If Xiao Mu were not completely unscathed, he felt that it would be absolutely impossible for him to still be standing here so perfectly right now.

"Speaking of which, this time I was able to enter the Sealed Land, improve my strength, and establish great merit—it's all thanks to Brother Zhao's suggestion."

Xiao Mu gratefully glanced at Zhao Qian.

This time, his smooth entry into the Sealed Land, his earning of great merit, and his enhancement in power, culminating in the creation of six Yama Hammers, were indeed largely due to Zhao Qian.

As he spoke, Xiao Mu took out a Storage Box and handed it to Zhao Qian, "Here's the Chaos Soil and Creation Soil that Brother Zhao requested."

"Thank you!"

When Zhao Qian opened the box, and saw that the Chaos Soil and Creation Soil inside were not only in abundant quantity but also of excellent quality, his delight instantly overshadowed the trouble he had brought upon himself by privately sending Xiao Mu into the Sealed Land.

"Now that I have the Creation Soil and Chaos Soil, I'm going to return and study them thoroughly. Brother Xiao, Brother Yang, we'll meet again later."

With that, Zhao Qian immediately activated his Escape Art and fled out of the camp, presumably heading straight back to the Great Tang Ruins.

"This Zhao Brother is truly impatient."

Glancing at the streak of Escape Light left by Zhao Qian's departure, Yang Jun remarked, "Brother Xiao, wasn't this expedition into the Sealed Land terribly dangerous?"

"Dangerous indeed—but the rewards were substantial."

Xiao Mu nodded and expressed his thanks to Yang Jun, "It's truly thanks to Brother Yang's array-breaking techniques; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the people of the Five Elements Sect so smoothly."

"Brother Xiao, you're too kind. After all, we are all part of the Human world's lineage; it's only right for me, Yang Jun, to contribute."

Yang Jun was quite pleased that he could be of help. He continued, "But as for the people of the Heavenly Court—we in the Human world are mortal enemies with them. Brother Xiao, when you encounter them, you must kill without mercy."

"Indeed, you don't even need to remind me, Brother Yang. I never show mercy to Heavenly Court Mutated Beings."

Xiao Mu nodded.

Even if Yang Jun hadn't mentioned it, he was already clear that the Heavenly Court and the Human world were sworn enemies. If he didn't kill the enemy, the enemy would certainly kill him.

This battle, though drenched in bloodshed, left Xiao Mu with no sense of guilt.

"That's good!"

Yang Jun remarked approvingly, "I was worried that Brother Xiao might hesitate to act harshly, thinking that the Heavenly Court Mutated Beings are lives too, and thus hold back."

"Remember, although they're lives, their loyalties differ from ours. If we don't kill them, they'll kill us. There have been Mutated Beings from our Human world before who lacked discernment, were merciful to Heavenly Court Mutated Beings, and ended up defeated, slain by the enemy. Brother Xiao, you absolutely must not make such a mistake."

Yang Jun earnestly warned him, afraid that Xiao Mu might display excessive compassion on the battlefield. He then added, "In a few days, the Pool of Chaos where the Life and Death Seal is located will open. Brother Xiao, do you intend to re-enter the Great Array?"

"Of course!"

Xiao Mu responded without hesitation.

The Pool of Chaos, holding the Life and Death Seal, was of critical importance to him, tied to the whereabouts of the other half of the Yama Seal. There was no way he wouldn't participate.

Moreover, the Heavenly Court was formidable while the Human world was weak; the battle over the Life and Death Seal absolutely could not proceed without him.

"I had a feeling Brother Xiao would definitely take part."

Yang Jun nodded solemnly and said seriously, "The Pool of Chaos holding the Life and Death Seal was also laid down by the ancestor Yang Yuan."

"Since Brother Xiao plans to enter this battle, I must lend you a hand. In these few days, I'll delve into the Creation Array where the Life and Death Seal resides and craft an Array Breaking Order to assist you in the fight."

Xiao Mu beamed with joy. "Brother Yang is a descendant of the legendary array master Yang Yuan and is adept at arrays. My success in breaking the Creation Array within the Sealed Land was largely due to Brother Yang's aid."

"If Brother Yang can assist me in breaking the Creation Array where the Life and Death Seal resides this time, I'll be even more confident in entering the array."

"Brother Xiao, no need to be so polite."

Yang Jun chuckled. "Helping you also helps me. My strength is too low to qualify for participation in the Great War. However, if I pass the array-breaking methods to Brother Xiao, and you use them to break the array, I, Yang Jun, will also share in the merit."

This time, Xiao Mu's success in the Sealed Land, thanks to Yang Jun's assistance in breaking the Creation Array, had already earned Yang Jun recognition.

Zhou Xuanmen, having submitted a reward application on behalf of Xiao Mu, would certainly ensure Yang Jun received his share.

Currently, Yang Jun had reached the Peak of the Divine Spirit Realm but had yet to obtain a Spirit Tablet. If he could establish greater merit, a Spirit Tablet was likely to be rewarded to him.

Once that happened, Yang Jun's power would undoubtedly receive a significant boost.

"Hearing Brother Yang say this has somewhat reduced the gratitude I feel towards you."

Xiao Mu joked casually.

"Haha!"

Yang Jun chuckled. Then he bid farewell to Xiao Mu, "Brother Xiao, I must make haste to study the arrays and craft the Array Breaking Order. Let's part ways for now."

"Brother Yang, please!"

Xiao Mu cupped his hands towards Yang Jun.

With that, the two parted ways and went about their own business.

Upon returning to his residence, Xiao Mu began organizing the gains from his recent expedition.

Undoubtedly, his greatest acquisition was the Five Elements Divine Command.

The Five Elements Divine Command was something Xiao Mu himself couldn't use, so he casually handed it over to Zun.

Zun was one of his own and had always looked after Xiao Mu. Giving the Five Elements Divine Command to Zun wasn't something Xiao Mu felt reluctant about in the slightest.

Beyond the Five Elements Divine Command, Xiao Mu's next greatest gain was the newly condensed Yama Hammers.

His Yama Hammers had now reached six in number, greatly enhancing his strength.

Further down the list was the accumulation of Energy Points.

This expedition to the Sealed Land had netted Xiao Mu nearly two hundred Energy Points—a truly bountiful harvest.

Unfortunately, he was still at the Divine Spirit Realm. Before ascending to the True God Realm, his demand for Energy Points wasn't very high.

"I must achieve True God Realm as soon as possible and become a True God."

"Meng Xuantong, Yuan Men, Yu Tong, and the Heavenly Court True Gods—all of them possess astonishing power."

"Even the ancestor of the Five Elements I encountered in the Sealed Land was far superior to me in strength."

"If not for Senior Hei intervening to save me, I likely wouldn't have come back alive."

"For me, strength is more important than anything else—especially since I'm a wanted figure in the Heavenly Court, by decree of Emperor Taija himself."

"And Meng Xuantong—I destroyed his avatar. I don't even know if he's aware. He probably isn't, but if he ever finds out what happened, wouldn't he hate me to his core and hunt me down relentlessly?"

Thinking of Meng Xuantong filled Xiao Mu with deep worry.

He was a Heavenly God Realm expert. In the Sealed Land, Xiao Mu had annihilated his avatar, mocked him afterward, and taunted him during the chase.

If Meng Xuantong ever learned of these events, he wouldn't just retaliate casually. He would likely harbor deep resentment, seeking to skin him alive and rip out his sinews.

"Regardless of whether Meng Xuantong knows or hates me, I must prepare for the worst."

"I need to enhance my strength as quickly as possible. Only by ascending to the True God Realm can I have a semblance of self-defense. The Divine Spirit Realm is far too weak."

Xiao Mu made a plan for himself, deciding to level up his strength and ascend to the True God Realm as quickly as possible, becoming a True God.

However, he was not only facing issues with his cultivation level but also with his Spirit Tablet.

"Unfortunately, until I obtain the other half of the Yama Seal, even if I manage to ascend to the True God Realm, I won't be able to become a True God."

"I need to focus on obtaining the other half of the Yama Seal first."

"I've already reached the Peak of the Divine Spirit Realm. If I close myself off for a few months, I should be able to reach Perfection and make a bid for the True God Realm. So, my cultivation level isn't something I need to worry about excessively."

As Xiao Mu reflected, he felt highly confident about the progress of his cultivation.

After all, he had achieved the True Realm through a top-tier True Seed, making his cultivation breakthroughs significantly easier than those of other Mutated Beings.

Not to mention, if he could acquire a Spirit Tablet ahead of time, the barriers to breaking through his cultivation level would weaken even further.

"In just two or three days, the battle for the Life and Death Seal will commence. There's no time to enhance my cultivation level now, no matter what."

"However, simply because my cultivation can't be improved doesn't mean I lack other ways to enhance my strength."

Saying this, Xiao Mu took out eighteen Secret Manuals and began sorting through them again.

He decided to train in one or two—or perhaps multiple—special techniques to bolster his strength for the upcoming battle over the Life and Death Seal.

"Body Refinement Secret Manuals are unnecessary for the time being. Movement Technique Secret Manuals aren't much needed either. As for Divine Art Secret Manuals..."

"In battles, especially on the battlefield, the most crucial manuals seem to be those in the Secret Arts category."

A faint smile lifted the corners of Xiao Mu's lips.

During the battle in the Sealed Land, pitting his wits against the Five Elements Sect, he had come to realize that Secret Arts Manuals, in certain situations—especially on the battlefield—could be even more useful than manuals that directly increased combat abilities like Body Refinement and Divine Art manuals.

"Perhaps I should train in one or two additional Secret Arts Manuals after all."

Contemplating further, Xiao Mu picked up the remaining four Secret Arts Manuals and delved into their contents.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.