The next day, Yang Yi ignored the party Xia Shiyun had insisted he attend, leaving City A early in the morning with Murong Lianxue and Feng Shi. Xia Yu was left to handle all remaining matters.

Meanwhile, in a grand hall somewhere, Ye Han reclined on a tiger-skin sofa, propping his cheek with one hand. He glanced at Tian San and Tian Si before him and inquired, "Have there been any movements from the Heavenly Dragon lineage recently?"

Tian San spoke with noticeable apprehension, "Reporting to the Young Master, the Heavenly Dragon lineage has shown no activity, according to the intelligence Tian Yi reported. Even the inside operative monitoring the Black God Gang's Dragon Lord has been withdrawn, suggesting they've reached a conclusion."

"Oh? So, is he one of the Heavenly Dragon lineage?" A sharp glint flashed in Ye Han’s eyes as he narrowed them.

"It seems not!"

"What do you mean 'it seems not'? Say yes or no," Ye Han suddenly boomed.

"Young Master... please...!" Tian San appeared genuinely terrified of Ye Han. Every time he spoke with him, he felt an overwhelming pressure.

It was inexplicable that a seemingly ethereal, ancient man would fear a youth barely in his twenties. Yet, this fear was founded; among the current Dragon List experts, everyone except Tian Yi held a deep fear of Ye Han.

Within the Heavenly Ghost lineage, nine out of ten knew just how bloody, insane, and tyrannical Ye Han once was. Only after encountering Yang Yi recently had he seemed to change slightly. But as the old saying goes: the mountains and rivers are easy to change, but one's inherent nature is hard to alter—perhaps this perfectly described Ye Han's current situation.

"Young Master!" Tian Si called out, "Based on Tian Yi's report, we can definitively rule out Yang Yi being part of the Heavenly Dragon lineage. Furthermore, since he hasn't formally acknowledged his ancestry, we cannot use the forces of the Heavenly Ghost lineage against him!"

"I don't need you to tell me that. The first rule of the Heavenly Ghost lineage explicitly forbids conflict with those outside the Heavenly Dragon lineage." Ye Han glanced at Tian Si, acutely aware that every lineage held ten formidable elders, and a single misstep could bring him considerable trouble. With a hint of strangeness, he said to Tian Si, "However, judging by your tone, you mean that even if Yang Yi is a member of the Heavenly Dragon lineage, we still cannot deploy the lineage's power against him, correct?"

"Yes. According to the lineage rules, if the Young Master uses the lineage's forces against him, then the ten elders of the Heavenly Ghost..."

"Oh? Be clearer."

"Yes!" Tian Si paused briefly, then explained, "Because even if Yang Yi belongs to the Heavenly Dragon lineage, he has not yet recognized his ancestors. Therefore, we cannot mobilize the Heavenly Ghost lineage's assets. Given the current situation, we can only deploy forces from South Africa, Tibet, and those under Tian Yi's command."

"Hmm," Ye Han mused. "It seems that's the only way for now. Tian San, go immediately and keep an eye on Yang Yi. See what he's up to, and use the opportunity to uncover his background. Don't give me any more 'it seems so' nonsense."

"Yes, Young Master!" Tian San responded instantly.

"And Tian Si... the Northern affairs are your responsibility. If you get the chance, try to drag that fellow in. Only then will we have a better pretext to use him against the Heavenly Dragon lineage. The great war from three hundred years ago must be re-enacted starting three hundred years later," Ye Han sneered with a sinister smile.

"Yes!" Tian Si and Tian San exchanged a look. Recently, they had both noticed that Ye Han seemed to have reverted to his old self. For some reason, they both felt that staying by his side might genuinely lead to their complete annihilation. However, due to the indoctrination they received from childhood, even the thought of betraying the Heavenly Ghost lineage was unbearable, forcing them only to endure.

Currently, in the southeast direction, the terrain was characterized by dense, winding forests, creating a landscape like a production line. Yet, steep slopes, sheer cliffs, and uneven, pitted roads were visible everywhere. Rumors even circulated that large carnivorous animals frequently appeared in these areas. The state had once sent people to investigate, but the matter was suppressed by the Xuan Gate's seemingly omnipotent influence.

Xuan Hao, acting as the Xuan Gate's interim master, had managed things smoothly since Yang Yi handed over the sect to him for governance. However, he harbored a slight grievance: Yang Yi had acted as a hands-off leader, and even his master, Mu Qingfeng, had vanished without a trace. It was rumored he had gone into secluded cultivation, and two years had passed since anyone had seen him.

Sitting in the martial training hall, Xuan Hao sighed deeply, looking around the vast, imposing hall. He couldn't help but feel a touch of boredom. Although he had been in charge for years, the sense of oppression remained inescapable.

"The Sect Master is too unkind, what a tragedy, leaving me to guard this place and not even taking a moment to come back and see."

Just as Xuan Hao finished speaking, a disciple rushed in, shouting, "Senior Brother! Senior Brother!"

Although Xuan Hao was the acting master, he disliked being addressed as such, so he instructed all Xuan Gate disciples to call him Senior Brother. Nevertheless, all administrative duties remained firmly in his hands.

"What is it, running around so frantically? Have some decorum!" Xuan Hao snapped without much patience.

"Senior Brother, the Sect Master... the Sect Master...!"

"The Sect Master? What about the Sect Master?" Hearing this, Xuan Hao sprang to his feet, a jolt running through him.

The disciple took a breath and managed, "The Sect Master has returned! He's right outside!"

"What? Quickly, let's go out to greet him!" Xuan Hao immediately turned and hurried out.

At the main gate of the Xuan Gate, Yang Yi stood with Murong Lianxue and Feng Shi, a hint of nostalgia on his face. Yang Yi remarked, "Returning here after several years brings a distinct feeling!"

"Brother Yi, I wonder if Elder Mu will be inside?" Murong Lianxue asked Yang Yi with a gentle smile.

"I don't know. That unscrupulous old man—damn it, he just threw the Xuan Gate at me like a piece of merchandise. He's probably enjoying himself somewhere carefree right now," Yang Yi scoffed dismissively.

"Pfft!" Feng Shi, though unaware of the context, couldn't help but let out a laugh at Yang Yi's words.

It was then that several figures emerged from within. Xuan Hao led a group of senior Xuan Gate disciples. Seeing Yang Yi and Murong Lianxue standing at the entrance, they immediately knelt halfway and cried out in unison, "We respectfully welcome the Sect Master's return!"

"Return? I’m back for important business to discuss with you," Yang Yi retorted, rolling his eyes at Xuan Hao before offering a faint smile. "All of you, stand up. I’ve told you repeatedly not to kneel when you see me; that formality is useless on me!"

"Yes, Sect Master!" Xuan Hao and the others stood up. Xuan Hao then said, "Sect Master, please come inside!"

"En," Yang Yi nodded and followed Xuan Hao and the group inside.

They entered the Xuanwu Hall, a standard antique-style conference room with rows of seating. On the main dais were three chairs; one, as the name implied, was reserved for the Sect Master and those holding supreme status within the Xuan Gate. Even Xuan Hao, the acting master, had never dared to occupy it during his years of administration.

Sitting in the central chair, Xuan Hao surveyed the disciples seated on either side, then immediately stood up and asked Yang Yi, "Sect Master, you mentioned earlier you had matters requiring discussion—what are they...?"

"Oh, those things aren't urgent," Yang Yi waved his hand dismissively. "First, tell me, where did that old fellow Mu run off to?"

"Uh!" Xuan Hao and the disciples were all startled. Although they knew Yang Yi had never used kind words for Mu Qingfeng and were somewhat accustomed to his disrespectful address, after so many years, it still felt slightly jarring.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, Master went out to roam and enter seclusion two years ago and has not yet returned."

"Wandering? Seclusion?" Yang Yi found this highly amusing, thinking to himself that the unscrupulous old man had indeed gone off to enjoy himself.

Murong Lianxue smiled faintly beside him. "Grandfather is like that; when he is most needed, he disappears."

"Nonsense, how is that seclusion? Can one go wandering while in seclusion?" Yang Yi grumbled under his breath irritably.

Just as he muttered this, a figure suddenly materialized in the Xuanwu Hall, his voice sounding utterly unscrupulous: "Stinking brat, I long ago entrusted the Xuan Gate to you. Besides, where I go for seclusion is none of your business, you little squirt, always calling me unscrupulous!"

"Grandfather?"

"Master!"

"Ancestor!"

Suddenly, everyone instinctively called out. Yang Yi, however, merely responded by throwing a torrent of eye-rolls toward the white-haired elder at the door. "You little punk, are you not unscrupulous? Can you read my mind without using the Mind Reading Technique?"

"Ahem!" Mu Qingfeng waved his hand, signaling the Xuan Gate disciples to rise, and walked swiftly toward Yang Yi. He said, "What is it, kid? Have you run into trouble this time?"

"I'll tell you what trouble I've run into later. Right now, I just want to know which daughter's house you've been 'wandering' in, old man."

"Whoosh!~" Mu Qingfeng's face twisted into one of palpable awkwardness. In an instant, he appeared right next to Yang Yi, whispering urgently, "Kid, can you save me some face? There are so many people watching below; how can you say such a thing out loud?"