Xu Mu had already returned to the company and was having lunch with Meng Wanyue in the cafeteria.
Meng Wanyue kept her head lowered, her whole body stiff with discomfort—especially whenever she recalled what had happened last night.
Drinking really did bring trouble.
"Wanyue, let me say this first. After I sent you home yesterday, I didn't do anything to you. I swear."
Xu Mu looked up at her seriously.
Meng Wanyue's cheeks flushed. She quickly lowered her head and focused on her food. "I know. I trust you, President Xu."
"You told me quite a lot yesterday."
Xu Mu decided to take a step forward. "I want to ask—this Dragon King you mentioned… does he treat you well?"
Her expression shifted instantly. After a long pause, she finally said softly, "Yes."
"That's good."
Xu Mu nodded. "But if one day you feel he doesn't treat you well—or not as well as I do—then stop following him. Stay with me instead."
Meng Wanyue gave a bitter smile. Since she had already confessed everything to Xu Mu, there was no need to hide it anymore.
"Once you become one of the Dragon King's people, it's for life. Leaving means death."
Her eyes dimmed as she met Xu Mu's gaze. "I don't have a choice."
"If he's that kind of person, how can you say he treats you well? What are you thinking?"
Xu Mu frowned, displeased. "Don't worry. From now on, I'll protect you."
Meng Wanyue froze—then slowly smiled.
This smile was different from before; it wasn't forced.
"Thank you, President Xu."
She didn't know why, but hearing his words warmed her heart.
The Dragon King's power was something ordinary people couldn't even imagine.
For Xu Mu to say that he'd protect her was like an ant promising to guard a lion—but still, the sentiment touched her.
[Favorability +5]
A moment later, Xu Mu noticed he'd gained forty Fate Points. When he checked with his Divine Eye, he saw that her Favorability toward him had finally turned positive.
Looks like his efforts hadn't been in vain.
Still, her Favorability was too low. He'd have to keep building it up.
If she felt positively toward him, she probably also had Favorability toward the Dragon King.
All he had to do was surpass the Dragon King in her heart—and then Meng Wanyue would naturally become his ally.
After lunch, Xu Mu returned to his office.
He messaged Ye Tong, telling her he'd be going home that evening.
Then he opened his system. Thanks to Zhao Yingying and her mother, he'd earned enough Fate Points for another ten-draws.
Let's see what good stuff he'd get this time.
As usual, he first checked his status panel:
Name: Xu Mu
Role: Villain's Divine Physique; HR Manager, Xu Group
Realm: Late Internal Force Stage
Body: 150
Spirit: 150
Cultivation Points: 40 (Max 100)
Fate Power: 154
His Fate Power had gone up again—probably what he'd absorbed from that "Son-in-Law."
He remembered that when any one of his attributes reached fifty, he broke through into the ancient martial realm.
Now that his Fate Power was over 150, he planned to use some on his father later to see if it could help him break through as well.
But first—time for the rewards.
He tapped the spinning wheel. The ten-draw began, the interface flashing with light.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained 20 Cultivation Points][Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained 30 Cultivation Points][Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained a Storage Space]
Xu Mu frowned. Another storage space?
He ignored it for now, waiting for all the results to appear.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained 10 Attribute Points]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained God-Tier Skill: Pharmaceutical Mastery]
Xu Mu's eyes widened. Another god-tier skill!
He didn't know what it did yet, but he'd find out soon enough.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host has obtained 30 Cultivation Points]
...
When all the results were in, he had eleven draws total.Nine were standard rewards, and only two were new: another Storage Space and Pharmaceutical Mastery.
He opened the new Storage Space first—it had expanded.
Originally the space was the size of a refrigerator; now it was twice that.
Not bad—larger space meant more items.
If he kept drawing them, he might even fit his sports car inside someday.
Next, he examined the description of Pharmaceutical Mastery.
The moment he understood it, memories flooded his mind.
This ability was indeed worthy of the "god-tier" label.
It was simple but terrifyingly powerful.
Whether it was herbs, rare spiritual ingredients, or legendary treasures of heaven and earth—as long as they had ever been recorded by humans, Xu Mu instantly knew their medicinal properties and uses.
The same applied to synthetic chemical medicines.
Just by tasting or smelling a drug, he could identify every component and its effects.
In short, he had become a walking medical encyclopedia.
And medicine didn't just mean healing—poisons were part of that category too.
From now on, poisoning Xu Mu would be nearly impossible.
One whiff, and he'd know if something was toxic.
Of course, if an overwhelmingly strong opponent forced poison down his throat, he wouldn't be able to resist.
This time, Xu Mu had gained a total of 120 Cultivation Points and 40 Attribute Points.
He distributed them all.
He could feel his body changing again.
[Congratulations, Host has advanced to Early Hidden Force Stage]
Black text flashed before his eyes.
He reopened his panel:
Name: Xu Mu
Role: Villain's Divine Physique; HR Manager, Xu Group
Realm: Early Hidden Force Stage
Body: 170
Spirit: 170
Cultivation Points: 60 (Max 200)
Fate Power: 154
His Cultivation Cap had doubled—from 100 to 200—upon entering the Hidden Force stage.
That made sense. Power increased exponentially with each realm.
Now, new knowledge filled his mind.
The so-called ancient martial artist was one who had transitioned from Internal Force to Hidden Force.
Internal Force—basically external strikes that injured the surface—was something anyone could do.
Hidden Force, however, marked true entry into martial cultivation.
Because it opened the body's meridians.
Hidden Force could store energy—condensing strength into the meridians, then releasing it explosively.
That energy was called Qi.
Xu Mu stood up and walked to his bookshelf.
He picked up a thick novel, gripped it tightly with both hands in front of him.
His eyes sharpened. Hidden Force surged through his arms, the power concentrating—
Then exploded from his palms.
Bang!
A deep thud sounded.
The one-inch-thick book instantly shattered into countless pieces, scattering everywhere.
Xu Mu smiled faintly. This was Hidden Force—power released like a bomb.
It was indeed on a completely different level from Internal Force.
"Dragon King, War God—whoever you are, just wait for me."
As he spoke, his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen—it was Ye Tong calling.