Stepping into the Kunlun Mountains

Xu Mu drove home at dusk. Ye Yu hadn't returned yet, likely occupied with other matters.

After lying on the sofa in the living room for a short while, Xu Mu noticed that Ye Tong had come home.

Ye Tong, having also noticed Xu Mu's car, invited Zhong Qianqian to come inside with her.

Just as they entered the living room, Ye Tong said with a smile, "Honey! Qianqian is seriously amazing. Even Teacher Wang Weiliang praised her talent."

Hearing this, Zhong Qianqian couldn't help but smile.

Her performance at the company today had been exceptionally impressive, and she had successfully become a trainee researcher.

All she needed was a chance to access a computer, and she could steal all the data inside.

"Is that so? You're quite impressive then."

Xu Mu glanced at Zhong Qianqian.

Zhong Qianqian gave a light laugh, then said to Ye Tong, "Sister Ye, I'll head back now. I need to organize some materials. I can go to work by myself tomorrow, no need for you to bring me."

"Alright."

Ye Tong nodded.

After seeing Zhong Qianqian off, Ye Tong sat down on the sofa. "Honey, how was my acting?"

"Perfect score."

Xu Mu put his arm around Ye Tong's shoulders. "What about Xiaoyu? She's usually home by now."

"She said she was going shopping with a friend today."

Ye Tong replied with a smile.

"Sisters are closer, huh? She never tells me what she's up to."

Xu Mu tapped Ye Tong's forehead lightly.

"She doesn't tell you because she doesn't want you to worry."

Ye Tong stood up. "Let me start making dinner."

"Okay."

Xu Mu nodded, then extended his perception to check what Zhong Qianqian was doing.

It had to be said, Zhong Qianqian lived up to being a hacker. The first thing she did upon returning home was to use her own computer to check if any cameras or listening devices were installed.

However, no matter how skilled a hacker she was, she could never guess that Xu Mu's perception had already seen right through her.

After finishing her check, Zhong Qianqian took a bottle of cola from the small fridge in her bedroom and took two big gulps.

Then she took off the tight dress she was wearing and removed her bra.

Now she was left wearing only blue-and-white striped panties.

She went to the bathroom just like that to pee. After wiping, flushing, and washing her hands, she didn't forget to admire herself in the mirror.

"Sigh, so big. Wonder which stinky man will get lucky in the future."

After saying that, she walked out and put on her anime-patterned pajamas.

Back home, Xu Mu touched his nose.

His intention was to see what Zhong Qianqian planned to do next, not to watch this sort of thing.

Finally, Zhong Qianqian took out her phone and made a call.

Xu Mu could clearly see the contact name: Sister Ran. That had to be Xiao Ran.

"Hello?"

"Sister Ran, I've successfully infiltrated the pharmaceutical company on my own merit."

Zhong Qianqian put the phone on speaker and set it aside.

Xiao Ran's voice came through. "Good. The rest is up to you. The Dragon King believes in your ability."

"Stealing the data is easy, but dealing with that blockhead Xu Mu is too difficult. Can you talk to the Dragon King? Maybe we can drop the Xu Mu mission? I guarantee I'll complete the mission to get the formula."

Zhong Qianqian said.

"You say it yourself. I don't dare."

Xiao Ran laughed on the other end.

"Ugh! Fine, I'll talk to him after I finish this mission."

Zhong Qianqian sounded somewhat helpless, then hung up.

Next, she skillfully opened an anime website, though it was all in Japanese.

But Xu Mu was nearly fluent in all languages on Earth, so he could naturally understand the content.

It seemed to be a company called something like Raikiken. Then she clicked on a series; translated, it was something like "Time of First Love."

"Brother-in-law! I'm back!"

Ye Yu's voice came from outside, followed by the sound of her quickly running in and plopping onto the sofa.

[Favorability +10]

"What were you doing? Coming back so late?"

Xu Mu looked at Ye Yu and asked.

"Went shopping with my bestie today, had some good food. I have my driver's license written test tomorrow."

Ye Yu said with a smile. "I'm so nervous."

"Only middle-aged and elderly people fail the written test. If a college student like you can't pass, I'll have to spank you when you get home."

Xu Mu looked at Ye Yu.

"Hmph, can't even encourage me a little."

Ye Yu pouted, then ran towards the kitchen.

Xu Mu shook his head slightly and extended his perception again. When he saw what Zhong Qianqian was up to now, he suddenly understood.

So she was a member of the "self-service club" too. Typical of an otaku girl, though she wasn't part of his own "department."

Xu Mu understood this kind of thing.

Everyone has desires. Taking care of it yourself is much better than fooling around with others.

Xu Mu felt that since his plan wasn't successful yet, he shouldn't startle the snake.

Once his plan succeeded, if Zhong Qianqian dared do this again, he'd rush over and kick the door open.

He could hold this secret over her for a lifetime.

Withdrawing his perception, Xu Mu had dinner with Ye Tong and Ye Yu.

During the meal, Xu Mu mentioned his plans for the next day.

He and Chen Xuan were going on a long trip.

Ye Tong didn't say much, only told him to be careful.

Back in the bedroom.

Due to Ye Tong's physical condition, they couldn't have a proper "battle." Xu Mu simply received a quick, casual service.

...

Early the next morning.

Xu Mu got up early to make breakfast. After eating hurriedly, he drove to pick up Chen Xuan.

Everyone had bought tickets for the same flight.

After picking up Chen Xuan, Fang Kui, and Zhao Shengli, Xu Mu headed for the airport.

At the airport, Fang Kui first bought a suitcase to check in.

Because the long sword and dagger she carried with her wouldn't pass security.

Chen Xuan also put his firewood chopper into the suitcase.

Afterwards, they boarded the plane smoothly.

...

West Sea Province.

With its high altitude, they landed at the airport without issue. After retrieving their luggage, they took a car towards the Qinghai-Tibet region.

Xu Mu looked at the scenery outside the window: grasslands, snow-capped mountains, barren lands—it had it all.

This region belonged to the roof of the world, the source of several great rivers, seemingly with an endless supply of water.

The legendary Kunlun Ruins were located within this area.

After about two hours by car, Fang Kui told everyone to get out.

They were now outside a mountain range, with only two highways stretching into the distance.

"Follow me."

Fang Kui looked back at Xu Mu and the others, then jumped down from the road.

Xu Mu followed behind her. They were heading towards the distant snow-capped mountains.

As the saying goes, the mountain you see is farther than it appears. The distant snow-capped mountains seemed close but were actually very far away.

"We're here."

Fang Kui stopped before a giant rock. "This is the back door to our Kunlun Mountain."

Xu Mu nodded inwardly. Powerful sects usually did have several hidden entrances.

Fang Kui placed her hand on the giant rock. "There's a formation here. You just need to inject your Qi to activate it."

As she spoke, she injected her Qi. The rock in front of them rippled like water.

Fang Kui walked through and disappeared from sight.

Zhao Shengli followed behind her.

Xu Mu and Chen Xuan exchanged a glance, then also stepped through.

Arriving at the Kunlun Mountain ruins, Xu Mu looked up into the distance, struck speechless by awe.

Although it was described in the original plot, seeing it with his own eyes was a different matter entirely.

At the summit of the mountain peaks, palace structures stood, their glazed tiles reflecting the light.

Beyond the palaces, one could see waterfalls cascading down the mountain slopes, like a scene from a celestial realm.

Fang Kui pointed ahead and said, "The place where I live is right over there."

"Miss Fang Kui!"

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing leather armor approached from a distance. "I was just looking for you. The Grand Elder requests your presence to discuss matters concerning the foreign tribes."