Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Overwhelming Dominance

Alice’s expression changed as she clearly felt the heavy threat in Qin Xian’s words.

It was simple: either cooperate with the Qin family or become their enemy.

And what would it mean to be an enemy of the Qin family? Qin Xian had made it abundantly clear.

Even if he hadn’t explicitly said it, Alice already knew.

Over the years, the forces that opposed the Qin family—once powerful and renowned—had vanished entirely. The fall of the Ye family served as a stark warning for all to see.

Beside her, Huangfu Xi was filled with fury and coldly retorted, “Qin Xian, are you threatening Miss Alice, or are you threatening the Huangfu family?”

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, Qin Xian smiled calmly at Huangfu Xi. Her anger didn’t faze him in the slightest.

With a composed demeanor, Qin Xian replied, “I’m merely stating a fact…”

Then his tone shifted, his smile fading as he looked directly at Huangfu Xi. His voice grew colder. “But if you want to take it that way, you can.”

The auction hall erupted in gasps. Qin Xian was blatantly threatening the Huangfu family.

The Huangfu family, after all, was the holder of the White Tiger Palace Final Revelation and one of the Empire’s millennia-old families with formidable strength and deep reserves.

Could it be that a direct clash between the Qin family and the Huangfu family, two of the Empire’s greatest noble houses, was imminent?

Then again, given that this was about a Final Revelation, such a confrontation wasn’t entirely unexpected. A treasure of this magnitude could drive any faction to madness.

Huangfu Xi’s expression darkened; this was the first time someone had dared to openly threaten the Huangfu family. Yet, at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of powerlessness.

While the Huangfu family was undoubtedly one of the Empire’s most powerful noble families, second only to the Qin family after the disappearance of the Emperor and the fall of the Ye family, there was still a gap between the two.

In most circumstances—whether involving governorships or imperial politics—the Qin family might have given the Huangfu family some face.

But a Final Revelation was far too significant. It was enough for the Qin family to disregard everything else, including their usual diplomacy.

Ultimately, the Qin family’s power was unparalleled. They could destroy a Wuyue Kingdom rebuilt by the Huangfu family, but the Huangfu family couldn’t dare to dismantle a kingdom built by the Qin family.

Qin Xian’s words caused many of the nobles to show hesitant and cautious expressions. After a brief moment of consideration, they chose to back down.

Qin Xian’s threat wasn’t just directed at the Huangfu family—it was aimed at anyone who dared compete with the Qin family for the Virgo Palace Final Revelation.

For years, Qin Xian had maintained a reputation as a restrained and reasonable figure within the Empire’s noble circles. Many considered him easy to get along with and someone who respected fairness.

But now, when the stakes were at their highest, Qin Xian had torn off his mask. His true nature was laid bare.

Fair competition? Rules? Nothing but a joke.

Those principles only mattered when there were no real conflicts of interest. Qin Xian had merely been playing along, creating an illusion of harmony. But the world wasn’t fair. It was a world where the strong preyed on the weak.

And Qin Xian, at the top of this food chain, wielded his power and status as his most effective weapons. If dominance was his right, why not use it?

As Qin Xian’s gaze swept across the room, the distinguished nobles, one by one, lowered their heads.

No one dared to challenge the Qin family. At least, no one here did.

Ignoring the visibly upset Huangfu Xi, Qin Xian turned his attention back to Alice. With a faint smile, he asked, “Miss Alice, have you made your decision?”

His eyes locked onto Alice’s, predatory and unyielding. Like a lion guarding its prey, he wouldn’t tolerate any other beast coveting it.

Alice’s gray eyes met Qin Xian’s, and after a moment, she let out a bitter laugh, “Young Master Qin, does the Wuyue Clan truly have any choice?”

In truth, Alice would have preferred to work with the Huangfu family. The Qin family was simply too domineering.

If the Wuyue Clan partnered with the Qin family, Alice couldn’t help but wonder—would the restored Wuyue Kingdom still belong to her family, or would it become a mere colony of the Qin family?

By contrast, the Huangfu family seemed far less aggressive. They likely wouldn’t seek to control the Wuyue Clan outright.

But Qin Xian’s overwhelming forcefulness reminded Alice of the harsh truth: the Wuyue Clan had no real options.

From the moment the Virgo Palace Final Revelation appeared, the Wuyue Clan’s fate had been sealed. The Qin family had already marked them.

Satisfied, Qin Xian nodded. The cold and domineering aura he exuded moments earlier vanished, replaced by the gentlemanly, courteous demeanor he was known for.

With a pleasant smile, Qin Xian said, “You’ve made a very wise decision, Miss Alice. The Qin family will protect the Wuyue Clan and assist in the restoration of the Wuyue Kingdom.”

“In turn, the Wuyue Clan will become the Qin family’s closest ally. Any actions taken against the Wuyue Clan will be seen as a provocation against the Qin family.”

Now that the decision had been made, Alice wasted no time. She turned to the auctioneer and nodded. “I choose to gift the Virgo Palace Final Revelation to Young Master Qin.”

Her declaration sent a wave of shock through the hall. From this moment on, the Virgo Palace Final Revelation belonged to the Qin family.

The Qin family now possessed three Final Revelations.

Among the Empire’s elite noble families, many had heard rumors that the Qin family might secretly hold other Final Revelations as well.

This only deepened the awe and fear surrounding the Qin family’s immense power and influence.

The thought also stirred whispers of a recent sentiment growing within the Empire—voices advocating for the Qin family to ascend to the throne and become the Empire’s new royal family.

Alice turned to Qin Xian and softly asked, “Young Master Qin, when will our transaction begin?”

With a serene smile, Qin Xian replied, “Now, Miss Alice…”