Sea God Pavilion Meeting, Southern Legion

Shrek City was even larger than Mingdu, the greatest city on the continent today.

The famed Shrek Academy stood at the heart of the city. It was called an academy, but in reality, it was no different from a city of its own—a city within a city.

At the core of Shrek Academy, within the Sea God Pavilion on Sea God Island.

Around an ancient wooden table sat nine members of the Sea God Pavilion, with the current Sea God Pavilion Master, Yun Ming, seated at the head.

Judging by appearance, this Sea God Pavilion Master was the youngest among them. He looked to be only twenty-seven or twenty-eight, handsome and wearing a gentle smile.

Not a trace of aura leaked from him, yet he gave off an incomparably sharp feeling. He stood like a divine spear piercing the heavens, its radiance dazzling enough to shatter the sky.

"I confirmed it with Elder Gu. The pill is real—it can extend one's lifespan by a hundred years," Yun Ming said.

Though his status was no lower than Gu Ming's, Gu Ming belonged to the same generation as his teacher, so calling him Elder Gu was only natural. His words changed everyone's expressions. After their brief shock came undisguised longing.

"Even if Shrek cannot secure them all, we must obtain one or two of those pills," the elderly woman seated to Yun Ming's right said seriously.

She was plainly dressed, unlike the others in their splendid attire. She had an air of detachment from worldly matters, natural and unrestrained. Age had taken its toll on her appearance, and she was not particularly attractive.

Yet the fact that she occupied the foremost guest seat showed how extraordinary her status was. In both strength and position, she was second only to Yun Ming.

Yun Ming nodded in agreement. "I intend for us to obtain at least two. One for you to take, Sister Yue, and one for research."

"I do not need one. I have lived long enough. You should keep it for yourself. If you live another hundred years, perhaps you may truly have a chance of reaching that realm," Long Yeyue refused.

She very much wanted to live another hundred years, but she could not be so selfish. The pill would be of far greater use if Yun Ming took it.

Yun Ming smiled helplessly. "That realm is too difficult to reach. Even with another hundred years, I have little confidence in breaking through."

"Living another hundred years will at least improve your chances. Stop refusing. Once we obtain it, you will take it yourself." Long Yeyue's tone allowed no argument.

"We can discuss who gets it after we obtain it. It is too early to talk about that now," Ya Li, seated to Yun Ming's left, said.

"Mm." Yun Ming and Long Yeyue both nodded, ending the discussion over who the pill would belong to.

"Yue'er, how much funding can we freely use at present?" Yun Ming looked toward one of the female Elders.

The elderly woman he called Yue'er considered it before answering, "A little over ten billion, perhaps. If we gather funds, we should be able to raise close to twenty billion Federal Currency in a short time."

Shrek City was the greatest city on the continent, with a commercial scale comparable to Mingdu's. Its annual tax revenue alone was an astronomical figure.

All those taxes went to Shrek Academy. Along with the academy's various businesses, the wealth they had accumulated was unimaginable.

"Have them prepare twenty billion Federal Currency for me within three days," Yun Ming said.

"Yes," Cai Yue'er answered.

"Sister Yue, Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, the three of you will accompany me to Mingdu in three days," Yun Ming said.

"Alright," the three answered.

"Brother Yun, I..." Ya Li hesitated, but her eyes clearly said, I want to go too.

Yun Ming smiled gently and placed his hand over Ya Li's smooth palm, shaking his head. "I will not take you with me this time."

"These pills are too precious. Some factions that fail to obtain them may simply try to seize them by force. There could be a major battle then. If I take you with me, I will not be at ease."

"Boss, with your strength, would anyone really be foolish enough to try and rob you?" Zhuo Shi said with a smile.

"Exactly. The moment you reveal your Sky Piercing Divine Spear, they will not even have time to run. How could they dare to seize the pills?" Feng Wuyu chimed in.

Yun Ming shook his head and said gravely, "If it were something else, naturally no one would dare. But this time is different."

"The temptation of a hundred additional years of life is too great. Great enough that even high-ranking military officials and members of Hidden Families would be tempted, perhaps willing to pay any price to seize them."

"When that time comes, my opponents may not be ordinary Titled Douluo. They may be existences on my level."

"If I face opponents on my level, I may not be able to spare attention elsewhere. I am worried I would not be able to protect you properly."

His final words were directed at Ya Li, his eyes filled with affection. Hearing them, Ya Li no longer wanted to go. She did not want to become a burden.

Only the Sky Piercing Douluo without concerns could unleash his true strength, invincible beneath the heavens. Ya Li was not worried about his safety.

Yun Ming's words made everyone turn solemn, their brows furrowing. Zhuo Shi could not help asking, "Boss, is it really as serious as you say?"

He felt Yun Ming was overthinking it. With Shrek Academy's current prestige, who would dare provoke them?

"Lifespan moves people's hearts. The temptation of an extra hundred years is truly enormous. Even I have entertained thoughts of seizing them. Do you think those people would not have the same thoughts?"

Yun Ming spoke with deep emotion. He truly had considered taking the pills by force; it was no joke.

It was only because of his identity and Shrek Academy's reputation that he would not easily act on those thoughts, suppressing his desire to seize them. "Boss, you want to rob them?" Feng Wuyu raised his eyebrows mischievously at Yun Ming, wearing an expression that said they were kindred spirits.

"We will see when the time comes. If someone disrupts the order, we will act. Playing the oriole once in a while is not bad. If no one does, then forget it," Yun Ming said.

Everyone understood Yun Ming's meaning and smiled faintly. They were rather looking forward to that day's auction...

In the southern part of the continent, at the Southern Legion. A massive room was magnificently decorated yet carried an ancient elegance, luxurious without being ostentatious. Everything seemed so natural, the result of years of accumulated refinement. An elderly man sat behind the desk. Though his hair and beard were white and his face bore the marks of time, his back was ramrod straight, vigorous despite his age. He wore a military uniform and looked exceptionally valiant. The three dazzling stars on his shoulders were proof of his identity: a Federal Three-Star General. Yue Zhengen, leader and commander of the Southern Legion, current patriarch of the Sacred Angel Family, and one of the Federation's seven Three-Star Generals. "Knock, knock..." A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

"Dad, what are your orders?" The person who entered was a middle-aged man, tall and dressed in a general's uniform. His features somewhat resembled Yue Zhengen's. Yue Zhengen's face darkened as he said sternly, "This is the military. What should you call me?"

The man looked somewhat embarrassed. He immediately stood at attention and saluted, his voice firm and forceful. "General!"

"Mm." Yue Zhengen's expression softened somewhat. "Return to the family at once and raise fifteen billion Federal Currency, then transfer it to my Federal account."

"Once the money has been gathered, immediately take Le Xu and Elder Le Zhengye to Mingdu. In four days, I must see all of you in Mingdu. Understood?"

"Yes!" Le Zhengming answered loudly. He did not immediately leave the office, instead looking as though he wanted to say something but could not bring himself to say it.