Title of Junior Formation Master

"What the hell?"

Fang Chu immediately recoiled in shock.

Though he had dodged a fatal blow, his shirt over his chest was slashed open in several places.

His face darkened. "Who are you? I don’t think I’ve ever crossed paths with you."

"You haven’t crossed us, but you’ve crossed our captain!"

One of the black-robed figures lunged at Fang Chu without hesitation.

Fang Chu sneered. "You think you can take me?"

He met the attack head-on.

Boom!

Their fists collided, sending a dull thud echoing through the mountain forest.

The ground beneath their feet cracked violently.

Zap!

Suddenly, arcs of electricity surged from the black-robed man’s arm.

Fang Chu’s entire body stiffened as the current coursed through him.

Seizing the opportunity, the black-robed man drew a dagger with his other hand and slashed toward Fang Chu.

Swish! Swish!

Just then, two sharp stone spikes erupted from the ground beneath the black-robed man’s feet, piercing straight through them.

"Tsk!"

The black-robed man gasped sharply, the pain robbing him of strength as he collapsed to the ground.

Fang Chu quickly regained control of his body and was about to press his advantage when another black-robed figure attacked.

Fang Chu swiftly retreated.

The newcomer hoisted his injured comrade onto his shoulder and hissed coldly, "Fang Chu, you’ve made an enemy of the Eternal Life Research Institute. You’ll die a miserable death!"

With that, he vanished into the shadows.

Fang Chu’s eyes turned ice-cold. The Eternal Life Research Institute…

He had heard of this organization before. They had existed for years, always on the Cleaners’ most-wanted list.

Yet they still thrived—proof of their terrifying power.

Fang Chu couldn’t figure out when he had offended them.

Who was this "captain" they mentioned?

Could it be… Xu Mu?

---

Xu Mu had already returned to Jiang City with Chen Xuan.

He had agreed with Miao He to meet at Pear Blossom Village the next morning.

After dropping Chen Xuan off at a hotel, he headed home alone.

This time, outside the ruins, he had encountered a master at the Divine Ability realm. Meanwhile, Meng Wanyue and Dai Xingluo hadn’t even reached that level yet.

Xu Mu wondered if he should even bring them along this time.

Pulling up to the supermarket near his villa, he parked and went inside to stock up on supplies.

The last ruins—just an ordinary one—had trapped them for days. This ancient ruin would undoubtedly be far more dangerous.

Basic necessities like food and water were a must.

He grabbed the same items as last time: bottled water and high-energy snacks.

After loading them into the car, he drove back to the villa.

In the garage, he opened the trunk and neatly packed everything into his storage space.

Once done, he slumped onto the living room couch.

Come to think of it, he had rushed off to find Chen Xuan this morning and hadn’t even done his daily system draw.

Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to use his 10-draw and see what he’d get.

Opening the system panel, he initiated the draw.

The wheel in front of him began spinning.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a third-grade spiritual herb: Nightspring Grass.]

"…?"

Xu Mu was baffled. Why did the system keep giving him this stuff?

He was a righteous man, a man of principle—did he look like he needed this?

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained 30 cultivation points.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained 20 attribute points.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the title: Novice Array Master.]

"Hell yeah!"

Xu Mu grinned at this reward.

For exploring ruins, mastery of arrays was essential.

Last time, if not for Qin Ju’s help, escaping would’ve been a nightmare.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained 30 cultivation points.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a third-grade spiritual herb gift box.]

…

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained 20 cultivation points.]

Aside from the array master title, the Nightspring Grass and the herb gift box felt worse than the baseline rewards.

Still, getting a Novice Array Master was already a win.

This round netted him 140 cultivation points and 60 attribute points in total.

He allocated all of them immediately.

As his body surged with newfound strength, he checked his updated stats.

Name: Xu Mu

Identity: Villainous Saint Physique, HR Manager of Xu Corporation

Realm: Mid-stage Divine Ability

Physique: 945

Spirit: 945

Cultivation Points: 620/800

Fate Energy: 1042

Xu Mu nodded in satisfaction. He was close to reaching the late stage of Divine Ability.

Once he broke through to the Golden Body realm—the threshold of a true master—he would take the initiative.

He then reviewed his newly acquired array knowledge as a flood of memories integrated into his mind.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Using his perception, he sensed Feng Yue standing outside.

He got up and opened the door.

"Boss, I just got back from Yang City and saw your car here, so I thought I’d drop by," Feng Yue said with a smile.

Xu Mu looked her over. Today, she had ditched her usual style for a sleek black office suit with a pencil skirt.

Combined with her alluring peach-blossom eyes, she was basically a walking Nightspring Grass.

"Why the new look?" Xu Mu asked.

"Had a meeting at the company. Gotta dress the part."

Feng Yue adjusted her handbag and winked. "Wanna come over to my place?"

Xu Mu shrugged. Ye Tong wouldn’t be back from work for a while anyway.

Feng Yue led the way, the sway of her skirt teasing glimpses of what lay beneath.

Xu Mu averted his gaze. A gentleman shouldn’t stare.

In Feng Yue’s living room, Xu Mu made himself comfortable. "Zhang Que’s gone. Why are you still living here?"

"Boss, I don’t like that tone," Feng Yue pouted playfully. "Trying to kick me out already?"

"That’s not what I meant."

Xu Mu waved her off.

"It’s Madam’s idea, actually. She doesn’t want me to leave."

Feng Yue smirked as she sat beside him. "She said since Yang City isn’t far, I can come back every day and keep her company."

Xu Mu had no idea what Ye Tong was thinking.

Maybe, after marrying into this life, she had no friends—so she latched onto Feng Yue.

Then again, Feng Yue could get along with even Dai Xingluo, let alone Ye Tong.

"Boss, do you know why love needs to be long-lasting?" Feng Yue leaned against his shoulder.

"Why?"

"Because it’s literal—it has to be long, and it has to last. Otherwise, it’s not love."

Feng Yue grinned mischievously.

"You little—! Focus on running the company instead of spouting nonsense, or I’ll audit you again!"

Xu Mu jabbed a finger at her.

---

Feng Yue lay sprawled on the couch, her eyes glazed as she stared at the ceiling, utterly drained.

Xu Mu checked his newly acquired justice points and nodded.

Though Feng Yue’s fate energy wasn’t high-tier, quantity made up for quality.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

His perception revealed Ye Tong standing outside.

He quickly straightened his clothes.

Feng Yue checked the door camera and chuckled. "It’s Madam. Maybe you should hide in the bedroom?"

Xu Mu considered it, then agreed.

He was genuinely curious—what would Ye Tong and Feng Yue talk about?

Especially for a young married woman like Ye Tong, she might have a side to her that even her friends don’t know about.

He walked into the adjacent room, leaving the door slightly ajar rather than closing it completely.