With Gu Ming and Xu Chuan gone, Gu Yue Na couldn't hold back her laughter.Her voice was like silver bells, crisp and beautiful.
"Yunze, I didn't expect you to have this side of you. Truly interesting," Gu Yue Na chuckled.
She was naturally referring to how Yunze had fabricated an identity for himself, even inventing a "grandfather." During their earlier talk, Gu Ming had even started calling that fictitious elder "Brother Yun."
Who knew what expression he would have when he eventually realized that his so-called "Brother Yun" was actually Yunze himself?
"I didn't expect him to directly call me Brother Yun when I made up that false identity," Yunze said with a soft laugh."And besides, it's not like I'm taking advantage of him. If anything, I'm the one on the losing end. With my true age, being his ancestor would be more than appropriate."
There was one thing he didn't say: if he still had his former strength, then the moment Gu Ming dared call him "Brother Yun," he would have been obliterated on the spot for offending the majesty of an Immortal Emperor.
Even in the future, once Yunze recovered some of his power—he wouldn't even need to fully return to his Immortal Emperor state—when he reached the realm of Immortal God, Gu Ming would meet disaster simply because of that one "Brother Yun."
It wasn't about Yunze seeking vengeance. It was because heaven itself would punish anyone who offended an Immortal.
The stronger the one offended, the more terrifying the tribulation sent down by the heavens. At that time, even the mildest heavenly punishment would be enough to kill Gu Ming.
This wasn't something Yunze could interfere with. After all, if he didn't pursue the matter, that would mean tacitly accepting the "brotherhood," and that cause-and-effect karma was something Gu Ming could never withstand.
In short, just by calling him "Brother Yun," Gu Ming had unknowingly brought upon himself a nearly inescapable calamity.
And those who had once called Yunze "little friend" or "little brother" would suffer even harsher retribution.
At this, Gu Yue Na's curiosity was piqued. She asked:"Yunze, can you tell me how long you've lived?"
Ditian also looked at Yunze with the same question burning in his eyes.
"For a very, very long time. So long that I've forgotten the exact number of years," Yunze replied, his voice carrying the weight of ancient desolation.
He had lived far too long—so long that epochs had shifted, universes had collapsed into chaos and re-formed, yet he endured, undying and eternal.
At the cultivation he once had, natural death was impossible. Time itself had long since lost all meaning.
"Millions of years? Tens of millions?" Gu Yue Na boldly guessed.
"Much longer than that," Yunze smiled, refusing to elaborate. Instead, he walked out the door, planning to visit the academy's archives.
"Could it really be that long?" Gu Yue Na muttered to herself. She had no concrete concept of what "a very long time" meant.
She froze in thought for a moment, then quickly followed him. She hadn't attended classes in days—it was time to show her face at the academy.
Five days later, news of the Century-Long Life Extension Pill released by the Sun Moon Auction House had spread across the continent.
It was like the detonation of a supreme soul-tool cannon shell in the middle of the sea, setting off towering waves and causing unprecedented uproar.
"Extend life by a hundred years"—those four words struck the nerves of countless people, igniting their deepest yearning for longevity.
Many remained skeptical. Extending life by a century sounded far too exaggerated.
If it were just one year, or even ten, there might be less doubt. But an instant promise of one hundred years, with no gradual steps? It was hard not to be suspicious.
The only reason anyone still believed at all was the guarantor: Gu Ming, Dean of the Federation's Research Institute and Deputy Speaker of the Federation.
With his status and reputation, surely he wouldn't spout nonsense. Because of this, many remained half-believing, half-doubting.
Countless influential figures began contacting Gu Ming through soul communicators to verify the matter. At first, his responses were vague and evasive.
But on the fifth afternoon, Gu Ming himself began calling people, full of springtime pride, unable to conceal his joy in the slightest.
On the sixth day, two videos went viral. Within an hour, they were everywhere—across livestream platforms, public screens, broadcast nonstop.
The first was a half-hour recording of Gu Ming personally consuming the pill and undergoing visible changes. Though dull in content, people watched it carefully, even repeatedly.
The second was a short video Gu Ming recorded himself, less than three minutes long, sharing his feelings after taking the pill.
There was no need for exaggerated advertising. His testimony alone was the most convincing promotion.
Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters — Tower Master's Office.
A tall, middle-aged man sat behind a sleek metal desk. With a high nose bridge, refined features, and a natural aura of authority, he radiated the unshakable presence of a mountain pillar.
His aura was unfathomable—just by sitting there, he seemed immovable, unprovokable.
Before him stood a young man in white robes, with golden hair and a strong presence. His features bore some resemblance to the older man.
"Grandfather, what did Elder Gu say?" Qian Gu Zhangting asked eagerly.
At this moment, Qian Gu Dongfeng's eyes blazed with light, full of longing and excitement.
"After confirmation with Elder Gu, the pill is real. It truly extends life by one hundred years."
As he spoke, Qian Gu Dongfeng's voice rose, trembling slightly with exhilaration.
For the master of the Spirit Transmission Tower to lose composure like this showed just how earth-shaking the news really was.
He had been skeptical at first, but after watching the video and confirming with Gu Ming repeatedly, he could no longer deny it.
"Excellent! We must secure those pills for ourselves!" Qian Gu Zhangting exclaimed, clenching his fists in excitement.
A hundred extra years of life! Even peak Limit Douluo lived barely two centuries. This pill offered half that span again.
Such temptation was irresistible—even for someone in his twenties. After all, who didn't wish to live longer?
Qian Gu Dongfeng nodded gravely. "We must obtain them at all costs."
An extra century meant more opportunities—perhaps even enough time for him to reach a higher realm.
His heart burned hot at the thought, though he didn't lose himself in excitement. After a moment's pause, he said firmly:
"The number of people and forces who desire this pill will be immense. Our rivals—forces equal to our Spirit Transmission Tower—will also be determined to win at least one."
"We have wealth, yes, but not so much that we can utterly crush all competitors. Acquiring all five pills is impossible."
"Then Grandfather, what's your plan?" Qian Gu Zhangting asked carefully.
Qian Gu Dongfeng thought for a moment, then extended two fingers, his gaze resolute."At the very least, we must win two. If possible, more."
"Zhangting, go tally our current funds. I'll be meeting with your great-grandfather. He should also have already confirmed this matter with Elder Gu."
Rising to his feet, Qian Gu Dongfeng gave the order. In the next instant, his figure vanished from the room, disappearing too swiftly for the naked eye to follow.
(End of Chapter)