"This is also a treasure. It's worth more than those thirty energy fruits you have, you're getting a great deal!"

From his reluctant expression, as if he was parting with his own flesh, it seemed like the value of this ancient bronze ring was indeed higher than that of thirty energy fruits.

With a wry smile, Xiao Mu accepted the ancient bronze ring, "Senior, I only wanted the door god painting."

"Not satisfied yet? Isn't this ring worth thirty energy fruits?"

The sleazy old man glared with such intimidating momentum that it startled Xiao Mu.

"Go! Hurry up! If you don't leave now, you won't get the ring."

The sleazy old man waved his hand and started chasing Xiao Mu away.

Forget it!

Xiao Mu walked out of the warehouse.

If nothing else, consider it a lesson purchased with money.

He took out the ancient bronze ring and examined it carefully.

Upon close examination, Xiao Mu couldn't hide his surprise.

This ancient bronze ring emitted a strange aura, a special force rotated within it, carrying an astonishing power.

A True Realm aura?

No, it's some kind of special energy particles.

Whether it's transcending from the Mortal Realm or breaking from the Fourth Realm to the Fifth Realm, these special energy particles are necessary.

These include death particles, life particles, destruction particles, yang particles, yin particles.

Only these special energy particles can allow one to break through the Mortal Realm and enter the True Realm.

At the same time, it is these special energy particles that exert their unique power.

This is the fundamental distinction between the Mortal Realm and the True Realm.

Realizing that there were special energy particles within the ancient bronze ring, Xiao Mu's expression gradually became serious but also revealed a hint of joy.

He couldn't help but infuse a stream of Dao Method Spiritual Energy into the ring, attempting to sense the strange energy particles within the ancient bronze ring.

Pop!

However, the Dao Method Spiritual Energy that Xiao Mu infused into the ring burst like a tiny bubble poked by a needle, it quickly disintegrated.

The ancient bronze ring's energy was far greater than the energy provided by the Dao Method Spiritual Energy within Xiao Mu's body and he couldn't infuse it.

"Intriguing! Amazing!"

Xiao Mu's face was filled with astonishment.

The energy particles contained within this ancient bronze ring were clearly extraordinary.

Even though he couldn't confirm what kind of energy particles were within the ring, he was still greatly astonished.

"Strange, didn't the old man realize that there are powerful energy particles in this ring? If he knew, how could he have given such an expensive treasure to me?"

In Xiao Mu's estimation, the energy particles contained in the ancient bronze ring were not plentiful. Despite this, their value was still astonishing.

Without a hundred energy fruits, you wouldn't be able to purchase it.

These strange energy particles are the foundation for cultivation for the Fifth Realm or True Realm practitioners.

It is different from the Fourth Realm and those who have mutated before the Fourth Realm.

Take Fourth Realm mutators, or Xiao Mu at this moment, for their cultivation, they only need enough energy fruits to absorb.

However, once you step into the Fifth Realm, in addition to needing energy fruits, you also need those special energy particles.

The types of energy particles have something to do with the cultivation direction chosen when the cultivator attains Dao.

For instance, Qing Yan, what he needs is Lotus Holy Flame.

Without Lotus Holy Flame energy particles, even if he ate a large quantity of energy fruits, he wouldn't make any progress.

"I wonder what kind of energy particles are inside this ring? If I absorbed these energy particles, would they let me step into the Fifth Realm?"

Xiao Mu pondered, his heart racing.

If the energy particles contained in the ring could take him to the Fifth Realm after being absorbed, then he need not venture into the Realm of True Nothingness.

The Broken Truth Mountain, at this moment, held huge hidden dangers for him and without caution, there was a risk of being killed.

Take Yang Lei for example.

Even though Xiao Mu made Wu Song look guilty through a tactical frame-up, making Yang Lei mistakenly believe that Yang Jin was killed by Wu Song.

But who's to say that one day, Yang Lei doesn't discover that Yang Jin was not killed by Wu Song, but by him?

After the World Mutation, all kinds of strange methods have emerged, who can tell when Yang Lei will learn the truth?

Time is not on Xiao Mu's side.

Xiao Mu's heart is filled with a great sense of danger at all times.

"What a pity!"

A while later, Xiao Mu shook his head in regret.

He tried various methods to detect the peculiar energy particles in the ancient bronze ring, but each attempt ended in failure.

"It seems that the energy particles in this ring cannot be absorbed. Perhaps it really has other uses. Regardless, I'll put it away for now. Tomorrow, I will go to the ancient cave near the Yin Merchant ruins to see if I can retrieve the Door-God Painting."

Xiao Mu stowed the ancient bronze ring within the Earth Seal Space and walked towards his dwelling.

"I didn't expect to encounter Mr. Xiao here. Can we talk for a moment?"

"It's you!"

The expression on Xiao Mu's face was one of displeasure.

The man was Feng Yuzi, the green-haired old man who had approached him on the airplane.

Earlier, Xiao Mu distanced himself from the man because he was filled with malevolent energy, as if he had achieved Dao through evil spirits.

Unexpectedly, he ran into the man again just after leaving the warehouse.

"Seeing that Mr. Xiao remembers me, I'm honoured! Can you spare a longer moment to talk?"

Feng Yuzi's face had a guise of a smile, but he could not conceal his chilly presence, making others extremely uncomfortable.

"Sorry, I have things to attend to and can't accompany you!"

Xiao Mu did not want to engage in a lengthy conversation with Feng Yuzi, so he walked past him.

"Oh, that's such a pity! I wanted to discuss the matters related to Yang Jin's death with Mr. Xiao."

Feng Yuzi suddenly scoffed, staring intently at Xiao Mu.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Xiao Mu stopped in his tracks, shooting a deadly stare at Feng Yuzi. A surge of killing intent rose within him.

This man seemed to know something.

Yang Jin's death was like a ticking time bomb for Xiao Mu, constantly posing a threat to his life.

"Really?"

Feng Yuzi maintained his feigned smile, fixing his eyes on Xiao Mu's face, trying to take away something from Xiao Mu's expression. "Yang Jin's death was quite sudden. I thought Mr. Xiao might know something about it."

"Haha! When Yang Jin entered the Infinite Valley, he was accompanied by Ying Long. According to my knowledge, Ying Long entered the valley not for the Energy Fruit, but for Mr. Xiao. Didn't Mr. Xiao encounter him in the valley?"

Xiao Mu's heart jumped, but his face remained calm, "Ying Long? Indeed, he holds a grudge against me. However, I didn't meet him in the Infinite Valley."

"Really? I thought Ying Long had found Mr. Xiao. Haha! Yang Jin's death is quite suspicious; perhaps there are other hidden factors. I think, Commander Yang Lei would be very interested in this information."

"If you find it suspicious, then go tell Commander Yang!"

Xiao Mu kept his composure, but inside, a boundless killing intent was rising.

He took a deep look at Feng Yuzi and calmly walked past him.

"Mr. Xiao, take care and if there's a chance, I would be delighted to host you."

Feng Yuzi's words held an underlying meaning. He clearly assumed that the death of Yang Jin, even if not caused by Xiao Mu, must have been related to him. Though this was just speculation without concrete evidence.

Xiao Mu grunted coldly, flashing an unrestrained killing intent on his face.

Ignoring Feng Yuzi, he headed straight back to his dwelling.

"Zhou Ying, head to number 129, invite Liu Du tonight. Tell him I have important matters to discuss with him. He should come quietly and avoid alerting anyone."

As soon as he returned to his lodging, Xiao Mu sent Zhou Ying to invite Liu Du.

"Yes, Mr. Xiao, I'm going right away!"

Seeing Xiao Mu's serious expression, Zhou Ying immediately stood up, ready to notify Liu Du.

"Wait, go tonight instead."

Thinking of something, Xiao Mu halted Zhou Ying.

Many people had seen Liu Du query Wu Song at the entrance of the Valley about Yang Jin's death. If he sent Zhou Ying to find Liu Du as soon as he returned, observant people might suspect something, potentially causing trouble.

If Feng Yuzi saw this, he might guess something.

"Yes, Mr. Xiao."

Zhou Ying stopped and did not ask any further questions.

"Mr. Xiao, did you want to talk to me about something?"

At night, Liu Du appeared at Xiao Mu's manor.

"Liu Du, I'd like you to leave Broken Truth Mountain and not return for at least a month."

...

After seeing off Liu Du, Xiao Mu visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

He recommended Liu Du go to Qingshan Temple, where Qing Yan monk was located. Considering Qing Yan monk's fifth realm capabilities, Liu Du's safety would be guaranteed during this period.

Afterward, Xiao Mu started preparations for his upcoming trip to the ancient cave.

Early the next morning, he left Broken Truth Mountain and headed to the city where the ancient cave was located, aboard an airplane to the Yin Merchant Ruins.

He planned to get his hands on the other half of the Door-God Painting, or at least try to retrieve it from the ancient cave.

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