They Are My Guests

The receptionist took the Gold Soul Card, confirmed the amount on it, then held it with both hands and returned it to Bai Wanwan.

"Guest, Auction Qualification Certificates are divided into five levels: White Level, Yellow Level, Purple Level, Black Level, and Red Level. Those with one million Gold Soul Coins are eligible for a Black Level Auction Qualification Certificate. As for the highest Red Level Auction Qualification Certificate, not only do you need more than one million Gold Soul Coins, but you must also possess a certain status."

Bai Wanwan took back the Gold Soul Card and nodded slightly. "I understand. We have no particular status, so a Black Level Auction Qualification Certificate will do."

"Certainly, guest."

Just as the receptionist was about to head to the counter to process the Auction Qualification Certificate, a voice sounded from the doorway.

"Change it to Red Level. They are my guests."

Everyone turned toward the entrance and saw the Second Prince, Xue Luochuan, dressed in royal attire, slowly walking inside.

"Second Prince, what a coincidence."

Bai Wanwan smiled politely at the approaching Xue Luochuan.

"It certainly is. I simply came to take a look around the Auction House, and I happened to run into the two Young Ladies."

Xue Luochuan smiled as well.

Qian Renxue glanced at Xue Luochuan before withdrawing her gaze. As for whether his appearance was truly a coincidence, everyone knew the answer. There was no need to say it aloud.

The receptionist gave Xue Luochuan a slight bow, then changed the original Black Level Auction Qualification Certificate into the highest Red Level one.

After handing the Auction Qualification Certificate to Bai Wanwan, the receptionist led the way toward the second floor.

The second floor was the true heart of the Auction House and the place where bidding took place.

When they arrived before a heavy door, the receptionist took out three Masks and offered them to Qian Renxue, Bai Wanwan, and Xue Luochuan. "These are meant to protect our guests' privacy and safety. Of course, if you are not worried about being robbed after leaving the Auction House with your purchases, you do not have to wear one."

Looking at the Masks being offered, Bai Wanwan had no intention of reaching out to take one.

Worried about being robbed after buying something?

What a joke. Two Level 95 Titled Douluo and Di Tian, a Demigod, were protecting her in the dark. Who had the strength to rob her?

If someone truly came to rob her, they could only be said to be like a mouse pulling a cat's whiskers—seeking stimulation while wanting to experience what it felt like to race the Grim Reaper.

Qian Renxue likewise had no intention of taking a Mask.

Only Xue Luochuan took one and put it over his face.

The heavy doors opened, and the group entered the Auction Area, taking seats at the very front of the Red Zone.

After bringing over tea and delicate pastries, the receptionist silently withdrew.

The auction had yet to begin. Qian Renxue picked up a pastry and fed it to Bai Wanwan.

Bai Wanwan froze slightly, the tips of her ears quietly reddening, but she still took a bite of the pastry Qian Renxue offered her.

Seeing their somewhat intimate interaction, Xue Luochuan thought it over and felt there was nothing strange about it. Sisters with a close relationship feeding each other pastries was perfectly normal.

"Young Ladies, what have you come to the Auction House to buy?"

"I know the person in charge here. Perhaps I can ask them to sell it to you directly and save you the trouble of bidding."

Xue Luochuan asked softly.

"The residence gifted by the Second Prince is rather large. With too few people living there, it would feel somewhat deserted, so we plan to buy a few maids to clean the residence and handle such matters."

As Qian Renxue answered, she watched Bai Wanwan finish a pastry, then picked up another and brought it to Bai Wanwan's lips.

"Maids?"

"I was indeed not considerate enough."

"However, I would not recommend buying the female attendants from the Auction House. Although they are beautiful, after receiving the Auction House's specialized training, they have completely lost their souls. They are not even worth having as maids."

"Still, the Auction House may have some who have not undergone training. They are much cheaper than those specially trained ones. I can ask for you later."

Xue Luochuan picked up the tea at hand and took a sip.

"Then we'll trouble the Second Prince."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly and handed a cup of tea to Bai Wanwan.

Bai Wanwan accepted the tea and took a sip. After secretly glancing at Qian Renxue, she set down the cup.

"Second Prince, human trafficking is expressly forbidden in the Two Great Empires. Yet the Auction House is so brazen about it. Does Xue Ye truly not know anything about this?"

Bai Wanwan asked quietly.

"Eh?"

Xue Luochuan looked at Bai Wanwan in surprise. "Young Lady, this is Heaven Dou City. The Auction House is right under my Father Emperor's nose. Do you think my Father Emperor knows?"

"Human trafficking is indeed expressly forbidden. After all, it is something recognized by both Great Empires. But this rule was established by the imperial family. Who do you think stands behind the Auction House?"

Xue Luochuan's voice was exceptionally calm.

The gap between commoners and nobles was like an impassable chasm. Even if a commoner was fortunate enough to become a Soul Master, they could not bridge it.

Soul Masters were indeed a noble profession, but Soul Masters with backing and those without backing still had an insurmountable gulf between them.

For Soul Masters with neither talent nor backing, obtaining a hundred-year Spirit Ring in the beginning was basically impossible. They usually started with a White Level ten-year Spirit Ring. But for those with backing, it was merely a matter of speaking a single sentence.

Human trafficking being expressly forbidden was true. It was absolutely prohibited among commoners. Yet what was expressly forbidden in the eyes of commoners was merely an optional sentence in the eyes of nobles.

After all, outside, one Gold Soul Coin was enough to cover a family of three's expenses for a year. Yet here, ten thousand Gold Soul Coins were only an entry ticket.

If nothing unexpected happened, commoners would never set foot in this place in their entire lives. Naturally, they would never learn that matters expressly forbidden could, in fact, simply be ignored.

Bai Wanwan silently raised her teacup and took a sip. She did not respond to Xue Luochuan, but her eyes grew increasingly deep, as though she were contemplating something.

Qian Renxue lightly tapped the armrest with her fingers and said nothing as well.

Time slowly passed.

After roughly twenty minutes, a staff member carrying a tray covered in red cloth stepped onto the auction platform.

In an instant, nearly every guest participating in the auction turned their attention toward the red-clothed tray, as though eager to learn what the first auction item would be.

"The auction has begun."

"I hope there will be something that interests the two Young Ladies."

Xue Luochuan pointed toward the auction platform ahead. As he spoke, a faintly contemplative look appeared in his eyes, and he constantly watched Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan's expressions.