Wu Shuai's heart was filled with emotion as he watched Yi Zhiye activate the defenses of the Four Oceans House. He had never expected that the owner of the Four Oceans House would be Yi Zhiye; he had always assumed it would be Zheng Wei. However, given the camaraderie between them, it didn't matter who the owner of the Four Oceans House was.
The group made their way towards the city gate of Yingcheng. Upon entering, they were surprised to find the city brilliantly lit. Although Shen Xiaoyan and the others had been living near the city gate for over a month, they had never visited Yingcheng at night. The sight before them caused them all to exclaim in surprise.
"Is it this lively every night?" Shen Xiaoyan asked.
Wu Shuai shook his head. "It's usually lively, but never as lively as tonight. It's because of the auction. Many people from other cities have come, which is why it's so bustling."
Shen Xiaoyan nodded, finding this understandable. If Yingcheng were this lively every night, it would indeed be an exceptionally prosperous city, far from the appearance of a mere border town.
As they proceeded towards the Sheng Yu Auction House, most of the people they encountered were heading in the same direction. It seemed they were all going to the Sheng Yu Auction House. However, upon reaching the entrance, Shen Xiaoyan revised his assumption. Many people had stopped at the entrance, gathering in small groups, discussing and gossiping, but not entering the auction house.
"Why are they all just standing here?" Lu Taobao asked curiously.
Wu Shuai smiled, his smug expression evident. "It's simple. They can't get in." Judging by their attire, none of them appeared to be wealthy. And a place like an auction house was all about spending money, especially a grand annual event like this. Without sufficient crystal coins, they naturally couldn't enter. From this perspective, it meant that everyone participating in the auction tonight was a person of considerable standing.
Thinking this, Shen Xiaoyan felt a renewed sense of interest. Since arriving in the Sheng Ling Continent, he hadn't really encountered any cultivators. He wondered about the overall level of cultivation in Yingcheng.
As they reached the entrance of the Sheng Yu Auction House, Wu Shuai naturally walked at the forefront. Just as Shen Xiaoyan and the others were about to enter, a sharp voice called out, "We can't get in, so where did these people come from? How can they go in?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others paused and turned towards the speaker. The man had a pointed mouth and monkey cheeks, clearly indicating he was no good sort.
"I say, Huang Yi Meng, others can get in because it's their ability. If you want to get in too, why don't you go beg Huang Shan? Maybe if you kowtow a few times, Huang Shan will be happy to take you in," someone beside Huang Yi Meng scoffed before Shen Xiaoyan and his group could even speak.
Shen Xiaoyan's eyebrows flicked up slightly. He had assumed these people standing together were a group, but the meaning behind the words indicated otherwise. The man called Huang Yi Meng was the one who had just spoken about Shen Xiaoyan and his group. Hearing the man beside him mock him, a flicker of anger crossed Huang Yi Meng's face, but for some reason, he suppressed it and didn't erupt. Of course, this was in relation to the man beside him. They were both minor figures within their families, with similar status. If a real argument broke out, he wouldn't gain any advantage.
However, not arguing with the man beside him didn't mean he wouldn't argue with Shen Xiaoyan and his group. With a sneer, Huang Yi Meng stepped forward and stopped beside Shen Xiaoyan and his companions. His chin was held high, and he glanced at them from the corner of his eye with an arrogant demeanor.
"You, did you not hear what we said? Don't you even look at yourselves. Do you really think any stray dog can come in with you?" In Huang Yi Meng's opinion, Shen Xiaoyan and his companions were dressed extremely ordinarily, and their faces were not from any family he knew in Yingcheng. More importantly, Shen Xiaoyan and Na Muzhong were both beauties, each with their own unique charm. Such great beauties, if they could be his, he'd be willing to live a few years less. As for Zheng Wei and the other two, apart from the one with cultivation, and even then his cultivation wasn't high, the other two showed no spiritual fluctuations. This emboldened Huang Yi Meng completely.
In fact, he was already frustrated at not being able to enter the Sheng Yu Auction House tonight. Coupled with the earlier mockery from the man beside him, his mind had become muddled, and he wanted to do something to save face. If he had been clear-headed, he would never have spoken so rashly. Unfortunately, the world lacked regretful medicine.
Before Zheng Wei and the others could react, Wu Shuai's forehead veins bulged with anger. Huang Yi Meng was from the Bai family, and he dared to challenge him like this, speaking so rudely about the people he brought. This clearly showed he didn't take Wu Shuai seriously. The more Wu Shuai thought about it, the angrier he became. He forgot the rule about not fighting near the Sheng Yu Auction House, flashed in front of Huang Yi Meng, and before Huang Yi Meng could react, kicked him in the stomach.
Huang Yi Meng's strength was no match for Wu Shuai's. Furthermore, he was caught completely off guard and was sent flying. Instantly, Huang Yi Meng felt as if all his internal organs were tangled together. The pain made him want to curse aloud. As he looked up at the person who had kicked him, he saw Wu Shuai's face, filled with rage.
Huang Yi Meng didn't know that Wu Shuai and Huang Shan had already fallen out. Seeing Wu Shuai like this, he thought Wu Shuai was angry that he had been beaten and was now disappointed in him. Thinking this, Huang Yi Meng quickly said, "Young Master Wu is here too? I'm fine, I'm fine. I was just kicked by someone who doesn't care about their life. I can handle him myself."
As he spoke, Huang Yi Meng actually stood up. Seeing Huang Yi Meng swaying unsteadily, Wu Shuai suddenly felt a profound sorrow. However, this feeling didn't last long, as it was broken by Huang Yi Meng himself. He walked up to Wu Shuai, thanked him, and then pointed at Zheng Wei and the others, saying, "See? My elder brother is here. Do you know who he is? The only son of the Lord of Yingcheng Castle. This entire Yingcheng will be his in the future. Are you scared? Ha! Hahahaha..."
"Who was it that hit me just now? You'd best step forward and let me beat you back. This matter, perhaps, can be let go. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" Wu Shuai asked expressionlessly.
Hearing this, Huang Yi Meng quickly looked at Wu Shuai and smiled fawningly. "Don't worry about this, Elder Brother. I can handle it myself. Just stand aside and watch. I will definitely beat the person who kicked me earlier until he's spitting teeth."
Yi Zhiye's face grew even darker.
"Then your wish will likely never be fulfilled," Wu Shuai's words made Huang Yi Meng pause slightly. "Elder Brother, what do you mean?"
Wu Shuai chuckled. "Because the person who kicked you just now was me."
Huang Yi Meng was truly stunned this time. He never expected it to be like this. But why would Wu Shuai hit him? Wu Shuai clearly guessed Huang Yi Meng's thoughts and directly asked, "Do you want to know why I hit you?"
Hearing this, Huang Yi Meng nodded honestly. He naturally wanted to know. He didn't seem to have provoked Wu Shuai, did he? Was he just going to take a kick for no reason?
"You dared to insult me, young master. Kicking you was showing you respect."
Huang Yi Meng was confused. When had he insulted Wu Shuai? He glanced at Zheng Wei and the others standing by, watching the show, and suddenly said, "Are you guys here with Young Master Wu?"
Hearing this, Shen Xiaoyan and the others simultaneously rolled their eyes at him. Seeing this, Huang Yi Meng finally understood. He had insulted Wu Shuai's friends in front of Wu Shuai, and being kicked by Wu Shuai was the least of it. It made sense; if they were ordinary people, how could they stride so boldly inside?
Huang Yi Meng wished desperately that everything that had just happened was a dream. Unfortunately, he closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them again, he still saw Wu Shuai's smiling face. Instantly, his face lit up with a smile, and Huang Yi Meng bent down and approached Wu Shuai. "Young Master Wu, look, I've caused a misunderstanding at home. I was blind to offend your friends. My despicable mouth truly deserves a beating." As he spoke, Huang Yi Meng lightly slapped his own face twice.
The crisp sounds of his palms hitting his face were particularly loud in the night. Looking at Huang Yi Meng's face, both sides were already swollen. It was clear he had used all his strength this time. Huang Yi Meng gritted his teeth, endured the stinging pain on his face, and forced a smile onto his lips again. "How is it, Young Master?"