Wu Yan couldn't help but interject, "Elder Chen, it's uncertain how many fragments of the Divine Treasure Xiao Mu can bring back. It all depends on luck. Just because he brought back many fragments last time doesn't mean he can do the same this time."

"I think, my friends, you should not hold too high hopes. If Xiao Mu can bring back two or three fragments of the Divine Treasure this time, that would be quite good. In case of bad luck, it wouldn't be surprising if he fails to bring back even a single piece."

At this moment, Zhu Yun continued with a smile, showing his disbelief, "I think Team Leader Wu is perhaps underestimating Xiao Mu too much. Although my interactions with Xiao Mu have been brief, I can tell that he is not one to make empty boasts. Given that he ventured out to search for fragments of the Divine Treasure, he must have achieved a significant haul."

"Yes, I agree with Elder Zhu's words. Xiao Mu isn't someone who speaks without consideration. Since he has dared to promise to search for fragments of the Divine Treasure for us, I'm afraid he wouldn't have the face to return if he didn't make a substantial gain." Qu Jingyu took over the conversation with a full smile, unexpectedly agreeing with Zhu Yun's statement.

Wu Yan glanced at Zhao Xu, Zhao Xu looked at Mei Jun, and Mei Jun looked back at Wu Yan. The mood of the three immediately turned heavy again.

Only the three of them were aware that Xiao Mu's expedition was not to search for the Divine Treasure fragments—how could he have possibly obtained a large number?

The hopes that Zhu Yun and the others held were too high, leading only to inevitable disappointment.

Just then, the City Gate slowly opened a crack, a flash of Yellow Light, and Xiao Mu used the Earth Escape Technique to slip through the gap, appearing before everyone.

The guards of Azure Sky City hastily closed the gate and reactivated the Great Array.

"Elder Zhao, Elder Mei, Team Leader Wu, and Elder Zhu, all the elders are actually here!" Seeing the group waiting to welcome him at the gate, Xiao Mu stood frozen for a moment.

He truly hadn't anticipated his return to the city would cause such a stir and have all the Grand Elders waiting inside the gate to meet him.

"Xiao Mu, welcome back!"

Elder Zhu Yun's smile was indescribably warm. As he approached Xiao Mu he asked with concern, "Xiao Mu, you encountered no dangers outside the city, did you? How are you? Are you injured?"

"Thanks to the blessings of the elders, though there were minor dangers, I wasn't injured and have luckily returned in one piece."

Xiao Mu replied politely, but inwardly he couldn't help but mumble to himself, this Elder Zhu Yun's attitude was too enthusiastic, and it all seemed a bit too abnormal to him.

Moreover, the other elders, especially those from the Ruins of the Merchant Guild, were looking at him with overwhelming joy as if there were flowers on his face, which made him feel even more uncomfortable.

"It's good you're not injured! Haha!"

Instead of his smile fading, Elder Zhu Yun's expression became even more jubilant, then his face turned solemn as he stated, "Xiao Mu, you are unaware, during your absence, the Divine Spirits from beyond the sky have launched three attacks."

"Three attacks, that many?" Xiao Mu felt surprised, then immediately expressed his concern, "Were any of the elders injured?"

Zhu Yun spoke with a grave face, "Injured? Everyone was injured. Xiao Mu, you don't know, the Divine Spirits attacking from beyond were much stronger than us. Since the Great Array of Azure Sky City kept the weak out, those who managed to invade were at least in the later stages of the Yin God Realm."

"All of us Divine Spirits were injured. Among us, Elder Mei Jun suffered the most severe injuries, his Spirit Tablet nearly bursting."

"Elder Mei Jun, am I right?"

Saying so, he looked at Mei Jun for confirmation.

Mei Jun nodded, inwardly worried for Xiao Mu, though he still responded, "Correct!"

Xiao Mu turned and took a careful look at Mei Jun, noticing Mei Jun enveloped in Black Gas, his Spiritual Tablet's damage was likely more severe than what Zhu Yun had disclosed to him.

Elder Zhu Yun continued, "Aside from Elder Mei Jun, whose Spirit Tablet is critically damaged, all of our Spirit Tablets have been injured."

"And your former Team Leader Wu Yan. Even though he lacks a Spirit Tablet, he threw caution to the wind in each Great War and charged to the front. His physical injuries are also quite severe."

"If the Extraterrestrial Evil Beings attack us one more time, I fear we really won't be able to resist."

"Not 'I fear,' but certainly we won't be able to."

Chen Fushi took over with a serious expression, "Xiao Mu, it's fortunate that you returned in time. If you hadn't, we really wouldn't have been able to hold on any longer."

This doesn't seem to have anything to do with me, does it?

Xiao Mu could only listen in bafflement, "How does whether you can hold on or not have anything to do with me? I'm just a late-stage Mutated Being in the Yin God Realm, of no use in a Divine Spirits' battle."

Zhu Yun's original intent was for Xiao Mu to proactively produce the Divine Treasure fragments, but seeing his puzzled face, he couldn't help but laugh, "Xiao Mu, my boy, are you really going to make me say it out loud?"

Xiao Mu still didn't grasp Zhu Yun's point and asked in wonder, "Elder Zhu, what do you mean by saying it out loud? What are you talking about?"

"Xiao Mu, what Elder Zhu is saying is that you ought to bring out the Divine Treasure fragments you brought back from the outside, so we can repair the damaged Spirit Tablet professions," Chen Fushi hurriedly interjected, worried that if they continued to harp on, Xiao Mu would still fail to grasp their objective.

Xiao Mu suddenly understood, "So the Elders were specifically waiting for me at the City Gate because of the Divine Treasure fragments I brought back."

"What else did you think?"

Zhu Yun chuckled, "Our Spirit Tablet professions have been damaged in battle and urgently need Divine Treasure fragments for repair; otherwise, how could we face the Divine Spirits' next attack from beyond the stars? Of course, there's some truth in saying we were especially welcoming you, but it's just a small part."

This Elder Zhu sure was candid.

Zhu Yun's words unexpectedly made Xiao Mu feel a bit more fond of him.

Qu Jingyu had a kind smile on his face, "Xiao Mu, we know, with your abilities, you must have brought back a large number of Divine Treasure fragments right? Hurry up and take them out; we won't ask for them for free."

Elder Zhu Yun followed up, "Elder Qu is right. Xiao Mu, no matter how many Divine Treasure fragments you produce this time, the Alliance will reimburse you, converting them into resources you need."

"Please take out the Divine Treasure fragments quickly so we can repair the Spirit Tablet professions; we can hardly wait any longer."

"Especially Elder Mei Jun; he's the most seriously injured, and repairing his Spirit Tablet profession won't be easy. The sooner you take them out, the quicker his wounds will heal, haha!"

As he spoke, Elder Zhu Yun couldn't help but laugh loudly, full of expectation as he looked at Xiao Mu.

Xiao Mu was initially stunned, then couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

He indeed had acquired quite a few Divine Treasure fragments, but because Zun and Huang Yuan were injured, most of them had been given to the two for repairing their Spirit Tablet professions, leaving him with only two fragments in his possession.

Seeing the eager faces of Elders Zhu Yun, Chen Fushi, and Qu Jingyu looking at him, Xiao Mu couldn't help feeling a bit guilty as he said helplessly, "Elder Zhu, Elder Chen, Elder Qu, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you this time. The number of Divine Treasure fragments I found while seeking resources wasn't substantial."

"Not many?"

Zhu Yun was a bit disappointed but then expectant again, "You must have at least a dozen, right?"

Chen Fushi chimed in, "Last time you got almost thirty pieces, even if it's half that this time, fifteen pieces at least, right? If not fifteen, would ten be possible?"

Xiao Mu helplessly shook his head, "Elder Zhu, Elder Chen, I'm really going to disappoint you this time; I've only brought back two Divine Treasure fragments."

"Only two?"

Zhu Yun was taken aback and then his face showed disappointment.

"Just two, how come only two?" Chen Fushi found it hard to believe.

Qu Jingyu's face was filled with deep disappointment, "That's way... way too few, isn't it?"

"I've already said…" With a sneer on his face, Li Qi suddenly spoke out mockingly, "Divine Treasure fragments aren't easy to come by. You really think you can just pick them up anywhere? Last time's nearly thirty, it was all just luck!"

"That's still a lot better than you, Elder Li!"

Wu Yan glared at Li Qi discontentedly, "Even if there are only two, that's still a significant gain. If you, Elder Li, don't agree, why don't you go and bring back two to show us?"

Li Qi was immediately at a loss for words; he knew his limitations. If he were to collect Divine Treasure fragments, he surely wouldn't be able to bring any back.

With a snort, Wu Yan said disdainfully, "If you don't have the ability, don't talk nonsense."

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