Swallowing the Stars: The Birth of a Cosmic God King

three days later.

Yan Ning was training in the underground training room as usual when he received a notification that someone was coming to visit.

He sheathed his throwing knives, wiped the sweat from his brow, and walked out of the training room.

He was stunned when the elevator doors opened.

"The old captain?"

The visitor was Zhao Tieshan, 45 years old, a mid-level general, who was Yan Ning's direct captain when Yan Ning served on the Seventh Defense Line.

He participated in the Nanjiang meat grinder battle three years ago.

He was tall and burly, with a square face and thick eyebrows.

A girl was also with Zhao Tieshan.

She was in her early twenties, with her hair in a ponytail, wearing a light-colored jacket, her face slightly flushed, her head down, and her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Haha, kid, long time no see!"

Zhao Tieshan strode forward, slapped Yan Ning heavily on the shoulder with his large, fan-like hand, and looked him up and down.

"Great, you look much more energetic than last time."

I heard you got married?

"Not bad, not bad, you've finally figured it out!"

"Old Captain, you're joking." Yan Ning smiled and ushered him inside, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the girl.

The girl noticed his gaze, lowered her head even further, and her ears turned bright red.

"This is..." Yan Ning looked at Zhao Tieshan.

Zhao Tieshan pushed the girl forward: "My daughter, Zhao Zixuan."

"Hello, Brother Yan... Brother Yan Ning." The girl's voice was barely audible. She glanced at Yan Ning quickly and then lowered her head again.

Yan Ning was slightly taken aback.

Of course he knew Zhao Zixuan.

When he was serving in the military, this little girl was just over ten years old, with pigtails, and she always followed him around calling "Brother Yan Ning, Brother Yan Ning".

But later he went to the front lines, and we had fewer opportunities to meet.

I never imagined that she would grow into such a beautiful young woman.

"Azi has grown up so much," Yan Ning remarked.

"you do not say."

Zhao Tieshan pulled his daughter down to sit, his smile gradually fading. "Kid, I'm here today because I need to talk to you."

Yan Ning poured him a glass of water: "Please go ahead."

Zhao Tieshan remained silent for a while, seemingly considering his words.

After a long while, he finally raised his head and looked directly at Yan Ning: "I have signed up for the conscription in seven days."

Yan Ning paused.

"Old Captain, you—"

"Let me finish."

Zhao Tieshan waved his hand, interrupting him, "You know my situation. I survived the battle three years ago, but my foundation was damaged."

His cultivation has regressed rather than progressed in the past three years; he's now only at the level of a mid-level warrior, unable to even return to his peak.

"This unusual movement of the beasts is ill-intentioned."

I've inquired; there are at least three beast generals on the other side of the defense line, with a high-level beast general leading them. If we old guys don't go, who will?

Yan Ning frowned: "You can use an exemption..."

"Exemption?"

"I was exempted once, how can I be exempted a second time? I, Zhao Tieshan, can't afford to lose the reputation of a deserter."

"But..."

"No buts, kid. I'm not here to discuss that. I'm here to... entrust my son to you."

Entrusting one's orphan to someone else.

These two words struck Yan Ning's heart like a stone.

Zhao Tieshan turned to look at his daughter. Zhao Zixuan's eyes were already red, and she was biting her lip, desperately trying not to cry.

"Azi's mother passed away early, and I, as her father, am incompetent. Over the years, she has suffered with me. I don't have many people I can trust, and after thinking it over, you are the only one I can rely on."

I saw your wedding announcement.

Based on your achievements and genetic potential, you'll have to reproduce with three women within five years, right?

Yan Ning was taken aback, then nodded subconsciously.

"That's right."

Zhao Tieshan slapped his thigh, "If Azi marries you, it'll be perfect for you to complete your mission—a win-win situation!"

"Old Captain, this..."

Yan Ning snapped out of her daze and quickly said, "You must be joking, I..."

Zhao Tieshan glared at him: "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"If it weren't for the fact that you're as handsome as I was in my youth, and your character is impeccable, do you think I would have introduced Azi to you? Do you really think I'm selling my daughter?"

Yan Ning was at a loss for words.

Zhao Tieshan turned to look at his daughter and sighed, "Ahem, plus Azi has had feelings for you since she was little, so it all fits together perfectly."

Even if she didn't say it, how could her father not see through her little scheme?

Yan Ning looked at Zhao Zixuan.

The girl quickly raised her head, then quickly lowered it again.

Shen Yao came out of the inner room at some point, leaned against the door frame, looked at Zhao Zixuan, then at Yan Ning, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Brother Ning," she said softly.

Yan Ning looked at her.

Shen Yao smiled slightly, walked over, took Zhao Zixuan's hand, looked her up and down, and nodded in satisfaction: "It's very good."

Anyway, there are still two spots left, so it doesn't matter who I marry. I like Azi the moment I see her.

Yan Ning opened his mouth.

He has principles!

"Our Azi has the genetic talent of a sixth-level apprentice!"

"You married her, aren't you improving the genes of your Yan family? You should be secretly thrilled!"

Apprentice Level 6?

What does Apprentice Level 6 mean?

This means there is a chance to have offspring with higher genetic potential!

If we wait for Shen Yao to give birth one by one, it will take forever.

As for the remaining two spots, given Yan Ning's current level, he couldn't find women with higher genetic potential, and he didn't want to settle and waste the opportunity.

However, as the crisis continued to loom, Yan Ning himself was also under pressure.

But I never expected that my good older brother would come to my aid in my time of need!

[If a descendant reaches the apprentice level or higher, the reward multiplier will be doubled!]

The system's words echoed in his mind.

Is there a bottom line to being a decent human being?

Screw the bottom line.

I'm doing all this for humanity, for the blue sky!

Even if he retires due to illness, Yan Ning will not fade away; he will continue to shine on the battlefield of reproduction!

"Alright, Captain, I promise you." Yan Ning stood up, his gaze solemn.

Zhao Tieshan's eyes reddened slightly: "Then let's get married and register our marriage tomorrow! I have to be there at my son-in-law's wedding!"

Shen Yao held Zhao Zixuan's hand and whispered something to her.

Zhao Zixuan kept her head down, nodding occasionally and stealing a glance at Yan Ning every now and then.

Yan Ning watched this scene with mixed feelings.

Shen Yao took Zhao Zixuan to the inner room to chat, leaving only Yan Ning and Zhao Tieshan in the living room.

The two drank tea in silence for a while before Zhao Tieshan spoke: "Don't worry about me. The highest monster we've recruited this time is only at the level of a high-ranking general. It's nothing to worry about."

Yan Ning did not respond.

Zhao Tieshan glanced at him and said in a low voice, "But these two recruitments are indeed a bit strange. The higher-ups are in a hurry, but the information they provide is ambiguous. They can't even say the exact number and type of monsters."

"If an exemption can be used, then an exemption should be granted."

The people at the War God Palace are also too busy; a King-level monster is active in the north, and the western defenses are under attack—they're surrounded on all sides.

Yan Ning gripped the teacup tightly.

"Captain, are you really going?"

He stood up and patted Yan Ning on the shoulder: "Alright, stop thinking about all that. I have a wedding banquet tomorrow, cheer up!"

The wedding was simple and rushed the next day.

There was no grand ceremony.

There was no lively banquet.

All they had was a certificate from the Martial Arts Management Office and a bottle of aged wine that Zhao Tieshan had brought over many years.

"Come on, let's do it!"

Zhao Tieshan raised his glass, a hearty smile on his face, "I'm so happy my daughter married into a good family!"

Yan Ning drank one cup after another with him.

Shen Yao poured wine for the two of them. Zhao Zixuan sat to the side with a flushed face, occasionally looking up at her father, her eyes reddening again.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Tieshan gradually became less talkative.

He put down his wine glass, looked at his daughter, and stared at her for a long time.

"Azi." His voice was a little hoarse.

"Dad..." Zhao Zixuan's tears finally fell.

"Don't cry."

Zhao Tieshan wiped away his daughter's tears with his rough hands. "Now that you're married, you're an adult. Live a good life and don't worry your father."

Zhao Zixuan nodded frantically, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

Zhao Tieshan stood up, picked up the military cap on the table, and put it on.

He glanced back at Yan Ning, nodded, said nothing, and strode out the door.

Zhao Zixuan chased after him to the door, watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and finally couldn't help but cover her mouth.

Yan Ning walked over and gently put his arm around her shoulder.

"Don't worry," he whispered.

Zhao Zixuan leaned on his shoulder and cried silently for a long time.

Outside the window, the light patterns on the sky flickered slightly, and a muffled rumble came from afar.