If Master Lin from Seacrest were a little less impulsive and a little more discreet, with his talent, he might really carve out his own world in another decade or so. But he's too impatient, too sharp-edged, and too full of himself.
Just for that reason alone, he can’t survive long enough in this world—especially with those miraculous pill recipes in his hands, sitting there like irresistible treasures for everyone to covet.
Master Lin from Seacrest, if he comes, will die.
Patriarch Yun was still speaking in a low voice when he suddenly noticed Yuna Pu beside him slow her steps. She’d been half a foot behind him, and now she’d fallen a full foot and a half behind.
Her pace slowed.
"What’s wrong?"
Patriarch Yun turned, frowned, and looked at Yuna Pu.
"It’s nothing."
Yuna Pu gently shook her head.
A fleeting glimpse in the crowd.
The boy sitting there looked uncannily like Master Lin from Seacrest.
But Yuna Pu finally withdrew her gaze.
Master Lin from Seacrest would never be stupid enough to sit among the crowd and walk right into a trap.
He probably really didn’t come.
Yuna Pu let out a breath of relief in her heart.
Patriarch Yun followed Yuna Pu’s gaze, but from his angle, he couldn’t see the boy sitting over there—only the crowd gathered around, craning their necks to look this way.
"You’d better not think about running."
Patriarch Yun spoke coldly: "Don’t say you can’t escape. Even if you really did get away, have you thought about your mother?"
Patriarch Yun’s words made Yuna Pu’s whole body tremble. She fell silent, then stepped forward.
Surrounded by people on all sides, the two of them entered the Zhan Family’s main hall.
That’s not a place ordinary guests can go.
"Scared me to death."
The guy with glasses and his friends plopped back into their seats. "But that Yuna Pu looks pretty good—and I think she glanced at me just now."
The guy with glasses was visibly excited.
"What do you mean she looked at you? She was obviously looking at me." The cold-faced guy’s expression softened, and he sounded quite smug. "That look was definitely aimed my way."
As he spoke, the group started arguing over it.
Apparently, that one glance from Yuna Pu was worth bragging about for years.
"Hey, you’re still pretending to be all cool? When Yuna Pu walked by, you didn’t even look at her. What, you know you’re not good enough for her, so you don’t even dare sneak a peek?"
The cold-faced guy shifted his gaze toward Master Lin from Seacrest, his contempt obvious and unfiltered.
"Such an antisocial snob—acting all superior in front of us?" The guy with glasses was thoroughly annoyed.
The muscular guy was still dazed, though the white smoke he’d been exhaling was almost gone.
"Just a woman—what’s the big deal?"
Master Lin from Seacrest shook his head, sounding indifferent.
"Just a woman?"
Hearing Master Lin’s words, quite a few people burst out laughing.
"That’s Yuna Pu from the Yun Family!"
"You really don’t know who she is, and you definitely don’t understand her value."
"But I guess it makes sense. Someone like you, with zero status and zero vision, could never understand what kind of position Yuna Pu holds."
The looks people gave Master Lin from Seacrest were full of displeasure.
Most people here would never get a chance to really interact with Yuna Pu in their entire lives, but hearing someone dismiss their goddess, they all jumped in to attack.
Bella Bai saw things were getting tense and wanted to step in to smooth things over.
Just then, someone emerged from inside the Zhan Family’s main hall.
"Today is my wedding day. Maran Ma of the Ancient-Martial Ma Family thanks all of you for taking the time to attend my wedding."
Maran Ma was dressed stylishly, with a touch of makeup on his face that made him look even more handsome.
Beside Maran Ma stood several experts sent by the Ancient-Martial Ma Family, arrayed to his left and right, radiating powerful presence.
As Maran Ma spoke, everyone felt thunder rolling in their ears. His voice was clear and powerful, leaving everyone stunned.
"That’s the heir of the Ancient-Martial Ma Family!"
"I’ve heard the Ancient-Martial families are extraordinary—this Maran Ma must be pretty impressive."
"We need to find a way to make friends with him."
Seeing Maran Ma standing there, people whispered and discussed nonstop. Many well-dressed heiresses squeezed forward, hoping to catch Maran Ma’s attention.
“Today we are honored to welcome the head of the Yun Family. Just now, the Yun Family patriarch and I reached a consensus: the Rivercrest region will be governed by those from the Rivercrest region.”
Maran Ma’s voice was loud and clear as he continued: “As everyone knows, recently a young man from Seacrest, called Master Lin, has been causing trouble in Harborview and the Rivercrest area—arrogant, lawless, and out of control.”
“Now, I, Maran Ma, officially announce that the Ancient-Martial Ma Family will not interfere in Harborview and Rivercrest affairs. From now on, the Zhan Family and Yun Family will be responsible.”
“As for Master Lin from Seacrest, he’s not from this area. If he dares to show up again, the Ancient-Martial Ma Family will teach him what rules mean.”
Maran Ma’s words sent a shockwave through the crowd.
“Is this a public declaration of war against Master Lin from Seacrest?”
“The Ancient-Martial Ma Family is coming on strong this time!”
“He says he won’t interfere in Rivercrest affairs and is leaving it to the Zhan and Yun families, but those two will probably have to follow the Ma Family’s lead from now on.”
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Voices rose in discussion.
The guy with glasses, the cold-faced guy, and the others who’d been focused on Master Lin from Seacrest now shifted their gaze to Maran Ma, eyes blazing with excitement.
They clenched their fists, fired up by Maran Ma’s words.
“He’s not just declaring war against Master Lin from Seacrest—he’s saying the Ancient-Martial Ma Family plans to back the Yun and Zhan families to become the biggest clans in the Rivercrest region!”
“As for the other families, they’re probably in trouble now.”
Some people thought even deeper, their expressions meaningful.
Master Lin from Seacrest sat there, slowly raising his head, his gaze cutting through the crowd and landing on Maran Ma.
He hadn’t moved yet.
Standing above, Maran Ma seemed very pleased with the heated discussions below.
This wedding was meant to announce the news to the whole Rivercrest region.
It was also a clear signal of the Ancient-Martial Ma Family’s stance.
He smiled, then continued, “That’s all I need to say.”
“Since everyone’s here for my wedding, let’s make sure you all have a good time.”
As he spoke, he clapped his hands.