Xiao Mu's face darkened, and he suddenly shouted at Qian Rui, "Get lost, you're just a pawn. I'm talking to your team leader; where do you get off butting in!"

"Xiao Mu, you... you dare to insult me?"

Qian Rui's face changed, the scorn from Xiao Mu making it difficult for him to save face.

As a Mutated Being in the late stage of the Yin God Realm, he did have some status. When had he ever been treated so rudely?

Xiao Mu sneered, "I insult you because you deserve it. Can't even tell right from wrong, what a joke!"

Qian Rui was furious, "You..."

Qin Duan suddenly glared at Qian Rui, who flinched and didn't dare to continue his words.

"Good lackey!"

Xiao Mu chuckled with a hint of implication.

At his words, Qian Rui's face turned green, but having just been glared at by Qin Duan, he didn't dare to make a scene.

"Xiao Mu, the team leader is well aware of your strength. There's absolutely no problem for you to fight above your level in the Yin God Realm peak. Otherwise, how could you have possibly snatched the incense burner from the hands of a Five Elements True Monarch? You keep shirking and refusing to accept the task, do you not want to contribute to the Great Tang Ruins?"

Qin Duan shifted the topic, no longer discussing with Xiao Mu his own proposal to hand Xiao Mu over to the Five Elements True Monarch, instead placing a big accusation on Xiao Mu's head.

Xiao Mu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "For this task, both the grand leader Wu Jie and our team leader Wu Yan have advised me not to participate."

As soon as Xiao Mu said this, it immediately caused a stir among the crowd, even Xu Qianwu and Fang Ying's expression shifted slightly.

Knowing well the incident with the incense burner, the two elders easily thought of why grand leader Wu Jie would advise Xiao Mu not to participate in this task.

The other Mutant Beings were simply shocked.

The grand leader Wu Jie personally dissuading Xiao Mu from participating in the task, what kind of treatment was this?

Was an ordinary Mutated Being at the Mid Yin God Realm worthy of such attention from grand leader Wu Jie?

The looks that many Mutated Beings gave Xiao Mu changed, some envious, others full of admiration.

After all, for an ordinary Mutated Being at the Mid Yin God Realm, gaining such consideration from the grand leader was truly not easy.

The reaction of the Mutant Beings was clearly within Xiao Mu's expectations.

That was the effect he wanted.

A faint smile played at the corner of Xiao Mu's lips as he continued, "However, I believe that since I am part of the ruins, it is my duty to contribute to the ruins."

"Otherwise, if the ruins were defeated, where would I, Xiao Mu, stand?"

Upon hearing this, many Mutant Beings nodded subconsciously.

Xiao Mu's last words reflected a commendable sense of the bigger picture.

How could such a person possibly shy away from battle?

Some began whispering, "Team Leader Qin is indeed targeting Xiao Mu!"

Someone said, "I think Xiao Mu is right. The grand leader has already asked him not to participate in the task, but he still wants to take part voluntarily. How could he be someone who avoids battle?"

"Team Leader Qin is going too far!"

Qin Duan's face darkened.

The Mutant Beings were talking softly, but how could he not hear them?

What truly concerned him, however, wasn't that he had heard them, but that the two elders surely had as well.

Xiao Mu continued, "But my voluntary participation in the task does not mean that I, Xiao Mu, should be bullied."

"Team Leader Qin's arrangement obviously has suspicions of targeting me, Xiao Mu, and combined with your suggestion at the last meeting, I reject this arrangement."

The last sentence was said with an exceptionally firm tone, but Xiao Mu didn't care at all. With the groundwork he had laid, he was fully entitled to oppose Qin Duan's arrangement.

Qin Duan's expression changed several times, clearly aware that after Xiao Mu's speech, it was impossible for him to force the arrangement anymore, or else it would confirm the deliberate suppression.

The two elders were watching, after all, and would not stand by and watch him purposely suppress Xiao Mu.

A moment later, Qin Duan forced a smile and said, "Xiao Mu, you've completely misunderstood me. The team leader only thought you were strong enough to stand on your own. Since you're unwilling to join the team leader in combating the peak Yin God Realm Mutated Beings from the Curse Gate, then join the other Mutated Beings below the peak and face those from the Curse Gate below the peak."

If only he had arranged it like this earlier, there would have been no trouble – just had to go looking for it!

Xiao Mu cursed inwardly but replied perfunctorily, "I agree!"

Do I need your agreement?

Qin Duan's displeased gaze swept over Xiao Mu, then he turned to Xu Qianwu.

As soon as he turned to Xu Qianwu, Qin Duan's demeanor immediately became respectful, "Elder Xu, what do you think of my arrangement?"

"I have no objections, however..."

Xu Qianwu spoke, then suddenly turned to look at Xiao Mu, a smile on his face as he amiably said, "So you are Xiao Mu!"

"Elder Xu, greetings!"

Xiao Mu bowed his hands to Xu Qianwu.

"And to you!"

Xu Qianwu, devoid of any arrogance, treated Xiao Mu with equality, "I've heard from the Great Leader about your feat of seizing the incense burner from the hands of a Five Elements True Monarch."

Xu Qianwu's tone carried admiration, and he did not hide his praise for Xiao Mu, "Snatching from the jaws of a tiger, truly the act of a young hero!"

"However, I agree with the Great Leader's arrangement. During this task, all three major sects may target you."

"I suggest that you do not take part in this battle and stay back instead."

Xiao Mu frowned, "Elder Xu, are you saying I should not join the task?"

Xu Qianwu nodded gravely, "For us, it might be better if you do not participate than if you do."

"Why?" Xiao Mu was confused.

Xu Qianwu smiled and said, "That's because of a commission from a Five Elements True Monarch. At this moment, Five Elements Sect, Curse Gate, and Life and Death Gate must all be focusing on you."

"Once you, Xiao Mu, appear on the battlefield, you will certainly become the target of the enemy, which could disrupt our plans."

"If our plan gets disrupted, we might fail."

"Behind us, are millions of people in the southern five regions of the Great Tang Ruins. Should we fail, they will all lose their lives."

"We cannot afford to lose this battle."

"I disagree."

Xiao Mu said, "Elder Xu, you overestimate me. I, Xiao Mu, am hardly qualified to influence the success or failure of the task."

Xu Qianwu's expression darkened, and he declared seriously, "Even if you disagree, you have to agree. This is not up to you."

"Chen Xian, you stay here and watch Xiao Mu. Don't let him take part in this task."

Having said this, Xu Qianwu's gaze suddenly shifted from Xiao Mu to another Mutated Being.

This was a robust-looking man in his thirties, in the late stages of the Yin God Realm, named Chen Xian, and just like Xiao Mu, he was a member of the task group.

"Yes, Elder Xu!"

The robust man, Chen Xian, replied with a hint of envy while looking at Xiao Mu, "Brother Xiao, Elder Xu's concern for you is indeed enviable."

A look of helplessness crossed Xiao Mu's face.

He had not anticipated that even joining the task would be problematic, much less being pulled out of the battle by Xu Qianwu.

Xu Qianwu's instruction to Chen Xian to keep an eye on him obviously also implied supervision.

However, judging from Xu Qianwu's attitude, in addition to worrying that Xiao Mu's involvement would disrupt the plan, it was probably also meant to protect Xiao Mu.

After all, Xu Qianwu had made it clear that once Xiao Mu entered the battlefield, he would be targeted by Curse Gate.

Being targeted meant that the likelihood of death greatly increased.

"Xiao Mu, stay behind with peace of mind. The battle with Curse Gate has nothing to do with you."

Xu Qianwu said, "A mere group of Mutant Beings from Curse Gate thinking to infiltrate from under my watch is far too premature. Let them go back and cultivate for a few more hundred years."

With that, he waved his hand and his tone suddenly turned stern, addressing everyone, "Let's go! Time to depart!"

Another female elder, Fang Ying, suddenly smiled at Xiao Mu, speaking gently, "Young man, don't resent Elder Xu. You'll understand one day that what Elder Xu is doing is all for your own good. Perhaps then you'll be grateful to him."

Before Xiao Mu could react, Xu Qianwu suddenly shouted out loud, scolding, "Does Xu Qianwu need his gratitude?"

"I'm targeting him intentionally. Not letting him participate is because I fear he might gain too much merit."

"Enough with the nagging. Women just talk too much!"

"Elder Xu, are you asking for a thrashing?" Fang Ying's face darkened as she glared at Xu Qianwu with annoyance.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Xu Qianwu waved his hand dismissively, avoiding Fang Ying's gaze, and led the charge forward once again.

The rest soon followed suit.

"Old Xiao, you're really unlucky! Haha! All this effort for the task, and now you can't claim any credit!"

Du Wenzhen laughed heartily at Xiao Mu, before chasing after the team.

Elder Xu's temper was indeed as explosive as the legends suggested!

Watching everyone move on in the distance, Xiao Mu shook his head helplessly.

Boom! Boom!

Ear-shattering roars resonated once more as the Giant Mountain Monster finally caught up, coming into view again.

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