55: Many children, many blessings

Deep within the Pillar of Leaders at the Federation Academy of Sciences, lies a Top-Secret Life Observation Room.

Su Yao floated before a massive, transparent Life-Support Pod filled with pale blue nutrient solution.

Inside the pod was a microscopic energy projection of her own womb—an embryo that had just passed the initial cell division stage and was differentiating at a speed that defied common sense, emitting a heart-palpitating faint light.

Countless fine energy probes and invisible Law sensors, like the most precise tentacles, surrounded the Life-Support Pod. They converted every nanosecond of the embryo's changes into a massive data stream, projecting it onto the light screens around Su Yao.

Data refreshed like a waterfall on the lenses of her glasses. Her brow was furrowed, and she muttered to herself with a mix of obsessive fanaticism and deep confusion:

“Cell division speed is exponentially exceeding theoretical limits... The energy absorption pattern cannot be analyzed, as if it's drawing directly from a higher-dimensional space-time... The gene chain is self-optimizing and recombining toward Perfection... This doesn't follow any known principles of biology, energetics, or even the study of Laws!”

She pulled up previous research data on Chen Jun for comparison.

“The father's genetic fragments are unremarkable, even containing a large amount of ‘junk DNA.’ While the maternal genes are excellent, it's absolutely impossible for them to support a leap of this magnitude... Genetic factors are ruled out.”

“Energy interaction during gestation... is nearly zero! Aside from those incomprehensible Law fluctuations at the start, the subsequent energy supply is entirely self-sufficient by the embryo...”

Su Yao felt the scientific System she had studied her entire life being crushed inch by inch before this tiny embryo.

She tried to apply various theories to explain it.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Overturned!

Conservation of Energy?

A joke!

The Central Dogma?

Ground into the dirt!

She even used the Academy of Sciences' latest observation equipment capable of slight interference with Laws. The result was even more despairing—the equipment returned a chaotic, incomprehensible 'rule turbulence,' as if a higher-dimensional will had directly written a new 'base code' exclusive to this life!

“This... just what kind of power is this?”

Su Yao took a dazed step back, her face filled with shock and bewilderment.

“...Is this the secret of the Innate Sun Body? It's not just superior Aptitude, but... a darling of the Universal Laws? A manifestation of some incomprehensible Origin will of the Universe?”

She recalled the vague records of those with Innate Aptitude in the ancient texts of civilization ruins. She used to think they were mere exaggerations or limited by the ancients' understanding, but witnessing it now, she realized how narrow-minded she had been!

Science appeared so pale and powerless at this moment.

An unprecedented sense of awe, like the cold tide of a sea of stars, submerged this Chief Academician who firmly believed in the supremacy of science.

She finally understood why Leader Yun Xi placed such importance on those with Innate Aptitude, and why Venerable Yuehua's gestation of a Sun Body would cause such a stir.

This had already transcended the realm of power and touched the deepest mysteries of the Universe!

Just as her mind was racing—

Inside the Life-Support Pod, the embryo that had been slowly emitting light suddenly jolted!

It was like the first ray of light at the dawn of the Universe, or a miniature star suddenly being ignited!

Grand and majestic, pure yang and supreme, containing endless vitality and the power of creation, the Solar Origin fluctuation erupted from that tiny, newly formed embryo like a supernova, without warning and with immense power!

The Innate nourishment Reverse-Feed had begun!

“Buzz—!”

Every instrument in the secret observation room instantly blared with ear-piercing alarms. All data panels turned blood-red as values spiked until they overflowed!

That terrifying solar energy, like a physical tide of golden light, instantly filled the pod, then penetrated the pod walls, surging through Su Yao's body!

“Ugh—!”

Caught off guard, Su Yao was instantly enveloped by that vast yet gentle power.

She felt as if she had been plunged into a warm ocean composed of the purest life Origin!

Every cell cheered and leaped, frantically absorbing this unimaginable gift!

The Bottleneck of the primary Stellar Level she had been stuck at for nearly ten thousand years actually began to loosen and disintegrate under the wash of this power!

Her perception of cosmic energy became clearer than ever before. Law fragments that were previously obscure and difficult to understand were now as clear as the lines on her palm!

Her Soul seemed to be washed, becoming more condensed and transparent!

This is... the nourishment Reverse-Feed of the Innate Sun Body?!

To think it would be so terrifyingly powerful?!

A monstrous wave surged in Su Yao's heart, and all her research thoughts were cast to the winds!

To hell with research!

To hell with data!

The most important thing now was to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Without hesitation, she immediately sat cross-legged in the air, fully circulating her primary Cultivation Technique, the Myriad Transformations Source Return Scripture, greedily absorbing and refining this continuous, surging Solar Origin energy.

Her aura began to climb at a visible rate. Law runes naturally manifested around her, flowing and becoming more complex and profound.

The scientist's rationality was replaced by the most primal desire for evolution.

At this moment, she no longer thought about the 'why,' but simply immersed herself in this miracle bestowed by the Universe... Chen Jun Manor.

The warm time after dinner continued.

Chen Jun held Chen Xingyu, who was already tired from playing and was giving small yawns in his arms. He looked at Lin Wei leaning beside him with soft eyes and listened to his other three daughters huddled together, whispering about the new combat techniques they learned at the Academy. His heart was filled with peace and contentment.

The simulated starlight outside the window fell gently, lengthening the shadows of the Family and weaving them together.

However, at the very moment this harmony reached its peak—

An absolutely cold, absolutely rational notification sound, as if from the Origin of the universal rules, rang out without warning and exploded in the deepest part of Chen Jun's consciousness!

【Ding—!】

【Detected that the number of the host's direct Bloodline descendants has reached: 10.】

【Hidden Trial: 'Spreading the Leaves' (Conceiving/Owning 10 or more biological children) has been completed.】

【The final binding program of the 'Everlasting Kindling Eternal Unique System' has been initiated...】

【Binding complete!】

【Core function 'Multifortune' has officially Awakened!】

【Functional Details:】

【Multifortune】:

【Longevity Multiplier】: The host has a keen perception of Lifespan fluctuations. For every biological child living in the world, the host will automatically be provided with 【1 day】 of standard Lifespan every day, settled in real-time. (For any external means of probing Lifespan, the host's remaining Lifespan will be displayed as a constant 6-year decline, isolating all forms of piercing through 【Longevity Multiplier】. )

【Multiple Benefits】: The host has a keen perception of beneficial state fluctuations (limited to perception). For every direct descendant who is not a biological child (i.e., grandchildren and subsequent generations), at the moment of their natural or unnatural death, the host will automatically obtain all 'beneficial state gains' they possessed at the time of death, including but not limited to: all Cultivation energy, life Origin, Aptitude and talent, Cultivation Technique insights, combat experience, skill proficiency... and all other inheritable beneficial states. Note: Only beneficial states are inherited; injuries, curses, negative states... etc., are not. (All abilities obtained through 【Multiple Benefits】 are perfectly hidden, isolated from all detection, and never manifested externally.)

【Rule Supplement】: Revenue acquisition has no distance limit, ignores any form of shielding or obstruction, and is transmitted directly based on Bloodline.】

【May... the kindling be passed on forever, and blessings flow long.】

The cold notification sound ended.

The detailed rules, containing endless information, were directly imprinted in the depths of his Soul, clear and indisputable.

Chen Jun felt as if he had been struck by an invisible bolt of Chaos lightning, freezing in place instantly!

Chen Xingyu in his arms seemed to feel her father's sudden stiffness and shifted uneasily.

But Chen Jun did not react.

His mind went blank; all thoughts and perceptions ceased at that moment.

The laughter of his daughters in his ears, the sound of the simulated wind outside, the warmth of the daughter in his arms... everything seemed to drift away from him.

In the entire world, only the echo of that cold notification sound and those two simple rules that were enough to overturn everything remained!

Every biological child provides one day of Lifespan every day?

Inherit all beneficial gains upon the death of descendants who are not biological children?

Cultivation, Aptitude, Cultivation Techniques, experience...?!

What... what does this mean?!

Chen Jun's breathing stopped abruptly, his pupils contracted wildly, and then suddenly dilated!

His heart felt as if it were gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand, then suddenly released, beginning to beat violently at a near-frenzied frequency. Blood surged through his limbs like lava!

An indescribable, extreme ecstasy and hope, enough to ignite the Soul, erupted within him like a volcano that had been building up for billions of years!

Lifespan!

His greatest shackle, the source of all his tragedies, the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head... just like that... it was solved?!

Every day!

Extra Lifespan coming in every single day!

He has ten children now!

No!

In another hour, when the embryo in Liu Ruyan's womb forms, there will be eleven children!

That's eleven years of Lifespan coming in every year!

He originally only had six years of Lifespan left, but now, for every year that passes, his total Lifespan won't decrease; instead, it will net an increase of ten years!

Consume one year, gain ten years?

Is this... a perpetual motion machine?!

No!

It's the key to eternal life!

As long as his children are alive, he can live forever!

And that's not enough!

There's the second rule!

When grandchildren and later descendants die, he can inherit everything from them!

Cultivation! Aptitude! Cultivation Techniques! Experience!... What was he?

He was an F-rank waste!

A mortal body!

Unable to Cultivate!

But in the future, what will his descendants be?

Given eternal time and the speed of human reproduction!

There won't just be a vast number of Acquired Martial Bodies!

There will also be... Innate Martial Bodies! Innate Star Bodies! Innate Moon Bodies! Innate Sun Bodies! And even... higher!

They will become Gods of War! Planetary Level! Stellar Level! Star Arm Level! ...And even higher!

And the moment their Lifespan is exhausted or they meet an unnatural death... the power they spent their lives bitterly Cultivating, their enviable top-tier Aptitude, their combat experience, and their insights into the Laws... will all be perfectly stacked onto him without any loss!

What kind of Heaven-Defying ability is this?!

He doesn't need to Cultivate!

He only needs to... live!

Watching his Family branch out and flourish!

The more numerous and powerful his descendants are, the longer he can live, and ultimately, the stronger he will become!

kindling never dies... Eternal and Unique... So... so this is the true meaning of the System's name?!

It's not a one-time trading tool!

It's... it's an infinite engine for the reproduction and expansion of a Family!

And he, Chen Jun, is the core engine igniter and the ultimate beneficiary!

It has been over thirty-four years since he transmigrated!

From an ordinary corporate slave on Blue Star, to an orphan struggling to survive at the bottom of society in this interstellar era, then to the mixture of fear and hope when he discovered the System deducted his Lifespan, followed by the despair and persistence of overdrawing his Lifespan time and again for his Family, the humiliation and helplessness of being treated as a tool, and the fear and unwillingness regarding a future with only six years of life left... thirty-four years!

How much hardship had he endured?

How much suffering had he faced?

How much worry had he carried?

How many tears had he shed?

...He thought he was an outcast of fate, a guttering candle destined to burn out and be heartlessly discarded after being used up!

He had even prepared himself to spend the last six years accompanying his Family and then calmly face death!

As it turns out... the path has taken a sudden turn!

A glimmer of hope in the darkness!

No!

This isn't just a turn in the path!

This is being snatched directly from the abyss of despair and lifted into the clouds!

No!

It's being placed directly upon a divine throne!

The massive contrast and shock caused Chen Jun's spirit to instantly reach a state of extreme excitement!

"Heh... hehe..."

He first let out a low, uncontrollable chuckle, his shoulders beginning to tremble slightly.

In his arms, Chen Xingyu was startled by her father's strange movements; her little mouth puckered, looking as if she was about to cry.

"Hahaha... Hahahaha!!"

The chuckle quickly turned into an uncontainable, hearty roar of laughter!

Chen Jun jerked his head up, his face a distorted mask of extreme ecstasy, relief, madness, and a hint of tears!

He laughed until his whole body shook, laughed until tears surged out wantonly, sliding down his cheeks which had just regained their youth but were now flushed with excitement.

Those were not tears of sadness, but tears of hope!

Tears of thirty-four years of suppression finally being released in an instant!

Tears from seeing an endless, bright future!

"Hahahaha!! I'm alive! I've finally made it!! Hahaha!!"

He seemed half-mad as he stood up abruptly, holding the crying little Xingyu and spinning in circles. He didn't even notice little Xingyu's wailing, still immersed in his massive joy.

"Brother Jun?!"

"Daddy?!"

This sudden turn of events instantly stunned everyone in the living room.

Lin Wei and their three daughters were all terrified, rushing over in a panic.

"Brother Jun! What's wrong? Don't scare me!"

Lin Wei's face turned pale with fright as she tightly gripped his arm, her voice carrying a sob.

She thought her husband's mental state had been damaged by the torture of the past half-month, and he had finally broken down!

"Daddy! What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Chen Xi was also so anxious she was close to tears.

"Daddy! Put sister down! You're holding her too tight!" Chen Yao wanted to take the uncomfortable little Xingyu from him.

"Dad! Calm down!" Chen Lu tried to get him to stop spinning.

Chen Jun seemed unable to hear their voices, still immersed in his own world, laughing as tears flew, repeatedly muttering:

"I'm alive! There's hope! I don't have to die! Hahaha! I can even become stronger! No one can push me around anymore! Hahaha!"

The more he thought, the more excited he became!

The Federation?

The Leaders?

Stellar Level big shots?

Existences he previously had to look up to, fear, and submit to... now, in his eyes, everyone present...!

Of course, he would never wish for anything to happen to his descendants.

But the existence of this rule itself meant that his future confidence would be unimaginably profound!

His daughters, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren... they would become the solid foundation of his power!

As long as the Family line continued, he could live forever and even... reach the absolute peak!

"System! System! You're a damn good thing! A heavenly good thing! Hahaha!"

He couldn't help but scream madly in his mind at the cold, silent System.

After a long while, Chen Jun finally recovered slightly from that state of extreme excitement.

He stopped his pace and looked at the heart-wrenchingly crying little Xingyu in his arms, and his wife and daughters who were pale with fright around him, only then realizing he had lost his composure.

He quickly took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the joy that was almost bursting through his skull, but the madly upturned corners of his mouth simply wouldn't stay down.

He carefully handed little Xingyu to the frantic Lin Wei, then looked at the worried and terrified eyes of the four of them, trying to make his voice sound more normal, though his trembling tone and shining eyes betrayed him:

"It's... it's nothing! Weiwei, Xi'er, Yaoer, Lu Lu, I'm fine! Don't be afraid!"

He wiped the tears from his face with force, yet his smile grew even more brilliant:

"I'm happy! I'm just so happy! I suddenly realized something wonderful! Something... something great that will keep our Family safe forever!"

Lin Wei, holding the still-sobbing little Xingyu, looked at her husband with uncertainty and reached out to touch his forehead:

"Brother Jun... what is really going on with you? Don't scare us... what wonderful thing? Are you... are you just too tired from this past half-month?"

She became more convinced that her husband's mind had been stimulated, and he was starting to talk nonsense.

"No! It's not exhaustion! It's true! A wonderful thing!"

Chen Jun grabbed her hand and squeezed it firmly, his eyes shining brightly, filled with unprecedented vitality and hope.

"Weiwei, trust me! From today on, everything is different! Truly! I will never leave you again! Our Family will be together forever! It will only get better and better!"

He looked at Lin Wei, then at his three daughters, his gaze sweeping over them one by one, his eyes tender and firm, as if looking at the most precious Treasure Troves in the world.

These were all his children!

They were the source of his Lifespan!

They were his hope for the future!

"Daddy..." Chen Xi called out worriedly.

"I'm really fine, just too happy."

Chen Jun rubbed his eldest daughter's hair and then looked at Lin Wei's lower abdomen, where his unborn child still resided.

Eleven!

Eleven years of Lifespan every year!

And there would be even more in the future!

His smile became even more uncontrollable.

"Alright, alright, everything's fine now. It's my fault for scaring you and Little Star."

Chen Jun worked hard to calm his excited heart, but the ecstasy surging from the depths of his Soul still made him seem to be glowing.

"It's getting late. Xi'er, take your sisters to rest. You have to go to the Academy tomorrow."

He sent his three daughters off to sleep.

The daughters looked back at every step, worriedly watching their seemingly 'abnormal' father, but they ultimately obeyed and returned to their rooms.

Only Chen Jun and Lin Wei remained in the living room, along with little Xingyu in her arms, who had gradually stopped crying and was looking at her father curiously.

"Brother Jun..." Lin Wei was still full of worry.

"Weiwei,"

Chen Jun took her hand again, looking at her with an incredibly serious gaze, his voice trembling slightly with excitement but filled with power.

"I know you don't believe me right now, and you might not understand. But I swear to you, everything I've said is true!"

"Our Family's suffering has truly come to an end! From today on, good luck is coming! Massive good luck!"

He couldn't explain the System, so he could only emphasize repeatedly:

"You only need to know that your husband, me, Chen Jun, will never have to worry about Lifespan issues again! We will have a lot, a lot of time to watch the children grow up, get married, start careers, and have children of their own... We will live together for a long, long time, until you're tired of looking at me!"

Lin Wei looked at the brilliance and confidence in her husband's eyes that she had never seen before—it was almost overflowing. It was a transformation from the depths of his Soul; he didn't seem to be lying.

Although it still felt inconceivable, her heart felt inexplicably much more at peace.

She leaned gently into her husband's embrace and said softly:

"Mm... I believe you... As long as you are well, anything is fine..."

Chen Jun tightly held his wife and daughter, feeling this regained Perfection, and looked out the window at the brilliant starry sky that seemed to shine just for him.

His future had never been as clear, bright, and full of hope as it was at this moment!

The System's cold notification tone was, without a doubt, the most wonderful gospel in the Universe to him!

His life, from this moment on, had completely changed!

...