"Did I hear wrong? Young Master Ye actually agreed?"

"Yeah, that’s not wise at all. The loser has to kneel and kowtow, this..."

"Still full of youthful vigor, can’t endure the anger. This time, I’m afraid the Ye Family will be worse off than the Lu Family."

...

Everyone sighed, their eyes filled with a sympathetic gaze towards Ye Lang. The Ye Family is going to take a huge fall this time. They might not even be able to maintain their position among the five prominent families, and such a prosperous and flourishing family is about to decline...

Feng Modao was slightly stunned, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes. In his view, Ye Lang’s courage to draw his sword and confront the other’s will and spirit was already far beyond others present in this auction hall.

Moreover... Feng Modao glanced at Ye Lang’s fearless expression and thought to himself that Ye Lang probably already had the intention of sacrificing himself.

He agreed, he actually agreed? Shang Fei was taken aback. He never expected that Ye Lang would be completely different from Young Master Lu and would actually agree to the duel!

Has this guy lost his mind? Daring to compete with me... Wait, he didn’t specify a time. If he drags it out for three to five years, the impact of the duel would diminish. This guy just wants to survive by stalling! Shang Fei thought, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth—he won’t let his cunning plan succeed.

With these thoughts, Shang Fei immediately said to Ye Lang, "I’m impressed, I’m impressed. Ye Brother, you have guts. Since you’ve set the terms of the duel, I’ll decide on the timing of the duel. No problem, right?"

Shang Fei emphasized the word "timing" and revealed a pleased expression after speaking, which immediately made everyone realize that although the Ye Family’s Young Master Ye Lang agreed to the duel, he could completely delay it!

But now that Shang Fei had pointed this out, he could only face it honestly and go to the fight.

"The Ye Family’s Young Master has quite a plan by delaying."

"Too bad, it’s been seen through by the Shang Family’s Young Master, otherwise..."

"Now the Ye Family’s Young Master is really in a dilemma, and the Ye Family is really finished."

...

Everyone discussed animatedly, each casting sympathetic glances towards Ye Lang. In their eyes, the delaying tactic was actually the last struggle of this young Ye Family Master, and now that tiny bit of hope has been mercilessly torn apart, surely making it an incredibly desperate situation.

Feng Modao scoffed at the crowd’s reaction. Delaying? From the beginning, Ye Lang’s expression showed not a hint of the intention to delay. These people, considering how they would delay, assume that Ye Lang would do the same, demonstrating really base thoughts.

In such a chaotic situation, Lin Feng and Tangyuan naturally noticed and saw Ye Lang’s expression as well.

"These people are really self-righteous." Little Tangyuan muttered, using its paw to scratch the fur beside its ear, glancing at that group of people with disdain.

"Oh? How are they self-righteous?" Lin Feng asked, noticing Tangyuan’s indignant expression.

"Boss, don’t tell me you didn’t notice." Little Tangyuan pointed a paw at Ye Lang and said, "That guy never had the intention to delay from the start. I have a talent that lets me sense people’s emotions. This guy, from the moment he accepted the duel, had a determination to die!"

"Well said, he indeed has the determination to die." Lin Feng looked at Ye Lang’s position, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. Ye Lang’s subtle change in expression was so minute, yet under Lin Feng’s Divine Sense and perception, he could see it clearly, and he could gauge the change in Ye Lang’s mindset almost entirely.

Rushing to one’s death impulsively is not that difficult, but being able to face death generously while weighing gains and losses and surrounded by fear—such a person can truly be deemed a hero. Especially when Ye Lang, originally the Young Master of the Ye Family and a secure heir, could abandon a future comfortable life and choose to face death, it was even more precious.

The regret and sighs of the crowd reached Ye Lang’s ears, and a trace of a sneering arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. These people underestimated him too much. Be it Mo Yunxi and Young Master Lu from other prominent families, or those small family and Loose Cultivators below, they all looked down on him too much.

"Alright, let you decide, Brother Shang," Ye Lang nodded and said.

He agreed so readily? Shang Fei was taken aback. He didn’t expect Ye Lang to answer so easily, but it didn’t matter to him how Ye Lang responded. Now that he agreed, it saved him the trouble of making other preparations: "Then how about tomorrow?"

Tomorrow is a very good time, just enough time to spread the news of the duel between the Shang and Ye Families’ young masters throughout Ning City, attracting everyone’s attention, bringing folks to watch the excitement, maximizing the blow to the Ye Family.

"Fine, then I’ll await Brother Shang’s great presence tomorrow," Ye Lang said calmly.

There’s something off about this guy. Shang Fei frowned slightly. From his experience, Ye Lang’s demeanor did not match his expectations; the initial sensation of dominant arrogance lessened, and a touch of doubt and frustration arose because he couldn’t guess Ye Lang’s thoughts.

Even though he felt vexed and puzzled, Shang Fei also understood that he currently held the advantage. No matter what tricks or tactics Ye Lang had, all he needed to do was strike!

"Rest assured, I will definitely visit the Ye Family tomorrow. At that time, Ye Brother, I hope you won’t hold back in giving me some guidance." Shang Fei said with a smile, looking at Ye Lang with a cheerful expression.

Ye Lang glanced at Shang Fei, saying nothing further, sat upright on his seat, and looked down at the auction stage, waiting for the auction to begin. The two maids behind him showed worried expressions. The clash between the Young Master and the Shang Family’s Young Master left them feeling a bit at a loss.

Seeing the conflict between Ye Lang and Shang Fei subside, members of many small prominent families and loose cultivators all turned around, shaking their heads and sighing silently. In their hearts, they still felt that Ye Lang was being irrational and sighed at the impending decline of the Ye Family.

Young Master Lu and Mo Yunxi also shook their heads slightly from their respective seats, filled with worry. Time and again, Shang Fei had acted twice, and there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be a third or fourth time, or even ongoing provocations at regular intervals. If he truly fulfilled this plan, the four remaining families would have no resistance against the Shang Family.

Alliance, they must unite! A gleam flashed in Young Master Lu’s eyes as he made a firm decision in his heart. If they did not unite soon, the four prominent families would be defeated one by one!

He turned his head and happened to meet Mo Yunxi’s gaze, and they both nodded, recognizing each other’s desire to unite.

Once the auction ends, I’ll have my father visit the Mo Family, Feng Family, and Ye Family to discuss how to deal with the Shang Family. Young Master Lu thought to himself, then closed his eyes, leaned back, and cleared his mind for a brief rest.

"Young Master, they are probably planning to form an alliance." said a guard beside Shang Fei.

"Alliance?" Shang Fei sneered. "Even if they do form an alliance, do they dare to go down with the Shang Family? If not, they’ll just have to be slowly devoured. In my view, the old folks from these four families lack the courage and willpower, and even if they unite, they are just a bunch of poorly armed rabble."

"This... The Young Master is right." The guard, hearing what Shang Fei said, naturally didn’t say more.

With a malicious smile on his lips, Shang Fei glanced over the four prominent families again, shook his head, said nothing else, and leisurely sipped his tea.

Lin Feng observed this scene entirely, shaking his head, realizing that in every world, one cannot escape the battle for fame and fortune, as all prominent families are like this. However, none of this concerned him. He attended the auction this time merely to acquire the items he needed.

The auction began unexpectedly with the host not being Elder Chu, but instead, a stunningly beautiful young girl who seemed to be under twenty. Her tight-fitting green dress wrapped around her, showcasing her slender figure, and along with her youthful appearance and voluptuous bust, she was undoubtedly an enchantress capable of captivating audiences.

"Hello everyone!"

Tongtong greeted everyone on the stage and the VIP rooms with a flying kiss, instantly causing excitement among the audience and those in the VIP rooms. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Finally, we get to see her!"

"This Tongtong is so alluring!"

"Exactly, I wonder where the auction house found her. Every night in my dreams, it’s Tongtong!"

"Honestly, did you, you know, spill it all at once?"

...

Most of the audience could not remain calm, uttering unabashedly words. Their primary purpose for coming to the auction house was to see Tongtong. Once you saw Tongtong, you’d never forget her, and otherwise, they wouldn’t waste their time here!

Not only the audience but also the young masters in the VIP rooms showed interest, although the other four young masters restrained themselves somewhat, except for Shang Fei, who behaved arrogantly at this moment.

"Tongtong, would you like to stay at my family’s residence for a couple of days later?"

Looking at Tongtong on stage, Shang Fei immediately flirted. He knew it was impossible, but even a verbal victory had its merits. Who could resist such an enchantress? If it weren’t for considering the power of the auction house, he might have already ordered Tongtong to be captured and hidden away for a lifetime!

The audience was instantly infuriated upon hearing this, but seeing that Shang Fei spoke, they all quieted down, afraid to stand out, only sitting tight and watching Shang Fei flirt with Tongtong, seething with anger.

"Annoying, Young Master Shang, if you can set Tongtong free, then following you wouldn’t matter." Tongtong responded playfully, throwing a flirtatious glance and smiling. She’s seen many people like Shang Fei, naturally knowing how to handle it.

"Hahaha... Tongtong, you’re so sly!" Shang Fei, unfazed by her rejection, replied with a double entendre and then watched Tongtong with a lewd smile. Such a scene was something he encountered at almost every auction, and he had long been used to this way of greeting.

"Oh, how naughty!" Tongtong pointed her jade finger at Shang Fei, coyly said, then looked at the crowd, immediately exciting them once more.