When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

After listening quietly to Xiao Tian finish speaking, Zhu Chongjiu squinted at Xiao Tian and asked, "You really can't say?"

"I can't say!" Xiao Tian replied after a moment's thought.

Upon hearing Xiao Tian's words, Zhu Chongjiu slowly stood up. His steady steps seemed to measure the space around him as he walked step by step toward where Xiao Tian was.

He stopped when he got close and then said slowly, "You want to form an alliance with me, but the current situation is that you have almost completely figured out my background, but I am still completely unaware of your true intentions."

After speaking, Zhu Chongjiu paused briefly, lowered his head slightly, and fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he turned and strode toward the center of the tent. When he reached the center, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked directly at Xiao Tian. He continued, "I, Zhu Chongjiu, have always been a person with my own bottom line. The way your Peace Chamber of Commerce is acting has truly put me in a difficult position!"

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, Xiao Tian was secretly delighted, sensing that Zhu Chongjiu seemed to be somewhat interested in what he had proposed.

So he quickly quickened his pace and rushed to Zhu Chongjiu's side, his face showing a hint of urgency. He clasped his hands in a fist and said to Zhu Chongjiu, "Brother Jiu, I still stand by what I said before. With someone like you who has such lofty ambitions, given time, when you reach the pinnacle of this era and look back on the past, you will surely feel that everything you have experienced before was justified and there was nothing wrong with it!"

Zhu Chongjiu's gaze fell on Xiao Tian, ​​whose face was full of smiles but also revealed his eagerness, and he couldn't help but ponder to himself.

He knew very well how much convenience and advantage it would bring him if he could use the Peace Chamber of Commerce, a super power that had been deeply rooted in the Cangshen Realm for nearly ten thousand years and possessed countless rich resources and many powerful experts, including those at the Emperor level and even those above the Emperor level, to help him find the mysterious and precious source of the Five Elements!

This means that a lot of valuable time can be saved, and many unnecessary twists and turns can be avoided. After all, finding the source of the Five Elements on his own is like finding a needle in a haystack, but with the strong support of the Peace Chamber of Commerce, the chances of success will undoubtedly increase greatly.

However, when Zhu Chongjiu recalled the solemn admonition of the Divine Void King, a sense of unease welled up in his heart. He knew all too well that once the Peace Merchant Guild obtained the Source of the Five Elements, it would be almost impossible for them to return it to this vast world.

Imagining the scene thousands of years from now, this once vibrant world would become a desolate wasteland due to the loss of the Five Elements. Countless innocent people would lose their precious lives because of this decision he made today. Whenever he thought of this, Zhu Chongjiu felt a deep sense of self-reproach and resistance welling up from the bottom of his heart.

However, if he were to refuse Xiao Tian outright at this moment, given the Peace Chamber of Commerce's consistent modus operandi, they would undoubtedly set numerous traps for him in secret, weaving a web of treacherous schemes. After all, the enemy was in the dark while he was in the light, and the slightest misstep could plunge him into an abyss of no return.

Furthermore, at this moment, Zhu Chongjiu sincerely felt that since the Peace Chamber of Commerce had already come to him, he would feel like he was losing out if he couldn't make good use of them.

So far, however, he has not been able to come up with a perfect plan on how to cleverly utilize this seemingly powerful but treacherous Peace Chamber of Commerce.

As Zhu Chongjiu was immersed in deep thought, Xiao Tian quietly watched him from the side. Time passed by, but Zhu Chongjiu remained silent, which made Xiao Tian gradually become impatient.

Finally, Xiao Tian couldn't help but break the silence: "Ninth Brother, to be honest, we're pretty much evenly matched."

While you may not understand why our Peace Chamber of Commerce is so eager to obtain the Source of the Five Elements, our Peace Chamber of Commerce is also far from being as powerful as you imagine! At least one thing is certain: we know nothing about your background and past experiences, Ninth Brother!

Zhu Chongjiu's thoughts were interrupted by Xiao Tian's words. Looking at Xiao Tian, ​​Zhu Chongjiu thought to himself: For now, we can only stall. If we can't come up with any profound plan, we can only take it one step at a time!

Immediately, Zhu Chongjiu said to Xiao Tian, ​​"Every man for himself. Since the Peace Chamber of Commerce has put aside its grievances and taken the initiative to invite me, and it is a mutually beneficial matter, I have no reason not to agree."

However, I still have some things to take care of on the Flaming Mountain Continent. After I finish these trivial matters, I will head to the Houtu Continent. We can discuss the specifics there then.

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, Xiao Tian eagerly asked Zhu Chongjiu, "I wonder if Brother Jiu has any other matters to attend to on this Flaming Mountain Continent?"

Zhu Chongjiu said to Xiao Tian with some displeasure, "I am just a partner of your Peace Chamber of Commerce, not your subordinate. Do I have to report to you for everything I do?"

Xiao Tian quickly waved his hand, "Ninth Brother, you are mistaken. My original intention was that I felt that Ninth Brother was weak and alone. If it was a trivial matter, I would find someone to do it for you. This would save you a lot of time and trouble. After all, finding the source of the Five Elements is the most important thing right now!"

Xiao Tian looked at Zhu Chongjiu, whose face had turned gloomy because of the wrong thing he had just said, and thought to himself: This madman is really unpredictable. Now that things have been accomplished, I'd better leave quickly, otherwise if that thing I said offends him again, I might end up with my head cut off!

While reflecting on his thoughts, Xiao Tian cupped his hands and said, "Since Ninth Brother has made his own decision, then I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave!" With that, he turned and headed out of the tent.

Zhu Chongjiu wore a barely perceptible wicked smile, his gaze fixed on Xiao Tian, ​​who was about to turn and leave. His usually calm face now seemed to conceal endless meaning and cunning.

He parted his lips slightly and slowly said, "Xiao Tian, ​​wait a moment. Although the important matters have been settled, there is still one issue that has not been resolved!"

Xiao Tian, ​​who had already taken several steps away, suddenly heard Zhu Chongjiu's unhurried yet intimidating voice behind him, and his heart skipped a beat.

An ominous premonition instantly welled up in his heart; his intuition told him that trouble was probably coming his way.

However, despite his unease, Xiao Tian forced himself to remain calm, turned around, bowed to Zhu Chongjiu, and cautiously asked, "What is it that you are referring to, Ninth Brother? Please enlighten me."

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu remained expressionless, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared intently at Xiao Tian. His sharp, hawk-like gaze seemed to be able to see into the deepest, most hidden corners of the other's heart.

After a moment of silence, he coldly uttered, "Xiao Tian, ​​you don't need to pretend to be ignorant with me anymore, do you? Just now in front of Huo Yan, you deliberately framed me. Shouldn't we settle this score?"

Those who know me well know that I'm the kind of person who never suffers a loss. I'll settle any grudges on the spot! Who told me to be such a good fighter? That's why most people don't dare to mess with me!

Zhu Chongjiu had a slightly mocking expression on his face as he spoke, while slowly raising his two strong, powerful hands and rubbing them incessantly, occasionally cracking his knuckles as if he were ready to fight at any moment.

Witnessing this scene, Xiao Tian's forehead instantly broke out in a fine sweat, and he inwardly groaned. He knew that the man before him was not someone to be trifled with, so he quickly reached into his storage ring and rummaged around. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred dazzling imperial-grade rare treasures appeared in Xiao Tian's hands. These treasures were all priceless and extremely rare, but at this moment, Xiao Tian couldn't care less about the cost. With slightly trembling hands, he handed them to Zhu Chongjiu.

"Ninth Brother, what just happened... what just happened was a huge misunderstanding! I was confused for a moment and that's why I caused such a misunderstanding!"

"This small gift is just to apologize to you, Ninth Brother. Please accept it with a smile!" Xiao Tian said with a fawning smile, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke.

Zhu Chongjiu glanced casually at the pile of dazzling natural treasures in Xiao Tian's hand, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "Hmph, Emperor-level natural treasures are of no use to me anymore."

However… since you are so sensible, I will reluctantly accept this gift.” Before he finished speaking, Zhu Chongjiu flicked his wrist, and the treasures flew into the storage ring on his finger as if they had grown wings.

Immediately afterward, Zhu Chongjiu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Xiao Tian, ​​and coldly said, "Kid, you seem to know your place, so I'll give you a little punishment today. But you'd better remember this: not everyone in this world is someone you can manipulate at will!"

Just as Zhu Chongjiu finished speaking, Xiao Tian opened his mouth wide in horror, his face filled with disbelief.

Because, at that very moment, Zhu Chongjiu's fist, as hard as steel, struck Xiao Tian's chest with tremendous force.

However, something surprising happened. A yellowish-brown light suddenly shone, like an indestructible shield, firmly protecting Xiao Tian and successfully blocking Zhu Chongjiu's thunderous attack.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Chongjiu couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh," and exclaimed in surprise, "It's actually a Saint-level defensive magic treasure? It can even protect its master on its own. I underestimated you!"

"Since that's the case, then I'll give you a push!" With that, Zhu Chongjiu's fist, which was pressed tightly against Xiao Tian's chest and had not yet been lowered, suddenly burst out with dazzling red and blue light, like two violent water and fire dragons intertwined, emitting a terrifying aura that made people's hearts tremble.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Chongjiu shouted, "Explode!" With this roar, an overwhelming force erupted from his fist and blasted straight toward Xiao Tian.

A deafening roar was heard, as if the entire earth trembled.

Xiao Tian, ​​who had been standing in front of Zhu Chongjiu, suddenly flew out of the tent with lightning speed, like a kite with a broken string. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Tian disappeared from everyone's sight.

A few seconds later, Zhu Chongjiu realized through his keen senses that Xiao Tian had been caught in mid-air by his entourage.

Nevertheless, the burly old man from the Ice and Snow Continent who was responsible for catching Xiao Tian was clearly unable to fully withstand the powerful force contained in Zhu Chongjiu's punch.

The old man's body jolted violently, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered back a few steps before barely managing to regain his balance, but even so, he had already suffered minor injuries.

To Zhu Chongjiu's utter astonishment, the legendary Saint-level defensive magic weapon withstood his powerful blow without a scratch. It should be noted that while Zhu Chongjiu's punch wasn't entirely at his full strength, it was at least eight or nine tenths of his power! The surging fist force, like a tidal wave, crashed towards the magic weapon, yet it seemed to merely brush against its surface, failing to cause the slightest substantial damage.

However, even with such a powerful Saint-level defensive magic weapon, after barely withstanding most of Zhu Chongjiu's punches, Xiao Tian still suffered severe injuries.

Xiao Tian was thrown backward by the enormous impact, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that the bones and tendons in his chest were broken and twisted, making him look extremely miserable.