This time, Fu Jinyu might be in danger.

“Granny Hong.”

Fu Jinyu saw this woman and called out to her softly.

Within the Tianyao Tribe, the Hong clan had once been very powerful — Hongyu, for instance, came from this clan.

At one point, their clan had even held the position of chieftain of the Tianyao Tribe.

But after all their strong warriors perished, the Fu clan took over that position.

The woman before her was named Hong Qiang, and she was of the same generation as Fu Jinyu's grandfather.

“I heard from Xiao Yu many things about him. That boy really is something.”

Hong Qiang said with a light laugh, “He's capable, and he knows how to share. That kind of precious heavenly resource, and he was willing to give it to you. Boys like that are rare.”

Fu Jinyu nodded gently, “That's true. I'm also very grateful to him.”

“But you should know, in this world, nothing is one-sided.”

Hong Qiang said to Fu Jinyu, “If he's good to you, it's definitely because he wants something in return from you.”

“From me...”

“That's right, everything is reciprocal — there are no exceptions. For example, beauty, strength, emotional value, and so on. As long as one thing strikes a man's heart, they'll find a way to marry her.”

Hong Qiang continued, “Women are the same. They marry a man because he's handsome or knows how to make them laugh. If there's no feelings, then it's purely about finding someone who can support them.”

Fu Jinyu heard this and said lightly, “I don't like the idea of being supported by a man while doing nothing myself — I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.”

“You're in the minority. For instance, out there, on average, men earn far more than women, yet women often live more exquisitely, because women think about themselves, while men think about the family.

Even in some women's eyes, earning money herself and spending it on herself, without asking the man for money, is already a great favor to him — and the man will also take that as his responsibility.”

Hong Qiang said with a smile, “Xu Mu is probably that kind of man. Giving you such a valuable heavenly resource shows he wants to marry you as his wife.”

Fu Jinyu heard this, folded her arms, and raised her chin slightly, “At least he has some good taste.”

She had already regarded Xu Mu as the one person she'd chosen for life.

It was just that, for now, she didn't want to do what other women did — start bearing children and give up her prime cultivation years.

She still had to keep pushing forward; being at Mortal Break Stage One was far from enough.

“A good man like that — don't let him run away.”

“He wouldn't dare! If he dares to run, I'll kill him!”

Fu Jinyu gave a cold snort.

Hearing this, Hong Qiang's face showed some helplessness, “Love isn't like that. You should make him unable to leave you on his own, rather than forcing him to stay by your side.”

“What's the difference? Either way, we're together.”

Fu Jinyu showed an innocent, naive expression.

“Sigh. Your mother died early, and your father is a rough man — he never taught you any of this.”

Hong Qiang thought for a moment and said, “Simply put, you need to know how to give back. Don't keep letting him be good to you — you should also be good to him in some things.”

Fu Jinyu nodded, “I understand. From now on, whoever he wants to kill, I'll kill.”

Hong Qiang let out a sigh, “What you said makes a bit of sense too.”

...

Xu Mu kept inscribing the formation until around three in the morning the next day before he finally finished it.

He also inscribed three formation keys along the way.

Coming out of his concentration, Xu Mu saw Fu Jinyu sitting in the distance, still there the whole time.

Using his perception to check, aside from Hongyu at the entrance of the ruins, everyone else had already rested.

“It's done.”

Xu Mu walked over to Fu Jinyu, “Call Hongyu over. I'll tell you both how to use the formation.”

Fu Jinyu nodded.

He brought the two of them to familiarize themselves with the illusion formation here. In the future, when Fu Jinyu wasn't around, Hongyu would carry the key on her. If anything unexpected really happened, she would immediately lead the rest of the people into this low-hill area and activate the formation.

Both Fu Jinyu and Hongyu each used it once, and once they knew how it worked, they put the keys away.

“I've inscribed three keys in total. You can give one more to another person. In the future, if the two of you are both outside, the remaining person can still protect this place.”

Xu Mu said to the two of them.

[Affection +10]

Fu Jinyu nodded, “You think of everything.”

“By the way, Hongyu, let me give you a few Qihai Pills. Take the time to improve yourself.”

Xu Mu took out four pills from his body. From the last run of more than ten consecutive ten-pull draws, he'd gotten quite a few — might as well give her some. This way, Fu Jinyu could also leave with peace of mind in the future.

“Qihai Pills?”

Hongyu's face was full of shock, and then she looked at Fu Jinyu beside her.

Without her consent, Hongyu certainly wouldn't dare take them.

“Accept them. After all, it's Xu Mu's kindness.”

Fu Jinyu naturally knew the pills were for Hongyu, but the favor was still hers to keep.

[Affection +10]

“Thank you, Empress. Thank you, Xu Mu.”

Hongyu took the three Qihai Pills and went off joyfully.

Fu Jinyu then brought Xu Mu to the palace on the low hill — this was Fu Jinyu's residence.

It was Xu Mu's first time entering. He looked around the inside and couldn't see a single trace of feminine decoration.

"Tired, aren't you? Rest for a while first. We still need to head to the Xiangli Clan after dawn."

Fu Jinyu led Xu Mu to the rear of the palace.

This was clearly where she slept—a stone bed with simple bedding laid out on it.

Xu Mu stretched lazily and asked with a smile, "Can I sleep on it?"

"Of course."

Fu Jinyu nodded.

Xu Mu lay down directly, then patted the spot beside him. "Come on, don't be shy."

"This is my bed."

Fu Jinyu reminded him, but she still sat down on it anyway.

...

After dawn.

Xu Mu opened his eyes and found Fu Jinyu sitting quietly on a chair nearby.

"Awake?"

Fu Jinyu asked indifferently.

"Why did you change your clothes?"

Xu Mu noticed that today, Fu Jinyu had swapped her casual clothes from yesterday for a set of leather armor.

"What? Am I not allowed to change clothes?"

Fu Jinyu's expression turned slightly awkward—she even felt a little embarrassed.

An Empress like herself, and yesterday she might have... wet herself.

But she would never speak of such a thing. Otherwise, where would she put her face?

"Hurry up and get up. We're leaving."

"Okay."

Xu Mu yawned and nodded lightly.

...

The Xiangli Clan was located within Sanjin Province.

The area was all mountain roads, so Xu Mu and Fu Jinyu didn't drive. Instead, they traveled on foot toward their destination.

This time, Fu Jinyu was full of confidence. If the Xiangli Clan dared to pressure her, she could test the extent of her current power.

Among the mountains.

Xu Mu noticed more and more traces of snakes around them.

Near a cliff face on one of the peaks, several guards in black clothing stood watch.

Xu Mu immediately noticed their eyes—every single one of them had vertical pupils.

As they approached, Xu Mu used an illusion array to slightly alter his appearance, making his eyes match those of the Tianyao Clan.

"Miss Fu, you've finally arrived. You're truly a distinguished guest this time."

One of the middle-aged guards said with a beaming smile. "Please, come in."

Fu Jinyu walked into the ruins with a calm expression, Xu Mu following beside her.

The moment they stepped inside, they saw an enormous number of snakes scattered throughout the surrounding forest.

Among them, there were even pythons as thick as an arm, flicking their tongues and watching them closely.

Xu Mu used his perception to scan the area, and his expression stiffened—he had actually spotted a familiar face.

If that was the case, then if he hadn't come along, Fu Jinyu might very well have been in danger this time.