"That's right! Ever since the Temple messengers visited our village last time, I've sent people to investigate the identities of the two Temple messengers currently on duty."
That Su Wanyi is alright; she's not from the Wilderness, so she probably won't interfere in Wilderness affairs.
"And that Xing Le, who received kindness from the Jianglan Tribe when he was young, is very likely the one plotting against our Chen Village."
As Chen Village's territory expands, internal affairs become even more difficult than expansion itself. Chen Hongjie now focuses his main energy on internal affairs, while foreign affairs are an extension of internal affairs and also one of his important tasks. Therefore, he has always been particularly concerned about the Temple.
While the Temple is indeed mysterious, Temple messengers often appear in the outside world, so it's not too difficult to find out about them.
"Furthermore, there is a divine artifact in the Temple called the ' Suspended Light Realm,' which can monitor every corner of the entire Wilderness."
Therefore, I suspect that the leak of your expedition and the Five Elements Army's raid on the Jianglan Tribe were both Xing Le's doing.
As Chen Hongjie finished speaking, a look of resentment appeared on his face.
"So that's how it is! There's such a treasure!"
Chen Mu sighed.
Although he knew from White Turtle that someone had been spying on Chen Village, he didn't know that the other party could monitor the entire Wilderness. In that case, Xing Le was indeed the most suspicious.
"Damn it, isn't this Temple's behavior incredibly unfair!"
Zheng Fengdao said indignantly.
"Hehe, actually, what Xing Le did wasn't exactly a violation of the Temple's rules, and there's nothing we can do about it."
As Chen Village's influence grew, Chen Hongjie's understanding of the Temple deepened, and he roughly knew how they operated.
Xing Le only used his position to betray their whereabouts. This kind of behavior is not explicitly prohibited in the Temple. Unless they directly take action against the people of Chen Village, it would probably be useless to complain to the Temple.
"Furthermore, the Eight Great High Tribes have a long history, and it is estimated that half of the people inside the Temple are from the Eight Great High Tribes."
If we go to the Temple to complain, the inspectors sent down by the Temple might be from the eight tribes, and it's hard to say whether they'll help us then."
After hearing Chen Hongjie's words, everyone's mood became heavy.
Ultimately, it comes down to whoever has the bigger fist is right!
We'll deal with Xing Le sooner or later. Right now, our priority is to focus on developing and becoming stronger.
Chen Mu offered some words of advice.
"Yes! We reaped a great harvest in the Jianglan Tribe this time. The Spirit Stone and rare treasures there are more than all of Chen Village has ever had in the past."
With these resources, the Rune Research Lab can also ramp up production.
As long as we continue to develop in this way, what does it matter if there's Temple? We can still fight them in the future!
Chen Zihu raised his head high, exuding boundless pride.
In the Wilderness, the Temple was the heavens, and the Temple messengers were the gods of the Wilderness. All tribes worshipped them on important festivals, regarding them as their sole faith.
However, as their horizons broadened, Chen Zihu, Chen Hongjie, and the others realized that they were nothing more than powerful cultivators.
Everything Chen Village has achieved is the result of their own hard work. They respect the Temple but are not afraid of it. If the Temple really goes too far, they dare to fight Temple to the end.
"Alright! Let's eat, stop all this fighting and killing."
Meng Hui then came out of the kitchen and scolded Chen Zihu and Chen Mu.
Although Chen Mu now has many servants, Meng Hui still insists on cooking herself every time. However, her dishes are indeed much tastier than those of the servants, and everyone enjoys them immensely.
"Okay, let's not talk about the front lines for now."
Chen Mu, you're not getting any younger, when are you going to settle down and start a family?
Chen Zihu quickly seized the opportunity and turned his attention to Chen Mu.
"Cough... We're all cultivators, why are we in such a hurry about this..."
Chen Mu had just opened his mouth when Meng Hui interrupted him.
"What do you mean it's not urgent! Let me tell you, this is the most urgent matter."
Your father and I were cultivators back then, and I had you when I was seventeen...
After Meng Hui launched into a long, rapid-fire rant, Chen Mu immediately groaned in exasperation.
In this Wilderness place, ordinary people usually get married by the age of fourteen or fifteen. Someone like me, who is twenty years old, is considered an old bachelor in their eyes. If it weren't for the fact that I am a cultivator, I would probably have been forced to get married and have children long ago.
"Alright, Mother, my brother knows what he's doing."
Don't be impatient, trust me, I won't keep you waiting too long.
Seeing Chen Mu's predicament, Chen Duo quickly spoke up to comfort him.
When Meng Hui heard Chen Duo speak, she subconsciously glanced at A Huo beside her and, unexpectedly, stopped nagging Chen Mu.
" A Huo, why don't you try Auntie's steamed bear paw?"
A Mu taught me how to make this, and it tastes great! You should try it!
She looked at A Huo with a smile, much like a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law.
She had long noticed that Chen Duo's feelings for A Huo seemed different from her feelings for other friends, so she had been secretly observing A Huo.
Although she found A Huo A Huo serious, she still admired him for his handsome appearance and upright character.
"Alright! Thank you, Auntie."
A Huo was a little uncomfortable with Meng Hui's enthusiasm, but he still politely picked up some bear paw and ate it.
And so, Chen Mu and his group enjoyed their dinner together in a pleasant atmosphere, and the banquet came to an end.
Chen Village entered another phase of rapid development. First, they raided the Jianglan Tribe and gained a huge amount of wealth. Then, Chen Mu harvested a large number of pills and Purple Soul Crystal from the Ancient Desolate Mining Area.
These resources were all put under the control of Chen Hongjie, who then allocated them.
With abundant resources and the widespread reputation of Chen Village, Chen Village expansion went more smoothly than anyone had imagined. In a short time, most of the tribes within the Jianglan Tribe's territory submitted to Chen Village.
In the end, the Jianglan Tribe only had the northeastern part left, less than a quarter of its original territory, which had not yet submitted. They held their ground by relying on natural defenses, and Chen Village was not in a hurry to annihilate them.
Chen Village's westward expansion was primarily aimed at the Flame Blessing Tribe. After the Jianglan Tribe was occupied, Chen Village's territory officially bordered the territory of the Flame Blessing Tribe.
However, Chen Village is not in a hurry to attack the Flame Blessing Tribe. After all, Chen Village has developed too fast and still needs to appease the tribe people it has just occupied. It is estimated that it will take another year or two before it launches an offensive against the Flame Blessing Tribe.
Inside Chen Village, Chen Mu arranged for all ten Ancient Desolate Race to enter the Rune Research Institute.
When Chen Mu returned this time, he also restructured the Rune Research Institute once again.
The original weapon-refining area has been renamed the Artifact Refining Department, and will be under the responsibility of Landuo from now on.
The Biology Section was renamed the Biology Department, and Chen Xuejun was put in charge.
The formation area was renamed the Array Department, and Nan Huaiyuan was put in charge.
Finally, a new Battle Talisman Department was added and put in charge of Nangong Tong, specifically to teach the Battle Talisman Master cultivation system.