After a night had passed, Yang Yi seemed to have undergone a tremendous transformation since he last saw Yang Yitian yesterday. If one were to speak of his psychological shift, that wouldn't be too remarkable, as people change daily. The most significant change, however, was that he appeared to have fully made up his mind; the familiar, roguish smile played on his lips, and his eyes glittered with unmistakable confidence.

"What's with Brother Yi today? Why does he give me such a strange feeling?" Fatty Lin muttered, watching Yang Yi descend the stairs.

"It's not just you; even I find it odd!" Xu Ming agreed, nodding.

"Fatty, how are the preparations for those three thousand high-ranking gang members?" Yang Yi asked casually.

"They are all ready."

"Good." After coming downstairs, Yang Yi turned to Xu Ming standing nearby. "And how are the project negotiations progressing?"

"Ready as well!" Xu Ming confirmed.

"Long Yi, what is the status on your end?"

"As per your instructions, Dragon Lord, I have dispatched several people to infiltrate the Zhongchuan Group secretly for a large-scale search. I believe we will have news soon," Long Yi reported.

"Excellent. Everyone except Fatty, begin your operations."

"Yes!" After the group responded, they also headed out.

Yang Yi glanced at Fatty Lin and Feng Shi. "It's time for us to move as well. Today, we're fighting a hard battle."

"Yes!" Although Fatty Lin and Feng Shi were still unaware of what Yang Yi intended to do with those three thousand elite members, they responded in unison as soon as he gave the order.

Meanwhile, on the other side, an old servant called out to Shangguan Qingyun, "Master!"

"What is it? Any news?" Shangguan Qingyun turned around to look at the old servant and inquired.

"Yes, both the Long Wei and Black Guard companies have officially started negotiating cooperation matters with the Zhongchuan Group."

"Is that so? Interesting! Hold off on making any moves for now; let's see what those two companies are truly planning," Shangguan Qingyun said, a smile flickering across his face. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Has anything happened with Teng Fei?"

"Everything is well with the Young Master; there have been no incidents. It's just that, from his demeanor, he seems utterly determined against marrying into the Xuanyuan family," the old servant replied.

"Sigh—this child, still possessing that stubborn streak," Shangguan Qingyun sighed, a flash of helplessness crossing his eyes as he spoke.

Seeing his master’s expression, the old servant ventured, "Master, why don't you just let them be together? Is it truly just because they've always called each other brother and sister?"

Shangguan Qingyun flinched violently at the words. It seemed a deeply unwelcome memory resurfaced in his mind; he sighed sorrowfully. "I truly don't wish to bring up that matter, alas, though it has caused such suffering for that child Yun Meng."

"Master, considering the current Eight Great Families of Huaxia, our Shangguan family is already among the foremost. Are you really willing to harm those two just to secure an alliance with the Xuanyuan family's influence?" The old servant also seemed pained to see the two children, who had grown up under his watch, suffering.

"Uh, Uncle Lai!" Shangguan Qingyun sounded startled.

"I don't mean to overstep my bounds in managing your affairs, Master, I just cannot bear to see those two children endure the same tragedy as the previous generation," the old servant said, suddenly seeming much more than just an old retainer. "Moreover, your unilateral efforts might prove futile now, as there has been no definitive word from the Xuanyuan side yet."

"Sigh," Shangguan Qingyun let out a low sigh. "Have I truly made a mistake?"

"From the perspective of the Shangguan family's standing, you have done nothing wrong. But from a father's perspective, you are profoundly mistaken. The moment those two met, you erred," the old servant finished, pausing briefly. "If there is nothing else, this old servant will take his leave."

Shangguan Qingyun merely waved his hand dismissively, then sat heavily in his chair, seemingly lost in deep thought.

At that moment, in a conference office on a certain floor of Long Wei headquarters, it was fortunate that Ye Xiaohou had prepared the area in advance; otherwise, it would have been impossible to accommodate three thousand machines and over three thousand people.

"Young Master, everything is set," Feng Shi said to Yang Yi, who was slowly walking in.

"Good!" Yang Yi moved forward with great excitement, followed by Feng Shi, Fatty Lin, and several high-ranking members.

Seeing Yang Yi's arrival, the high-ranking members seated before the mysterious machines all rose simultaneously, bowing ninety degrees and proclaiming in unison, "Greetings, Dragon Lord!"

"Enough, no need for such ceremony." Yang Yi stood on the podium overlooking the three thousand mysterious machines and the three thousand elite members. With a sharp slap, he struck the desk, his eyes blazing with intense, playful fervor. "Are you all prepared?"

"We are ready," the crowd responded.

"Very well! Capital?"

"Five hundred billion US dollars!"

"Stock Index?"

"Initiating at three thousand points, trend moving upward!"

"Target?"

"Zhongchuan Group!"

"Good! Commence operations. The time is nine AM. Strive to seize twenty percent of the Zhongchuan Group's shares before noon!" Yang Yi commanded with a grand wave of his hand.

"Yes!" Upon receiving the order, the group immediately began tapping furiously on their devices. In that instant, the entire conference room became a hive of intense activity.

It turned out that those three thousand machines were, in fact, market manipulators. Today's objective was the complete takeover of Zhongchuan Group's shares. Of course, all the IP addresses, company names, stock prices, and even the stock tickers present here were all fictitious at this moment.

"Heavens, Brother Yi is truly insane," Fatty Lin murmured in awe, watching the ceaseless activity around him. When he first learned Yang Yi intended to completely devour the Zhongchuan Group, he had been thoroughly astounded.

Everything Yang Yi had arranged since yesterday—whether it was dispatching the three thousand men prepared by Fatty Lin for the stock market assault on Zhongchuan Group, Long Yi's secret infiltration, Xu Ming's project negotiations, or even the groundwork being laid by Long Yi and Ye Xiaohou to manage the reputations of two companies—was directed not just at the Zhongchuan Group, but at the entire situation in Shanghai.

It could be said that Yang Yi’s actions now showed absolutely no signs of hesitation or dragging his feet, leaving Fatty Lin and Feng Shi utterly astonished.

"Taking twenty percent of the shares in a single morning—won't that be a bit strenuous?" Fatty Lin asked Yang Yi quietly from beside him.

"Heh, it will be strenuous, but we need to give it a try," Yang Yi chuckled, sweeping his gaze around before asking Feng Shi, "Any updates from the Shangguan family?"

"Still nothing. They seem content to just watch the show," Feng Shi replied.

"Mmm." Yang Yi pondered for a moment, then stated, "It seems we must crush the Zhongchuan Group within three days, or else..." At this point, Yang Yi frowned. "Immediately dispatch people to monitor Shangguan Tengfei's movements!"

"Yes!"

"Brother Yi, are you worried that the Shangguan family might..." Fatty Lin asked doubtfully.

"At this critical juncture, anything could happen, so it's best we stay guarded," Yang Yi took a deep breath and said. "Let's go, accompany me outside for some air."

"En," Fatty Lin nodded.

##########################################

However, simultaneously, within a certain villa, an elder suddenly materialized out of thin air and called out to the middle-aged man who had been seated, poring over documents: "Family Head!"

"Hmm?" The middle-aged man looked up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "What is it?"

"The Young Miss has returned!" The elder’s expression was rather grim, suggesting something deeply unsettling him.

"Bing'er is back?" A demonic gleam flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. Before he could finish his sentence, the door was flung open, and a beautiful woman, cold as ice and alluring as a phantom, stepped inside.

"Father, I heard you intend to arrange a marriage between me and the Shangguan family. Is this true?" The beauty, who was none other than Xuanyuan Bing, asked the middle-aged man, whose expression had suddenly become unnatural, with a face utterly devoid of warmth.

"Uh, Bing'er! Why do you ask about this the moment you return?" The middle-aged man looked at Xuanyuan Bing with doting affection. This man was Xuanyuan Hao, the current head of the Xuanyuan family, a lineage of ability users.

"Don't change the subject. Is the marriage arrangement with the Shangguan family real?" Xuanyuan Bing showed no deference to Xuanyuan Hao as she pressed him.

"This..."

Seeing her father hesitating and unable to speak, Xuanyuan Bing’s beautiful face instantly turned pale, tears welling in her eyes. Without uttering another word, she turned and fled.

"Bing'er, Bing'er!" Xuanyuan Hao jumped to his feet, alarmed. "Quick, follow her! Don't let her do anything foolish."

"Yes! Family Head!" The elder vanished in a flash after responding.