“I don’t mind, but you can only block ordinary people, right? What about cultivators?”
Xu Mu asked with a smile.
“That definitely won’t work on them. Put simply, it just makes it harder for people to investigate you or your family,” An Linghui explained. “For example, if someone tries to send your photos or videos over the internet, they’ll receive a warning that the content poses a risk and won’t be able to send it. But anything already stored in a phone’s gallery, or information passed along by word of mouth, can’t be prevented.”
Xu Mu rubbed his chin and nodded. “So, from now on, my photos and videos will be treated like those videos on shady websites, right?”
He remembered that messaging apps worked the same way. On his end, it would clearly show that the file had been sent, but the recipient would never receive it.
An Linghui gave him an awkward smile. “That’s right.”
“Fine, I agree.”
In any case, the restriction could be lifted in the future. For now, lying low was a good thing for him.
“Then I’ll report it now.”
An Linghui took out her phone and returned to the chair she had been sitting in earlier.
“Xu Mu, what exactly did you do this time to make the Black Moon Clan hate you so much?”
Li Hongdou looked over from the other side of the room.
“The Water Spirit Clan was choosing a new patriarch this time, and I got involved.”
Xu Mu gave them a rough account of what had happened, though he naturally left out some of the details.
For example, he didn’t mention that he had obtained a certain video of Shui Shu from Hao Yang and used it to threaten her.
“People who are immortal?”
After hearing the story, Wei Jingzhi’s expression grew even more solemn. “Offending them is far more serious than offending any of the four major races.”
“Senior, I also offended the Thousand-Skinned Woman—Yue Menglong.”
Xu Mu gave a sheepish chuckle.
“What?”
Wei Jingzhi was so shocked that he nearly jumped to his feet. “What happened?”
Xu Mu didn’t hide anything about this matter either and told them the truth.
“Good grief. Then you’re truly in danger this time.”
Wei Jingzhi shook his head slightly. “You have to be careful from now on, especially when you go to the inner world.”
“Senior, what’s the background of this Thousand-Skinned Woman?”
Xu Mu had noticed that something was off about Wei Jingzhi.
When he had learned that Xu Mu was being hunted by the Black Moon Clan, Wei Jingzhi hadn’t been this tense. But after finding out that Xu Mu had offended the Thousand-Skinned Woman, his reaction had clearly changed.
“According to legend, she is a member of the Wuqi Clan. They could die and be reborn, restarting their lives periodically. For instance, they might live for several hundred years and die of old age, or be killed and lie in their graves for a hundred years before coming back to life. In other words, in their eyes, death is simply sleep.”
Wei Jingzhi explained, “But after the inner world was shattered, their clan lost this ability.”
“Is that race very powerful?”
Xu Mu asked.
“I don’t know. Their clan is practically extinct, so I’ve never seen one of them at their peak. But I have fought that woman before, and her physique is incredibly powerful.”
Wei Jingzhi took a sip of his goji-berry tea. “She has the strongest body of any opponent I’ve ever faced. No one else even comes close.”
“That’s true.”
Xu Mu recalled his fight with her. Even though she had been in a weakened state at the time, she had still been frighteningly powerful.
“No matter what, the organization known as Immortality is synonymous with power and evil.”
Wei Jingzhi raised his hand and looked at his skin-and-bones arm. “Everyone is afraid of death, especially those in positions of power.”
“Exactly. It’s just like the emperors of ancient times. They had the final say over the entire realm and wanted to rule for thousands upon thousands of years, so naturally they sought immortality.”
Xu Mu let out a sigh.
Who wouldn’t want to hold on to a life that comfortable forever? It was easy to understand.
“That’s right. Which is why Immortality is so powerful. When those top experts watch their bodies grow old and realize that death is approaching, they can never resist the temptation and eventually join them.”
Wei Jingzhi smiled as he raised the thermos in his hand. “I’m working on staying healthy now. Maybe I’ll board their ship someday too.”
“Heh, Senior, don’t scare us. You’re a genius. Living for a few more centuries should be easy for you.”
Li Hongdou couldn’t help laughing.
“But what about after those few centuries? Everyone has to face that final moment. It all depends on whether you can hold firm when the time comes.”
Wei Jingzhi shook his head. “The so-called righteous methods can’t grant immortality, so they began seeking out evil methods instead. But the older generation looked down on committing evil themselves, so they secretly facilitated Immortality’s efforts and let them do the dirty work. If they succeeded, the older generation could simply reap the rewards.”
Xu Mu took a deep look at Wei Jingzhi.
Could he already know that someone within the Sanitation Office was secretly helping Immortality?
The story had indeed mentioned that a senior cleaner was working with Wang Hun of the Immortality Research Institute.
But Xu Mu had no idea who that person was.
“Senior, let’s not talk about that anymore. We should get back to the matter at hand.”
An Linghui put away her phone and turned to Xu Mu. “An intersection between the inner and outer worlds under the control of our Sanitation Office’s northwest branch has been discovered by an alien race. An ancient ruin has appeared nearby.”
Xu Mu nodded inwardly.
Such a thing was only natural. For example, there was an intersection between the inner and outer worlds right here at Wei Jingzhi’s residence.
If there was a treasure-filled site somewhere on the seabed of the inner world, then as more and more people gathered there, the entrance connecting the two worlds would eventually be discovered.
“Because this site in the inner world is relatively remote and there aren’t many powerful experts nearby, our Sanitation Office has joined forces with the promising disciples of the Five Great Sects to send them there for training.”
An Linghui looked at Xu Mu. “Do you want to go?”
“Why do you want me to go?”
Xu Mu still had the Battlefield of the Gods in his hands, and the treasures inside were definitely more valuable than anything in an ancient ruin.
“I was the one who recommended you. Your current strength is far superior to that of the prodigies from the major sects who are your age.”
Wei Jingzhi spoke up from the side. “With you there, you can at least guarantee their safety. After all, the location is in the inner world, where it’s difficult for the experts on our side to intervene.”
“Then I’m not going. Those prodigies are all arrogant. Why should I protect them? I don’t have that kind of free time.”
Xu Mu waved his hand.
“I’m not asking you to protect them the entire time. Just lend a hand if you happen to run into them.”
Wei Jingzhi smiled at Xu Mu. “Besides, there might be some treasures inside.”
“Xu Mu, this trip will count as a mission. Even if you don’t find anything valuable in the ancient ruin, the Sanitation Office will still reward you.”
Li Hongdou chimed in.
Xu Mu scratched his head. “What kind of treasure?”
“That will depend on how much you accomplish. For example, if those prodigies all return safely, your reward will naturally be greater.”
Li Hongdou explained.
“All right. I’ll go with Old Chen.”
Xu Mu nodded.
Since they had put it that way, he might as well make the trip.
“We’ll leave tonight. Meet here at my place.”
Wei Jingzhi spoke up.
Xu Mu agreed and drove home.
He sent Chen Xuan a message first. After Chen Xuan agreed, Xu Mu went to sleep feeling quite pleased with himself.
When he woke up, Ye Tong had already returned from work.
During dinner, Xu Mu told Ye Tong and the others about the mission.
Shi Fumeng could also take care of the child, Ying Weiyang.
After dinner, he headed over to Wei Jingzhi’s home. When he arrived, he found that Chen Xuan was already there, and the helicopter had been waiting for them for quite some time.
After bidding Wei Jingzhi farewell, the two of them boarded a helicopter and headed for Longxi in the northwest.
…
In a mountainous area of Longxi.
Xu Mu and Chen Xuan arrived together, only to find several helicopters parked all around them.
There were more than a dozen people in total, most of whom were familiar faces.
“Brother Xu Mu!”
Jiang Cisui of Kunlun Mountain smiled and walked over when he saw Xu Mu.
But Xu Mu’s gaze did not linger on Jiang Cisui. Instead, he looked toward the Artifact Sect.
Hat Guy’s wife, Zhong Ci, was actually standing over there.
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
