Jiang Shan clutched her face, stunned. I only made a few sarcastic remarks about Yang Qi, and I get slapped for it? My face is burning, like it’s about to swell up. It hurts like hell!

"Mr. Yang, please take a seat in the front row. With your status, it’s really not suitable for you to sit at the back," Jin Zizhen said with a smile.

"Alright. Bai Xiang, let’s move to the front," Yang Qi said, standing up. He walked to the very first row and sat down right next to Chen Guo.

PFFT! Jiang Shan truly felt like spitting blood. That damn pauper gets to sit with those magnates? What incredible luck! I refuse to accept it. That boy used to be nothing more than a simple-minded fool. How can his status suddenly be so much higher than mine? Why?!

"This might not be a good thing," Tang Fei suddenly remarked. "If he doesn’t know what’s good for him and tries to compete with those men for that stone, he’s not far from death! Even Jin Zizhen might not be able to protect him."

"What do you mean?" Jiang Shan and the others asked, not quite understanding.

"It’s obvious. If he insists on competing with Tang Wenqiang for that stone, do you think Tang Wenqiang will let him go, even if he wins it? This is the Death Battle Arena. The auctions here have a rule: when the bidding price reaches an abnormally high level, a death match can be requested to settle the matter. And this isn’t a match between a Death Fighter and a challenger, but between the bidders themselves. Yang Qi is all alone, while Tang Wenqiang, Lin Canghai, and Gu Shanhe have each brought several masters with them. If it really comes to a death match, it’s a dead end for him unless he gives up. Those experts aren’t ordinary people like us. They’re all incredibly powerful," Tang Fei said with a sneer. Clearly, he had been here more than once and was very familiar with the auction rules.

This is wonderful! I hope that kid keeps pushing his luck. I can’t wait to see how he gets out of this one! Jiang Shan was thrilled. Although she had no grudge against Yang Qi—in fact, she even owed him money—she just wanted to see him suffer. She couldn’t accept that a man she used to toy with had suddenly attained a status so much higher than hers. She couldn’t stand it.

Tang Fei couldn’t stand it either. A mere pauper... by what right!

After Yang Qi took his seat in the first row, the auction continued.

Tang Wenqiang kept raising his bid. Clearly, he was determined to get the Five Elements Stone today, no matter the cost. The Tang Family had more than enough money; he didn’t care at all. Even Lin Canghai and Gu Shanhe, who had previously given up, started bidding again. They all still looked down on a pauper. In their eyes, the only reason Lei Tingjun and Ye Feng respected Yang Qi was because he had hooked up with Chen Baixiang.

As a result, the four of them continued to bid, driving the price of a single Five Elements Stone up to one billion.

Everyone in the hall gasped. One billion! Such a high price was likely unprecedented in the auction history of Three Prefectures Town. Ultimately, it was Yang Qi’s participation that had led to such an exorbitant price.

"That’s enough!" Jin Zizhen stood up and announced. "One billion is the absolute limit. If the bidding continues, even I will feel embarrassed. So, let’s stick to the old rules and settle this with a death match."

"I agree!" Tang Wenqiang shot Yang Qi a cold glance. "Just because you have some stinky money doesn’t mean you can strut around here. A death match is what shows true capability! A little runt who’s latched onto a capable woman is still useless!"

Yang Qi looked at Tang Wenqiang indifferently. "Indeed, having some stinky money doesn’t give one the right to strut around, especially a fool who’ll believe anything whispered by a few rats. I truly feel sorry for the Tang Family. How could they send such an idiot?"

"What did you say!" Tang Wenqiang exploded. "You little bastard, I’ll kill you!"

"I said you’re a fool. What, you can’t handle it?" Yang Qi said disdainfully. "You believe a few words from some insignificant little rats. If you aren’t a fool, then what are you? Do I need to say it again? You’re utterly brainless."

When Tang Fei and Jiang Shan heard Yang Qi call them "insignificant little rats," they weren’t angry. This was exactly the scene they had dreamed of seeing. They wanted to see Yang Qi digging his own grave. Only then would he truly meet his downfall.

"City Lord Jin, I think your rules need some updating," Chen Baixiang suddenly said with a smile. "Everywhere else, auctions go to the highest bidder. Why are people without money even here? All this talk of death matches and martial duels... if someone actually dies, City Lord Jin, you’ll be in trouble too. After all, they would have died on your territory."

Jin Zizhen felt somewhat awkward. The rule did, in fact, carry that risk. No matter the reason, if someone died in Three Prefectures Town, he would certainly be the first to be held accountable.

"Bai Xiang, don’t worry," Jin Zizhen said, forcing firmness into his voice. "The duels between bidders are primarily sparring matches. We will do our utmost to ensure the participants’ safety."

This rule had been suggested by many from the Jianghu. After all, many who came to the auctions were Martial Artists, and some of them lacked funds, which led to robberies after the auctions concluded. Eventually, everyone agreed it was better to have open and fair duels than clandestine robberies. Whoever won took the item, and the loser covered the auction costs.

This rule had been in use for many years, and no one found it inappropriate. As an ordinary person concerned for Yang Qi’s safety, Chen Baixiang’s objection was what made Jin Zizhen slightly uncomfortable.

"Bai Xiang, don’t be ridiculous! A rule is a rule. It can’t be changed just because you say so. Besides, this Five Elements Stone is no ordinary object. I think a death match is a more fitting way to settle this. After all, the price has already soared to one billion!" Yang Qi stopped Chen Baixiang before she could say more. In terms of financial power, Yang Qi couldn’t compete with the Tang Family of Sea City, so this rule was actually in his favor. He had no reason to oppose it.

"Since Mr. Yang has spoken, I won’t say any more," Chen Baixiang said, falling silent obediently.

"Alright, enough chatter. Let’s get started! Watch me destroy this kid!" A Muay Thai expert stepped out from beside Tang Wenqiang. His hands and feet were wrapped in bandages, and his eyes glinted with sharp, murderous intent.

"Blood Fist Arhat Er Tai!" Tang Fei blanched in shock. "It’s him! Tang Wenqiang actually managed to hire him!"

"Blood Fist Arhat Er Tai? Who is that?" Jiang Shan asked curiously.

Tang Fei boasted proudly, "Blood Fist Arhat Er Tai is known as the King of Muay Thai. Rumor has it that he has mastered the essence of Ancient Muay Thai, which is completely different from its modern form. That’s why he’s called an Arhat! In Luohan Country, the title of Arhat is the highest possible honor. It’s equivalent to what we would call a Martial God or Martial Saint. You can only imagine how incredible he is."