Zhu Bingshen bowed to the Black Jade Plate and said, "Divine Monarch Wu De, in order to craft your Sculpted Image, we have invited the most outstanding craftsmen."

"The more outstanding the craftsmen, the more I like it," replied the voice from the jade plate.

Divine Monarch Wu De was delighted, "What is the name of this craftsman? In what way is he outstanding? Can you call him here so I can take a look?"

Zhu Bingshen responded, "We will try our best to satisfy your request, Senior. Xu Yi, call He Qingjun over."

As he spoke, Zhu Bingshen instructed a man in his early thirties who seemed very capable and shrewd at his side.

This man was named Xu Yi, the representative of the Alliance in this region. His strength was not very impressive, only at the Early Fourth Stage of Mortal Realm, but it was enough to deal with the common Evil Ghosts and Zombies.

"Yes, Elder Zhu!"

Xu Yi bowed and left to call the craftsman He Qingjun.

Zhu Bingshen took the opportunity to introduce He Qingjun to Divine Monarch Wu De, "Senior Wu De, this craftsman named He Qingjun originally made a living by crafting Sculpted Images, a skill passed down in his family."

"After the World Mutation in our world, an ancient book in his family that recorded the art of Sculpted Images underwent a mutation. After He Qingjun learned the craft from the book and constantly strived for perfection, his skill in creating Sculpted Images improved even more."

"It is said that the divine likenesses sculpted by his hand, even when made with ordinary materials, possess a trace of Divine Power and carry a faint Divinity."

"Such a craftsman is exactly to my liking!" exclaimed Divine Monarch Wu De contentedly.

Xiao Mu silently observed the scene without saying a word from beginning to end.

He was only here to show Divine Monarch Wu De the scene of crafting the Sculpted Image and establishing a temple, and it had nothing to do with him personally.

Footsteps sounded, and the previously departed Xu Yi hurried back.

His rushed and flustered steps displayed a loss of composure. By his side was an honest-looking man in his forties.

It seemed there had been an accident?

Xiao Mu's expression shifted slightly as he detected some issue from Xu Yi's demeanor.

As expected, Xu Yi approached Zhu Bingshen quickly and, with a bow and a worried expression, said, "Elder Zhu, there has been an accident, the craftsman He Qingjun suddenly passed away last night."

"Passed away? I remember He Qingjun being very healthy; he could've lived another thirty or forty years without a problem. How could he suddenly die? Did he encounter Evil Ghosts or Zombies?"

Zhu Bingshen raised his hand, and though he tried to contain himself, he showed a loss of composure.

"This is He Jianchang, He Qingjun's son. Little He, please repeat to Elder Zhu what happened to your father last night," said Xu Yi casually as he introduced him.

"Yes, Mr. Xu."

He Jianchang appeared very constrained and stuttered when speaking in front of Xu Yi. He began by greeting Zhu Bingshen, "Elder Zhu, hello, I am He Qingjun's son, He Jianchang."

"Little He, nice to meet you. Did your father, He Qingjun, encounter Evil Ghosts or Zombies? I recall he was very healthy; how could he have suddenly died without meeting Evil Ghosts or Zombies?"

Zhu Bingshen was gentle in his demeanor towards He Jianchang, showing no arrogance, and yet he was extremely surprised by the sudden demise of He Qingjun.

He Jianchang tentatively said, "Elder Zhu, my father He Qingjun did not encounter any Evil Ghosts or Zombies; he suddenly became a Mutated Being and died due to mental derangement."

"Suddenly became a Mutated Being?"

Zhu Bingshen frowned but then shook his head, "Little He, you must be mistaken; becoming a Mutated Being does not lead to mental derangement. Are you sure your father became a Mutated Being before he lost his mind?"

"It's true, Elder Zhu, I wouldn't dare deceive you! My father truly lost his mind after becoming a Mutated Being," He Jianchang said anxiously as he saw Zhu Bingshen's disbelief.

Zhu Bingshen shook his head lightly, "It's not that I don't believe you, but it really shouldn't be the case; becoming a Mutated Being doesn't lead to mental derangement."

"Little He, how did your father become a Mutated Being? Did he cultivate a Secret Manual, or did he consume a mutant fruit?"

He Jianchang anxiously replied, "I... I'm not sure."

As he spoke, the honest man nervously reached into his pocket and took out a piece of Spirit Iron, holding it up respectfully with both hands and presenting it to Zhu Bingshen as if to prove something, "Elder Zhu, this Spirit Iron bears the fingerprint my father made after becoming a Mutated Being."

Xiao Mu took the opportunity to glance at the Spirit Iron in He Jianchang's hands.

It was a perfectly square piece, with dimensions of approximately five by four by three centimeters, a metallic cube with a white color tinged with a faint yellow. It was Spirit Iron that had been transformed from ordinary steel after the World Mutation, used to forge Spirit Soldier weapons and was ten times more durable than average steel.

On the front of the Spirit Iron was a deep blood-stained fingerprint, about two centimeters deep, imprinted by the right thumb into the metal.

It appeared that when the thumb was pressed into the Spirit Iron, the blood had smeared upon the surface allowing the impression of the bloody fingerprint to be embedded into the metal.

It seemed He Qingjun had truly become a Mutated Being; otherwise, he would not have been able to leave a bloody fingerprint on the Spirit Iron. Yet becoming a Mutated Being should not lead to insanity—could it be that He Qingjun's madness was due to some other reason, unrelated to becoming a Mutated Being?

Observing the Spirit Iron, Xiao Mu was also perplexed.

His thoughts aligned with Zhu Bingshen's—he did not believe that He Qingjun's madness was connected to becoming a Mutated Being.

But then, he suddenly became aware of something and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

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