Yan Hongyu left the ancestral hall, a restlessness stirring within her. Of the two prodigies mentioned by the ancestors just now, she was naturally the genius among geniuses. The other, a genius among mortals, was her elder brother, though he had long since fallen into disgrace and hadn't even contacted the family for ages.

When Yan Hongyu was very young, her elder brother doted on her, indulging her in everything. Later, in a desperate attempt to master the family's secret technique, Boundless Snow Sea, her brother suffered several violent backlash incidents from his Zhenqi, leaving his body severely damaged. Eventually, the elders of the clan banished him; it was rumored he had completely succumbed to the mundane world, and Yan Hongyu hadn't seen him in many years.

At this moment, Yan Hongyu felt terribly vulnerable, intensely wishing to see this only relative she had left. With this thought, she sought out Uncle Qiu, the man in charge of intelligence within the clan.

“Uncle Qiu, I need you to help me find someone.”

“Miss Yu, who is it you seek?” Uncle Qiu inquired.

“Yan Hongye, my elder brother.”

“Miss Yu, the ancestors specifically warned me not to mention Young Master Hongye’s name in the house, nor reveal any information about him to you,” Uncle Qiu replied, sounding distressed.

Yan Hongyu spoke coldly, “Are you saying the ancestors’ words are commands, and mine can be ignored?”

Uncle Qiu hesitated. He had watched Yan Hongyu grow up and understood her current feelings. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Naturally, I heed the ancestors’ words,” and then turned to leave.

Just as Yan Hongyu was about to flare up, she heard Uncle Qiu murmur to the empty air ahead of him, “Heh heh, I’ve hidden Young Master Hongye’s files in safe locker number 198 in the intelligence vault. The code is 3838438. If I don’t tell anyone these things, no one can ever find Young Master Hongye’s information.”

Yan Hongyu paused, watching the retreating figure of Uncle Qiu with a thoughtful expression.

Huguai City—the most prosperous metropolis in all of Huaxia, also known as the City of Decadence. Midnight struck, and within a private leisure center in the suburbs of Huguai called “Happy Valley,” the hour for extravagant, debauched living was just beginning.

Yan Hongye stood with her hands behind her back atop a massive tree, her body swaying gently with the breeze. She was facing a particular room inside “Happy Valley.” Looking through that room’s window, she could clearly see the occupants engaged in acts of utter filth.

Yan Hongyu took in the scene within the room; her eyes turned icy as she struggled to believe what she was witnessing. Her body convulsed, and the surrounding air rapidly plummeted in temperature. A vast expanse of the Boundless Snow Sea instantly erupted outwards, enveloping that room. A man inside screamed once, a sharp cry of agony, and then all sound ceased.

Yan Hongyu spoke coldly, “Brother, why haven’t you come out yet?”

The sound of hasty dressing immediately followed from within the room, and after a long pause, a hoarse male voice finally spoke, “It’s little Yu. It’s been years since we last met, hasn't it? What brings you here?”

Yan Hongyu replied frigidly, “It has indeed been a long time. I never imagined my once brilliant and mighty elder brother would degrade to this. It is truly disappointing.”

A man with an unnaturally pale complexion appeared at the window frame. He coughed a few times, then used his hand to support his frame, chuckling, “So I still appear brilliant and mighty in little Yu’s eyes? But that’s all in the past. I’m nothing but a cripple now, unable to cultivate, and kicked out by the family. So I decided to just live decadently. I’ve enjoyed everything; it hasn't been a wasted life.”

Yan Hongyu erupted in fury, “Even if you choose to fall, pick a better direction! Look at yourself—you’re consorting with stinking men, and worse, you’re the receiving party! Not only that, you endure their abuse. Is that what you call enjoyment?”

The man laughed, “It seems my little Yu still cares for me. Seeing me bullied, you ended up killing this man for me.”

Yan Hongyu stated coldly, “I merely cannot bear to see the idol in my heart collapse. Come with me now. We’re going home. I have power now; those boring old relics in the family can no longer stop you.”

The man coughed again a few times, then smiled, “Little Yu, you are still so naive. Do you think if they don’t stop me, I can simply return? No, you are mistaken. I’ve grown accustomed to this life. Forcing me back onto the old track would be unbearable for me now. So, just leave me be. Take care of yourself. After all, you carry the hope for the family’s resurgence.”

Yan Hongyu said nothing, watching the man with a cold expression, as if trying to see into the very core of his thoughts.

The man then asked, “Little Yu, why are you visiting me now? Has something major happened in the family?”

Yan Hongyu stared at him coldly, then after a long silence, sighed heavily. “I have a mission next month. The difficulty is immense; there might be no hope of survival. I wanted to find you while I could still speak and share my heart with you. Who knew I would find you like this? It’s a profound disappointment.”

The man asked curiously, “A mission of great difficulty? What exactly is it, and where is the location?”

Yan Hongyu replied, “The mission is in Hong Kong. But what use is it telling you now? Since you prefer this corrupt existence, I won’t stop you. I’m leaving.” With that, the tree trunk subtly shifted, and her figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind only two teardrops hanging in the atmosphere.

The man silently watched the spot where Yan Hongyu had disappeared, his thoughts unknown. After a long while, he finally rose and returned to the room, from which a fit of violent coughing soon erupted.

Over the next month, Liu Hui continued to arrange work according to his existing schedule. Within the limited confines of the factory area, he oversaw the construction of several new workshops, designated for the production of new products that Starry Sky Group was soon to launch. Once these new workshops were complete, the Starry Sky Group’s utilized factory grounds would reach absolute capacity; any further expansion would require finding entirely new locations.

In Liu Hui’s work plan, Starry Sky Group was set to release a line of health supplements, such as weight-loss aids, in March of this year. Alongside the supplements, a range of cosmetics would also debut. The necessary permits for these products had all been secured; they simply awaited production before official sales could commence.

Liu Hui was confident that once these new health supplements and cosmetics hit the market, they would generate colossal profits for Starry Sky Group. With the addition of these items, his existing chain of specialty stores would no longer focus solely on stockings and undergarments. Incorporating health supplements and cosmetics would create a more balanced product structure, drawing in more consumers to the stores and elevating their sales revenue to new heights. Consequently, Liu Hui had been actively expanding the number of Starry Sky specialty stores, positioning himself in advance to meet the anticipated vigorous market demand.

In reality, Starry Sky Group possessed several other potential new products, but Liu Hui had shelved them after comprehensive consideration. The industries Starry Sky Group currently engaged in—primarily biopharmaceuticals, fine cuisine, stockings, and undergarments—were largely devoid of major powers with global influence. This allowed him to expand aggressively in these sectors without facing coordinated suppression from established international entities.

However, if Liu Hui were to venture into fields like finance, real estate, automobiles, steel, or petroleum, he would inevitably infringe upon the interests of the already established titans. Those titans, determined to safeguard their profits from threat, would certainly not stand idly by while Liu Hui developed. They would mobilize all their resources to crush the Starry Sky Group. Thus, Liu Hui would not rashly broaden his business scope without absolute certainty of success. Moreover, in the sectors the titans deemed minor and abandoned, the inherent commercial opportunities were substantial, provided his product planning was precise.

The products previously launched by Starry Sky Group continued to sell briskly in the market. The medications produced by Starry Sky Pharmaceuticals, the cuisine from Starry Sky Gourmet restaurants, and the sales of thermal and cooling undergarments (and stockings) remained explosive. The gourmet restaurants, in particular, had expanded to six thousand locations, resulting in a monthly turnover soaring to $28 billion. When the number of specialty stores reached two thousand, the sales volume of the thermal and cooling undergarments (and stockings) reached a staggering $50 billion. If this trajectory continued, the annual sales revenue of just Starry Sky Gourmet and Starry Sky Apparel companies alone would approach a staggering one trillion US dollars. Furthermore, the demand for these companies’ products, unlike pharmaceuticals which served patients who would eventually no longer need them, allowed for continuous, stable sales.

Construction on Starry Sky City resumed after the New Year. Parts ordered from various countries around the world continued to arrive in Hong Kong. The steel mill and shipyard built on the massive floating island were fully completed, and their equipment calibrated. They were only awaiting material delivery to commence full-scale production.

In his previous confrontation with the Dragon Slaying Society, Liu Hui had acquired a 20% stake in Rio Tinto and Vale through expropriation, granting him some influence within those two companies. This allowed him preferential access to high-quality, low-cost iron ore. He capitalized on this by signing iron ore contracts with both companies, totaling over one hundred billion dollars.

Currently, Starry Sky Logistics Company’s fleet of massive ocean freighters was loaded to capacity with prime iron ore, sailing from Brazil and Australia toward Hong Kong. The enormous deep-sea vessels Liu Hui had invested heavily in were finally demonstrating their formidable transport capabilities.

This premium iron ore, upon arrival at Starry Sky City, was directed to the newly constructed steel mill, where it was refined into various types of steel. This steel was then supplied to the shipyard for manufacturing the critical components required for Starry Sky City’s construction. Once Starry Sky City could produce these essential components internally, the overall construction timeline would accelerate significantly, and the project would no longer be vulnerable to external constraints.

Following the official launch and deployment of the *Starry Sky I*, the construction of the *Starry Sky II* was immediately placed on the agenda. The *Starry Sky II* was also being manufactured in the same sealed submarine construction facility. Benefiting from the experience and data gathered from building the *Starry Sky I*, coupled with further advancements in overall manufacturing processes, the *Starry Sky II* was designed directly as a massive deep-sea submarine with a displacement reaching 50,000 tons.

Thanks to continuous technological innovation and the real-world trials of the *Starry Sky I*, the *Starry Sky II* would incorporate only the most cutting-edge technology in its construction. Upon completion, the *Starry Sky II* would be significantly more advanced than the *Starry Sky I*. Likewise, due to further technological refinement, the build time for this new *Starry Sky II* submarine was also slated for three months.

It must be noted, however, that this 50,000-ton displacement submarine was only an experimental vessel. The primary production focus for the submarine manufacturing plant would eventually shift to vessels exceeding 100,000 tons. The two submarines constructed thus far served purely as a means of technological stockpiling, gathering experience for the future construction of larger submarines.

The *Starry Sky I*, after replenishing supplies and equipment, set out to sea again. Its current mission was to continue surveying the bathymetry and mineral distribution patterns of the Pacific Ocean floor, while incidentally salvaging sunken ships. Considering human history, countless vessels had been lost beneath the vast oceans. The potential wealth recovered from these wrecks would be immense. Though Liu Hui was already obscenely wealthy, he was not one to pass up opportunities to increase his fortune.

During this period, Alexander from the Magic Plane finally delivered a satisfactory report to Liu Hui. Over the past month, Alexander had led the warriors of the Church of Light in a surprise raid against the Behemoth tribe. Catching the Behemoths completely off guard, Alexander used laser weaponry to eliminate dozens of the most fiercely resisting beasts. Once the leading Behemoth was neutralized, the entire tribe surrendered to the Church of Light.

Accompanying the victory, Alexander also took possession of the Behemoth tribe’s accumulated wealth spanning many years. Smaller races, such as the Fox Clan and the Piggish Clan, who had previously been slaves to the Behemoths, were now absorbed by the Church of Light, continuing their existence as chattel. Since the spoils of war were still being cataloged, Alexander could not yet provide an exact count or inventory of their spoils.

Only upon learning that Alexander had successfully concluded the major engagement with the Behemoth tribe did Liu Hui finally breathe a sigh of relief. His interests in the Magic Plane were secured.

March 28th marked Liu Hui’s twenty-ninth birthday. On this day, Liu Hui took a day off, intending to spend this significant date with his family and close friends. In his hometown of Bashan City, a man’s 29th birthday (the cusp of thirty) is traditionally celebrated as a major life milestone, considered the most important birthday for a man nearing the 'nine-ending' year.

Liu Hui and Hu Xian’er set up a table and chairs at their home to celebrate Liu Hui’s twenty-ninth birthday. Although he hadn't organized a grand celebration, nor invited friends from Hong Kong or Macau, he had invited his dearest brothers to attend the party.

Besides Liu Hui’s parents and Hu Xian’er’s parents, Mei Peng and Yue Wang were essential invites. To Liu Hui’s surprise, Zhou Tengyun had traveled all the way from the African base, stating that since nothing major was happening in Africa, he needed to be there to celebrate this momentous birthday with Liu Hui.

Seeing that the gathering was quite complete, Liu Hui felt genuinely happy. Amidst the chorus of well-wishes, Liu Hui prepared to blow out the candles and make a wish, followed by cutting the cake. In a particularly touching moment, Liu Hui’s mother presented him with a red egg, and the atmosphere in the room grew intensely warm.

Liu Hui smiled and said, “I notice everyone is unusually cheerful today, but Brother Yue Si seems a bit off. I haven’t heard him speak more than a few words all evening?”

Yue Wang forced a laugh, “Boss, you know that everyone has a few difficult days each month. It’s perfectly reasonable for me to be quiet once in a while, isn't it?”

Mei Peng laughed, “You’re not a woman, so what inconvenient days? Boss, don’t fall for it! I heard this kid is just distracted because he ran into some setbacks while pursuing a beauty.”

The others burst into laughter. They were all privy to Yue Wang’s past romantic mishaps and naturally seized the chance to tease him.

As Yue Wang was enduring profound embarrassment, Liu Hui’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was Wu Yuanjia calling, Liu Hui excused himself and stepped into his room to answer.

“Boss, disaster! A researcher from the Science Academy has absconded!” Wu Yuanjia exclaimed loudly.

“What? A researcher has escaped? What exactly is happening? Where is Chen Changsheng?” Upon hearing Wu Yuanjia’s words, Liu Hui’s heart began to race, and he fired off several questions in rapid succession.

“Boss, I don’t have the full details, but we have already dispatched security personnel to pursue the researcher. Dean Chen is standing right next to me,” Wu Yuanjia reported.

“You must bring that person back! Everything they carried must be recovered, intact,” Liu Hui roared internally, the event he most dreaded had finally occurred.

“Boss, I understand. I have already sent two hundred security personnel after the researcher. The researcher left less than ten minutes ago; we will certainly retrieve both the person and the items,” Wu Yuanjia stressed, fully aware of the urgency. The secrets of Starry Sky Group could absolutely not be exposed, which is why he had implemented these arrangements immediately upon receiving the news.

Chen Changsheng took the phone from Wu Yuanjia. “Boss, I apologize. I have failed your expectations by allowing our property to be stolen.”

Liu Hui commanded, “Don’t discuss it over the phone. I’m coming to your office immediately. We will talk there in detail.”