The Four Directions Trading House had a large plaza, within which strangely shaped stones were arranged in an orderly sequence.
The plaza was bustling with people coming and going, and many youths were gathered around observing those stones.
"Everyone, this batch of raw ores was mined and transported back from the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area at great expense by our Four Directions Trading House.
As you all know, the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area is extremely mysterious. It's rumored to have been a vast battlefield in ancient times. It not only contains abundant crystal ore veins, but the stones excavated from there also have a high probability of containing treasures.
Our Four Directions Trading House guarantees that this entire batch of ore comes from within those crystal veins of the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area.
Those of you who spot something you like can gamble on them with confidence!"
An old man seated cross-legged in a corner of the plaza said in a clear voice.
"If they really are ores excavated from the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area, they might be worth a look. Ji Yue, let's take a casual look."
Many people were discussing.
Some of the youths started trying their luck at Stone Gambling, and the plaza became filled with a clamor of noise.
Ji Yan led Ji Yue into the plaza, looking around everywhere.
She didn't have the slightest interest in sparing a glance at Ye Yunfei anymore.
Hu Miao's beauty, however, did startle her somewhat, and she couldn't help sweeping her gaze over the woman a few times.
Ji Yan, Ji Yue, and Hu Miao were all eye-catching beauties, with Hu Miao being naturally seductive in particular. Every movement she made was filled with a special, enchanting charm.
The arrival of the three young women quickly attracted the attention of many male gazes.
Ye Yunfei, on the other hand, seemed a bit out of place.
This unknown youth was actually accompanying three great beauties, causing many of the young men to secretly feel jealous.
"Who is that kid?
He only has the cultivation level of the Dao Transformation Realm, yet he can walk together with the Ji Family's Ji Yan and Ji Yue. He must have some background."
Many guessed at Ye Yunfei's identity.
"Hah, what damned background could he possibly have? He comes from the Purple Subtlety Sect of Yan Country. A lowly ant. His presence here is our disgrace. He doesn't deserve to be with us at all."
Suddenly, a burst of loud laughter rang out. Zhao Tianyu walked over with over a dozen young men, speaking loudly.
"What? This kid is from the Purple Subtlety Sect of Yan Country?
Then he truly doesn't deserve to be with us."
Hearing this, the surrounding people all revealed looks of contempt.
Ye Yunfei's face darkened, his icy gaze sweeping toward Zhao Tianyu.
Zhao Tianyu's repeated provocations had already stirred a strong killing intent within Ye Yunfei's heart.
"What? Not happy about it, kid?
The Lesser Lantai Gathering is a gathering for the young geniuses of our Eastern Barrens. You have a lowly origin and weak strength. You are simply not qualified to be here."
Zhao Tianyu looked down on Ye Yunfei as he sneered.
"Zhao Tianyu, enough! Many young people at the Dao Transformation Realm are participating in this Lesser Lantai Gathering. Su Fei has already reached the late stage of the Dao Transformation Realm, so he naturally qualifies."
Ji Yue said angrily.
"Ji Yue, you defend him so much. Could it be you have feelings for him?
It seems your judgment is lacking. You show no interest in the members of our Zhao Family, yet you've taken a liking to such a low-born, ant-like minor character."
Zhao Tianyu sneered.
"Zhao Tianyu, why are you provoking our Ji Family repeatedly? What is your purpose!"
Ji Yan flew into a rage, taking a step forward. A terrifying pressure of spiritual power surged upward like an erupting volcano.
She could see that Zhao Tianyu was targeting Ye Yunfei on the surface, but in reality, he was provoking her and Ji Yue.
"Hmph!
Zhao Lingfeng went to Yan Country because of Ji Yue, and now he's missing. This matter most likely has something to do with her.
She'd better give our Zhao Family an explanation."
Zhao Tianyu snorted coldly, finally stating his purpose.
"Zhao Tianyu, I find the members of your Zhao Family to all be scoundrels.
Zhao Lingfeng harassed and pestered Ji Yue numerous times over the years. Ji Yue never gave him a proper look, and on many occasions told him outright she held not the slightest interest in him.
One could say Ji Yue has no connection whatsoever with him.
His disappearance in Yan Country has nothing to do with Ji Yue.
Since your Zhao Family is pressing so hard, fine, today I shall experience your skills."
Ji Yan shouted angrily.
"Fight then, do you think I'm afraid of you!
I'll handle Ji Yan. The rest of you, deal with those three!"
Zhao Tianyu pointed at Ye Yunfei, Hu Miao, and Ji Yue and spoke to the dozen or so young men beside him.
Zhao Tianyu had gone back and specifically brought over these Zhao Family members after the conflict with Ji Yan on the main street earlier.
"This seductress calls that ant 'master,' so she's also a lowly wretch with a low status. Capture her."
Zhao Tianyu pointed at Hu Miao.
Those dozen or so young men walked towards Ye Yunfei, Ji Yue, and Hu Miao with cold smiles.
"The Ji Family and the Zhao Family are about to fight!"
Everyone gathered around to watch.
"Su Fei, both of you stand behind me.
Don't be afraid. I've already sent a message to the other disciples of our Ji Family. They'll arrive soon."
Ji Yue said in a low voice to Ye Yunfei.
A cold smile appeared on Ye Yunfei's face as he watched the approaching Zhao Family members, preparing to strike and kill.
"Everyone, this is the Four Directions Trading House. Fighting is not permitted here.
For my sake, could you each take a step back?"
A young woman drifted over gracefully. She was wearing pink robes, exuding an elegant and noble aura, as pure and lofty as a celestial descending to the mortal realm. Coupled with her stunning, peerless beauty—a beauty that could topple cities and states—she made the eyes of every man present brighten.
"It's the Four Directions Trading House's Miss Lü!"
Someone exclaimed in a low voice.
Seeing this woman's arrival, the gaze of every youth in the plaza became respectful.
This Miss Lü was one of the most monstrous geniuses among the younger generation in the Eastern Barrens!
She was the precious daughter of the Chief Executive of the Four Directions Trading House, and moreover, her talent was exceptional, granting her great renown among her peers.
Lü Dandan!
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept over her, stirring some memories from his past life.
In his past life, when Ye Yunfei roamed the Eastern Barrens, he had accidentally made acquaintance with this Lü Dandan and had even fought side by side with her. Later, Ye Yunfei grew into a Heavenly Emperor, and Lü Dandan also became one of the most powerful experts in the entire Primordial Continent!
"I wonder if there will be any connection between us in this lifetime," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly.
The matter of rebirth was too miraculous. Although Ye Yunfei was proficient in the laws of space and time, even now he couldn't fully comprehend the temporal principles behind reincarnation.
"Miss!"
The old man seated in the corner of the plaza stood up, approached Lü Dandan, and paid his respects with a bow.
"Hmph, for the sake of Miss Lü, we'll let you off for now."
Seeing Lü Dandan's arrival, Zhao Tianyu had no choice but to relent.
Lü Dandan's status was exalted; even the Patriarch of the Zhao Family would have to show her some deference, let alone him.
"This is a Stone Gambling arena. Why resort to violence? A Stone Gambling competition would be much more satisfying."
Someone called out.
"Yes, yes! If you two families want to settle a grudge, simply hold a Stone Gambling competition. Then Miss Lü won't stop you."
Many who loved to stir up trouble joined in the clamor.
"Our Zhao Family certainly has no issue with that.
We're only afraid the Ji Family lacks the courage."
Zhao Tianyu sneered as he looked at Ji Yan and Ji Yue.
"Zhao Tianyu, how dare you say our Ji Family lacks courage!"
Over a dozen youths rushed into the plaza, gathering around Ji Yan. One of them, a burly young man, glared at Zhao Tianyu and shouted furiously.
The Ji Family disciples had arrived!
"Since you dare, then bring it on!
Let each side select three ore stones for Stone Gambling. Best of three wins.
The wager is three million Law Crystals!
And if you lose, you must openly admit that your Ji Family is inferior to our Zhao Family!"
Zhao Tianyu sneered.
"A gamble it is then!
If you lose, you must also openly admit that the Zhao Family is inferior to our Ji Family!"
The burly youth of the Ji Family shouted.
"Agreed. But our Zhao Family won't lose."
Zhao Tianyu sneered.
"Ji Wu, don't act rashly."
Ji Yan frowned.
"Cousin Ji Yan, this concerns the face of our Ji Family. We must gamble!"
Ji Wu replied.
"Haha…
Brother Lu, sorry to trouble you, but please lend your expert eye and select three ore stones for us."
Zhao Tianyu suddenly laughed loudly and spoke to a short, skinny youth not far away.
"No problem."
The short, skinny youth stepped out from the crowd and began selecting stones within the plaza.
"Surname Lu… Could he be from the Lu Family, the descendants of Divine Master Lu?"
Someone suddenly cried out in shock.
The descendants of Divine Master Lu!
Hearing this, the crowd was greatly astonished.
Divine Master Lu was a famously renowned Earthly Master in the ancient history of the Eastern Barrens. After his demise, he left behind a family surnamed Lu.
Members of the Lu Family were mostly skilled in the arts of reading terrain and observing auras, and were quite adept at appraising raw ores.
"Zhao Tianyu, you're cheating!
You actually asked for help from the Lu Family!"
Ji Wu was both shocked and furious.
"Did anyone specify earlier that help wasn't allowed?
If your Ji Family has the capability, you can also seek help."
Zhao Tianyu sneered.
"You…"
Ji Wu was so angry he couldn't speak.
"I'll help your Ji Family select stones."
Ye Yunfei suddenly took a step forward and spoke up.
You?
Ji Yue, Ji Yan, and the other Ji Family disciples all stared in shock.
The others around them also doubted their hearing.