The strongest force in Chanzhou was none other than the Southern Guardian Prince's manor.
Second only to it was the Fang clan.
Fang Wunian was the Fang clan's number one genius.
In terms of talent, he was even stronger than Wu Cangming.
At just twenty-two, Fang Wunian's cultivation had already reached the eighth level of Martial King.
This wasn't like Zhou Chong's strength, which was built entirely on medicinal boosts. At most, Fang Wunian had used pills as support—his foundation was real, cultivated by his own effort.
"Brother Huang Yu, this inn belongs to the Xu clan, but your Huang clan holds the second stake. Shouldn't you drive that brat out before Fang Wunian arrives and gets upset?" Zhou Chong said.
He was wary of "Chen Cheng." That incident at Wanlu Manor had left him unable to see through the boy. But he could easily stir others up against him.
The young man called Huang Yu rubbed his chin. "Makes sense…"
But then he froze and shook his head. "Too late."
The others also noticed something and all turned toward the entrance.
"It's Fang Wunian."
"Heh, looks like a good show's about to start."
The noble youths were brimming with anticipation.
At that moment, Yang Cheng also sensed the eyes around him. He shook his head.
Since ancient times, beauty has brought disaster.
His coldness toward Jiang Hengwu wasn't just because he knew her nature. He also knew her being close would inevitably bring him trouble.
Step, step, step…
Several figures strode directly toward Yang Cheng and Jiang Hengwu.
The young man in front carried an extraordinary presence. He looked straight at Jiang Hengwu and said, "Miss Jiang, you've been in Chanzhou for days, and I haven't yet hosted you. Why don't I accompany you today at this auction?"
He spoke as if Yang Cheng didn't even exist.
"No need. I'm fine on my own. I don't need company," Jiang Hengwu replied.
The youth's face darkened slightly, then he turned to Yang Cheng. "Hey, whoever you are, this doesn't concern you. Leave."
Yang Cheng acted as though he hadn't heard him, still examining the pills on display.
With his Pill Dao already at Perfection, he could easily see the quality of these medicines.
Once upon a time, in his eyes, the Divine Medicine Valley was lofty and untouchable, its alchemy like a sacred Dao.
But now, he realized the pills refined here were nothing special.
He had come hoping to learn, but all he saw were crude pills one after another.
Of course, these pills were good enough to fool laymen.
The chorus of gasps around proved just how well Divine Medicine Valley had mastered deception.
"Are your ears plugged? I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?" the youth said coldly.
With the man openly cursing, Yang Cheng couldn't keep ignoring him.
He turned his head. "Do whatever you want, but stop buzzing in my ear."
"Hiss!"
"That kid's got guts, daring to talk to Fang Wunian like that."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Perfect. I already didn't like you. If you'd walked away, I'd have let it go. But now you dare talk back?"
Fang Wunian's eyes grew cold. "What, you think leaning on Bai Lifo gives you free rein? Let me tell you— even Bai Lifo himself has to bow when he stands before me."
"So you know who I am. Then what were you posturing for earlier?" Yang Cheng said calmly.
"You…"
Fang Wunian's forehead veins bulged, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Looks like you're set on crossing me. Do you even know who Fang Wunian is?"
"Oh? And who are you?" Yang Cheng asked.
"I won't even bring up the strength of my Fang clan. Just me, Fang Wunian—at twenty-two, I've already reached eighth level Martial King."
Fang Wunian said arrogantly, "Under my command, I have more than three hundred elite fighters who serve me. What do you have to fight against me?"
"Fang Wunian's that strong?"
"Of course. He's one of the biggest underground figures in Chanzhou, even fiercer than Fo Ye."
"Over the years, Fang Wunian has killed hundreds, if not thousands. That kid crossing him is doomed."
The crowd buzzed with talk.
Zhou Chong's eyes lit with glee, watching Yang Cheng with pure schadenfreude.
"Fang Wunian, today's the Divine Medicine Valley's auction. If you cause trouble here, you're disrespecting Divine Medicine Valley," Jiang Hengwu frowned.
"My Fang clan has close ties with the Divine Medicine Valley."
Fang Wunian smiled at Jiang Hengwu, then sneered at Yang Cheng. "Next, I'll show you the difference between heaven and mud."
"Who dares cause trouble here?"
Steady footsteps echoed.
A moment later, a mature, elegant middle-aged woman walked in.
"It's Steward Huang."
"She's not just the Huang clan's authority, but also a steward of Divine Medicine Valley."
"Looks like this farce is about to end."
The crowd grew even more excited.
"Huang Yu, your aunt's here," someone called.
Huang Yu's lips curved into a self-satisfied smile.
Standing beside Zhou Chong, Ouyang Xue found him harder and harder to respect. Compared to Huang Yu or Fang Wunian, Zhou Chong was nothing.
As for Chen Cheng?
Ouyang Xue actually knew he wasn't simple. But maybe because she had looked down on him from the start, the more outstanding he became, the more it showed her lack of judgment. That made her all the more unwilling to see him shine.
'He offended Fang Wunian. This time he's definitely in for disaster. Even if Fo Ye came, he wouldn't be able to save him now,' she thought.
"Steward Huang, it's me," Fang Wunian said, brimming with confidence, his tone casual.
"So it's Young Master Fang."
Steward Huang's face softened into polite respect.
The Huang clan had risen by leaning on Divine Medicine Valley. Without that connection, they couldn't even compare to the Fang clan. Facing Fang Wunian, she naturally had to show courtesy.
Fang Wunian pointed at Yang Cheng. "Steward Huang, this person's identity is unclear. He might have entered the auction with bad intentions. I suggest you drive him out."
Steward Huang glanced at Yang Cheng and saw an unfamiliar face. She dismissed him instantly.
"If Young Master Fang says so, then clearly this person is suspicious."
She turned to Yang Cheng. "Young sir, whose invitation brought you here?"
She was careful—before striking, she wanted to probe.
All eyes turned toward Yang Cheng.
"He's from Hecheng," Fang Wunian sneered. "I recall that for this auction, only the Ouyang clan of Hecheng received invitations."
"Could it be this kid sneaked in?"
"Trying to pass off as one of us—shameless."
People joined in jeering.
Steward Huang's gaze grew colder. "You'd best explain yourself, otherwise I'll have no choice but to send you out."
Yang Cheng pulled out an invitation from his sleeve. "Is this enough?"
Fang Wunian and the others frowned. They hadn't expected him to actually have one.
Steward Huang, cautious, took it. With just one glance, disdain flickered in her eyes.
There were two types of invitations for this auction.
The first came directly from Divine Medicine Valley to major powers—those were genuine honored guests.
The second were invitations sold by the Huang clan, who were handling the auction for profit. Each cost a fortune, and the Huang clan had made a killing off them.
But those buyers were nothing more than wealthy sheep to be fleeced.
Yang Cheng's invitation clearly belonged to the second type.
Between a fat sheep and Fang Wunian, Steward Huang knew her choice.
"This invitation is fake."
The crowd gasped.
"What? A fake invitation!"
"Someone used a fake to sneak in? Disgraceful!"
Eyes filled with scorn fell on Yang Cheng.
Fang Wunian smiled faintly, as if everything was unfolding as he expected.
"Could this be a misunderstanding?" Jiang Hengwu spoke up. "Young Master Chen is Fo Ye's guest. How could he be carrying a fake invitation?"
"Fo Ye?" Steward Huang scoffed. "Sorry, this auction didn't invite anyone by that name."
"What a disgrace," Ouyang Xue said. "Someone like him doesn't deserve Tangtang."
"Fo Ye might throw his weight around elsewhere, but here in the prefectural city, he's nothing," Zhou Chong added.
Last time Fo Ye had scorned him but treated Chen Cheng with respect, leaving him bitter. He wouldn't dare say this before Fo Ye, but with him absent, he could vent freely.
"You're sure my invitation is fake?" Yang Cheng asked calmly, looking at Steward Huang with a faint smile.
There was no way Lin Shu would give him a fake invitation. The only explanation was that Steward Huang was twisting things to curry favor with Fang Wunian.
"What kind of attitude is that?"
Steward Huang's face hardened. "Guards, throw him out immediately. Don't let him spoil our honored guests' mood."
Guards from the inn moved forward.
Fang Wunian looked at Yang Cheng coldly. "I already told you, there's a world of difference between us. Trash like you isn't even qualified to fight me. And you think you can stand against me?"
Zhou Chong, Huang Yu, and Ouyang Xue all wore mocking smiles.
"Who gave you the courage to insult my honored guest?"
A voice as cold as ice cut through the air.
Crash—
The crowd quickly parted.
A tall, graceful young woman with an aura of pure frost stepped into the hall. Her presence instantly outshone every other woman present.
"Who is she? What a terrifying presence."
"That's Xu Qingxue, from the Xu clan," someone answered.
"No wonder… But wait, did she just speak up for Chen Cheng?"
People were first enlightened, then puzzled.
Two years ago, the Xu clan swallowed the Hong clan and became rulers of Canglan City.
In the years since, they grew rapidly, and now ranked just below the Southern Guardian Prince's manor and the Fang clan in Chanzhou.
And Xu Qingxue's status in the Xu clan wasn't like Fang Wunian's. He wasn't even the sole heir, still competing with several rivals.
Xu Qingxue was different.
She wasn't an heir—she was already in power.
The Xu clan revolved around her.
"Qingxue, why are you here?" Steward Huang's face changed dramatically.
After all, the Xu clan was the real owner of this inn. The Huang clan was only a secondary shareholder.
Xu Qingxue's voice was cold. "What, Steward Huang, do you find my presence inconvenient?"
Normally, she was gentle with people.
But now her tone was sharp, showing her true anger.