The floating car suddenly plummeted, but thankfully the driver pulled up just before hitting the ground, avoiding a crash.

"That was close..." The driver wiped the sweat from his brow and instinctively looked at the only passenger in the car, Mr. Chen, who remained calm and collected, showing no signs of distress.

"Are you okay?" the driver asked out of habit.

"I'm fine. Which place exploded?"

"It looked like a chemical plant... It's the territory of the Construction Group; all the large factories in the Seven Rings belong to them."

"So, you mean it was one of my properties that blew up?"

Chen Xiang smiled lightly, not too concerned, as he casually flipped through the documents of the Seven Rings Construction Group.

The Seven Rings was an industrial area with over a thousand large factories, all managed by the Construction Group. According to the documents, the internal power dynamics were complex, with two major factions vying for control and engaging in deceitful tactics.

The driver timely reminded him:

"As the newly parachuted owner, the Construction Group might not accept you right away; those old foxes will likely try to sideline you."

"Is that so?"

Seeing Mr. Chen smile lightly, the driver noticed his calm voice:

"I don't have time for their schemes. Those who don't listen will be dealt with."

The driver paused, saying:

"But, Mr. Chen, indiscriminate purges may lead to unrest within the Construction Group, and both faction leaders are extraordinary beings."

"Hmm."

Chen Xiang remained calm, gazing out the window at the rising mushroom cloud:

"This explosion is quite convenient; someone needs to take responsibility for this incident. Those who don't listen will face the consequences."

The driver hesitated but finally said:

"It's still better to be cautious; the power struggles within the Construction Group are fierce. This incident alone probably won't topple the opposition..."

Chen Xiang replied meaningfully:

"Perhaps."

He didn't elaborate further. Power struggles were troublesome, but he didn't need to engage in such politics.

The driver wanted to say more but ultimately fell silent; some matters were better left unspoken. Mr. Chen seemed to view things too simply; perhaps he'd learn through some losses that patience was key.

………………

At the headquarters of the Seven Rings Construction Group.

"Wow, they've really pushed us to the limit!"

In the large conference room, Shi Quan spoke angrily:

"They blew up a chemical plant and announced it to the public, ha..."

He laughed in anger:

"How long has it been since anyone dared to provoke us like this? We must retaliate—execute them, torture them! Make an example of them in the busiest pedestrian street!"

Opposite him, another elderly man with murky eyes opened them:

"The matter has been investigated; the culprit is a woman named Chen Shaoyan. She belongs to Li Dongyun's faction in the Eight Rings. Li Dongyun must have heard about this by now and might offer protection."

"Li Dongyun?" Shi Quan furrowed his brows: "The Fire Gate of the Eight Rings? Hmph, just a bunch of cornered dogs!"

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"That may be true."

The other elderly man, Zhong Chengfu, spoke calmly:

"We both know Li Dongyun is far from simple; tearing the facade off might not be wise. I have an idea."

After a pause, Zhong Chengfu smiled:

"The academy is parachuting in a new chairman, right? At this time, we should set aside our differences and unite against a common enemy... Let that guy confront Li Dongyun; what do you think?"

Shi Quan pushed up his glasses, tapping his knuckles on the conference table as he pondered.

After a while, he said:

"It's a good plan. First, let's capture Chen Shaoyan and hand her over to the new chairman. If he can't handle it, we can just send him back."

"That's what I was thinking." Zhong Chengfu nodded lightly, appearing confident, and turned to ask his subordinate:

"Have we captured that Chen Shaoyan?"

"No."

The subordinate shook his head respectfully:

"She has moved to another chemical plant and could detonate it at any time. She's currently in a standoff with our people... There are reports that Li Dongyun is on his way!"

"Is that so?"

Zhong Chengfu pondered for a moment, saying:

"Send all eighteen of our top fighters. I'll go too; Old Shi, you stay back to handle the new chairman."

"Alright." Shi Quan nodded indifferently: "I've heard he's a young guy, ha, just a kid who can't stir up much trouble."

The two influential elders discussed for a moment longer. Zhong Chengfu then took his leave, smiling as he said:

"Young people are often impulsive; just give him a little push and he'll lose his head. He'll want to make a mark as a new leader. You take the lead on that, and I'll create some friction with Li Dongyun."

"Of course."

………………

At the Hongguang Chemical Plant.

"Master... Master!"

Chen Shaoyan, holding a homemade detonator, took a deep breath; the plan had succeeded, and the explosion of the chemical plant drew the attention of the entire Seven Rings. Master had finally arrived!

Li Dongyun, wearing a half-mask, slowly walked into the chemical plant. The Construction Group's people flanked him on both sides, but none dared to step forward.

The name of Li Dongyun from the Eight Rings was renowned throughout the outer three rings.

"Little Shaoyan, are you alright?" Li Dongyun ignored the Construction Group members and asked gently: "Where's Chen Xin?"

"I sent him with the Silly Girl to the Governance Office, just as a precaution," Chen Shaoyan replied, lowering her head slightly. "I blew up one of the Construction Group's factories... sorry for the trouble."

"We're all family here, no need for formalities."

Li Dongyun's tone was icy:

"What explanation?"

An aged voice rang out:

"What kind of explanation does Lord Li want? I might want to give it to you, but our new chairman may not be so willing!"

Li Dongyun and Chen Shaoyan turned sharply to see over a dozen powerful figures surrounding an elderly man as he walked in.

The elder exuded a commanding presence, marked by the unique aura of someone who had long occupied a high position.

"Zhong Chengfu..."

Li Dongyun's expression tightened:

"You actually came personally for this small matter?"

"When it involves you, Li Dongyun, we can't afford to be careless..."

Zhong Chengfu, clad in a black cloak, stepped forward, an indescribable heaviness filling the entire factory.

He said calmly:

"This woman blew up our Construction Group's factory, delivering a slap in the face to the entire Seven Rings... She must be handed over for us to deal with."

Li Dongyun frowned:

"Grant me a favor; let this matter end here. I'll personally apologize later and can host a grand banquet in the Seven Rings for three days."

"I've said it before."

Zhong Chengfu smiled:

"I'd like to give you, Li Dongyun, this face, but while I'm willing, our new master at the Construction Group is not!"

Li Dongyun's expression sharpened:

"A new master of the Construction Group? I haven't heard of this."

He felt a hint of trepidation. He had dealt with Zhong Chengfu and Shi Quan before and had a rough idea of the internal corruption of the Construction Group, which was deep waters... Now, there was a new master? Who could this be?

Zhong Chengfu wore a smile:

"Yes, the new master of the Construction Group, the newly appointed chairman. Li Dongyun, if you hand over that girl, everything will stop here. Otherwise..."

He paused, his tone lowering:

"I don't wish to be your enemy, but our new leader will likely cause you trouble."

"He can certainly try."

Li Dongyun shielded Chen Shaoyan behind him, glaring fiercely at Zhong Chengfu:

"I'm taking Little Shaoyan with me."

"You can't take her!" Zhong Chengfu's voice suddenly rose. The eighteen top fighters stepped forward, and he slowly peeled off his black cloak, revealing a hunched figure that seemed to be accumulating a terrifying power!

Invisible forces clashed, creating a tempest in the factory, and Chen Shaoyan struggled to keep her eyes open against the wind.

A sense of dread filled her heart as things began to unfold beyond her expectations...

Li Dongyun's expression also shifted slightly. The Construction Group's attitude was unusually tough; they had never been so aggressive before. Zhong Chengfu and Shi Quan had always tried to recruit him in their past interactions...

What did this new master of the Construction Group want?

Was the new official trying to make a mark by targeting the Fire Gate that had entered the Seven Rings?

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, and more members of the Construction Group arrived, surrounding the factory completely.

People hurriedly came to whisper to the elder, and Zhong Chengfu's smile widened.

He gazed at the visibly troubled Li Dongyun and the worried girl, chuckling:

"Just received two pieces of news: one from the governor, stating that Chen Xin, an accomplice in the factory explosion, has been captured at the Governance Office."

Chen Shaoyan's eyes widened in horror.

"The second piece of news..." Zhong Chengfu donned his black cloak again, crossing his arms with a tone that was both indifferent and laden with ambiguous mockery:

"The new master of the Construction Group has arrived in the Seven Rings."

He paused to relay his subordinate's description:

"That gentleman seems to be filled with rage."