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

"Panel, simulate the Seven Tribulations of Breaking the Sky! Max it out!"

[Seven Tribulations of Breaking the Sky, Perfected Intent → First Level of Lightning Domain Entry]

【...】

[Introduction to the World of Lightning → First Level of Mastery in the World of Lightning]

【...】

[Minor Mastery of Lightning Techniques → Major Mastery of Lightning Techniques]

Current lifespan: 932 years

Current lifespan stolen: 0 years

[...Remaining lifespan is insufficient. Should we continue the deduction by consuming the host's lifespan?]

"No, no, no!"

With over a thousand years of lifespan poured into it, Zhou Mu's self-created attack technique, "Seven Tribulations of Breaking the Sky," which had already reached the pinnacle of its artistic conception, successfully broke through to the first major achievement of the lightning domain. Various insights into the application of the domain surfaced in Zhou Mu's mind.

"Lightning Domain, activate!"

A deep purple domain, over 300 meters long, rapidly expanded from Zhou Mu's center, enveloping Gracie who was fleeing ahead. Gracie, who was sprinting for her life at a speed of 700 meters per second, suddenly slowed down!

"This is... a domain?!"

"How come Zhou Mu has a domain?!"

Gracie watched in despair as the deep purple domain that unfolded behind her rapidly overtook her, with streaks of purple electricity flashing through the air.

His speed suddenly decreased, and Zhou Mu quickly caught up with him.

With the hope of survival within reach, he made a final struggle, turning around and kneeling down in front of Zhou Mu, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Lord Gunner, I was wrong this time. I shouldn't have accepted that old bastard Wang Jie's request!"

"My elder brother is Bygrave, a planetary-level martial artist from the Ultimate Martial Arts Academy. I hope you can spare me this time for his sake. I can transfer all my wealth to you! I'll be your slave! I can even help you wipe out the Wang family!"

Zhou Mu hovered in mid-air, watching Gracie's kneeling figure, repeatedly pounding his head. With each dull thud, a deep pit slowly formed beneath his forehead, and rubble and dignity flew everywhere.

"I still prefer your rebellious self," Zhou Mu said coldly, "but as the chicken being used as an example, you must die today!"

Zhou Mu landed in front of Gracie and threw down the broken wolf-devouring longsword.

"Stand up."

Pick up your weapon and attack me.

"As a soldier, you should die with dignity!"

Gracie abruptly raised her head, her crimson eyes locking onto Zhou Mu like those of a dying beast. Gritting her teeth, she gripped her shattered longsword tightly with her single arm, struggling to her feet as she roared, "Zhou Mu...you are a true warrior! If this battle is certain death, I, Gracie, will die with the spirit of a warrior!!"

Before the words had even faded, he had already drawn his sword and charged towards that godlike figure! The next second, a spear crackling with purple lightning pierced through the sky, pinning him to the ground like a bird with broken wings.

"Go in peace!"

Zhou Mu unleashed his domain, and a continuous barrage of lightning struck.

As Gracie's life force dissipated under the bombardment of lightning, a message quietly appeared on the panel.

[Slayed a ninth-tier apprentice-level martial artist, plundering 110 years of their remaining lifespan.]

[Current plunder lifespan: 110 years]

The panel confirmed Gracie's death. Zhou Mu used his telekinesis to carry Gracie's body towards the Zhou family manor.

......

Inside the Zhou family manor, Mo Yan is organizing a security team to search for survivors.

The main building lobby was filled with survivors of this man-made disaster, and medical teams were treating the wounded.

Mo Yan leaned against a marble pillar, listening to the security team's report, a cigarette in his hand, its embers flickering.

"Boss, the preliminary statistics on the losses are in."

"explain."

Mo Yan took a puff of his cigarette and nodded to signal his team to continue.

"This attack resulted in 79 deaths, 2 missing persons, and over 100 injuries... The estimated property damage will reach hundreds of millions!"

"Property losses are a minor issue; what's truly regrettable is the loss of our clansmen—79 people! They were the hope for the future of our family!" Zhou Hai, sitting on the sofa, took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and interjected.

"The Wang family! We must avenge this!"

Mo Yan puffed down most of the cigarette in one gulp, threw the butt on the ground, and ground it viciously. Then, he looked out of the manor with a worried expression: "I wonder how things are going on Big Brother's side? That Gracie is an invincible war god! He's only in his forties, right in his prime! I'm really worried about Big Brother's current condition."

"Uncle Mo, you don't need to worry about that. My eldest brother and younger sister just sent a message saying that Dad has broken through..."

"Star-level!" Zhou Hai said, each word ringing out clearly.

......

"The patriarch has returned!"

"The patriarch is back!!"

As the sirens grew louder as they approached, the martial artists on guard inside the Zhou family manor cheered excitedly.

A streak of light flashed across the sky and landed behind the manor; it was Zhou Mu, carrying Gracie's body back with him.

"Ayan, have someone find a coffin, put him in it, and hand him over to the Security Bureau and the martial arts school when they arrive," Zhou Mu instructed Mo Yan and Zhou Hai, who came out to greet him.

"Yes, brother." Mo Yan nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

The two accompanied Zhou Mu into the main building and sat down in the reception room. Zhou Hai and Mo Yan remained silent. Zhou Mu showed no signs of the fierce battle. He took some tea leaves, poured water, and leisurely brewed a pot of tea, taking a small sip directly from the spout.

"dad......"

"Big brother..."

The two spoke at the same time, exchanged a glance, and Mo Yan gestured for Zhou Hai to continue.

"Dad, have you broken through...?"

"Planetary level?"

Seeing the two of them arguing like old women, Zhou Mu answered quickly, then explained:

"That's right, I've broken through to the planetary level! My lifespan has reached a thousand years!"

Then Zhou Mu took out a Wood Sprout Crystal and tossed it to Mo Yan: "This time, Po Jun and the others found three Wood Sprout Crystals, and I gave one to him. Ayan, you can use this one."

Knowing his elder brother's decisive nature, Mo Yan didn't refuse and readily accepted and swallowed it.

Then Zhou Mu looked at his second son, Zhou Hai: "Xiao Hai, I'll put this last one in the family treasury. Whoever reaches the War God level first, you or Xiao Qing, can claim it. We won't lack treasures like the Wood Crystal in the future!"

"I understand, Dad. I don't have much talent in cultivation; business suits me better," Zhou Hai replied.

"It's good that you understand. I don't want us to have a rift because of the uneven distribution of these treasures."

Zhou Mu patted Zhou Hai's arm. "By the way, Hai, could you draft a merit exchange system for the family during this time, so that family members can exchange merits for rare resources?"

Now that I've achieved this breakthrough, our family must continue to expand! And for the family members who sacrificed their lives this time, including our employees, we must provide them with double compensation, and the family must handle the aftermath properly.

"As for the Wang family, let them run wild for a few days. We'll wipe them out sooner or later," Zhou Mu said through gritted teeth.

......

Outside the Zhou family manor, a convoy quietly approached.

Outside the vehicles, the insignia of the Jiangnan Base City Security Bureau and the Extreme Martial Arts Academy stood side by side. The convoy came to a steady stop in front of the manor gate. The door of the first car opened, and a lean man in military uniform with a resolute face got out first. Immediately afterward, well-equipped martial artists silently filed out of the vehicles behind him and quickly lined up behind him, standing solemnly outside the manor.