It was as if clouds obscuring the sun had suddenly been swept away by the wind.
After Qiongqi carried Xu Mu out of the ground, the purple-gold points bar illuminated the entire dark and dim space.
"What happened!"
On the mountain peaks thousands of kilometers away, cultivators exclaimed in unison. Then, they opened their eyes, eager to see if any opportunities had appeared where the light originated.
However, in the next moment, they all covered their eyes, crying out in pain:
"It hurts!"
"Why is it so bright? I'm going blind! Is it the sun?"
"Even if it were the sun, it shouldn't be in this position."
Changsun Wuji's expression grew solemn as he used his abilities to protect his face.
For regardless of day or night, the space here had always been dim and hazy. Their eyes had long adapted to this lightless environment, and suddenly looking directly at the dazzling light naturally caused them pain.
But as their abilities flowed, covering their eyeballs, they could directly face the source of the light. Once accustomed, even without their abilities, it wouldn't be a significant issue.
This was precisely what he was doing now.
In fact, he had sensed a golden light before, but it had vanished in an instant.
"I must see what exactly this is."
The man took a deep breath and probed carefully.
Then, he discovered that the brilliant light was emanating from Xu Mu's head.
It wasn't ordinary light, but a points bar.
Changsun Wuji was greatly surprised, then puzzled:
"Purple-gold, how many points is that?"
From such a distance, Changsun Wuji couldn't clearly see the tiny numbers due to the intense brightness and Xu Mu's constant movement, making detailed observation impossible.
He could only vaguely discern a number at the beginning that was typically seen in classrooms: "7."
Others, at this moment, had also opened their eyes and saw Xu Mu.
"Blue is one thousand, purple is over three thousand, and over ten thousand is orange. What about this purple-gold?"
"I can barely see a seven, so is it seventy thousand?!"
Someone whispered, calculating, and then their face contorted in shock.
Xu Mu had entered the mine for only a few hours, and his points had more than doubled, jumping from nearly thirty thousand to seventy thousand.
Nan Feng had painstakingly been a bandit for many days and had only accumulated less than thirty thousand points, far less than what Xu Mu had amassed in a few hours.
Was this perhaps the difference between people?
"No, you miscalculated."
Just as everyone believed Xu Mu's points were seventy thousand, Changsun Wuji suddenly spoke.
He had exerted considerable effort and finally managed to see the small subsequent numbers amidst the flickering light.
The number did begin with a 7, but the suffix was too long, clearly indicating it was more than seventy thousand.
"It's seven hundred thousand."
"Alliance Leader Xu Mu has seven hundred thousand points!"
Changsun Wuji declared, his voice trembling.
He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, an utterly shocked and petrified being.
However, considering the dignity of the royal family, he could only force himself to remain calm, though his voice continued to shake uncontrollably.
Changsun Wuji doubted his own eyes.
Seven hundred thousand, how was that possible?
He must have misread it!
But as he shook his head, attempting to reconfirm, the people around him also saw clearly and exclaimed in unison:
"Over seven hundred thousand, it truly is over seven hundred thousand!"
"Seven hundred and sixty-three thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one! Seven hundred and sixty-three thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one!"
"My heavens..."
The crowd shrieked wildly, as if stimulated by something, shouting and repeating the unbelievable number.
Because even a fraction of this number was more than most of their accumulated points.
"This kid, he really is..."
Even Yin Zhongxiu, who was usually accustomed to being shocked by Xu Mu, couldn't help but offer a wry smile.
Over seven hundred thousand points. Even if time ran out in this round, their combined scores might not reach that, yet Xu Mu had achieved it in a few hours.
"With Alliance Leader Xu Mu here, it is truly our fortune."
Someone couldn't help but sigh. As the saying goes, one man's success benefits his followers. If Xu Mu reaped such a great harvest, they would surely receive some benefits by following him.
"Over seven hundred thousand. If converted to treasures, it would be enough for us brothers to dominate for a lifetime!"
From the shadows, a cultivator sighed silently.
And he was not the only one with ulterior motives.
Xu Mu's points were outrageously high. This was an immense temptation for the fourth-stage ability users who had come here seeking opportunities, as it could be exchanged for numerous powerful cultivation techniques or artifacts.
Thus, countless individuals harbored malicious intentions, planning to rob him. Some even secretly contacted the already escaped Nan Feng.
In their minds, Xu Mu was still formidable, and mere numbers wouldn't suffice. Nan Feng was a crucial part of their plan because Xu Mu had killed Fang Jia.
Amidst this chaotic mixture of surprise and confusion, someone suddenly exclaimed strangely:
"Huh!"
"Why is Alliance Leader Xu Mu moving further and further away from us?"
Upon hearing this, everyone froze, then quickly widened their eyes to look. Indeed, it was as the person had said.
Everything that had just happened occurred in an instant, and they were all so stunned by the purple-gold numbers that they hadn't noticed Xu Mu's direction.
Now, they could see that within the gradually dimming purple-gold light, Xu Mu, riding the fire-breathing great demon, was flying rapidly in the opposite direction, his figure shrinking.
Just as he was about to disappear, Xu Mu's spirit transmitted a message back:
"Patriarch Changsun, I'll have to trouble you with Yan Yu. I will reward you greatly once we get out."
"The opportunities here are exhausted. I am going deeper to find Lord Yaohuo. That is a very distant place, and it is inconvenient for me to travel with you all."
"Farewell, everyone!"
Xu Mu gave Changsun Wuji, or anyone else, no chance to speak before swiftly vanishing into the horizon.
On the mountain peaks, everyone looked at each other, then stood frozen like wooden statues.
What did he mean by "opportunities here are exhausted" and "inconvenient to travel together"? This clearly implied he wanted to hoard the gains all for himself!
"Alliance Leader Xu is truly..."
Some cultivators who had been planning a robbery were taken aback by Xu Mu's sudden departure. One of them, about to curse in frustration, suddenly realized that members of the Demon Extermination Division were present.
Yin Zhongxiu tidied his disheveled hair and creased red robe, then cleared his throat and said:
"Since Xu Mu has departed, we cannot remain without a leader here."
"I believe Patriarch Changsun is suitable for the position of Alliance Leader."
He turned to look at the clearly distinguished imperial figure in the center of the crowd.
Yin Zhongxiu's expression was serious; an alliance leader was essential.
Rather than letting others contend for it, it was better to act first. Since Changsun Wuji had always sided with Xu Mu, he could be trusted.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
Xu Mu's business wasn't even settled, and they were already electing a new alliance leader?
"We agree!"
The elders of the Changsun family spoke first. Their own patriarch was about to become the alliance leader, so of course, they supported it.
"Agreed."
"I agree too!"
"It seems this is the only way..."
One by one, the extraordinary cultivators voiced their assent, seemingly settling the matter.
Changsun Wuji listened to the murmurs of the crowd, looked at Yan Yu lying on the ground, and then at Xu Mu who had vanished into the sky. He suddenly fell silent.
The flashing purple-gold points bar was seared into his mind.
After a long moment, a smile bloomed on his face:
"Very well."
Changsun Wuji agreed, a touch of unhealthy crimson appearing on his pale face.
...