The next day, the auction commenced as scheduled.
Treasure Gathering Workshop's auction house stood in the heart of Lin'an Prefecture, a majestic circular building.
When Chen Qing and Shen Xiuyong arrived under Qiao Hongyun's escort, the entrance was already packed with carriages and an endless stream of people.
People of every sort were dressed in fine silks and splendid robes, clearly none of them ordinary.
Quite a few were scions of prominent families in distinctive attire, entering the auction house one after another at an unhurried pace as they exchanged greetings.
A pretty maid dressed in Treasure Gathering Workshop's specially tailored uniform had long been waiting at the passage reserved for Haisha Sect. Upon seeing Qiao Hongyun, she immediately curtsied gracefully and said with a gentle smile, "Elder Qiao, please follow this servant. Your sect's private room is ready."
Seeing this, Chen Qing inwardly thought, Having backing really is nice. Even entering an auction house means using the VIP passage.
Led by the maid, the three passed through a broad corridor carpeted with soft rugs and made their way upstairs to an elegant private room on the second floor.
Before the room was a one-way glass window, through which they could clearly overlook the entire auction hall below, while those outside found it difficult to glimpse the room's interior. Its privacy was exceptional.
As they walked, Shen Xiuyong appeared casual, but in truth he quietly pointed out several notable figures in the hall below and nearby private rooms to Chen Qing.
"Look over there. That old man in brocade robes, pale-faced and beardless, is Wan Zhongshan, the deputy master of Tingyu Tower in Fengle Prefecture, known as the 'Surging Waves Hand.' His Surging Waves Palm is renowned far and wide, and he is a veteran Gang Jin expert. That young