Undercurrents at the Auction House, First Interception of Crystal Gold

Chapter Twenty-Two: Undercurrents at the Auction House, First Interception of Crystal Gold

The clamor of the Heaven Dou imperial capital was shut out into distant background noise once the heavy gates of the Eastern Palace closed behind him. As Ling Feng walked along the broad imperial road, the skin on his back seemed to still retain the cold, piercing edge of those Molten Gold Eyes. Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—had maintained a flawless disguise, but that final glance after dropping her pretense had revealed the pride, vigilance, and curiosity ingrained in Spirit Hall's Young Master. Ling Feng's expression remained calm, but he raised this "Crown Prince's" danger rating once more in his mind. The waters of Heaven Dou ran deeper than he had expected, and the "Young Master" at the center of the whirlpool was even more unfathomable.

"Please stop here, Your Highness. This humble servant will see you off here." The blue-clad eunuch guiding him stopped at the side gate of the imperial city and bowed respectfully.

"My thanks." Ling Feng nodded slightly and flicked a gleaming Gold Soul Coin from his fingertips, sending it precisely into the eunuch's palm. A trace of irrepressible delight flashed through the eunuch's eyes, and he withdrew with even greater respect.

The moment Ling Feng stepped beyond the imposing bounds of the imperial city, a sense of scrutiny clung to him like a festering sore attached to the bone. It was faint, almost imperceptible, yet impossible to shake off. His expression did not change, nor did the rhythm of his steps, but the passive perception of the Eye of Destiny had already begun to operate. Blurred fragments flashed through his mind: silhouettes moving swiftly through the shadows, watchful gazes from different angles, and a trace of... the cold, efficient Soul Power fluctuations unique to Spirit Hall's Dark Spider intelligence network.

Bibi Dong's eyes? Or extra spies planted by Qian Renxue? Ling Feng sneered inwardly. Surveillance? It suited him perfectly. He needed the protection afforded by Spirit Hall's tiger skin, and he also needed certain people to see the "performance" he wanted them to see. As the Pope's adopted son who had only just arrived, keeping a low profile and observing was the natural course of action.

He did not head directly to the independent residence called Cuiwei Garden at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Instead, he turned and merged into the most prosperous and most chaotic commercial district of Heaven Dou City like a drop of water flowing into the sea. Shops with glazed-tile roofs stood in neat rows, while hawkers' cries, customers' bargaining, and the rumble of wheels over bluestone pavement intertwined into a bustling chorus of everyday life. Ling Feng appeared to be wandering without purpose, but his sharp gaze swept over the signs and markings of the shops lining the street.

Before long, an imposing building came into view. Two enormous, ferocious stone Pixiu crouched before its entrance, symbolizing wealth that flowed in but never out. Above the doorway hung a massive plaque with gold lettering on a black background, bearing five flamboyant characters—Heaven Dou Royal Auction House. This was one of the greatest places for spending money in the Heaven Dou Empire, even on the entire continent, as well as a hub for rare treasures and secret information.

Just as Ling Feng raised his foot to enter the grand doors that represented wealth and opportunity, the cold, familiar mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind:

Ding! Key plot point detected: "First Encounter at the Heaven Dou Auction House."

Options triggered!

Option One: Enter discreetly, observe only, and gather intelligence. Reward: Recent developments among some of Heaven Dou City's small and mid-level nobles (random).

Option Two: Make a high-profile entrance, compete for the featured item "Crystal Gold," and attract the attention of all parties. Reward: Spiritual Power +50 points (permanent enhancement), Heaven Dou Royal Auction House Silver-tier VIP access (effective immediately).

Option Three: Create a minor disturbance (such as a Soul Power disruption), attract Tang San's attention, and conduct a preliminary test. Reward: Incomplete core construction blueprint for the Hidden Weapon "Sand-Shooting Shadow." Risk: Partial exposure of intentions, potentially alerting Tang San and the Tang Sect in advance.

"Crystal Gold!" Ling Feng's gaze sharpened instantly. This was precisely the core material Tang San had used in the original work to craft the sinister Hidden Weapon, the Dragon Whisker Needle! The system truly was pushing him down the path of interception with perfect precision. This was a crucial step in weakening Tang San's early strength and stealing his opportunities!

Without much hesitation, Ling Feng replied decisively in his mind, "Option Two." The intelligence gained through low-profile observation was limited and passive. Creating chaos carried too much risk, offered unclear rewards, and could easily alert the enemy. Only a high-profile appearance would allow him to approach and secure the target item openly and with a clear objective, while also gaining a tangible Spiritual Power boost and the auction house's VIP access to facilitate his later actions. It offered the best value. Attracting attention? That was part of his plan. He wanted the name "Ling Feng" to formally enter the sights of Heaven Dou's various powers.

Choice confirmed. Rewards issued: Spiritual Power +50 points (enhancement in progress; perception clarity and range increased). Heaven Dou Royal Auction House Silver-tier VIP access activated (identity marker: Silver Star Emblem). Host, seize the opportunity.

A cool yet vast surge of energy flooded his mind like a sweet spring nourishing parched earth. Ling Feng felt his spiritual perception become sharper than ever. The slightest changes in his surroundings, the murmurs of distant crowds, even the faint flow of Soul Power in the air all became clearer and more distinct. An almost imperceptible curve touched his lips as he walked toward the auction house's resplendent entrance.

Without needing to say a word, he displayed Spirit Hall's special token representing his status as the Pope's adopted son, along with the star-patterned VIP badge that had just appeared on his chest, glowing with a faint silver light. The guards at the entrance immediately became solemn and respectful, bending lower at the waist as they courteously led the noble youth inside and directly escorted him to a private room on the second floor with an excellent location beside the circular railing.

The auction house's lighting had been carefully arranged. The central auction platform was brightly illuminated, while the audience seating remained relatively dim, creating an atmosphere where secrecy and desire intertwined. The air carried the scent of costly incense, along with a faint smell of money and greed. The massive circular auction hall had three levels: the ground floor was packed with ordinary seats and was already crowded; the second floor held elegant semi-open private rooms for guests of status or considerable wealth; the third floor consisted of completely enclosed, lavishly decorated top-tier VIP rooms, symbols of supreme power.

Ling Feng settled into a comfortable cushioned chair, and an attendant immediately served fragrant premium tea and delicate refreshments. His gaze swept downward like that of a hawk. With his powerful Spiritual Power combined with the passive perception of the Eye of Destiny, he quickly locked onto his target in an inconspicuous corner of the ground floor.

Two people. One was a youth dressed in faded blue training clothes, with an ordinary appearance but calm, waterlike eyes—Tang San. The other was a girl in a pink dress, her lively scorpion braid hanging behind her, her large eyes curiously darting about—Xiao Wu. Tang Hao was not yet following Tang San closely! They sat in a low-key corner among the ordinary seats.

At that moment, on the auction platform, a well-dressed host with a booming, highly persuasive voice struck a crisp bell with a small hammer embedded with a Soul Tool amplifier, drawing the entire hall's attention.

"Honored guests! Welcome to this grand Heaven Dou royal auction! The next item is quite unusual. Though it appears unremarkable, our chief appraiser has determined that it contains an exceptionally rare and incomparably sharp natural metal crystal—Crystal Gold!" The host's impassioned voice expertly built anticipation.

A ceremonial attendant brought forward a tray covered in red silk. When the silk was lifted, it revealed a piece of raw crystal the size of a human head, murky and dull in color, resembling poor-quality crystal. Within it, countless threadlike strands could faintly be seen, each glimmering with a weak golden radiance.

"This item is called Plate Crystal!" The host pointed at the crystal, his voice brimming with temptation. "Although it looks utterly ordinary, the sharpness of the Crystal Gold contained within is said to be capable of piercing anything! It is a premium material for making the core components of special Soul Tools, or certain unique Hidden Weapons! The starting bid is one hundred Gold Soul Coins! Each increase must be no less than ten!"

When his words fell, the response below was somewhat cold. Most people wore puzzled or disdainful expressions. They felt that selling a broken stone for one hundred Gold Soul Coins was simply absurd, nothing more than a cheap attempt to draw attention.

In the corner, Tang San's eyes flashed brilliantly, and even his breathing quickened slightly. This was the key material he had been desperately searching for to make Dragon Whisker Needles! Without hesitation, he raised his bidding paddle and opened his mouth to make an offer.

However, just as his voice was about to emerge—

"Two hundred Gold Soul Coins." A calm, clear voice, carrying the crisp quality of a young man's voice, rang out from a second-floor private room like a jade chime, instantly drowning out the noise below.

Nearly everyone in the auction house, including Tang San and Xiao Wu, abruptly turned toward the source. By the railing of a private room with an excellent view on the second floor, a youth in fitted black training clothes stood tall and straight as a pine, leisurely setting down a white jade teacup. His features were handsome, his bearing steady, and a faintly indifferent curve rested on his lips, as though he had just bid two Copper Soul Coins rather than two hundred Gold Soul Coins. It was Ling Feng!

Tang San's raised hand froze in midair, and the bid that was about to leave his mouth caught in his throat! His pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with extreme shock and disbelief. Who was this person? How did he also recognize Plate Crystal? And how could he be so wealthy as to double the bid immediately?! A powerful sense of crisis and the fury of having his prize intercepted surged into his heart! Instinctively, he activated his Purple Demon Eye. His deep violet eyes became even more profound as he tried to see through the youth in the private room.

Ling Feng seemed completely unaware of the gaze filled with shock, suspicion, and hostility. He did not even glance at Tang San. He merely lifted his teacup and gently blew across the floating tea leaves.

"Two hundred Gold Soul Coins! This honored guest on the second floor has bid two hundred Gold Soul Coins! Is there a higher offer?" The host perked up, raising his voice.

"Two hundred and ten!" Tang San suppressed the turmoil in his heart. His voice carried a barely perceptible urgency and firmness as he raised his paddle again. The glow of his Purple Demon Eye locked onto Ling Feng, attempting to convey a warning and impose spiritual pressure.

However, when his spiritual gaze touched Ling Feng, it felt as though it had struck an invisible wall imbued with sacred majesty! The passive protective trait of the Judgment Angel Martial Soul was lightly triggered, and the phantom of golden eyes flickered within Ling Feng's mind. Tang San only felt a faint sting in his eyes as the probing power of his Purple Demon Eye was instantly repelled. Not only did he fail to see through his opponent, but his own spiritual power suffered a slight backlash! This left him even more alarmed!

Ling Feng remained as calm as ever, as though he had merely been bitten by a mosquito. His tone was as casual as if discussing the weather. "Three hundred."

Whoosh—!

The entire auction house erupted! Three hundred Gold Soul Coins?! For a worthless piece of crystal?! Countless gazes converged on Ling Feng, filled with disbelief, envy, jealousy, and mocking amusement at the sight of a fool with too much money. To ordinary Soul Masters and even minor nobles, such a sum was astronomical beyond imagination!

Tang San's face instantly turned ashen. The joints of the fingers clutching his paddle whitened, veins standing out along his knuckles. Three hundred Gold Soul Coins! This was far beyond his budget! Beside him, Xiao Wu's pretty face flushed red with anger. Her small fists clenched as she glared at Ling Feng's private room and said in a low voice, "Third Brother! This person is too hateful! He's deliberately competing with you! We..."

"Xiao Wu!" Tang San barked, cutting her off. He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the raging fury and humiliation in his heart. His opponent was seated in a VIP private room, and though his identity was unknown, he was obviously either rich or powerful. He also seemed thoroughly familiar with the value of Plate Crystal and could even slightly repel the probing of his Purple Demon Eye. He was definitely no simple person. Competing in wealth was hopeless, and causing a public confrontation would be foolish. A trace of cold unwillingness and deep wariness flashed through his eyes. In the end, he slowly lowered his paddle and chose silence. But Ling Feng's face and that indifferent attitude were already deeply imprinted in his mind, becoming a potential opponent he had to guard against.

"Three hundred Gold Soul Coins! This honored guest has bid three hundred! Is there a higher offer?" The host's excited voice trembled. This price had far exceeded expectations.

"Three hundred Gold Soul Coins, first call!"

"Three hundred Gold Soul Coins, second call!"

"Three hundred Gold Soul Coins, third call! Sold! Congratulations to the honored guest on the second floor!" The small hammer came down heavily, declaring the item's ownership.

Under countless gazes of envy, jealousy, confusion, and curiosity, the ceremonial attendant carried the tray holding the Plate Crystal carefully toward Ling Feng's private room. Ling Feng accepted the tray. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and he could clearly sense the Crystal Gold energy within the crystal—countless strands as fine as silk, yet containing terrifyingly sharp piercing power.

Without even looking at Tang San's darkened face and icy gaze below, or Xiao Wu's indignant expression, Ling Feng's eyes seemed to casually sweep over the darkest corner of the auction house. A cold, playful curve rose at his lips. Within those shadows, the Eye of Destiny vaguely caught a pair of eyes concealed beneath a wide hood, watching everything with great interest, their depths flowing with a molten-gold luster—Qian Renxue!

This Plate Crystal was the first step in intercepting Tang San, and it was also Ling Feng's first official appearance on Heaven Dou City's stage. Qian Renxue's attention was an unexpected delight. This hunt for the "Child of Destiny," this grand performance that would stir the winds and clouds of Heaven Dou, had only just begun.

"Interesting." In the shadowed corner, Qian Renxue, disguised as an ordinary young noble, lightly stroked her smooth chin. Beneath her hood, her molten-gold eyes gleamed with interest. "Not only is he incredibly wealthy, he even seems to recognize this unremarkable 'Plate Crystal'? He can even ignore Tang San's spiritual probing... Ling Feng, you truly are not some canary raised by Bibi Dong. Just how many secrets are you hiding that will surprise me?" She murmured to herself, her figure vanishing soundlessly into the noisy crowd like ink dissolving into water.