From Mu Qingfeng, Yang Yi gathered the rough outline: although the Four Great Sects of Huaxia were martial arts lineages passed down from ancient times, they had long ago learned to adapt to the changing times. The Xuanmen sect maintained a significant portfolio of assets in Huaxia, even supporting an entire family—that of the Dongfang family, counted among the so-called Eight Great Families.

“That’s the general picture!” Mu Qingfeng paused here before continuing.

“That’s it? That’s Xuanmen? That simple?” Yang Yi drawled, a slight curl on his lip.

“Yes, it’s that simple. Don't overcomplicate things!” Mu Qingfeng finally broke into a wide smile, looking at Yang Yi.

Yang Yi fell silent for a moment, clearly brewing some mischievous scheme in his mind. A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in his eyes as he looked back at Mu Qingfeng with an outwardly pleasant smile.

Thump! Mu Qingfeng’s heart immediately grew uneasy. What devilish idea is this brat cooking up now? It certainly bodes no good. I must remember, I absolutely must—!

“Old man, is your Xuanmen directly affiliated with the Dongfang family or…” Yang Yi leaned in, his smile unwavering as he pinned Mu Qingfeng with his gaze.

“This…” Mu Qingfeng genuinely couldn't decipher Yang Yi's current thoughts. But to avoid saying the wrong thing, or worse, letting slip a crucial detail that Yang Yi could exploit, he forced a casual smile and turned away, glancing sidelong at Yang Yi. “Although Xuanmen and the Dongfang family don't have a direct hierarchical link, the clan heads of their current generation were all disciples of my Xuanmen.”

“Oh? Is that so…”

Buzz—! Mu Qingfeng felt a sudden jolt in his mind and immediately spun back around. “What?”

“I’ve decided!” Yang Yi suddenly exclaimed loudly.

“Decided what?”

“From now on, I’m transferring Xuanmen from my nominal master over to you. Heh heh, you’ll have to work twice as hard now, bring glory to our Xuanmen and all that. Of course, I'll let you know when I might need your services, hehe—” As Yang Yi spoke, a sinister grin spread across his face, deepening as he looked at the suddenly ashen-faced Mu Qingfeng. “After all, by seniority, you should still address me as Patriarch, tsk tsk!”

“Good heavens!” Mu Qingfeng felt a cold sweat break out. Yang Yi’s idea was just too… too infuriatingly ridiculous! Suppressing the urge to vomit blood, Mu Qingfeng took a deep, measured breath. “That arrangement won't work. Besides, you haven't even seen what Xuanmen is actually like yet. Isn't it a bit hasty to make such a sweeping declaration?”

“What’s the big deal? It’s simple. I’ll just hand over the position of Sect Master to you. And you’re already the acting Sect Master!” Yang Yi said with complete nonchalance.

“This—” Mu Qingfeng secretly cursed his predicament. He had initially searched high and low for the true successor of the Patriarch, only to find that the person he located seemed utterly contemptuous of Xuanmen! Was there really such a person in the world? Xuanmen’s strength was comparable to the other three major sects of Huaxia, and in the secular world, they had the Dongfang family, which stood on par with the other seven great families. And this kid wasn't moved in the slightest?

He couldn't possibly know what Yang Yi was truly thinking; if he did, he’d probably just smash his head against a wall. Mu Qingfeng grew anxious, desperately trying every tactic to convince Yang Yi to take the position of Xuanmen Sect Master, as it was his own Patriarch’s dying wish. In his urgency, a sharp realization suddenly pierced his thoughts. He suddenly seemed disheartened, muttering, “A mistake, a major misstep. If I’d known it would come to this, why bother with the beginning? Damn mind-reading ability.”

“Hahahaha!” Yang Yi burst into unrestrained laughter. He thought to himself, This old man’s reaction isn't too slow after all; he’s already guessed what I’m planning. Heh, this is what they call the soft and hard approach working simultaneously!

“Spit it out. What is your real objective?” Mu Qingfeng snapped, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

“Well, since you understand, everything is easier to discuss, easier to discuss!” Yang Yi said with a smile, glancing over at Murong Lianxue. “I can accept the mantle of Xuanmen Sect Master, but I require you to manage things on my behalf for the time being!”

“I understand what you mean,” Mu Qingfeng sighed helplessly. He, an old man with white hair, was being asked to be a mere manager for some brat who intended to be a completely hands-off leader. This reality was deeply discouraging, and he found himself staring at Yang Yi with a jaw-clenching intensity. “When do you plan to return to take up the position of Sect Master?”

“Hmm, let me think!” Yang Yi was secretly thrilled by this development, but he knew he first had to return with the old man to assume this so-called Xuanmen Sect Master role.

However, Yang Yi realized he had been here for nearly four months now. Not only the Black God Gang, but even the powerful figure operating from the shadows had been relentlessly searching for his whereabouts. Yet, who could have guessed that Yang Yi was currently situated above the Cave of the Dead, a location so clandestine that finding him would be exceedingly difficult? Thinking of this, Yang Yi’s brow furrowed tightly.

Mu Qingfeng saw the frown and immediately guessed what was on his mind, asking, “What is it?”

“Nothing, just thinking about a few things. How about this!”

“You’re likely worried that your brothers and the others don’t know where you are. How about this, I can send word for you later,” Mu Qingfeng cut in before Yang Yi could finish his thought.

Yang Yi shot Mu Qingfeng a look of surprise, musing internally, This old fellow still doesn’t trust me. Is he afraid I’ll run off? A slight smile played on his lips as he pulled out a dead cell phone and handed it over. “Have someone take this to a man named Lin Pangzi in the Black God Gang. When he sees it, he’ll know I’m not dead—at least, not yet!”

Mu Qingfeng accepted the phone with a blank stare, seemingly preoccupied by the implication of Yang Yi’s last sentence. What exactly did ‘not yet dead’ mean in this context?

A full day passed quickly. Yang Yi was currently at the level just below the late-stage Xuan Master Grandmaster, a rank that certainly placed him among the elite masters in Huaxia. However, this progress hadn’t been achieved solely through his own efforts; it was the sheer force of sixty years of accumulated power that had elevated him. Because of this, he felt no pride in acquiring this level of skill.

Yet, honestly speaking, the fact that he commanded the power base of Xuanmen brought him a quiet sense of satisfaction.

He simply made sure not to display it. If Mu Qingfeng had seen his true feelings, he probably would have coughed up blood, considering how vehemently Yang Yi had initially refused to accept the sixty years of power and the Sect Master position. Only after reconsidering certain aspects did Yang Yi realize that in this world, no matter who you were—from those in heaven to those in hell—the world would continue whether you were present or not.

Thinking these thoughts, a devilish smile touched his lips as he murmured softly, “One step closer to my ideal!”

“Brother Yi, what are you murmuring about? Grandpa is waiting for us downstairs. Let’s go!” Murong Lianxue asked, puffing out her cute cheeks toward Yang Yi.

“Heh heh, nothing important. Let’s go, Lianxue!” Yang Yi laughed, turning back for one last look at the cave where he had lived for over four months. A slight upward curve touched his lips, and then he turned, leaped lightly, and jumped down.

Meanwhile, at the A-City headquarters of the Black God Gang, Feng Shi appeared profoundly moved, tears welling in her eyes as she repeatedly scrolled through a mobile phone, muttering, “I knew it, I just knew it. I knew you wouldn’t leave me so easily. I knew you must still be alive…”

Bang—! The office door flew open, and several people hurried inside.

“Feng Shi, any news from Brother Yi?” The newcomer was unmistakably Lin Pangzi, his face etched with anxiety. “Have you heard from the Boss?”

“Yes, what about the Boss’s?” Xu Ming also looked worried. Ye Xiaohou, though anxious, remained silent, his eyes fixed intently on the phone in Feng Shi’s hand. He was intimately familiar with Yang Yi’s phone model, so he knew immediately whose device it was.

Feng Shi didn't answer Lin Pangzi directly. She simply handed him the phone. “Someone sent us a message today saying that Young Master is doing very well and his return is only a matter of time. The Young Master asked someone to send this phone back for him, saying that once you received it, you would understand.”

Lin Pangzi trembled slightly at the words. He took the phone without saying much more and walked over to a nearby sofa. He removed the battery compartment and suddenly a small, white slip of paper fell out. A flicker of intuition crossed his eyes before he unfolded and read it!

“Fatty, tell Yanran, Old Third, and Li Qian, that I am fine. I currently have some matters to deal with, so I can’t return yet. I have no worries entrusting the Black God Gang to you, Yanran, and Uncle Han. I had someone bring the phone to you mainly to report that I am safe, so you wouldn't drive yourselves crazy looking for me. I’ll be back in a while, hehe!!!”

“Second Brother, what did the Boss say?” Xu Ming asked.

Feng Shi was astonished. Even she hadn't known the phone battery held a secondary purpose! Then again, it wasn't entirely her fault; Yang Yi’s phone battery had been slightly loose for a while, and he hadn't had time to replace it, so Lin Pangzi had tucked a small note inside to keep it functioning. Using it now as a message conduit was certainly unexpected.

“Brother Yi said he’s fine!”

“Fine? If he’s fine, then why isn’t the Boss coming back?”

“See for yourself,” Lin Pangzi said, passing the slip of paper to Xu Ming.