Heaven-Level Technique: Damage Reflection

Meng Wanyue grabbed Xiao Ran's arm, but Xiao Ran remained unmoved.

"Ran Jie..."

"Wanyue, I need to think it over more carefully."

Xiao Ran didn't tell the whole truth. Meng Wanyue hadn't spent enough time with Ye Chen to truly understand his temperament.

If Ye Chen found out she had defected to Xu Mu's side...

Both she and Xu Mu would face Ye Chen's lethal retribution.

With just Xu Mu or the Xu Family's strength, they were no match for Ye Chen at all.

Even if she were to truly switch sides, now was not the time.

However, a rift had already formed between her and Ye Chen.

From now on, she felt she wouldn't be willing to die for Ye Chen anymore.

She was human; she needed positive feedback. After doing so much for Ye Chen, it turned out he never truly held her in his regard.

Even if he had just deceived her to her face, Xiao Ran wouldn't have dwelled on it so much.

"Alright."

Meng Wanyue nodded. These things had to be approached step by step.

...

Fang Chu watched as Liang Yi and her master departed.

He didn't know their identities either, but the only way to build a connection was naturally through a shared goal.

He first expressed his gratitude to the black-robed man, thanking him for saving him.

Then he told them that Xu Mu was his enemy, and he wished for Xu Mu's death.

His original plan was to establish friendship through this common objective.

But he suddenly noticed that Liang Yi's hatred for Xu Mu didn't seem that deep.

He took a deep breath, prepared to drive away. He needed to study the situation carefully.

Xu Mu was now a disciple of a sect; dealing with him probably wouldn't be easy.

He felt that now that his cultivation had recovered, it was time to get to know some people from sects or hidden families.

"Hello, are you Fang Chu?"

At that moment, a man in a black robe approached from the distance.

Judging by his voice, he should be a middle-aged man, around fifty years old.

"I am. Who are you?"

Fang Chu looked at the black-robed man warily.

"My young lady wishes to invite you over."

The black-robed man turned and pointed at a woman in the distance.

Fang Chu followed the direction of the man's finger, and his eyes widened in shock.

Good heavens, that woman was stunning.

She wore a long dress with a tachi hanging at her waist. Especially that ethereal, otherworldly aura about her was captivating.

The person in the distance was none other than Miyako Fuka.

Fang Chu smiled. "What does your young lady want with me? Surely not to thank me for finding the exit?"

"Probably."

The black-robed man chuckled.

Suddenly, a dagger appeared from beneath the black robe.

It instantly thrust towards the back of Fang Chu's neck.

Sensing the killing intent behind him, Fang Chu immediately dodged to the side.

Swish!

The clothes Fang Chu wore were sliced open. He moved his arm, feeling he was injured.

Thankfully he reacted in time; otherwise, it would have been disastrous.

"Who are you? Look clearly at my face. I'm Fang Chu, not Xu Mu!"

Fang Chu drew the dagger he found in the ruins and shouted sternly.

He thought it was another trick by Xu Mu, impersonating his name.

"I'm here to kill Fang Chu!"

The black-robed man charged at Fang Chu again.

Fang Chu snorted coldly, gripping his dagger and meeting the attack.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The two fought several rounds at the foot of the mountain. The black-robed man discovered that his dagger was now full of nicks.

It was almost on the verge of breaking.

He hesitated for a moment, then immediately fled into the distance.

Fang Chu did not give chase. His eyes were filled with gravity. Apart from offending Xu Mu, he hadn't made enemies with anyone else.

Why did this person want to kill him?

"Could it be an enemy of our Fang Family?"

Fang Chu muttered to himself. Their family had been exterminated, with only him escaping alive.

This person specifically named him for death, perhaps wanting to eliminate the root of the problem.

He took a deep breath. It seemed he needed to lay low recently and also find some capable companions.

...

Xu Mu had already returned home. Taking advantage of Ye Tong preparing dinner and Ye Yu visiting Feng Yue, he began studying the technique in his mind.

He focused on the ball of energy in his consciousness, tentatively trying to unlock it with his own spirit.

Bang!

Suddenly, the power exploded. Images flashed one after another in Xu Mu's mind.

A force automatically began circulating within Xu Mu's body, as if demonstrating something.

"Heaven-grade technique: Demon's Guard."

Information about this technique's abilities automatically surfaced in Xu Mu's mind.

Using Qi to stimulate the metallic elements within the body to forge the physique. Besides withstanding powerful attacks, it could also reflect a portion of the damage.

Seeing this, Xu Mu's eyes were filled with joy.

As expected of a Heaven-grade technique, truly domineering.

If people knew this ancient ruin contained a Heaven-grade technique, it would surely stir up a storm of bloodshed.

Yet this technique had fallen into Xu Mu's hands.

This move was practically a perfect match with the "Divine Shifting" technique he already mastered.

Using these two moves together in the future would allow him to both reflect and redirect damage.

Whether in one-on-one or one-against-many situations, he would have a use for them.

However, this technique still required cultivation, which was a bit troublesome.

Xu Mu stood up from the sofa and, following the demonstration from earlier, began circulating the technique.

He felt the Qi within his body running wild.

Hum!

A transparent golden sheen appeared on the surface of Xu Mu's body, looking like armor.

But the moment it appeared, the gold directly shattered and vanished.

"As expected of a Heaven-grade technique, quite difficult to master. But I think I've found the trick."

Xu Mu continued to execute the technique, circulating this power. The transparent golden sheen surfaced on his body once more.

This time it lasted a full dozen seconds before disappearing.

"Honey, dinner's ready. Call Ye Yu."

Ye Tong smiled, poking her head out from the kitchen.

Xu Mu picked up his phone but didn't dial immediately. Instead, he walked to the kitchen doorway. "About the matter with Jiang Huihui today, what are you really thinking?"

"I've already said what I think. I don't like other women taking advantage of you unconditionally."

Ye Tong carried a plate towards the dining table. "You won the martial arts contest for marriage, and she ran off afterwards. What would people think of you?"

"Ah, you women are always saying one thing and meaning another. If Jiang Huihui really came to our home, you'd be unhappy again."

Xu Mu followed behind Ye Tong, laughing.

"I said a long time ago, I don't mind."

Ye Tong wished someone would come quickly to help share the burden and take some hits.

...

Today, the family of three sat together for dinner.

Ye Yu clamored about going out to play, and Xu Mu didn't refuse.

Logically, during this summer vacation, Ye Yu should be able to encounter her own opportunity. Her becoming stronger was a good thing for Xu Mu.

After eating his fill, Xu Mu took out his phone and briefly glanced at the three Earth-grade techniques obtained from the ruins.

Just looking at the names, he couldn't tell what they were.

He planned to ask others tomorrow. Right now, he had more important matters.

So, he took Ye Tong by the hand and headed to their room together.

To begin imparting knowledge and teaching skills.

Some nutrients from books still needed to be taught through hands-on guidance.

...

Xu Mu opened the system panel to check his Justice Points and found he already had enough for a ten-draw.

Although he had been in the ruins these past two days, he had still gained points from quite a few people.

He started the draw, curious to see what good things he might get this time.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining the divine-level ability: Level Four Perception]

...