"Students, today is the day you return to campus. Over the past month, I have spent thirty-one nights with all of you.

In this past month, what is the most precious thing you have gained?" Instructor Li asked. "We've gained many precious things," the new recruits answered in unison.

"Heh, you've all gained many precious things, right? That's true.

I too have gained so many valuable memories. There was hardship and sweetness, sourness and spice; the life of a soldier is like this.

I hope you will cherish these precious memories well. I don't know what will become of you in the future, but I believe fate will bring us together again." "Clap!

Clap! Clap!"...

The applause was fervent, and tears couldn't help but moisten their eyes. Perhaps this was the genuine emotion forged after a month of training.

Although some among them might be mortal enemies once they left, cherishing this hard-won camaraderie now was, in itself, a source of optimistic and sincere enjoyment. "Good.

Students, take care of yourselves. Do not forget the fundamentals of being human!" Instructor Chen was also brimming with tears.

With a sharp "Snap!" he stood straight and offered the most standard, accurate, and righteous military salute to bid farewell to the new recruits. Likewise, even though they might cease to be soldiers once they left this place, in their hearts, they would forever consider themselves soldiers—soldiers of the Huaxia Army who were most worthy of respect.

################################## "What's the situation?" Two days after returning from the military training, Yang Yi sat on the sofa, addressing the members of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. "Reporting to the Dragon Lord.

The Shangguan family remains completely silent, appearing to adhere strictly to the agreement we signed." "Hmph. That piece of scrap paper will be torn up sooner or later!" Yang Yi snorted coldly, then asked, "And the Xuanyuan family?" "The Xuanyuan family!" Liu Chu glanced instinctively at Xuanyuan Bing beside him and said, "Their recent movements have been quite frequent; they are organizing their forces on a large scale.

We don't know what they are planning!" "Nonsense! Didn't I order you to thoroughly investigate the every move of the Eight Great Families?

And now you tell me you don't know what they're up to? Hmm?" Yang Yi seemed slightly altered today, the unique aura of chill emanating from him instantly compressing everyone present.

"Re... Reporting to the Dragon Lord, the Xuanyuan family’s large-scale mobilization seems to stem from the suspicion that the Dragon Lord intends to attack the Eight Great Families, so..." Liu Chu was nearly suffocated by the pressure Yang Yi exerted, his heart filled with dread.

Liu Chu was already a master at the late stage of the Xuan Rank Grandmaster level, yet before Yang Yi, he seemed as fragile as a newborn infant. Thus, he spoke with a slight tremor.

"The Gongsun family?" Upon hearing this, Ashura immediately responded, "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, the Gongsun family shows no activity. However, they have been frequent guests at the Shangguan family's residence lately." "Guests?" Yang Yi frowned.

He was aware of the relationship between the Gongsun and Shangguan families, but frequent visits now demanded suspicion. "Brother Yi, you think the Shangguan and Gongsun families have figured out we plan to surround and purge the Eight Great Families, and they are trying to unite against us?" Fatty Lin asked.

"Highly possible!" Yang Yi nodded, then continued questioning the Six Paths of Reincarnation, "What about the Nangong trio of families?" "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, the Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families have been extensively using the Six Carat Virus to enhance the strength of their family martial artists. Currently, Fudan University has been entirely enveloped by them; every student is at least at the level of a Primary Grandmaster," Tian Cong stated.

"Long Yi!" "Present. What are the Dragon Lord's orders?" Long Yi responded.

"How are the preparations for the Espers coming along?" "Still in progress, but we have already filtered out roughly one thousand Espers. These have been selected from regions like East China, South China, and West China!" "What is their cultivation level?" "They are all Espers between Level 3 and Level 6, with thirty individuals at a higher level!" "Good.

Commence training for one month. After one month, I want to see a true squadron of the Five Elements Death Gods emerge." "Yes!" "Feng Shi, prepare for me a complete file on the Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families—every detail, including their industries, family assets, and their strongholds.

I must know everything. Also, notify the Weeping Blood Assassin Guild; regardless of the losses incurred, you must keep a tight surveillance on the Mafia and the British Royal Family," Yang Yi commanded, a very strange chill radiating from his eyes.

"Yes! Young Master," Feng Shi replied.

"Six Paths of Reincarnation, heed my command." "Your subordinate awaits!" "Continue to hold your posts. For the Eight Great Families, excluding the Ye family, if any of the others show any abnormality that endangers us, execute them immediately, under any circumstances." "We accept the order!" "Dragon Lord, are you planning to clean up Fudan University first?" Xiao Yao Wuqing asked.

"What? Do you have a better idea?" "Fudan University is a leading institution of higher learning.

If you carry out a large-scale purge here, it might cause unnecessary panic, especially alarming higher-level officials, such as the 'Education Bureau and Teaching Office Joint Association,' and even people higher up in the state..." "I am aware of what you say. Therefore, we must first find the root of the 'Six Carat' virus and ascertain exactly what this strange substance is." Yang Yi paused, then continued, "How about this: I leave this matter to you.

You must completely compile the anti-serum and the original stable data for the Six Carat virus, and then present it to me." "I will handle it immediately, but..." Seemingly sensing his apprehension, Yang Yi waved his hand, "Long Wu, Long Si, Long San, Long Er, and Feng Ba, you will all follow Xiao Yao Wuqing to assist him. Hurry up and dismantle the conspiracy of the Six Carat virus!" "Yes!" "Then this subordinate will go and make arrangements first." "En!" Yang Yi nodded, then finally let out a deep breath.

He no longer exhibited the air of playful indifference; instead, he was focusing on counterattacking the root of the problem, and doing so covertly. At this very moment, everyone present felt that Yang Yi had transformed in an instant, becoming terrifyingly decisive, his ruthless methods, insidious arrangements, and bold countermeasures shocking all those present beyond measure.

Simultaneously, in another location, this was a particularly distinctive villa, the residence of the white-haired old man who had long followed Yang Yi. "Rong'er!

Rong'er!" The white-haired old man shouted into the house. "Coming, Grandpa.

You're back?" The person called Rong'er actually had a surname too; her full name was Yang Rong! "How is the investigation going?

It's been over half a year, and you still haven't figured it out?" The white-haired old man asked with a furrowed brow. "Grandpa, you know yourself.

The historical records within the Pulse Clan are piled up like a mountain. Finding the person you mentioned means turning every page, one by one.

How could it be easy?" Yang Rong retorted with a slight glare. "Uh!

So, now..." "I don't know. According to the news coming from the Pulse Clan, it is said that one branch of our Tianmai Clan was lost long ago, but they were recorded as having died from avian flu." "What?

Avian flu?" The white-haired elder nearly tumbled to the ground. He quickly composed himself and asked, "Is there any further record after that?" "No." "That's impossible.

That boy possesses an innate arrogance, coupled with the ghostly aura from the Tian Gui lineage. These are clearly traits belonging to the Pulse Clan; an ordinary family could never cultivate such a person.

More importantly, the boy with the arrogance not only lacked family cultivation but also carries the surname Yang," the white-haired elder muttered. "But Grandpa, that's what the historical records state.

Why don't you just go ask Yang Yitian? Weren't you very close with him back then?" Yang Rong suggested.

"Uh, ask that old fellow? No, no.

I asked him hundreds of times back then; I even suspected him myself, but that guy simply wouldn't say anything. Asking him is pointless," the white-haired elder immediately shook his head upon hearing this.

"So, what do we do now? The historical records say this, you can't just draw blood to..." "Oh, right.

Drawing blood can verify it. Within our Tianmai Clan, the lineage blood is all the same, but..." The white-haired elder looked at his granddaughter with a smile as he spoke.

"Alright, I understand. I'll go back one more time.

I need to check which family from back then was closely related to him, right?" Yang Rong truly seemed helpless when facing her grandfather, sighing in defeat. "En.

That's not all. You also need to find four or five experts from the Pulse Clan; I have tasks for them to undertake." "What tasks?" "What has spread outside this time is likely not just one person belonging to our Pulse Clan, but there is also a woman, just like that boy!" "Ah!" Yang Rong looked at her grandfather in astonishment, wondering when he had turned into a private investigator.