"It's you."

Xiao Mu recognized the sleazy old man because the impression he had left was too deep to forget.

He slowly retreated backward, barely staying conscious due to the overpowering stench that loomed from the sleazy old man.

"Who else could it be, if not this old man?"

The sleazy old man seemed oblivious, hands on his hips, wearing an expression that clearly said, 'You have bad eyesight for only recognizing me now.'

"So, young man, do you want the Door-God Painting or not? For a mere thirty energy fruits, I will reveal the whereabouts of another Door-God Painting."

His eyes were locked onto Xiao Mu's energy fruit, as if he were ready to salivate over them.

"Hehe!"

Xiao Mu chuckled coldly, quietly putting away his energy fruit.

The sight of the sleazy old man made him nervous; he feared the man might try to seize his power fruit at any moment.

"What is it? Young man, don't you need the Door-God Painting anymore?"

The sleazy old man's face was peculiar; he couldn't quite grasp Xiao Mu's thoughts.

"I'm sorry, I need to think about this."

Xiao Mu was tactful in his refusal.

He was still eager to acquire another Door-God Painting.

Even if it's not for its original purpose, the power of the Door-God Painting is formidable. With two of them, the improvement to his abilities would be self-evident.

Being able to escape the clutches of the True Realm Demon was largely due to the help of a Door-God Painting.

Without that painting, he definitely would have died during his task.

However, the power fruit in his possession was reserved for his anticipated breakthrough; he didn't have any spare left to purchase information on the Door-God Painting.

"Take your time, young man. When you've made up your mind, just come and find me."

The sleazy old man gave a low chuckle. With a nonchalant expression that suggested he didn't worry about being rejected, he patted Xiao Mu's shoulder before disappearing on the spot and returning to his nap on the table.

The slender man looked at Xiao Mu with a strange expression, his face filled with empathy.

Given his understanding of the sleazy old man, anyone that old fellow garnered interest in would undoubtedly suffer. As far as he saw it, the damage to Xiao Mu was unavoidable – it was just a matter of how much.

"Mr. Xiao,"

Stone Soul walked over, carrying a box of energy fruit in his arms, looking quite worried and unsettled.

"I would like to go find Perfected Ying and proactively explain the situation to him, as well as revealing the cause of Perfected Xiao's death. If he misunderstands, it won't turn out well,"

Xiao Mu faltered briefly, then dismissed it, "Is there really a need? That Perfected Ying's attitude isn't exactly friendly. Even if wetell him, he might not believe us."

"Sigh!"

Stone Soul drew in a breath of resignation, "Misunderstanding would lead to bigger troubles. We might be able to salvage the situation by explaining things to him proactively. Sir Xiao, I suggest we go together."

"Go together?"

Xiao Mu shook his head, rejecting this proposal, "No need, I won't go. It's unnecessary. I suggest you not to as well."

Stone Soul worriedly ventured, "Without clarification there's bound to be misunderstanding, and the consequences can be terrible."

Xiao Mu sneered, "There's nothing to fear. If he wants to cause trouble, I'll deal with it on the spot. I'm not one to shy away from trouble."

"Sigh!"

Stone Soul sighed again, shaking his head in resignation, "I wish I could be as nonchalant as you, Sir Xiao."

Xiao Mu picked up on the undertones of his words, "I continue to advise you not to go."

Stone Soul looked dejected. "I'll think about it. Mr. Xiao, we'll be in touch if anything comes up."

After saying goodbye to Xiao Mu, Stone Soul left the warehouse.

As soon as Stone Soul left, a whooshing sound echoed in the air. A streak of light crossed the sky, darting rapidly towards them.

In the blink of an eye, a figure in clay armor appeared in the courtyard.

It was a man of tremendous aura, gripping a clay halberd that exuded deadly intent. One look and anyone could tell he was a powerful being of the Fifth Realm.

"It's Commander Zhao!"

"Good day, Commander Zhao!"

"Greetings, Commander Zhao!"

Upon seeing the clay-armored man, the Mutated Beings queued in the courtyard showed expressions of surprise. One by one, they enthusiastically stepped forward to greet Commander Zhao and kowtowed.

Commander Zhao, donned in clay armor, ignored them. His sharp gaze swept across everyone in the courtyard as he authoritatively asked, "Who is Xiao Mu?"

Swish!

Nearly everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Mu.

These were all people who had turned in tasks not long ago to receive their energy fruit, and they all had a fresh impression of Xiao Mu in their minds.

"Xiao Mu pays his respects to Commander Zhao!"

Xiao Mu walked forward and bowed slightly to Commander Zhao.

"You're Xiao Mu?"

A rare smile cracked upon Commander Zhao's stern face, "Where's the record which was stained by a True Realm's blood? Show it to me?"

"This…"

Xiao Mu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Commander Zhao to demand the bloody record left by the True Realm warrior as soon as he opened his mouth.

Fearing that Commander Zhao might take the record and leave without giving him any benefit, he hesitated.

If Commander Zhao were to actually do as he feared and not grant him any benefits, he wouldn't be able to do anything given the commander's strength.

"Bring it out! I won't take your item for nothing."

Commander Zhao's expression turned cold, showing his displeasure at Xiao Mu's hesitation.

Xiao Mu was somewhat relieved at hearing that. He asked the commander for a moment and reached into the Earth Seal Space to retrieve the record stained with blood.

"Hold on!"

A silhouette slowly materialized amid the sudden flickering of starlight that radiated from all directions and rapidly converged in front of Xiao Mu.

The figure was that of a young woman, looking no more than twenty. She was clad in a rainbow feather robe and was astoundingly beautiful.

She seemed to be surrounded by a silver glow of starlight, rendering her whole appearance even more hazy and somber.

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