58: Zhou Zhenshan was shocked

Time flew by, and the simulated ecosystem of the Pillar of Leaders quietly cycled through five lunar phases. In the courtyard outside the window, exotic flowers bloomed and withered, withered and bloomed again, scattering glowing pollen of various colors that adorned the estate like a dream.

For Chen Jun, these five months were no longer a torturous countdown, but a pleasant and rapidly fleeting enjoyment.

Deep within his consciousness, the System interface that only he could see faithfully recorded the fruits of this "enjoyment":

【Remaining Lifespan】: 12 years 339 days 17 hours 22 minutes 08 seconds ...+ 10 ...+ 10 ...+ 10 ...

The numbers continued to tick upward at a steady rate of ten seconds per second, silent yet powerful.

Fifty months!

Over four full years of additional lifespan had quietly accumulated, and it was continuing to pile up at an astonishing speed.

This feeling of truly "earning money" every second—and earning life itself, no less—made Chen Jun's mindset increasingly composed, even taking on a leisurely laziness.

He felt as if time had been pressed on fast-forward; days passed by in a flash, yet they were fulfilling and peaceful.

The biggest change was that he no longer spent time specifically "admiring" the ticking lifespan numbers as he did at the beginning.

It wasn't that he didn't care, but that this "growth" had become an instinct as natural as breathing, deeply integrated into his life. Without needing to pay it any mind, it was simply there, stably and reliably supporting his infinite future.

Now, he focused more on enjoying that plain yet real sense of happiness.

A large part of this happiness came from his wife, Lin Wei.

Inside the bedroom, the lights were dimmed to a warm orange, and the air was filled with a faint, sleep-inducing fragrance—an aromatherapy blend Lin Wei had made herself from several calming herbs.

"Mmm... Brother Jun... what are you doing... now... it's a critical time right now..."

Lin Wei's voice carried a hint of lazy nasal tone and unconcealable shyness. Her cheeks were flushed red like a ripe peach, and as her gaze shifted, it held both the bashfulness of a young girl and the mature charm of a young woman.

The "Innate Nurturing Feedback" effect of the Innate Star Body fetus far exceeded her expectations. Coupled with the tonics that the various factions of the Federation had been finding ways to send over ever since Chen Jun's "blessing in disguise"—tonics she even found extravagant—her cultivation had skyrocketed from mid-level War God Level to high-level War God Level in just five short months!

At high-level War God Level, one possesses a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, and she was only thirty-four, the age when vitality is at its most vigorous and physical functions are at their absolute Peak.

Abundant energy, a powerful physique, skin that had become increasingly delicate and lustrous from being nourished by energy... as well as the sensitivity and fullness unique to pregnancy, made her resemble a delicate flower in full bloom, radiating astonishing charm.

As for Chen Jun, although he was still essentially a Mortal Body, his physical state, forcibly built up by massive amounts of rare treasures, was vigorous and robust. He had more energy than an eighteen-year-old, combined with the thoughtfulness and technique of a mature man.

At this moment, he was gently embracing his wife from behind, his hot breath spraying against her sensitive ear. One hand was restlessly and gently caressing her protruding belly, feeling the vitality of the little life inside, while the other hand...

"Don't worry, wifey. I asked Dean Mo Heng, and he said our baby is sturdy. Besides, at this stage... moderate exercise is good for the physical and mental health of pregnant women..."

Chen Jun's voice was low and magnetic, filled with laughter, while his movements became increasingly provocative.

"You... when did you run off to ask Dean Mo Heng such a question?! How embarrassing!" Lin Wei was so embarrassed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, but her body was so soft she couldn't muster any strength, and she could only weakly swat at her husband's mischievous hand.

"What's embarrassing about that? This is science, the great subject of life reproduction!" Chen Jun said righteously, lowering his head to kiss her smooth neck and shoulder. "Dean Mo Heng is the Federation's top life scientist, with detailed data and solid theories... He even praised me for my strong thirst for knowledge..."

He wouldn't admit that he had deliberately taken this question to "consult" with him during one of his visits to the Academy of Sciences to "cooperate with research."

Thinking of how Mo Heng had been utterly speechless yet dared not lash out at the time, the smile at the corner of Chen Jun's mouth deepened.

"You... you have the most twisted logic... mmm..." Lin Wei's resistance weakened, her breathing gradually quickened, and her body honestly responded to her husband's teasing.

Ever since Chen Jun "recovered," the intimate life between the couple had become exceptionally harmonious and frequent.

Without the worry of lifespan deductions—after all, Lin Wei was already pregnant, and the System would not trigger—Chen Jun let himself go completely. Combined with his excellent physical condition, it was naturally a nightly indulgence, with him constantly finding new ways to stir things up.

Lin Wei was already at an age with strong needs and deeply loved her husband, so, half-reluctantly, she often became lost in it as well.

The night deepened, and the bedroom was filled with spring, whispers and gasps weaving into the most moving symphony.

"... Brother Jun... do you think... this time... will it be a boy or a girl?" In the heat of passion, Lin Wei's eyes were hazy, and she gasped out the question she had been keeping in mind.

Chen Jun's movements paused slightly, and he chuckled inwardly.

A girl!

It was definitely a girl!

The System's 【No Kun】 rule locked it tight!

But he said gently, "Boy or girl, it's all good, they are both our treasures. However... if it could be a son, to make the character 'Good' for you, that might not be bad, right?"

He was teasing her on purpose.

Sure enough, a trace of expectation flashed in Lin Wei's eyes, but she immediately shook her head and hugged him tightly. "Regardless of whether it's a boy or girl, as long as it's like you, it's fine... as long as they are safe and healthy, that's all that matters..."

Chen Jun's heart softened, and he kissed her forehead. "Mmm, everything will be fine."

That's right.

Everything will be fine.

He had plenty of time to wait for a house full of children and to wait for his Family to flourish.

...

Besides indulging in the lap of luxury, another of Chen Jun's great pleasures was going to the Federation Academy of Sciences to "cooperate with research."

This had almost become the top entertainment project in his monotonous, long-lived life.

On this day, he once again responded to Dean Mo Heng's "invitation" and arrived at that familiar observation room filled with various cutting-edge instruments.

"Mr. Chen, you're here! Please, sit! How are you feeling today? Is anything uncomfortable?"

As soon as Dean Mo Heng saw Chen Jun, he immediately put down the data pad in his hand and walked over with a warm, almost fawning smile, personally pulling out a chair for him.

Yet deep within that smile, a trace of indelible heartache and pain was impossible to hide.

Every time he saw Chen Jun looking so radiant and full of life, Mo Heng felt his heart bleeding!

So many peerless treasures!

How many Planetary Level experts could they have created?

And yet they had just piled it all onto this... good-looking but useless "showpiece"!

The most critical thing was that they hadn't researched a damn thing!

"Sorry to trouble you, Dean. I'm doing great, eating well and sleeping soundly." Chen Jun sat down in a bold and unrestrained manner, smiling. "What new tricks do you have today? Bring them on, I'll cooperate!"

He wore an expression of fearless dedication, as if to say, "I sacrifice myself for science."

The corner of Mo Heng's mouth twitched, and he forced a smile. "Hehe, Mr. Chen is very broad-minded; the Federation will not forget your contributions. Today, we mainly want to monitor the subtle fluctuation patterns of your life magnetic field in a static state, and try to build a more precise model..."

As he spoke, he directed his assistants to start those dazzlingly complex devices.

Cold probes touched his skin, an invisible energy field enveloped his whole body, and various beams of light scanned back and forth.

Chen Jun leaned back comfortably in the chair, almost wanting to doze off.

After a while, as if he suddenly remembered something, he asked curiously, "By the way, Dean Mo, the last one... the 'Mitochondrial Activity Overclocking Oscillation' project in my cells, has there been any progress? I see it bouncing around quite energetically."

Upon hearing this, Mo Heng's expression stiffened. He pushed up his glasses to hide his embarrassment. "Uh... this... it's still under analysis. The amount of data is a bit large, it might... it might be a kind of unknown energy resonance phenomenon..."

That's what he said, but his inner thoughts were completely different.

Resonance phenomenon, my ass!

The data for that thing was chaotically devoid of any pattern!

It was like someone had taken a pen and scribbled all over the data chart!

It was impossible to build a model at all!

"Oh..." Chen Jun nodded and asked again, "What about the 'Hidden Information Flow in the Non-coding Region of the Gene Chain'? Did you dig up any treasures? Maybe it contains some ancient secret technique?"

Mo Heng's forehead began to sweat. "This... the information flow is overly complex, and the encryption method is... uh, extremely unique. We are currently still in the preliminary stage of deciphering it..."

Deciphering?

Deciphering my foot!

That was just a bunch of meaningless, randomly arranged base pairs!

The so-called "information flow" fluctuations detected were more like instrument errors!

"Is that so..." Chen Jun revealed a perfectly appropriate look of "regret" on his face, while blooming with joy on the inside.

Watching the researchers around him scratching their heads, furrowing their brows, and arguing in low voices over the chaotic data on the screens, and seeing Mo Heng's expression—a mix of forced smiles, distress, and helplessness—a huge sense of superiority welled up within him.

"Research away, research to your heart's content."

"Use your most advanced technology and your sharpest minds to study me, this 'Universe-level unsolved mystery'!"

"Anyway, you will never guess that the answer isn't on a physical level at all, but inside a System that you cannot understand or detect!"

"This god's-eye view is truly endlessly amusing!"

Just then, the door to the observation room was lightly knocked.

An assistant researcher stepped forward and whispered a few words to Mo Heng.

Mo Heng frowned slightly, seemingly annoyed at the interruption, but upon hearing the identity of the visitor, he nodded: "Let him in. It just so happens that the preliminary scan here is almost finished."

The door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in cautiously. He was wearing a crisp, dark blue Federation official uniform, with a star-trail badge on his epaulets representing the authority to govern a planet, and his presence was as steady as a mountain.

He first bowed respectfully to Mo Heng: "Dean Mo Heng, sorry to intrude. Your subordinate, Zhou Zhenshan, Governor of Zhiyuan Star, has been ordered to come to the Academy of Sciences to collect the resource allocation approval for this quarter, and I also wanted to take the Opportunity to visit you and ask for advice on some issues regarding planetary ecological circulation Systems."

Zhou Zhenshan, a Planet-level Peak expert!

Within the Star Domain of Zhiyuan Star, spanning several light-years, he was the supreme administrator whose words were law, holding the fate of billions of lives in his hands!

He was a big shot whose mere stamp of the foot could make the entire Zhiyuan Star tremble!

But here, in this Holy Land of Federation science, before Mo Heng—a Stellar Level big shot and Dean of the Academy of Sciences—he appeared extremely humble and respectful.

Mo Heng just gave a faint "Hmm," his gaze never leaving the data screen: "Go find Director Li of the Logistics Department for the approval later. For the ecological circulation issues, go find Academician Liu of the Environmental Institute; I'm busy here."

His attitude couldn't be called cold, but that condescending, habitual indifference was obvious.

"Yes, yes, yes, this subordinate understands." Zhou Zhenshan replied quickly, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

His gaze carefully swept over the cutting-edge instruments in the observation room that he couldn't understand at all, and finally landed on Chen Jun, who was sitting leisurely in the main seat.

At this sight, his heart suddenly "thumped," and stormy waves surged within him!

Who is this person?

He looks so young, and his aura...?

Huh?

I can't feel any energy fluctuations at all?

Like a Mortal?

But he is actually able to sit there, with Dean Mo Heng personally accompanying him for research?

And looking at Dean Mo Heng when he speaks to him, that tone...

Although he still maintains the dignity of a Dean, it faintly carries a hint of... politeness?

Or even a trace of imperceptible... ingratiation?!

Zhou Zhenshan had managed to reach Planet-level Peak and govern a planet; his ability to observe and analyze expressions was already masterful.

He would absolutely not be wrong!

Dean Mo Heng's attitude toward this young man was definitely extraordinary!

What kind of background does this young man have?

A direct descendant of the Federation's three top powers?

A Personal Disciple of some supreme existence?

Or...

Just as Zhou Zhenshan was wildly speculating internally while not daring to reveal a thing on his face...

Chen Jun also noticed this new visitor.

"Governor of Zhiyuan Star?" Chen Jun's eyes lit up slightly, and he took the initiative to speak with a smile, his tone relaxed and natural, "Oh, I know that place. I actually grew up on Zhiyuan Star."

Meeting someone from home in a foreign land!

Although it didn't count as an "old acquaintance," hearing from a leader from his hometown still gave him a sense of familiarity.

"!!!"

Zhou Zhenshan's whole body stiffened violently, his pupils instantly contracting!

He... is he talking to me?

He actually took the initiative to greet me?

And he's so approachable?

And... what did he say?

He grew up on Zhiyuan Star?!

Zhou Zhenshan's brain was like being struck by lightning, instantly beginning to wildly fill in the blanks!

Grew up on Zhiyuan Star?

Looks so young?

Can make Dean Mo Heng treat him with courtesy and even faintly ingratiate himself?

Yet he himself feels no energy fluctuations?

Either he is a Mortal, or his Realm is so high that it is completely beyond his understanding!

The answer seemed ready to emerge!

This must be a Stellar Level big shot who has mastered techniques to maintain his youthful appearance, has lived for who knows how many tens of thousands of years, and has been in secluded cultivation or had a past on Zhiyuan Star!

Perhaps he is one of the Federation's founding heroes who long ago stopped concerning themselves with worldly affairs!

Maybe even a comrade-in-arms from the era of Leader Yun Xi!

Just because of some reason, he looks young and is accustomed to hiding his aura!

Yes!

It must be like this!

Otherwise, everything before his eyes cannot be explained!

...

Tremendous shock and awe instantly filled Zhou Zhenshan's heart, and he felt his legs going a bit weak.

Opportunity!

A heaven-sent Opportunity!

To actually encounter a living fossil of an ancient existence who walked out of Zhiyuan Star!

If he could establish even a little connection...

Zhou Zhenshan reacted extremely quickly; the respect on his face instantly increased by ten levels. Almost in the posture of meeting a superior, he bowed slightly, his voice carrying a trace of excitement and trembling:

"So... so you actually have such a connection with my Zhiyuan Star! This Junior, Zhou Zhenshan, currently serving as the Governor of Zhiyuan Star, may I ask for your name? Where did you reside when you were on Zhiyuan Star? After I return, this Junior will definitely carefully check... ah, no, I mean, reminisce and pay my respects!"

He almost let it slip, saying "check the archives," and quickly corrected himself.

Chen Jun, watching Zhou Zhenshan's excited, awestruck, and even slightly fearful appearance, was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what the other party had imagined.

Good grief!

Is he mistaking me for some old monster living in seclusion on Zhiyuan Star?

He almost couldn't hold back his laughter, but his face revealed an unfathomable, indifferent smile, and he waved his hand in a cooperative and playful manner:

"It was all a long time ago. There's no need to mention names, and the place I lived has long since changed its appearance, I suppose. Governor Zhou, there is no need for such formalities. Governing Zhiyuan Star well and guarding the territory for the Federation is the real priority."

The more he said this, the more Zhou Zhenshan became convinced of his own guess!

Look at that!

That indifferent attitude!

That tone of pointing out things to a Junior!

That demeanor of hiding one's achievements and fame!

...

It must be it!

"Yes, yes, yes! Your instruction is correct, Sir! This Junior will definitely fulfill my duties and will never fail the expectations of the Federation and you!" Zhou Zhenshan was so excited that his face turned red, as if he had received a supreme commendation.

Beside him, Dean Mo Heng watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, wisely choosing not to expose it.

Could he really tell Zhou Zhenshan that this "ancient existence" was actually just an F-Rank Mortal Body who had gotten lucky but was now useless, and whose actual age was who knows how many cycles younger than him?

He could not!

Not only because of the terrifying potential of Chen Jun's four daughters with the Innate Sun Body, but also because... he couldn't afford to lose face like that!

Did he want to tell others that their Academy of Sciences and a group of Stellar Level big shots had been played in circles by a Mortal Body, and had even lost a massive amount of resources?

Therefore, Mo Heng could only acquiesce, and even had to help maintain this beautiful misunderstanding.

Chen Jun, watching Zhou Zhenshan, who looked like he wanted to kowtow and pledge allegiance on the spot, felt incredibly satisfied inside!

This pleasure of secretly acting cool was simply the best seasoning on the road to immortality...

He chatted with Zhou Zhenshan a few more times about the local customs of Zhiyuan Star, occasionally revealing details in his speech that only old residents would know, which made Zhou Zhenshan even more convinced, and his attitude became increasingly respectful.

Until the scan ended, Chen Jun stood up to take his leave.

Both Mo Heng and Zhou Zhenshan personally escorted him to the door of the observation room.

"Safe travels, Sir!" Zhou Zhenshan bowed and saluted, watching Chen Jun's back disappear at the end of the corridor, his eyes full of fervor and determination.

Go back!

Upon returning, he would immediately access the oldest population archives of Zhiyuan Star!

The kind with the highest security clearance!

Even if he had to turn the archive upside down, he must find out the background of this gentleman!

This was not just to satisfy his curiosity, but a heaven-sent Opportunity!

If he could use this to establish a connection with this "ancient existence," his future in the Federation... would definitely be bright!

Chen Jun whistled, walking on the road back to the manor in a pleasant mood.

He could almost imagine how wonderful the expression on Governor Zhou's face would be when, after returning and making a huge fuss to check the archives, he finally discovered that Chen Jun was just an orphan born in a shanty town over thirty years ago with F-Rank Aptitude...

"Sigh, boring immortal life; one has to find some fun for oneself." He chuckled, his steps becoming even lighter.

The outline of his home was already in sight in the distance, warm light spilling out through the windows; his wife and children should be waiting for him to eat.

Eternal life, a leisurely daily routine, occasional mischief, and a warm home.

Such a life seems... really quite nice.