As the old saying goes: A destined connection spans a thousand miles, yet the Six Paths are cruelly driven by one's own heart. An opponent isn't something you clash into existence; they are nurtured. When I truly fought him, 'heaven and earth collapsing' doesn't quite describe it—it was hero recognizing hero, the formidable praising the formidable. Though we were rivals, we simultaneously regarded each other as friends. Perhaps this bond appears utterly foolish to outsiders, but at the very least, it makes me feel that without him existing as both friend and foe, life would lack its brilliance! — (Memoirs of Yang Yi)

Certain events, certain people, certain things—it seems as if everything is guided, yet something crucial remains missing. That missing piece is a single person, waiting for this one individual to pull the strings, to step forward, and in doing so, ignite the root of everything. Perhaps this is what is meant by ‘destiny charts everything in the unseen.’

"Take a guess, will Nan Gongsan and his crew make a move today?" The moment Yang Yi stepped out of the car, the familiar rogue's smile played on his lips as he asked.

Ye Xiaohou and Fatty Lin, standing beside him, both smirked, speaking in unison, "We don't know if they will make a move today, but we certainly know that whether it's them or the Eight Great Families, they should all be anxiously huddled in their homes right now."

"Oh? Is that so?" Yang Yi gave a cold laugh and led the way forward. "We only have a month until the holiday break. What are your plans then, Fourth Brother?"

"Boss, I've decided. I'm going back to my hometown for the break!" Ye Xiaohou stated calmly.

"Back to your hometown?"

"Mmm, there are some things that must be settled. You can consider this my answer to you, Boss."

"Heh heh, don't dwell on it too much. And don't forget, we are brothers, always."

"Yeah!"

The three walked toward the classroom, chatting and laughing. On the other side, just as they predicted, Shangguan, Xuanyuan, Gongsun, and even Dongfang were all constrained within their ancestral homes, their respective patriarchs wearing heavy expressions.

"Master!" a middle-aged servant called out to Shangguan Qingyun.

"Mmm, what's the situation?"

"The Black God Gang’s enterprises haven't started suppressing us yet, but judging by the way they are surrounding us, an attack is definitely coming," the servant replied.

"Just as expected. That damned Nan Gongsan and his lot. Alas, they are harming others and themselves!" Shangguan Qingyun sighed deeply.

"Brother Shangguan, you don't need to worry so much about the Black God Gang. In my opinion, they are, at best, just a triad, nothing much to..."

"Brother Gongsun, there's more to this than you know." Before the other middle-aged man, the current head of the Gongsun family and Gongsun Ce's father, Gongsun Fan, could finish speaking, Shangguan Qingyun interrupted him. "If this situation isn't handled correctly, it could lead to a crisis requiring reform for all Eight Great Families!"

"Why do you regard them with such concern, Brother Shangguan?" Gongsun Fan clearly didn't grasp the current strength of the Black God Gang, nor did he know Yang Yi's methods.

"Brother Gongsun, do you know what style of conduct is the most vexing in this world? Especially when backed by double the strength!" Shangguan Qingyun asked.

"This—?" Gongsun Fan was clearly not blessed with the sharp intellect of his son, Gongsun Ce; he was a man who only believed in crushing everything with raw power.

"Sigh. The most maddening type in the world is the one who appears to have little strength, yet invariably, you lose to them later, and they leave you with a parting shot: 'Miracles are created by men.' This type is the most troublesome person I've ever encountered. Furthermore, although I had heard rumors before, there is a rising gang in the underworld that fabricates legends and miracles—that is the Black God Gang!" Shangguan Qingyun didn't feel he was exaggerating, because he had witnessed Yang Yi's tactics.

Simply based on the Black God Gang successfully wiping out the underworld factions in South China within half a year, it was already proven that the Black God Gang was no longer something the Eight Great Families could control. Moreover, he feared one specific person—that mysterious young man, "Ye Han!"

"It seems Brother Shangguan isn't worrying needlessly. So, what should we do now? It looks like he intends to move against all Eight Great Families," Gongsun Fan asked.

"Alas, I don't know what to do either. We can only wait and see, Brother Gongsun. You know as well as I do that the Shangguan family is merely a commercial enterprise."

"But if our two families joined forces..."

"Impossible. Today, he doesn't even fear the Xuanyuan family, the clan of psychics. Why would he fear us?"

"Are we simply meant to wait?"

"Yes, only wait!" Shangguan Qingyun suddenly seemed to recall something and commanded the servant, "Call immediately and have Tengfei, Yunmeng, and Ce'er come home."

"Yes!" The servant acknowledged and hurried out.

Gongsun Fan watched, confused, and inquired, "May I ask what your arrangement is, Brother Shangguan?"

"Sigh, the era of the young should be left to the young to fight for. It’s time for us to step aside."

"Heh heh, indeed!"

"Brother Gongsun, you are far better off than me. At least your Ce'er is better than my two unworthy children."

"Brother Shangguan, that's too kind."

"Interested in grabbing a drink or two?" Shangguan Qingyun spoke as if wanting to cast everything aside suddenly.

"I would be delighted to accompany a gentleman!"

Hearing this, and seeing the smile bloom on Gongsun Fan's face, Shangguan Qingyun shook his head and let out a hearty laugh. "Hahahaha, let's go!"

Simultaneously, the same situation was unfolding in the Xuanyuan and Dongfang residences. It seemed as if everything had changed in an instant. The heirs of all Eight Great Families were suddenly elevated to the ranks of current family heads.

Shangguan Family: Shangguan Tengfei succeeded, but Shangguan Qingyun continued to oppose his romance with his sister, deliberately withholding the final truth, as if sensing the time wasn't yet right.

Gongsun Family: Unquestionably succeeded by Gongsun Ce.

Dongfang Family: Dongfang Shiling.

Xuanyuan Family: Now headed by Xuanyuan Bing. It must be said that Xuanyuan Bing was the first exception among the Eight Great Families; traditionally, heirs were male, yet she, Xuanyuan Bing, was female. This undeniably made one wonder what scheme Xuanyuan Hao was hatching.

However, succession wasn't the only suspicious element. All families within the Eight Great Families of Huaxia—save for the exceptionally mysterious Ye family—had suddenly passed the mantle of leadership to their heirs. When Yang Yi received this news, he was overjoyed and simultaneously energized, for he knew these families clearly didn't wish to contend with him, which was why they had immediately passed on the headship.

"Brother Yi, although the heirs of those major families in Huaxia have officially become their clan leaders, we still can't distinguish who is a friend and who is an enemy?" Fatty Lin asked, puzzled by Yang Yi's beaming face all morning.

"That’s not difficult. Someone will naturally come to see me next. Whether they turn out to be friends or subordinates, everything will become crystal clear," Yang Yi replied with a faint smile.

"Uh!" Fatty Lin looked stunned and said no more.

Ye Xiaohou, however, interjected, "I'll bet money that the Shangguan and Gongsun families will be the first to seek out the Boss."

"Why? Won't Xuanyuan Bing come to see Brother Yi?" Fatty Lin seemed to place more faith in Xuanyuan Bing's Xuanyuan family coming first.

"No! No! Second Brother, you underestimate me. How about this, let's make a bet?" Ye Xiaohou asked, tapping his fingers.

"Oh? How do we bet?"

"Hmm, let me think," Ye Xiaohou mused, then smiled. "Like this: if the Shangguan and Gongsun families come to see the Boss first, you lose all your limited-edition collectibles to me."

"Damn it, you greedy bastard!" Fatty Lin roared, clearly annoyed.

"What? You don't agree? Then you lose to me?"

"Damn it, you say I lose before we've even bet! Fine, I'll take you on! A bet it is!" Fatty Lin thought of something, then continued, "But you haven't told me what happens if you lose..."

"No need," Ye Xiaohou grinned mischievously, pointing behind Fatty Lin. "Second Brother, when you go back later, you'd better obediently hand over those limited editions to me, ha ha ha!"

Fatty Lin looked behind him and saw Shangguan Tengfei and Gongsun Ce already standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, walking directly toward them.

"Holy..." Fatty Lin muttered under his breath.

"Classmate Yang, do you happen to have a moment?" Shangguan Tengfei stood before Yang Yi, offering a polite, slight smile as he asked.

"May I ask what urgent business Classmate Shangguan has? If it's not essential, perhaps we should forgo it."

Undoubtedly, Yang Yi's statement aimed to cut straight to the chase, like a piston stroke—without the stimulating friction, there is no boundless pleasure. While Yang Yi wasn't that frantic now, time didn't allow for further delay.

"Very well, since Classmate Yang puts it that way, we certainly won't waste your time."

"Great then... So, now—?"

"Oh! Cars are ready outside. Please accompany us!"

"You two head back first!" Yang Yi saw them nod, and immediately followed Shangguan Tengfei and Gongsun Ce out of the cafeteria.

"Fourth Brother, you quick! Tell me why you were so sure the Shangguan and Gongsun families would be the first to seek out Brother Yi?" After Yang Yi left, Fatty Lin eagerly pressed Ye Xiaohou.

"Tsk tsk!" Ye Xiaohou gave a sly grin and replied, "Beauties always say: maintaining mystery is the greatest capital of charm."

"Damn, beauties say? I say the Buddha says!"

"............"