"Very well! Chu Mengyao, is it? I'll remember you." Zhou Zhixiong stared at Chu Mengyao. Ye Bufan took a step to the side, blocking Zhou Zhixiong's gaze.
"Do you want to continue?" Ye Bufan asked.
"Sure." Seeing this, Zhou Zhixiong gathered strength in his legs, preparing to charge at Ye Bufan.
"Tap, tap, tap—"
"Today is the Jin Fang auction. Since everyone is here, let's prioritize harmony."
Just then, an old man walked out from the inner hall where the auction was to be held. His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.
Behind the old man were a man and a woman. The man was Tian Wenxing, the head of Jinhe Jin Fang. The woman beside him was Tong Su, the auctioneer. She wore a cheongsam with a high slit, revealing her long and shapely legs, which would turn heads on the street.
Upon seeing the elder, Zhou Zhixiong's previously arrogant demeanor vanished, replaced by immediate respect.
"Elder Wu," Zhou Zhixiong bowed to the old man.
Tian Wenxing stepped forward and announced, "Everyone, allow me to introduce Elder Wu Cheng of the Martial Alliance. One of the items being auctioned today is provided by the Martial Alliance."
The members of various influential families present showed reverence upon hearing that he was an elder of the Martial Alliance. All elders of the Martial Alliance were invariably at the Martial Venerable level. The crowd cupped their fists in greeting towards Wu Cheng.
"Please, dispense with the formalities," Wu Cheng said.
Wu Cheng scanned the crowd and noticed Ye Bufan standing still, not cupping his fists.
"Hmm?" Wu Cheng's gaze swept over Ye Bufan. He found Ye Bufan's aura to be restrained, and he couldn't discern Ye Bufan's strength.
"No, that's impossible. How could there be such a young Martial Venerable?" Wu Cheng tried to reassure himself, "It must be that his sect has some techniques to conceal his aura. Yes, that's it."
In Wu Cheng's opinion, any sect capable of nurturing someone like Ye Bufan must be an ancient, powerful entity. He felt it was necessary to establish a good relationship.
Therefore, Wu Cheng walked forward, feigning admiration, and praised Ye Bufan repeatedly, saying, "A true hero emerges from youth! I never expected to see such a young advanced martial artist in Jinhe. Nangong Yi of the capital will be under pressure now."
Ye Bufan cupped his fists and replied to Wu Cheng, "Elder Wu flatters me."
"Did you hear that! Did you hear that!" Wang Xinyan stepped forward and said to Zhou Zhixiong, "Who was it that just said Ye Bufan wasn't an advanced martial artist? Who was it that mocked Ye Bufan, saying he must be a genius even more exceptional than Nangong Yi?"
Zhou Zhixiong's brows furrowed. He felt as if his face was stinging from slaps.
"Hmph! So what if he's a genius? All geniuses die young!" Zhou Zhixiong huffed and returned behind Yang Xuancheng.
"Everyone, the auction is about to begin. Please proceed to the auction venue."
Tong Su, who had been silent until now, stepped forward and addressed the crowd.
"Everyone, we'll see you at the auction hall later!" Wu Cheng exchanged pleasantries with the crowd and followed Tian Wenxing into the auction venue.
Yang Xuancheng glanced back at Yang Xiuwen and Zhou Zhixiong. He flicked his sleeves in frustration. He had intended to make things difficult for the Chu family, but instead, he had given them an opportunity to gain prestige. Yang Xuancheng wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
"Let's go!" Yang Xuancheng led the Yang family members into the auction venue.
"Ah, it seems I've arrived just in time." At this moment, Jin Yuchen entered the mansion, with three women on his arm.
Seeing Ye Bufan, Jin Yuchen gave him a subtle nod and looked at him an extra moment.
Other family members greeted Jin Yuchen politely.
"Yo! Beautiful ladies, we meet again." Jin Yuchen, accompanied by three women, approached Wang Xinyan to flirt.
"Oh my, there's another one by your side. Hmm. Why the look? Isn't that the eldest daughter of the Chu family?" Jin Yuchen said, stepping forward to shake Chu Mengyao's hand. "A pleasure to meet you. When you have some free time, I'll treat you to dinner."
"Ahem, ahem," Wang Xinyan coughed and whispered in Jin Yuchen's ear, "Young Master Jin, I already know about your situation. You still dare to approach me so brazenly? Aren't you afraid I'll reveal it?"
Jin Yuchen was momentarily stunned and said, "Oh! Is that so? Then we'll have to make another appointment."
With that, Jin Yuchen quickly shifted his focus and approached Tong Su.
"Sister Tong, beautiful lady, you must have some time after the auction ends today, right? I've asked you out five times before. You should have time today, shouldn't you?" Jin Yuchen had the women he was with hand him two glasses of champagne and clinked glasses with Tong Su.
Tong Su smiled slightly and said to Jin Yuchen, "Younger brother Jin, I'm not interested in children."
With that, Tong Su downed her champagne in one gulp.
Jin Yuchen was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter and entered the auction venue with the three women.
"Brother Daoyuan, let's go in too," Chu He called out to Lin Daoyuan. The two of them, along with their respective entourages, entered the auction venue.
"Master, shall we go in too?" Zhu Zizhen asked.
Ye Bufan nodded, about to enter, when Tong Su approached him.
"Mr. Ye is truly young and promising. The renowned divine physician Zhu Zizhen has become your disciple. I'll toast you." Tong Su handed Ye Bufan a glass of champagne, clinked her glass against his, and drank it first.
Ye Bufan, seeing this, also drank his champagne and then asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Heh heh heh. Mr. Ye is so straightforward," Tong Su said. "I'm just afraid that as a newcomer, you might not be familiar with our Jin Fang auction house. I've come to give you a personal introduction. Would you honor me with your company, Young Master Ye?"
Tong Su looked at Ye Bufan. Chu Mengyao, standing behind him, frowned, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
"What's wrong with me?" Chu Mengyao looked at Ye Bufan's retreating back.
"Didn't you say you're not interested in those younger than you?" Ye Bufan retorted.
Tong Su was taken aback, then immediately laughed, "Since he's a genius, who wouldn't be interested?"
"We're finished. Jin Yuchen is going to be depressed," Wang Xinyan couldn't resist teasing from the side.
At this moment, a person dressed as a server walked up to Tong Su and whispered something in her ear.
Seeing this, Tong Su gestured, and someone brought over a gilded folder.
"Mr. Ye, I have some urgent matters. I'll come find you again after I'm done," Tong Su said, handing the folder to Ye Bufan. "This is an introduction to our Jin Fang and a list of items for this auction. If you have anything you wish to auction, you can also come to me."
After speaking, Tong Su leaned close to Ye Bufan's ear and gently blew a puff of air.
"We'll meet again later," Tong Su said, then turned and walked into the auction venue.
"Let's go too," Ye Bufan said.
The four of them, together, entered the auction hall.