Chapter Thirty-Three: The Jiang Family Shaken! (First Update) An extra chapter for all readers of this book!

In recent days, due to a bout of cold, Sun Wanyue, whose constitution had always been frail since childhood, had no choice but to take sick leave and rest at home. She had even missed the birthday banquet of Xia Ning, the eldest daughter of the Xia family, yesterday. Her weak health left her no option but to forgo this rare opportunity to befriend Xia Ning. Thus, it was no wonder that Sun Wanyue was absent from Xia Ning’s birthday celebration yesterday.

Even the slightest movement left her drenched in cold sweat. Helpless, Sun Wanyue could only lie in bed and play with her phone. At that moment, a post on the local forum, pinned by the moderator and boasting more than a thousand comments, instantly captured her attention.

Luxury cars like a rainstorm, the entire upper echelon of the Xia family mobilized, all to invite a mysterious young man.

The striking headline made Sun Wanyue’s lips part in astonishment. She clicked on the post to find a video, recorded by someone at the scene, capturing a bustling crowd and a sea of luxury vehicles. One after another, the Xia family’s senior members stepped out of their cars, faces full of humility.

Sun Wanyue could call several of them by name.

Suddenly, she sat upright, her heart pounding. She was quickly drawn into the scene, though the video was shaky and unclear, the camera jostled by the surrounding crowd.

“What on earth is happening?” Sun Wanyue exclaimed.

From the video came waves of gasps and cries, the awe inspired by so many luxury cars. At that moment, Sun Wanyue’s face grew grave. What exactly had happened yesterday on Baota Road’s food street?

As the videographer pressed forward, the Xia family’s upper management, leading nearly seventy core elites, all came to a halt in front of a humble street stall.

At the front of the crowd, Xia Zhong, vice chairman of the Xia family, knelt on one knee, his face radiating solemn reverence, as if he were a courtier paying homage to an emperor in ancient times.

Within the food stall stood a young man, hands clasped behind his back, facing away from the crowd.

The video descended into chaos—people murmured, countless phones were raised to record the breathtaking moment.

Sun Wanyue slipped into a daze. Why did this back view appear so familiar?

Jiang Yu’s face surfaced unbidden in her mind.

A moment later, Sun Wanyue screamed, “Impossible, it can’t be, it must be my imagination.”

Her slender fingers gripped the phone so tightly that her knuckles whitened. At that moment, Sun Wanyue’s mind was in turmoil; the very suspicion terrified her to her core.

Then, as the crowd watched, the youth slowly turned. A delicate side profile appeared on the screen.

But before she could see his face clearly, the recording abruptly ended—clearly the result of being jostled by the crowd.

The image froze on that side profile.

Sun Wanyue stared at her phone, motionless, her mind entirely occupied by that visage.

“No, it’s not possible. Jiang Yu, I will find you and confirm this myself. The boy in the video isn’t you, is he? It’s just the angle, a resemblance.”

She bowed her head and watched the video again from the beginning. This time, she could no longer keep calm.

…

Since returning from Xia Ning’s birthday banquet, Jiang Yu had secluded himself in his room for several days, steadily consolidating his cultivation, making swift and remarkable progress.

“In this era, the gods have faded, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has grown so thin. I remember wandering during the Republican era, seeking the richest period of spiritual energy to retreat and cultivate. Every time I entered seclusion, it was during the most abundant times. Yet since the Republic, the spiritual energy here has only declined. Now, it only diminishes, never increasing. Should I retreat for another hundred years, upon emerging, I would find the world on the brink of exhaustion.”

Such is the sorrow of cultivators in the age of spiritual decline.

“No, I must restore my peak strength before heaven and earth wither away, then find a way out. Otherwise, I will be trapped at the Golden Core stage until death. At best, the current state can support me to the Golden Core, and that only with the help of countless rare treasures.”

For the first time in five thousand years, Jiang Yu sensed true danger.

So be it. Once the Xia family and Li Hao have found the few main herbs required, he would immediately refine a great elixir and awaken his divine powers.

The day his powers flourished would be the day he stepped into Foundation Establishment.

He exhaled softly and glanced out of his room.

Earlier, the commotion outside had disturbed him, prompting him to leave his room. The Jiang family compound was bustling; many servants hurried to and fro, preparing an elaborate banquet.

Could it be that they were expecting guests tonight?

Apart from the annual celebration, it had been a long time since the Jiang family put on such a grand show.

As soon as Jiang Yu stepped out, a scolding voice greeted him, “Jiang Yu, why are you standing there? Go help.”

Jiang Ziyue wore tight jeans that accentuated her alluring curves, paired with simple white canvas shoes—practical and capable.

Upon inquiry, he learned it was all because of a business contract between the Jiang and Xia families.

Years ago, the Jiang family had approached the Xia family with a business proposal, but the Xia family had rejected it, citing incomplete paperwork. In the years since, the matter was dropped, and the Jiang family, recognizing the gap between the two families, never raised it again.

But today, a representative of the Xia family came bearing the contract, ready to cooperate. The agreement had already passed official review in Yun City; with a legal signature, it would become effective. The project, worth hundreds of millions, would bring at least tens of millions in profits to the Jiang family.

Put simply, the family’s fortunes would double thanks to this contract.

The Jiang household was in an uproar, everyone joyous as if it were New Year’s.

During the banquet, Second Uncle stood repeatedly to toast, “With this partnership, I’m sure we will not disappoint the Xia family.”

The representative was a cultured man in glasses, eloquent and refined, promising that future business would always seek the Jiang family.

Even the family patriarch, adept at concealing his emotions, was elated.

The Jiang family of Tianze!

After the meal and the signing of the contract, the Xia family’s representative departed, satisfied.

The Jiang family immediately convened a grand meeting with all members, young and old, to discuss future development.

“This is all thanks to Second Uncle’s family. The Xia family must have been moved by his sincerity, which is why they signed,” someone said.

Jiang Shaoqi replied modestly, “Grandfather, my father only did his duty.”

A few days prior, the Xia family had hinted they were seeking business partners. Second Uncle, upon hearing this, had revisited the old contract, prepared all the details, and approached the Xia family. To everyone’s surprise, within days, the Xia family sent someone and signed.

This credit naturally fell to Second Uncle’s family.

“Tens of millions in profit—Second Uncle’s family has rendered a great service to the Jiang family today.”

The old man’s face glowed, his spirits higher than ever.

Jiang Yu found it amusing. The contract was likely granted by the Xia family as a favor to himself, a gentle way of looking after the Jiang family. Somehow, it had become Second Uncle’s accomplishment.

After all, if the Xia family wished to investigate his background, it would be a trivial matter.

As the family conference continued, a servant burst in, flustered.

“I told you not to disturb us—what’s the matter? Why the panic?”

The servant caught his breath and announced, “Li Hao has sent someone.”

At these words, everyone exchanged glances.

What was happening today? As if by prior arrangement, the Xia family’s people had just left, and now another prominent figure was visiting.

Even the patriarch could not remain calm. He stood, urging, “Quick, come with me to greet them.”

At the entrance to the Jiang estate stood a burly man, tall and rugged, smiling as he leaned against a Land Rover.

He was not Li Hao, nor Wolf Head, but a new face.

The patriarch inquired, “May I ask your purpose in visiting our Jiang family?”

The man waved his hand, “Master Hao sent me. Years ago, didn’t you approach him about a business deal? He’s reconsidered and thinks your proposal is worthwhile.”

Indeed!

Though they had suspected as much, hearing it confirmed made their hearts race.

Today truly brought double blessings.

Everyone was already immersed in joy and gave it little further thought.

The patriarch gestured, “Please, let’s discuss inside.”

The big man strode confidently into the Jiang family home.

In the crowd, Zheng Xuan’s parents exchanged puzzled looks, silently asking each other the same question.

What on earth was happening to the Jiang family today?

“Xiao Xuan, do you know anything about this?” Zheng’s mother asked curiously.

Zheng Xuan shook her head, “I don’t know either. It’s as if, all of a sudden, these local business tycoons have all come to their senses and are flocking here.”

As everyone prepared to go in, another Mercedes S600 business car arrived.

“Look, another car is pulling up. Could it be coming to our house too?”

Someone shouted, and the crowd paused, turning curiously.

The car stopped at the Jiang estate gates.

A handsome young man in a suit, carrying a contract, stepped out.

Second Uncle trotted over, “May I ask who you are?”

The young man smiled, “My name is Yuan Shixiong, from the Yuan family. You probably know Yuan Tiangang—he’s my brother.”

This… this…

The Yuan family was one of Yun City’s top clans, owning the Yuan Yang Docks and controlling several coastal trade routes. Many large transactions, both overt and covert, passed through their hands.

They also owned the Four Seas Group, with assets in the billions.

Though still far from the Xia family’s level, they were a major household in Yun City and neighboring cities.

“Could it be… you’re here for business with the Jiang family as well?”

Second Uncle’s voice trembled.

Yuan Shixiong looked surprised, “How did you know?”

The entire Jiang family fell silent.