Nine Treasures Auction House

The Nine Treasures Auction House was the largest auction house in Heaven Dou City apart from the Heavenly Heart Auction House, which was backed by the Heaven Soul Imperial Family. It was operated by the Nine Treasures Pavilion and belonged to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Since the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's businesses spanned the two continents of Douluo Continent and Sun Moon Continent, as well as the Four Great Empires, the Sect had strict classifications for the standards of its subordinate auction houses and forces. They were divided into three levels: Nine Treasures, Seven Treasures, and Six Treasures.

The Nine Treasures Auction and Nine Treasures Pavilion existed only in the capitals of the Four Great Empires and Shrek City, and the Nine Treasures Auction was held once every five years. The Seven Treasures Auction and Seven Treasures Pavilion existed only in the main cities of the Four Great Empires, and the Seven Treasures Auction was held once every three years. The Six Treasures Auction and Six Treasures Pavilion were distributed throughout the other smaller cities. As for the Six Treasures Auction, it was merely an ordinary auction held by the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, with no fixed schedule—basically once a year.

"Brother Junting, we've arrived at the auction house."

Under the cover of night, a Nine-Story Glazed Tile Pagoda stood at the end of the street. Chen Junting and Ning Tian also stopped at that moment.

Looking up at the iconic building, Chen Junting shifted his gaze to the steady stream of people heading toward the auction house.

"That's quite something."

"But the Nine Treasures Auction is only held once every five years, so it's a rare event. We're lucky to have run into it today."

"It's just a shame about Sister Feng."

Ning Tian's sudden remark caused Chen Junting to imagine what it would have been like if Wu Feng were there... The two of them would be out strolling, with a huge third wheel wedged between them.

"Heh."

At the thought, the corners of his lips lifted, and he even let out a soft laugh. "It's actually great that Wu Feng didn't come along."

Although she did not understand why Chen Junting was laughing at Wu Feng, Ning Tian still looked at him reproachfully and jabbed him with her elbow several times.

"Stop laughing. If Sister Feng hadn't seen that we'd already broken through Rank 20 and wanted to avoid being left behind, do you think she wouldn't have come?"

"All right, all right. I won't laugh anymore."

"Come on, let's see just how lively this auction is." After sighing in admiration, Chen Junting took Ning Tian's hand and followed the crowd toward the auction house at the end of the street.

Since they were carrying tokens, they entered the Nine Treasures Auction House without a hitch. Exquisite chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the entire auction venue, as if also shutting out the bustle of the outside world beyond the Glazed Tile Pagoda.

The lobby of the Nine Treasures Auction House inherited the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's style as always: simple yet elegant, and brimming with a rich artistic atmosphere. Numerous calligraphic works, paintings, and works of art hung on the tall walls all around, highlighting the word "elegance" to perfection.

Throughout the lobby, disciples of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect dressed in white martial uniforms could be seen everywhere. Not one of them was weaker than a Soul Elder. Besides maintaining order in the auction house, their duty was also to guard the Crystal Display Cases placed in the center of the lobby.

That was because not a single item in those Crystal Display Cases cost less than thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins. Something like the Profound Water Pill, which was worth ten thousand gold coins and was difficult to obtain even with money, was not even worthy of being displayed here.

And this was merely the first floor of the auction house.

Even so, it still made many Soul Masters turn away in despair.

Before long, Chen Junting and Ning Tian, who had been strolling around the lobby and examining the Crystal Display Cases, suddenly raised their heads and turned their gazes toward the staircase entrance.

The entire lobby fell silent at that moment.

The appearance of a woman was like a beautiful scenic view, drawing everyone's attention. Her elegant, generous, and composed bearing and manner made her the center of everyone's gaze.

The woman wore a pale cyan long dress. Its flowing fabric and proper tailoring perfectly outlined her graceful figure. Exquisite patterns were embroidered across the dress, preserving its elegance while adding a touch of liveliness. Her long hair fell over her shoulders like a waterfall, and the slightly curled ends glimmered beneath the light, lending her a hint of softness and allure.

Her features were delicate and well-defined, her skin as fair as snow and seemingly smooth enough to break with a touch. Her bright eyes were clear as water, radiating intelligence and Goodness. Her every movement also revealed a beauty that was calm and unhurried, putting people at ease.

Yet not a single person dared to act frivolously.

That was because, besides being the person in charge of the Nine Treasures Auction House, this woman was also a Titled Douluo whose cultivation had reached Rank 92.

"Aunt Qing!"

The moment she saw the woman, Ning Tian immediately released the arm she had linked with Chen Junting and waved to attract her attention.

"You little rascal, Xiao Tian." Before anyone could get a clear look, Qing Lan had already arrived before Ning Tian and Chen Junting. She then pinched Ning Tian's cheek. "You and your little lover came to Heaven Dou City and didn't come to see me first. If Fifth Brother hadn't come looking for me, I wouldn't even have known."

"Aunt Qing, I was wrong, I was wrong."

Seeing Ning Tian beg for mercy, Qing Lan stopped and shifted her gaze to Chen Junting. Chen Junting also gave her a salute.

"Elder Qing Lan."

"All right, don't call me Elder Qing Lan. You're making me sound old." Qing Lan waved her hand unhappily at the form of address. "Since you've come to attend the auction, follow me."

Chen Junting and Ning Tian exchanged glances and smiled awkwardly. They silently followed behind Qing Lan toward the floor above.

Only after they left did the people in the lobby erupt into discussion.

But that had nothing to do with Chen Junting and the others anymore.

Soon, they arrived at the ninth floor.

There were only eight rooms on the ninth floor, and every one of them was a top-tier auction room. Only the imperial families of the Four Great Empires, Shrek Academy, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Body Sect, which had been forced into seclusion, and the Clear Sky Sect, which had vanished without a trace, had the qualifications to come here.

Standing before a heavy wooden door made of Golden Silk Nanmu and bearing the image of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Qing Lan slowly pushed it open.

"This is your room."

There were no windows inside, only a Soul Guidance Screen. In the spacious and bright room, exquisite chandeliers cast soft, even light, bathing the entire space in a warm and elegant atmosphere. The walls were decorated in understated colors and adorned with numerous exquisite wall hangings, offering everyone a visual feast.

The floor was covered by a soft carpet made from the fur of Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. Stepping on it felt like walking among the clouds. Combined with numerous household Soul Tools, it created an exceptionally comfortable environment.

Fruit had already been arranged on the tea table beside the sofa.

Every kind was rare.

Even the beverages were far from ordinary.

"This fruit tastes pretty good." After eating a cherry-like fruit, Chen Junting's eyes lit up.

"This is a specialty of the Sun Moon Empire. I specifically brought it for you two to try." Qing Lan sat beside Ning Tian and explained with a smile, "Although this fruit is delicious, it isn't very nutritious, so you definitely never got to eat it in the Sect."

"Really?"

She picked up another one and put it into Ning Tian's mouth.

"Here, Xiao Tian. Try it."

"Eh!"

Seeing their intimate behavior, Qing Lan let out a strange cry. But Chen Junting and Ning Tian ignored her completely, infuriating her so much that Qing Lan immediately took action and grabbed both Ning Tian's and Chen Junting's ears...

Just as the three of them were fooling around, the Soul Guidance Screen suddenly emitted a gentle golden light, drawing their gazes.

"The auction is about to begin." Qing Lan, who had been the most playful of the three, became serious again when she saw the auction begin.

At that moment, the Soul Guidance Screen displayed the first item up for auction. A maid had already brought it up on a tray.

The instant the red cloth was lifted...