"It smells so good!"

Xiao Mu sniffed, suddenly catching a whiff of a subtle fragrance, released from the burning of Tribute Incense.

At the same time, Xiao Mu noticed that not only he smelled the aroma—people nearby also fluttered their nostrils.

Wisps of blue smoke rose from the ground, diffusing into the air like a light mist, as if the earth itself had turned into a giant incense burner in an instant.

Golden Light spread from afar, immediately covering the ground where everyone stood.

"Wu Yan, stop!"

A magnetic male voice abruptly rose near everyone's ears, plain and devoid of deliberate authority, yet comfortable to hear.

"Third Leader."

Wu Yan was startled and slowly released his grip on Chen Yan's right hand.

The voice indeed belonged to the Third Leader, Chen Fengshen, who utilized Divine Power to envelop this courtyard of the Welfare room within his God Domain, engaging in conversation with Wu Yan using Divine Power.

Chen Fengshen's voice calmly stated, "The decision to halve Task Group One's welfare was made collectively by me and the other two leaders, Wu Yan, you should not blame the Welfare room."

"But..."

Wu Yan frowned, surprised that the first to come forward and dissuade him was Chen Fengshen.

He belonged to Chen Fengshen's faction, and while he might disregard the face of First Leader Wu Jie and Second Leader Zhou Pudu, he could not afford to disregard Chen Fengshen's.

"Return the excess energy fruit to the Welfare room and come to my temple, I have something to discuss with you."

Chen Fengshen did not respond to Wu Yan's words, leaving behind an order and his Divine Power faded, with the Golden Light and incense smoke gradually dissipating.

"The strength of Divine Spirits seems to be much greater than that of Mutated Beings of the same rank," Xiao Mu observed Chen Fengshen's display of divine might, invoking a sense of envy.

He had personally experienced Mr. Cui demonstrating Divine Power; even though he had reached the Mid Yin God Realm, he couldn't resist the stove god's might and was nearly injured by the Punishment Thunder summoned by the stove god's authority.

Secretly, he decided he must seize an opportunity to secure a set of Spirit Tablet business for himself.

"Alright then," Wu Yan begrudgingly agreed, then turned to Feng Xian and said, "Return the energy fruit to them."

Without giving Chen Yan a second look, he executed the Earth Escape Technique and headed towards Chen Fengshen's temple.

Feng Xian sighed, giving the newly acquired Energy Fruits a regretful glance before reluctantly placing the storage boxes on the ground.

"Guys, pick up the storage boxes." As soon as Wu Yan left, Chen Yan resumed his arrogant demeanor and instructed the Welfare room workers to retrieve the boxes.

"Scoundrel!" Feng Rensong glared fiercely at Chen Yan and suddenly cursed.

"Scoundrel? Heh!" Chen Yan retorted, his words laced with a sneer, "If I were you, I'd rather just smash my head and die to save face."

"You…"

Feng Rensong's expression turned to anger, intending to retaliate, but ultimately deflated, "The group leader isn't here, and I can't be bothered with you, but rest assured, I'll report your words exactly as you said them to the group leader."

"I hope you won't deny having said those things when the group leader comes for you."

With that, Feng Rensong smiled coldly.

"You…"

Chen Yan was momentarily stunned.

He wasn't afraid of Feng Rensong, but he was afraid of Wu Yan.

"Scoundrel, pah!" Feng Rensong cursed again, spat on the ground, and beckoned Xiao Mu and Feng Xian to leave.

※※※

Wu Yan, using his Escape Art, soon arrived outside the temple of Chen Fengshen.

He walked straight in.

The temple's lay priests and Taoists, upon seeing Wu Yan, all paused to bow in salutation.

Wu Yan courteously returned each bow as he walked up to the Divine Likeness of Chen Fengshen in the Grand Hall.

Before he could say anything, Chen Fengshen's voice emanated from behind the hall, "Wu Yan, come in."

Circling the Divine Likeness, Wu Yan entered the inner chamber.

Chen Fengshen donned simple home clothes and looked directly at Wu Yan.

"I pay my respects to the Third Leader!"

Wu Yan bowed slightly to Chen Fengshen.

"No need for formalities."

Chen Fengshen gestured with his hand for Wu Yan to rise.

As Wu Yan straightened up and looked towards Chen Fengshen, "Leader..."

Chen Fengshen cut off Wu Yan's words with a sigh, "I already know everything, Qin Jin, Zheng Huan, such a shame for the youth!"

After a pause, he continued, "I've called you here for three main reasons."

Wu Yan inclined his head slightly, "Please speak, Leader."

"Sit down," Chen Fengshen gestured for Wu Yan to take a seat on a simple wooden chair and sat down opposite him before saying, "The first matter is that, according to the Alliance higher-ups' decision and the First Leader's will, the Alliance plans to let Zhou Pudu replace me in managing the Task Group."

"Have the Alliance higher-ups and the First Leader gone mad?"

Wu Yan stood up abruptly upon hearing this and exclaimed, "To have the Second Leader replace you, the Leader? How can he compare to you?"

Chen Fengshen smiled, unfazed, and gestured for Wu Yan to sit down, "Wu Yan, don't be rash, sit and we'll talk this through."

Wu Yan obliged and sat, but anxiously added, "How can I not be anxious? Such a decision is pure chaos. Just consider our power — you hold the Mountain God's Spirit Tablet, while the Second Leader holds the Land God's. Can the power of the Land God's compare to that of the Mountain God's?"

"To have the Second Leader replace you in managing the Task Group, which handles external battle, if not chaos, then what is it?"

Chen Fengshen raised his hand to halt Wu Yan from continuing, still wearing a calm smile, "You are too hasty, my friend. Of course, perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly earlier."

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