In the VIP ward of Jiangbei's No.1 hospital, a one-armed Director Shi sat, depressed.
"Young Master Ruan, my deepest apologies. I was unable to take the Su Cosmetics Compant for you, and I feel so ashamed."
By the window sill, a young man wearing an Italian tailored suit smiled indifferently.
"No worries. Although Su Ruoxue had the help of a master, I, Ruan Chenglong, won't back down so easily. Although I didn't make her bankrupt, she is still not at my level."
"Young Master Ruan, this time, Su Ruoxue was only able to win because of a martial arts master. At the same time, she also had three master-level formulas!"
"Formulas?"
Ruan Chenglong frowned. Director Shi's expression was solemn as he nodded.
"That's right. Those medical formulas are extraordinary with earth-shattering effects! With them, it's likely the Su Cosmetics Company will become the world's top cosmetics company! It's likely that she could toss the entire Ruan family thousands of miles away!"
A flash of coldness grazed Ruan Chenglong's eyes.
"That can't be! If Su Ruoxue becomes that powerful, I'll never have a chance to get close to such a beauty. It seems like we have to talk things over with that punk!"
Director Shi was stunned.
"Young master Ruan, that kid has a grudge against me! If you want to collaborate with him, you're better off jumping off a building."
Ruan Chenglong gave him an irritated glance.
"Why are you so bothered? Look how terrified you are! Don't worry, I'm just finding a way to get the formulas. Once he hands them over, I'll make him die a horrible death. Does he dare pursue the woman that I, Ruan Chenglong, have my eyes on? You think I'll let him live?"
When he got to here, Ruan Chenglong's gaze was chilling. Even Director Shi felt himself shiver with goosebumps.
"Young Master Ruan is heroic in deed! Young Master, save me some breath left, I want to kill him myself!"
"I got it. Take care of yourself first. When the time comes, I'll alert you."
"Yes, Young Master Ruan!"
After Young Master Ruan left, Director Shi clenched his fists, a poisonous glance in his eyes.
"Xiao Chen, you little pest! I'll make you pay for breaking my arm!"
...
On the other end of town, Xiao Chen returned home.
Qi Sha could tell he was in a bad mood.
"Emperor, there are some things that you cannot force!"
"I know."
Xiao Chen rubbed his head.
"How's Ziyi doing?"
"She just went to sleep. I wanted to give her some food, but she refused. She wanted to wait for you!"
Xiao Chen felt his heart warm up. Only his own daughter was more considerate than anyone!
"Tomorrow is grandfather's eightieth commemorative birthday, right?"
"That's right. It's been decided it will be held at the Xiao family's home village."
Xiao Chen nodded.
"Prepare the Hongmeng painting. Tomorrow, I will gift it to grandpa."
"Yes, sir!"
"Oh, and alert the nobility, the rich and the powerful in all of Jiangbei. Tomorrow, they will all come together and celebrate my grandfather's birthday."
"Yes!"
"You can retreat now. I'm tired and want to rest on my own."
"Yes, sir!"
Qi Sha stepped down. Xiao Chen looked at the family photo on the counter with a tiresome glance. A shred of gentleness seemed to escape from his gaze.
"Yunxuan, our daughter is healed. I will unify the riverlands in the fastest way possible; and then, in the most glorious way, I'll pick you up from Shanghai."
"Wait for me!"
...
Late at night, an Audi A8 speedily drove through the hinterlands of Beijing. It pulled up in front of a modest-looking courtyard house.
The courtyard house did not have any particularly stand-out features, but the ancient wooden doors that guarded the entrance were made out of one of the most top-quality wood in existence—Thousand-Year Agarwood!
The value of these doors alone was worth four times as much as the entire courtyard house.
Only to normal citizens, this difference was not distinguishable.
The night wind blew as an individual alighted from the Audi. He shivered as he tightened his collar around his neck. With a few small steps, he ascended the steps and knocked on the door.
In a moment, a dull voice sounded from the door.
"Who is it?"
"Ma Tianbei, leader of the Dragon Faction in Jiangbei. I have some urgent matters to meet you about."
After a few seconds of silence, the small door silently opened and Ma Tianbei's silhouette disappeared in a flash.
"Come in."
A seemingly young man with a steady pace and high spirits lead the way.
Although Ma Tianbei was of old age, he didn't dare show any disrespect. He held his head down and hurriedly followed them into the courtyard's main hall.
The lights in the main hall had turned on on their own as Ma Tianbei entered. An oldman with white hair was sprawled out on the floor in front of a pile of documents, reviewing them.
He didn't stop when he saw Ma Tianbei approach.
Ma Tianbei hurriedly approached, bowing the whole time.
"I, Ma Tianbei, greet the elder."
"Stand up, there's no need for formalities."
"Thank you, elder."
"Ma Tianbei, what has brought you here in the middle of the night, so far from the pugilist world?"
"In response to the elder: a martial arts master has recently appeared in the pugilist world. I have only come to report it."
The elder quipped with laughter and spoke.
"Huh? What kind of master could cause you to visit us personally?"
"A sovereign martial arts master!"
The elder paused the pen in his hand. He looked towards Ma Tianbei with a strict look in his gaze.
"A sovereign master? Are you sure?"
"In response to the elder: I am sure! This information came from the Phoenix Faction's inspection group. And..."
"And what?"
Ma Tianbei secretly lifted his head and looked at the elder with a solemn expression.
"And the child has only been practicing for five years."
"What did you say?"
The elder immediately stood up.
If the child was only a martial arts master, he would not pay too much attention to it.
For a normal cultivator to climb to a heavenly level, it was difficult. But that's only regarding otherworldly people!
To the Dragon Faction, there were way too many martial arts masters who have reached the heavens in terms of skills.
There were also a few who surpassed this and made the status of sovereign master.
Then, there were martial arts deities! And martial arts valkyries!
Even martial arts emperors.
This kind of peak level individuals existed in the Dragon Faction as well.
Only, for a genius to reach sovereign status in only five years was news to the Dragon Faction.
He might not be a deity, or a valkyrie, or an emperor, but for someone to breakthrough sovereign level in five years… he has the potential to reach martial arts deity with no problem!
In the military, he could be ranked a major general at least!
Even then, he might reach the level of god of war. That was comparable to the lead general of the legion!
This person had great potential.
Even the great elder, who was a martial artist with a valkyrie rank couldn't help but get excited at this notion.