It's just the difference in appearance.
Along with Xiao Muli.
Also with the surname Xiao.
Could it be... an intimate immortal official of Xiao Li?
Generally, such close immortal officials are raised from a young age, and those who achieve success will be granted the original surname.
"It's me."
"I am Xiao Muli, sent by Mr. Lee to reclaim the Demon Binding Rope and Demon Capturing Bottle."
The immortal from the Upper Realm looked at Wang Mu indifferently, "Are you Wang Mu?"
Wang Mu hurriedly nodded, about to take out the two magic treasures.
"Wait a moment," said the immortal with a wave, "you opened the path of ascension for the Nine Provinces, earning merit; I will grant you this item first."
"Merit?" Wang Mu was taken aback.
"The power of merit from the Upper Realm comes from the Great Taoist treasure pool established by the Upper Realm, aiding cultivators of the Lower Realm in achieving the true body of merit, revealing their true selves, while all techniques are impervious, free from the disturbance of heavenly tribulations, smooth in cultivation, and not influenced by karma."
"As long as no heinous crimes are committed, one can ascend steadily."
Wang Mu nodded, thinking it sounded awesome.
But what does opening the path of ascension for the Nine Provinces mean?
So, no one ascended before because the path of ascension wasn't opened?
That can't be right?
Wasn't the Gate of Apocalypse already opened?
Could it be different?
"Moreover, this merit is not limited to opening the path of ascension; your assistance in the Upper Realm in capturing the illegal immortal officials and immortal beasts is also merit," said the immortal, "So, you need not doubt yourself."
After speaking, the immortal waved his hand, and a non-gold, non-metal brilliance instantly fell into Wang Mu's body.
Instantly, Wang Mu's physique trembled!
His body emitted surging radiance; for a moment, Wang Mu's mind was filled with the feeling of experiencing monumental changes in an instant, as if his mental world had undergone tremendous transformations in a flash.
Immortal Xiao Muli was still staring at Wang Mu intensely.
After a while, suddenly surprised, she said:
"You are... Saint Dongfang Mu!"
"How could..."
"?" Wang Mu.
Wang Mu, having experienced the moment, was also stunned.
No way, seen through at first glance?
Are the Upper Realm immortals this formidable?
From that surprised tone, it was evidently not known in advance, implying the Moon God did not mention it.
After all, the Moon God herself could not confirm it.
How are you so certain?
"Immortal?" Wang Mu whispered, "What is this?"
The immortal was silent for a moment and then spoke slowly:
"Merit enters the body, revealing the true self. The true self is the most authentic soul, then cleansing the karmic obstacles within the soul, making it a true body of merit."
"The moment you absorbed merit, the true self you revealed was the ancient sage... you are... the Dongfang Mu of a thousand years."
"..." Wang Mu.
So that's it.
It seems there's no problem with that.
"I came here this time with a few questions," the immortal suddenly said, "Last time, in the Moon Palace, during the test... many contents of those tests involved numerous secrets of the Li Dynasty of a thousand years ago, how did you know?"
Wang Mu's mind moved, instantly understanding.
This Xiao Muli must have been sent by Xiao Li to probe him!
That Mr. Lee was just suspicious before, but now it can be confirmed it's likely Xiao Li.
"Well… to explain, we must go back to those years," Wang Mu said, "Back then, I befriended a capable person; this person called himself Mr. Tian, and he was my close friend, the only one he had. Later, when the world was settled, he went into seclusion with me, telling me some experiences."
"The tests in the Moon Palace are somewhat similar to the experiences he recounted."
"Mr. Tian?" The immortal's eyes tightened, "Where is he now?"
Wang Mu shook his head.
At this point, I mustn't easily reveal this identity.
The four heroines led by Heroine Yan just ascended; if Xiao Li finds out I used another identity in the past, having unknowingly attracted numerous opposite genders, Mr. Tian was merely a disguise. In that case, she may unleash her anger on Heroine Yan and her group.
That won't do.
"I don't know..." Wang Mu contemplated, "Perhaps... he has passed away? He told me after going into seclusion that he has fulfilled the purpose of his life..."
At this point, Wang Mu glanced at the immortal.
"Though there's a bit of regret, he said that a life with regrets is what makes it complete."
"Dying, that is worth it too."
"..." The immortal's eyes halted.
These words.
Like.
Too much like.
Too much like what Mr. Tian would say!