"So, how many skilled fighters of you have come to recapture the Energy Fruit Tree? What's the plan?"

Xiao Mu kept probing. He needed to know the specifics of the Evil Ghost's plan.

Upon hearing this, Yue hesitated. Disclosing battle secrets would undoubtedly result in his death if the higher-ups found out.

"What? Don't want to talk?"

Xiao Mu's face grew stern.

Yue was startled on the spot, quickly asking, "If I tell you, can you guarantee not to kill me?"

Xiao Mu's cold gaze swept over Yue, "As long as you're useful to me, I won't kill you. But if you're not..."

Xiao Mu did not finish his sentence, but Yue got the point. It immediately shivered and quickly responded, "I'm useful, I'm useful."

"You need to prove your worth. Tell me, what does the Chihuo Ghost Clan plan to do? How many skilled fighters are preparing to recapture the Energy Fruit Tree?"

Nervously Yue said, "Yes, yes. For this operation, General Chen is leading the team. His strength has reached the peak of the Purple-black Blood Demons. Besides him, there are also two other Purple-black Blood Demons. One is in the late stage, and the other is in the early stage."

"According to General Chen's plan, another Purple-black Blood Demon in the late stage, will use a special method to open a Teleportation Portal, entering the ruins from underground to reach the Energy Fruit Tree, to prevent any humans in the ruins from destroying the Energy Fruit Tree in desperation. Meanwhile, General Chen leads the assault from the outside, aiming to kill all the humans in one fell swoop, and recapture the Energy Fruit Tree."

Xiao Mu fell silent after hearing this.

He hadn't expected that the Chihuo Ghost Clan had sent such a powerful force just for the Energy Fruit Tree. They have three Purple-black Blood Demons under their command.

The most terrifying among them is the peak Purple-black Blood Demon.

Even as Purple-black Blood Demons, the power between the early and late stages varied significantly.

Currently, Xiao Mu, when battling against an early stage Purple-black Blood Demon, could easily win with the power of his Thunder Symbol.

If it was a mid-stage one, things might be difficult. As for the late stage one, he would likely need assistance, and he was no match for a peak Blood Demon.

The Chihuo Ghost Clan had moved such a strong force all at once, showing their determination to obtain the Energy Fruit Tree.

If so many Evil Ghosts were to mobilize at once, he doubted whether the Red Nether Association could handle it.

Perhaps, by moving such a large number of skilled fighters at once, the Evil Ghosts aimed not only at capturing the Energy Fruit Tree, but also at asserting dominance.

The recapture of the ruins and the Energy Fruit Tree being occupied by humans were indeed embarrassing matters for the Evil Ghosts. Thus, they urgently needed a significant victory to save face.

Dominance, is the best way to recover their face.

Coupled with their formidable force, they planned to crush the human forces that seized the ruins, which would serve as a deterrent and prevent other human groups from coveting their territories.

"Besides this, how many Red Blood Demons? And what about the Blue Blood Ghosts?"

After contemplating for a while, Xiao Mu continued to ask.

"Four Red ones; Blue Blood Ghosts will not participate in the operation."

After a pause, Yue added, "All four of the Red Blood Demons may not participate in the operation. The recapture of the ruins can be accomplished with General Chen's team. The humans in the ruins are not notably strong. It's just that there are quite numerous."

"When do you plan to act?"

Xiao Mu probed meticulously.

Yue said, "Currently, General Chen sent me to scout out information and to ascertain the number of skilled fighters amongst the humans occupying the ruins."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the operation is planned for tonight, when the Energy Fruits ripen."

"Oh!"

Yue's words not only informed Xiao Mu of the Evil Ghosts' operation time but also the ripening time of the Energy Fruits.

Tonight, the Energy Fruits from the Energy Fruit Tree would ripen.

"Alright, continue with your investigation."

Xiao Mu waved his hand to dismiss Yue. But then he asked, "How will you report our encounter when you return?"

"Encounter with you? I didn't encounter anyone. This scouting operation went smoothly, without any interference or unexpected incidents."

Yue was very clever, quickly guessing Xiao Mu's intention.

Xiao Mu gave a slight nod.

He had no intention of killing Yue in the first place, and it appeared Yue would be more useful alive than dead.

Hearing him talk like this, he absolutely wouldn't kill him.

Otherwise, it would only lead to a leak of information, making the Evil Ghosts vigilant and disrupting their plans to attack the Red Nether Association.

For Xiao Mu, that was clearly not a good thing. He wanted the Evil Ghosts and the Red Nether Association to fight each other while he benefited from their struggle.

After sending Yue away, he headed towards the hiding place of Zhao Yan and Wang Tong.

After Xiao Mu left, Yue visibly relaxed, looking much better.

It was not the first time he escaped from Xiao Mu's clutches, and this time it was even more terrifying. He feared Xiao Mu might kill him casually.

"Mu, did you say that there's an Energy Fruit Tree in the ruins they occupied that will ripen tonight?"

Upon hearing Xiao Mu's words, Wang Tong's eyes widened, his face full of joy.

Zhao Yan was also surprised, her face radiating an irresistible joy. She muttered in discourse, "No wonder they are so alert. Turns out there's an Energy Fruit Tree."

"Considering they probably didn't know the Evil Ghosts strength was that formidable, they should've chosen to collaborate with us."

"That might not be the case."

Upon hearing Zhao Yan's words, Xiao Mu gently shook his head, immediately denying her speculation, "Judging by Wang Jie's behavior, the Red Nether Association indeed needed more manpower. But as for why they suddenly changed their minds later, in my opinion, there must be a hidden reason."

"Hidden reason? What's that? We don't seem to have any conflict with the Red Nether Association, do we? Could they have recognized us?"

Zhao Yan was confused.

As for why this happened, Xiao Mu could not figure it out. He decided to put it aside, "Now, let's find a place to rest first. We will act again at night, after the Evil Ghosts launch their attack."

"This time, the strength of the Evil Ghosts is formidable, so we must be careful. It's best not to confront them head-on unless absolutely necessary. The best plan is to sneak in, grab the Energy Fruits and leave."

The three of them headed towards the woods while continuing their conversation, looking for a place to hide and rest.

They hadn't walked far when Zhao Yan suddenly signaled to Xiao Mu, whispering, "Mu, it seems like someone's tracking us."

"Someone is tracking us?"

Xiao Mu was shocked.

Zhao Yan had learned the Detective Eyes, which gave her a special talent in scouting. If she said someone was tracking them, then they certainly were.

But, Xiao Mu couldn't comprehend who would track them? And, why?

"Is it a human or a ghost?"

Xiao Mu suspected it was Yue.

"Human."

Without hesitation, Zhao Yan dismissed Xiao Mu's doubt.

The tracker, surprisingly, was a human.

If it were a human, then it could only be someone from the Red Nether Association.

What surprises him more is that they sent someone to tail him. Does this mean there was some undisclosed problem with the Red Nether Association? Their refusal to cooperate with him wasn't accidental but had other reasons?

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