Qi Shan's smile did not reach his eyes, "What benefits you have gained naturally has nothing to do with me. However, Du Wenzhen, the power of the Five Elements, the mutation of the Earth Escape Technique, who in the reserves wouldn't want that?"

"What do you think, if the fact that your Earth Escape Technique has mutated gets leaked, how would those big shots in the reserves react?"

"Furthermore, if those big shots from the task forces get wind of it, what do you think their reaction would be?"

His words were laced with overt threats, heavy with ill intent.

Unable to contain his anger, Du Wenzhen glared at Qi Shan and swore, "Fuck your mother, you dare to threaten me?"

Qi Shan's smile remained, unperturbed by the insult, "Threaten you? Du Wenzhen, why put it so unpleasantly? I'm simply proposing a deal with you."

Boiling with rage, Du Wenzhen yelled, "I'm not interested in any deal with you, get lost!"

Qi Shan's expression darkened, "Du Wenzhen, don't be ungrateful. I'm considering your well-being, discussing this privately with you. If you know what's good for you, you'll tell me about the mutated Earth Escape Technique and the cultivation method for the Five Elements Power, otherwise I'll spill the beans about your mutation to the big shots in the reserves, and you'll face the consequences."

Enraged, Du Wenzhen bellowed, "You insignificant piece of shit, you think I'd be afraid of you spilling it? If you've got the guts, go ahead and say it, see if I'm scared?"

"Du Wenzhen, just because you don't see the big picture doesn't mean this friend of yours doesn't either."

Seeing that he couldn't sway Du Wenzhen, Qi Shan chuckled as he turned to Xiao Mu, all smiles, "Friend, I don't know your name, but since you're with Du Wenzhen, why not persuade him sensibly?"

"What I want isn't much; just tell me the cultivation method for the Five Elements Power and the secrets of the mutated Earth Escape Technique, and I'll act as if I know nothing."

"The allure of a method that can mutate the Earth Escape Technique, I don't need to spell out for you, my friend. Surely you wouldn't want all those big shots from the reserves coming after you, right?"

Without any intention of negotiating with Qi Shan, Xiao Mu's face turned stern as he bluntly commanded, "Scram!"

"Heh heh!"

Qi Shan's expression changed, a sinister and venomous look sweeping over Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen, "Ungrateful fools, we will see about that!"

※※※

"How come you have so many enemies?"

Xiao Mu looked at Du Wenzhen with displeasure.

Desperate, Du Wenzhen exclaimed, "Enemies my ass, that's just a petty extortionist. He's Qi Rui's brother; it must have been that bastard Qi Rui who told him something, and now he's come to extort us."

"Look, Old Xiao, this has nothing do with me. Qi Rui saw not only me cultivate the mutated Earth Escape Technique but also includes you. Moreover, your mutation is even stronger than mine. Maybe they're actually eyeing you, and I'm just unlucky because my name is more known."

Xiao Mu fell silent.

Upon reflection, Du Wenzhen's words did have some logic to them.

After a moment, Xiao Mu asked, "Qi Shan won't really go and tell those so-called big shots in the reserves, will he?"

With a possibility in mind, Du Wenzhen replied, "Maybe, but let him tell if he wants to. Old Xiao, we're at the Great Tang ruins, even if our Earth Escape Technique has mutated and becomes more powerful, so what? Do they dare to rob us openly?"

"Besides, many of those powerful big shots in the Alliance have cultivated from secret manuals with mutations. The mere mutation of our Earth Escape Technique really isn't a big deal."

Reassured, Xiao Mu relaxed significantly, "That's good then."

Turning the conversation, Du Wenzhen asked, "Old Xiao, what's your plan now?"

Xiao Mu pondered briefly, "For the next few days, I plan to practice my cultivation, use the Energy Fruits to boost my strength first. How about you?"

Without hesitation, Du Wenzhen replied, "Me? Of course, to absorb the Five Elements Dust as quickly as I can."

"Once I absorb all this Five Elements Dust, I reckon I won't just cultivate the Five Elements Power, but it's likely all Five Elements will mutate."

"I might even be able to raise my strength to the Peak of the Yin God Realm."

The Five Elements Dust was the transformed power of the Five Elements from the body of Zhuo Pa, a member of the Five Elements Sect, containing vast amounts of Five Elements Power.

As Zhuo Pa was at least at the Peak of the Yin God Realm, Du Wenzhen's assertion that absorbing it all could potentially elevate his strength to that level was plausible.

However, Zhuo Pa's ashes were too plentiful; it was unlikely that Du Wenzhen could absorb them all in a short period.

Xiao Mu asked, "Are you planning to go into long-term seclusion?"

Dismissing the idea, Du Wenzhen retorted, "Long-term seclusion? No, never. What good is having only realm strength without any techniques?"

"My plan is to absorb part of the Five Elements Dust, break through after cultivating the Divine Light of the Five Elements."

"By that time, I reckon my strength should reach the Peak of the Early Stage of the Yin God Realm, and I might even progress into the Mid stage."

"Once I have enough strength, I intend to venture out again and find a way to enhance my strength. Whether it's treasures or Divine Techniques, with strength in hand, I'll join the task forces."

Xiao Mu nodded, sharing a similar sentiment, "Call me when you head out. Oh, and it would be best if we could find a large number of Extraterrestrial Evil Beings or a vast quantity of Energy Fruits."

Du Wenzhen acknowledged, "I understand, Old Xiao. Are you lacking Energy Fruits for breaking through to the Mid Yin God Realm?"

Xiao Mu nodded, "You're right."

"I, on the other hand, am not short of Energy Fruits."

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