The Gu Family Manor spans a vast area of approximately 50,000 acres (5 square kilometers).
It boasts exquisite gardens, spacious gathering venues, and a wealth of recreational facilities.
Every year during the family reunion, the manor is meticulously decorated, exuding an air of opulence and elegance.
Guests from all walks of life, family members, and high-ranking executives from the Gu Corporation are invited to attend.
Not only that, but various factions from the martial arts world also receive invitations to the banquet.
Given the extraordinary status of Grandmother Gu and Old Master Gu,
even the Martial Arts Department participates in security maintenance.
It’s safe to say that tonight, the Gu Family Manor has gathered social elites and martial arts experts from all corners of the land.
The banquet is set to begin in half an hour.
The grand hall is already filled with guests.
Dressed in lavish evening attire, each holds a slender champagne flute, gracefully showcasing their social prowess.
Leng Xing'an, the nominal head of the Leng Family, has also been invited.
After all, his eldest niece, Leng Qingqiu, will be attending tonight.
However... he’s currently under immense pressure.
Standing before him, Gu Tianming, the head of the Gu Family, and social elites who wouldn’t usually spare him a glance are now smiling and discussing... marriage arrangements.
"Dear in-law, is the wine not to your liking? Should I have it replaced?"
Gu Tianming was quite cordial toward Leng Xing'an, as the Leng and Gu Families had been allies for generations.
Though Leng Xing'an hadn’t been the family head back then, they had crossed paths before.
"Dear... in-law..."
Leng Xing'an felt the pressure mounting. He was merely a figurehead, propped up as the family head.
He knew nothing about managing a business—all he wanted was a quiet life with his wife in their cozy home.
But... he also understood the heavy burden his niece carried. He couldn’t just hide in the shadows.
So he tried his best to maintain composure: "No, no, it’s excellent. It’s just... the marriage isn’t something I can decide."
"It depends on what my niece thinks."
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. What was going on? How had things progressed so far between his niece and Gu Yan that they were already discussing marriage?
Gu Tianming nodded in understanding. "You’re right, dear in-law. These days, it’s all about the younger generation’s wishes."
"We’ll discuss it further once my Xiao Yan and your Xiao Leng arrive."
He had only wanted to gauge the other party’s attitude. From the looks of it, Leng Xing'an held no ill will toward the Gu Family.
That was enough.
Besides, when it came to Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu’s marriage...
Truth be told, neither he nor Su Murong had much say in the matter.
After all, that little rascal Gu Yan had a mind of his own.
Sometimes, even Gu Tianming couldn’t fathom what he was up to. Well... might as well let him be!
"Haha, Family Head Gu, Family Head Leng, congratulations!"
"Make sure to invite us to the wedding banquet!"
"Of course, of course."
"Indeed. A toast to you all."
Gu Tianming played along, but inwardly, he was exasperated.
Where was that brat? He should be here by now!
Showing up early to network would only benefit him.
This year’s reunion wasn’t just attended by executives from the Gu Corporation—industry titans had also come to show their respect.
Even renowned martial arts masters and young prodigies from ancient sects were present.
Talent scouts from the Martial Arts Department had also arrived.
Gu Tianming had already laid the groundwork. Now, it was up to Gu Yan to forge new connections.
Old ties and new alliances, established power and fresh blood—
Only through such synergy could a great family thrive for generations.
He and Su Murong were looking forward to their retirement!
"Family Head Gu, you flatter us. We’re hardly ‘seniors’ anymore."
"We’re just a bunch of retired old folks."
"Look at the guests you’ve gathered this year."
"Martial Arts Department personnel handling security, Peace Faction’s Minister Lin, inspection team members..."
"And even Ning Qian, representing Dragon King Mountain."
"Not to mention disciples from various sects. The Gu Family’s influence is truly remarkable."
Gu Tianming responded with polite smiles, though inwardly, he was puzzled.
Since when did the Gu Family have such clout? Why were the Peace Faction’s minister and Dragon King Mountain’s disciples here?
Ah, well. Gu Yan probably wouldn’t get the chance to meet them anyway.
If he did, securing his position as family head would be a breeze.
Elsewhere...
"Boring, boring. Little Yan invited me, but where is he?"
Lin Yinyin sat on a small stool, swinging her legs.
A lollipop in hand, she looked thoroughly unamused.
Beside her, inspection team member Sun Shizheng kept a vigilant watch on her aura.
Though Lin Yinyin had been removed as Peace Faction minister, the news hadn’t been made public due to the scandal.
Every year during the Gu Family reunion, half of the Martial Arts Department’s forces in Jianghai were deployed to assist with security.
After all, if anything happened to Grandmother Gu or Old Master Gu, chaos would engulf Jianghai.
Since Gu Yan had invited Lin Yinyin, her presence—along with Sun Shizheng’s—ensured maximum safety for the event.
Meanwhile...
Ning Qian sat stiffly in a banquet chair, her expression icy.
Next to her was an awkward-looking man in formal attire—none other than Xiao Lin!
Why was he here? Well, Gu Corporation happened to be the largest shareholder of Shen Wan'er’s company.
Thus, he and Shen Wan'er were attending as corporate representatives.
"Uh... shimei..."
Xiao Lin scratched his cheek, unsure how to approach his long-lost junior sister.
"After that day... I did look for you, but I couldn’t find you."
Ning Qian’s sharp gaze pinned him in place.
"Looked for me?" Her voice was frosty. "Shixiong, did you know your eyes twitch when you lie?"
Xiao Lin’s face fell.
"Caught you, didn’t I?" Ning Qian smirked coldly.
Her eyes then drifted toward a woman surrounded by admirers. Though weary, the woman’s gaze radiated confidence.
"You came with the Shen Family’s young mistress?"
Xiao Lin coughed awkwardly. "Yeah."
Silence settled between them.
Ning Qian realized she no longer felt the same affection for her shixiong.
When it came to love...
Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, her expression softening.
"Ling’er-jie..."
Not far away, Gu Yingying, who had been working the room, suddenly tensed.
Huh? Why do I sense danger?
But... where is Gu Yan? What’s taking him so long?
Meanwhile...
Gu Yunrou was also surrounded by a crowd of ambitious young elites vying for her favor.
"Heh, so today is Young Master Gu's last chance, isn't it?"
"Yeah, today’s the clown show where he gets stripped of his heir status, right?"
"What does Miss Gu think? You’ve always been the staunch veto vote in previous years."
They turned to Gu Yunrou with amused smiles.
But to their surprise...
Gu Yunrou took a delicate sip of white wine, then flashed a deceptively sweet smile. "Get lost."
The group instantly stiffened, their expressions freezing in awkward disbelief.
What was going on?
Since when did Gu Yunrou act like this? This wasn’t the script they’d imagined at all.
As for Gu Zihua, he had changed drastically over time.
He no longer cared about things like the family head position.
Because...
His gaze softened as he looked at the gentle, golden-haired woman beside him.
Alice was all he needed.
Still...
His eyes swept across the banquet hall, taking in the guests.
A look of anticipation crept onto his face.
Anticipation... for the moment Gu Yan would make a fool of himself.
After all, Gu Yunrou and Gu Yingying always found new ways to humiliate Gu Yan every year.
But this time, apart from Gu Yan, Leng Qingqiu from the Leng Family was also rumored to be attending.
And as his fiancée?
Hah. Pathetic.
What could a blind woman, fallen from grace, possibly do?
He couldn’t wait to see the two of them become the laughingstock of the evening.
Just as the thought crossed his mind—
BOOM!!!
The grand doors burst open.
"Huh? Who’s arriving this late?"
"Who has such terrible timing?"
Every head turned toward the commotion.
And there, framed in the doorway, stood two figures.
iaobai: "Councilor Dad, front me some funds. I want to hire ten thousand professional miners for a project!" [Five-Star Mission Issued: Capture the leader of the Blood Heaven Pirate Gang, who is on the run in the Radiant Star Sector. It is said the gang has over a hundred members. Proceed with caution.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, lend me the family's hundred-thousand-strong Lu Army!" [Seven-Star Mission Issued: Subdue a juvenile Void Dragon Beast.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, I'm taking your tamed Void Dragon Beast King out for a family reunion!" I said, System, don't you have any slightly more challenging missions? You're just not up to par! [Nine-Star Mission Issued: Become the Human Councilor.] Lu Xiaobai: "Dad, there's a small matter I'd like to discuss with you..."
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
