Yang Xuan nodded. "Yes, met him, and interacted with him."

"Then, the purpose of your visit now is to get me to help you make introductions?" Yang Yitian seemed far from past his prime, having completely seen through Yang Xuan's intentions, a faint sneer playing on his lips.

Regarding Yang Xuan, it would be a disservice to himself if Yang Yitian didn't hate him, yet hating him felt almost disrespectful to his deceased daughter. Du Shishi—that was the name the little girl had given herself the moment Yang Yitian adopted her. He watched this small girl grow day by day until the day she married. Originally, Yang Yitian thought he had finally settled his deepest concerns, but everything ultimately resulted in devastating news.

Less than three years into her marriage, after giving birth to twins, his daughter and her husband both perished due to the Tianlong lineage. If he hadn't intervened in time, even the surviving son left behind by his daughter might have been killed. The memories flooding his mind caused Yang Yitian to shake his head vigorously, trying to clear his thoughts; after all, it was all in the past. Now that his grandson was grown and outstanding, Yang Yitian felt it was his duty to protect him.

"Old Yang, you should know perfectly well what the consequences would be if he didn't have the support of the Tianlong lineage. I believe you understand that too," Yang Xuan said with a grave expression.

"Of course, I know the consequences. Don't try to threaten me with that!" Yang Yitian walked towards the inner rooms as he spoke. "I won't stop you from acknowledging him, but if you intend to make him the Sect Master of the Tianlong lineage, I absolutely forbid it, unless you are willing to watch your own grandson die!"

"Old Yang!" Yang Xuan quickly stood up and called out, but seeing that Yang Yitian didn't turn back, he immediately felt helpless!

Back inside the house, Yang Yitian suddenly called out, "Yang Xuan..." As soon as the words left his mouth, a pale grey envelope was passed out from the room. It was stained with a few dark specks; if analyzed scientifically, they would likely be identified as bloodstains—specifically, the blood of Yang Lingfeng and Du Shishi.

"This...!" Yang Xuan stared blankly at the envelope in his hand.

"Inside is the last letter left by your son and my daughter. Read it, and you will understand why I am so vehemently opposed to you making Yi'er the Sect Master of the Tianlong lineage!"

Hearing this, Yang Xuan quickly took the letter from the already torn envelope and spread it open. His eyes froze, and after a long pause, he finally exhaled and murmured to himself, "So, they both hated me all along?"

The letter indeed contained this sentence from Yang Lingfeng and Du Shishi: forbidding their children, Yang Yi and Yang Rong, from having any connection whatsoever with the Tianlong lineage, as this was their vow to ensure the next generation could live peacefully. It was the last thing they could do as parents for their children. At least, that was the shared sentiment of Elder Yang and Yang Xuan at that moment.

"It seems I have to give up then?" Yang Xuan held the envelope dejectedly and slowly walked out of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Yang Yitian was busy tidying something up. However, judging by his attire, he appeared ready for a long journey.

################################################# Currently, in City A, Jiangsu Province.

"Sister Shiyun, when do you think that pervert will come back? Why hasn't he called us yet?" Li Qian asked, standing beside Xia Shiyun.

Xia Shiyun carefully stirred the syrup and smiled. "Hehe, don't worry. The fact that there's no call means nothing particularly urgent has happened. I believe he will be back in a few days."

"Ah, so that's what you think, Sister Shiyun?" Li Qian pouted slightly. "Well, I was hoping that scoundrel would come back with us to attend the high school reunion in a couple of days. Looks like that's not happening this time."

"Hehe, that's not an insurmountable obstacle. Come here, Qian'er, pass me that small basket!" Xia Shiyun took the basket with a smile. "A high school reunion? To be honest, Yi didn't have many friends in high school. He did, however, have a whole group of people who constantly wanted to 'push him off' the throne of the school heartthrob!"

"Hee hee! This reunion is going to be fun! I haven't seen that girl Qingqing in a while either. I heard she was studying abroad and is back for the summer vacation. Should we go see her tomorrow?" Li Qian said cheerfully.

"Hmm, that's fine. But..."

"But what?" Li Qian looked at Xia Shiyun curiously.

"Is Xu Ming... involved with Qingqing?"

It was hard to believe that Xia Shiyun would say such a thing. Li Qian was momentarily stunned, but after reacting, she giggled, "Yeah, I heard they promised to wait for each other back then, but..."

"Yes, distance changes people after all. I wonder how things are now. Xu Ming seems incredibly busy since becoming a General. If he comes back with Yi this time, how about we try to play matchmaker for them?" Xia Shiyun asked with a smile.

"Deal!"

"What are you two whispering about?" Xia Shiyun's mother, Mama Xia, seeing her daughter and close friend chatting intimately, was overcome with curiosity.

"Oh, nothing," the two exchanged a look and smiled. "Time to eat!"

"Sorry, I'm not eating. I have something and need to leave immediately!" A young man—or rather, Xia Yu—this young man's growth rate was astonishing. After a few years unseen, he had become a handsome young man, around seventeen, with a sturdy build reminiscent of his father, Xia Tian.

"Xiao Yu, where are you going in such a hurry that you won't even eat?" When Xia Shiyun received no response, she couldn't help but furrow her brow. "Mom, what's wrong with Xia Yu? These past years when I wasn't home, what has he been...!"

"I don't know either. This child sometimes stays out very late. Your father often lectures him, but it has no effect. I truly don't know what he's up to!"

"Hmm?" Xia Shiyun looked out the window but couldn't spot Xia Yu's figure.

Just as she shifted her gaze, a figure appeared on the street—it was Xia Yu, who had just rushed out. He approached a black sedan and got in!

"Hall Master, you're slow!" said a young man sitting in the driver's seat.

"Damn, I had no choice. I have to hide this from my family. If they knew I was involved in the triad, they'd kill me!" Xia Yu complained with an eye roll. "By the way, how is the progress on that matter?"

"As the Hall Master knows, we have conquered most of the external minor factions that dared to defy our Black God Gang. Also, Boss Zhou wants to see you!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Drive!" Xia Yu chuckled lightly, muttering, "Heh heh, since my sister and the others are back, the Boss should be returning soon too. Gwah ha ha...!"

Meanwhile, on another front, Yang Yi and his group had finished sorting out the initial information. They learned that besides the Four Great Sects, there were two major clan lineages in this world. They also knew Ye Han was the Sect Master of the Tian Gui lineage and understood Ye Han's ambition. However, none of this seemed crucial in Yang Yi's eyes; he continued according to the original plan.

And yesterday, after Fatty Lin and Xu Ming clutched their chests and cried out about the injustice of it all, they officially declared bankruptcy. This was because Yang Yi and the others had spent the entire day having fun in Hangzhou yesterday. After all, having such a rare opportunity to revel in Hangzhou, it would be a great disservice not to enjoy it. Consequently, the entire expense had caused both Fatty Lin and Xu Ming to feel like spitting blood.

"Lin Bai, any news from America?" Yang Yi was currently sitting on the sofa. Murong Lianxue was no longer positioned as she used to be, leaning on Yang Yi's shoulder, but instead nestled deep in his embrace, fast asleep.

"The intelligence received yesterday shows that after the Church allied with the Dark Council, they began large-scale resistance against the Black God Gang's influence. Due to the addition of the Blood Clan, two major battles have already occurred."

"What were the results?"

"A stalemate so far!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Yi pondered for a moment before stating, "Immediately notify the Blood Clan and Long Yi. Tell them they must conclude the business in America; time is running short."

"Yes!" Lin Bai acknowledged and walked out.

Murong Lianxue, hidden in Yang Yi's embrace, raised her head, opening her still-sleepy eyes. She said, "Brother Yi, when are you going to the capital?"

"Hehe, naturally, after the summer vacation ends. But there's no need to rush things right now." Yang Yi looked at her quizzically and asked, "Why, do you want to go too?"

"Of course!"

"Alright then. I'll call Uncle Han later and have him prepare some documents for you so you can enroll at Peking University with me!"

"Yay!" Murong Lianxue cried out excitedly.

"But, Brother Yi needs you to handle something for me...!"

"No problem, Brother Yi, just tell me!" Murong Lianxue interrupted before Yang Yi could finish, having agreed already. It seemed the girl had become a bit more astute, guessing that Yang Yi would have a task for her.

"Mmm," Yang Yi whispered something into Murong Lianxue's ear. Her expression shifted, and after nodding, she leaped up and vanished.