65: A true powerhouse!

Deep within the Qin Estate, the festive atmosphere suddenly surged to a height that left the younger generation of the Qin Family suffocating, as several vast Auras, deep as abysses, descended.

In the waterside pavilion, Qin Hao, Qin Yuer, and the others hadn't even had time to fully recover from the shock and fear caused by Su Xingyao's appearance before their minds were completely overwhelmed by the scenes that followed.

The first to arrive was a figure as brilliant as a great sun, yet carrying a scholarly air.

The Dean of the Federation Academy of Sciences, Dean Xuanji, Mo Heng!

He was still dressed in his white research robe, but today his face carried a rare, obvious smile, and he was followed by two assistants carrying gift boxes.

As soon as Mo Heng's figure appeared on the path leading to the Jade Washing Studio, his gaze habitually swept across the surroundings like a scanner, immediately locking onto Chen Jun, who was crouching down and speaking softly with Su Xingyao.

This titan of the Federation's scientific world suddenly broke into an extremely warm, perhaps even slightly... fawning? smile. His pace involuntarily quickened, and he almost jogged over to them.

“Mr. Chen! You really are here! Oh, and the little princess Xingyao is here too! This is truly a double blessing, the Spiritual Qi is quite vibrant!” Mo Heng's voice was loud, carrying an undisguised attempt to please. “The weather is wonderful today, and Mr. Chen’s complexion is even better than before. It seems you have rested exceptionally well lately! Excellent! Excellent!”

As he spoke, he even tried to pat Su Xingyao’s head. The little girl cleverly dodged him, but he didn't mind, instead letting out a hearty laugh.

Chen Jun was focused entirely on his daughter, feeling the wonderful throb of their shared Bloodline. He only casually glanced up at Mo Heng and gave a faint “Mhm” as a response before returning his gaze to Su Xingyao, asking softly, “Does Yao Yao like the stars? Uncle... knows many stories about the stars.”

That attitude was as casual as greeting a neighbor, rather than facing a Stellar Level powerhouse.

However, Mo Heng didn't mind in the slightest; in fact, he took it as a matter of course, nodding repeatedly. “Mr. Chen, please, carry on! Accompany the little princess first! I’ll head inside to congratulate Qingxuan first and speak with you later!”

Having said that, he walked toward the Jade Washing Studio with his assistants, looking satisfied. As he passed the waterside pavilion, he didn't even notice the Qin Family juniors who had already turned into stone statues.

Inside the pavilion, there was a deathly silence.

Qin Hao's mouth was open wide enough to fit an egg, and his eyes were bulging so much they almost fell out.

D-Dean Mo Heng?!

The leader of the Federation Academy of Sciences!

An intermediate Stellar Level giant!

What... what did he just do to that ‘Mortal’?!

He enthusiastically jogged over?!

The smile on his face... it was almost wrinkled like a chrysanthemum!

He even said ‘better complexion’ and ‘speak later’?

What... what the hell is going on?!!!

How could a piece of trash without even a trace of energy fluctuations deserve to have Dean Mo Heng act so subserviently?!

Qin Hao felt his worldview collapsing.

However, this was only the beginning.

Immediately after, a peerless and sharp Sword Intent pierced through the air. Though it was instantly retracted, the residual rhythm that seemed to slice through the Void Realm still made everyone’s Souls tremble.

Nine Heavens Sword Venerable Li Qingshan had arrived!

He wore a green robe, his posture as upright as a sword, his gaze as sharp as lightning.

His arrival made the very air seem to freeze.

Li Qingshan’s gaze swept across the scene, and likewise, it first landed on Chen Jun and Su Xingyao.

On his habitually cold face, which usually looked like ten-thousand-year-old ice, he actually squeezed out a smile that could be called ‘gentle.’ He stepped forward and slightly cupped his fists toward Chen Jun. “Mr. Chen, I trust you have been well. Little Xingyao, you’ve grown taller again.”

Though his tone still possessed the brevity of a swordsman, his attitude was clearly that of an equal, or even... carrying a trace of subtle politeness?!

Chen Jun still only looked up at him once, nodded as a greeting, and then looked back down at Su Xingyao. “Look, this Uncle Li is very powerful. He can cut stars with his sword.”

Su Xingyao looked curiously at Ling Jueding, her large eyes blinking as if wondering how one cuts a star.

Li Qingshan felt a bit embarrassed under the little girl's gaze. He gave a dry cough and said to Chen Jun, “Mr. Chen, please continue. I shall head inside first.”

With that, he also walked quickly toward the Jade Washing Studio.

He and all the Stellar-level Experts knew that Su Xingyao was Chen Jun's daughter, so they didn't mind Chen Jun's coldness.

Daughter?

What a distant term!

Tens of thousands of years ago, I also had biological children!

But not a single one could break through to the Planetary Level...

Even if they had reached the Planetary Level, it would only be ten thousand years. My lifespan of nearly a hundred thousand years is destined to be lonely, with only my sword for company...

He still vaguely remembered the joy of becoming a father for the first time...

...

Next, as if by appointment, one Stellar Level giant after another—figures who were usually as elusive as dragons—began to appear.

Master of the Sky-Patrol Pavilion Chu Yueyao, Ice Phoenix Leng Qingqiu, Madam Heavenly Sound Su Miaoyin, Soul-Rending Blade Li Zhantian... one after another, Stellar Level powerhouses with Auras that were vast, cold, or surging with Evil Qi appeared like a revolving lantern.

And every single one of them, regardless of their personality or status, performed an identical action upon arriving at the scene without exception...

First, they searched with their eyes until they found Chen Jun's location.

Then, their faces would show smiles that were either enthusiastic, gentle, or slightly constrained.

They would then take the initiative to step forward and greet him with polite tones, some even carrying a hint of fawning.

“Mr. Chen, how have you been lately?”

“Little Princess Xingyao has become even more elegant!”

“If Mr. Chen has the time, you are welcome to come to my pavilion for tea.”

“A little trinket for little Xingyao to play with.”

...

And Chen Jun's reaction remained consistent throughout.

He was indifferent and detached, with ninety-nine percent of his attention focused on Su Xingyao...

To the greetings of these Stellar Level big shots, he would at most nod, give an “Mhm,” or a simple “Good” or “You are thoughtful,” and say no more.

It was as if these major figures, who could make the Federation tremble with a stomp of their feet, were not as important as a single strand of his daughter's hair.

What caused Qin Hao and the others in the pavilion to break down even more was that these Stellar Level big shots, far from being dissatisfied with Chen Jun's nearly ‘arrogant’ attitude, instead showed expressions of ‘understanding’ and ‘as it should be’!

Some even seemed... overwhelmed by the favor?! just because Chen Jun looked at them for an extra second or replied with one more word.

“Am... Am I hallucinating?” Qin Yuer's face was deathly pale, her lips trembling as she gripped Qin Meng's arm tightly.

Qin Meng had long since been scared witless, only able to shake his head mechanically.

Qin Hao was even more pale, his body shaking like a sieve.

No matter how stupid or arrogant he was, he completely understood now!

The man he had scolded as a ‘waste’ and a ‘Mortal’ was not an ordinary person at all!

He was a terrifying existence that even Stellar Level giants had to carefully please and even curry favor with!

His background and identity had already exceeded the limits of what Qin Hao could imagine!

Thinking back on his actions just now, Qin Hao felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, and an uncontrollable warmth and moisture came from his crotch...

He... he had pissed himself in fear!

The warm, pungent liquid flowed down his pant legs, dripping onto the smooth floor of the pavilion.

Qin Yuer, Qin Meng, and the others nearby also smelled the odor. They looked at Qin Hao in horror, and then they themselves felt their legs go weak, a strong urge to urinate surging up, nearly losing control themselves!

“Hao... Brother Hao! You...” Qin Meng's voice trembled.

Qin Hao suddenly snapped back to his senses. Feeling the wet cold in his crotch and the horrified looks of his companions, a massive sense of shame instantly drowned him!

He couldn't admit it!

Absolutely not!

He was the most outstanding Genius of this generation of the Qin Family!

An SSS-grade Aptitude!

The existence who would rule Tianshu County in the future!

How could he wet his pants in fear in front of so many people?!

“Shut... Shut up!” Qin Hao's face turned as red as pig liver. He lowered his voice and roared with false bravado, “I... I accidentally knocked over some juice just now! Yes! It was juice!”

As he spoke, he subconsciously squeezed his legs together to try and hide it, but the smell and the obvious dark water stains on his pants only served to make it more apparent.

Seeing his pathetic state, Qin Yuer and the others were filled with fear and a strange sense of satisfaction, but no one dared to point it out. They could only agree one after another:

“Yes... Yes! It was juice!”

“Brother Hao was careless...”

“We didn't see anything!”

...

The few young people forcibly maintained their last bit of pathetic self-esteem, shrinking into the corner of the pavilion, shivering. They didn't dare look at the scene outside that had overturned their understanding, only hoping this nightmare would end quickly.

...

Compared to the fear and despair of Qin Hao and the others, those representatives who followed their own Old Ancestors or whose Old Ancestors' true bodies had not arrived were in a different state of mind.

They were the juniors or capable subordinates of certain Stellar-level Experts who were guarding the borders or could not attend for some reason. Most of their cultivation was at the Planetary Level, and they were figures who held sway in their own territories.

They didn't know Chen Jun.

Initially, they were stunned when they saw several Stellar Level big shots take the initiative to warmly greet a ‘Mortal’ with no energy fluctuations, while the other party remained indifferent!

Their hearts were filled with absurdity and disbelief!

“Who is that person? What a huge ego!”

“To dare to neglect a Stellar Level council member like that?! Do they want to die?!”

“Looking at the council members' attitudes... they seem to be perfectly fine with it?!”

...

All sorts of guesses and shocks churned in their hearts...

But!

As more and more Stellar-level Experts went to greet him, their attitudes without exception being polite or even fawning, their shock gradually turned into deep awe and curiosity.

They began to desperately memorize Chen Jun's appearance, temperament, clothing... and all other characteristics!

At the same time, they were frantically imagining his identity!

“He must be some ancient existence who has lived in seclusion and has a terrifyingly high seniority!”

“Perhaps a relative of the Leader?!”

“No, perhaps he is a mysterious messenger from an unknown civilization in the Universe?!”

“Regardless, remember this face! When we go back, immediately put him on the highest ‘must not offend’ list! No! The ‘must befriend’ list!”

...

These representatives exchanged glances, all seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.

For a moment, although Chen Jun had done nothing, he had invisibly become the most prominent focus of the entire outer Qin Estate. His image as a ‘mysterious big shot’ was firmly rooted in the hearts of these Planetary Level representatives.

...

Chen Jun was completely unaware of all these undercurrents, or rather, he simply didn't care.

His entire mind was immersed in his interaction with his daughter, Su Xingyao.

“Uncle Chen, do stars really sleep?” Su Xingyao asked curiously, looking up with her small face, the starlight around her body rippling slightly with her emotions.

“They do,” Chen Jun described using the most vivid language possible. “When a star gets tired, it blinks its eyes, and then slowly, its light becomes soft, just like being covered by a warm blanket, as it sleeps quietly until daybreak the next day, when it becomes bright again.”

He made up fairy tales, and seeing his daughter look so enthralled, his heart was filled with a soft sense of happiness.

This was his daughter, so cute, so pure...

“Then... do stars dream?” Su Xingyao pressed further, her large eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

“Of course they do,” Chen Jun laughed and lightly scraped her small nose. “Stars dream of many, many fun things, like dreaming of swimming in the Milky Way, or dreaming of playing hide-and-seek with little meteors...”

Su Xingyao was amused and giggled, her small hand tightly grasping Chen Jun's index finger as she leaned against him dependently.

Su Wan, watching this scene from the side, felt her emotions reach a peak of complexity.

Her daughter's smile was so genuine, and her closeness to Chen Jun was so natural.

In these eight years, she had never seen Xingyao show such unreserved trust and affection for anyone other than herself.

The power of that Bloodline connection was so strong it made her heart ache, and also made her... waver slightly.

Perhaps, letting the child have a father's love really was the right thing?

But... that transaction... that hurdle in her Dao Heart...

She turned her face away, unable to bear looking any longer, her heart filled with a mix of emotions...

At that moment, a gentle yet boundless pressure, as if it encompassed the entire starry sky, quietly enveloped the area.

There was no overbearing Aura, yet it made everyone present, including those Stellar Level powerhouses, instantly feel solemn respect and spontaneously bow slightly.

Leader Yun Xi had arrived.

She was still in her plain white long dress, her bare feet suspended in the air. Her left eye was clear while her right eye was full of the vicissitudes of time. Her gaze calmly swept over everyone, finally landing on Chen Jun and Su Xingyao.

“Teacher!” Seeing Yun Xi, Su Xingyao immediately called out happily, let go of Chen Jun's hand, and pounced toward her like a happy little bird.

A truly gentle and loving smile appeared on Yun Xi's face as she bent down to pick up little Xingyao. “Is Yaoer very happy today?”

“Mhm!” Su Xingyao nodded vigorously, pointing at Chen Jun. “Uncle Chen was telling me a story about stars sleeping! It was so fun!”

Yun Xi's gaze turned to Chen Jun, and she gave a slight nod. “Chen Jun.”

Chen Jun also put away the casualness he showed his daughter, stood up, and responded politely, “Leader.”

Toward this truly great and selfless leader who had protected the Federation for a hundred thousand years, Chen Jun held respect in his heart.

Although she had also tacitly allowed him to be ‘instrumentalized,’ from her height, perhaps there were unavoidable difficulties.

Moreover, she was indeed taking excellent care of his family now.

“Let's go in together,” Yun Xi said to Chen Jun and Su Wan while holding Su Xingyao.

“Yes,” Su Wan replied quickly, following respectfully behind.

Chen Jun also nodded.

The three followed Yun Xi toward the entrance of the Jade Washing Studio, which was enveloped by a powerful energy field, under the awe-struck gazes of the Stellar Level juniors and various representatives.

As they passed the pavilion, Yun Xi's gaze seemed to unintentionally sweep across the Qin Family juniors huddled inside, their faces pale and crotches wet. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but she didn't stop, heading straight inside.

It wasn't until the figures of Yun Xi and the others disappeared behind the light screen of the Jade Washing Studio that the stagnant atmosphere outside eased slightly.

Inside the pavilion, Qin Hao and the others collapsed to the ground as if they had lost all strength, panting heavily, their faces filled with the relief of having survived a disaster and an even deeper dread.

Even the Leader nodded to him!

That man... what kind of monster is he?!!!

Qin Hao looked at his soaked crotch, then thought back to that dreamlike yet terrifyingly real scene. A massive sense of despair and regret overwhelmed him...

He knew that for the rest of his life, he would probably never be able to step out from today's shadow.

As for the other Planetary Level representatives, they were even more determined to immediately, right now, and at any cost, go all out to befriend that Mr. Chen upon their return!

A truly powerful individual!

It doesn't lie in how many enemies one can eliminate, but in how many potential enemies one can make too afraid or unwilling to ever become an enemy...