Lin Yan'er and Lin Caiyi originally intended to criticize Lin Hao in front of Lin Xiurui and Lin Nangong Mi, but to their surprise, Lin Hao completely ignored their words and did not even glance at them.
Seeing Lin Hao's lazy expression, Lin Yan'er and Lin Caiyi coldly snorted and said no more.
"Lin Hao, although you are the first in the Lin Family's outer sect, you must listen to me on the way to the Bai Family's annual auction gala. Otherwise, I have the right to revoke your visiting privileges," Lin Xiurui said, to the delight of Lin Caiyi and Lin Yan'er, as he took the initiative to give Lin Hao a warning.
Hearing this, Lin Hao glanced at Lin Xiurui lightly, just as before, and did not say much.
The Bai Family had a close relationship with him. Even without the Lin Family's visiting privileges, Lin Hao could freely enter and exit the auction hall and be treated as a distinguished guest. There was no need for him to be under Lin Xiurui's control.
It could be said that Lin Hao's trip to the Bai Family's auction gala had nothing to do with the Lin Family.
"If you find it troublesome, you don't have to bring me along," Lin Hao pondered for a moment and said in response to Lin Xiurui.
Lin Xiurui was the son of the Grand Steward and was related to the Lin Family's Fenglin Town branch. It was because of the Grand Steward that the Fenglin Town branch had the audacity to try to take Lin Hao's spiritual root. This matter was later exposed by Lin Hao, and although the branch received its due punishment, the Grand Steward, who held a high position in the Lin Family, only received a few symbolic scoldings. As a result, the Grand Steward's lineage harbored deep hatred for Lin Hao.
Though there was no explicit confrontation on the surface, it was unclear what was happening behind the scenes. Today, Lin Xiurui was clearly trying to teach Lin Hao a lesson, and everyone was not foolish; they saw it clearly. Since that was the case, Lin Hao would not submit passively.
Lin Hao's words made the few elite outer sect disciples present slightly startled. Lin Xiurui was their leader and had the authority to revoke visiting privileges. Lin Hao's defiance would certainly give Lin Xiurui a handle to use against him.
The Bai Family's annual auction gala was not simple, especially for small families like theirs. Even the visiting privileges were hard to come by. An auction gala hosted by a First Heaven power like the Bai Family was not something ordinary families could enter at will.
If Lin Xiurui revoked Lin Hao's visiting privileges, it would be a great loss.
Lin Xin and Lin Wu, among others, were worried about Lin Hao, but they did not dare to say much in front of Lin Xiurui. Lin Hao and their relationship was relatively good, much better than with Lin Tian and others. They naturally did not want Lin Hao to miss this precious opportunity. They wanted to plead for Lin Hao, but remembering the deep-seated conflict between Lin Hao and the Grand Steward's lineage, they thought it would be futile. In the end, they sighed, feeling very sorry.
Only Lin Tian and others sneered, thinking that with Lin Hao's lack of patience, he was bound to suffer a great loss.
At this moment, Lin Hao did not respond and continued to follow Lin Xiurui and the others toward the Bai Family's auction hall, seemingly ignoring Lin Xiurui's words.
Seeing this, Lin Xiurui raised his eyebrows and looked at Lin Hao. "Lin Hao, your visiting privileges have been revoked. Why are you still following us? Why don't you go back to the Lin Family?"
Before Lin Hao could speak, Lin Xiurui added, "Of course, if you sincerely apologize to Yan'er and Caiyi now, I might let you off and not revoke your visiting privileges."
Lin Caiyi and Lin Yan'er glanced at Lin Xiurui, their expressions grateful. Lin Xiurui was deliberately standing up for them, and they understood.
Lin Caiyi and Lin Yan'er looked at Lin Hao with a haughty expression, as if they were superior. They did not believe that Lin Hao would give up the visiting privileges for the Bai Family's auction gala and would certainly apologize to them.
However, Lin Hao remained indifferent, seemingly not taking Lin Xiurui's words to heart. He lazily said, "The road is open to all. This road is not yours, Lin Xiurui. Why do you say I am following you? Can't I walk this road?"
Lin Hao did not care about the visiting privileges. Even if he did not have the guest token, with Bai Zhanchen's relationship, he was still a distinguished guest.
Lin Xiurui and Lin Caiyi did not know what Lin Hao had, but they thought he was arrogant to the point of no return, daring to challenge Lin Xiurui even after his visiting privileges were revoked.
"Fine, fine, fine..." Lin Xiurui sneered, saying three 'fines.' He did not understand why a mere outer sect disciple had the audacity to accuse the Grand Steward and make enemies with their lineage. But now, seeing Lin Hao, he realized that Lin Hao was indeed arrogant and presumptuous, seemingly fearless. But the more arrogant he was, the more Lin Xiurui saw him as a fool.
"Lin Hao, you can walk this road, but you won't be able to enter the Bai Family's auction hall," Lin Xiurui coldly glanced at Lin Hao and then said no more, leading the group forward.
Lin Hao shrugged and did not argue with Lin Xiurui.
The Lin Family's elite disciples were worried, but Lin Nangong remained silent throughout, his face as hard as ice, seemingly living in his own world, ignoring others.
Half an hour later, they arrived outside the Bai Family's auction hall. The area was bustling with people.
Lin Xiurui and the others stood aside. The auction gala naturally welcomed distinguished guests first, and ordinary family disciples like them could only wait in the back.
...
"The items auctioned at the Bai Family's annual auction gala are all extraordinary. Even if we can bid on one or two second-rate items, it would be a great help to our ordinary families."
"Indeed, we specially came from Liuyue City to bid on a high-grade mystic weapon. If we can get it, our family's status in Liuyue City will be incomparable."
"Ha ha, even a high-grade mystic weapon is extremely expensive. The starting bid requires spirit stones, and I doubt your family can afford it."
At this moment, some family disciples in the back spoke up.
For ordinary families, they only had the right to bid on second-rate items, but even these were rare treasures in ordinary families. That was why so many ordinary families rushed to this place.
Lin Hao looked around and saw the disciples of the Wang Family, Luo Family, and Yu Family from Liuyun City, besides the Lin Family. The leaders of these groups were all top inner sect disciples, and some were clearly more powerful than Lin Xiurui.
"Saint Heaven Sect disciples have arrived!" Suddenly, a voice called out from a distance. Everyone looked and saw a group of men and women walking over, each with a proud and cold expression, as if they were naturally superior to ordinary people.
Seeing the disciples of the sect, many ordinary family disciples showed respect and moved aside to make way for them.
"Look, those are the disciples of the sect families... Wow, even the outer sect disciples have at least reached the third level of the Earth Gate... and the leader is a fourth level Earth Gate expert!"
"These sect disciples are terrifying. Some are even younger than ordinary family disciples, but their strength is vastly different. Sect powers are indeed the holy lands of martial arts, and it is not without reason that they can surpass the secular world."
"Saint Heaven Sect... This sect power is also a First Heaven power, theoretically on par with the Bai Family, but if compared, its foundation is much stronger than the Bai Family..."
"Indeed, I wonder why the disciples of the Saint Heaven Sect would come to the Bai Family's auction gala..."
"You don't know, the Bai Family, as a First Heaven power, mainly operates various businesses. In terms of wealth, even the Saint Heaven Sect might not compare. The annual auction gala is even more impressive, and even sect powers would be interested."
Some medium-sized powers saw the arrival of the Saint Heaven Sect and began to discuss.
"Are you the relatives of Senior Sister Luo Yan'er?" Suddenly, a disciple from the Saint Heaven Sect approached the Luo Family and asked.
Hearing this, the Luo Family disciples were flattered and nodded repeatedly. To them, these sect disciples were powerful figures, and now they were speaking to them.
"Yes, Senior Sister Luo Yan'er was very kind to us in the outer sect..." A disciple from the Saint Heaven Sect smiled and chatted with the Luo Family for a moment before entering the auction hall.
"Immortal Sword Sect disciples have arrived!"
Just as the Saint Heaven Sect disciples entered the auction hall, another group of sect disciples arrived.
In front, about seven or eight men and women in white robes walked side by side, with a small sword embroidered on their chests, surrounded by mist. This was the unique symbol of the Immortal Sword Sect.
"Immortal Sword Sect disciples... They are the archenemies of the Saint Heaven Sect... I didn't expect them to come as well..."
Seeing the arrival of the Saint Heaven Sect disciples, many people from the families exclaimed.
It had to be said that the Bai Family, as a First Heaven power mainly operating in business, had a great reputation. In such a short time, two major sect powers had arrived. If it were another auction hall, this would be unimaginable.