intricate and mysterious silver patterns embroidered on the hem; as she moved, it was as if real moonlight were flowing.

Her appearance was extremely beautiful, but it was a beauty that chilled to the bone, not of the mortal world; her skin was so fair it was nearly transparent, and between her brows and eyes, there was a sense of indifference and detachment born from enduring endless years.

However, in the deepest part of those ice-sealed eyes, there hid a trace of a barely perceptible, burning desire for something.

Yuehua, the first Innate Star Body recorded in the history of the Human Federation!

She was not Yun Xi's Personal Disciple; in that distant era when she was born, Yun Xi herself was still groping along the path of growth.

But she was undoubtedly one of Yun Xi's oldest comrades and followers, having witnessed nearly ninety thousand years of the Federation's trials and tribulations.

Relying on her supreme Aptitude and the accumulation of long years, she had long since Cultivated to an extremely profound Realm, reaching the Advanced Stellar Level; her strength was second only to Yun Xi, making her the Federation's undisputed second pillar.

Her most recent direct descendants could be traced back tens of thousands of years.

Her former partners and concubines had long since turned into the dust of history.

Her long life had long since smoothed away her interest in romance; only the improvement of power and the continuation of civilization could cause ripples in her calm, ancient-well-like state of mind.

"Leader."

Venerable Yuehua bowed slightly, her posture impeccable, her voice as cold and clear as an ice spring dripping onto a jade plate.

"Venerable Yuehua, no need for such formalities."

Yun Xi raised her hand gently, gazing at her with a gentle expression.

"Coming here at this time, is it for the matter of the 'kindling'?"

Venerable Yuehua straightened up, her ice-blue eyes looking directly at Yun Xi, without any circumlocution:

"Precisely. Leader, I believe I am the most suitable candidate."

Her tone was calm yet determined, carrying a confidence based on absolute strength and seniority.

"Oh? State your reasons."

Yun Xi did not seem surprised, gesturing for her to continue.

"First, Aptitude."

Venerable Yuehua said indifferently,

"I was once an Innate Star Body, and now I am an Acquired Moon Body; my strength is at the Advanced Stellar Level, and the Stellar Level Peak is not impossible. In terms of genetics and the level of life Origin, apart from you, no one in the Federation can compare to me. Combining with that Chen Jun, the theoretical probability of producing high-quality offspring is the highest. It is even... possible to surpass an Innate Moon Body."

"Second, strength and state of mind. I have lived for over ninety thousand years; my will is already indestructible, sufficient to handle any situation, and I will never let personal emotions or trivial matters interfere with the 'kindling' project. I can clearly recognize the essence of this matter—it is to continue the fire of civilization for the Federation, not about romance between men and women."

"Third, Reverse-Feed efficiency."

She paused and continued to analyze calmly,

"According to the Qin Qingxuan case, the higher the Aptitude of the mother and the stronger the strength, the stronger the 'Innate Nourishment Reverse-Feed' that can be endured, and the greater the benefits. I can maximize this opportunity to attempt a Breakthrough to the Stellar Level Peak, or even... glimpse the legendary possibility of the Star Arm Level. This will greatly enhance the Federation's high-end combat power."

"Fourth, I have no attachments. I have no direct close relatives, no factional ties, and will not cause any unnecessary Family interest entanglements because of this matter. The ownership and upbringing of the offspring will be completely led by the Federation, which is the most pure."

Her argument was clear and logical, rational to the extreme, as if she were not discussing her own participation in reproduction, but stating an optimized mathematical formula.

Yun Xi listened quietly, without committing herself.

Venerable Yuehua's conditions were indeed extremely superior, even perfect.

Just as she was about to speak, another thought wave came from outside the hall.

"Leader, Xuanji requests an audience!"

This thought wave carried a hint of urgency and unquestionable firmness.

Venerable Yuehua's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

A trace of helplessness flashed in Yun Xi's eyes:

"Come in."

Starlight flashed again, and another figure stepped into the hall with a decisive and swift manner.

The person was wearing a crisp, dark blue Federation Marshal's uniform, with bright stars on the epaulets; her posture was as straight as a pine, and her face was full of heroic spirit, looking as if she were only in her thirties, but the iron-blooded Aura of long-term battlefield experience and decisive killing intent between her brows was enough to inspire awe.

Xuanji, one of the three Stellar Level Marshals of the Federation Military, at the Middle Stellar Level!

She was not an Innate Star Body, but an iron-blooded Marshal who had fought her way up step by step from the battlefield of mountains of corpses and seas of blood; relying on countless Breakthroughs on the edge of life and death and the allocation of massive resources from the military, she had forcibly condensed from an Innate Martial Body, step by step, to a powerful Acquired Moon Body, breaking through to the Stellar Level.

She was the sharpest blade in the steel Great Wall of the Federation against the Tristan Empire!

"Teacher!"

Xuanji first gave a standard military salute to Yun Xi, then her gaze swept like lightning across the Venerable Yuehua on the side; she was not surprised, but rather, her Battle Intent grew stronger.

During the meeting earlier, she had already sensed the abnormality of certain female Stellar-level Experts.

"Marshal Xuanji, what is the matter?"

Yun Xi asked.

"Leader! I am here for the 'kindling' project!"

Xuanji's voice was sonorous and powerful, with the straightforwardness unique to a soldier,

"I believe that as the military representative, I am the most suitable candidate!"

Without waiting for Yun Xi to ask, she began to state her reasons, her speed fast and clear:

"First, need! The front-line war is tight! The 'Doomsday Beast Nest' technology of that bunch of scum from the Empire is becoming more and more difficult to deal with! We need more and stronger high-end combat power! An Innate Moon Body, or perhaps even a stronger offspring, has immeasurable strategic value! The military needs this power more than anyone!"

"Second, contribution and loyalty! I, Xuanji, have fought for the Federation for tens of thousands of years, with countless scars large and small on my body, and countless times on the verge of death! My loyalty and contribution can withstand any test! If I carry this 'kindling', the whole army will be convinced!"

"Third, practicality! My Acquired Moon Body was forged in blood and fire, with a solid Foundation and deep potential! If I receive the Reverse-Feed and break through to the Advanced level or even the Peak, the actual combat ability I can exert will be far beyond that of ordinary ascenders! I can immediately convert this power into a battlefield advantage!"

"Fourth, offspring cultivation! The military has the strictest teaching system and the most brutal combat environment! If the offspring born is handed over to the military for cultivation, it will surely become the most powerful war weapon, clearing away all enemies for the Federation!"

Her reasons were equally sufficient, full of iron-blooded and practical color, carrying the scent of gunpowder brought from the front line.

Venerable Yuehua snorted coldly, her voice still cold and clear, but with a sharp edge:

"The battlefield changes in an instant, and accidents happen frequently. Marshal Xuanji is tied to the safety of the front line; how can you easily take risks? If there is a change on the front line during pregnancy or Breakthrough, which is more important? For Reverse-Feed improvement, a stable Realm is the Foundation; being eager for quick success may lead to an unstable Foundation."

Marshal Xuanji glared back without giving an inch:

"Venerable Yuehua has stayed in the rear of the Federation for tens of thousands of years; do you know how many soldiers die on the front line every day? A stable Foundation is important, but the Empire will not give us time! Only by forming combat power as quickly as possible can we save more lives! Besides, my Foundation, Xuanji's, was fought for, not raised!"

The two gazes met in the air, seemingly sparking invisible flames; although the Stellar Level Aura was restrained as much as possible, it still caused this quiet starry sky to twist slightly.

Yun Xi rubbed her temples.

Just then, a third and fourth thought wave came almost simultaneously.

"Teacher, Su Yao requests an audience!"

"Teacher... student Qing Lin requests an audience."

Yun Xi sighed softly:

"Come in, all of you."

Starlight flashed in succession, and two more female Stellar-level Experts with vastly different styles but equally vast and powerful Auras appeared in the hall.

One was dressed in a research robe embroidered with patterns of various precision instruments, wearing rimless glasses; her temperament was intellectual and focused, and her eyes were full of the desire to explore the unknown.

She was Su Yao, the chief life scientist of the Federation Academy of Sciences, at the Beginner Stellar Level.

She was not known for her combat power, but her scientific research wisdom was crucial to the Federation.

The other one appeared much younger, dressed in a pale green lotus dress, her temperament gentle with a hint of shyness, but the energy hidden within her body was not small at all.

She was Qing Lin, Beginner Stellar Level, Innate Star Body, and was currently the youngest Stellar-level Experts known to the Federation, with huge potential.

As soon as Su Yao entered, her gaze directly ignored the confronting Venerable Yuehua and Xuanji, and she looked at Yun Xi fanatically:

"Teacher! This is a miracle of life science! An unprecedented research sample! Please, you must let me participate! I need the most direct first-hand data! This concerns our ultimate understanding of the Origin of life and genetic transition! This is of great significance to the overall improvement of the Federation's future!"

Qing Lin looked at the two Seniors somewhat embarrassedly, then respectfully said to Yun Xi:

"Teacher... although this student's Aptitude is shallow... perhaps... perhaps I can also provide high-quality... that... genetic sample. And the student is young, the plasticity might be stronger..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, her cheeks blushing slightly.

At this moment, Jingsi Hall became completely "lively."

Venerable Yuehua: Oldest seniority, best Aptitude, strongest strength, coldest mindset, most rational reasons.

Marshal Xuanji: Illustrious battle achievements, representing the military, most urgent needs, most practical reasons.

Chief Su Yao: Scientific representative, seeking truth, aiming for overall improvement, most "scientific" reasons.

Qing Lin: Young with great potential, reasons... a bit cute?

Four female Stellar-level Experts, representing different backgrounds, different demands, and different advantages, were gathered here now for the same purpose.

"Su Yao! This matter concerns civilization strategy; is it something for you to use for research?"

Venerable Yuehua said coldly.

"Venerable Yuehua, science is the primary productive force! Only by thoroughly understanding it can we better utilize it!"

Su Yao argued strongly.

"Junior Sister Qing Lin is still young; such a heavy responsibility might be too much pressure."

Marshal Xuanji tried to "persuade" the youngest competitor to quit.

"Senior Sister, I... I can do it!"

Qing Lin retorted softly but firmly.

"The front line can't wait! The military must have priority!"

"Seniority and strength are the key to ensuring success rate!"

"Scientific research needs the most suitable samples!"

"I... I am young..."

...

Jingsi Hall, at this moment, seemed to have turned into the highest-level debate scene of the Federation.

Four women standing at the pinnacle of human power were now arguing until their faces were red over the question of "who gets to have children with Chen Jun."

Although they maintained the demeanor of experts on the surface, the clash of thoughts and the sharp exchanges of words were extremely intense.