Soul Measuring

The old man was overjoyed. "That's easy enough. I've taken a liking to you, so I'll make the call: I'll waive all fees for your transactions with our association this time. I only hope you'll favor us with your business again."

Xu Yi agreed, and in less than half an incense stick's time, the old man had swiftly arranged the exchange.

The old man presented two plaques to Xu Yi with both hands. One bore the sun emblem of the Tianxia Association and was a membership plaque.

The other was a jade plaque, the device used to store Spirit Stones for the auction.

The other was a device for storing the Spirit Stones to be used in the auction.

The old man said, "There's no limit on this storage device. You may set your own limit. Of course, so you know what to expect, your Spirit Stones will be auctioned off around the middle of the sale."

Xu Yi turned the thought over in his mind and immediately understood the old man's meaning.

The lack of a limit clearly meant they hoped he would spend beyond his means. But he had no grounds to complain. He couldn't very well have a mid-grade Spirit Stone go up as the first lot; that would only keep it from fetching a high price.

And on the surface, the man was being kind. What mattered was the extent of it, and that was for Xu Yi to decide.

Xu Yi accepted the plaques and handed over his Spirit Stones without hesitation. The old man was just about to take them when a crystal sphere appeared in Xu Yi's palm. It was a Shadow-Sound Pearl.

The old man gave a wry smile. "If our Tianxia Association couldn't even be trusted to keep its word, how