Chapter 91: The Five Great Clans, Towering Above You!-Mass Job Change: My Skills Are All Forbidden Spells with a Ten Thousand Times Boost(By the banks of the Ruoshui River, the wine cups drift along the gentle current.)

"Boy, how dare you!" Ma Tianxing shouted in fury. "Do you dare let me see what you really look like? Which family do you belong to? The Chen family? The Wang family? The Gongsun family? If you have the guts to compete with your Grandpa Ma for the Fragment No. 3 of the Ruins, then show yourself! Let me see who you are!"

In such a public setting, to press the Ma family down like this was a blatant disregard for their dignity. True, in an auction, the highest bidder wins, but among the great families, unless it was something that all of them desperately needed, typically each would give way and show a little courtesy to the others.

But the moment the Ma family was threatened, the opposing bidder immediately increased their offer by ten million, clearly showing no respect for the Mas and ruthlessly slapping them in the face.

"Young Master Ma, our Chen family would never do such a thing," came a calm voice as the glass on one side was slowly raised, revealing the face of a man—Chen Feng of the Chen family.

"That's right. To go against our Young Master Ma is to challenge thunder itself; our Gongsun family would never dare such a thing," said another voice as the glass on another side rose, revealing a graceful figure—Gongsun Qian'er of the Gongsun family.

Immediately after, yet another pane of glass was raised, and the man inside declared, "Young Master Ma, the Wang family has no intention of opposing the Ma family either."

The five great families.

"All five great families have chosen to show themselves!"

"This is astounding! I've only ever seen these people online before, never in person!"

"For all five of the Empire's great families to make an appearance... That must be Gongsun Qian'er! She's stunning—her beauty is truly unparalleled, just as the rumors say!"

"What's so special about Gongsun Qian'er? Look at Young Master Chen Feng—so gallant and heroic, he makes you want to run over and give him a kiss!"

"Such shallow taste!"

"What do you know!"

...

"All of them have revealed themselves—are the five families really that impatient?" Lin Han sighed helplessly. He had hoped the three families who hadn't yet shown themselves would take the heat for him, but they had exposed themselves so quickly.

Xiao Tao laughed, "Young Master Lin, you've already given the Ma family a resounding slap in the face, so it's only natural that the Ma family would suspect the other three families first."

"Even though the Wang, Chen, and Gongsun families don't fear the Mas, they can't accept being falsely accused. That's why they've all stepped forward immediately to explain themselves," she continued.

Lin Han lounged back on the sofa and chuckled, "It doesn't matter. They can think whatever they like. With a Supreme powerhouse presiding over this, I don't need to worry about the Mas barging in to handle me."

"You really are fearless, Mr. Lin," Xiao Tao said. "But the Supreme's protection only lasts three days. After that, you may want to be more careful."

"No matter. I have my own ways," Lin Han responded indifferently. Once he had obtained the treasure, with the God of Freedom by his side, who could possibly know it was he, Lin Han, who had taken it?

...

Ma Tianxing stared fixedly at the VIP888 suite before him, as if he might smash through the glass at any moment to drag out the person inside and teach them a lesson.

"Sixty-five million!"

"Sixty-five million from VIP666!" Xiao Yun called out immediately.

"The guest in VIP888 has raised it to seventy million!"

Ma Tianyu's face darkened at once. Seventy million!

"My friend, the value of this Fragment No. 3 is nowhere near seventy million. If you back down now and let the Ma family take it for seventy million, we'll consider you a friend," Ma Tianxin now spoke up.

To pay seventy million for a fragment of the ruins was almost a losing deal, unless there was some unimaginable opportunity hidden within it. Otherwise, it would be impossible to recoup that investment.

The Ma family, of course, had their own reasons. Seventy million could buy a legendary piece of equipment, and yet here they were, spending that much on a fragment.

If this wasn't a deliberate move against the Ma family, it was hard to imagine what other reason could exist.

At that moment, Gongsun Qian'er smiled sweetly, "My friend, since Sister Tianxin herself has asked, why not show the Ma family a little respect? Getting to know Sister Tianxin is already reward enough for you. Who knows? Maybe Sister Tianxin will come to like you, and you two might end up together."

"Gongsun Qian'er, mind your tongue!" Ma Tianxing shot her a dark look. He would never allow anyone to speak of his sister in such a way.

Gongsun Qian'er responded with an aggrieved look, "Young Master Ma, anyone who can bring out so much money must be someone of considerable standing. How could you speak to me like that? I'm only thinking of Sister Tianxin's best interests."

"There's no need for your insincere concern. If you think so highly of the person across from us, why don't you go marry him yourself!" Ma Tianxing retorted.

"Sigh, good intentions mistaken for ill," Gongsun Qian'er said, sitting back in her chair. "But, my friend, at this point, why not show your face and let us see who you are? Who knows? We might even become friends."

All eyes turned toward the VIP888 suite, eager to see who dared offend the Ma family in such a way.

Suddenly, a voice came from inside the suite, and the crowd tensed, waiting.

"Greetings, everyone."

A woman's voice!

"It's a woman!" Ma Tianxin frowned. She had met all the women in their circles, yet this voice was unfamiliar.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my master says that the auction is a contest of financial strength. If Miss Ma Tianxin can't keep up, then perhaps it's time to withdraw."

What?!

"Provocation—this is blatant provocation!" Ma Tianxing roared. "Not even bothering to speak in person, but sending a servant to deliver a message, and daring to suggest that the Ma family's finances aren't up to the challenge. Who do you think you are?"

"What an interesting person!" Gongsun Qian'er was now truly intrigued by the mysterious figure in that room.

To confront the Ma family head-on like this was no trivial feat. While the five great families weren't the only powerful forces around—there were many guilds that could rival them—few dared to provoke them so openly.

"Friend, do you understand what consequences your actions may bring?" Ma Tianxin could no longer keep her composure. She herself didn't care, but what was at stake was the Ma family's reputation. If this continued, where would the Ma family's authority stand?

"My master says, if the Ma family can't keep up, then step aside and play elsewhere."

...