Swallowing the Stars: Only in my later years did I come to the life-spending panel.

Zhou Mu transformed into a streak of light and rushed to Hongning Base City.

He recalled something from many years ago.

That year, he was already a War God-level powerhouse. Once, while carrying out a mission deep in the wilderness, he encountered two young men who had almost lost their lives to monsters. At that time, they had just reached the threshold of War God and were so poor that they couldn't even afford a decent suit of armor, yet they dared to take on extremely dangerous missions and risk their lives.

He rescued the two men and, seeing their exceptional talent and unwavering character, felt a pang of regret for their lack of ability.

Only afterward did Zhou Mu, the time traveler, learn the names of these two young men: Hong and Lei Shen, who were the first and second strongest people on Earth in the future.

In the years that followed, Zhou Mu became their angel investor with an investment mindset.

He shared all his years of accumulated combat experience with them, pointed out the various obstacles in their training, and helped them purchase better equipment. He came to their rescue many times in times of crisis. On one occasion, in order to save Hong, he withstood a full-force attack from a king-level monster and was seriously injured and took three months to recover.

Later, Hong and Thor broke through to the planetary level one after another, advancing triumphantly to become the strongest humans.

Hong founded the Extreme Martial Arts School, and Thor founded the Thunder Martial Arts School. Both schools are located all over the world.

He himself, however, was trapped at the peak of the God of War realm, unable to make any progress for several years.

During that time, Zhou Mu's mindset gradually changed.

It wasn't jealousy, nor resentment, but a complex emotion that was hard to describe. Watching the two greenhorns who once followed behind him soar to great heights while he remained stagnant—only those who had experienced it could understand that feeling.

During the years when his breakthrough failed and damaged his essence, Hong and Thor searched far and wide for rare and precious materials and sent their subordinates to deliver them to him.

In their early stages of establishing their power, they didn't have much to offer, but they never kept anything useful to themselves.

But as Zhou Mu looked at those resources, he felt increasingly uneasy. Every time they sent resources, they were consuming the precious wealth of their growing power. Those resources should have been used on themselves to improve their strength, train their subordinates, and consolidate their power.

So Zhou Mu sent a message back: there's no need to send any more resources; the bottleneck is his own problem, and he can't keep dragging them down.

After that, whenever the two asked him to meet during holidays, he would always make excuses about being too busy, and they gradually drifted apart.

It's not that Zhou Mu doesn't cherish old feelings; on the contrary, it's precisely because he cherishes old feelings so much that he doesn't want these things to drag down their friendship.

He wanted to break through on his own, and if he couldn't, that was his fate!

Now, he has finally done it!

Hongning Base City, personally established by "Hong," the strongest person on Earth, is the safest of the 23 base cities in the world. Its towering alloy city walls are covered with energy shields, and the walls are densely covered with high-powered energy cannons, which are always aimed at the wilderness. Several outer defense lines are stationed with a large number of warriors and military troops.

When Zhou Mu arrived, it was nearly dusk. The setting sun bathed the entire base city in a golden-red hue, and the alloy walls reflected a cold light, creating a strange contrast with the warm afterglow.

He did not fly directly into the base city, but landed outside the city and walked through the security checkpoint, where a woman in a black combat uniform had been waiting for him for a long time.

She was tall and slender, with a beautiful face, yet her eyes held a sharp, murderous aura. She was Hong's personal guard, Enra. Though a personal guard, her strength had reached the planetary level; in any base city, she would be a powerful figure guarding a region.

"Lord Zhou Mu." Yao Rao bowed slightly, her voice clear and respectful, "The Master is waiting in the council hall. Please follow me."

Zhou Mu nodded, and as she passed through layers of defenses, she entered the core area of ​​the Extreme Martial Arts Academy headquarters.

All the martial artists he encountered along the way, regardless of their level, would step aside to make way for Zhou Mu, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

The council chamber is located at the deepest part of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy headquarters, surrounded by the most elite martial artists. Each of them is a high-level general, with a calm and composed demeanor like a sculpture, exuding a chilling aura.

The alluring woman stopped in front of the council hall and stepped aside to make way: "The Master and the others are inside. Lord Zhou Mu, please come in."

"them?"

Zhou Mu raised an eyebrow.

Yao Rao didn't answer, but simply bowed slightly, turned and left.

Zhou Mu took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy door.

The council chamber was spacious and grand, and on the high platform directly in front, two figures had already risen to greet them.

On the left is Hong, dressed in a gray robe, with a handsome face and a calm and profound aura, like a deep pool and a towering mountain. The place he stands is a world unto itself, giving people an unshakable sense of oppression.

On the right is Thor, clad in silver armor, with a resolute face and faint crackling lightning around him. His aura is completely different from Hong's, more flamboyant and more violent, yet equally unfathomable.

The world's strongest and second strongest warriors are both waiting here.

This level of courtesy is extremely rare on the entire planet.

"Big brother!"

Hong strode down from the platform, a rare smile spreading across his face. "You've finally arrived!"

Thor followed closely behind, a hearty smile on his face, his voice booming: "Big brother, long time no see!"

Looking at the two young lads who had grown into top experts who supported the entire planet, Zhou Mu felt a surge of pride.

A gentle smile appeared on his face: "Hong, Thor, it has indeed been a long time. You two are even more formidable than before."

"Brother, you flatter me." Hong shook his head and personally led Zhou Mu to a seat. "We were genuinely happy for you when we learned that you had broken through to the planetary level and awakened your domain. I told you back then that your talent was extraordinary, you only lacked a breakthrough opportunity, and now you have indeed lived up to our expectations."

Thor nodded repeatedly, his smile sincere, and personally poured tea for us, saying, "Big Brother helped us when we were in our most difficult time. Without Big Brother, there would be no Hong Ge and me today. We are happier than anyone else that you have made a breakthrough."

Zhou Mu took the tea, sipped it, and waved his hand, saying, "These are all small things from the past. You are where you are today because of your own hard work. You are stationed in the base city, coordinating global defense, managing the two martial arts schools, and training countless martial artists. You work tirelessly day and night. Compared to all of this, my little bit of help is insignificant."

"Brother, you're too modest." Hong's expression was extremely serious. "Without your guidance back then, we might have already died in the monsters' mouths. How could we be Hong and Thor today?"

Thor nodded in agreement: "That's right, Brother Hong is right. We will always remember your kindness, Brother."

Looking at their sincere expressions, Zhou Mu felt a warmth welling up in his heart.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Zhou Mu put down his teacup, his tone gentle yet direct. "You called me here not only to catch up, but also for other important matters, right? I know you're all very busy and couldn't possibly come here just to reminisce."

Hong and Lei Shen exchanged a glance, their expressions gradually becoming serious.

Hong took a deep breath, his expression becoming increasingly solemn, and said, "Since you've spoken frankly, brother, then we won't beat around the bush. Besides catching up, we do indeed have important matters to discuss with you today."