Then, the person showered Xiao Mu with another round of praise, giving him a thumbs up with an expression full of admiration.

Xiao Mu had no choice but to respond politely again, "Brother Chen, you seem to know a lot about me, you flatter me."

Chen Ming smiled and said, "A talent like Brother Xiao is rare even in the entire Alliance. To befriend Brother Xiao, how could I not know about his past?"

"Brother Xiao, I heard you're also entering the Pool of Chaos?"

"That's right!"

Xiao Mu hesitated for a moment, nodding his head, while internally worried about Chen Ming bringing up cooperation.

He didn't find anything wrong with collaborating with others, as they were all part of the Alliance.

However, Chen Ming was from Elder Jin's faction. Regardless of whether he admits it or not, in others' eyes, Xiao Mu was from the Zhou Xuanmen faction.

Xiao Mu couldn't ignore Zhou Xuanmen's perspective. What would they think if he collaborated with Chen Ming?

Chen Ming spoke immediately, "I wish to collaborate with Brother Xiao."

Cooperation?

Xiao Mu hesitated again. As expected, Chen Ming opened his mouth to talk about collaboration. But how could Xiao Mu possibly cooperate with him?

Seemingly seeing through Xiao Mu's thoughts, Chen Ming quickly added, "Brother Xiao, don't rush to refuse. The collaboration I'm talking about is different from what you might think."

Xiao Mu asked curiously, "Oh, how is it different? Please, Brother Chen, do tell."

Chen Ming explained, "The cooperation I propose isn't about fighting enemies together, moving in unison. I merely wish for us to support each other after entering the formation."

"Brother Xiao, after all, we are both members of the Alliance. I understand, Brother Xiao, you probably feel we belong to different factions."

Xiao Mu felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this.

This was precisely his thought, yet he didn't expect Chen Ming to bring it up first.

Chen Ming, being quite straightforward, laughed and continued, "But although we belong to different factions, we both serve the Alliance."

"Since we are all of the Alliance, our goal aligns, and that is to bring honor to the Alliance."

"Brother Xiao, I don't deny there is competition between us."

"However, competition is competition. Even if there's competition, does that mean we can't collaborate? Even if it's not normal collaboration, can't we collaborate in some unorthodox way?"

Xiao Mu couldn't help but nod, "Brother Chen, what you said makes sense. As members of the Alliance, competition doesn't hinder cooperation. However, I'm curious what Brother Chen means by unorthodox cooperation?"

Chen Ming expressed, "My stance is quite simple: we each confront our own enemies and accomplish our own goals. If we encounter enemies from the Heavenly Court, we abandon past prejudices and work together."

"At the same time, I can assure you that neither I nor my people will seize Brother Xiao's opportunities. Moreover, if you face danger, unless the enemy is overwhelmingly strong and could destroy me as well, I, Chen Ming, will surely lend a helping hand."

"I aid Brother Xiao not because we get along, nor do I seek Brother Xiao's gratitude, nor do I want Brother Xiao to pledge loyalty to me. It's solely because we are both members of the Alliance."

"Similarly, I hope that if I am in danger and it's within your ability, Brother Xiao can come to our aid. Also, I promise not to grab Brother Xiao's opportunities. If Brother Xiao insists on taking them, haha, as long as you can take them, it's not my place to say anything..."

"This is my conception of cooperation. What does Brother Xiao think? Can we collaborate this way?"

Xiao Mu gave Chen Ming a surprised look.

Chen Ming's words surprised him greatly.

He hadn't anticipated that Chen Ming could articulate something with such a broad perspective.

This made Xiao Mu see him in a different light.

This Chen Ming is a magnanimous person capable of accomplishing big things.

"If this is the nature of the cooperation, I can agree with Brother Chen; there's no harm in collaborating."

Xiao Mu nodded and then added, "In fact, even if we don't discuss cooperation, being part of the same Alliance means aiding those in danger, if within one's power is necessary."

Frankly, Xiao Mu didn't even feel Chen Ming's proposal of cooperation counted as cooperation.

Without talk of cooperation, in the event fellow members are attacked by the Heavenly Court, Xiao Mu would find it hard to stand by unless his prejudice against that person was immense.

"It's always better to express than not. Brother Xiao is a straightforward person, admirable, admirable."

Chen Ming laughed again and clasped his hands in respect to Xiao Mu, then casually asked, "I heard that Brother Xiao not only vanquished the Five Element Ancestor in the Sealed Land but also successfully captured the Five Elements Divine Order and handed it to Mei Zun?"

Xiao Mu replied casually, "Brother Chen's information is quite up-to-date."

"Not exactly up-to-date, but most people at Headquarters are aware of this."

Chen Ming once again gave Xiao Mu a thumbs up, "Everyone praises Brother Xiao's virtue; the Five Elements Divine Order is such a treasure, yet you gave it away instead of exchanging it at Headquarters for resources."

"Hehe!"

Xiao Mu smiled slightly, but internally dismissed this notion.

If the Five Elements Divine Order were exchanged at Headquarters for resources, perhaps it would indeed provide him plentiful cultivation resources.

However, who ultimately receives the Five Elements Divine Order once Headquarters redistributes it is beyond Xiao Mu's control.

If, by chance, the Five Elements Divine Order ends up with an Elder at odds with him, the trouble it could bring might outweigh the resources it could acquire.

He countered, "Brother Chen, do you find any issue with me gifting the Divine Order to Senior Mei Zun?"

"No!"

Chen Ming replied seriously, "On the contrary, I believe Brother Xiao's decision is correct; in my place, I would also entrust such authority to someone trustworthy."

"For instance, if I managed to obtain the Life and Death Seal, I would certainly give it to my closest Elder Xiong Jin, or perhaps, haha, keep it for my own use. Sending it to Headquarters in exchange for a treasure is out of the question."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mu glanced at Chen Ming. This person, being in the Early Stage of the True God Realm, indeed has the position to wield the Life and Death Seal.

Therefore, his words about keeping the Divine Order for his use weren't surprising.

Chen Ming suddenly suggested, "Brother Xiao, why don't we make a wager on who will obtain the Life and Death Seal first?"

"The Life and Death Seal? Is it necessary?"

Xiao Mu eyed Chen Ming and then the four Divine Spirits accompanying him.

Despite Chen Ming's not insignificant strength and having support, he still was less competitive compared to himself.

Xiao Mu doubted he could lose a bet on who would obtain the Life and Death Seal first.

Chen Ming chuckled, "Just a little amusement during a task, nothing more."

"Let's keep the stakes low to maintain harmony; the loser will give the winner ten thousand Advanced Energy Fruits. What do you think? If Brother Xiao thinks it's feasible, let's set this wager."

"Merely a verbal agreement. If Brother Xiao ends up losing and doesn't wish to pay, I won't pursue it, haha! Hahaha!"

Does he really think I will lose?

Xiao Mu felt a surge of competitiveness. Moreover, ten thousand energy fruits were not a significant loss for him.

"Since Brother Chen put it that way, if I keep declining, it would seem unfriendly. Alright then, I agree; if I lose, Brother Chen will get ten thousand energy fruits from me."

"Refreshing!"

Chen Ming praised, "We shall wager on who first obtains the Life and Death Seal. If I lose, I'll also give Brother Xiao ten thousand energy fruits."

As he spoke, he extended his hand for a high five with Xiao Mu.

"Hmph!"

A soft snort, laced with True Force, suddenly reached Xiao Mu's ears.

He frowned, followed the sound, and instantly met Gu Mei's unfriendly gaze.

"Fooled without even knowing, you won't know how you died."

Gu Mei suddenly gave Xiao Mu a stern look, then turned her face away, maintaining an aloof expression, as though viewing everyone with disdain.

This woman, she must think she's above everyone else.

Xiao Mu shifted his gaze away, feeling a sudden dislike for Gu Mei.

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