When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

At this moment, Zhu Chongjiu passed through layers of soil and no longer needed Xiao Tu to clear the way ahead!

Wherever it passed, the soil gave way, unlike the small soil.

With a single thought, all the soil instantly vanished into nothingness.

After Zhu Chongjiu and Xiao Hei returned to the surface, he thought to himself, "Compared to Xiao Tu, their understanding of the earth element is worlds apart!"

I can't imagine how difficult it will be to cultivate the source of the five elements after I reached that point.

As Zhu Chongjiu sighed, Xiao Hei came to his side, flapping its wings against the wind. Zhu Chongjiu turned over and leaned against Xiao Hei's back, saying, "Let's head towards Swamp City."

However, just after the two had traveled a hundred miles, Zhu Chongjiu sensed the hidden armored army of the Peace Chamber of Commerce.

Zhu Chongjiu pondered for a moment, then deliberately released a strong aura so that the other party could sense him. He then told Xiao Hei that they didn't need to proceed and should wait a while for them to come find him.

Sensing the aura emanating from Zhu Chongjiu, the Dark Armor Army rushed toward him at top speed.

When the ten Dark Armor soldiers arrived in front of Zhu Chongjiu, Zhu Chongjiu spoke first: "Take me to your Peace Chamber of Commerce."

"I want to see Xiao Feng." After saying these two sentences, he fell silent and closed his eyes to rest on Xiao Hei's back.

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, the leader of the ten Dark Armored Soldiers, an Emperor-level Dark Armored Soldier, took out a communication device from his storage ring and transmitted what he had just seen and heard.

A short while later, news came back from the other side.

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Emperor-level Dark Armored Army turned around and walked to Zhu Chongjiu, cupping his hands in greeting, saying, "By order of the Chairman, please come to our Peace Chamber of Commerce, Brother Jiu."

Zhu Chongjiu did not open his eyes, but simply waved his sleeve.

The Dark Armor Army led the way, with Little Black following closely behind!

To Zhu Chongjiu's surprise, the Dark Armor Army did not lead him out of the Houtu Swamp.

Instead, they headed in another direction towards the center of the swamp.

Led by the Dark Armor Army, after ten days of winding and turning, the dense forest and swamp in front of them suddenly became flat and open.

On a vast plain covering approximately ten square kilometers, stands a magnificent manor.

Upon seeing this scene, Zhu Chongjiu thought to himself, "I could imagine that the Peace Chamber of Commerce would establish its headquarters anywhere on the Houtu Continent, but I never imagined that it would be located in the Houtu Swamp."

Could it be that no one, or no hunting party, has discovered it all these years?

Then, Zhu Chongjiu also came up with the answer.

For ruthless organizations like the Peace Chamber of Commerce, silently eliminating those who discover their secrets is just a routine, basic operation.

After all, in a forbidden zone like the Houtu Swamp, it's perfectly normal for someone to enter and never come out again, and no one would suspect anything!

Zhu Chongjiu then wondered if the headquarters of the Peace Chamber of Commerce on other continents were also located within restricted areas.

While Zhu Chongjiu was pondering this in secret, the Dark Armor Army led him to the gate of the manor.

Xiao Feng was already waiting at the main gate.

Upon seeing Zhu Chongjiu, he burst into laughter, saying, "Your Majesty, I have been waiting for you for so long!"

Upon hearing Xiao Feng's teasing smile, Zhu Chongjiu replied, "Xiao Feng, you've spent over twenty years and still haven't been able to capture the Source of Earth."

I got it in just over a month, and you still say you're suffering from the wait?

It's true that it doesn't matter if you make a million mistakes, but it's fatal if someone else makes a single mistake!

After hearing Zhu Chongjiu's fierce rebuttal, Xiao Feng did not show any displeasure. Instead, he smiled and said, "You jest, Ninth Emperor. Please come into the garden quickly."

A sumptuous meal has been prepared for the nine emperors, for their enjoyment!

After Zhu Chongjiu climbed off Xiao Hei's back, he looked at Xiao Feng and suddenly asked, "Why don't you call me by my name, Ninth Brother?"

And now they've started calling me the Nine Emperors?

"Hahaha! This all started with the crowning of the Nine Emperors as co-kings of the Flame Empire."

Previously, the nine emperors did not have titles, so they were addressed by their given names.

Now that the nine emperors have been given honorific titles, those titles must come first.

Otherwise, it would be considered extremely disrespectful!

Who would dare address the ruler of a nation by his given name?

Zhu Chongjiu looked at Xiao Feng and replied, "What you said makes perfect sense!"

After saying that, without waiting for Xiao Feng to lead the way, he strode into the interior of the manor.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Feng could only quickly walk to Zhu Chongjiu and lead him to the dining room.

After Zhu Chongjiu tasted some of the exquisite dishes that Xiao Feng had prepared for him, he praised them highly, saying, "You old rascal, you really know how to enjoy life! These dishes are truly superb!"

"Eating" is a law of nature.

Even though we no longer need to eat ordinary food, Mr. Xiao believes that absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is also a form of eating.

Refining rare and precious materials is also a form of consumption.

Whether it's for sustenance or for cultivation, ultimately it's all about strengthening oneself.

And, the way to keep oneself alive.

Since it all boils down to the same principle, why bother discarding things you consider useless?

Upon hearing Xiao Feng's words, Zhu Chongjiu clapped his hands and exclaimed, "A single word from him is worth more than a million books!"

President Xiao truly possesses lofty ideals and profound knowledge!

I am ashamed of my own inferiority.

President Xiao must know that I have always had a love for food.

Just as Chairman Xiao said.

How can something that brings you joy and pleasure be considered useless?

"Brilliant insight! Brilliant insight!" President Xiao replied, bowing slightly to Zhu Chongjiu.

Then, President Xiao leaned down and whispered to Zhu Chongjiu, "I wonder how the Nine Emperors obtained the spirit of the earth?"

Now they're scattered everywhere again?

Mr. Xiao spent all his efforts searching for twenty years without success.

The Nine Emperors captured him in just over a month. I am very curious and would like to ask them for their advice!

We humbly request the Nine Emperors to offer their guidance.

Zhu Chongjiu put down his chopsticks, which were flying up and down, looked at Xiao Feng, and replied with a smile, "What is it?"

President Xiao, do you think you can find out my secrets just from a meal?

Haven't you heard the saying, "The law should not be lightly passed on, and the doctrine should not be overheard"?

If I asked you now to tell me the headquarters of all the branches of your Peace Chamber of Commerce, and then let me visit your library, would you allow it?

Seeing the aggressive Zhu Chongjiu, Xiao Feng withdrew his outstretched body and quickly waved his hand, saying, "I'm sorry, Ninth Emperor, I was being presumptuous!"

Since the Emperor-level beings have already taken control of the Earth Source, there's no need for further envy.

"But I urge the Nine Emperors not to forget our original agreement."

No, no, you can rest assured that I can handle things well.

If your Peace Chamber of Commerce assists me in capturing the remaining Five Elements Sources, I will certainly offer them to you with both hands once I have successfully refined my body.

Haha, with those words from the Nine Emperors, I, Xiao, already have a clear understanding of the situation.

Enough of the idle talk, Nine Emperors, come and try this Phoenix Seeking Its Mate.

This dish was made from two Emperor-level demonic beasts named "Phoenix" and "Phoenix" that were hunted in the Kihara world.

This monster is not large in size, but it is exceptionally ferocious and extremely fast.

But the taste is extremely delicious; once you take a bite, you'll never want to leave.

In order to hunt down these two Emperor-level demonic beasts, I lost one Emperor-level expert and more than twenty Royal-level experts, and the number of wounded was countless.

Normally I wouldn't dare use it, but today, to warm the Nine Emperors' stomachs, I, Xiao, have really gone all out...!

Without drinking a drop of alcohol and after eating five dishes, Zhu Chongjiu arrived at the residence arranged for him by Xiao Feng.

During this time, Xiao Feng asked Zhu Chongjiu when they would set off for the next continent, "Gold-Eating City".

He had already prepared everything in the City of Gold, and was just waiting for the arrival of the Nine Emperors.

Zhu Chongjiu's answer was also very simple and straightforward: "The sooner the better, I'll follow Chairman Xiao's arrangements!"

Two days later, Xiao Feng, riding an Emperor-level flying demon beast, personally led Zhu Chongjiu towards the direction of Shijin City.

This monstrous beast transforms into an eagle with a beast's head, exuding majesty. After changing its true form, its wingspan reaches a thousand feet.

Flying in the sky, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it blots out the sun.

During this time, Xiao Feng invited Zhu Chongjiu to ride on that Emperor-level flying demon beast, but Zhu Chongjiu declined.

After all, what kind of monster could compare to his own Little Black, the ancestral cart-pulling beast!