"The First Merit can earn a cultivation reward by entering the Human Emperor Tower? Such a reward is so substantial!" someone exclaimed, astonished by the heaviness of the reward.

There were also those who lamented with regret, "The First Merit can enter the Human Emperor Tower for cultivation. Oh heavens, why didn't I know sooner?"

Qi Gu took the opportunity to call out again, "Xiao Mu, boasting like that, we must make it happen for him."

"All of you, take out your merit records. As long as the total merit from all of you exceeds Xiao Mu's, then the cultivation reward to enter the Human Emperor Tower will be willingly given up by Xiao Mu. Then, you all can compete, and the one with the highest merit alone will receive the cultivation reward in the Human Emperor Tower."

"Some people, indeed."

Xiao Mu couldn't help but shout, "For the sake of merit, some people will even give up their dignity, distorting the truth. I feel embarrassed for them."

"Xiao Mu, what's with the sarcastic tone?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Gu was instantly furious, suddenly turning his head to look coldly at Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu said disdainfully, "What's the meaning? It seems Elder Qi not only has bad hearing but also a bad brain. When I say some people will even give up their dignity for merit, what else could it mean? Of course, it means that some people will indeed give up their dignity for the sake of merit."

"You, how dare you!"

Qi Gu was enraged, glaring at Xiao Mu, shouting, "You show no respect, Xiao Mu. You don't know your place, insulting your elders. Do you really think I'm afraid to deal with you?"

Xiao Mu, unafraid, retorted, "Elder? I haven't seen an elder who shamelessly gives up dignity for merit. Qi Gu, who do you think you are? If you want to deal with me, do you really think I'd be afraid of you?"

At these words, the eight Grand Elders were all furious, their expressions unkind.

Xiao Mu, with one comment, berated them all.

"Hehe!"

Qi Gu suddenly sneered, glaring at Xiao Mu with anger, "Junior, you act lawlessly, truly not knowing your place. You are still just at the Divine Spirits level, not yet a True God. As long as you haven't become a True God, dealing with you is still easy for this Elder."

Xiao Mu dismissively replied, "Easy? Grand Elder Qi, you overestimate yourself. Even if you are at the True God Level, dealing with me won't be as easy as you think. If you don't believe me, why not give it a try and see if you can easily take me down."

"Enough! Qi Gu, Xiao Mu, both of you, say no more."

The Divine Phoenix Lady, worried about Xiao Mu suffering a loss, hurriedly spoke up to stop the two.

"Divine Phoenix Lady, why stop? Others are dissatisfied with me, Qi Gu, thinking I can't deal with him. I, Qi Gu, shall just show my strength, why not?"

Qi Gu, reluctantly speaking to the Divine Phoenix Lady.

The Divine Phoenix Lady coldly replied, "Grand Elder Qi, you are a Grand Elder of the Alliance, and what is Xiao Mu, at most just a Respected Envoy. You, as a Grand Elder, have a status two levels higher than him. Bullying the weak, wouldn't that be ridiculous?"

"If you want to fight, fine, find a secluded place without others around to settle it privately. Right now, with my presence here, if you dare make a move, causing internal strife among us, don't blame me for using the Human Emperor Seal to suppress you both."

Hearing this, Qi Gu glared fiercely at Xiao Mu but had to compromise, saying, "Since the Divine Phoenix Lady has spoken, I won't go too far. Boy, disrespecting your elders, you'll face calamity sooner or later."

With that, Qi Gu continued to rebuke Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu coldly responded, implicitly, "If one is a true elder, there's no need to say anything; others will naturally respect them. Fake elders, even if they wholeheartedly seek others' respect, will not gain it."

"Hehe!"

Qi Gu sneered again, glaring fiercely at Xiao Mu but did not argue further with him.

He then turned his head towards Huang Yuan, Gu Mei, and the others, "Everyone, take out your merit records. Let's calculate the total merit to see if it exceeds a certain arrogant young man. Gu Mei, you start first."

Gu Mei was surprised that Qi Gu first called upon him. After a brief hesitation, he responded, "Sorry, Elder Qi, I'm afraid I've disappointed you. My merit record was stolen during the Great War with the Heavenly Court's experts."

"Stolen, how is that possible? How could the merit record be stolen? Gu Mei, why didn't you keep it safe?"

Qi Gu frowned, instantly displeased.

The other seven elders were equally surprised, each unable to help but look at Gu Mei.

Gu Mei actually lost the merit record. It was indeed too careless.

However, since Gu Mei was one of their own, no one suspected that he deliberately withheld the merit record.

"Gu Mei admits guilt for not protecting the merit record well. Please, Elder Qi, punish me!" Gu Mei quickly bowed his head, confessing to his fault.

"Enough!"

Qi Gu sighed helplessly, "Since it was genuinely lost, I can't say much more; just feel it's a pity. Gu Mei, without your merit record, I don't know how much reward you have, so it's difficult to calculate your merit."

Gu Mei apologized, "I'm sorry, Elder Qi, I know I was wrong not to protect the merit record. It's my fault. For this action, just count it as zero merit."

"What? Zero merit, Gu Mei, do you really intend that?" Qi Gu was shocked, staring at Gu Mei in disbelief.

Lei Zhanghua suddenly chimed in, reminding Gu Mei, "Gu Mei, there's no need to do that. Report your merit, let us verify it. Your strength is evident, and by presenting a number, with comparisons to others, no one will just randomly doubt you. No need to count it as zero."

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