Xiao Mu looked at Qiao Zhong, unsure for a moment how to console him. Though Qiao Zhong's idea of fleeing was indeed disgraceful, his forthright admission left Xiao Mu without grounds to blame him. Moreover, valuing his duty, Qiao Zhong chose to stay despite his thoughts of escape, which in Xiao Mu's opinion deserved commendation.

Thus, for a moment, he faced Qiao Zhong, feeling a complex mix of emotions and uncertain of what to say.

After some thought, he decided to change the topic, "Where are these refugees planning to flee to?"

"Where?"

Qiao Zhong responded with a bitter smile, "Those with the means try to escape the Eastern Desolation and return to the human world; those without, flee to the Central Area of the Eastern Desolation. At least it is somewhat safer there compared to other places."

Xiao Mu nodded, pondering for a moment, finding no immediate solution for the exodus in the Eastern Desolation, he finally said, "Let's go down."

"Elder Xiao, please!"

Qiao Zhong gestured for Xiao Mu to head towards the Grand Hall.

Xiao Mu nodded and flew toward the Grand Hall first, with Qiao Zhong closely following.

Not long after, the two smoothly landed atop the Grand Hall.

"Qin Yuan, Mo Lin, Elder Xiao is here, why aren't you coming out to greet him?"

Qiao Zhong began to loudly call out the two names.

However, he shouted for quite some time before a person finally flew out from below the Grand Hall—a middle-aged man appearing rather haggard.

As this man flew out, he appeared on the rooftop and shouted to Qiao Zhong, "Alright, Old Qiao, stop calling, I'm out. You just mentioned Elder Xiao, which Elder Xiao is it?"

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily landed on Xiao Mu.

Elder—one would know at once this is a True God Level person from headquarters, but this haggard middle-aged man obviously did not recognize Xiao Mu.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mu took this opportunity to scan the middle-aged man and discovered that he was at the Divine Spirit Level, emanating Black Gas, undoubtedly a Variants of the Reincarnation System.

At this moment, Qiao Zhong proceeded with the introduction, "Old Qin, this is Elder Xiao Mu from headquarters. Not long ago, he met with Elder Zhu Ke and Elder Wang Yuan. The three Elders divided the task, where Elder Xiao Mu was assigned to guard the north of the Eastern Desolation. Elder Xiao Mu, this is one of the leaders of the Eastern Desolation, Qin Yuan."

"Qin Yuan greets Elder Xiao."

Qin Yuan, evidently not high in spirits, still approached nervously to salute Xiao Mu.

"No need for formalities." Xiao Mu motioned with his hand for him to rise.

"Old Qin, where is Mo Lin? Why doesn't he come out to greet Elder Xiao?" Qiao Zhong glanced around, questioning Qin Yuan.

In his inquiry, he turned to Xiao Mu to explain, "Elder Xiao, in the north of the Eastern Desolation, there are two leaders in total. Qin Yuan is only one of them, the other is Mo Lin. Where is Mo Lin, Old Qin?"

As he spoke, Qiao Zhong looked at Qin Yuan once again and pursued the whereabouts of the other leader, Mo Lin.

"Old Mo is ill and temporarily unable to come out to greet you. Please forgive him, Elder Xiao."

Before clasping his hands to Xiao Mu, Qin Yuan seemed quite sincere. Yet, as he spoke, Xiao Mu could easily discern from his eyes that Qin Yuan was obviously hiding something.

Moreover, when he mentioned Mo Lin being ill, his eyes rolled incessantly in nervousness.

Not to mention, being a Variant, especially at the Divine Spirit Level, how could one fall ill? Even if he were, only someone from the curse system could curse him ill, right? Ordinary illnesses could not possibly affect such a powerful being.

"Ill?"

Qiao Zhong's expression changed for a moment, he said, glancing nervously at Xiao Mu.

With his experience, he clearly understood that Mo Lin could not be ill, Qin Yuan obviously wasn't telling the truth, yet he also seemed to want to cover for Mo Lin, trying to smooth things over, saying, "What illness? Is it serious? If not, have him come quickly to meet Elder Xiao. From today, Elder Xiao will be stationed in the northern Eastern Desolation. It's crucial, can Mo Lin dare not come to pay respects?"

"Yes."

Qin Yuan immediately agreed, cautiously saying, "I will notify him at once."

"Elder Xiao, please!"

With that, Qiao Zhong extended his hand to invite Xiao Mu into the Grand Hall.

Xiao Mu nodded. Watching the two perform, he felt somewhat displeased but chose not to say much. Entering the Eastern Desolation, considering its special situation and the recent refugees, he did not intend to assert authority by disciplining the Eastern Desolation guardians.

In fact, he thought such a method of asserting authority was meaningless.

Presently in the Eastern Desolation, in the northern part, the people feared the Heavenly Court's mighty beings, and all actions were done because of them.

Therefore, for Xiao Mu, to truly instill confidence in the people of the Eastern Desolation, he must confront the Heavenly Court's might, so that the people of the Eastern Desolation know that he can protect them.

Otherwise, no matter how he punishes the people of the Eastern Desolation, it would be futile.

Despite this, he still felt some dissatisfaction in his heart.

Without saying a word, he entered the Grand Hall guided by Qiao Zhong and Qin Yuan.

The Grand Hall, guarding the northern Eastern Desolation, was large and gave an ancient feel. Qiao Zhong and Qin Yuan guided Xiao Mu in, invited him to sit, and Qin Yuan called for someone to serve tea.

However, shortly after sitting, Qiao Zhong took his leave from Xiao Mu.

He was only leading Xiao Mu to the Eastern Desolation. Now that his task was complete, he naturally did not intend to stay longer.

After Qiao Zhong's departure, only Xiao Mu and Qin Yuan remained in the Grand Hall.

Xiao Mu glanced around the Grand Hall.

Apparently, this Grand Hall was originally filled with many people, but now it was extremely desolate. Even though Qin Yuan called for someone to serve tea, only a young woman at the Yin God Realm came.

This young woman was the only other person Xiao Mu saw in the Grand Hall, aside from Qin Yuan, making it just the two of them.

In such a vast Grand Hall, there were only two people left; coupled with the crowd he saw earlier descending the mountain and fleeing from the north of the Eastern Desolation, Xiao Mu could easily surmise that many had already fled.

He thought for a moment before asking Qin Yuan, "How has the recent battle been going in the northern Eastern Desolation?"

Hearing this, Qin Yuan's face showed deep worry. He did not answer but questioned Xiao Mu, "Elder Xiao, has headquarters abandoned us?"

"Nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mu was instantly displeased and sternly scolded Qin Yuan, "Where did you hear such nonsense? If headquarters had abandoned you, why would they send me to support you?"

"Yes, yes."

Qin Yuan replied submissively, not daring to refute Xiao Mu, but ultimately he gathered the courage to respond, "It's best if headquarters hasn't abandoned us. We are very grateful for Elder Xiao's support. However, the recent battle situation is far from optimistic. There are rumors that the Heavenly Court will dispatch a large force of mighty beings soon, mainly True God-level beings. These might arrive in any part of the Eastern Desolation at any time, and there is a high possibility they might land first in the northern Eastern Desolation."

"Is that so?"

Xiao Mu was intrigued.

He hadn't heard of this from Zhu Ke or Wang Yuan; however, since Qin Yuan mentioned it as a rumor, it was not necessarily entirely true.

Therefore, Zhu Ke and Wang Yuan keeping it from him was understandable.

"Yes."

Qin Yuan nodded, responding with some worry, "Moreover, the activities of the Heavenly Court's mighty beings have been slightly more frequent. Over here in the northern Eastern Desolation, people are being captured or attacked by them occasionally, their fates unknown. So, many have been affected, worrying they could be next."

"That's why those ordinary people chose to flee from the northern Eastern Desolation?" Upon hearing Qin Yuan, Xiao Mu immediately thought of something.

"Yes." Qin Yuan nodded worriedly, "They are all afraid. The people of the Heavenly Court are stronger than us guardians. In fact, even we don't feel safe."

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