What Tong Guoguo Likes to Eat

Xu Mu got out of the car, phone in hand, heading toward the villa. "Old Chen, what's up?"

"Brother Mu, I studied that map you gave me carefully. I think I roughly know where that location is."

Chen Xuan's voice came through the phone.

"Are you sure?"

Xu Mu settled onto the sofa in the living room.

Thinking it over, this was Chen Xuan's opportunity. It made sense that Chen Xuan would be the one to find the location.

"Of course. I remember when I was a kid, my master once showed me an ancient map of the Central Plains region. I shouldn't be wrong about this."

Chen Xuan said on the other end.

"Alright, in that case, let's rest for the night and head out tomorrow."

Xu Mu was eager for treasures right now.

Of course, his goal wasn't to boost himself but to empower those around him.

So far, his primary enemy had shifted—from Ye Chen to Wang Hun.

Comparing the two in terms of trouble, Ye Chen was definitely harder to deal with than Wang Hun.

But now, Ye Chen's attitude toward him had clearly changed.

In the past, Ye Chen had always believed he was invincible, favored by heaven, so he went after Xu Mu directly.

But after their last encounter in the inner realm, Xu Mu's strength had shaken him.

Without a doubt, Ye Chen wouldn't blindly attack Xu Mu anymore.

Instead, he would hoard power, waiting until his cultivation could crush Xu Mu before making a move.

Wang Hun, however, was different. His power far exceeded Xu Mu's, and his biggest fear was Xu Mu surpassing him.

So, his strategy was to nip it in the bud.

Xu Mu guessed that in the near future, Wang Hun, not Ye Chen, would be the one coming after him.

After hanging up, Xu Mu leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes for a quick rest. This time, on the trip to the Nine Li tribe's hidden treasure site, he planned to bring Tong Guo Guo along.

After all, Wang Hun already knew she was with him.

That evening, Xu Mu arranged for Tong Guo Guo to stay at the villa where Meng Wanyue lived.

There was no need for her to stay hidden anymore, stuck underground in bad air.

Tong Guo Guo didn't say much; to her, anywhere was the same.

...

The next morning.

Xu Mu first called Chen Xuan, telling him to ride his electric scooter over.

Then he called out to Tong Guo Guo, telling her to get ready for the trip to the Nine Li tribe's ruins.

This time, neither Meng Wanyue nor Dai Xingluo offered to come along.

The battle the day before had made them keenly aware of their own inadequacies.

The two had already decided they would follow Xu Mu into future fights, but only after reaching at least the Grandmaster level.

Before long, Chen Xuan rode his electric scooter into the yard.

Strapped to the front was his familiar urea bag.

"Brother Mu."

Chen Xuan walked over, carrying the bag.

"Let's head out now."

Xu Mu saw Chen Xuan had arrived and got ready to drive to Xu Manor.

But Chen Xuan insisted Xu Mu drive straight to the destination instead, since he wasn't sure of the exact spot—only the general direction. Taking a helicopter would be inconvenient for stopping and starting; driving was better.

Xu Mu nodded. Besides, it wasn't far—just a few hours' drive.

On the way, Xu Mu tried calling Fu Jin Yu, since her territory was in the northern Central Plains.

It was close enough that Xu Mu hadn't notified her earlier.

But unexpectedly, Fu Jin Yu didn't answer.

Xu Mu figured she might have put her phone in her spatial ring.

He didn't think much of it and planned to call again when they arrived.

...

Northern Central Plains.

Following the location Chen Xuan indicated, Xu Mu arrived at a county town.

"Brother Mu, based on the map, it should be in this area."

Chen Xuan studied the map on his phone.

"How big of an area?"

Xu Mu looked at Chen Xuan.

"The entire county, including all the towns and farmland under its jurisdiction."

Chen Xuan said helplessly.

"That's a pretty big place. Finding a precise entrance to the ruins in such a wide range won't be easy."

Xu Mu glanced out the window and smiled. "Since we're here, let's grab something to eat first."

"Good idea."

Chen Xuan nodded lightly.

"Guo Guo, what do you want to eat?"

Xu Mu parked the car on the side of the road and turned to look at Tong Guo Guo in the backseat.

Tong Guo Guo pointed at a small stall outside the window. "Let's eat that rice noodle dish."

"Sure."

Xu Mu got out with the two of them and walked over to the stall.

He ordered three portions of rice noodles and bought four sticks of starch sausages.

As for why not three? Because it was two for five yuan, but one alone cost three.

Tong Guo Guo's face lit up when she took the starch sausages. "Thanks."

[Affection +10]

Xu Mu was a bit surprised. A piece of sausage increased affection?

So, he handed her the extra one. "You like these? Want this one too?"

Tong Guo Guo lowered her head shyly but eventually took it.

[Affection +10]

She had been with Wang Hun before, and her diet was strictly controlled.

Her meals had always been nutrient fluids, vegetables, and meats with barely any seasoning.

Street food like this—so-called garbage food—had been forbidden entirely.

Wang Hun had his reasons: Tong Guo Guo's body was too precious to be tainted by junk food.

Eating too much of it could cause systemic risks, mainly metabolic disorders and a higher chance of cardiovascular disease.

Since Tong Guo Guo's blood was used for other test subjects, this could eventually affect everyone.

Wang Hun was a perfectionist. He eliminated all potential risks.

But now, Tong Guo Guo could indulge without a care.

She finished the starch sausage in a few bites, squinting in satisfaction. The flavor was incredible.

When the rice noodles arrived, Tong Guo Guo didn't hesitate. She scooped two spoonfuls of chili oil from the jar on the table, turning the noodles red.

One bite, and it was pure bliss.

Xu Mu and Chen Xuan both watched the look of pure contentment on her face. They thought she'd make a great livestream foodie.

In no time, Tong Guo Guo finished her rice noodles and the extra sausage.

She wiped her mouth with a napkin from the table and looked at Xu Mu. "I want another starch sausage."

"No. Eating too many of those isn't good. Tasting them once in a while is fine," Xu Mu said flatly, glancing at her.

"Just one more."

Tong Guo Guo knew he meant well, but still held up one finger.

"If you really want one, I've got a different kind of sausage. You want that?"

Xu Mu gave her a look.

"Hmph! Slice it, grill it, and I'll eat it!"

Tong Guo Guo had picked up plenty of medical jargon while with Wang Hun.

Xu Mu was about to respond when he suddenly turned to look into the distance. He'd spotted a familiar face.

He turned and waved at the person far off. "Jin Mo!"

It was Ye Chen's underling from the storyline, currently the third team leader of the Sanitation Department.

From a distance, Jin Mo heard someone calling his name, looked back, and spotted Xu Mu.

"Brother Xu."

Jin Mo walked over.