Silence.
A deathly silence!
Everyone in the hall was stunned.
The people here were no ordinary folk, who couldn’t see through Yan Bianyue’s earlier actions?
Clearly, he wanted to trample on this Young Master Ye to show off in front of Xiangu Yao and win her favour.
Everyone saw it but left it unsaid!
No one expected Ye Xuan to call it out.
Awkward!
Who was embarrassed?
Naturally, Yan Bianyue. The crowd looked at him like he was a clown.
Many, when looking at Ye Xuan, had a touch of admiration in their eyes.
Regardless of strength or wealth, his poise, confidence, and wit were beyond ordinary.
Behind the platform, a veiled woman stared at Ye Xuan, the lead dancer from before. She had noticed him earlier because she overheard his conversation with Xiangu Yao!
She heard respect and praise in his words!
Now, hearing him again, a strange glint appeared in her beautiful eyes.
In a corner, a woman in a black robe also watched Ye Xuan, her face half-covered by a silver mask. Though only her eyes and part of her face were visible, that half was enough to outshine countless women.
She was Shen Lan, one of the two renowned beauties of the Divine Universe, alongside Xiangu Yao, and one of its top experts!
Shen Lan suddenly said, “I want all the information on this Young Master Ye!”
Behind her, a peerless expert quietly withdrew.
…
In the hall, Yan Bianyue’s face was ashen, frozen in place, unsure how to respond!
This was too embarrassing!
Then, Xiangu Yao beside Ye Xuan stood, looking at Yan Bianyue, “Young Master Ye is my friend. If you’re displeased with him, you’re displeased with me!”
Friend!
The crowd’s expressions turned odd.
Hearing Xiangu Yao, Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, knowing her words would likely earn him more enemies.
But what did it matter?
At her words, Yan Bianyue’s face grew even uglier.
He knew he’d disgusted Xiangu Yao!
Realising this, he shot Ye Xuan a cold glance.
Nan Qing quickly stepped in as peacemaker, smiling, “Anyone with a higher bid?”
“Thirty million!”
A voice came from the corner.
Everyone turned to look.
The bidder was a woman in a black dress, Shen Lan, though few had seen her, so no one recognised her.
Yan Bianyue glanced coldly at Shen Lan, then said, “Thirty-five million!”
Shen Lan, expressionless, said, “Fifty million!”
Fifty million!
The hall erupted in shock.
Fifty million cosmic veins was no small sum, no, it was an astronomical amount, even for major powers!
Even the wealthy Xianbao Pavilion, aside from its Master, likely couldn’t muster this from any branch!
Yan Bianyue was stunned, not expecting someone to bid fifty million!
Fifty million!
Even the Yan family couldn’t gather that much quickly, and if they did, it would cripple them!
Yan Bianyue’s face was grim, knowing his family would lose the *Divine Dao Codex*.
On the platform, Nan Qing scanned the room, excited, “Any higher bids?”
Silence.
Fifty million!
Who could top that?
Ye Xuan glanced at Shen Lan, fifty million, another rich lady!
Nan Qing announced, “Sold!”
He carried a box to Shen Lan, the crowd’s eyes fixed on it, some greedy, some envious, some cold…
But no one dared act!
This was Xianbao Pavilion!
Who’d dare rob here?
They’d be begging for death!
Nan Qing handed the box to Shen Lan, “Miss, please take it!”
Shen Lan placed a storage ring in his hand, opened the box, and took out the *Divine Dao Codex*. After a glance, she closed it, saying, “Worth a hundred million cosmic veins!”
She turned and left.
Worth a hundred million!
The hall boiled over!
Clearly, the *Codex* was worth more than they’d imagined!
Yan Bianyue’s face remained grim, now regretting! If they’d secured it, it could’ve transformed the Yan family!
But it was too costly!
Fifty million would cripple the Yan family, shaking their foundation.
With a soft sigh, Yan Bianyue turned to leave, but not before shooting a cold glance at Ye Xuan sitting with Xiangu Yao.
Xiangu Yao suddenly said, “My brother’s getting married the day after tomorrow. Interested in coming?”
Ye Xuan was stunned, “Married?”
Xiangu Yao nodded, “To the third miss of the Xuan Realm!”
Ye Xuan thought, then smiled, “Sure!”
Xiangu Yao nodded slightly, “See you then!”
She stood and left.
In the hall, Ye Xuan paused, then walked off, intending to find Nan Qing, but he was gone! With no choice, he approached a Xianbao Pavilion attendant, the gentle woman from earlier.
Ye Xuan smiled at her, “Please inform President Nan Qing that I need to see him!”
The woman hesitated, then said, “One moment!”
She turned and left.
In a room, Nan Qing was talking with Yan Bianyue.
Seeing the woman enter, Nan Qing asked, “What is it?”
She nodded slightly, “Young Master Ye requests a meeting!”
Young Master Ye!
Nan Qing was puzzled, “Which Young Master Ye?”
The woman quickly said, “The one with Miss Xiangu Yao!”
Yan Bianyue’s eyes narrowed.
Nan Qing hesitated, then asked, “Is Miss Xiangu Yao with him?”
The woman shook her head.
Nan Qing shook his head, “I won’t see him!”
The woman bowed slightly and left.
In the room, Yan Bianyue chuckled, “President Nan Qing, is that wise?”
Nan Qing smiled, “Young Master Yan, I’d rather be friends with you!”
Clearly, he chose Yan Bianyue!
This was normal, the Yan family was powerful, with many business ties to Xianbao Pavilion, greatly beneficial to him.
Yan Bianyue smiled, “President Nan Qing, we’re good friends!”
He stood, “Family matters await, let’s talk another day!”
Nan Qing nodded, “Young Master Yan, until next time!”
Yan Bianyue clasped his fists and left.
Outside.
Ye Xuan looked at the gentle woman, “He won’t see me?”
She nodded, hesitating, then said, “The president is with Young Master Yan!”
Yan Bianyue!
Ye Xuan smiled, “Got it!”
The woman hesitated, then said, “Should I try again after Young Master Yan leaves?”
Ye Xuan blinked, “What’s your name?”
The woman was startled, then said softly, “Ayue!”
Ye Xuan asked, “How long have you worked here?”
Ayue raised three fingers, “Thirty years!”
Ye Xuan blinked, “Still a junior attendant?”
Ayue nodded, “I think it’s good, I learn a lot!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Like what?”
Ayue hesitated, then said, “Like not judging by appearances.”
She glanced at Ye Xuan, saying softly, “You’re not ordinary, sir!”
Ye Xuan opened his palm, “Your hand!”
Ayue froze.
Ye Xuan grabbed her hand, studied it, then smiled, “Your palm shows promise. Today, you might get promoted!”
He pulled out a token and placed it in her hand, “Recognise this?”
Ayue looked at the token, shaking her head, “No!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Show it to your president!”
Ayue hesitated.
Ye Xuan smiled, “You already went in once, you’re worried going again will upset him, right?”
Ayue nodded, “Yes!”
Ye Xuan laughed, “No worries, he might not be president much longer!”
Ayue froze.
Moments later, Ayue nervously returned to Nan Qing’s room. Seeing her, Nan Qing frowned, “That youth hasn’t left?”
Ayue nodded, “Yes…”
Nan Qing shook his head, “He may be special to be with Miss Xiangu Yao, but I want no ties with him. Know why?”
Ayue shook her head.
Nan Qing chuckled, “He’s offended Yan Bianyue, and that means offending the Yan family! He’s safe for now, but he might not live long.”
He paused, then added, “In our line, ability matters less than vision. You must pick the right side. One wrong choice, and you’re doomed.”
He waved, “Tell him to leave. If he’s smart, he’ll understand my stance!”
Ayue hesitated, then mustered courage, approached Nan Qing, and placed the token on his desk, “Pres… President, this…”
Seeing the token, Nan Qing was thunderstruck, his face pale, trembling, “This… where did you get this?”
Ayue said, “From… Young Master Ye, who sent me…”
Before she finished, Nan Qing vanished like lightning. The next moment, he appeared before Ye Xuan, without a word, dropped to his knees with a thud, trembling, “Young… Young Master Ye…”
He kowtowed fiercely, not stopping even as blood flowed from his forehead.
