Xiao Mu casually said, "That's because your cultivation of the Five Elements divine light isn't as authentic as mine. When the knockoff version meets the real deal, it just can't muster its full strength."

"How is that possible? Divine Techniques also have authentic and knockoff versions?" Du Wenzhen's eyes went wide in disbelief.

"Otherwise, how do you explain the significant drop in the power of your Five Elements divine light when it encounters mine?" Xiao Mu shrugged.

"This..." Du Wenzhen was speechless, completely at a loss for words.

Fooling this kid is just like playing a game.

An almost imperceptible smile flashed across Xiao Mu's face.

Murmurs spread through the crowd, and the display of Xiao Mu's strength left them utterly dumbfounded.

"Who is this guy? Why is he stronger than Du Wenzhen?"

"No, not just stronger, it's a complete crush, terrifying! I thought Du Wenzhen was already strong, but to think someone could be even stronger."

"They mentioned something about a Five Elements Lamp earlier. It seems like this person hasn't even used his full strength. If he uses the Five Elements Lamp, wouldn't he be even more formidable?"

"Does anyone know who this person is?"

Finally, someone recognized Xiao Mu, a man wearing glasses, "Don't know, huh? This is Mr. Xiao Mu. Half a month ago, he taught Ximen Liang a lesson in the Task Hall. Think about it carefully, you should be able to recall."

"I remember now, it's him."

With a reminder from the man in glasses, others quickly recalled who Xiao Mu was, "No wonder he's so powerful!"

"Speaking of which, Du Wenzhen's strength was pretty bad before, and he became strong suddenly. Could it be because of Mr. Xiao?"

...

The whispers became louder and more numerous, with everyone praising Xiao Mu.

Du Wenzhen's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He'd aimed to show off his own strength, but the onlookers were all focused on Xiao Mu instead.

Xiao Mu snickered to himself.

"Old Xiao, let's go. It's boring to hang out with these fools."

Du Wenzhen, with a dark face, urged Xiao Mu on.

The two used their Escape Art to advance towards the Task Section.

However, halfway there, Xiao Mu suddenly thought of something and stopped in his tracks.

"Wait, I need to make a stop at the Reward and Punishment Hall first."

Du Wenzhen, puzzled, stopped and turned to look at Xiao Mu, asking curiously, "Do you have a reward to claim?"

Xiao Mu smiled, "I have a little arrangement to take care of first. If you don't want to join me, you can head on to the Task Section."

"Forget it, the Task Section can wait. I'll go with you. But it's strange, you have an arrangement with someone? What kind? It's not with a woman, is it?"

Du Wenzhen scratched his head, full of curiosity, but then he chided Xiao Mu, "I'm telling you, Old Xiao, if you're focused on women, you're done for. Isn't improving your strength way more important than women?"

What's he even talking about?

Unable to stand his blathering, Xiao Mu said irritably, "It has nothing to do with women. If you don't want to go, you can leave first."

"Don't do that."

Du Wenzhen cried out, "It's a good opportunity to see some action."

"Then cut the chatter!" Xiao Mu shouted back.

Du Wenzhen replied discontentedly, "Old Xiao, you're really irritable!"

Xiao Mu, ignoring him, engaged his Escape Art towards the Reward and Punishment Hall, with Du Wenzhen following close behind.

Soon, they arrived outside the Reward and Punishment Hall, where the same gatekeeper from when they collected rewards last time was on duty.

Xiao Mu deliberately raised his voice so that those inside the hall could hear, and he asked the gatekeeper loudly, "Is Respected Envoy Yang in?"

"Respected Envoy Yang is here," the gatekeeper, recognizing Xiao Mu, whispered back.

Xiao Mu stood outside the hall and called out loudly, "Respected Envoy Yang, please come out. My strength has reached the Mid Yin God Realm, and I've come to seek advice from Respected Envoy Yang in a spar. Respected Envoy Yang, please come out?"

"Holy crap!"

Du Wenzhen exclaimed, surprised, "Old Xiao, so you came to challenge someone. With your strength, isn't that like bullying?"

This guy is just out to spoil things!

Xiao Mu shot Du Wenzhen a glare without responding, then turned his head back and called out to the gate of the Reward and Punishment Hall, "Respected Envoy Yang, Xiao Mu has come for a spar. Please enlighten me!"

The second call finally stirred the people in the Reward and Punishment Hall. They dared not leave their posts for fear of being penalized but were still curious enough to poke their heads out and look at Xiao Mu.

"Respected Envoy Yang," Xiao Mu called Yang Yun for the third time.

Yang Yun could no longer hold back. His voice came from the office inside the Reward and Punishment Hall, coldly saying, "Xiao Mu, this Envoy has no time to spar with you!"

Yang Yun is chickening out!

The moment he heard it, Xiao Mu knew Yang Yun was chickening out. The people of the Great Tang Ruins can be roughly divided into three types based on their duties: those in charge of battle, with the strongest abilities, essentially making up the Task Section.

Another group is responsible for overseeing the various ruins and domains; their strength is also formidable but somewhat less compared to those in the Task Section.

Then there are those in charge of internal affairs, who generally aren't involved in battle, with the weakest strength among those of the same realm.

Yang Yun belonged to the last group, dealing with the internal affairs. Even though he was at the Mid Yin God Realm just like those in the Task Section, his combat power was far from comparable.

With a smile on his face, Xiao Mu said, "This spar was initially proposed by Respected Envoy Yang himself. Now that he dares not accept the challenge, is he scared?"

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