The ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE SYSTEM-Chapter 33: Shadows

The morning sun peeked through layers of cloud, casting a golden hue across Tianxu City. Yet even in light, darkness stirred.

At the Gallant Villa, Chen Yu sat in silence on the balcony, a cup of untouched tea cooling beside him. His gaze was distant. Below, the city moved as usual, unaware that war was quietly creeping into its veins.

Inside, Meiyun was typing away on her tablet, seated at the lounge table. Dressed in a white blouse and slim black skirt, she looked every bit the professional—but the subtle way she glanced toward Chen Yu betrayed concern.

"You didn't sleep again," she said, not looking up.

"I did," Chen replied, sipping the tea at last. "Just not with my eyes closed."

Before Meiyun could respond, Bai Ruxue entered the room. Her long hair was tied in a loose bun, a soft blush coloring her cheeks from the brisk morning air. "Breakfast is ready. Or are we skipping meals again in favor of brooding?"

Chen smiled faintly. "I can't afford to skip meals. Too many people want me dead."

Ruxue's expression darkened slightly. "Don't joke about that."

He met her eyes, and for a brief moment, the armor of ambition dropped. "I'm not joking."

A heavy silence followed. Meiyun broke it. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"The Win Family made another move," she said, placing a report on the table. "They funneled ¥300 million through a fake textile company. We traced the money to three offshore accounts."

Chen scanned the report. "Shut it down. Leak the accounts to the media under an anonymous tip."

"And the Qin alliance?" Ruxue asked.

"Holding—for now," Chen said. "Qin Xuelin isn't a man who trusts easily. But he understands what I'm building."

Suddenly, Chen's phone buzzed.

A message.

[Zhao Lingyun → Chen Yu]

"I heard about your moves in the eastern district... You're really trying to change the city. But don't burn yourself out. If you need a break... you know where to find me."

Chen stared at the message for a long time. He didn't type anything.

Meiyun noticed. "She still waiting on you?"

Chen didn't reply. But his expression grew more complicated.

Ruxue crossed her arms. "You keep pushing everyone away. At some point, no one will be left to pull you back."

He looked at her, and for once, said nothing.

Just then, a knock echoed through the hallway. One of the villa guards opened the door.

"Sir, there's someone here from Shield Security. They've completed the full sweep. No tracking devices, no infiltrations. Surveillance drones in place. The area is secure."

Chen nodded. "Good. Keep the perimeter locked. No one in or out without my word."

As the guard left, Meiyun walked over to Chen. "Still feel like someone's watching you?"

"Yes," Chen said. "Because someone is."

MEANWHILE – UNKNOWN LOCATION

Deep in the mountain valley outskirts of Tianxu, inside a heavily fortified estate, a man kneeled before an ornate screen. The patterns etched into the wood shimmered under candlelight.

On the other side, a hoarse yet commanding voice spoke.

"So... the boy from the Chen Family moves again."

"Yes, Elder. He's taken over major routes, destroyed three of our puppets, and formed an alliance with the Qin Family's main heir."

"Hmph... the Chen Family... They were nothing but merchants for decades. Now they breed ambition like wildfire."

The kneeling man lowered his head. "What shall we do?"

A low laugh rumbled behind the screen.

"Do? Nothing."

"...Elder?"

A hand emerged from the shadow—a weathered, veined hand with the ring of the Win Family's inner circle.

"Let him rise."

"But—"

"I said let him rise," the voice repeated. "If the Chen Family truly has produced a dragon after a hundred years... then let's see how high he can fly."

The elder's voice turned cold.

"Eventually, even dragons fall."

BACK TO GALLANT VILLA – LATER THAT NIGHT

The sky had turned an ominous shade of gray. Lightning cracked in the distance.

Chen Yu stood on the rooftop, coat fluttering in the stormy wind. Behind him, Ruxue appeared with an umbrella.

"You're going to get sick."

"I'm already sick," he muttered.

"Of what?"

"Of being underestimated."

Ruxue stepped closer. "You've already proven yourself. To the Qin Family. To the city. Even Meiyun's starting to believe you can take over the world."

Chen chuckled. "Can I?"

Ruxue looked at him, serious. "You can... But just remember to come back home. Don't lose yourself out there."

He looked at her, his eyes softer than usual.

"I won't."

Lightning flashed again.

Far across the city, another player moved.

A tall man in a black overcoat stood at a pier, watching cargo containers being loaded.

He lit a cigarette.

"This city's changing," he said to the figure behind him. "Get ready."