The Grand Transformation of the Light of Hope

In the car.

"........."

Gu Yan received news that was neither good nor bad for him.

That was...

His sister Gu Yunrou and younger sister Gu Yingying might be coming to Jianghai soon.

Hiss...

Are you kidding me?

The Gu Family's annual gathering is still a week or two away, isn't it?

Why are they coming so early? In previous years, neither of them was this eager...

Could it be because they’ve grown wary after his forceful takeover of the Gu Family’s affiliated companies?

Old Gao focused on driving, their destination being the long-unvisited 'Light of Hope.'

He said, "Young Master, I heard Miss Gu Yingying had a big argument with the family to rush back."

"She canceled all her subsequent schedules, and now Lord Gu Tianqing is trying to figure out how to explain this to the nobility of the Western Nation."

Gu Yan nodded slightly. Gu Tianqing was Gu Yingying's father and the younger brother of his own father, Gu Tianming.

By relation, he should address him as 'uncle.'

But alas...

Having read the original story, Gu Yan knew all too well that Gu Tianqing deeply resented his elder brother Gu Tianming.

After all, he had narrowly missed becoming the family head in the past, and that resentment extended to Gu Tianming's son as well.

Raising Gu Yingying to be an all-around genius was also part of his plan to give her an advantage in competing for the position of Gu Family head—

A way to fulfill his own obsession.

Of course, on the surface, the two brothers maintained a harmonious relationship.

All in all...

Big families are such a mess.

The arrival of the two sisters might slightly disrupt his plans.

But, when soldiers come, the general blocks; when water rises, the earth fills.

He could only hope they could all continue to play the part of a loving, united Gu Family.

After organizing his thoughts, Gu Yan turned his attention to the present. It was time to inspect the progress of his organization.

......

......

Light of Hope.

Quite some time had passed since Long Zaitian was tasked with constructing this place.

He had promised to complete everything by the end of the year.

Though there was still time before the year's end,

When Gu Yan arrived on-site, he found that Long Zaitian’s efficiency was impressively high.

Starting from the main entrance—

The once-dilapidated gate of Light of Hope had been replaced by a towering, imposing black alloy door, standing dozens of meters tall, heavy and solemn.

The black surface was adorned with intricate silver engravings, with a lifelike black dragon emblem carved at the center.

The dragon coiled sinuously, its scales meticulously detailed, each one shimmering with a silver gleam. Its eyes, though forged from metal, seemed to gleam with vitality, like gemstones.

Above the dragon emblem, the words "Light of Hope" were inscribed in bold, powerful strokes.

The perimeter of Light of Hope was enclosed by black alloy walls.

At intervals of several meters, the walls were equipped with the world's most advanced surveillance systems, ensuring the secrecy and security of the compound.

Stepping inside—

Rather than a training base, Light of Hope resembled a strictly disciplined military academy.

Every building inside was immaculately arranged, with clean, unadorned walls and only the occasional disciplinary slogan in sight.

Every corridor and stairway corner had been deliberately polished to sharp, precise angles.

The training areas were meticulously partitioned, with different zones separated by neatly trimmed hedges.

Even the rest areas and cafeteria followed strict rules—from queuing order to assigned seating, every detail reflected rigorous management.

Beyond that—

The library, classrooms, and dormitories had all been renovated.

All outdated equipment had been replaced with the world’s most advanced teaching tools.

To prevent the austere atmosphere from overwhelming the children,

Gu Yan had specifically instructed the construction of recreational facilities. Thus, food streets, shopping districts, arcades, and even an amusement park were all included.

Of course, food and shopping weren’t free.

The specific system for these would be announced later by Gu Yan.

In this way, Light of Hope had effectively become a self-contained micro-community.

After touring everything,

Long Zaitian respectfully led Gu Yan to a large training ground.

While construction was underway, Gu Yan had also tasked his elite enforcers, like Demon Claw, to seek out talented orphaned children.

Their numbers had far surpassed the initial count.

Long Zaitian and Demon Claw stood slightly ahead of Gu Yan, one on each side, before gripping the door handles and announcing respectfully, "My Lord, all the children are inside."

As the heavy doors slowly swung open,

The scene inside the training ground unfolded before Gu Yan’s eyes.

On the field, around fifty children were divided into groups, undergoing various brutal drills under the enforcers' supervision.

Gu Yan’s gaze swept over each group:

Some were practicing punches on sandbags, their fists wrapped in thick bandages already stained with blood, each strike aiming to pierce straight through.

Others endured cold-hardening training in freezing water, expressionless as they withstood the dual torment of cold and exhaustion.

Some wielded heavy swords, swinging them over and over, their arms trembling from fatigue as each slash had to land precisely on target.

Some engaged in mock combat, sparring in pairs with real weapons.

Following Gu Yan’s instructions, training was strictly separated from daily life.

During drills, absolute discipline was enforced, and every command from the instructors had to be obeyed.

For children ranging from their teens to as young as a few years old, this training was undeniably cruel.

Yet it wasn’t just about forging their bodies—it was about tempering their wills.

Every single one of them had once been orphans, living in misery, barely surviving day to day.

The first lesson they learned upon arriving here was one simple truth:

They had to remember who gave them food, shelter, and warmth.

Gu Yan stood silently, observing it all.

Some children gritted their teeth through the pain, refusing to give in.

Every one of them understood—if they quit here, they would be cast back into the merciless world outside.

Gu Yan’s expression remained calm.

He knew the world showed no mercy to the weak.

Right now, he himself was still weak. To grow stronger, to expand his influence—

These children were an indispensable part of his power.

"My Lord, your plan is bearing fruit," Demon Claw murmured to Gu Yan, his eyes flickering with admiration as he watched the training children.

Gu Yan gave a slight nod, his face unreadable, though a trace of warmth briefly surfaced in his gaze.

"Let’s go."

He stepped forward, the corners of his lips lifting faintly as he entered the training ground.

Instantly, the children’s attention snapped toward him, the noise dying down.

Some halted their movements, while others eyed him timidly, sizing up the unfamiliar figure.

And some...

Their faces lit up with excitement.

Demon Claw stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the group before speaking in a low, commanding voice, "Everyone, line up and greet the lord."

As soon as the words left his lips,

the children immediately fell into an orderly, straight line.

In unison, they shouted toward Gu Yan, "Greetings, Lord!"

Once the words echoed through the air,

each child peered curiously at Gu Yan, realization dawning in their eyes.

This man before them—

he was the mysterious lord they had been told about

during their very first lesson here,

the one their instructor had spoken of with such reverence.