As Yue Shen continued his mocking remarks, a few representatives and leaders from the other forces, including the powerful Liu and Song families, and the Symbol Master Guild delegates, who had lingered after the auction, stayed silent. They watched the spectacle with keen interest, eager to see how the rumored mysterious and powerful Pavilion Master would handle this direct challenge from the Blood Wolf Gang.
Just as Elder Mu was about to speak, thinking quickly about how to manage the escalating situation without resorting to force, a clear, calm voice sounded from the top of the stairs, cutting through the clamor.
"I am here. No need to shout."
Elder Mu's heart instantly relaxed upon hearing that tone… authoritative, yet perfectly controlled. All attention in the hall shifted in unison toward the figure descending the final flight of stairs.
The collective gasp that followed was audible. Everyone had expected a grizzled, imposing master of senior age… a Heavenly Yuan veteran perhaps, or a fierce Yuan Dan expert. Instead, descending was a youth who couldn't have been more than fourteen or fifteen years old.
He was strikingly young, clad in a simple but meticulously tailored charcoal robe, his presence utterly still and composed. His features were attractive, possessing a refined, almost delicate quality that contrasted sharply with the chaotic energy of the city. Most captivating were his eyes: a bright, clear, mesmerizing gray that seemed to absorb all light and shadow.
The youthful appearance, combined with the inexplicable, immense sense of calm he radiated, startled everyone. Several female gazes instantly locked onto him, attracted by his unique features and the compelling enigma he presented. Among them, Zi Yue, the beautiful and proud daughter of the Yan City mayor, who was present as a delegate, fixed a bright, intense gaze on Lin Yi, her initial surprise instantly replaced by profound curiosity.
Yue Shen's aggressive posture instantly stiffened. His large, scarred face, moments before contorted in an arrogant sneer, was replaced by a look of bewildered shock. The youth standing before him… no, the boy… was a complete contradiction to the ruthless, shadowy killer rumors circulating in the city.
For a moment, all the tension drained out of his body. Then, a massive, mocking laugh erupted from his chest, echoing loudly across the silent hall.
"Ha ha ha, you are a boy!" Yue Shen roared, slapping his thigh. "The great Pavilion Master of the Yi Pavilion is a child! A rich, pampered little master playing merchant! No wonder you were hiding upstairs!"
He spat again, the sound hitting the marble floor with contempt. In his heart, his initial fear completely evaporated, replaced by a surge of confident thoughts. 'It's all smoke and mirrors! This 'Yi Pavilion' is nothing more than a front established by some timid, wealthy clan to offload their resources. This kid has the protection of some Heavenly Yuan expert, maybe, but he lacks the killer instinct and the brute force to run a city!'
Yue Shen straightened, crossing his arms and adopting a posture of superior intimidation. "Look, little master. I won't harm you. But this joke is over. You've had your fun. Your pavilion is a threat to the stability of Yan City, and your low-quality items are an insult to the Blood Wolf Gang's established order. We are generous. Pay my brother for the failed transaction, submit to our authority, and we'll let you keep your storefront. Consider it a tax for running a business in our Blood Wolf gang territory."
His tone was no longer accusatory; it was demanding, a declaration of intent to seize control.
Behind Yue Shen, his two Earthly Yuan Late Stage subordinates, who had been nervous moments before, now shared glances of profound relief and mocking superiority.
'A rich kid. All that fear was for nothing,' one thought, relaxing his grip on his Yuan Power.
'The rumors are false; this is just a puppet. Another business will become our backyard.' the other mused, his eyes already calculating the percentage of the Yi Pavilion's profits the Blood Wolf Gang would soon claim.
The representatives from the other major factions, however, displayed a more complex set of emotions.
Zi Yue, the mayor's daughter, watched the exchange with a mixture of confusion and growing skepticism. 'He is extremely young. But his eyes… and that stillness. It's unnatural. If he's a rich playboy, why is he exuding such immense composure under this level of blatant threat?'
The delegates from the Liu and Song families exchanged hurried whispers, doubt flickering in their eyes. 'No Yuan Power fluctuation. No display of strength. Could the stories of the terrifying speed and ruthlessness be baseless exaggeration? Did we just put all our hopes into a paper tiger?'
The Symbol Master Guild delegate, an elderly man named Master He, stroked his thin beard, his attention focused entirely on Lin Yi's gray eyes. 'This young man's mental aura is completely suppressed. I can't feel a thing. This level of camouflage is either because of a high-level treasure or a Symbol Master of an unbelievable rank. But if he is a master, why is he letting this gang member insult him?'
Lin Yi continued his slow descent, his feet barely making a sound on the stone stairs. He reached the final step and stood before the group, his charcoal robe contrasting sharply with Yue Shen's gaudy, scarlet-wolf vest.
He didn't acknowledge Yue Shen's demands or his presence. He simply glanced at Elder Mu, who was trying to subtly communicate his anxiety.
"Elder Mu," Lin Yi's voice was soft, unnervingly calm, a tone one might use to discuss the weather, not a violent confrontation. "I believe the final auction lot has concluded. Please ensure the delegates from the Liu and Song families and the Symbol Master Guild receive their customary parting gifts and are escorted safely from the premises."
His eyes did not leave Yue Shen's face, yet his authority was absolute. He was dismissing the entire audience, signaling that the confrontation with the Blood Wolf Gang was a mere triviality that did not deserve witnesses.
Elder Mu, recognizing the silent command and the subtle, cold focus in his master's gaze, immediately bowed deeply, his composure returning instantly. "As you command, Pavilion Master." He began ushering the other delegates toward the side exit.
Yue Shen scoffed, momentarily taken aback by the boy's blatant dismissal. "Parting gifts? Escorted? You think you can just dismiss the Blood Wolf Gang? I am giving you a chance to save your life, you arrogant little fool!"
...