"How is it? Brother Xiao, my research isn't too bad, right?"

Zhao Qian boasted proudly to Xiao Mu.

Thank goodness I'm not the enemy, otherwise I'd have to kill him on the spot.

Watching the proud Zhao Qian boasting to him, Xiao Mu felt an intense urge to stay away from this man and said insincerely, "Brother Zhao's research is indeed impressive, holding significant strategic value. If it could be further developed, our Great Tang Ruins would no longer lack means to restrain True Gods."

"I knew it, Brother Xiao. A smart person like you would definitely appreciate my research."

Zhao Qian laughed heartily, overjoyed.

I appreciate you my ass.

Xiao Mu cursed inwardly and hurriedly bid Zhao Qian farewell.

Zhao Qian laughed and saw Xiao Mu down to the foot of Solitary Straight Mountain, repeatedly inviting him to visit his laboratory when he had time.

Xiao Mu agreed perfunctorily, but decided in his heart that unless absolutely necessary, he would never seek out Zhao Qian—who knows what he might come up with next time.

This time the Mutated Plants were related to Hongmeng, next time it might involve the Creation Heavenly King.

Both of them were Ancient Gods, taboo amongst taboos, and to inadvertently provoke any one of them could lead to a disastrous fate.

Using his skills, Xiao Mu hurriedly ascended the mountain, wishing only to leave Zhao Qian behind as quickly as possible.

In the small courtyard at the summit of Solitary Straight Mountain, Head Chief Wu Jie was sitting leisurely in the pavilion, still reclining on his bamboo chair, with a small table made of the same material on his right, on which was placed a tea set decorated with flowers, birds, and figures.

And as Xiao Mu arrived, Wu Jie was holding a small tea cup, leisurely sipping tea.

"Xiao Xiao, you're here. Take a seat!"

Seeing Xiao Mu come in, the head chief didn't even get up, nor did he put down his tea cup, simply waving Xiao Mu to sit on the other side of the bamboo table.

This head chief really knows how to relax.

Xiao Mu inwardly envied Wu Jie's leisurely lifestyle and sat down unceremoniously on another bamboo recliner, picking up the small teapot from the table and pouring himself a cup of tea from a dish.

The aroma of the Mutated Tea assaulted his senses, and as Xiao Mu took a small sip, he felt an immediate sense of relief throughout his body.

Head Chief Wu Jie finished the tea in his cup at a leisurely pace before slowly setting down the cup and said calmly, "Zhao Qian detained you, didn't he?"

"How did the head chief know?"

Xiao Mu was somewhat surprised at Wu Jie's well-informed nature.

Wu Jie smiled faintly, "Zhao Qian has his talents and a good aptitude. It's a pity that most of his attention isn't on cultivation, but rather on eccentric practices, which has delayed his progress. Otherwise, with his talents, he could have entered the realm of Divine Spirits by now."

So the head chief had always been aware of Zhao Qian's activities. But why didn't he intervene?

A flicker of doubt crossed Xiao Mu's mind as he instinctively glanced at Wu Jie.

Wu Jie guessed Xiao Mu's thoughts and casually explained, "I don't agree with Zhao Qian's methods. However, 'every trade produces its leaders,' and cultivation isn't necessarily the only correct path."

"During the Ancient Times, there were various Divine Craftsmen and Array Masters whose strength and status were not inferior to those who devoted themselves solely to the path of the Mutated Beings."

"If Zhao Qian continues his research as he is now, his achievements might not be weaker than ours."

As he spoke, Wu Jie paused for a moment and then abruptly changed the topic, "Enough of that. I didn't call you today to talk about Zhao Qian. Xiao Xiao, take a look at this person and remember his appearance."

As he spoke, Wu Jie took out a Painting from underneath the bamboo table and pushed it across towards Xiao Mu.

"It's him."

After just one glance at the figure in the Painting, Xiao Mu recalled the man's history.

This man in the Painting was someone Wu Jie had previously shown him. It was important information transmitted back from Headquarters.

The person in the Painting was a Thunder God, a Divine Spirit who, like Guobao, had arrived from beyond the heavens, a true Thunder God with the complete authority of his position.

"Good memory!"

Wu Jie praised, then continued, "Headquarters has obtained some information on this person. His name is Changming Thunder God, a Divine Spirit of the Retribution branch, serving under the Retribution Emperor. He entered the human world along with Guobao, now under the management of Guobao."

"Oh!"

Xiao Mu uttered, aware that Head Chief Wu Jie must have his reasons for sharing all this with him.

As expected, it wasn't long before he heard Wu Jie sigh, "Recently, the strength of the Mutated Beings in our Great Tang Ruins has grown rapidly, with four new Divine Spirits emerging in succession."

"Yiye remains a scarce resource for us. So far, none of these four new Divine Spirits have obtained their domain."

It seems the head chief is indeed looking to wrest domains from heavenly Mutated Beings.

Xiao Mu recalled the news he had received not long ago from Gu Hui and Zhang Shunming, and immediately understood the reasoning behind Wu Jie sharing this information with him.

Wu Jie went on, "Currently, I am attempting to communicate with Headquarters, hoping to utilize the authority of the Human Emperor to strip domains from the heavenly Mutated Beings and allocate the seized domains to the new Divine Spirits to boost the overall strength of our Great Tang Ruins."

Indeed!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mu had no doubts left in his mind. Head Chief Wu Jie was indeed planning to use the authority of the Human Emperor to snatch domains from the heavenly Mutated Beings.

But what does this have to do with the Retribution branch Divine Spirit, Changming Thunder God? Could it be...

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