The moment his words hit the ground, the entire Silver Tower fell silent.

On the Gean Platform, Zhendao Ren nearly stumbled and fell; beside the cage, Liang Tingyu suddenly gripped her mandarin duck battle-axe tightly, as if facing a great enemy; within the cage, the previously listless Zuoliu shuddered all over, finally raising his head again, tears suddenly welling in his eyes…

Yashan.

How simple, yet how familiar these two characters were?

In the fish-and-dragon mixed Star Sea where news traveled everywhere, you could hear it almost anywhere, anytime. You seemed quite “familiar” with it: from the writings of historians since ancient times, from the catalogs of various cultivation methods and scriptures, from the mouths of cultivators traveling north and south…

Thus you came to know—

It had deep roots and profound heritage. To some degree, it even possessed a reputation that even Kunwu couldn’t match! Its existence was like the most upright backbone of the Nineteen Provinces, and also like the largest shadow hanging over the countless sects of the Nineteen Provinces!

A true prestigious family, a true giant!

In the past, it was merely after-dinner conversation, something to relish; but when it appeared so tangibly before them, though only one person with one speech, revealing just the tip of that tiny iceberg…

Yet in the venue, countless people felt suffocated, as if even the flow of blood would stop for it.

Appearing so suddenly, such a direct declaration, such single-handed courage!

Though everyone had been speculating in their hearts that Yashan and Kunwu might use some means to get involved in today’s Silver Tower auction for Zuoliu.

But no one could have guessed such a development!

Including another Yashan disciple present at this time and place—

Jian Chou could barely believe what she had heard. She was now staring wide-eyed in shock at the white-robed figure standing proudly diagonally below, her mind in complete chaos.

Fifth disciple under Master Fudao Shanren…

This guy was actually a Yashan disciple? And even her junior martial brother?

What kind of ridiculous joke was this…

The corner of Jian Chou’s mouth twitched as she suspected she was dreaming.

She hadn’t forgotten her several encounters with this four-fingered cultivator: the first time was in that Five Elements Bagua Tower, when she had already felt he was extraordinary; the later time was during her night exploration of the night sailing ship, when she…

That scene flashed before her eyes again.

If she remembered correctly, she hadn’t considered that whoever was simultaneously exploring the night sailing ship with her would be anything good, let alone a “fellow sect ally.”

So, when encountering danger in that instant, she seemed to have…

Directly sold him out.

Though she ultimately failed to rescue Zuoliu, from his perspective, the various incidents that night must have left an extremely deep impression on him.

If he hadn’t assumed a false identity, this…

Would be extremely awkward.

Realizing all this, Jian Chou’s facial expression had already changed magnificently through several rounds, finally becoming somewhat guilty and helpless.

Across from her, Bai Yin stood in everyone’s line of sight.

In white robes, with such bearing, he indeed bore some wonderful resemblance to the former Qu Zhengfeng and that extremely narcissistic fourth martial brother Shen Jiu.

The name of Yashan was never something anyone could dare to impersonate at will.

Moreover, though Jian Chou didn’t remember much else, she still had impressions of those two wandering junior martial brothers she had never had the chance to meet.

One was fifth martial brother Bai Yin, who had been cultivating for about five hundred years;

One was seventh martial brother Yu Zhifei, who had only been cultivating for three hundred and fifty years.

So, though unwilling to believe it, her reason told her: this white-robed four-fingered cultivator before her was very likely truly that wandering fifth martial brother Bai Yin.

Bidding one million, coming on behalf of Yashan.

Jian Chou’s thoughts suddenly became scattered, her heart filled with additional complex emotions.

Hidden in Qingfeng Nunnery’s realm, she had fallen into the Extreme Domain in one day.

In the blink of an eye, sixty years had passed, and due to changes in her spiritual consciousness imprint, she couldn’t contact any old friends, let alone her sect. Now suddenly seeing a fellow Yashan disciple, yet under these circumstances…

A moment ago, she was still hanging by a thread, worried about Shen Wenxing’s bid, thinking about how to persuade Tantai Xiu to cooperate with her to take down Zuoliu.

At this moment, all worries and difficulties had vanished.

Even though she couldn’t contact Yashan, even though Yashan didn’t know she had returned, even though this place was truly where Yashan’s influence was weakest in the Star Sea…

So what?

No matter when or where, Yashan would always be the most solid backing for her, for all Yashan disciples!

A warm current suddenly flowed from the bottom of her heart.

The corner of Jian Chou’s lips finally showed a long-absent smile with some relaxation, warm and composed, carrying a warmth tinged with earthly atmosphere.

However, everyone else in the venue couldn’t relax at all.

The two characters “Yashan” were spoken lightly by Bai Yin, but when they fell on everyone’s ears and pressed on their hearts, they were as heavy as a mountain.

Anyone with brains understood: this Silver Tower auction for Zuoliu wasn’t simply about the Karma Fire Red Lotus. Zuoliu’s existence was related to the whereabouts of that missing senior sister from Yashan, and could vaguely stir the undercurrent relationship between the two giants Yashan and Kunwu.

So they had speculated earlier that Yashan and Kunwu might do something today.

Perhaps snatching the person from the night sailing ship in advance, perhaps secretly sending people to negotiate, or even applying pressure through various connections…

But no one had thought it would be this way.

Alone!

Bidding one million!

Directly revealing his identity as a Yashan disciple, and seemingly humbly and politely requesting those present to give some “face.”

Face?

Countless cultivators now felt bitterness in their mouths and trembling in their hearts. Even those with explosive tempers had already cursed Bai Yin bloody in their hearts:

Face your whole family!

Not only bidding one million, but even moving out a giant like Yashan, and still calling it “thin” face!

Who the hell had eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall to dare not give this face?!

If not for fearing Yashan’s reputation was too great, and this person claimed to be a disciple of that old charlatan Fudao Shanren, everyone would have rushed up to bite him to death!

But they couldn’t.

After all, what he said was no different from what Puppet Sect Young Master Shen Wenxing had said earlier—just a higher bid and bigger face.

Unassailable!

Though Yashan’s move was unexpected, it was genuinely open and aboveboard, upright and proper—a straightforward scheme!

“Worthy of being Yashan…”

In another chamber, Shen Yao gazed at Bai Yin’s proudly standing figure and couldn’t help but sigh. Her full lips finally showed a smile of unclear meaning.

“Now there’s a good show to watch.”

Bidding one million, whether true or false aside, at least no one would dare to bid again.

The reason was simple—

Such a massive amount of spirit stones would be called “terrifying” even for the three demonic paths. To almost exhaust an entire sect’s strength for one Zuoliu was absolutely not worthwhile.

So next…

Shen Yao’s graceful eyebrows arched, brilliant light flashing in her eyes. She actually took the initiative to stand up and laughed: “Truly unexpected to hear Yashan’s name and see the bearing of Yashan disciples in the Star Sea. My Tongguan Station acknowledges we have no strength to compete with Yashan. Rather than being a mantis trying to stop a chariot, we might as well actively withdraw and won’t bid again to join this excitement.”

Bai Yin was somewhat surprised that the first to express an attitude was actually Shen Yao.

But how could he be an ordinary person?

After brief thought, he knew this was merely polite words selling Yashan face: if she wanted to bid, Shen Yao would have done so long ago. Why wait until now? She never intended to compete for Zuoliu from the beginning.

Though he understood, there was no need to expose this.

After all, in the current situation, giving Yashan some face was better than not—though he didn’t care whether they gave it or not.

So he only smiled imperceptibly in return: “Thank you for Grand Marshal Shen’s understanding. Bai Yin is grateful.”

Good that he was grateful.

Shen Yao achieved her purpose and said no more, only wishing him success. After nodding and bowing in return salute, she sat back down.

With her as an “example,” who in the venue couldn’t see the situation clearly?

Unless Kunwu’s people appeared now to intervene, who could bid higher than Yashan or refuse Yashan’s face?

Zhendao Ren was also quite perceptive.

Seeing no one else in the venue stepping forward, knowing no one would bid again, he simply walked out with a face full of apologetic smiles, cupping his hands toward Bai Yin.

“With such a sky-high price of one million spirit stones, I’m sure no one will bid higher. Congratulations, as long as you can win the arena battle, you can take Zuoliu away. May I ask, who will fight on your side?”

At these words, the surrounding atmosphere became heated again.

Though the bidding was exciting, the Silver Tower’s specially modified arena battle rules were the real attraction. Especially when the challenger became this Bai Yin from Yashan!

They were very much looking forward to the lineup Yashan would send!

However…

Hearing Zhendao Ren’s words, Bai Yin felt helpless in his heart.

Yashan’s influence had always barely reached the Star Sea.

Over the years, due to a certain someone’s reasons, not only had they not continued to penetrate deeper, but they had continuously withdrawn forces outward.

Moreover, given current circumstances, it wasn’t convenient to send too many people to the Star Sea, so the helper he had found wasn’t from the same sect.

But rather…

An extremely unreliable fellow who had sent him a message an hour ago saying he got lost in Shattered Immortal City and still hadn’t found the Silver Tower’s location!

What could Bai Yin say?

He smiled bitterly in his heart, though his face showed nothing. He directly leaped up, graceful as a crane, landing directly on the Gean Platform.

“The friend fighting on Bai’s side hasn’t arrived yet. So, let me first experience your teachings.”

“Wow!”

Everyone who heard this exploded.

“No way?”

“He’s alone?”

“Really damn bold!”

“Does he want to fight three alone?”

…

Regardless of their previous attitudes, everyone was now extremely surprised. Some gloated, some guessed something had gone wrong, and some were curious about Bai Yin’s strength.

Xue Wujiu was among the latter.

In the Genshan Chamber, he interestedly propped his chin with his hand, staring at the figure that had descended to the venue, smiling as he asked the person beside him: “When your junior martial brother was traveling, he had just broken through to Nascent Soul. Now he’s also at late Nascent Soul. Hey, if I remember correctly, he never won even one match under you, right?”

Still the same heavy shadow as before.

But at this moment, Qu Zhengfeng had moved to the window. Standing with hands behind his back, the gold-threaded black robe made his tall, straight figure even more prominent.

When looking toward Bai Yin in the venue, his eyes, which had long been without ripples, finally showed some change.

His tightly pressed lips relaxed slightly—an extremely rare laugh: “Are there any in your memory who have won even one match against me?”

“…”

Xue Wujiu instantly lost all words, even having an impulse to slap himself twice. Because, searching through his memory, he hazily remembered:

Those poor “junior martial brothers” of Yashan had always belonged to the “brutalized” side.

Win?

That was impossible!

Qu Zhengfeng had been the undisputed “undefeated nightmare” of Yashan’s Beast Fighting Arena!

Comparing people to people was truly maddening!

Xue Wujiu gritted his teeth, wanting to argue with Qu Zhengfeng, but when he turned around, he found that after saying that sentence, the other had returned to silence, only gazing at the Gean Platform below with a somewhat dazed expression.

Below, Bai Yin stood at the center of the Gean Platform.

Before him were the cage imprisoning Zuoliu and the three defending cultivators from the night sailing ship. Among them, the skeletal thin young man took the lead and stepped forward.

With a gloomy, pale face, he said nothing and soon stopped ten feet in front of Bai Yin.

Needless to say, this was the first battle’s opponent.

Bai Yin even knew the opponent was called “Leng Guang,” bloodthirsty by nature, with cruel methods and various strange techniques that ordinary people couldn’t capture.

But at this moment, he felt no fear or tension in his heart.

The high Gean Platform was infinitely close to the sky; looking up, he could see the clear sky and white clouds. How familiar this feeling was?

Just like on Yashan’s Lingzhao Peak, that thirty-zhang high platform supported by an unnamed iron sword—

A surging fighting spirit suddenly rose up, filling his entire chest.

The Danqing Sword in his palm was ready to strike.

Bai Yin looked ahead, thinking of the various experiences of his nearly hundred years of travel, and boldly waved his hand: “It’s been long since I’ve drawn my sword. I fear my hand is somewhat rusty. I hope brother won’t spare your teachings!”