As night approached.

A piece of news began to spread rapidly through various channels.

Five years ago, a man with a single sword tore through the entire Dragon Brilliance List. Now, that same man, Lord Yang, had appeared on Qiyun Road.

He first showed up at the birthday banquet for the old King Qin Lie and even got into a conflict.

As for who he clashed with and what the final outcome was, multiple versions were circulating, but no one could provide clear details, stirring an unbearable curiosity in everyone.

What people talked about most was Lord Yang's visit to the Lingxiao Observatory. He had bestowed upon the young Daoist Qin Hao a full rank of cultivation, propelling the already immensely talented young man to the peak of the ninth rank. He was now a top-tier master, just a single step away from the tenth rank.

A twenty-three-year-old at the peak of the ninth rank—the implications were staggering.

In another ten years, how much further would he grow?

And in ten years, he would still only be in his early thirties.

Undoubtedly, a dazzling new star was on the rise.

And all of them were witnesses.

To be able to grant someone a rank of cultivation with a mere wave of the hand was a heaven-defying feat. Just how formidable was Lord Yang's own strength?

Some said he was the Thousand-Faced Yama; others whispered of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo.

With the facts unclear, rumors abounded.

The various discussions about Lord Yang grew louder and more incessant.

However, just as the debates heated up, Fan Zhenkun, the young master of the Fan Family—one of the five great families of Qiyun Road—stepped forward and made a public statement to the media.

"I, Fan Zhenkun, will challenge the Lingxiao Observatory's young Daoist, Qin Hao!"

After saying this, he bent down in front of the media cameras and, with one hand, lifted a bronze bull statue—a symbol of struggle—from a flowerbed beside the road.

Not only that, but he also ran a few laps around the flowerbed.

His face wasn't flushed, and he wasn't even out of breath.

After returning the bronze statue to its place, he continued, "Qin Hao, even with the opportunity you received from Lord Yang, you are still no match for me! Among the younger generation under thirty, I, Fan Zhenkun, am number one!"

With that, Fan Zhenkun made a highly provocative gesture.

This was like pouring a bucket of hot oil onto a blazing fire.

Whether in teahouses and taverns or on the internet, the topic instantly ignited, completely blowing up.

"What's with that silly kid, lifting a bull statue and running around like that? He looks ridiculous!"

"Don't be fooled, he's actually very smart. He's trying to attract Lord Yang's attention. If he could also earn Lord Yang's favor and be granted a rank of cultivation, imagine how many years of hard work that would save him!"

"Fan Zhenkun dares to step out because his own strength is nothing to scoff at. He's around the same age as Qin Hao, so if Qin Hao accepts the challenge, it would be a clash of young titans. Definitely something to look forward to."

"Qin Hao, accept the challenge!!"

"..."

Beyond the various debates, some people even started taking bets on this great battle of the under-thirty generation.

Qiyun Road had been peaceful for many years; it hadn't been this lively in a long time.

What they didn't know was that Qiyun Road was already shrouded in thick, ominous clouds.

If the old Prince of the Qin Family didn't know what was good for him, and one hundred thousand Martial Guards unsheathed their blades over the Lingjin River, how many people would be scared out of their wits?

Not far from the Lingxiao Observatory was a small food street.

Chen Yang and Yang Hu quickly finished their dinner there.

Chen Yang wiped his mouth and instructed Yang Hu, "Find out who was giving Zhou Yufei trouble last time."

"Qian Kun, the general manager of Shangzheng Pharmaceutical Group."

Yang Hu had thoroughly investigated the man's background right after the incident and now recited the details from memory. "He's forty-five, married, and keeps three mistresses on the side. One of them even bore him a son."

"Despite his... vibrant private life, he often uses business negotiations as an opportunity to harass other female partners."

Yang Hu knew, of course, that Chen Yang intended to solve this problem for Zhou Yufei once and for all.

As he spoke, he was already having his men pinpoint Qian Kun's current location.

"Boss, the old lecher is at a restaurant right now, dining with one of his women."

Chen Yang picked up his bottle of mineral water and stood up. "Get the contact information for his wife and his other women."

"You got it!" Yang Hu grinned, already guessing what Chen Yang had in mind.

「Coral Sea Restaurant.」

On the second floor, at a table by the window.

From this seat, one had a perfect view of the Lingjin River's nightscape.

It could be said that this was the best spot in the entire restaurant.

At this moment, a greasy, middle-aged man with a potbelly, a bald head, and a few sparse hairs combed over from the sides was holding a glass of red wine, smiling at the young woman before him.

The woman was around thirty, with a pretty face under heavy makeup.

"I've wanted to eat here for so long. Thank you, hubby," the woman said, taking a selfie that included herself, the food on the table, and the beautiful view outside the window, which she then posted to her social media.

Putting down her phone, she blinked flirtatiously at Qian Kun and giggled.

Qian Kun grabbed her hand, his eyes narrowing into slits. "The hotel we're going to later is also the best riverside hotel on Qiyun Road! Oh, and I bought you a handbag."

As he spoke, Qian Kun placed a gift box on the table.

The woman, Chen Yan, had her eyes light up instantly. She snatched the gift box, hugging it to her chest as her smile grew even wider. "Thank you, hubby!"

Qian Kun laughed smugly. "Such sweet words!"

"You have to promise you only love me," Chen Yan said, trying to sound stern as she brandished her fork. "If I find out you have other women, I won't let you off easy!"

Qian Kun just chuckled dismissively. "Don't worry, I only love you. Once I get through this busy period, I'll marry you."

"Hee hee!"

Chen Yan was overjoyed, her heart filled with sweetness.

Although she had initially gotten together with Qian Kun for his money, as is often the case, feelings had blossomed over time. It was only natural, given how meticulously he had cared for her all this while.

"Hurry and eat. We'll head back to the hotel when you're done," Qian Kun urged.

"Okay!"

CLAP. CLAP.

The sound of applause suddenly echoed from nearby.

Immediately after, two young men walked straight toward their table.

The newcomers were, of course, Chen Yang and Yang Hu.

"What a heartfelt declaration. I just wonder, do you say the same things to your wife and your other two women?"

Chen Yang pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Qian Kun, a faint smile on his lips.

Qian Kun's face instantly darkened. He said coldly, "Who are you? And I have no idea what you're talking about!"

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