"City Lord?"

In the Linlang Auction at Celestial Feather City, Xiao Mo looked somewhat dumbfounded at Huo Zhenxiong on stage and said:

"In this case, it seems we don't need to take any action."

The senior members of the Xiao Family around him echoed:

"This kid is asking for trouble himself, daring to go against City Lord Huo."

"I reckon even if he hands over the Holy Sword, City Lord Huo won't let him off easily."

"I'm curious about how much money this kid has. Fifty million is several years' worth of revenue for our Xiao Family! He just gave it away without a second thought."

Xiao Mo looked through the large floor-to-ceiling window towards Lin Yi's box, his expression gradually turning cold as he said:

"Let's watch carefully now."

"See what kind of person dares to cause trouble in my Celestial Feather City."

At the same time, in Box 2, Ling Yuwei almost stood up immediately upon Huo Zhenxiong's appearance:

"Does his Huo Family really think my Linlang Pavilion is easy to bully?"

Just as Ling Yuwei was about to head out, a grey-robed elder stopped her and said:

"Miss, please calm down."

Ling Yuwei paused, looking puzzled at the elder:

"Grandfather Fu, right now Huo Zhenxiong is provoking our Linlang Pavilion!"

"This is no longer just a grudge between him and that person; it affects the reputation of our entire Linlang Pavilion."

"Should we still ignore this?"

Facing a furious Ling Yuwei, the grey-robed elder responded sharply:

"A mere Huo Zhenxiong does not concern me."

"However, his unusual behavior makes me connect it to certain actions of the Jialan Royal Family lately."

Ling Yuwei's expression changed, suddenly realizing something:

"Is Huo Zhenxiong deliberately trying to anger us?"

The grey-robed elder laughed coldly and said:

"He's sounding the mountain to startle the tiger, using momentum to establish power!"

"The Jialan Royal Family has always harbored resentment over us establishing the Intelligence Pavilion; I hear they may take action soon."

The grey-robed elder stood by the window, hands behind his back, and said:

"We indeed must intervene, and we cannot abstain."

"But not now."

The elder's gaze shifted from Huo Zhenxiong on stage to Lin Yi's box:

"Moreover, we can use this chance to observe."

"See what skills this kid has to ignore Huo Zhenxiong's threat."

"Now that someone else is probing him for us, we might as well wait and see."

Upon hearing the elder's words, Ling Yuwei's anger subsided, restoring her previous dignified demeanor.

Under Ling Yuwei's cool gaze, Lin Yi's box became the focus of attention for everyone present.

With Huo Zhenxiong's sudden appearance, even Zong Renhai, who was hosting the auction, momentarily didn't know how to react and cast a pleading look towards a distant corner.

Seemingly receiving a subtle signal, Zong Renhai glanced at Huo Zhenxiong and quietly retreated.

It was clear that Linlang Pavilion, represented by Zong Renhai, didn't want to get involved in this mess, choosing to protect themselves.

And this only heightened the curiosity of the thousands of spectators present.

They were speculating:

Would Lin Yi choose to hand over the Holy Sword to make peace;

or choose to stand firm and bid even higher for the Elemental Spirit?

Or perhaps give up the Elemental Spirit?

...

Give up the Elemental Spirit?

That was certainly impossible!

Lin Yi had already taken up the Dragon Scale Sword, ready to act.

Beside him, Katrina suddenly said:

"Our goal is to rescue this Elemental Spirit, not get entangled with these people."

"If you proceed like this, you might fail to rescue the Elemental Spirit and end up getting caught up in this."

Lin Yi gripped the Dragon Scale Sword, reluctantly looking at Huo Zhenxiong:

"But..."

On stage, Huo Zhenxiong looked sullenly at Lin Yi's box and said:

"What's wrong, giving up on this Elemental Spirit?"

He glanced at the nearly motionless elf in the cage, a chilling smile appearing on his face as he said:

"If you don't decide soon, she'll really die."

At this moment, Lin Yi's voice suddenly came:

"As a dignified City Lord, is this how arrogant and unreasonable you are?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar at the scene.

Everyone's faces simultaneously revealed strange expressions.

Arrogant and unreasonable?

In this world where the strong prey on the weak, such bullying is incredibly normal for them.

Being strong is right.

Perhaps Huo Zhenxiong's actions today seemed unusual, but no one here felt it was wrong.

In fact, everyone was more interested in what choice Lin Yi would make, their hearts enjoying the spectacle.

To put it bluntly, in this world, no one sympathizes with the weak.

Especially those who, knowing they can't win, insist on standing up to a powerful opponent.

True weaklings would lower their heads in front of the strong, aiming to protect themselves.

They would never act like Lin Yi, first offending one of the three great families, the Xiao Family, then directly opposing the City Lord.

Lin Yi's actions seemed suicidal to them, no one sympathized with his current plight.

But if Lin Yi somehow made Huo Zhenxiong stumble, everyone would be quite entertained to see a good show.

Huo Zhenxiong laughed out loud upon hearing Lin Yi's words:

"Kid, you shouldn't think I don't know you're even using someone else's Swordsman Badge."

"Now, as the City Lord, I ask you"

He suddenly turned serious:

"Who are you?"

"And why use someone else's badge to come to my Celestial Feather City—what are your intentions!!!"

The last sentence was almost shouted by Huo Zhenxiong, his presence exploding.

Clearly, this time Huo Zhenxiong seemed unwilling to let Lin Yi go easily,

And Huo Zhenxiong's words also caused an uproar at the scene.

Thousands of spectators looked at each other in amazement:

"I didn't hear wrong, did I? That kid's Swordsman Badge is actually borrowed? This..."

"Expecting a miracle from someone who has to use someone else's badge—I must be crazy."

"Doesn't that mean this kid's actual strength might not even be Tier Four?"

...

Know that in the Nine Nether Continent, a Rank Badge is like a personal ID on Earth.

It is exclusively personal proof of identity and level.

Everyone born in this world is taught from a young age that 'using someone else's badge is shameful.'

Additionally, each badge carries the owner's unique aura, impossible to hide from those with great power.

Hence, in the Nine Nether Continent, cases of borrowing rank badges are almost nonexistent.

Such actions, once discovered, have serious consequences.

Now, this has occurred right before their eyes.

No wonder the scene exploded with a buzz of conversation.

Lin Yi, as an 'outside', naturally knew none of this.

But even now that he knew, Lin Yi wasn't overly concerned.

What Lin Yi cared about was Linlang Pavilion's attitude towards this matter.

He didn't understand why, when Huo Zhenxiong was causing trouble here, Linlang Pavilion wasn't doing anything.

Then Lin Yi thought of his own strength.

If he were already at Lv70 completing the Seventh Transformation, he wouldn't have to endure this nonsense.

However, for the sake of the Elemental Spirit, Lin Yi curbed his urge to act and said:

"First and foremost!"

"That Holy Sword was bought with my hard-earned money, not something you can demand with just a word."

"Second:"

"I am determined to obtain that Elemental Spirit."

"I'll offer 51 million."

Lin Yi turned his gaze towards Zong Renhai behind Huo Zhenxiong:

"Let me ask Linlang Pavilion."

"Now that there's disturbance here affecting the auction, do you not plan to address this?"

After speaking, Lin Yi turned to Katrina and said:

"Aunt Master, we might have to trouble you shortly."

Katrina smiled charmingly:

"It should have been this way long ago."

As they spoke, Lin Yi switched the state of the [Emperor's Charm Sword] to: [Main Weapon].

Looking at the [Summon Sword Spirit] skill that lit up in the skill bar, Lin Yi's gaze turned sharp towards Zong Renhai on stage as he muttered:

"If you can't handle this, then don't blame me for what's next."