"Damn it!"
Fang Chu staggered back in shock.
He managed to dodge a fatal blow, but his clothes were ripped open across the chest, leaving several claw marks over his heart.
His face darkened. "Who are you people? I don't recall offending you!"
"You didn't offend us—but you did offend our captain!"
One of the black-robed men lunged at him instantly.
Fang Chu snorted. "You think you can take me?"
He charged forward to meet him head-on.
Boom!
Their fists collided, echoing like thunder through the forest.
The ground beneath them cracked open.
Zzzt!
Suddenly, arcs of electricity burst from the black-robed man's arm.
Fang Chu's entire body stiffened as if electrocuted, every muscle seizing under the current.
Seeing this, the black-robed man drew a dagger in his free hand and slashed for Fang Chu's chest—
But at that moment, two jagged spikes of earth shot up from the ground beneath him.
They pierced straight through both of his feet.
"Aghhh!"
He gasped sharply, collapsing from the pain, his strength drained as he fell face-first to the dirt.
Fang Chu's body twitched and then recovered from the paralysis. He was just about to finish the fight when another black-robed man rushed in.
Seeing this, Fang Chu immediately leapt back to maintain distance.
The newcomer hoisted his wounded comrade onto his shoulder and glared coldly.
"Fang Chu, you've made an enemy of the Immortality Research Institute. You'll die miserably for this!"
With that, they vanished into the woods.
Fang Chu's gaze turned icy. The Immortality Research Institute!
He'd heard of that name before—an ancient organization, long hunted by the cleaners, yet still alive and thriving. Their endurance alone spoke to their terrifying power.
But he couldn't understand—when had he ever offended them?
Who was this so-called "captain" they spoke of?
Could it be… Xu Mu?
Meanwhile, Xu Mu and Chen Xuan had already returned to Jiang City.
He had arranged with Miao He to meet at Lihua Village the next morning.
After dropping Chen Xuan off at the hotel, Xu Mu drove home alone.
During this trip outside the ruin, he had already encountered Mystic Art Realm experts. Yet Meng Wanyue and Dai Xingluo still hadn't reached that level.
He wondered whether to call them for this expedition or not.
Stopping by a supermarket near his villa, Xu Mu parked and began buying supplies.
Even the ordinary ruin last time had trapped them for several days—
This time, it was an ancient ruin, definitely far more dangerous.
Food and water were essential.
He filled his cart mostly with bottled water and high-energy snacks, loaded them into the car, and returned to the villa.
In the garage, he opened the trunk and neatly transferred everything into his storage space.
Once finished, he flopped onto the couch in the living room, exhausted.
Now that he thought about it, he'd gone straight to find Chen Xuan that morning and hadn't yet used his ten-draw lottery.
With nothing else to do, he decided to burn through it and see what he'd get.
Opening the system panel, he initiated the ten-draw.
The roulette wheel spun before his eyes.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Grade-3 heavenly treasure — Spring-Night Grass.]
"...What?"
Xu Mu froze. Why did this thing keep showing up?!
He was a decent, upright man—what need did he have for that sort of thing?
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 30 cultivation points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 attribute points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Primary Formation Master title.]
"Oh?"
Xu Mu's eyes lit up.
Now this was a reward worth getting.
For ruin exploration, formation knowledge was indispensable.
Last time, if not for Qin Ju's help, escaping would've been nearly impossible.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 30 cultivation points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Grade-3 heavenly treasure gift box.]
…
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 cultivation points.]
Aside from the Formation Master title, the Grade-3 treasures like Spring-Night Grass were basically filler rewards.
Still, the Primary Formation Master title was already a major gain.
Total haul this time: 140 cultivation points and 60 attribute points.
He distributed all the points and felt his body's strength swell again.
Then he opened his status panel:
Name: Xu Mu
Role: Villain Saint Body; HR Manager of Xu Group
Realm: Mystic Art (mid-stage)
Physique: 945
Spirit: 945
Cultivation Points: 620 / 800
Fate Power: 1042
Xu Mu nodded to himself.
At this pace, he'd soon reach late Mystic Art Realm.
Once he advanced to Golden Body, the Grandmaster Realm, he'd finally go on the offensive.
He next reviewed his new formation skills—
a stream of knowledge instantly flooded into his mind,
and comprehension of array theory began taking shape.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Using his perception, Xu Mu saw it was Feng Yue standing outside.
He went to open the door.
"Boss, I just got back from Yang City," Feng Yue said with a smile. "Saw your car here and thought I'd drop by."
Xu Mu glanced at her—today, she looked different.
She wore a black office suit and a tight pencil skirt.
With those seductive peach-blossom eyes, she looked like a walking embodiment of Spring-Night Grass.
"What's with the outfit?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"Had a company meeting. Gotta look formal," she said playfully, winking. "Want to come over to my place for a bit?"
Xu Mu nodded. There was still time before Ye Tong got off work anyway.
Feng Yue led the way, the curve of her skirt drawing subtle outlines with every step.
Xu Mu shook his head slightly. See no evil, see no evil.
In the living room of her villa, Xu Mu sat down casually.
"Zhang Que's gone already. Why are you still living here?" he asked.
"Boss, you say that like you're eager to kick me out," Feng Yue pouted teasingly.
"That's not what I meant." Xu Mu waved his hand.
"It's just that Madam doesn't want me to leave," Feng Yue giggled, sitting beside him. "She said Yang City's close enough—we can still see each other every day."
Xu Mu couldn't figure out what Ye Tong was thinking anymore.
Maybe, after marrying him, she'd had no real friends and saw Feng Yue as one.
And Feng Yue—she could chat even with Dai Xingluo; befriending Ye Tong was no surprise.
"Boss, do you know why love has to last forever?" Feng Yue leaned against his shoulder, smiling.
"Why?"
"Because it's literal—to last long, to last forever. Otherwise, it wouldn't be lasting love." She chuckled mischievously.
"You little—don't you have a company to run? Want to be audited again?" Xu Mu scolded, pointing at her.
…
Later, Feng Yue lay sprawled on the sofa, eyes unfocused, looking utterly drained.
Xu Mu checked the Fate Points he'd gained and nodded to himself.
Though her Fate Level wasn't high, quantity made up for it—she still contributed a good amount.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
Xu Mu used his perception—and saw Ye Tong standing outside.
He quickly straightened his clothes.
Feng Yue glanced at the video door monitor and smirked.
"It's Madam. Maybe you should hide in the bedroom?"
After a moment's thought, Xu Mu nodded.
He was genuinely curious what kind of conversation Ye Tong and Feng Yue would have—
especially since Ye Tong, as a married woman, might show a side of herself no one else had seen.
He slipped into the nearby room, leaving the door slightly ajar.