256: The dragon hid his treasure.

"gene activation?"

Tu Nan pondered the System's phrasing; this was the first time the System had used such a term.

"Why isn't it mental link activation?"

Tu Nan asked. Previously, she had always used the activation of the mother-child mental link to judge whether the Children's genes had stabilized.

[They were originally two stages that weren't far apart. I was saving energy before, so I didn't report it.]

The System felt a bit guilty at first, but it quickly decided it wasn't to blame and became self-righteous again.

"Then whose gene was activated?" Tu Nan asked.

[I've received two types: Azure Dragon and Silver Dragon. It's a win—double dragons.]

This wasn't very surprising, as both were labeled with [Collectable mutation gene: Flood Dragon (Divine-Grade)].

"You need four copies. It's fine to have an extra one now, right? Besides, Ao Ao is also Divine-Grade."

[Actually, they are all derived from the Four Divine Beasts' genes. It's normal for some mutations to occur during the atavism process. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically chosen this body... Being able to give birth to twins at once speeds up the progress significantly.]

"So, are you saying you didn't interfere with the fact that I'm having twins?"

[Uh, did I not tell you? It wasn't...]

Good, she had caught the System's tail again. Tu Nan bit her lip, feeling a trace of relief mixed with unease.

For this, she would have to blackmail it for more benefits later, she calculated.

"It?" The Emperor asked only after her communication ended.

Tu Nan rolled into his arms, her eyes full of smiles.

"Yes, It said It felt the Children are very healthy and told me their gene Ranks have stabilized after being upgraded."

"So, that's why you can tell me the Children'S-rank in advance every time."

The Emperor thought back to when the Children were still in her womb, and she could state with such certainty that she was carrying S-rank Children.

What was he thinking back then?

He thought it was just a mother's filter and blind confidence in her Children, a kind of bluff from this little cat to protect them.

He was willing to show mercy for a mother's love for her Children, and for that seemingly interesting research, he loosened his grip slightly.

And the result? Such attention grew, compromises increased, and his focus on her intensified... until this moment, when he was no longer willing to let go.

He kissed the damp black hair on the top of Tu Nan's head and sighed, "That's good. Although governing an Empire doesn't depend entirely on martial prowess, with S-rank, their path to rule will be smoother."

"Your Majesty!" Tu Nan was pleasantly surprised.

She heard the hidden meaning in The Emperor's words. He said "them," which meant he agreed to her previous proposal?

The Emperor chuckled softly.

"We still have to see which of the two little ones is suited to be The Emperor and which is suited to be the Prime Minister. As for the Empress... there is still a long way to go."

"Who's the Empress?" Tu Nan muttered softly, yet she was clearly not as resistant as before.

His Majesty set everything aside and even accepted her seemingly radical proposal for a political System, only setting a condition that wouldn't even be considered a condition by anyone else.

She had no room to refuse.

Seeing that Tu Nan's refusal was almost like a coquettish sulk, The Emperor naturally understood her attitude.

Who would have thought that one day, his position of Empress and his marriage proposal would have to come with a bunch of additional conditions just to be accepted.

But as long as the goal was achieved, it was fine.

Moreover, he also enjoyed seeing this little cat thinking seriously because of him and the Empire.

Before the smile in his eyes could fade, his bracelet vibrated frantically in the highest emergency communication mode.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report."

When the communication was connected, it turned out to be Kong Jiamu's voice.

"I suspect the Star Worms are gathering in one direction. They are breaking through our divisions and seem completely indifferent to casualties. I just checked with several other battlefronts, and something is wrong."

"In which direction are they gathering?"

The Emperor stood up, and Tu Nan quietly went to get clean clothes for him.

"Your flagship, Your Majesty. I judge their target to be your flagship. The S-ranks on the flagship are too concentrated, but... my intuition tells me this isn't right; the outbreak was very sudden."

Kong Jiamu had already received the previous experimental results. Although he was somewhat worried about the Children and Tu Nan, he wasn't overly concerned.

After all, they were all on the flagship, but this time was different.

Upon seeing the Star Worms in battle ignoring the damage to their bodies as if their heads were being pulled by countless invisible threads to look in the same direction, he trembled all over.

After making several quick calls, he became even more certain and dialed this emergency communication to The Emperor.

Even if there was a possibility of a false alarm, he never ignored his intuition on the battlefield.

Tu Nan stopped in her tracks. She turned back and met The Emperor's cold, glinting gaze.

Both of them had the same realization in their hearts.

"I think your intuition is correct," The Emperor's gaze fell on Tu Nan's lower abdomen. "They are coming for the flagship."

He stood up quickly and took the clothes Tu Nan handed him.

As the garments wrapped around his body piece by piece, the slightly soft Majesty from a moment ago gradually dissipated, and the one standing before Tu Nan once again was the King of the Empire.

He quickly operated his bracelet, connecting directly to the Legion's command channel.

"Everyone, there is Star Worm activity; they are gathering toward the flagship."

He was fastening the last few buttons on his collar with one hand when Tu Nan came up to him and took over the task.

His Majesty tilted his head slightly, revealing a fleeting smile.

Yet the orders coming from his mouth did not pause for a single moment.

"I order all combat formations, except for the flagship and the Fourth Fleet of the Sixth Legion, to prepare for battle immediately." The Emperor commanded, "Stop them. Intercept the Star Worms halfway and do not let them gather."

"The flagship and the Sixth Legion's Fourth Fleet are to return to the Border Star to cooperate with the anti-aircraft star chain for defense."

"And I, The Emperor of the Empire, will crush those worms in the starry sky along with all of you."

"That is all. Execute immediately."

"Yes!" everyone responded.

His orders would be executed without the slightest hesitation.

"Your Majesty."

Seeing him hang up the communication, Tu Nan stepped forward.

"The flagship is returning for defense? But didn't you say the flagship's cooperation with your attacks is most effective?"

Once his appearance was in order, the imperial pressure belonging to The Emperor had returned to its peak.

The Emperor answered her as he walked out, "Did you hear what Kong Jiamu said? The worms are gathering here regardless of the damage they take."

"It wasn't like this last time; last time they were just more inclined toward the Children. As expected, Children favored by It are too much of a stimulus for these crude beasts."

The Emperor stopped at the door. He took Tu Nan's hand, squeezed it, and comforted her.

"Don't panic, look at me." He smiled, "The flagship is very safe when cooperating with the anti-aircraft star chain."

"I'm worried about you!" Tu Nan glared at him. "You won't even say what's going on with your illness today. You spat blood—shouldn't you be recuperating? Are your legs not weak after getting out of my bed?"

Even The Emperor was stunned in place for a good while by her bold and shocking words.

Giving Tu Nan a look of disapproval, he sighed helplessly, took the power ring off his hand, and placed it on Tu Nan's right thumb.

"Watch your language and status." He didn't dwell on it and instructed her, "Here. Didn't you want to build a mobile military fortress? The prototype on the Border Star is already taking shape. Go take a look first; if there's anything unsatisfactory, just have them change it according to your wishes."

The Emperor opened the door and strode away.

Tu Nan leaned against the door, draped in a random piece of clothing, one hand tightly clutching the power ring, as she listened to his footsteps gradually fade away.