The youth smiled enigmatically, leaving the middle-aged man beside him utterly perplexed, compelling him to ask, "Young Master, what exactly is the Heavenly Dragon lineage?"

"Have you forgotten what lineage we belong to?" the youth retorted with a smile instead of answering directly.

"Could it be?" A flicker of astonishment crossed the middle-aged man's eyes, his complexion changing drastically.

"Indeed. Our Heavenly Ghost lineage's sworn enemy. For hundreds of years, we have never managed to best the Heavenly Dragon lineage. A hundred years ago, both lineages chose seclusion. Now, a century later, both emerge simultaneously. Don't you think that's rather interesting?" the youth remarked with a half-smile.

"That old fellow from the Heavenly Dragon lineage said we cannot touch that person. Isn't that Heavenly Dragon lineage being a bit too arrogant?"

"That point is irrelevant. Even without his directive, I wouldn't touch him now. Doing so now would spoil the fun. Moreover, the most important thing is that I find him quite intriguing—someone even the Heavenly Dragon lineage feels compelled to protect."

The middle-aged man's eyes darted as he heard this, then he inquired, "Young Master, what are your plans?"

"The situation among the Eight Great Families of Huaxia is currently settled; there won't be any major upsets for the time being. Actually, that's for the best; it allows me more time to prepare. It seems he realized this too, which is why he didn't kill those family members tonight, right?" the youth asked.

"Yes!" The middle-aged man was slightly surprised that the youth had guessed even before he reported it.

"Exactly. So, for now, we watch and wait, but we must also pay close attention to that person's affairs. After all, the Black God Gang is now fully capable of establishing a foothold in Shanghai!"

"Young Master, are you suggesting Shanghai is completely under the Black God Gang's control?" the middle-aged man asked, frowning.

"Don't you think so?" A cold sneer touched the corner of the youth's mouth. "In the entire world today, perhaps only he can be my worthy opponent. Hurry up, hurry up, rise quickly, so that when we finally meet, the clash can be all the more intense!"

".........." The middle-aged man remained silent, looking at the youth with undisguised disbelief.

The youth seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and said, "A true master is lonely; opponents must be cultivated! After being dormant for so many years, finally encountering someone capable enough to be my rival, of course, I must nurture him carefully."

"..........." The middle-aged man was speechless. He knew that in this world, almost no one was qualified to be the rival of the youth before him. Be you a regional overlord or the ruler of a nation, in the eyes of this youth, they were all mere ants.

Playing with the powerful and meticulously planning every complex situation, observing all from a lofty vantage point—this youth was truly formidable. Any triad leader or even a head of state around the globe, upon hearing his name, would likely suffer a headache, because under his hand, they had invariably ended up suffering losses.

"What about the influence of those young masters from the aristocratic families in the North?" the youth suddenly asked the middle-aged man.

"If the Black God Gang were to confront them, they likely wouldn't gain an advantage, and might even end up being stepping stones for the North," the middle-aged man replied.

"Heh heh, don't underestimate him! However, all of that is secondary. Once he rules the South, you will understand. But before he consolidates control over the South, there is something I need you to do!"

"What is it?"

"The Carefree Sect and the Dragon Gate!"

"Young Master, you want to...?" the middle-aged man asked, his face etched with surprise.

"Yes, give him a hand. That will save us a lot of trouble!" Seeing the middle-aged man looking confused, the youth smiled and continued, "It's not that I overestimate him; it's that he genuinely possesses the capability. After all, this lucrative piece of the South, he must devour it. My instruction is simply to try and expedite the process of everything."

"Perhaps, but I still don't understand. If Young Master sees him as a rival, why help him, even to the extent of...?"

"Perhaps it's mutual admiration. Looking at him now reminds me of myself back then, climbing upward over piles of white bones!" The youth's lips curled slightly, and he turned his gaze outward, falling silent.

The middle-aged man swallowed hard, also holding his tongue. Suddenly, images from five years ago flashed through his mind—scenes of horrifying bloodshed that made his heart tremble.

###################################################################################### The next day was Sunday, packed with too many tasks, and also because it was the start of the break for a certain music academy.

Young Master Yang woke up at the crack of dawn, adjusted his hat, and a slight smile played on his lips. Watching Yang Yi's absorbed expression, Feng Shi Yan, standing beside him, chuckled, "It seems you really like that outfit, Young Master. Paired with the hat, it makes you look incredibly dashing!"

"Mmmph!" Yang Yi turned his head to glance at the smirking Feng Shi and laughed, "Indeed, you truly are my treasure; even the things you select are so captivating."

"Alright, alright, stop the nonsense. You have a busy day today, Young Master," Feng Shi said, averting her gaze as Yang Yi's suggestive look made her feel tingly all over.

"Mhm, is everything prepared?" Yang Yi asked with a calm smile.

"The car is waiting outside. We'll pick up Li Qian and the others first, and then head straight to the Black God Enterprise headquarters; there are many people waiting for you there!" Feng Shi stated, following the itinerary.

"Good, let's go then." Yang Yi snapped his fingers near his hat, seemingly growing fond of the gesture, finding it quite stylish.

Fatty Lin, having suffered serious injuries the previous night, had woken up but remained completely immobile, thus staying behind at the villa to recuperate. However, the fellow was quite miserable, as today was a very special day, yet he had to spend it confined to bed, leaving him feeling undeniably resentful.

"Fatty!"

"Uh, Brother Yi!" Hearing the voice, Fatty Lin looked toward the doorway and saw Yang Yi gazing at him with a smile.

"Feeling a bit better?" Yang Yi glanced at the man. He had explicitly warned him last night not to engage in fights he couldn't handle, yet the man ignored the advice, resulting in a deep wound inflicted by that person.

"Much better, just still can't move."

"You little rascal, I need to teach you a lesson, don't I!"

"Heh heh, it was my overconfidence. I never expected that person to be a dual cultivator; I foolishly thought it was mere blade energy!"

"Don't be foolish. There's no such bizarre thing as 'blade energy' or 'sword energy' in modern Huaxia. While it's true that ancient texts from Grandpa's time mention sword cultivators and blade cultivators centuries ago, they have long since declined. To refine both internal and external martial arts to their absolute peak is already considered remarkable," Yang Yi chided him, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.

"Ugh, isn't it because I was being lazy and didn't read those texts back then?" Fatty Lin stammered, momentarily stunned.

"Enough chatter. I have plenty to do today. You rest well and focus on recovering your body. I'm waiting for you to get better so we can head South together!" Yang Yi said with a hint of a smile.

"It's starting?" Fatty Lin jolted suddenly, then let out a yelp, "Ouch, ouch!"

"Damn it, you!" Yang Yi gave him a look of disdain, patted him lightly, and said, "There's still time. Why are you getting so agitated?"

"Tsk, tsk, Brother Yi, are you really planning to start? When will it begin?" Fatty Lin asked with clear excitement.

"Heh heh, you worry about healing your body first. Just don't embarrass me when the time comes," Yang Yi replied.

"Don't worry, absolutely no problem!" Fatty Lin pounded his chest, giving a firm guarantee.

Outside the gates of the music academy, Xia Shi Yun and Li Qian were already waiting. They frequently checked their watches and glanced down the road, looking as if they had been waiting for a long time.

"Sister Shi Yun, why hasn't that scoundrel arrived yet?" Li Qian pouted.

"Heh heh!" Xia Shi Yun chuckled, then suddenly seemed to spot something. "He's here."

A black sedan was approaching their location. After the car stopped, a youth wearing a hat that obscured half his face stepped out, smiling faintly at the two women and asking, "Did I keep you waiting long?"

"Scoundrel!" Li Qian cried out, immediately leaping forward and showering him with playful punches.

"Heh heh, alright, alright. I apologize for the wait. Come on! My darlings, let's get in the car." Yang Yi chuckled, lightly pulling Xia Shi Yun while keeping his other arm wrapped around Li Qian's slender waist as they walked toward the vehicle.

"Yi, why are you wearing a hat today?" Xia Shi Yun asked, seemingly appreciative.

"What? Don't you think your husband looks handsome?"

"Pah! Stop being conceited. Who said I was going to marry you?" Hearing his words, Xia Shi Yun's cheeks flushed as she spat out a retort.

"Exactly, exactly! Sister Shi Yun, ignore him; he just loves showing off..." Li Qian teased.

"........" Yang Yi's mouth twitched slightly as he shook his head with a smile, then turned to Feng Shi and said, "Drive!"

"Mm!" Feng Shi also smiled and stepped on the accelerator.