Time alternated, and the stellar rivers flowed.
Under Shun's guidance, a multitude of powerhouses spent several years transforming desolate celestial bodies into vibrant Life Planets.
Shun stood inside the Ancestral Star Royal Palace Hall. A Three-Dimensional Star Chart slowly unfolded before his eyes. Thirty-six successfully transformed Life Planets shone brightly within the nascent framework of the Cosmic Planet Grand Array.
Behind every light point were detailed parameters: a complete ecological chain, stable energy supply, and an atmospheric environment suitable for the survival of the Ninja World's citizens, sufficient to support the life and reproduction of countless people.
Yet, this seemingly perfect beginning concealed a fatal hidden danger.
On the data panel next to the star chart, two sets of numbers formed a stark contrast: the number of transformed planets was marked as "36."
And the number representing the total population was "4.28 billion."
Even with such a massive population base, when dispersed across thirty-six planets, the average population per planet was only about 120 million.
Let alone developing civilization or expanding territory, even maintaining basic planetary operation and ecological upkeep suffered from a severe lack of manpower.
"The foundation of interstellar migration is population. Without enough people, even the best planet is just a desolate decoration."
Shun traced his finger across the light points on the star chart, and a bold idea gradually took shape in his mind.
For the Cosmic Planet Grand Array to truly function, and for Ancestral Star to gain a firm footing in the interstellar space, the population problem must be solved first, which meant using unconventional means to accelerate the process.
Several days later, an unprecedented grand wedding was being held inside the Royal Palace.
This Royal Palace was the core of Ancestral Star's power and its most magnificent structure.
The palace walls were cast from Interstellar Alloy and jade, shimmering with a gentle yet majestic luster under the sunlight.
The beams and pillars were carved with patterns of stellar rotation, and every pattern was inlaid with Luminous Crystals, as if the entire starry sky had been condensed within the hall.
On the plaza outside the hall, countless citizens of the Ninja World wore festive attire, craning their necks in anticipation, their faces filled with joy and reverence.
Today was the day Star Lord Shun was marrying his seven Royal Consorts.
He was Ancestral Star's publicly acknowledged strongest person, an existence referred to as a "Living God."
He unified the Ninja World, created Life Planets, and single-handedly led the Ninja World into the Stellar Era.
His every move affected the entire Ancestral Star and its thirty-six colonized planets, influencing the fate of hundreds of millions of citizens.
It was said that all seven Royal Consorts were extremely beautiful, the cream of the Ninja World's younger generation.
The red carpet stretched from the entrance of the hall all the way to the main seat inside the hall. Exotic flowers and rare grasses transplanted from numerous planets lined both sides of the carpet. Dewdrops still clung to the petals, glittering under the reflection of the crystal light.
Beside the main seat at the end of the red carpet, Shun wore a red formal robe embroidered with intricate stellar patterns in gold thread, appearing both handsome and extraordinary.
As the Ancestral Star's supreme powerhouse, and the "Living God" in the hearts of countless people, the moment he stood there, he naturally exuded an invisible aura, imbuing the entire Royal Palace Hall with a solemn and majestic atmosphere.
Beside him, the seven Royal Consorts wore wedding dresses of seven different styles and colors. Each of the seven was uniquely beautiful, yet all possessed their own distinct charm and style.
Kurotsuchi wore a rock-gray wedding dress, the hem embroidered with tiny rock patterns. A silver belt cinched her waist, accentuating her slender, fair calves.
Pakura wore a red and yellow wedding dress, the skirt resembling flowing sand dunes. The former "Scorch Release Genius" now possessed a touch more gentleness.
Ino's pink wedding dress was dotted with small pink flowers on the skirt, and a sweet smile was present on her lips.
Yakumo wore a purple wedding dress, the skirt adorned with illusory gold thread patterns, hazy like a dream. Her expression was serene and gentle.
Tenten's cyan wedding dress was lively and flowing, the skirt embroidered with faint auspicious cloud patterns, as if she might start dancing with the wind at any moment.
Hinata wore a white wedding dress, the skirt as pure as snow. She seemed a little shy, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Hanabi wore a light blue wedding dress. She was slightly more lively than her older sister, Hinata, and occasionally whispered a few words to Tenten beside her.
As the start of the wedding ceremony was loudly announced, the melodious Interstellar Ceremonial Music began.
It was a melody performed by the Ninja World's top musicians combined with Chakra resonance, carrying both the solemnity of traditional ceremonial music and the grandeur of the Stellar Era.
Shun held the hands of the seven Royal Consorts and walked steadily toward the main seat inside the hall. With every step, the exotic flowers and rare grasses lining the red carpet gently swayed, scattering faint specks of light, as if guiding the newlyweds.
On both sides of the hall stood the Clan Heads and top powerhouses of the Ninja World's various clans. Their expressions were respectful, and their eyes were filled with awe.
The core seats of the guest section were occupied by the most influential figures in the Ninja World.
Hiashi wore the traditional attire of the Hyuga Clan. Beside him sat his younger brother, Hizashi. The brothers' eyes rested upon Hinata and Hanabi, who were dressed in wedding gowns.
There was both the relief of an elder and reverence for Shun. After all, having both daughters marry the supreme powerhouse was not only an honor for the Hyuga Clan but also meant the Hyuga Clan would be completely bound to Shun's Stellar Great Cause.
Not far away, Ōnoki stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Beside him stood his son, Kitsuchi. The grandfather and son looked toward Kurotsuchi, their eyes filled with pride.
Kurotsuchi becoming a Royal Consort was undoubtedly a crucial opportunity for Iwagakure's rise.
Inoichi and Rino sat side-by-side, watching Ino in her pink wedding dress. Rino quietly wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, while Inoichi patted the back of her hand, his eyes filled with blessings for his daughter and expectations for the future.
Elsewhere, Minato wore a white trench coat, and beside him stood the spirited Naruto. The father and son looked gentle, their gazes full of approval for Shun.
Neji stood behind Hiashi. Watching the wedding of his two cousins, he felt happy for them in his heart.
The gathering of these core figures of the Ninja World added several layers of solemnity and importance to the wedding.
Walking to the main table, Shun turned first to face the seven Royal Consorts. His surrounding majestic aura slightly receded, replaced by a touch of tenderness in his eyes.
The priest held the ceremonial book and loudly read the vows.
"Today, Shun and Kurotsuchi, Pakura, Ino, Yakumo, Tenten, Hinata, and Hanabi hereby swear in the Ancestral Star Royal Palace to be united as husband and wife! May the stars bear witness, and the stellar river be our covenant, never to part, sharing life and death!"
Shun and the seven Royal Consorts replied in unison, "We swear, until death do us part!"
After the vows were complete, Shun received a special wedding ring box from a retainer.
Embedded in the box were seven Cosmic Crystals of different colors, corresponding to the shades of the seven Royal Consorts' wedding dresses.
He picked up the wedding rings one by one and placed them on each Royal Consort.
The moment each ring touched the fingertips of the Royal Consorts, it emitted a faint glow, resonating with the Chakra inside their bodies. The patterns on the surface of the rings flowed, as if they had been granted life.
The seven Royal Consorts also successively placed an identical wedding ring on Shun. This ring, infused with the Chakra imprints of the seven consorts, symbolized their unified support for Shun and their shared responsibility for the Stellar Great Cause.
At this point in the ceremony, thunderous cheers erupted both inside and outside the hall. The waves of blessings formed by Chakra swept across the venue like a tide, causing even the Luminous Crystals on the ceiling to flash, as if applauding the grand wedding.
Many Clan Heads even released their Chakra on the spot. This was not for show, but the most solemn way in the Ninja World to express their blessings to the newlyweds and their submission to Shun.
In the front row of the crowd, Shion and Karin stood side-by-side. Both sisters wore exquisite light purple gowns, their features showing a heroic spirit similar to Shun's.
Watching their father, surrounded by the seven Royal Consorts at the main seat, and sensing the powerful aura in the hall that originated from him, Shion couldn't help but gently nudge Karin with her elbow.
"Karin, don't you think our father, who is called a 'God,' is a little too lustful? Including these seven Royal Consorts, he now has twenty-four Royal Consorts."
Karin covered her mouth and chuckled, glancing over the Royal Consorts in front of the main seat, her eyes full of girlish teasing.
"Exactly. Yakumo, Ino, and Hinata were all our classmates back in school, and now they've become our mothers. Not to mention Hanabi, who is five years younger than us. Our lustful father... he really went for it. Hahaha."
The sisters kept their voices low, as if only they could hear each other, and their tone was full of joking amusement.
Sasuke, who had just walked over, heard their conversation clearly. He shook his head helplessly and raised his hand to tap Shion's forehead.
"Don't gossip about father. This wedding is about the unity of all clans in the Ninja World. How can you treat it so lightly?"
Shion rubbed her forehead where it stung, stuck out her tongue, and pulled Karin away, ceasing their talk, but the amusement in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
Shiryu walked over curiously and asked, "What are you talking about? It sounds like fun."
Karin patted his shoulder and laughed. "Shiryu, look at our old father—he's married 24 Royal Consorts. You don't even have a girlfriend yet. You need to step up your game."
Shion chimed in, smiling. "Shiryu-nii, you can't just focus on training. How about I introduce you to some girls?"
Seishin ran over and interrupted, "Shion, if Shiryu doesn't like those girls, introduce them to me instead."
Not far away, Hamamaru glimpsed this scene and curved his lips into a faint smile.