Swallowing the Stars: The Birth of a Cosmic God King

......

Yan Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief when the outline of Nanjiang Base City came into view.

The sky still shimmered with a pale blue halo.

The defensive fortifications on the city wall stood quietly, and everything looked exactly the same as when they set out.

But Yan Ning knew that in just one day, dozens, or even hundreds, of martial artists had been left forever in the wilderness outside.

Identity verification, loot declaration, mission settlement... the whole process took more than an hour.

By the time he came out of the martial arts management office, it was already dark.

......

three days later.

Yan Ning was taking a walk with Shen Yao in the neighborhood when his communication watch suddenly started vibrating wildly.

He looked down and saw dozens of unread messages, all invitations and reminders from various martial arts schools.

[Beidahuang Martial Arts School, Nanjiang Branch: Mr. Yan Ning, in view of your outstanding performance in this recruitment mission, our school sincerely invites you to join us.]

Compensation: Guaranteed minimum of 20 billion Federal Credits per year, 8% commission for no-fault squads, plus a full A7-level combat suit. Looking forward to your reply.

[Madman Martial Arts Academy, Nanjiang Branch: Mr. Yan Ning, our academy has created a customized joining plan for you...]

[Underground Alliance - Nanjiang Branch: Mr. Yan Ning, salary negotiable, guaranteed minimum of 22 billion...]

Yan Ning read through the list one by one, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

20 million?

8% commission?

A7-level combat suit?

When did he, a junior officer who retired due to illness, become worth this price?

"What's wrong?"

Shen Yao noticed his expression, leaned closer for a look, and her eyes widened instantly. "This, this is..."

"Don't rush."

Yan Ning put away the watch, patted the back of her hand, and said, "I'll take another look when I get back."

But things were far from as simple as he imagined.

After returning home, the invitations not only didn't decrease, but actually increased.

Invitations came not only from the martial arts school in Nanjiang base city, but also from branches in several surrounding base cities.

Even some private armed organizations whose names he had never heard of contacted him through various channels.

Even more outrageous, someone directly contacted Zhao Zixuan and Shen Yao.

"Brother Ning."

Zhao Zixuan held the communication watch, her expression somewhat blank.

"Someone claiming to be from 'Beicang Martial Arts School' wants to recruit you, offering 30 billion a year... How did he get my contact information?"

Shen Yao frowned as well: "I have several here too."

Yan Ning took the watches from the two men, glanced at them, and his expression darkened.

These people even dug up his wife's contact information in their search for him.

This shows that they didn't just send out random messages, but were genuinely investigating and digging into his background.

"Don't reply yet."

Yan Ning returned the watches to the two of them, saying, "Don't return either of them."

"Why?" Zhao Zixuan asked, puzzled. "30 billion! Brother Ning, this..."

"That's precisely why we can't rush back."

Yan Ning shook his head.

"I don't even know why they offered that price. If I agree rashly, there might be problems."

He paused, then added, "Besides, all I want to do right now is stay with you. We'll talk about it after the baby is born."

Shen Yao and Zhao Zixuan exchanged a glance but said nothing more.

For the next seven days, Yan Ning ignored all the invitations.

He accompanied Shen Yao for walks every day, cooked for Zhao Zixuan, and practiced the "Fragment of Meteor Ink" in the underground training room. His days were peaceful and fulfilling.

But the doubts in my heart grew stronger and stronger.

He checked his own battle record.

Eleven Frost Giant Bears, plus other beast soldiers, is indeed a respectable achievement, but that's about it.

There are many people who are better than him.

There are many people who have killed more than him.

This record, at best, would make him somewhat famous in the martial arts circle, but it would never cause major martial arts schools to go crazy trying to poach him.

Unless, there is something else he doesn't know.

......

Seventh day.

Yan Ning was having breakfast at home when the doorbell rang.

He opened the door, and a staff member in the base city government uniform stood in the doorway, holding a red envelope in his hand.

"Mr. Yan Ning?" The staff member's attitude was unusually respectful, even a little cautious.

"it's me."

"This is a notice from the base city council hall. Please check it." The staff member handed over the envelope with both hands.

Yan Ning took the envelope and opened it.

Inside was a gold-embossed card with the emblem of the Base City Council Hall and a few lines of text:

[After deliberation by the Nanjiang Base City Council and filing with the War God Palace, it is hereby decided that:]

The honorary title of "Base City Councilor" is hereby conferred upon martial artist Yan Ning. Please register at the council hall within three days.

[Appendix: Member of Parliament Benefits: Annual salary of 30 billion Federal Credits, one A7-level combat suit, and twelve privileges including the right to be informed of base city policies, the right to vote in political affairs, and priority in being exempted from conscription.]

Yan Ning stared at the card for a full ten seconds.

Base City Councilor.

He knew what this identity meant.

In the martial arts system of Nanjiang Base City, there are five ranks from low to high: Ordinary Martial Artist, Meritorious Martial Artist, Honorary Martial Artist, Base City Councilor, and Base City Chief Councilor.

Ordinary martial artist is the entry-level threshold; more than 90% of martial artists remain at this level throughout their lives.

A distinguished warrior needs to have enough achievements and battle records to prove that he is "capable of fighting".

To be an honorable warrior, one needs not only strength but also potential.

It can be said that genetic potential, development prospects, and contributions to the base city are all indispensable.

The city councilors of the base city are the fourth rank in the entire martial arts system of the Nanjiang base city, second only to the chief councilor.

Each martial artist at this level is a pillar of the Nanjiang Base City.

They enjoy the right to know and vote on major decisions in the base city, can obtain various cultivation resources with priority, and are exempt from conscription several times more often than ordinary martial artists.

more importantly.

The identity of a member of parliament is itself a symbol of power.

In this era overrun by monsters, a single word from a senator can determine the rise and fall of a family and change the fate of a small team.

And he, a junior officer who retired due to illness, a man who was still worried about the cost of baby formula just a few months ago, actually became a city councilor in the base.

"Is this... a mistake?" Yan Ning asked subconsciously.

The staff member quickly shook his head:

"There's no mistake, Mr. Yan Ning. The notice was issued directly by the Council of State. We are only responsible for delivery. If you have any questions, you can consult the Council of State when you register."

After the staff left.

Yan Ning closed the door and stood in the entryway, remaining silent for a long time.

Shen Yao and Zhao Zixuan came out of the inner room, saw the card in his hand, and came over to take a look.

"A city councilor?"

Shen Yao's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Brother Ning, you..."

"I don't know what happened either," Yan Ning shook his head.

Zhao Zixuan snatched the card, examined it several times, and then looked up at Yan Ning: "Brother Ning! You're a councilor now! A councilor!"

She was so excited she almost jumped up, but Shen Yao grabbed her arm: "Be careful of your stomach!"

Yan Ning carefully put the card away, but his heart was in turmoil.