Strength alone does not represent everything.

Besides strength, other factors can determine the final outcome.

Not to mention, there are still Wild Man Seniors in this Sealed Land. No matter how strong the Five Elements Sect is, can they be stronger than the Wild Man Seniors?

If I can borrow some power from the Wild Man Seniors, what are the mere Five Elements Sect and Four Spirit Gods compared to that?

The only regret is that the Wild Man Seniors' whereabouts are currently unknown, and we don't know when they will enter Zhendang Mountain.

Qi Ping took a deep breath to avoid getting angered. "If that's the case, what are your thoughts? When will you come join us? Or at least tell us your location so Old Liu and I can come find you."

Join up? Still talking about joining up? No need, right? I've rejected it so clearly, but this Elder Qi still doesn't get it and keeps talking about coming together?

Xiao Mu felt a bit displeased and once again politely refused. "Elder Qi, I don't think joining up is necessary. We can each act on our own instead."

"I have my plans, and I believe both Elder Qi and Elder Liu have their own plans as well. Let's each follow our own plans."

"You…"

Qi Ping was almost at his limit with frustration. After all this talk, it seemed pointless. He chided, "Xiao Mu, you're being too reckless! Do you really know just how powerful the Five Elements Sect is?"

Xiao Mu's recklessness made him suspect that this person was unclear about the might of the Five Elements Sect.

Acting so rashly would surely lead to danger at any moment.

Qi Ping was angry. If not for being part of the Human Alliance and the fact that only the three of them shared this Sealed Land, he wouldn't have cared what decisions Xiao Mu made.

"I know, of course."

Xiao Mu's words only further irritated Qi Ping, and he helplessly added, "But honestly, I'm worried that you guys will drag me down."

Feeling helpless, Xiao Mu decided to speak bluntly.

After all the hints, if you still couldn't understand my meaning and got angry in return, what else can I do? I may as well be straightforward.

"Drag us down…"

Qi Ping started to respond but suddenly paused. He and Old Liu would drag him down?

"Well… Please don't take it the wrong way, Elder Qi. It's not that I don't want to cooperate with you two."

At this moment, Xiao Mu suddenly realized his earlier words might have been a bit harsh. Hastily attempting to fix it, he apologized, "My escape speed is fast. Against the people from the Five Elements Sect, be it an ambush or retreat, I can easily manage. Unless the Five Elements Sect masters the Riding Clouds and Mist technique, they won't be able to catch me."

"And as for you two elders… cough cough, forgive my directness. Do you both know the Riding Clouds and Mist technique? Can you easily shake off pursuit from the Five Elements Sect?"

The silver talisman suddenly fell silent, and Qi Ping's breathing seemed to grow heavy.

So, there's this perspective?

It's true that Xiao Mu's escape techniques are reputedly far superior to an ordinary person's escape speed.

And yet, being looked down upon like this—are you kidding me?

"Elder Qi, Elder Qi."

After not hearing Qi Ping speak for quite a while, Xiao Mu realized the other party had been struck a blow. Feeling apologetic, he apologized again. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said those things. But earlier I was too subtle, and Elder Qi didn't seem to get my meaning, even getting upset. I couldn't help it…"

"You…"

Qi Ping was completely stumped, not knowing what else to say. It felt as if his throat was blocked, unable to utter a single word.

It took him quite a while to breathe out a long sigh. "Fine, since you want to act alone, then act alone."

"By the way, I forgot to mention—Wood Spirit God and his people have entered the Sealed Land, and their primary target must be you. You need to be extra careful. After all, if they kill you, everything else will be easier for them. If they take down me and Old Liu as well, then in this Sealed Land, they can do whatever they want."

Sullen as he was, Elder Qi still kindly reminded Xiao Mu.

After all, they were on the same side. No matter how vexing it became, what else could he do? In the end, weren't they still bound to join forces against external threats?

"Thank you for your reminder, Elder Qi. I'll keep it in mind and be cautious around the Five Elements Sect."

Xiao Mu nodded in gratitude and replied politely.

He knew Elder Qi was right. The primary targets of the Five Elements Sect would undoubtedly be himself, Qi Ping, and Liu Tong. Once the Human Alliance's people were dealt with, everything would be theirs to control.

While the Wild Man was strong, his wit wasn't sharp enough. Even if he encountered people from the Five Elements Sect, he might be tricked, rendering his threat negligible.

As for Spirit Ear Technique and Divine Listening Technique... Forget it, best not to inquire about those anymore. If the opportunity arises, I'll ask Senior Zun about them. Then, I'll naturally understand what divine powers they are.

Hopefully, among the twenty divine technique manuals Senior Zun is gathering for me, there will be one containing such powers.

Unable to delve deeper into Divine Listening Technique, Xiao Mu felt a tinge of regret but chose not to bring it up out of consideration for Qi Ping's pride.

Breaking off the conversation with Qi Ping and Liu Tong, Xiao Mu's focus shifted toward the Five Elements Sect.

Wood Spirit God had led his people into the Sealed Land. Naturally, their initial goal would be to contact Luo Zhan's group.

This implied that Wood Spirit God likely had a clear understanding of the Sealed Land and was aware of its opportunities, his own capabilities, and even the presence of the Wild Man Senior.

From now on, Xiao Mu would need to be extra cautious.

Now that Wood Spirit God understood his situation, he would definitely devise countermeasures.

The Creation Power's concealment effect, the Five Elements Escaping Technique, the Changeable Divine Technique, or even the combination of Heavenly Emperor's Authority with the Transmuted Earth Escape Technique—all could become insufficient at any moment.

Even the Wild Man Senior couldn't be fully relied upon.

Additionally, almost overlooked—Qin Zhong's use of the Five Elements Heaven Pointing Needle could lock onto Xiao Mu's location.

Wood Spirit God's group might even possess similar treasures, or possibly ones even more formidable than the Five Elements Heaven Pointing Needle.

The thought made Xiao Mu even more wary.

This time, the personnel sent by the Five Elements Sect were significantly stronger than Luo Zhan and his group. Treating them like before would inevitably lead to great losses.

Forget it. Better to wait for now. There's no rush to move forward.

Senior Zun is collecting twenty divine technique manuals for me; once I have those, I'll start taking action.

Xiao Mu pondered cautiously as he crafted his plan.

※※※

"Old Liu, do you think our strength is really that weak?"

Qi Ping was deeply affected, furrowing his brows as he asked Liu Tong.

Liu Tong chuckled bitterly. Xiao Mu's words hadn't just demoralized Qi Ping but had left him dispirited, too. Helplessly, he replied, "Perhaps so!"

"If I'd known this earlier, I wouldn't have contacted that kid. Not only did we fail to get any help from him, but now we're in a bad mood because of it."

Qi Ping spoke dejectedly, clearly referring to Xiao Mu as "that kid."

Moments later, Qi Ping suddenly seemed to think of something and proposed, "Old Liu, why don't we ambush the Five Elements Sect as well?"

"What?"

Liu Tong immediately froze. Had the old geezer been demoralized to the point of madness, wanting to copy Xiao Mu's actions and ambush the Five Elements Sect people?

※※※

A sphere of destiny's brilliance appeared from the horizon, falling directly into Wood Spirit God's palm.

Wood Spirit God smirked. "I've connected with Luo Zhan's group. Who would have thought Qin Zhong actually carries Xiao Mu's aura?"

As he spoke, a white energy cluster in his palm rose and morphed into a tiny, illusory figure identical to Xiao Mu's appearance.

This was Xiao Mu's aura, transformed into shape using True Force in Wood Spirit God's hand.

"Still, I'd advise against being careless,"

Water Spirit God Bai Suqin cautioned with vigilance. "That Xiao Mu has ways of masking his aura. Utilizing his aura doesn't necessarily mean we'll be able to locate him."

"Ah, Creation Power, I know!"

Wood Spirit God smiled confidently. "No need to worry. Creation Power does indeed mask aura, preventing our pursuit. But based on the feedback Luo Zhan just provided, Xiao Mu's Creation Axe is losing its potency due to overuse."

"The remaining power of Creation isn't enough to sustain his use of Creation Axe for much longer. If he continues, he'll soon lose it entirely."

"I believe Xiao Mu, if smart enough, will definitely hesitate to use the Creation Axe recklessly anymore."

"Moreover, my tracking method is entirely different from Qin Zhong's. Qin Zhong's Five Elements Heaven Pointing Needle only locks onto Xiao Mu's location. My God Fixing Technique not only locks onto location but also allows a vague view of what Xiao Mu is doing."

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