Defection

Ya Fei, Xun Er, and Xiao Yu all felt uncomfortable under Liu Xi's disgusting gaze. Their pretty faces turned cold, especially Xiao Yu, whose brows furrowed slightly. Even Lin Feng beside her could sense her anger.

Ya Fei was relatively composed. The smile on her face was no longer as enchanting, merely curving into a faint, almost imperceptible one. Yet that smile carried a chill, like a thorned rose.

Xun Er made no effort to hide the disgust in her eyes. Even Xiao Yan beside her was burning with rage, ready to strike directly.

But Lin Feng spoke before him, his voice carrying across the entire venue. "Who gave you the courage to say something like that in the Xiao Family?"

The crowd watched as Lin Feng slowly walked into the center, standing alone before the two great families in confrontation.

"Do you know who those three are?"

A faint smile remained at the corner of Lin Feng's lips as he turned and pointed at Ya Fei and the other two.

"That woman in the red dress is the chief auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House, and a member of the Mite'er Family."

"That long-legged airhead is a student of Jia Nan Academy."

"And the last one is my sister, as well as my future sister-in-law."

"Tell me, where did you get the nerve to say such things?"

As he spoke that final sentence, Lin Feng's gaze changed, and his entire presence became sharp and intimidating. Liu Xi was startled by him and took several steps back while holding the girl in his arms.

Over there, Xiao Yu's pretty face flushed red as she cursed, "Bastard."

She glanced at her own legs. They were indeed very long, but she was smart, all right?

Gale Bi and Ouba Pa's expressions changed as well upon hearing this. Ya Fei was a member of the Mite'er Family, someone they truly could not afford to provoke.

After all, the Mite'er Family's influence spread throughout Wu Tan City and even the entire Jia Ma Empire. Even if they were to unify Wu Tan City in the future, they would still need to rely on the Mittel Auction House in business and many other matters.

They pulled at the lust-addled Liu Xi and said while suppressing their tempers, "Lord Liu Xi, Ya Fei is a member of the Mite'er Family. It would be best if we avoid provoking her."

Liu Xi's expression shifted as well. He knew of the Mite'er Family. He had not expected this seductive, breathtaking beauty to be connected to them.

His eyes lingered reluctantly on Ya Fei for a moment before shifting to Xiao Yu's slender, sexy legs, then fixing upon Xun Er's graceful figure. He swallowed and tightened his embrace around the woman in his arms. "Then I must have those other two women."

Gale Bi and Ouba Pa looked at Xiao Yu and Xun Er. Their gazes hesitated for a moment before they nodded. "Fine."

Xiao Xun Er was not much of an issue. Once the Xiao Family was gone, taking her would be easy. The main concern was Xiao Yu, who belonged to Jia Nan Academy, which gave them some hesitation.

But in order to curry favor with this alchemist, they could only grit their teeth and agree.

Lin Feng sneered. "You won't give up until you see the coffin."

Ouba Pa and Gale Bi snorted coldly. "Lin Feng, we admit that your talent is extraordinary. Given some more time, you would surely lead the Xiao Family to unprecedented heights."

"But no matter how extraordinary your talent is, you are not as valuable as an alchemist right now. Before you can grow, we must Strike First!"

Then they looked toward Xiao Zhan and declared, "Today, our two families formally declare war on the Xiao Family!"

Ouba Pa swept his gaze across the gathered crowd. "If any of you are willing, the Oba Family and Gale Family welcome you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the venue erupted into an uproar, and many people began discussing among themselves.

"They have two alchemists behind them, and one of them is even a Second-Rank Alchemist."

"That's right. With those two alchemists, the Gale Family and Oba Family will certainly recover their losses from some time ago. They may even surpass the Xiao Family in a short time."

"Although Lin Feng's talent is astonishing, he truly cannot compare to an alchemist in status."

"Besides, an alchemist's connections and influence are beyond what ordinary people can match. Shouldn't we reconsider cooperating with the Xiao Family?"

Seeing everyone's reactions, Ouba Pa and Gale Bi were quite pleased. This was precisely the effect they wanted.

Xiao Zhan and the elders' faces darkened with anger. This stunt by the Oba Family and Gale Family would greatly interfere with the forces that wished to cooperate with the Xiao Family. Moreover, they knew that what an alchemist could bring was indeed far more tempting.

Seeing this, Gale Bi's heart stirred, and he decided to add fuel to the fire.

"Everyone, Lord Liu Xi's teacher is a member of the Alchemist Guild. I need not explain the advantages and disadvantages involved, do I?"

Sure enough, as soon as those words were spoken, many people immediately began to waver.

The Alchemist Guild was a place that every alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire dreamed of joining. Those who could enter the Alchemist Guild were no ordinary figures. On the path of alchemy, one had to receive the guild's recognition.

Furthermore, joining the Alchemist Guild came with many benefits.

But the most important thing was still the network of connections.

Within it were all distinguished alchemists, and every alchemist had, to varying degrees, many powerful experts seeking medicine from them.

If they merely became acquainted with one another or made a few friends in the guild, their networks and influence would overlap and compound into an extremely terrifying force.

Some people began to waver, and one even spoke directly. "Brother Gale, if we join forces with you, can we receive forty percent of the business profits?"

Ouba Pa and Gale Bi exchanged a glance. The fact that this situation had arisen meant their hearts had already begun to waver. All they needed to do now was secure them.

"Yes. And I guarantee that every month, Lord Liu Xi and his teacher will provide ten medicinal pills free of charge."

Those words set off another wave of uproar and discussion. Seeing this, Xiao Zhan was about to speak up and interrupt them.

But someone had already clasped his hands toward him and said, "My apologies, Xiao Clan Leader. Alchemists are still more worthy of investment than Lin Feng, especially with the Alchemist Guild behind them."

Watching one group after another withdraw from their cooperation with the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan suppressed the anger in his heart. "You..."

But Lin Feng spoke up. "Uncle Xiao, let them leave. Our Xiao Family does not need such hypocritical, indecisive partners."

"Alas."

Xiao Zhan sighed as well. He knew these people had made their choices for profit. Once the benefits offered by the Xiao Family could no longer match the terms and gains Gale Bi and the others promised, they would switch sides.

Before long, only one-third of the Xiao Family's business partners remained on their side. Everyone else had gone over to Ouba Pa and the others.

Seeing this, Ya Fei merely smiled faintly. These people would soon learn just how mistaken and foolish their choice had been.

Xiao Yan watched the scene and wanted to step in as well, but Yao Lao spoke up. "Enough. Your Feng Ge can handle this. Alchemists are indeed troublesome, but that kid is a third-tier alchemist. These people will regret it soon enough."