Xu Mu decided to take a look at this new technique later and see exactly what it did.
If it turned out to be another defensive-type skill, he planned to give it to Sister Tong again.
He couldn't help it—she was the first one to reach maximum Favorability, and even if he wanted to give it to someone else, the system probably wouldn't allow it.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 30 Cultivation Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 Attribute Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Grade-3 Spiritual Treasure Gift Box]
...
The ten-draw ended quickly.
Aside from the Earth-Grade technique and the treasure box, everything else was just filler rewards.
Xu Mu immediately began another ten-draw.
Most of the Fate Points used this time came from Sister Yun, so maybe he'd get something good again.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Qi Sea Pill Gift Box]
"What the...?"
Xu Mu frowned. "Qi Sea Pills can come in gift boxes now?"
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 30 Cultivation Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Qi Sea Pill Gift Box]
"...Huh?"
He was completely dumbfounded.
This system seemed obsessed with Qi Sea Pills.
Not only had it kept giving him materials for them, but now it was handing them out two boxes at a time—nicely wrapped, no less.
Then an idea struck him—
Could the system somehow sense what he needed?
The Qi Sea Pill's main function was to enhance power, and Xu Mu had recently been thinking that he didn't have enough capable fighters around him.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 Attribute Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Grade-7 Body-Enhancement Pill Gift Box]
"Nice!"
Xu Mu's eyes lit up.
As an intermediate alchemist, he knew the Body-Enhancement Pill was excellent—it fortified the body, boosted strength and endurance, and even strengthened resistance to poison.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 30 Cultivation Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 Attribute Points]
...
This ten-draw didn't yield any new techniques, but it did provide a good stock of pills—very useful ones.
He decided to prioritize enhancing Meng Wanyue and Dai Xingluo.
As for Sister Tong, Ye Yu, and Feng Yue, it was enough for them to be able to defend themselves.
The ones who could truly fight by his side were Meng Wanyue and Dai Xingluo—and of course, Xu Ningbing.
However, Xu Mu wasn't going to improve Xu Ningbing's strength yet—not until he confirmed her relationship with Dragon King Ye Chen.
He needed to be sure she felt nothing for him before taking action.
After all, in the original story, Sister Tong was Ye Chen's "white moonlight," his official wife in name.
But her personality meant she would never play a major role in the great wars ahead.
The true female lead was Xu Ningbing.
Xu Mu checked the Earth-Grade technique he'd just acquired—Concealment Barrier.
As soon as he opened it, a rush of knowledge flowed into his mind.
"Damn… this is good stuff."
His eyes gleamed.
The technique allowed him to create an invisible barrier.
It wasn't full invisibility—at his current level, he could only expand the barrier to a radius of about twenty meters.
Within that range, he would be completely hidden, but anyone standing outside twenty meters could still see him.
As his cultivation advanced, the barrier's range would increase.
The real purpose of this technique wasn't stealth—it was assassination.
Because the barrier's range centered around Xu Mu himself, as long as he maintained a twenty-meter distance from his target, he could remain invisible indefinitely.
This technique was definitely something he'd keep for himself—perfect for combat.
He wasn't handing this one to Sister Tong.
Next, Xu Mu opened the Qi Sea Pill gift boxes to check how many were inside.
There were six pills per box—twelve total.
A solid haul.
Then he allocated all his newly earned points.
After three ten-draws, most being filler rewards, he'd racked up a total of 450 cultivation points and 200 attribute points.
Once distributed, his strength surged again.
Status Panel
Name: Xu Mu
Identity: Saintly Villain Physique, HR Manager of the Xu Group
Realm: Mystic Art Realm (Mid Stage)
Physique: 915
Spirit: 915
Cultivation Points: 480 / 800
Fate Power: 1042
Xu Mu nodded, satisfied.
Not bad at all.
Still, the "Fate Power" stat felt a bit underwhelming.
It had to have a deeper use beyond gifting or converting into Fate Points—he just hadn't unlocked it yet.
Since it was the protagonist's core ability in the original story, there must be hidden potential waiting to be discovered.
Just then, a voice broke his thoughts.
"Xu Mu, you're so romantic—buying gift boxes too? I'm jealous."
Feng Yue, lounging on the couch watching TV, glanced at him with a teasing smile.
Both Sister Tong and Ye Yu turned to look as well.
"Brother-in-law, what's that?"
Ye Yu hopped down from the sofa and peered curiously at his hands.
"These are precious pills," Xu Mu explained, opening the box. "I bought them for a high price. You and your sister can have one each."
"Thank you, Brother-in-law!"
Ye Yu's Favorability instantly rose.
[Favorability +10]
Sister Tong's head also lit up with matching text.
[Favorability +10]
Xu Mu didn't give Feng Yue her pill right away—he'd wait until later when she left.
She was one of his people now and already knew about martial artists, so he'd make sure she got hers privately.
Soon, Feng Yue stood up and smiled.
"It's getting late. I should head back. See you tomorrow."
"I'll walk you out," Xu Mu offered.
Hearing that, Sister Tong and Ye Yu didn't object.
Outside, Xu Mu handed her a small box.
"Take it when you get home."
"I thought you'd forgotten me," Feng Yue said playfully, sticking out her tongue.
[Favorability +10]
"How could I forget you? Get some rest."
After sending her off, Xu Mu turned back and pulled Sister Tong into the bedroom.
Ye Yu puffed up her cheeks, watching their backs fade down the hall.
"Hmph… looks like I'll have to team up with Sister Feng from now on."
The Next Morning
Xu Mu woke early.
Today's main goal was to deliver pills to Meng Wanyue and Dai Xingluo, but first, he needed to settle Sister Yun's situation completely.
After breakfast, he picked her up and drove her to Xu Group Headquarters.
It was her first time seeing the massive tower that dominated Jiang City's skyline.
Xu Mu, a man this capable and wealthy, yet still humble and grounded—
Li Yun couldn't help but admire him deeply.
[Favorability +10]
Just as they entered the lobby to take the elevator, Xu Mu spotted someone familiar—
"Sis."
He greeted her with a grin.
Xu Ningbing turned and nodded calmly before her gaze fell on Li Yun.
The three stepped into the elevator together, Xu Mu standing in the middle.
Surrounded by two women like twin mountains pressing in, he could barely breathe.