Aside from Bai Qian'er, who refused to use her privilege, and Xie Jinhua, who deliberately clung to her, the only people in the waiting room were from minor families. The truly powerful factions had all used the priority channel to check in directly. Therefore, the people here were rather sheltered. To say nothing of directly facing the intimidating aura of an Innate Great Perfection Expert.

No one here could have ever imagined that this unfamiliar old man was actually an Innate Great Perfection. Shi Hongda had been in seclusion for far too long. Besides the long-established families in Sui City, hardly anyone recognized him. Shi Hongda understood it was perfectly normal that they didn't know who he was. Thus, in addition to teaching Xu Ke a lesson, he decided to use this opportunity to make his presence known.

In that instant, everyone was terrified. Struck by his aura, they would inevitably suffer minor injuries. Injuring people with one's aura was an ability unique to Innate Great Perfection Experts, allowing them to inflict harm from a distance.

Fang Caizhe's expression changed dramatically, and he scrambled back several steps. He couldn't withstand it. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Bai Qian'er bit her lip, fear flashing across her face. Still, she summoned all her True Qi and immediately retreated. But as she moved back, the sight of Xu Ke's back made her feel as if her heart had been struck…

The violent aura surged forward like a monstrous wave. Yet beneath it, Xu Ke stood firm, perfectly calm and composed. He even cracked a smirk. "Old turtle, I complimented you. Did you really have to attack me?"

Is this Xu Ke a fool? everyone thought. Shi Hongda's aura is bearing down, yet not only does he not evade, he actually mocks him? An idiot!

Fang Caizhe cursed inwardly. That moron! Still trying to show off at a time like this? Shi Hongda is about to kill him… Does he really think that just because he can fight Innate Martial Artists, he can withstand an Innate Great Perfection?

But after her heart skipped a beat, Bai Qian'er's face suddenly paled. "Xu Ke, get back!"

Just then, Tang Yingchang, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly stepped forward, his own aura erupting from his body. In that moment, Shi Hongda's tsunami-like aura vanished completely.

The entire room fell deathly silent.

They stared, dumbfounded, at Tang Yingchang standing beside Xu Ke. Only then did they realize that this quiet old man was also an Innate Great Perfection Expert. Before Tang Yingchang revealed his power, no one could have possibly discerned his true strength.

Lying on the floor, Elder Xu, who had just regained consciousness, fainted once more.

Did we just provoke an Innate Great Perfection Expert?

Shi Hongda's face darkened. "Young man, your mouth is full of filth. Your language is a disgrace to the decorum of our noble families. I advise you to watch what you say and keep that mouth of yours shut."

Xu Ke scoffed. "Give me a break. You can't kill me, and you can't beat me. Now you're telling me to watch my mouth? You're only telling me to shut up because you can't win an argument against me, aren't you?"

Shi Hongda's face turned green. "What did you say?"

Xu Ke had struck a nerve. It was the truth. He couldn't kill him. Xu Ke had managed to outmaneuver seven Great Perfection experts; Shi Hongda recalled being on the highway, feeling a genuine urge to jump from the car and kill himself. As for fighting, he couldn't do that either. Tang Yingchang never left Xu Ke's side. If he challenged Xu Ke to a one-on-one duel like some junior, Xu Ke would probably mock him to death. As for a battle of words, that was even more hopeless. The memory from the martial alliance competition earlier that month—where Xu Ke had goaded his opponent into self-mutilation—was still fresh in his mind.

Seeing an Innate Great Perfection Expert so flustered by Xu Ke yet completely powerless to do anything about it, the onlookers couldn't help but gasp.

What kind of monster is this Xu Ke? What rock did he crawl out from under?

"Elder Tang, let's go." Xu Ke ignored Shi Hongda and walked straight out.

Seeing himself being disregarded, Shi Hongda grew even more furious and bellowed, "Stop right there!"

Xu Ke paid him no mind and quickened his pace. As he passed Shi Hongda, he considered asking where the Yin-Yang Elders and Ye Taiqing were. However, he figured the old man wouldn't answer, so he didn't bother. Besides, he could use the chaos Shi Hongda was causing as an excuse to reject Bai Qian'er's challenge and slip away.

Shi Hongda was absolutely incandescent with rage, but he was powerless and could only leave the waiting room in bitter frustration.

After both parties left, the waiting room fell silent. No one had expected to witness so many dazzling confrontations in such a short period. A premonition began to form in the minds of many. The auction in two days was going to be incredibly intense.

Watching Xu Ke complete his check-in at the counter and head upstairs, Bai Qian'er's gaze followed his retreating back as she muttered, "So, this is your true level?"

When facing them, Xu Ke always appeared nonchalant. She had assumed that was simply his personality. Now, seeing him go all out against Shi Hongda, she finally understood. Only an opponent on the level of an Innate Great Perfection was worthy of his full attention. She was suddenly and keenly aware of the chasm between them.

If Xu Ke knew what Bai Qian'er was thinking, he would have been speechless. He only mocked Shi Hongda because he couldn't beat him in a fight. If he could, he would have skipped the chatter and engaged him in a life-or-death battle.

Sure enough, Fang Caizhe walked over and said angrily, "Qian'er, he's all talk! His level isn't that high. He's just a bully who relies on his connections. Don't idealize him!"

He was very worried. Bai Qian'er looks like a girl with her first crush! In her eyes, the object of her affection can do no wrong!

The man in the hat standing nearby shot Fang Caizhe a sympathetic look. This fool had no idea who he was competing with for her affection.

Hearing Fang Caizhe's words, Bai Qian'er gave him a cold glance. "You retreated so quickly while he stood his ground. Do you have the nerve to criticize him?"

Fang Caizhe's face flushed beet red. "That... That's because..."

"Say no more," Bai Qian'er said dismissively.

Her words made Fang Caizhe's face turn deathly pale. He clenched his jaw in resentment.

Xu Ke only stood his ground because he has a bodyguard! If I had a bodyguard, I wouldn't have retreated either! Damn it.

Fang Caizhe had no idea. In truth, given that Xu Ke had once reached the level of Innate Great Perfection, he could easily withstand the force of the aura without flinching. While he couldn't defeat Shi Hongda in a direct confrontation with his current cultivation, shrugging off the old man's intimidating presence was no problem at all.

After watching Xu Ke's figure disappear completely, Bai Qian'er sighed, an inexplicable feeling of disappointment washing over her. But then her expression changed drastically. "That guy... he never agreed to my challenge!"

***

An orange glow radiated from the distant horizon. At the Deyun Hotel, the seventeenth-floor windows were bathed in a magnificent, dazzling light. Xu Ke gazed out at the bustling city below, watching the people come and go on the streets, and let out a long, slow breath. "Finally, a moment of rest."

But Tang Yingchang didn't share his sentiment. His expression was grave. "Mister Xu, you must be careful. The fact that Shi Hongda followed you here means he's definitely scheming something."