Still, Xu Mu knew that luck-based things like this couldn't be explained.
He'd drawn plenty of times before, but this was the first time he'd ever pulled a Heaven-tier technique.
So, he kept going.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 cultivation points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 10 attribute points.]
...
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 cultivation points.]
...
Xu Mu rolled his eyes. So the system really is that stingy?
Or maybe, after pulling a Heaven-tier technique, he'd simply used up all his luck.
Out of eleven draws, aside from the first Heaven-tier skill, the other ten were all bare-minimum rewards.
Xu Mu refused to believe it. He could still do another ten-pull—so he clicked "Draw" again.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 cultivation points.]
...
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 10 kilograms of gold.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining a Divine-tier ability: Treasure Appraisal Mastery.]
What the—!
Xu Mu was stunned. His luck today was insane!
Another Divine-tier ability! Although "Treasure Appraisal Mastery" sounded a little underwhelming, anything of Divine tier couldn't be useless.
The rest of the draws were all minimum rewards, but still—today's two ten-pulls were extremely profitable.
After finishing all his draws, Xu Mu reviewed what he'd gained:
One Heaven-tier technique: Spirit-Vein Armament.
One Divine-tier ability: Treasure Appraisal Mastery.
And 10 kilograms of gold.
Aside from those three, the rest were standard rewards—220 cultivation points and 120 attribute points.
Without hesitation, Xu Mu added all the points.
Black text appeared before his eyes again:
[Congratulations, Host, on advancing to the Late Hidden Force Stage.]
Xu Mu clenched his fist, feeling his body grow even stronger. Then he opened his status panel:
Name: Xu Mu
Identity: Saintly Villain Physique; HR Manager, Xu Group
Realm: Late Hidden Force Stage
Physique: 250
Spirit: 250
Cultivation Value: 30 (Max: 200)
Fate Power: 95
Satisfied, he nodded. Compared to the "old Xu Mu," the difference was night and day.
Next, he checked his newly obtained Divine-tier ability—Treasure Appraisal Mastery—and was stunned again.
He'd assumed it was just for identifying antiques or collectibles, but it could also discern weapons, jade, and even techniques.
Even if he didn't understand a particular cultivation method, this ability could analyze its spiritual resonance and tell which one was stronger.
Xu Mu nodded approvingly. This ability wasn't as trash as it first sounded.
Then he examined the new Heaven-tier technique, Spirit-Vein Armament—a state-type ability.
He'd played enough games to know that buff-type skills were always worth maxing out.
This one directly boosted combat strength—meaning it was ridiculously powerful.
After getting up and walking into the living room, Xu Mu thought: with so many advanced techniques, his offensive capabilities were more than enough.
What he really lacked now was cultivation realm itself.
It was like a weapon—skills were the bullets, but the realm was the caliber.
No matter how good the bullets, a small barrel couldn't produce power.
But with a big enough caliber, even an iron ball could be devastating.
He had planned to make breakfast, but before he entered the kitchen, Ye Tong was already awake.
Lately, she'd developed a habit—getting up the moment Xu Mu left the bedroom.
No way she'd risk going downstairs with him in pajamas and getting pulled back in again.
"You're awake?"
Xu Mu greeted her with a smile.
"I'll cook," Ye Tong said quickly, face slightly flushed as she hurried to the kitchen. "I have to go to work soon too."
Xu Mu nodded lightly.
—
When Xu Mu arrived at the company, he hadn't even warmed his chair before getting a call from Xu Shou.
He went to the chairman's office and saw Xu Ningbing already there.
"What's up?"
Xu Mu sat back on the black leather sofa, crossing one leg over the other with a faint grin.
"Our ad campaign launched last night. Have you seen the news?" Xu Shou asked cheerfully.
"Nope."
Xu Mu shook his head—he was too busy these days to bother with online chatter.
"Ninety percent of the comments are scolding us—calling the Xu Group shameless plagiarists."
Xu Ningbing glanced his way.
Xu Mu pulled out his phone and scrolled through the headlines—sure enough, the news was full of insults.
Only a few people complimented the ad's piano piece, saying it sounded beautiful.
Most of those were Shen Wanning's fans.
But ironically, many others were attacking her—wondering why she'd appear in an ad for a "plagiarist company."
Even Shen Wanning's reputation had started to take a hit.
"This morning, our product officially went on sale. Guess how many we've sold so far?"
Xu Shou smiled and raised three fingers. "Three thousand."
Xu Mu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. For a small factory, three thousand units for a new product launch was decent.
But for the Xu Group, it was an absolute flop.
With so much investment, this number couldn't even cover payroll for the pharma division.
"Oh, and tonight there's a banquet hosted by the Jiang City Commerce Bureau. Some entrepreneurs from Yang City will attend too," Xu Shou added, glancing at him. "You're coming with me."
"Yang City entrepreneurs too?" Xu Mu asked, intrigued.
"Yes. Even though Jiang City's economy is weaker, it's still the provincial capital," Xu Shou chuckled. "Alright, go on for now."
"Got it."
As Xu Mu turned to leave, he suddenly remembered—he'd accumulated nearly a hundred Fate Power points.
He planned to use them to further strengthen Xu Shou. He couldn't just stop after helping his father reach Early Internal Force.
He activated the Divine Eye to take a look—and his eyes widened.
What the hell?
Name: Xu Shou
Identity: Chairman, Xu Group (Jiang City)
Favorability: (Maxed)
Fate Level: 2 (Max: 10)
Realm: Early Hidden Force Stage
Physique: 70
Spirit: 35
Xu Mu was stunned. Only a few days had passed—he couldn't be mistaken.
Last time, after restoring his meridians, his father was at Early Internal Force!
How had he jumped straight to Early Hidden Force—an entire major stage higher?
No wonder the old man had been smiling all morning.
This old man was definitely not simple.
"What's wrong? Something on your mind?" Xu Shou asked, noticing Xu Mu's dazed look.
"I… forgot what I was going to say," Xu Mu replied, then left the office.
He decided to wait a few days and observe.
If his father could continue improving that quickly, Xu Mu would start using his Fate Power on others.
—
That afternoon—
Before Xu Mu could even leave his office, Xu Shou opened the door.
"Come on, kid. Time to go."
"Alright."
Xu Mu nodded. It was just another corporate banquet, mostly the usual talk about business growth and "future cooperation."
The real purpose was simply networking among company heads.
Unsurprisingly, Soldier King Lin Yan would likely be there too.
They took the elevator down together.
Xu Mu glanced sideways at his father—this was actually the first time they'd gone out together on business.
Xu Shou was a few centimeters shorter, just over 1.8 meters, but his frame was sturdier.
He had once told Xu Mu he'd served in the army, which explained his sharp, square features.
But now, Xu Mu was starting to doubt that story.
If he'd only been a soldier, why had his meridians been severed in the first place?