Ten Days Later.
The atmosphere in Fortune City had become increasingly strange.
On the surface everything appeared normal.
The stock markets continued operating.
Businesses remained open.
Restaurants remained crowded.
Nightlife remained prosperous.
Yet anyone with influence could feel it.
A storm was coming.
Li Family Villa.
Li Tao slowly opened his eyes.
A powerful aura surged through the room.
The spiritual energy surrounding him was immediately drawn into his body.
The Dan Forging Realm had completely stabilized.
Not only that—
he had reached the peak of Early Stage Dan Forging.
Only a step remained before Middle Stage.
His cultivation progress could only be described as terrifying.
Even Neo occasionally became speechless.
After all...
other protagonists needed adventures.
Li Tao simply spent money.
Unfortunately that method worked surprisingly well.
Neo floated nearby while reviewing the latest reports.
[Ding.]
[Ding! Host.]
"Speak."
[Ding! Good news.]
Li Tao immediately became vigilant.
The last time Neo said those words, someone from another world had appeared.
"What happened?"
[Ding! No new anomalies appeared this week.]
"..."
Li Tao nodded.
That was indeed good news.
The current number of protagonists was already giving him a headache.
Ye Feng.
Luo Chen.
Divine Doctor Xiao.
The mysterious gate.
He didn't need another surprise.
Inside the training grounds.
Li Jing was currently being beaten.
Again.
Bang!
A fist landed on her forehead.
"Ouch!"
Bang!
Another landed on her shoulder.
"Ouch!"
Five minutes later she was lying on the ground.
The outcome remained unchanged.
Twenty-four defeats.
Twenty-five defeats.
Twenty-six defeats.
The number continued increasing.
Li Jing stared at the sky.
"Cousin."
"Hm?"
"One day I'll beat you."
Li Tao nodded seriously.
"I believe in you."
Li Jing instantly felt mocked.
The Li Family's overall strength had grown tremendously.
Li Tian and Uncle Cheng had stabilized their Middle Stage Dan Forging cultivation.
Mother Li and Aunt Ling officially stepped into Half-Step Dan Forging.
A'Qian and A'Fu both reached Middle Stage Dan Forging.
Even ordinary family guards had improved significantly.
For the first time in many years—
the Li Family possessed enough strength to challenge the major powers directly.
Naturally.
Their expansion accelerated.
Factories opened.
Businesses expanded.
New partnerships appeared almost daily.
Money flowed into the Li Group like a river.
Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly.
Too smoothly.
Meanwhile.
Good Fortune Mountain.
Ye Feng stood proudly atop a cliff.
A powerful aura surrounded him.
Middle Stage Peak Dan Forging.
Only a single opportunity remained before he could enter Late Stage.
His growth speed was no slower than Li Tao's.
The difference was...
his cultivation came from blood and danger.
During the past ten days he had repeatedly traveled throughout the province.
Several inheritances were acquired.
Numerous opportunities were seized.
Countless resources entered his hands.
Most importantly—
he had successfully conquered Tang Jing.
The fiery young lady had finally fallen.
This further strengthened his Luck Cauldron Physique.
The improvement exceeded expectations.
Ye Feng looked toward Fortune City.
A cold smile appeared.
Soon.
Very soon.
The Li Family would understand what happens when they stand against him.
Tang Family.
Shen Family.
Wang Family.
Lin Family.
All major members of the protagonist faction gathered together.
The atmosphere inside the meeting room was solemn.
Ye Feng sat at the center.
For the first time—
nobody treated him like a junior.
His strength and achievements had earned genuine respect.
A large map of Fortune City lay upon the table.
Numerous companies had already been marked.
Many of them belonged to the Li Family.
Old Master Wang broke the silence.
"The Li Group has expanded too quickly."
"Their influence already affects our interests."
The others nodded.
Even the Shen Family had begun feeling pressure.
Ye Feng calmly smiled.
"They want a business war."
"Then let's give them one."
The room became silent.
Everyone knew what those words meant.
The peace was ending.
Several days later.
The first attack arrived.
A supplier suddenly terminated cooperation with the Li Family.
Then another.
Then another.
Within forty-eight hours—
over twenty contracts disappeared.
Factories began receiving delayed shipments.
Several banks unexpectedly changed their policies.
Government inspections mysteriously appeared.
Anonymous reports flooded various departments.
The attacks were coordinated.
Efficient.
Professional.
Even ordinary people could sense something happening.
Inside Li Group Headquarters.
Numerous executives looked nervous.
Several directors demanded emergency meetings.
Others suggested retreating.
The pressure was enormous.
Then Li Tao arrived.
He listened quietly to every report.
After ten minutes—
he smiled.
The smile immediately frightened everyone.
Because they had seen it before.
Whenever Young Master Li smiled like that...
someone suffered.
"Interesting."
"They finally started."
The room became silent.
Li Tao leaned back.
His expression remained relaxed.
Almost amused.
For weeks he had been preparing.
Waiting.
Accumulating resources.
Building foundations.
Strengthening allies.
Now—
the protagonist camp had finally moved.
Good.
Very good.
He was getting bored.
Late that night.
Neo suddenly appeared.
His expression was unusually serious.
[Ding! Host.]
"What now?"
[Ding! The protagonist camp officially declared war.]
Li Tao smiled.
"I know."
[Ding! No. I mean actual war.]
Li Tao raised an eyebrow.
Neo projected several pieces of information.
Company acquisitions.
Supply chain disruptions.
Financial attacks.
Personnel poaching.
Coordinated pressure from multiple families.
The scale exceeded expectations.
Li Tao finally became serious.
Then—
he laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"They actually want to compete with me in business?"
Neo suddenly felt bad for the protagonist faction.
Because Li Tao possessed something none of them had.
Knowledge of the future.
Knowledge worth billions.
Knowledge that could reshape entire industries.
The moment they chose a business war...
they stepped onto Li Tao's strongest battlefield.
Meanwhile—
far away in the Endless Mountains.
Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes.
A terrifying pressure erupted from his body.
The surrounding spiritual energy immediately collapsed inward.
Foundation Establishment Realm.
At last.
After arriving in this cursed world—
he finally recovered a fraction of his former strength.
His eyes opened.
A cold light flashed within them.
Then he looked toward Fortune City.
Toward Li Tao.
Toward the sword.
A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting."
"It seems everyone is finally making their move."
Far above the city.
Dark clouds quietly gathered.
The first battle of the upcoming storm had officially begun.