After All, We Owe Them Too Much

The subsequent prize draws all yielded the minimum possible points.

However, for Xu Mu, this was already a considerable gain.

Once everything concluded, Xu Mu first took out the seventh-grade pill he had obtained earlier and tasted it.

The corresponding materials and production methods immediately surfaced in his mind.

"So that's how it is," Xu Mu nodded to himself. Pills of this grade couldn't be produced by machines.

In other words, even if Xu Mu managed to gather these rare spiritual herbs, his company wouldn’t be able to manufacture them.

It required the use of Qi to extract the spiritual essence from the herbs, and at the very least, one needed to be at the Divine Ability realm.

The Qi Sea Pill required three types of rare spiritual herbs, along with some common medicinal herbs.

Coincidentally, one of them was the Nightshade Grass. If he got wind of the other two, he would undoubtedly compete for them.

Next, he examined the Earth-grade technique, Shadow Kill.

This time, he had only drawn the cultivation method, meaning he couldn’t use it yet—he’d have to train in it first.

After carefully reading the description, he realized it was an assassination-style technique.

Someone like Meng Wanyue would be perfect for it.

However, giving her an Earth-grade technique now was still too soon.

She hadn’t even fully mastered the Illusory Sword yet, so he decided to store it in his personal space for the time being.

This round of cultivation had netted him 210 cultivation points and 120 attribute points.

He allocated all of them to his body, and soon, black text appeared before his eyes once more:

[Congratulations, Host, for advancing to the late-stage Gang Qi realm.]

He then distributed all the attribute points, feeling his physique gradually strengthen bit by bit.

With everything settled, Xu Mu checked his personal stats:

Name: Xu Mu

Identity: Villainous Saint Physique, HR Manager of Xu Corporation

Realm: Late-stage Gang Qi

Physique: 510

Spirit: 510

Cultivation Value: 180/400

Destiny Power: 177

The reduction in Destiny Power was due to his earlier enhancement of Xu Ningbing.

Once everything was done, Xu Mu closed his eyes. Tomorrow, he needed to clean out the parasites in the company first.

...

The next morning.

Ye Tong woke up early but kept her eyes shut, pretending to sleep—she had learned her lesson.

From now on, if Xu Mu got up without clothes, she absolutely could not be awake.

Only after seeing Xu Mu head to the bathroom did Ye Tong let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly get up.

Ye Tong prepared breakfast, and the three of them ate quickly before heading their separate ways.

Ye Yu rode her electric scooter to school, Ye Tong drove to the pharmaceutical company, and Xu Mu went to meet Li Yun.

Before leaving, he sent a message to Meng Wanyue, informing her that he had business to attend to and that she didn’t need to come in early—she should focus on cultivating her techniques instead.

Meng Wanyue replied with an acknowledgment. If Xu Mu wasn’t around, she had no desire to set foot in the company at all.

Arriving at Li Yun’s doorstep, Xu Mu knocked lightly.

A moment later, Li Yun opened the door.

"Auntie, are you ready? I’ll take you to the company today," Xu Mu said with a smile, looking at her.

She was wearing a black sweater, no jacket, and the sweater’s shape was dramatically altered by two very formidable assets.

"Alright, give me a moment to change," Li Yun nodded softly before turning to head back to her bedroom.

Xu Mu narrowed his eyes. Using his perception ability at a time like this would be highly improper.

But this was a power no one else could detect—only he knew about it.

Even the most upright person, once back in their bedroom, would engage in some less-than-dignified little habits.

As long as it doesn't affect others, it's fine.

With that thought, Xu Mu expanded his senses, justifying it to himself—the Dai family might send people after him.

He needed to stay alert to his surroundings at all times to avoid unexpected dangers.

"What a tremendous threat! It makes me want to crush it instantly."

Xu Mu raised his hand and clenched it in the air.

Just then, Li Yun emerged from the bedroom, dressed in office attire.

She noticed Xu Mu still standing by the door, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his fist, and asked, "Xu Mu, what are you doing?"

"Practicing my grip strength. It'll definitely come in handy someday."

Xu Mu chuckled before turning around. "Let's go."

Truth be told, every man secretly yearns to endure the Great Thunder Judgment.

But at Ye Tong's age, his physique was already set.

Xu Mu figured he should just let things take their course. Maybe one day, he too would face the Thunder Judgment and ascend to greater heights.

Once in the car, he noticed Li Yun had taken the back seat and asked, "Why not sit up front?"

"I’ve seen videos saying the passenger seat is reserved. I didn’t want your wife getting upset if she found out," Li Yun explained with a smile.

"She’s not that kind of person."

Xu Mu shook his head lightly and didn’t press further as he drove off.

Along the way, Xu Mu asked Li Yun what kind of job she was looking for.

Li Yun wasn’t sure herself. In the past, she’d worked as a receptionist and in sales before saving up enough to start a breakfast stall.

"At my age, it’s hard to find something easygoing. If nothing else, I’ll just take on manual labor," Li Yun said to Xu Mu. "Auntie here can handle tough work."

"You just recovered from a serious illness—no heavy labor for you. I’ll find you something light."

Xu Mu laughed from the driver’s seat.

[Affection +10]

Li Yun was deeply moved, feeling she owed Xu Mu far too much.

A dangerous thought even crossed her mind—even though Xu Mu was married, she’d be willing to entrust her daughter to him.

After exiting the highway, Xu Mu drove a few more kilometers before turning into the branch office of the Xu Corporation.

Li Yun, sitting in the back, widened her eyes in shock. "Xu Mu, why are we here?"

"The job I’m getting you is here," Xu Mu replied calmly.

"But… that man who bullied me yesterday… he’s an executive here," Li Yun said nervously. "You even hit him. What if he tries to retaliate?"

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything."

Xu Mu gave her a reassuring look.

Li Yun mustered her courage. After all, Xu Mu had given her medicine worth a fortune—why would he harm her now?

In fact, she even thought that if Xu Mu tried something like Wu Shengqi had, she wouldn’t refuse. She owed him too much.

With that, she followed Xu Mu out of the car.

As they entered the reception hall on the first floor, a woman approached them.

"Welcome, may I help—Li Yun?"

The speaker was none other than Li Yun’s former classmate, Zheng Yan.

Li Yun’s anger flared at the sight of her. So she really was in cahoots with Wu Shengqi.

And to think she’d trusted her back then.

"Changed your mind?" Zheng Yan asked mockingly.

"You little brat! It’s you!"

Just then, Wu Shengqi stormed out of the restroom in the distance. The moment he spotted Xu Mu, fury burned in his eyes.

I stayed out too late with Zheng Yan yesterday, so I hadn’t gotten around to investigating today. To my surprise, he came looking for me himself.

Wu Shengqi strode over, his face lighting up with a faint smile only when he spotted Li Yun standing nearby.

If these two were coming to see me at the same time, what else could it be about?

They must be scared out of their wits, here to apologize.

Wu Shengqi sidled up to Li Yun and asked in a low voice, "Little Li, what brings you to see your big brother?"

"Go to hell!"

Xu Mu kicked Wu Shengqi square in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"You little bastard! You dare hit me?"

Wu Shengqi clutched his stomach, roaring in fury. "Security! Are you all dead? Get him!"

Li Yun paled at the scene, panic-stricken as she clung to Xu Mu's arm.