Shen Family Estate — Cloudpeak Manor
This top-tier mansion, built with billions in investment, originally occupied the most auspicious spot along River City's dragon vein. But the moment Jiang Che stepped through the gates, an icy chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.
"So much Yin energy…" he muttered, frowning.
To ordinary eyes, the estate was picturesque—flowers in bloom, streams flowing gently. But through Jiang Che's dual-pupil sight, thick ink-black clouds smothered the sky above the manor. Nine enormous black chains stretched from the surrounding mountains like giant serpents, wrapping tightly around the main residence.
"Kid, don't touch anything!" Laozi's voice suddenly turned deadly serious inside his mind. "This is the Nine-Dragon Vein Lock, one of the most vicious severance formations in Yin-Yang arts. Whoever set this up has at least thirty years of cultivation. With your current power, if you try to rip those chains free, your soul will shatter from the backlash in under three seconds."
Jiang Che's heart jolted. The hand that had been forming a spell seal quietly lowered.
He had inherited sacred Dao techniques and possessed a rare cultivation body—but his innate qi was still shallow. Trying to break this formation now would be like using a bucket of water to extinguish a mountain-sized inferno.
"Mr. Jiang… do you see something?" Shen Qingqiu asked softly. Seeing his changing expression made her chest tighten.
After witnessing him save her grandfather earlier, the icy CEO now trusted him completely.
Jiang Che let out a cold snort, clasped his hands behind his back, and forced down the churning qi in his chest, adopting a calm, inscrutable demeanor.
"Miss Shen… your estate is far more troublesome than I expected. Whoever did this doesn't just want your grandfather dead—they want the entire Shen bloodline erased. Even your ancestral luck is being drained."
Shen Qingqiu's face turned ghostly pale. Shen Wanshan began coughing violently in fury.
"Please, save my family!" the old man said, trembling as he tried to kneel.
A gentle stream of qi lifted him before he could. Jiang Che shook his head slowly. "This formation—the Nine-Dragon Vein Lock—is extremely malicious. If I forcefully break it now, I might succeed… but the backlash would erupt instantly. Within ten miles, nothing would survive. Not a single member of the Shen family would live."
"Then… what do we do?" Shen Qingqiu asked urgently.
After a brief mental consultation with Laozi, Jiang Che spoke again. "I need you to find four specific items to suppress the fury of these nine Yin dragons. Without them, I won't act."
She immediately pulled out a notebook, eyes focused. "Please tell me. Even if it's a star from the sky, the Shen family will find it."
"Listen carefully," Jiang Che said gravely. "First—a sack of century-old flour from a traditional mill, even if it's moldy. Second—a main support beam from a house at least five hundred years old. Third—a naturally shed fang from a monk who cultivated for over fifty years. Fourth—an heirloom token handled by Taoist priests for at least three generations."
The requests sounded bizarre. Shen Qingqiu blinked in confusion.
"…What's the significance?"
Inside, Jiang Che rolled his eyes. Significance? The point is these things are nearly impossible to find—keeping your family busy for a month while I cultivate in peace.
But outwardly, he looked solemn. "Each item carries accumulated time-energy and spiritual vows. The aged flour seals corrupted veins. The ancient beam stabilizes heaven and earth. The monk's fang suppresses evil. The Taoist heirloom draws in spirit essence. With all four, I can cast the Grand Void Dragon-Transforming Formation and turn the situation around."
Shen Qingqiu inhaled deeply and nodded. "Understood. I'll mobilize every connection the Shen family has. Even if we have to dig up the world, we'll find them."
"Good." Jiang Che pulled out a sheet of rice paper he'd casually taken from the Shen study. With his fingers moving like swords, he drew a Calming Spirit Talisman in bold strokes.
"Post this in the main hall. As long as it doesn't burn, your grandfather will remain safe for seven days."
When she accepted the talisman, her fingertips brushed his palm. A cool sensation traveled through him—and his qi stirred with an unexpected hunger.
Pure Yin Physique indeed… Jiang Che mused inwardly. She's basically a walking power bank. My future cultivation might require… deeper interaction.
After finishing his instructions, he refused the villa and luxury cars the Shen family offered. He only confirmed the ten-million payment had arrived—then insisted on returning to school.
His grandfather's final words echoed in his mind: Your fate lies at River City University. Besides, there were still a few pests there that needed dealing with.
…
One hour later — River City University
The moment Jiang Che reached the campus gates, he sensed something off.
A giant banner hung beside the bulletin board:
"Congratulations to Lin Zihao! Strategic Cooperation Achieved Between the Lin Family Enterprise and Wandings Group!"
Lin Zihao stood proudly in front of it. His clothes were clean now, swelling reduced—but his arrogance had doubled.
Beside him, Su Qing clung to his arm, giggling. "Zihao, I knew your family had real power. That Jiang Che must've hired some fake actor to scare people—karma finally caught up to him."
"Hmph. That punk definitely staged everything," Lin Zihao sneered. "I've already hired top fighters from River City's Black Tiger Gang. The moment he shows his face, I'll break all three of his legs!"
Suddenly, the crowd fell silent.
They turned—and saw Jiang Che walking calmly toward the gate, still wearing that same plain white shirt, hands in his pockets.
But something about him was different.
His steps seemed perfectly in sync with the world around him, each movement carrying an indescribable rhythm.
"Jiang Che! You actually dared to come back!" Lin Zihao shouted, masking the fear creeping into his chest. "A'Biao! That's him—cripple him!"
At his command, the doors of several vans flew open. More than a dozen tattooed thugs stormed out, steel pipes in hand.
Jiang Che stopped walking. Looking at them as if they were nothing more than insects, a faint, wicked smile curved his lips.
Inside his mind, Laozi yawned lazily. "Good chance to practice Shrinking Earth Steps on these little shrimp. Remember—Dao disciples don't kill. But snapping a few meridians to teach them a lesson? Perfectly acceptable."
"Understood, Ancestor."
Jiang Che's eyes turned cold.
Before anyone could react, his figure left behind a faint afterimage—
—and vanished from where he stood.