Auction House Observations

Upon entering the auction house, Ming Lunyu displayed his VIP Red Card, and the staff immediately ushered the group inside with utmost respect.

Every Red Card VIP had an exclusive passage, so there was no need to worry about their identities being exposed.

"May you esteemed guests acquire the items you desire tonight. I should not disturb you further, so I'll take my leave."

Seeing the group's arrangement of one man and three women, the young maid tactfully excused herself and withdrew.

Those three women were clearly Eldest Misses from noble families. Someone like her had better not get involved, lest she upset the distinguished guests and end up suffering herself.

It had to be said that anyone who could keep working in a place like an auction house, where the powerful and noble were everywhere, had their own rules for survival.

Ma Hongjun tossed herself high into the air and onto the sofa, sinking into the soft, springy cushions before being bounced back up.

"So comfy!"

She sat up, grabbed a crystal-clear fruit, and popped it into her mouth, juice bursting forth.

Rich people really knew how to enjoy themselves!

It was also Ming Lunyu's first time in such a setting, and he curiously looked around as well.

The red VIP room was the highest-grade VIP room. Its resplendent gold-and-jade decor radiated luxury, and all manner of fine wines and delicacies filled the room. Hidden in the drawers and corners of the tea table were even mysterious little props meant to showcase the debauchery of the powerful.

At the front of the VIP room stood a massive black crystal screen. Those inside could see outside through it, but those outside could not see in.

There would also be dedicated staff to call out bids during the auction. VIPs only needed to give their instructions.

Knock, knock, knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door.

"Come in," Ming Lunyu said flatly.

A plump little old man pushed open the door with a fawning smile plastered across his face.

"Who are you?" A wicked smile hung at the corner of Ming Lunyu's lips. He spread his arms, pulling the nearest Dugu Bo and Tang Fu'er into his embrace on either side, while propping his legs atop the tea table, looking every bit the arrogant young wastrel.

"Ahaha, good evening, esteemed guest. I am Roka, the auction house supervisor. I heard that this is your first visit, so I came to see whether there was anything lacking in our hospitality." Roka bowed and scraped as he spoke, discreetly sizing up Ming Lunyu.

"So you came to gather information," Ming Lunyu said in understanding.

Every Red Card issued by the auction house was accounted for. When several unfamiliar faces suddenly arrived with one, it was difficult not to attract the attention of the auction house's upper management.

Having figured it out, Ming Lunyu's expression became even more arrogant. With a flick of his hand, a Folding Fan appeared instantly, sending out a harmless gust of scorching wind.

"Insolence! What are you? Are you questioning me? Take a good look at what this is!" Ming Lunyu directly exposed his intentions and displayed an item on the spot.

Faced with Ming Lunyu's domineering manner, the supervisor became even more servile. He practically crawled over on his knees to inspect it closely, then his face changed drastically.

"So you are a distinguished guest of His Highness the Crown Prince. Please forgive my offense! I deserve death!" Cold sweat covered Roka's forehead, and panic filled his face.

"Get out!"

"Yes, I'll leave at once. As compensation for offending you, all items you purchase tonight will be discounted by twenty percent." Roka forced a smile as he backed out of the room.

Ming Lunyu dropped his fabricated wastrel act and released the two beside him.

But when he tried to pull his arms back, he could not move them.

Tang Fu'er and Dugu Bo had silently agreed to hug one arm each.

"Young Master, this old man's arm has cramped up. I can't move it..."

"Brother, it's cold today. Fu'er is freezing~"

Ming Lunyu: 6

But since things had already come to this, Ming Lunyu simply held them both with a clear conscience.

He was attracted to their bodies anyway, so what was there to pretend about? When the time came, he could not hesitate.

Ma Hongjun was beside herself with anger. After anxiously pacing in circles twice, she simply curled up on Ming Lunyu's lap.

"Young Master, did you take out that Crown Prince's Token to warn Xue Qinghe?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.

"Exactly," Ming Lunyu confirmed.

"Huh? Brother, weren't you just showing off?" Ma Hongjun asked with her head tilted.

"What showing off?" Ming Lunyu laughed. "That man came to investigate us because we were a group of unfamiliar faces who brought out a VIP Red Card to attend the auction. Only the leaders of major forces or Titled Douluo were qualified to possess this kind of card, so it was only natural that we would be suspected."

"I showed him the Crown Prince's Token, and he'll definitely pass that information to his superiors. Their superiors will pass it further upward, and it will eventually reach the Crown Prince himself. Do you understand now?"

Ma Hongjun nodded and pondered aloud, "Brother, you did that to show that you acknowledged the Crown Prince's recruitment, but you weren't joining his ranks. You wanted more of a cooperative relationship?"

Ming Lunyu smiled and gave Ma Hongjun a look telling her to continue.

Encouraged, Ma Hongjun perked up, speaking a little faster. "Because if we merely displayed the Crown Prince's Token outside, we would be confirming to everyone that we belonged to the Crown Prince's Faction, while also owing the Crown Prince a favor. That would be no different from truly joining his ranks.

"But adding that Red Card changed things. In outsiders' eyes, our Red Card was given to us by the Crown Prince, but only the Crown Prince knew that it did not come from him. That meant he would know that there was at least one powerful force or Titled Douluo behind us. This would make him wary, preventing him from completely ordering us around from a superior position. Displaying the Crown Prince's Token instead became a signal that we agreed to cooperate!"

Ming Lunyu affectionately rubbed his chin against the round top of Ma Hongjun's head and praised, "Completely correct. Xiao Jun really is brilliantly clever."

As for why he did not use his hands? Because both arms had been locked down by Tang Fu'er and Dugu Bo.

Having received praise, Ma Hongjun's bright eyes curved into crescents as she beamed with delight.

"Oh? The auction is starting." Ming Lunyu perked up, anticipation rising in his heart.

Ma Hongjun also widened her eyes and curiously looked toward the stage.

A tall, provocatively dressed woman slowly stepped onto the stage. Her eleven-centimeter heels clicked sharply against the floor, instantly drawing the eyes of most of the men present.

Ming Lunyu looked her over twice before losing interest.

How should he put it? She was only moderately attractive. Compared with the women around him, she fell far short.

That was simply what happened when one's tastes became too refined. An auctioneer only needed to dress seductively, but Ming Lunyu had much more to consider.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House. I am your auctioneer, Qianqian!"

The auctioneer's voice had clearly been professionally trained. Her tone was alluring, and her voice was unbearably coquettish.

At this level, most of the powerful and noble had come specifically for certain lots and would not be interested in someone like her. But ordinary buyers who had never tasted fine fare would be bewitched into spending lavishly.

Just as Ming Lunyu was evaluating the auction house's marketing strategy, the auction officially began.

The first lot was a living five-thousand-year Flame Tail Cat. It had been beaten half to death, tightly bound, and carried onto the stage.

It seemed to be a lot prepared for rich young men who lacked the ability to hunt soul beasts themselves.

It was quickly purchased by a weak-looking man in the purple section.

To briefly explain the auction house seating arrangements, there were five types of seats, ranked from highest to lowest: red, black, purple, yellow, and white.

The white seats were prepared for ordinary people, while only soul masters or nobles could sit in the yellow section or above.

Meanwhile, red VIP rooms could only be held by figures such as Titled Douluo, members of the imperial family, and the heads of the Seven Great Clans. Their status was exceptionally high.

The following lots were mostly ordinary-year medicinal herbs, relatively rare jewelry, and storage Soul Tools.

They were basically useless to Ming Lunyu, so he merely watched the auction proceed with interest. From time to time, he and the women guessed how much an item would sell for, with punishments for losing. As for what those punishments were?

All that could be said was that one should not pry into the affairs of the red section, unless one wanted trouble.

The atmosphere in Ming Lunyu's VIP room remained harmonious until the third-to-last item appeared.