Early morning, Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Zhu Yong, clad in a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, his plump physique ascended rapidly towards the summit, leaving behind streaks of afterimages under the morning sun.
Ever since the extraterrestrial enemies descended upon Dragon Tiger Mountain, Zhu Yong had, under the command of Daoist Tianlong, diligently guarded the place where the great barrier had once appeared, awaiting and watching for enemies.
However—
Many days had passed, and he had not seen a single shadow of an extraterrestrial enemy.
Nor had he seen a rabbit…
At this moment, he was rushing to the main peak to report a crucial piece of information to Daoist Tianlong.
A moment later, Zhu Yong arrived at the main peak and was startled to see Daoist Tianlong sitting cross-legged as usual, facing the rising sun, breathing in and out, his entire body enveloped in golden light, appearing like an immortal descending to the mortal world.
Although this was not the first time Zhu Yong had witnessed such a profound scene, he was momentarily stunned.
Just then, Daoist Tianlong’s voice rang out, "Is something the matter?"
"Master, I have the latest news about Junior Brother. The news is rather important and needs to be reported to you."
Zhu Yong bowed respectfully towards Daoist Tianlong’s back.
"What news?"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Tianlong ceased his cultivation, opened his eyes simultaneously, and a sharp glint flashed within them.
Then, he turned around to face Zhu Yong directly.
"Master, some time ago, Zhujian contacted us saying that the extraterrestrial enemies were treating the killing of Junior Brother as a competitive game. Now, that news has been confirmed!"
Zhu Yong reported swiftly, "Yesterday, extraterrestrial enemies descended across the globe. Almost all of them, after their arrival, have been inquiring about Junior Brother’s whereabouts."
"Oh."
Daoist Tianlong responded indifferently.
"Master, why don’t you seem to react at all? Aren’t you worried at all?" Zhu Yong was taken aback and asked curiously.
"Worried about what?" Daoist Tianlong retorted.
"About Junior Brother’s safety! Think about it, the extraterrestrial enemies are determined to kill Junior Brother, showing a resolve to not stop until their goal is achieved. And Junior Brother has now joined that so-called 'Guard Squad' of the Martial Department, specifically tasked with hunting extraterrestrial enemies. Isn’t that like a lamb entering a tiger’s den? What if a powerful enemy from beyond the stars descends, and Junior Brother’s life is forfeit?" Zhu Yong voiced his concerns.
"Then, did any powerful enemies descend this time?"
Daoist Tianlong continued to question, remaining remarkably calm.
"Hmm… No. According to the information I received, all the enemies who descended this time were below the Four-Star War God level, with the strongest not exceeding the ninth stage of Three-Star War God."
Zhu Yong paused for a moment before replying truthfully.
"Then what is there to worry about? Do you think a Three-Star War God could kill your Junior Brother?" Daoist Tianlong asked again.
"???"
Zhu Yong’s eyes widened. "Master, this time it was Three-Star War Gods. Who can guarantee that the next time will be the same? Besides, even if there are ten or eight Three-Star War Gods descending, can Junior Brother withstand it?"
"Is that all?"
Daoist Tianlong, too weary to continue the conversation with Zhu Yong, dismissed it.
"Also, didn't that scoundrel Zhujian mention last time that the Master of the Underworld Hall has always wanted to poach you? In my opinion, that old scoundrel from the Underworld Hall still has wicked intentions. What if he really manages to poach Junior Brother?" Zhu Yong brought up another concern.
"Do you think your Junior Brother is the same type of person as Zhujian?" Daoist Tianlong asked.
"Of course not! That scoundrel Zhujian is ungrateful and disloyal, his mind addled to join the Underworld Hall and follow that old scoundrel from the Underworld Hall. Junior Brother…" Zhu Yong said instinctively, and then, halfway through, he realized Daoist Tianlong had already turned away.
His meaning was clear: leave, I don’t want to talk to a fool!
Seeing this, Zhu Yong turned to leave with a dejected look, muttering as he walked:
"I’ve already told you. Whether you care or not is your problem. The Taoist sect has only a few cats and dogs. If something really happens to Junior Brother later, I won’t stay in the Taoist sect anymore. Then let’s see who will see you off at your end…"
Daoist Tianlong heard Zhu Yong’s murmuring but paid it no mind. Instead, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he pondered something, it was unclear what.
…
Southwest, Medicine God Valley.
Li Lianyi arrived alone at the residence of Li Guyi.
Today, her hair was tied up, she wore a white long dress with cloth shoes, and her face, as usual, was free of makeup. Yet, she appeared like an immortal descending to the mortal world, beautiful to the point of causing one’s heart to palpitate.
"I guessed you would come to see me today."
After finishing breakfast, Li Guyi sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding an ancient medical book.
During the past period, he had personally taken charge of healing Ren Xiaoyao.
Now, Ren Xiaoyao’s injuries were no longer a major concern, with only the recovery of his martial arts cultivation remaining.
In order to help Ren Xiaoyao recover his martial arts cultivation as soon as possible, Li Guyi had diligently studied ancient medical books, hoping to find a way.
"How did Grandpa guess?"
Li Lianyi walked directly opposite Li Guyi and sat on the stone bench.
"Yesterday, extraterrestrial enemies descended across the globe. That kid led his team to successfully complete their mission, and the combat videos were uploaded, causing a sensation in the martial arts world of Long Country and even globally."
As Li Guyi spoke, he clearly saw Li Lianyi’s lips curl up slightly, revealing a smile.
That smile carried a hint of pride!
Sensing this, Li Guyi put down the ancient medical book and continued, "In addition, there are reports that all the extraterrestrial enemies who descended are looking for that kid – that kid has become a public enemy of the extraterrestrial enemies!
And you are worried about that kid’s safety, so you came to find me, am I correct?"
"What Grandpa said is correct, and also not correct." Li Lianyi replied.
"What do you mean?" Li Guyi asked with some confusion.
"Everything Grandpa said just now is correct, and I have seen these reports. However, I am not here today because of these reports. I am also not worried about his safety; I believe he will be fine." Li Lianyi answered.
"Then what are you here for?"
Li Guyi’s curiosity was piqued.
In his memory, his precious granddaughter rarely came to see him, and it had mostly been after she met Jiang Wuming.
But today, Li Lianyi had uncharacteristically stated that she was not here for Jiang Wuming!
"Grandpa, I want to establish a pharmaceutical research institute." Li Lianyi stated her intention.
"Establish a pharmaceutical research institute? The Li family and Longteng Pharmaceuticals already have more than one pharmaceutical research institute. Why do you want to establish another one?" Li Guyi became even more perplexed.
"I want to establish a research institute dedicated to developing gene drugs, and then, based on existing advancements, further develop new gene drugs that can further stimulate the potential of martial artists, enhance their martial arts aptitude, and thereby improve the overall strength of martial artists in Long Country and even globally!"
Li Lianyi’s tone was calm, her voice not loud, but her expression was exceptionally resolute.
"Lianyi, why do you suddenly want to do this?"
Li Guyi stared thoughtfully at Li Lianyi. He could feel his granddaughter’s determination and did not stop her, merely curious about the reason.
"In this special and arduous era, I want to utilize my abilities to the fullest, just as Jiang Wuming fights enemies on the battlefield." Li Lianyi said.
"Lianyi, don't try to fool your grandfather. Tell me the truth, why have you suddenly made such a decision?"
Li Guyi stared intently at Li Lianyi, he could tell that Li Lianyi was hiding something.
"Grandpa, I had a phone call with Jiang Wuming last night…"
Li Lianyi had no choice but to tell Li Guyi about her phone call with Jiang Wuming the previous night, including the questions she asked Jiang Wuming and the new promise he made to her.
"No wonder you are not worried about that kid’s safety; it turns out it’s because he said he would win? And you believe him just because he said it?"
Li Guyi first understood, then stroked his beard, still harboring doubts. "However, what you’ve said doesn’t seem to have a direct connection with establishing a pharmaceutical research institute and developing new gene drugs, does it?"
"I hope that when he leads the soldiers of Long Country to subdue and intimidate the extraterrestrial enemies, achieving victory in the war, and takes me to visit his parents in the ancient city of Loulan, I can proudly say to his parents:
In this war, I was not merely an observer, but a participant; on this long march, I walked alongside him, together!"
The girl, facing the morning sun, slowly revealed her heart’s desire.