Xiao Mu remained unmoved by Tian Ling's suggestion, but he was extremely interested in Du Lan'er's master who suddenly appeared—a Divine Spirit powerhouse that was neither from the Alliance nor from beyond the heavens. Urgency coursed through him as he wanted to investigate the newcomer's origin. He calmly said, "First, help me find out more about Du Lan'er's master, where he's from, who he is."

"Okay!"

Tian Ling agreed immediately, then added a request, "Brother Mu, I'm helping you, could you also help me for a bit? Just pretend to be my master in front of Du Lan'er for a while."

"Why should I pretend to be your master?"

Xiao Mu found Tian Ling's request peculiar.

"For a long time, Du Lan'er has been showing off how powerful her master is to me. If my master is more impressive than hers, she'll have no face to boast in front of me again."

Tian Ling responded childishly.

Xiao Mu smiled and asked, "Aren't you afraid that I might not measure up to Du Lan'er's master?"

"Not at all!"

Tian Ling shook her head, brimming with confidence in Xiao Mu, "Let's not even mention that I've seen you display your power and I know you're a Divine Spirit powerhouse. Even if I hadn't seen your strength, just by how respectfully my godfather acted in front of you today, I've realized you're a powerhouse. He's usually so arrogant, yet he became so deferential when he saw you. If you weren't powerful, would my godfather act that way? Plus, my uncle, you think I can't see the flattery unconsciously seeping into his tone when he talks to you?"

"Your observation skills are quite sharp!"

Xiao Mu complimented Tian Ling casually, "Seeing how clever you are, I agree to help you and pretend to be your master temporarily. But you need to do me a favor in return and find out the origins of Du Lan'er's master."

"Yes, Master!"

Tian Ling joyfully responded, immediately calling out to Xiao Mu as master.

"Tian Ling, is this your master?" Just then, the tall girl in the light yellow dress, Du Lan'er, approached, surprised by Tian Ling's address to Xiao Mu.

"You have a master, can't I have one too? Du Lan'er, my master is here to break your master's bestowed protective charm. Bring out the charm, no, tell me about your master's origin, let's see if my master knows him."

Tian Ling answered proudly, but halfway through recalled Xiao Mu's instructions and quickly changed the subject, inquiring about the origin of Du Lan'er's master.

"If you break the protective charm my master has given me, I'll tell you about my master's origin." Du Lan'er remained calm, seemingly full of confidence in the protective charm her master had provided, yet she did not reveal any details about her master's identity.

"To my master, breaking your charm is merely a trivial matter! Du Lan'er, show your charm, and watch how my master shatters it."

Tian Ling waved her right fist in a threatening manner at Du Lan'er.

"In Twilight Forest Village, it doesn't matter who you bring—there's no one here who can break the protective charm given by my master."

Du Lan'er responded with a calm smile and without seeming to do anything special, her right hand suddenly clenched tightly.

At the moment her palm clenched, a black and white dual-colored orb appeared in the center of her hand, from which the powerful force of Life and Death surged forth.

Immediately afterward, a dazzling green light shone, and within it, the aura of Netherworld faintly emerged, as the illusion of a City God appeared behind Du Lan'er. An invisible golden shield, umbrella-shaped, appeared above her head, with streams of green light spilling down and the City God's authority protecting her from the front, keeping her safe in the middle.

City God's might! The Two Forces of Life and Death!

Xiao Mu's heart pounded wildly, realizing from the displayed authority that Du Lan'er's master must be a City God among the Divine Spirits, and also cultivated the Two Forces of Life and Death.

Very few in the Human world practice the Power of Life and Death; this indicated that Du Lan'er's master was most likely a Mutated Being from the Life and Death Sect, with at least a ninety percent probability.

"What exactly is the origin of your master?" Xiao Mu's demeanor remained unchanged, but his gaze on Du Lan'er steadily grew sharper.

"If you want to know about my master's origin, break the protective charm bestowed by my master first." Du Lan'er was shaken by Xiao Mu's gaze but lifted her head high, deliberately avoiding his look.

Xiao Mu didn't get angry. Instead, he continued gazing at Du Lan'er calmly, his tranquil eyes unsettling her even more.

However, Xiao Mu had no intention of personally making a move on Du Lan'er. After a while, he said calmly, "Breaking your charm is no more than a flick of the wrist for me."

"I could have subdued you directly and questioned you about your master's origin, but I don't bully the younger generation. Tian Ling, you break her protective charm."

"I... Master, me?" Tian Ling's hand pointed to herself in shock and disbelief, lacking confidence. Du Lan'er was at the True Realm, while she was at the Peak of Mortal Realm; her realm was inferior to her opponent's.

Wasn't it agreed beforehand that Xiao Mu would make the move to break the protective barrier bestowed by Du Lan'er's master? Why had it suddenly become her turn? Was it really necessary to change the plan?

"The City God's Emperor Authority barrier, the Two Forces of Life and Death, are all insignificant. She has a barrier; you also have a barrier. Barrier against barrier, authority against authority—the stronger will prevail!"

Xiao Mu suddenly extended his hand and pointed at Tian Ling.

Hum!

Almost the same City God's Emperor Authority shot out from Xiao Mu's fingertips, but because it was condensed with the Heavenly Emperor's Might, a strand of Purple Qi was faintly visible within the Golden Light.

Du Lan'er looked at Xiao Mu in astonishment, surprised that Xiao Mu also possessed the City God's Emperor Authority.

At this moment, the City God's Emperor Authority mixed with the Purple Qi of the Heavenly Emperor hit Tian Ling. In the blink of an eye, it changed from an illusion to a reality, transforming into an umbrella-shaped artifact similar to the one above Du Lan'er's head. Behind Tian Ling, the City God's illusion also appeared.

However, the City God's illusion that Xiao Mu formed behind Tian Ling had a wisp of Purple Rosy Clouds floating above its head, and even the protective barrier that spread out from the body had a hint of purple within its Golden color.

The Purple Rosy Clouds and the purple hues released an unsurpassable majestic aura, a concrete display of the Emperor's Might, irresistibly evoking in people an urge to face it with the utmost respect and worship.

"Go, break her protective barrier of authority!" Xiao Mu waved to Tian Ling, signaling her to move forward.

He was utterly confident in his own authority; authority against authority, at the same level, he did not yield to anyone.

"Yes, Master!"

Tian Ling bounced toward Du Lan'er. Xiao Mu's bestowed City God's Emperor Authority made her feel powerful. Particularly shocking to her was that supremely majestic intent; she was now eager to break through Du Lan'er's protective barrier.

"Du Lan'er, I'm coming, make your move!"

Du Lan'er, noticing something unusual about Xiao Mu's City God's Emperor Authority, deliberately turned to glance at him, her mouth opening slightly as if she wanted to say something. But after hearing Tian Ling's words, she immediately closed her mouth, focused, her expression serious, and beckoned, "Please!"

Tian Ling extended a finger, slowly poking it toward Du Lan'er, who also extended a finger. Their fingers met—authority barrier against authority barrier.

This was a collision of authorities, fundamentally different from normal combat or fighting.

Hum! Hum!

The protective barriers of authority around Tian Ling and Du Lan'er were simultaneously activated, their power surged.

Behind Du Lan'er, the illusion of the golden City God shone even brighter. The illusion extended both hands at the same time, its demeanor solemn, releasing intense authoritative power. The umbrella of authority above its head glowed intensely, amplifying the Golden Light, which formed a thick wall at Du Lan'er's fingertips to block Tian Ling's finger.

As her finger was blocked, the City God's Emperor Authority that Xiao Mu had struck onto Tian Ling was immediately activated, with both the purple hue and Golden Light intensifying.

Furthermore, the City God's illusion behind Tian Ling began to emit an authoritative aura that condensed into shape, turning into tiny golden pagodas.

"Golden Pagoda Art", the City God's Emperor Authority condensed into tangible golden pagodas, further strengthening the power of authority.

There were four of these pagodas, floating around Tian Ling to her front, back, left, and right sides.

Each tiny pagoda emitted a brilliant light; the four beams hit the protective barrier, connecting to the outermost layer. Tian Ling's own authority was amplified.

Puff!

The unsurpassable presence of the purple intent shone forth, targeting the wall formed by Du Lan'er's protective barrier like a cutting blade. A muffled sound was heard, and suddenly, the wall cracked open in the middle. The protective barrier shattered instantly.

"Du Lan'er, it seems your master's authority is nothing special. In front of my master, it is simply too weak to withstand a single blow! Now, you can reveal your master's identity and origin," Tian Ling said, exhilarated, feeling a sense of triumph.

Du Lan'er's expression remained solemn; she did not respond to Tian Ling and suddenly turned to Xiao Mu, her face respectful, her lips moving slightly.

Clear transference of voice reached Xiao Mu's ears, "Du Lan'er, on behalf of her master, greets Senior Xiao Mu!"

"My master knew that the senior had come to Twilight Forest Village and has always wanted to meet with the senior in person, but the senior took on many forms, making him hard to find. Out of helplessness, he intentionally bestowed the protective barrier, seeking someone to break it to draw the senior out, please do not be offended!"

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