Chapter 201

Darryl chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "My dear younger sister, you're being very sweet today. What’s going on? How can I help you?"

Megan took a breath, biting her lip slightly before whispering, "Have you heard of the Eternal Life Palace sect?"

Eternal Life Palace? Darryl's mind flashed back to the grandfather and granddaughter at the auction; they were members of this very sect, known as one of the two major cults. "Yeah, I just heard about it. What’s happening with them?"

“I need your help investigating it,” Megan said quietly.

Chaos had been brewing in Donghai City. Not only had the Grandmaster Heaven sect recently set up a branch, but now the Eternal Life Palace was becoming active too. While Grandmaster Heaven had gone quiet—its Hall Master, Skyler Burr, hadn’t been seen in days—the Eternal Life Palace had been stirring up trouble, doing dark deeds like using humans to refine elixirs. With both sects present, the city was on the edge. Megan’s department had even been warned that if they didn’t root out the Eternal Life Palace within a month, there’d be consequences for everyone.

But despite all efforts, the police had no leads on the sect’s base of operations.

Darryl smirked skeptically. “If the police can’t make any headway, what good could I do?”

Megan’s eyes held a flicker of urgency. "Yesterday, we arrested someone from the Eternal Life Palace. His name is Chester Wilson, and he seems to hold a high rank in the cult. But no matter how we interrogated him, he kept his mouth shut, so all we could do was lock him up."

She took a sip of her coffee and looked directly at Darryl. "I was thinking we could send someone in to get close to him. So… I thought of you!"

Darryl blinked, almost standing up in disbelief. "Wait, you want me to go undercover in prison? Seriously? Why don’t you pick someone from your own team?"

Megan’s face turned pleading. “Please, my good brother! Just this once—I really need your help.”

Darryl sighed, struggling to believe he was even considering it. He remembered all the times he’d single-handedly dealt with dangerous situations—tackling robbers, saving hostages, catching a shark, even dealing with a bus robbery. Somehow, he always managed to pull through. He finally relented. “Fine, fine, I’ll do it. Just don’t come asking for this kind of favor again.”

Megan lit up, nodding eagerly. Darryl couldn’t resist a grin as he teased, “So, what’s in it for me?”

She smiled back, almost teasingly. “I’ve arranged for a reward of ten million if you pull this off. How does that sound?”

Darryl shook his head, unimpressed. “Ten million to risk my life for you? Doesn’t quite cut it.”

Megan bit her lip, lowering her eyes thoughtfully before finally saying, “I went through a lot to get that ten million approved. But if that’s not enough…” She looked up, blushing slightly. “I’ll do… anything you ask if you succeed.”

Darryl chuckled at her sudden shyness. “Anything?”

Realizing what she’d said, she quickly clarified, “Within reason! Nothing inappropriate!”

Darryl laughed and nodded. “Alright, so what’s the plan to get me into prison?”

Megan’s eyes sparkled with relief. “I’ve arranged everything. Only you and I know about this undercover plan, so we need to make it look real. I need you to ‘steal’ a couple of phones from the store next door. My colleagues will arrive soon to arrest you.”

“What?” Darryl blinked, incredulous.

Chapter 202

Darryl couldn’t believe he was about to commit theft, even if it was for a mission. "I’ve never stolen anything in my life!" he thought with a sense of dread. "Why theft? It’s so degrading!" he protested to Megan. Growing up, Darryl had always despised thieves, thinking, "If you have hands and legs, there’s no excuse for taking what isn’t yours."

Megan looked at him helplessly and said, "Do you have any better ideas?"

Darryl gave her a mischievous grin, suggesting, "How about I attack a policewoman or… touch her inappropriately?"

Megan’s face flushed, and she glared at him. "I'm being serious!" she snapped.

Darryl chuckled, then got serious. "Alright, alright. I just want to get in there with some dignity. I heard inmates don’t think much of thieves." He suggested other ways—like picking a fight or staging a hit-and-run—but Megan shot those ideas down one by one. Reluctantly, he agreed to go along with the phone theft plan.

Before heading out, he texted Pearl, asking her to manage the company in his absence. He also shared his login details for the Longya Live Streaming Platform, so she could check in on Lily for him. After sending the message, Darryl took a deep breath and strolled into the Apple Store.

Suddenly, he bolted out with two new phones, and a handful of employees dashed after him, yelling, “Thief! Somebody stop him!” He darted through the crowd, but in moments, a group of police officers tackled him to the ground and hauled him off to a waiting squad car.

Inside the café, Megan watched the scene unfold, holding back laughter. Darryl’s theatrics had everyone convinced he was a real thief. She hoped he’d be able to get Chester Wilson to talk once inside.

Soon, Darryl arrived at the prison. After changing into the prison uniform, he looked around the yard, where a group of heavily tattooed inmates were playing basketball, some bearing intimidating scars.

Meanwhile, at Donghai City First Hospital, Daniel Darby was recuperating, feeling well enough to sit up. Shelly arrived with a bag of freshly cut apples, bringing some cheer to the couple. Moments later, a group of police officers entered the room, and the lead officer asked, "Are you the parents of Darryl Darby?" as he handed them a file.

Daniel and Luna looked at each other, bewildered by the officers' presence. Shelly stepped forward and answered for them, "Yes, they are. What’s this about?"

The officer nodded, replying, "Your son was apprehended for stealing phones from the Apple Store. We came to inform you."

"What?!" Shelly’s face filled with shock. "This must be some kind of mistake!" she thought, unable to imagine Darryl committing theft. "You must have the wrong person!" she exclaimed. "Brother Darryl would never steal!"

The officer glanced at her. "Are you his younger sister?"

Blushing, Shelly stammered, "No… no, I’m not."

Chapter 203

“I’m not his sister, but I know him well. He would never do something like this!” Shelly said, her voice gentle yet firm.

The police officer maintained his professional tone. “Unfortunately, the facts speak for themselves. He did commit theft.” Turning to Darryl’s parents, he added, “Your son really did steal those phones.”

The undercover nature of Darryl’s actions was top-secret, and as a result, the police had to follow strict procedures in informing his family without revealing any background.

Luna’s face tightened in disbelief. “Darryl stealing phones? Impossible. He’s the president of a successful company! Why would he do something like that? It has to be a mistake.”

From his bed, Daniel looked equally shocked and said, “Yes, it must be a mistake. Darryl’s despised thieves ever since he was a boy. Why would he—”

The police officer handed them a file, maintaining his professionalism. “I can’t answer that, but if you think it’s a mistake, have a look at this file.”

Luna and Daniel were left speechless when they saw the photo of Darryl in an inmate uniform.

---

Meanwhile, at the Lyndons’ house, Lily sat in the living room, wearing a long, modest dress and singing in front of her computer for her live stream audience. Her charm and natural grace were evident.

Samantha beamed with pride as she watched her. Lily’s popularity had soared recently—her followers had skyrocketed from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands in just days. It was a record-breaking rise for the platform.

Just moments ago, Lily’s mysterious admirer, known as "Hill," had appeared again, showering her with virtual gifts worth thousands, which sent her stream to the platform’s main page. Lily was thrilled and wished she could personally thank this generous fan, but he always went offline immediately after sending gifts.

Samantha grinned and said, “Lily, it seems you have a big admirer! He must be some wealthy CEO. You should try to maintain a good connection with him.”

Lily nodded with a smile. If it hadn’t been for Hill, she wouldn’t have earned nearly as much.

“Oh, and I noticed that even when you aren’t live-streaming every day, your popularity keeps climbing. Longya keeps featuring you too. Any idea why?” Samantha asked.

Lily laughed. “Maybe it’s because I’m cute?”

They both chuckled, and Samantha said, “That must be it! My daughter is the prettiest!”

Just then, Lily’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID with Samantha, both of them puzzled by the unfamiliar number: 110, the emergency hotline. Samantha quickly said, “It’s probably one of those scam calls! Let’s see what they’re up to.” She answered the call on speaker.

“Hello, is this Ms. Lily Lyndon? This is the City Police,” said a male voice.

Lily and Samantha exchanged uneasy looks, realizing this wasn’t a scam.

“Yes, this is she. Is something wrong?” Lily answered.

“Your husband, Darryl Darby, has been arrested,” the officer stated plainly.

“What?” Lily gasped. Her mind was spinning. “Arrested for what?”

The officer replied, “He was caught stealing two iPhones. Though he confessed and the store owner forgave him, he’s been sentenced to two months in jail. As his wife, we’re required to inform you.” With that, the officer hung up.

Samantha burst into laughter. “Lily, look at this! That loser of a husband of yours is now a thief! Can you believe it? A grown man with a decent job, yet he’s stealing iPhones? It’s beyond pathetic. Leaving him was the best decision you ever made.”

Lily bit her lip, still struggling to process what she’d heard. It seemed so unlike Darryl, yet the call had come from the police. Could it really be true?

Chapter 204

Inside the prison yard, inmates had three free periods a day, always following meals. A group of hefty men was playing basketball on the court, their skills average but their excitement high. Others gathered around, cheering, except for one man who sat by himself near the court, absorbed in a book. 

This man looked to be in his thirties or forties, with neatly parted hair and a studious, almost geeky appearance. When Darryl entered the yard, his curiosity was piqued. While most inmates either joined the game or the crowd, this man chose to read instead. Darryl discreetly glanced at a photo Megan had given him of Chester Wilson. Astonishingly, it appeared that the man with the book was Chester—his target!

Darryl was taken aback. Megan had described Chester as a powerful, high-ranking member of the Eternal Life Palace sect, yet this man in front of him looked mild and unassuming, more like a low-level Master, if that. His choice of reading material—Sun Tzu’s Art of War—seemed bizarre for a man supposedly involved in such a powerful sect. Darryl stifled a laugh. Who reads Sun Tzu in prison?

Just then, a loud bam rang out as a basketball hit Chester on the head, almost knocking him out. His glasses and book flew from his hands.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, the ball slipped out of my hands,” said a large man with a sneering tone.

Darryl squinted at the guy and immediately recognized him—it was Trent Young! The same Trent who had previously tried to take advantage of Lily and had been beaten down by Darryl for it. Trent had been sentenced to prison for causing trouble. He’s still in here? Darryl thought, amused.

Trent was no stranger to prison. Known for his fighting skills, he had quickly gathered a gang of followers and ruled the prison with an arrogant, bully-like attitude. He hadn’t noticed Darryl yet; his attention was focused solely on Chester, who had unknowingly broken the “rules” by failing to show deference to Trent, the self-proclaimed prison leader. Seeing Chester engrossed in reading instead of paying attention to the game had ticked Trent off, prompting him to hurl the ball at Chester in a fit of annoyance.

Still dazed, Chester bent down to retrieve his glasses, only for Trent to grab the ball and throw it at him again.

BAM! The ball hit Chester squarely in the face.

Chester stood up, eyes blazing, and asked in a cold tone, “What’s your problem?”

Trent smirked, thoroughly unimpressed. “What’s my problem? Are you blind? Can’t you see I’m playing basketball here? Your reading is killing the vibe,” he sneered, his tone mocking.

Noticing the book on the ground, Trent picked it up and scoffed, “Sun Tzu’s Art of War, huh? What do you think you’re going to do with this, lead an army? We’re in the 21st century, man. This junk is outdated.” 

Then, with a menacing smirk, he pointed at the basketball. “Pick up the ball, grab your book, and get lost.” 

Chester’s fury was unmistakable, but he dared not make a move.

Chapter 205

As Chester stood there, humiliated and furious, Trent's followers continued to goad him. One of them taunted, “Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what our leader said? Pick up the bloody ball!” Another added, “How dare you glare at Trent! You trying to get yourself killed?”

Darryl, watching from the side, let out a low, cold laugh. He couldn’t stand to see Trent and his gang bullying Chester so brazenly, especially when Chester had done nothing to provoke them.

Noticing Darryl, Trent turned around, shocked, then his face twisted in anger. “You again?! Motherf*cker, why do you keep popping up wherever I go?” Enraged, Trent stormed toward Darryl, ready to take him down. It was Darryl’s fault he ended up in prison, and now, Trent thought, he’d finally get his revenge.

Just as he was about to throw a punch, he hesitated. *Wait a minute... Wasn’t he just a Level Two Master before? How did he level up to a Level Four Master in such a short time?* Realizing he couldn’t beat Darryl alone, Trent waved to his men. “Alright, brothers, let’s take him down together!”

Trent’s followers circled around Darryl. But Darryl remained calm and said in an even tone, “I just got here. I don’t want to cause trouble. Don’t push me.”

Chester, meanwhile, had quietly picked up his glasses and book. He couldn’t help but be impressed by Darryl’s composure, even while facing a group of aggressive inmates. He sensed that this new inmate was much stronger than he appeared.

Just then, a prison guard approached and shouted, “What’s going on here? Are you all trying to get your sentences extended?”

The guard was a woman, and Darryl’s eyes brightened when he noticed her. She was quite attractive. Trent quickly put on an innocent face and laughed, “Oh, officer, we were just fooling around, no fighting here!”

With a stern glare, the guard gave a final warning and walked away, muttering to herself, “Don’t bully the new guy.” She assumed Darryl, being a thief, would be an easy target in the prison, especially for bullies like Trent and his gang. He’s going to have a hard time in here, she thought with a sigh.

Later, over lunch, one of Trent’s followers asked, “Brother Trent, what are we going to do with Darryl?”

Trent replied with a sinister smile, “Don’t worry, we’ll get to Darryl through Chester. Let’s see how cocky he is when he sees Chester getting trashed.”

“Great idea!” his followers cheered, admiring Trent’s twisted strategy.

Later, during a restroom break, Chester found himself surrounded by Trent and his men. Laughing cruelly, they deliberately peed on Chester’s pants, leaving him fuming with rage but unable to retaliate.

The humiliation didn’t end there. During dinner, as Chester sat down to eat, Trent casually walked by, leaned over, and spat into Chester’s food. All the inmates watched, some laughing, others looking on in silence. Food in prison was a prized possession, and refusing to eat meant risking hunger. But now, Chester’s meal was ruined, and there was nothing he could do but grit his teeth and endure.

Chapter 206

Chester's face twitched as he glared at Trent with bloodshot eyes. He had never faced humiliation like this back at the Eternal Life Palace sect, where his status as a high-ranking member kept him safe from such treatment. Finally, he snapped, standing up and shouting, “We all live under the same roof! What’s your problem?!”

Trent sneered, mocking Chester’s anger. “Look at the nerd throwing a fit! A little full of himself, aren’t we?” he taunted before slapping Chester across the face, the sound echoing around the room.

Chester clenched his fists, staying silent for a long moment before growling with deadly seriousness, “When I leave this place, I’ll kill your entire family.” His gaze swept over Trent and his men with a look that sent chills down everyone watching.

Trent, regaining his composure, spat on the floor. “You threatening me, you little punk?” He moved to hit Chester again but stopped as the female prison guard intervened, glaring them down. Trent decided to wait, saving his retaliation for later.

When the lights went out that night, Darryl was nearly asleep when he heard footsteps. Opening his eyes slightly, he saw Trent and his followers creeping toward Chester’s bed, thick hemp ropes in hand. They were intent on silencing Chester’s threats for good.

Trent wrapped the rope around Chester’s neck, choking him as he hissed, “Thought you were tough, huh? Let’s see you throw threats now!” Chester gasped for air, his face turning red as he struggled against Trent’s hold.

Darryl, watching from his bed, waited a bit, counting to himself. Once he reached forty-five, he got up casually, stretching. “Keep it down,” he said, his voice light. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”

Trent snarled back, “Darryl, mind your own business! This has nothing to do with you.”

Darryl sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve been picking on him all day. Can’t you give it a rest?” Then, with two swift punches, he knocked out two of Trent’s men who crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.

Trent blinked, stunned. How is he so strong? he thought, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. Darryl had been a Level Two Master just recently—how could he now be at Level Four?

“Get him!” Trent ordered, though his voice quivered. “What are you waiting for? Take him down!”

The rest of Trent’s men lunged at Darryl, who met them head-on. His punches were fast and powerful, dropping them one after another in less than thirty seconds. Soon, the entire group lay groaning on the floor, clutching bruises and injuries.

Trent, drenched in sweat, stammered, “Darryl… you… you…”

Just then, the female guard appeared, startled by the sight of Trent’s gang sprawled out and defeated. She rubbed her eyes, hardly believing what she was seeing. Trent, the feared martial arts champion, taken down? She looked at Darryl, astonished. This guy was no ordinary thief.

Darryl walked up to Trent, kicking him for good measure. “Try to mess with me one more time,” he warned, “and I’ll beat you up every single chance I get.”

Chapter 207

Trent, writhing in pain, nodded in submission, grumbling, "Understood! I fully understand!" But deep down, he was seething. Just you wait, Darryl,* he thought bitterly. *Once I get out and get my hands on some Elixirs, I’ll come back stronger!

The prison guard, now regaining her composure, glanced back at Darryl and said in a softer tone, “Alright, it’s late. Everyone, go back to bed! And stay out of trouble!” She cast a final stern look before leaving.

Finally able to breathe freely, Chester struggled to his feet and approached Darryl. He cupped his hands in a formal gesture and said, “Thank you for saving my life! I am deeply in your debt.”

Darryl couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. What a polite way of speaking—this guy is something else, he thought, amused. Waving it off, he replied, “It’s no big deal. I just can’t stand bullies.” Casually, he returned to his bed, not wanting to come across as too eager.

Chester, feeling increasingly curious, ventured, “Are you from Donghai City too, brother?”

Got him! Darryl thought, though he kept his excitement hidden. He sat up, and the two engaged in conversation. Darryl quickly realized that Chester was indeed a well-educated and worldly man, capable of discussing nearly any topic with ease and insight. However, whenever Chester asked about Darryl, he only mentioned his role as a live-in son-in-law, which Chester neither questioned nor judged.

---

Meanwhile, a week later at the Darby family estate, the clan had gathered in the main hall. Drake, the family patriarch, had summoned everyone, stating he had urgent matters to discuss. The hall was abuzz with speculation about what he might announce.

Drake entered slowly, silencing the room with his solemn presence. Taking a seat, he addressed the family, “There are two matters we must discuss.” He looked around, meeting everyone’s eyes with a steady gaze.

“First,” he continued, “I have decided that everyone in the Darby clan will begin cultivating.”

A wave of excitement rippled through the family. Cultivating meant the chance to gain power and even achieve abilities most only dreamed of.

Drake held up a hand to quiet them, his face stern. “Secondly,” he said, “the Darby family will be joining the Eternal Life Palace sect, effective immediately. This must remain confidential within our family. Is that understood?”

The announcement stunned everyone into silence. The Eternal Life Palace sect was notorious for its ruthless ways, one of the most feared cults around. Did this mean the Darbys would now be seen as villains?

Finally, someone broke the silence. “Grandpa, the Eternal Life Palace sect… it’s a cult.” Others nodded, uneasy with the decision.

Drake took a deep breath, his expression heavy. He wasn’t certain if this choice was right, but he knew that without power, their family would remain vulnerable. The incident with Dax Sanders had been a harsh reminder.

Suddenly, Yumi stood up, tapping her heel sharply. “So, you all think you’re strong enough to question Grandpa’s decision?” she scolded. Yumi didn’t mind joining the sect if it meant gaining the power to cultivate and keep her youthful beauty.

Her husband Florian backed her up. “Grandpa has sacrificed everything for us. I trust his decision completely.”

“I’m with him too,” chimed in Jackson, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He was eager to start cultivating, already dreaming of the power he’d wield—and how he’d use it to get revenge. His mind drifted to Lily, imagining how he’d make her pay.

Chapter 208

As soon as Yumi and Florian voiced their support for joining the Eternal Life Palace sect, the rest of the Darby family quickly fell in line. Old Master Drake watched in relief as his family agreed to this secretive alliance. He nodded and dismissed them with a final reminder: "Remember, no one outside this family can know of our alliance with the Eternal Life Palace."

Once the room was empty, a figure with a commanding presence appeared at the entrance—it was Brian Cunningham.

“So, have you made your decision?” Brian asked as he approached.

Drake nodded, “Yes, the Darbys will join the Eternal Life Palace sect.”

“Wonderful! This is excellent news!” Brian cheered. “From now on, we’re united. I’ll have my men deliver the Spiritual Elixir soon.” He then handed Drake a manual, adding, “Consider this a gift—a welcome to the Eternal Life Palace.”

Drake’s hand trembled as he recognized it: *The Big Dipper Formation,* the legendary manual from the Wudang sect.

“The Big Dipper Formation?” Drake asked, astonished.

Brian laughed. “Yes, I took it when I left the Wudang sect. It’s a powerful formation but requires seven people to execute. Long ago, it allowed seven Wudang Masters to trap and kill a Grandmaster Heaven Master Marquis, two ranks above Master!” 

Drake’s excitement was palpable. With such a powerful technique, the Darby family could finally deter any threats.

Brian grinned, patting Drake’s arm. “This is only the beginning. With your loyalty, there will be many benefits for the Darbys. As long as we work together, we’ll both gain immense power.”

---

Meanwhile, the nationwide sensation 101 Superstar was drawing in huge audiences. With backing from Platinum Corporation, Lana Thomas had secured a place in the finals and, along with eight others, formed a new girl group called "S."

Since Darryl was away, the operations of Platinum Corporation had fallen to Pearl, who not only promoted Lana but also kept up her support for Lily’s live stream. Using the name "Hill," Pearl would regularly join Lily’s streams, sending gifts worth hundreds of thousands, and even millions, at times. This mysterious, devoted support catapulted Lily’s fame, drawing fans and curious onlookers alike. What started with a modest fan base had now grown to over a million followers, all eager to see Hill’s latest extravagant gestures and Lily’s performances.

---

At the Lyndons' residence, Lily was in high spirits after ending a successful stream, with Hill’s latest five-million-dollar gift adding to her excitement.

"Lily, you finished your stream?" her mother, Samantha, asked as she came downstairs. Seeing her daughter’s success brought Samantha immense pride; Lily was not only beautiful and talented but now also extremely profitable.

"Mother," Lily replied, "I want to buy a new house. This one’s too small, and a bigger space would be better for streaming. Plus, with more people tuning in, it’s getting awkward to stream here in the living room—especially if we have visitors."

Samantha nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, let’s get you a new place. Moving would be wise, too. That way, when that good-for-nothing Darryl gets out of prison, he won’t be able to find us. It’ll spare you the trouble of him begging to come back.”

With a smug smile, Samantha thought, My daughter is earning millions each day—a new house is nothing! Lily deserves the best.