Xu Mu was still watching the excitement from a distance when he heard those words, feeling the sheer weight of information they carried.
So this great villain was once a Cleaner too.
"The first thing we must do is seal the entrance to the ruins to prevent the enemy from having an Array Master," Wei Jingzhi said in a deep voice.
"Exactly. Today is my niece's martial arts contest to choose a husband, not an assault on the enemy. You surely wouldn't seal the ruins entrance, would you?"
As he spoke, Jiang Mingzhuo took out a palm-sized disc from his person. "Unfortunately for you, our Eternal Life Research Institute has a powerful Array Master. He inscribed a Teleportation Array on this."
"Two high-level Cleaners, and without any means of self-preservation, we wouldn't dare come in here just to die."
A black-robed man came to stand behind Jiang Mingzhuo.
"Even holding this Array Disc, I wouldn't dare come in alone. Isn't that why we have Brother Jiang leading the team?"
Another black-robed man walked over with a smile.
"Old Lu, less of the flattery," Jiang Mingzhuo said, glancing at the black-robed man beside him.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Wei Jingzhi vanished from his spot.
A full three seconds passed before the ground beneath his feet violently erupted, collapsing two meters deep, with the area of effect spreading over ten meters outward.
"Not good! Run!"
Jiang Mingzhuo immediately crushed the disc in his hand.
Hum!
A pattern of array runes enveloped Jiang Mingzhuo's entire body, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot.
The remaining two black-robed men also promptly crushed their discs, disappearing right after him.
The next moment, a violent tremor came from the distant ruins entrance.
The entrance was now completely collapsed, blocked by fallen rubble.
Witnessing this, Xu Mu was inwardly shocked. As expected of Wei Jingzhi, truly formidable.
To cover such a distance in an instant.
If they had been just a few seconds slower, those men wouldn't have made it out.
Teleportation Arrays are roughly divided into two types.
One is the relatively low-end kind, capable only of distance-based teleportation.
For example, in an open area, teleporting from one Array Disc to another, but it cannot pass through solid walls.
If one wanted to use it within ruins to teleport outside, there must be a clear path.
Meaning the array only works if a person could physically travel that route.
Wei Jingzhi's goal just now was to block the exit, preventing them from teleporting out.
Then there's a more advanced type of array that can pass through walls.
For instance, teleporting from inside a sealed room to the outside.
But only a high-level Array Master can utilize this kind of array.
If one could also inscribe such an array onto an Array Disc, then that Array Master would be considered top-tier.
"Damn it!"
Jiang Sheng cursed angrily. "That bastard!"
Wei Jingzhi, now holding his thermos cup, returned to the area and went to check on Lv Pinlong.
Within the Cleaners, the competition for the tenth spot in the Sequence is extremely fierce. In terms of pure combat strength, the Sanitation Department has at least several dozen individuals not inferior to Lv Pinlong.
However, the Sequence ranking among Cleaners isn't based solely on strength, but on mission performance.
Some who are stronger than Lv Pinlong in combat aren't as ruthless, often showing mercy to enemies, which ultimately leads to mission failure.
Wei Jingzhi was well aware that Lv Pinlong's character was questionable, but his mission success rate was indeed very high.
He approached Lv Pinlong and found it wasn't just his face; even his arms had turned a dark purple color.
"Old Wei, quickly take them to the Sanitation Department's infirmary," Guo Wenmo said, looking up at Wei Jingzhi.
"Alright," Wei Jingzhi nodded.
"I'm sorry! It's all my fault for failing to discipline him properly."
Jiang Sheng let out a deep sigh. Every time he saw Jiang Mingzhuo, he felt nothing but endless rage in his heart.
Back in the day, he was Jiang Sheng's pride. Who could have imagined he would end up like this later.
"This has nothing to do with you. This is a matter between us and the Eternal Life Research Institute. Your son was merely one of their subordinates."
After saying this, Wei Jingzhi waved to the people around. "Everyone, please disperse."
...
Xu Mu, Chen Xuan, and the others left the ruins together.
Originally, Xu Mu had wanted to chat more with Zhang Que, but he said he had matters to attend to and left first.
Jiang Sheng led his entire family over to Xu Mu's side.
Jiang Huihui was holding Zhou Shui's hand. Though her face pretended not to care, characters floated above her head.
[Favorability +10]
"Greetings, Senior."
Xu Mu gave a slight nod to Jiang Sheng.
"Xu Mu, from this moment on, you are my granddaughter's fiancé. When will your wedding be held?"
Jiang Sheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
"There's no hurry for that. Let's postpone it for now."
Xu Mu smiled and waved his hand.
"Fine."
Jiang Sheng looked at Jiang Huihui. "Anyway, you now have a fiancé in name. Your affairs are for you two to decide. I won't pressure you about marriage anymore."
"Grandpa! You're finally making sense."
Jiang Huihui grabbed Jiang Sheng's arm and shook it.
"Xu Mu, it might be too early to say this, but I still have to tell you: treat Huihui well from now on."
Zhou Shui walked over, looking at Xu Mu as she spoke.
"Auntie, don't worry."
Xu Mu gave Zhou Shui his assurance.
Jiang Xingjun merely glanced at Xu Mu indifferently, not saying anything more.
After the Jiang family left, only Jiang Huihui remained.
"Ah! The weight on my heart is finally gone."
Jiang Huihui took some chewing gum from her pocket and handed it to Xu Mu and Chen Xuan. "You guys worked hard this time."
Xu Mu took the gum. "Remember to treat us to a meal, a proper reward."
But Chen Xuan didn't take it. His eyes were looking elsewhere.
Xu Mu and Jiang Huihui both followed his gaze.
They saw a cute woman with a somewhat baby-faced plumpness, wearing a long dress and holding a longsword, walking over calmly.
Behind her followed a figure in a black robe.
"Fang Kui, back again? Knowing I failed this time, are you here to marry me and fill the void in my heart?"
Chen Xuan slung the urea woven bag over his shoulder and asked with a smile.
Xu Mu couldn't help but glance at Chen Xuan. This guy learned fast.
"I'm not here for you!"
Fang Kui glared coldly at Chen Xuan. Then, she came before Xu Mu. "Xu Mu, are you interested in joining us at Kunlun Mountain?"
Hearing this sect's name, Jiang Huihui was inwardly shocked. Kunlun Mountain was one of the top-tier sects.
Most ancient martial artists would never refuse.
"Sorry, I'm doing just fine at the Zhengde Faxie Sect," Xu Mu gently shook his head.
"Are you sure? What can your sect offer you? Our Kunlun has an Alchemy Pavilion. Your alchemy skills could definitely reach the next level."
Fang Kui was even a bit surprised. She hadn't expected anyone would refuse an invitation from Kunlun Mountain.
"My sect offers something pleasing to the eye. The men are exceptionally handsome, the women exceptionally beautiful."
Xu Mu spread his hands. "For example, one of my senior brothers, Hu Yanzu, even I have to temporarily avoid his brilliance when I meet him." (Translator's note: The term 'brilliance' here implies that his dazzling handsomeness is overwhelming.)
"Can good looks put food on the table? If you come with me, I'm willing to be your girlfriend."
Fang Kui first glanced at Chen Xuan, then stared at Xu Mu as she spoke.
"Huh?"
Xu Mu was completely dumbfounded. What was going on?
Jiang Huihui, standing to the side, had originally wanted to say something.
But then I thought about it, I haven't defined my relationship with Xu Mu yet, so I don't have the right to interfere in these matters.
Noticing Jiang Huihui's lack of reaction, Xu Mu shook his head inwardly. If Dai Xingluo were here, she'd definitely have started making sarcastic remarks by now.
It seems I'll have to handle this myself; Xu Mu wasn't going to fall for it.
This Fang Kui probably said that just to provoke Chen Xuan on purpose.
Looks like I need to say something fitting to make her leave as soon as possible.
"Be my girlfriend? So, am I even worthy in your eyes?"
Xu Mu said with a smile, looking at Fang Kui.
"Of course, it's precisely because you are worthy in my eyes that I want to be your girlfriend."
Fang Kui wore an innocent expression, clearly not grasping the meaning behind Xu Mu's words.
Xu Mu felt a bit helpless. If she didn't understand that, then here's another one. "I'm someone who likes following the news. My hobby is... daily headlines. Can you satisfy that for me?"

to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”

his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…

transmigrates into the role of a villainous rich second-generation kid in an urban fantasy novel, and gets bound to a god-tier choice system. Right at the start, he catches the female lead stealing exam papers! This triggers the villain's choice options! [Choice 1: Pretend you didn't see anything] [Choice 2: Loudly call her out, drawing everyone's attention] [Choice 3: ...] And thus, a twisted villain is born. To avoid getting killed by the protagonist, he has no choice but to take down all the protagonists first. Jiang Che: Nobody understands being twisted better than me!

e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”