The two men exchanged a glance, feeling deeply resentful.

Another two hours passed. Many people’s buttocks had gone numb, yet this mysterious big shot still hadn’t arrived.

"What a big shot indeed! If he’s not coming, then let’s leave. Who does he think we are?" The Skeleton Boss, who had been disgruntled from the start, finally erupted. He was the first to stand up and head for the exit.

Others followed suit, rising to leave as well. Eight people departed one after another. These individuals all had their own pride and didn’t fear Qin Boren in the slightest.

Qin Boren said calmly, "Does anyone else want to leave?"

The remaining people looked at each other. Some wanted to leave but ultimately restrained themselves.

A few more minutes passed, and finally, someone entered the conference hall.

All eyes turned towards the entrance.

It was a young man, dressed very casually, with a handsome appearance. Three people accompanied him: Chen Fugui, Dong Qi, and the portly tycoon.

Chu Hao walked in with his hands clasped behind his back. Qin Boren hurriedly stood up, saying, "Director Chu."

The entire room was utterly shocked. This young man is a director of the Ritian Group? He’s far too young!

Among those present, the most shocked were Zi Gui, Cao Hongzhen, and Cao Yunxue; after all, they had met Chu Hao before.

Cao Hongzhen, in particular, was so stunned the moment he saw Chu Hao that he shot to his feet, pointed at him, and exclaimed, "How can it be you?"

Chen Fugui said coldly, "Keep pointing that finger, and believe it or not, I can make it disappear."

Cao Hongzhen’s face turned ashen, but he stuck his neck out stubbornly. "Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like that?"

Cao Hongzhen, after all, was a member of the Cao Family. Although Cao Shanhe was dead, Cao Hongzhen had inherited all his businesses. Who would dare speak to him in such a manner?

However, Chen Fugui’s hand flashed. A silver pistol appeared in just half a second. He shot Cao Hongzhen’s finger and then quickly retracted the gun, as if by magic.

BANG!

Cao Hongzhen screamed as his finger was shot off.

The crowd gasped.

How fast was that draw? Many in the room hadn’t even seen it clearly; they only heard the gunshot, and Cao Hongzhen’s finger was already gone!

Chu Hao said indifferently, "Did I tell you to shoot?"

Chen Fugui quickly lowered his head, not daring to utter a single word.

"Ding... Host has successfully shown off, earning 600 Pretentiousness Points."

Everyone present stared, wide-eyed. Such a fast gunman, yet he was too scared to speak a word because of Chu Hao’s remark. What kind of overwhelming aura was this? Who is this young man?

Although Cao Hongzhen was furious, he too didn’t dare to speak further. The opponent’s draw was too fast; he feared that before he could even react, he would have been shot dead.

Chu Hao sat down, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. These were the underground Shamate bosses of Anli City. They usually called the shots, and no one dared to offend them. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Yet at this moment, every single one of them sat upright and perfectly still.

To be honest, this was the first time Chu Hao had experienced such a scene; he couldn’t help but feel nervous and excited. However, Chu Hao was a professional show-off. He had long since grown accustomed to concealing his inner emotions, always presenting a cool and disdainful facade.

To others, this performance of his seemed overwhelmingly intense.

Pressure! Yes, it was an intangible pressure. The young man’s cold arrogance and disdain were almost too much for their hearts to bear.

Chu Hao tapped the table and said lightly, "You have three choices. First, join my Cao Tian Group. Second, I’ll offer a high price to buy out your businesses, and then you get out of Anli City. Third, you resist, and then you die."

After speaking, Chu Hao leaned back in his chair, completely ignoring the astonished looks from the crowd.

Chen Fugui quickly stepped forward and lit a cigarette for him. His movements were smooth and practiced, showing a particular talent for flattery.

The room buzzed with discussion.

Someone couldn’t resist asking, "Excuse me, who might you be?"

Chu Hao remained silent, so Qin Boren spoke up, "This is Director Chu, Mr. Chu Hao. He established the Ritian Group. Our primary goal is to take over Anli City and, step by step, build a superpower."

Someone sneered, "Grandpa Qin, are you joking with us? I don’t know what kind of background this Director Chu has to dare say such things. Do you people even realize how difficult it is to create a super organization in Huaxia?"

Just as the man finished speaking, another voice interjected. It was Zi Gui, her expression icy, dressed in a black leather jacket. "Director Chu, I, Zi Gui, am willing to join the Ritian Group."

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

Zi Gui continued, "I have witnessed Mr. Chu’s capabilities, and I believe that under his leadership, we can achieve even greater things."

Zi Gui must know something. Everyone silently mulled it over.

Chu Hao said, "I don’t have much time. I’ll only wait ten minutes."

Cao Hongzhen’s face was grim, his fists clenched tightly. Aren’t Chu Hao’s methods just about catching ghosts? How on earth did he gain Qin Boren’s trust?! I’ve waited for so long, finally able to control the Cao Family’s power, and now I’m supposed to just hand it over?

His expression darkening, Cao Hongzhen said, "Mr. Chu, we can submit. But we’d like to know what capabilities you possess to make everyone trust your words."

Chu Hao said calmly, "Come in."

Outside the conference hall, eight people walked in—it was the group that had left earlier!

However, their expressions were wooden, as if they had lost their souls. They lined up behind Chu Hao.

"Skeleton, Da’e!" someone exclaimed in recognition.

Yet, the tall and lanky Skeleton and the muscular Da’e seemed not to see him, their expressions disturbingly vacant, creating an eerie sight.

Chu Hao snapped his fingers. The men finally regained their senses, looking at Chu Hao in terror.

The Skeleton, agitated, his voice trembling, stammered, "You! Who are you?"

Chu Hao asked, "Do you want to live, or do you want to die?"

The Skeleton’s expression turned fierce. He drew a dagger and lunged, stabbing viciously at the back of Chu Hao’s head. He was extremely close, on the verge of succeeding.

Chu Hao turned, remaining completely calm, and met the incoming dagger, catching it between his hands.

Yes. Those present did not misjudge the scene—Chu Hao had actually caught the dagger with just two fingers. The entire room was dumbfounded.

The previously ferocious Skeleton was utterly baffled.

What... what in the world is this?! He caught the blade with just his thumbs! Is this guy a martial arts master? Skeleton Boss even tried to pull the dagger free, but it wouldn’t budge, as if it were welded in place.

Chu Hao sneered, "A sneak attack? Do you have any idea what the consequences of your actions are?"

With a surge of strength in his fingers, Chu Hao threw the dagger. THUD. It embedded itself deep into the stone slab of the wall!

"Ding... Host has successfully shown off, earning 600 Pretentiousness Points."

A master! This person is definitely a top-tier master!

Everyone swallowed hard. The Skeleton Boss stumbled backward in fear.

Chu Hao thought, "System, purchase a Life Absorbing Talisman."

System: "Please select the purchase level, Host."

Chu Hao said, "Purchase the basic level."

"Ding... Host has purchased a basic level Beast Curse, consuming 1,000 Pretentiousness Points."

Item: Life Absorbing Talisman

Rarity: ★★

Ability: Absorbs a person’s lifespan—ten years cost 1,000 Mana Points, and so on.

Chu Hao took out the talisman and chanted, "Yin and Yang entwined, lifespan to ashes consigned, by The Three Pure Beings’ decree, Emergency Wish-Granting Command, so mote it be!"