Seeing Xi Yang, whose figure was exquisite and whose beauty far surpassed that of Ling Xueran, Ye Jingyu smiled faintly, stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and headed toward the Ling manor...

The Ling family was merely a second-rate clan; no matter how powerful they seemed, they could not compare to the Nine Great Families. With the influence of the Fang Lord and Xue Ming, obtaining a few invitation cards without leaving a trace would be effortless...

With Ye Jingyu’s arm around her waist, a captivating smile bloomed on Xi Yang’s face. She thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being cherished by him, even if it was all just an act.

Upon entering the Ling manor, they discovered it was an open-air reception, quite relaxed in nature. Apart from everyone wearing archaic attire, the rest of the setup resembled any large, modern banquet...

The stated purpose was to celebrate Ling Tian’s birthday, but the underlying goal was to use the occasion to foster business and interest among the major families.

However, it seemed that this time, apart from the Fang family, none of the other Nine Great Families had sent representatives. Then again, for a second-rate family like the Lings, aside from having some wealth, there was truly little that would impress the grander houses...

As Ye Jingyu and Xi Yang walked through the crowd, they drew countless stares. Of course, the onlookers didn't see them as a golden couple; rather, they perceived it as a beautiful flower mistakenly adorning a pile of dung...

To maintain disguise, Ye Jingyu had altered his appearance. His chiseled features were softened with some gel, making him look slightly bulkier. He grew a touch of stubble on his lips, his complexion was darkened, and his long, white hair was dyed black and deliberately left looking messy, giving him the appearance of a drunkard.

Especially noticeable was his ostentatious display of wealth—the thick gold chains layered around his neck and the pearls adorning his clothes—he screamed 'nouveau riche' all over.

How could such a man be worthy of a peerless beauty like Xi Yang? Many male spectators revealed shades of jealousy and busily inquired about the pair’s background. Yet, when they learned Ye Jingyu was affiliated with the Tianlong Conglomerate, most abandoned their pursuits. The Tianlong Conglomerate was one of the continent's largest consortiums, backed by the Feng, Lin, and Jun families; ordinary folk dared not cross anyone associated with them.

Naturally, some who believed their families held close ties with the Nine Great Families were unwilling to concede so easily. The world was never short of those who enjoyed courting trouble. Indeed, a man dressed in a flowing snow-white robe, carrying a fan and attempting to project the air of a scholar—though he possessed a hideously vulgar face—had his eyes light up upon seeing Xi Yang, especially when they focused on her prominent chest, a glow that never faded...

Even though Xi Yang made no deliberate effort to project her unique energy, her appearance and figure were enough to inspire transgression.

This sleazy man immediately sought out information about Ye Jingyu from those nearby. Upon discovering he was merely a department manager in the Tianlong Conglomerate, he instantly relaxed.

His family was among the largest outside the Nine Great Families; why should he worry about someone who wasn't part of those top tiers?

He vigorously fanned himself, narcissistically brushing aside a woman who attempted to engage him, and strode directly toward Ye Jingyu and Xi Yang...

“My beautiful lady, I am Zhao Ziyi of the Lingnan Zhao family. Might I have the honor of inviting you for a private conversation by the pond?” Ignoring Ye Jingyu entirely, the man extended his right hand toward Xi Yang and offered his name with a smile...

The mention of the Zhao family elicited gasps from the onlookers. The Zhao family! Their patriarch was a super expert of the Ninth Heaven, and they also boasted other Ninth Heaven masters, along with several at the Seventh and Eighth Heavens. It could be said this was unequivocally the most powerful family outside the Nine Greats. Crucially, the current matriarch of the Zhao family—the primary wife of the patriarch—was the daughter of the Xue family!

The Zhao and Xue families shared exceptionally deep ties; even the other Nine Great Families preferred not to antagonize the Zhaos without cause...

But why were they here? Had Ling Tian invited them as well? If so, had the Ling family's influence truly expanded to this degree?

However, the crowd was more concerned with the man who had been utterly ignored. Rumor had it he was a newly appointed department manager—perhaps even a deputy manager—at the Tianlong Conglomerate, only securing the position through family money. Such a status meant he could hardly confront a figure like Zhao Ziyi. Yet, if he simply swallowed the insult, it would disgrace the Tianlong Conglomerate, and they wouldn't let him off the hook...

Many adopted the stance of spectators waiting for a show. Few felt sympathy for Ye Jingyu; after all, why would a clear nouveau riche flaunt such a beauty in public?

Wasn't that simply asking for a beating? On the other hand, few cheered for Zhao Ziyi either; most hoped the two would erupt into a fierce, life-or-death brawl to inject some excitement into the dull reception.

Still, many predicted Ye Jingyu wouldn't fight back. How could an obscure, minor family possibly challenge a major power like the Zhao family?

Those assumptions were partly correct; Ye Jingyu did not move, nor did he utter a single word. But Xi Yang, standing beside him, was not having it.

She had finally found an opportunity to share some intimate moments with Ye Jingyu, and here this fellow was, daring to interrupt her—was he suicidal?

However, Xi Yang knew the nature of Ye Jingyu’s current mission: they couldn't cause too much trouble before eliminating the target...

So, she merely gave Zhao Ziyi a light slap across the face—truly gentle, using perhaps less than one percent of her true strength...

But Zhao Ziyi’s cultivation barely reached the level of a Martial Saint, and he hadn't even developed his own genetic potential. How could he withstand a blow from Xi Yang, even a light one?

There was a sharp snap, and his entire body was sent flying backward. All thirty-two of his teeth scattered across the floor with clattering sounds... Half his face swelled into a grotesque pig’s head, and he lay on the ground like a dead carcass, utterly motionless...

The scene fell instantly silent. Everyone stared at Xi Yang, dumbfounded. How could such a delicate-looking woman possess such terrifying strength?

Seeing the astonished looks, Xi Yang innocently rubbed her hands together and whispered in a voice audible only to Ye Jingyu, “I was already using very little strength! He’s just too fragile; you can’t blame me for that...”

Ye Jingyu rolled his eyes skyward. You are a descendant of the Vermilion Bird, an innate divine beast! Even if the Vermilion Bird isn't primarily focused on brute strength, he is still just a mere mortal...

“Well, well, well! What a fiery young woman! I like women just like you! I happen to be here today to propose marriage to the Ling family, so why don't you join me as a concubine and marry me today!” Just as Ye Jingyu was about to offer an explanation, a rather arrogant voice boomed from the front...

(Multiple days of explosive writing, one word: tiring, but seeing the brothers' support, another word: exhilarating! Let's all keep pushing forward!)