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

In mid-air, Jia Yi's expression turned extremely solemn.

He flashed and landed beside Zhou Mu, looking at the gradually cooling corpse on the ground, then looked up at Zhou Mu, his eyes full of complex emotions.

"You blockhead...sigh!"

He sighed heavily, his tone full of regret and worry. As a planetary-level powerhouse in the military, he understood the seriousness of the matter better than anyone else.

"Tuoba Wu deserved to die, but how will you explain killing him in front of so many people to the War God Palace?" Jia Yi's voice was low. "The ironclad rules jointly decided by the five chairmen are not child's play! They were established in this era of monsters, to restrain the strong among humanity! What you did is tantamount to challenging the authority of the entire War God Palace!"

Zhou Mu looked at him, her gaze calm as still water.

"Jia Yi, you don't need to say anything more. I've killed the man, I'll take responsibility for the consequences."

Jia Yi stamped his feet in frustration. He grabbed Zhou Mu's arm, his voice trembling, "You'll take responsibility? How can you take responsibility? Tuoba Wu may be a despicable person, but he is still a councilor of the War God Palace! To kill a councilor in front of hundreds of martial artists, and right here in the base city! This is a blatant violation of the War God Palace's rules! If the War God Palace investigates, at best you'll be stripped of your political status, at worst it'll reach the First Speaker..."

He couldn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Zhou Mu smiled, a smile tinged with arrogance.

"Then let them come."

These five short words resonated deeply.

Jia Yi looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

Looking at the inextinguishable flame in Zhou Mu's eyes, he suddenly recalled the city-building battle of Jiangnan Base City decades ago. Back then, Zhou Mu was just a martial artist who had just broken through to the War God level. Facing a beast horde several times his size, he had the same look in his eyes, knowing it was impossible yet still doing it, willing to die standing.

"Alright, alright, I should have known about your stubbornness." Jia Yi sighed, patted Zhou Mu's shoulder, and his tone became serious. "Don't worry, I'll do my best to help you with things at the War God Palace. Although I, Jia Yi, am only a second-tier planetary-level warrior, our military still has some connections at the Limitless Martial Arts Academy. I'll also find a way to put in a good word for you with Speaker Hong. If you need to testify, I'll be the first to step forward!"

Zhou Mu looked at him, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes. In this dog-eat-dog world, having a brother like him who was willing to stand up for you was worthwhile.

Thank you.

Jia Yi waved his hand and laughed heartily: "There's no need for thanks between us. You saved my life during the battle to build the Jiangnan Base City back then. If it weren't for that shot you took, I would have been dead in the Beast King's mouth long ago. I'll always remember that favor."

He paused, then sighed, "What a pity. You awakened your domain right after breaking through; you should have had a bright future. With your talent, it wouldn't have been impossible for you to catch up with Hong and Lei Shen one day. But now..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Mu's communicator suddenly rang.

The crisp notification sound was particularly clear in the quiet manor at this moment, and Jia Yi subconsciously shut his mouth.

Zhou Mu raised his hand and tapped the screen, and a holographic projection slowly unfolded in front of him.

It was a young man dressed in a gray robe, with a handsome face, gentle and refined features, and a calm and steady aura. He stood quietly in the projection, without releasing any pressure, yet he gave people an unshakable sense of oppression, as if he was the sky, the earth, and an insurmountable peak.

First Speaker, Hong.

"Big brother."

Hong spoke in a friendly and familiar tone, without the slightest air of a council chairman, as if he were just exchanging pleasantries with an old friend of many years, "I just came out of seclusion and heard about your story. Congratulations on breaking through to the planetary level and awakening your domain."

A smile appeared on Zhou Mu's lips, and his tense expression eased somewhat: "Hong, long time no see."

Hong's gaze swept over Tuoba Wu's corpse on the ground, then looked at Zhou Mu, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

"Brother, I know about Tuoba Wu."

Zhou Mu raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

He didn't know how Hong would handle the matter, but he was prepared to bear all the consequences.

Hong looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly smiled.

"Well done! The Wang family violated the War God Palace's regulations by waging war within the base city and even attempted to exterminate the entire clan. Tuoba Wu accepted bribes and favored the Wang family; he deserved to die."

"However, your move, brother, has presented me with a difficult problem."

Zhou Mu said calmly, "So, you're planning to arrest me?"

Hong shook his head, his smile deepening.

"Arrest you? If I wanted to arrest you, why would I contact you personally? I could just send someone else."

"The Wang family and Tuoba Wu were at fault in this matter. Lei Shen and I will speak on your behalf in the council and suppress this matter."

He paused, his gaze becoming sincere and open, and his tone softening.

"I'm looking for you because I want to invite you to Hongning Base City. We brothers haven't seen each other for many years, it's time for us to get together."

Zhou Mu was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, I'll go."

Hong smiled, a smile full of satisfaction.

He raised his hand in a "please" gesture and said jokingly, "Then I'll wait for you in Hongning Base City. You should know the address: the headquarters of the Extreme Martial Arts Academy."

The holographic projection dissipates.

Jia Yi stood aside, staring dumbfounded at the scene, completely petrified.

He stood there with his mouth agape, it took him a long time to come to his senses.

"This...this is it?" His voice was filled with disbelief. "The First Speaker isn't going to pursue this?"

Jia Yi shook his head with a wry smile: "You blockhead, your luck is truly enviable and admirable."

Zhou Mu didn't say anything more. He glanced at Tuoba Wu's corpse on the ground, then looked down at the Wang family members in the manor who were filled with fear and anxiety.

"Broken Army!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Pojun immediately rushed forward: "Dad!"

"You have full authority to handle the Wang family's affairs," Zhou Mu said in a deep voice. "Arrest those who should be arrested, kill those who should be killed, and confiscate what should be confiscated. Don't be soft-hearted."

Zhou Pojun nodded emphatically: "Yes, Dad!"

Zhou Mu then looked at Mo Yan: "Mo Yan, you assist Po Jun and make sure the matter is handled properly."

Mo Yan bowed: "Don't worry, Brother Mu, leave it to us!"

Zhou Mu finally looked at Jia Yi, solemnly clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Old Jia, I won't say much more. I'll have a drink with you again when I return from Hongning Base City."

Jia Yi waved his hand with a smile: "Go on, go on, don't keep Hong Yi waiting. Woody, remember, no matter what happens, you're not alone. We old brothers will always stand behind you."

Zhou Mu nodded, and with a flash, he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the horizon.

In the manor below, Zhou Pojun and Mo Yan have begun directing the Zhou family warriors to cooperate with the military forces in a thorough investigation of the Wang family.

Jia Yi stood there, looking in the direction Zhou Mu had left, muttering to himself:

"Tuoba Wu, you didn't lose unjustly. Zhou Mu is someone who can never be understood by common sense. You and I are both planetary level, but in front of him, we are like fireflies compared to the bright moon."

"This, perhaps, is the difference between a prodigy and a mortal..."

Jia Yi shook his head, and with a flash, he also left the Wang family manor.