In B City, near a manor far from downtown, a fiery concert was in full swing. This normally quiet spot now buzzed with excitement.

Shishen and his team had just finished a rousing song on stage. Cheers from the crowd below surged in waves.

After the song ended, Shishen stood silently on stage for a moment. He waited until the cheers faded before clearing his throat into the mic. "Welcome everyone for coming tonight and supporting us."

"You must be wondering why I chose such a remote place for Shishen Family’s concert."

Thousands below fell completely silent.

Shishen continued, "I’m sorry to make you travel so far. Truth is, I need your help. My friend was taken without reason into that manor over there."

His voice turned angry. "We can’t rescue her alone. She’s done nothing wrong, yet the Ouyang Family holds her captive. I beg you—join me in protesting against them! They have no right to detain an innocent person."

With that, Shishen bowed deeply to the crowd.

Backstage, the manager and band members paled instantly. They’d never expected Shishen’s concert was a setup to rally fans against the Ouyang gates.

The manager already pictured his idol agency shutting down. He tried rushing onstage to stop Shishen—but Shishen had already jumped off.

Fans who traveled to this remote spot were hardcore devotees. At Shishen’s plea, the thousands erupted in frenzy.

Led by Shishen, the massive crowd marched toward the Ouyang Family manor’s main gate.

"Can’t believe he’s got so many obsessed fans," Lin Jie muttered to Xiao Zhan in the crowd.

"Handsome, skilled in martial arts—people eat that up nowadays," Xiao Zhan replied. "He’s got cult leader potential."

"Enough. We need to split from the crowd now," Glasses Bro cut in.

No one noticed three figures slipping away from the procession, sprinting toward another side of the manor.

...

Inside the Ouyang manor, Winter Xueer wore an elegant gown. Winter Leaf stood beside her in matching attire.

A man pushed the door open without knocking.

"Why didn’t you knock?" Winter Leaf glared at Ouyang Zihao.

"My future wife’s room needs no knocking," Ouyang Zihao said. Behind him stood a handsome young man with a warm smile, waving eagerly at Winter Leaf.

"Shangguan Shuai! Why are you here—and with this guy?" Winter Leaf frowned.

"Little Leaf, I wanted to see you sooner," Shangguan Shuai said. "I ran into Zihao and asked him to guide me."

"Stay away from that jerk," Winter Leaf warned him.

"Alright, I’ll keep my distance," Shangguan Shuai smiled, stepping aside.

"Better."

"Little Leaf, let’s grab a bite. I haven’t seen you in ages—I want to talk alone," Shangguan Shuai suggested.

"I can’t. I’m staying with my cousin," Winter Leaf refused.

"Go ahead, Little Leaf. You haven’t met in so long," Winter Xueer said gently. "I’ll be fine alone."

"But..." Winter Leaf glanced at Ouyang Zihao.

"It’s alright. I don’t need company," Winter Xueer insisted.

Winter Leaf hesitated. "Fine."

She followed Shangguan Shuai out. Passing Ouyang Zihao, she shot him a fierce glare. "If you hurt my cousin, I’ll make you pay."

Once they left, Winter Xueer turned to Ouyang Zihao. "What do you really want?"

"Just checking on my future wife," he replied.

"Get to the point."

"Fine. At tonight’s banquet, cooperate fully. No tricks." Ouyang Zihao moved closer. "Your future in the Ouyang Family depends on it."

"I’ll cooperate."

"Good." He paused. "You know about the man with the Flame Spirit Sword, right? Rumor says he helped you defeat two A Rank Espers."

"What do you want with Lin Jie?" Winter Xueer’s voice turned icy.

"Nothing much. I was going to buy his sword for a fortune—if he’d been reasonable." Ouyang Zihao scrolled his phone. "But they’re not playing nice."

He showed her the screen: Shishen leading thousands in protest at the manor gates. Ouyang guards and Hero Association members were trying to disperse the crowd.

"Such childish tactics," Ouyang Zihao sneered.

"...Idiots," Winter Xueer muttered under her breath. "We barely know each other."

"Get ready. I have business elsewhere." Ouyang Zihao left the room.

...

"Shishen’s causing chaos at their front gate," Xiao Zhan said on the manor’s other side. "Ouyang’s attention should be focused there."

"Good. Doudou will hack their security system in one minute," Bu Feiwu’s voice crackled through his earpiece. "Enter quickly—if it takes too long, we’ll be detected."

"Understood. Moving in," Xiao Zhan confirmed.

"Ready," Glasses Bro said. He turned to Lin Jie. "Stay sharp this time... Where’d you get that red opera mask?"

"Keep it down," Lin Jie whispered. "Bought it for stealth—hides my identity. Swapped my weapon too."

He produced an Azure Dragon Crescent Blade. Its blade gleamed coldly, faint dragon roars echoing within.

"Where’d you get such a brutal weapon?" Glasses Bro asked.

"Dropped from a monster," Lin Jie replied.

"Why don’t I ever get loot drops?"

"Move out," Xiao Zhan interrupted. "Time to enter."

The three slipped into the manor. Security cameras froze; alarms and turrets went dead. They climbed through an open window.

"Change clothes now," Xiao Zhan ordered, pulling three waiter uniforms from his gear.

Emerging moments later, they wore identical tailcoats.

"Can’t you remove that red mask?" Glasses Bro asked Lin Jie.

"Nope. It feels epic." Lin Jie grinned. "I’m feeling unstoppable."

"At least put away that Azure Dragon Crescent Blade," Glasses Bro sighed.

"...Forgot." The blade vanished from Lin Jie’s hand.

"How do you do that?" Xiao Zhan stared. "No spatial gear I’ve heard of works like this."

"Jiezi Naxumi," Lin Jie said simply. "A Taoist art. You wouldn’t understand."

"You know Taoist arts?" Xiao Zhan’s eyes widened.

"Wait—" Glasses Bro stopped them. They followed his gaze to a quiet corner outside. Winter Leaf was talking with a young man.

"That must be Shangguan Shuai," Lin Jie said. "Even his back looks better than Glasses Bro."

"Glasses, go to her. We’ll find Winter Xueer and meet you later," Xiao Zhan decided.

...

H City also knew no peace that night.

Outside Doctor Qin’s lab, a hundred armed Espers surrounded the building.

"Doctor Qin, is your device calibrated?" Winter Yang asked.

"All set," Doctor Qin replied.

"Then, lovely lady, please help install the test gear," Winter Yang said to Lin Wan.

"But those people outside?" Lin Wan trembled.

"Don’t worry. My men will hold off the Ouyang Family long enough. After the experiment, I’ll ensure everyone’s safety."

Reassured, Lin Wan reached for the equipment.

"Don’t listen to him." A cold voice cut through the lab.

Two men dropped from the ceiling. One shielded Lin Wan—Long Junior and Bai Hao.

"You..." Lin Wan stared in shock at her protectors.