Everyone from the hidden families and sects residing in Penzes City was stunned by what had happened the day before. That very night, countless messenger hawks of all kinds flew out from Penzes City.

「Three days later.」

Ling Xiao secretly received all the Messengers from the hidden families and sects in a small banquet hall at the Penzes City administrative center.

At the banquet, Ling Xiao observed the Messengers from the various families and sects with a playful amusement. They were a mix of old and young, men and women, and every single one of them possessed a powerful aura. When Ling Xiao carefully scanned them with his Spiritual Power, he was surprised to find not a single Martial Artist below the strength of a Demon Swordsman!

’As expected of people from the legendary clans,’ he marveled inwardly. ’Not a single one of them is a simple character!’

Among them was the yellow-robed middle-aged man who had nearly clashed with Ling Xiao a few days before. He was now sitting with a stony expression, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Ling Xiao.

’How amusing,’ Ling Xiao thought. ’What’s with the act? If you really didn’t want to see me, you shouldn’t have come.’

Some of the people in the room appeared to be old acquaintances, chatting and laughing softly with one another in a very cordial manner.

Ling Xiao coughed lightly and rose to his feet. Yisha, dressed in magnificent attire, appeared at his side. Ever since learning certain things about the High Priest, Ling Xiao had deliberately limited Ye Zi’s exposure to the people from these hidden families and sects.

Yisha gently took Ling Xiao’s arm and stood beside him, her gaze lowered, the very image of an upper-class socialite. Many of the Messengers who had been in Penzes City for some time recognized her. This was one of the proprietors of the Ling Auction House! The very same woman responsible for the Beauty Pill!

The gazes of nearly every female Messenger were filled with envy and... jealousy. The Beauty Pill’s exorbitant price made it a luxury that was not easily affordable, even for people of their status.

But the woman by the Lord’s side, judging by her tender and flawless skin, was clearly someone who could use Beauty Pills whenever she pleased!

Many of the young men, meanwhile, envied the young Lord. Every woman at his side was a peerless beauty. Even the consorts of the noble future heirs from the hidden families and sects paled in comparison. It was truly enviable! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Ling Xiao glanced at the crowd and said coolly, "My friends, welcome to Penzes City—my territory. I was recently occupied with some personal affairs and couldn’t find the time to receive you. My apologies. The reason I’ve gathered you all here today is that I am, by nature, a lazy person. I prefer to handle things all at once and speak plainly. So... you may now state your intentions. Of course, before you do, I believe it’s quite necessary for you to introduce yourselves first!"

A woman in her twenties stood up. She had rosy lips, pearly teeth, and exceptionally delicate skin. Beneath long, thick lashes, her bright, dark eyes fixed on Ling Xiao. She first glanced around the room, then parted her lips and said, "My status is humble. I trust the representatives of the great families won’t mind if I’m the one to break the ice?"

The crowd chuckled, though one person snorted in disdain. The woman paid it no mind. With a faint smile, she said, "Lord Ling Xiao, I am Qing Yu of the Qinghui Family. Our family is not large—third-rate, at best. My purpose here is simple: our family is extremely interested in your Lordship’s Beauty Pills and sent me to purchase twenty of them. However, our family does not have that many Gold Coins. I was wondering if you, my Lord, would be open to a trade?"

Yisha bloomed into a radiant smile. "Of course, Miss Qing Yu. As long as the items are of equivalent value, we are certainly willing to trade. Furthermore, while the Beauty Pills are in high demand and short supply at the auction house, the Lord has instructed us to give special consideration to our friends from the hidden families and sects! Therefore, we will do our best to fulfill your request. However, if our stock is insufficient... we will be sure to inform you beforehand."

Qing Yu gave Yisha a sweet smile, fluttering her lashes as she spoke. "Our family would like this to be a long-term arrangement. Also, I take the liberty, on behalf of my Patriarch, to extend our best regards to Lord Ling Xiao and the esteemed Alchemy Master. Should the Master create any new Elixirs, the Qinghui Clan would be willing to purchase them at a high price."

Ling Xiao and Yisha would certainly not refuse such a clear expression of goodwill. Yisha smiled. "We will certainly give Miss Qing Yu’s proposal consideration. Is there anything else?"

Qing Yu smiled faintly. "If I may be so bold, I would like to ask the Lord for a gold card to the Ling Auction House. Hehe, I hear they are quite the status symbol. A worldly person like myself would love to have one, simply for my collection."

Yisha was already prepared. She glanced back at a young girl standing behind her—one of the orphans from Wutang Town. The girl held a box with both hands and began distributing its contents to each person present.

At first, the yellow-robed middle-aged man snorted, his expression one of utter disdain. ’Such childish tricks to curry favor,’ he thought. ’And they have the gall to show them off? I wouldn’t take this piece of junk if they handed it to me on a platter!’

But, whether by accident or design, by the time the young girl reached him, she had run out...

The yellow-robed middle-aged man could feel the subtle glances from those around him, and he flew into a rage. Forcibly suppressing it, however, he glared coldly at the girl and hissed, "You dare humiliate me intentionally!"

With the power of a High-tier Sword Sect, the yellow-robed man didn’t even need to consciously release his oppressive aura. A Low-tier Martial Artist like the girl couldn’t possibly withstand it. Her chest felt as if it had been hammered, and her face went pale as she stumbled back several steps. Yet, she stubbornly bit her lip, staring back at the yellow-robed man with a defiant, blank expression.