Chapter Four: The Year-Long Promise

World Group, parking lot.

A modest Wuling mini-van came to a steady halt, standing out conspicuously amidst a sea of luxury cars. Ye Yan stepped out, straightened his collar, took off his sunglasses and hung them on his neckline, slipping into the elevator at the very last second before the doors closed.

The elevator ascended slowly.

It stopped at the first floor.

"Brother-in-law!"

"Brother-in-law Ye Yan!"

Two voices called out to him as he stepped out. Looking up, he saw a young boy with tousled white hair and a little girl clutching a cup of soy milk, both energetically waving at him from the lobby.

Ye Yan smiled and raised his hand in greeting. "Good morning, Yaya, Little Star."

"I told you not to call me Little Star," Feng Xingtong, hurrying over in small steps, replied with embarrassment.

Ye Yan laughed, "If you don’t want me to call you Little Star, you shouldn’t call me brother-in-law so carelessly."

"That’s different..." Feng Xingtong insisted with earnest seriousness.

Ye Yan asked, "How is it different? I never even met your sister, so calling me brother-in-law doesn’t make sense."

"..."

Feng Xingtong was momentarily at a loss, but then he placed his hands on his hips, speaking with confidence, "It’s not your fault, it’s just that my sister hasn’t made any progress..."

"Hiss—"

Before he could finish, Feng Shayen appeared out of nowhere and slapped the back of his head. "Well, Little Star, you’re bold enough to gossip about your sister behind her back."

"I wasn’t..." Feng Xingtong stepped back, his face changing dramatically.

"Later, we’ll go to the training grounds. Let your big sister check whether you’ve fallen behind on your studies."

"Is that necessary?" Feng Xingtong forced out a smile more painful than crying.

Checking his studies was just an excuse for torment, dressed up in fine words.

Feng Shayen ignored her foolish brother and turned to Ye Yan with a plaintive look. "My dad’s waiting for you in the reception room!"

"I’ll go see Uncle Feng then," Ye Yan nodded, unmoved by her gaze, then turned and took the elevator to the top floor.

This scene did not escape the notice of the young receptionist and the security guard. They shook their heads. Such antics were nothing new to them.

...

World Tower!

Top floor, thirty-third floor.

The most central areas of World Group, accessible only to those with managerial privileges.

Passing through luxurious landscape ornaments, Ye Yan saw Feng Zhenghao reclining on a large bed, enjoying a massage, surrounded by several attendants.

"You’re here, little Ye," Feng Zhenghao looked up at Ye Yan and gestured toward an empty bed. "Lie down for a bit, let Nana give you a massage. Let’s have a chat."

"Alright, Uncle Feng." Ye Yan accepted without reservation. This method of relaxing the meridians with qi as the basis was an irresistible pleasure for any cultivator.

With the help of the attendants, Ye Yan changed into comfortable, clean clothes and lay down on the bed.

The faint scent of incense mingled with the air; distant water sounds dripped; the attendants' gentle massage made it easy to relax.

Ye Yan sprawled out like a languid serpent, pondering Feng Zhenghao’s intentions.

"Little Ye, you’ve been with World Club for nearly a year now. How is it? Are you satisfied?" Feng Zhenghao asked.

"Everything’s been good, Uncle Feng," Ye Yan replied.

"Are you thinking of staying with World Club long-term?" The question was posed as if in passing but was clearly deliberate.

Ye Yan hesitated, "I haven’t decided yet, but most likely... I won’t stay."

He did not hide the truth.

"Ah," Feng Zhenghao sighed softly.

Ye Yan continued, "Uncle Feng, you know why I chose World Club among so many organizations. Partly because of your boldness, and partly because of the terms..."

Ye Yan spoke sincerely, but his sentence was cut short.

"What if I offer you the other half of the terms as well... would you stay?" Feng Zhenghao asked.

Ye Yan hesitated, but still shook his head.

The allure of controlling spirits and commanding generals was not insignificant, but it was not enough for him. His relationship with World Club was merely an open and transparent transaction, devoid of emotion.

Ye Yan had joined World Club in his third year after crossing into this world. By then, he had already made a name for himself among the cultivators.

At that time, World Club was at a bottleneck, the leading force in Tianmen among cultivators, but its influence was limited.

As a rising force, World Club could not compare with those ancient, established organizations and families. To elevate World Club and the Feng family to a higher level, Feng Zhenghao recruited talent, aiming for the most influential management—the Ten Elders.

When Feng Zhenghao approached Ye Yan, the terms were exceptionally enticing.

Beyond mundane wealth, he offered part of his family’s secret skill, Spirit Command, specifically the "Commanding Generals" technique, as bargaining chips, inviting Ye Yan to join World Club as a retainer for one year.

After one year, whether Ye Yan stayed or left was entirely his own decision. Feng Zhenghao would not interfere.

It was a gamble.

A grand gamble.

And Feng Zhenghao had won.

Ye Yan and the other recruited retainers quickly opened up new avenues within half a year. Using their unique abilities, they discreetly handled many unsavory tasks for Feng Zhenghao, helping World Group flourish.

Feng Zhenghao successfully entered the inner circle, becoming a candidate.

If World Club continued expanding, it wouldn’t take long for this shallow-rooted organization to challenge even the likes of Quan Zhen.

But at this critical moment—when the Ten Elders selection was underway—the contract between World Club and Ye Yan was nearing its end.

That was why Feng Zhenghao called Ye Yan today, hoping to convince him to stay after the contract expired.

No one understood better than Feng Zhenghao how crucial Ye Yan was to this gamble.

"Sorry, Uncle Feng," Ye Yan’s answer was tactful, not outright rejection but clear in meaning.

"As expected," Feng Zhenghao said helplessly.

He was not surprised by Ye Yan’s decision.

He had already offered Spirit Command, and had repeatedly hinted—both openly and privately—that if Ye Yan stayed, he could marry his daughter Feng Shayen, and even have a share in the vast World Group.

He had offered everything, yet Ye Yan was unmoved, leaving Feng Zhenghao with a sense of bitterness.

Was everything he had pursued so worthless?

Feng Zhenghao sat up, put on his glasses, and—though he rarely smoked—lit a cigarette.

"Little Ye, tell me honestly, is it because of that woman?"

Ye Yan silently lit a cigarette as well, nodded, and then shook his head.

"Ah!"

Ye Yan’s response was unspoken, but clear enough. Feng Zhenghao, a man of years and experience, understood well.

He looked up at the ceiling, drawing on his cigarette to drive away his melancholy.

"Whether you stay or leave, it’s your choice. Uncle Feng won’t interfere.

"But listen to my advice, Little Ye: stay away from that woman, and don’t get involved with Quan Xing. It won’t do you any good."

Ye Yan said nothing, only smoked in silence. Feng Zhenghao stared into space.

The attendants dared not speak; the spacious room fell into a brief, heavy silence.

Suddenly, the reception room door was pushed open from outside. Feng Shayen strode in, exclaiming, "Ye Yan, Ding Shima has challenged you!"