Qian Renxue Goes Undercover Under a Pseudonym

Lin Yue didn't insist, merely nodded and handed her a light blue jade token. "This is a temporary pass for the auction house. With it, you can freely enter and exit, and also access basic information about Soul Beasts. You can stay here for a few days to observe how the auction house operates before making a decision. If you change your mind, come find me anytime."

Xiao Wu took the jade token. It felt cool in her hand, with "Otherworld Auction House" inscribed in small characters and a faint energy fluctuation remaining. She gripped the token tightly and looked up at Lin Yue, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you... I'll seriously consider it."

Lin Yue smiled and turned, pointing to a room on the west side of the hall. "That's a temporary lounge. It has grass and spring water that Soul Beasts like, so you can rest there first. If you want to learn about the auction house's Soul Beast resources, feel free to consult the staff at the display counters anytime."

After thanking Lin Yue, Xiao Wu, holding up her skirt, walked towards the lounge. As she passed the display counters, she couldn't help but glance again at the Soft Bone Rabbit Heart Protection Scale. The scales in her heart were gradually tipping towards accepting the invitation—perhaps staying at the auction house was indeed a good way to protect her own kind and find the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

Lin Yue watched Xiao Wu's retreating figure, a smile playing on his lips. Xiao Wu's joining would not only perfect the auction house's Soul Beast exchange section but also establish contact with the Soul Beast tribes in the Star Dou Great Forest through her, laying the foundation for collecting higher-tier Soul Beast resources later. More importantly, he could feel the pure kindness emanating from Xiao Wu, a kindness that was especially rare on the blood-soaked Douluo Continent.

"Master, letting her stay at the auction house, won't that be risky?" Mo Chen appeared beside Lin Yue at some unknown time and asked in a low voice. He was worried that Xiao Wu's identity as a Soul Beast might attract covetous glances from other powers, bringing trouble to the auction house.

"There are risks, of course, but the opportunities are greater," Lin Yue said. "The Star Dou Great Forest hides too many secrets, especially the Silver Dragon King and the Fierce Beast Di Tian. If we can establish cooperation with them through Xiao Wu, it will be crucial for the auction house's future development. Besides, with us here, no one can harm her within the auction house."

Mo Chen nodded and said no more. He knew Lin Yue's vision was always far-reaching. Since his master had made a decision, he only needed to focus on his guarding duties.

Meanwhile, in the lounge, Xiao Wu sat on a soft cushion by the window, fiddling with the temporary pass in her hand. She recalled Tang San's words about becoming a powerful Soul Master to protect her and Master; she also remembered her companions in the Star Dou Great Forest, and the care shown to her by the Titan Giant Ape Er Ming and the Sky Azure Bull Python Da Ming.

"If I can gain enough strength here, can I protect more people?" Xiao Wu whispered to herself, her eyes gradually becoming resolute. She decided to stay at the auction house for now and see if it was truly possible to achieve a balance between Soul Beasts and humans, as Lin Yue had said. If so, she was willing to become the bridge for that balance.

As the sun began to set, Xiao Wu left the lounge and proactively sought out the administrator, inquiring about the specific work content of the Soul Beast resource exchange section. The administrator patiently explained everything to her, from the classification of Soul Beast materials to the needs of human Soul Masters, and the precautions for communicating with Soul Beasts, detailing each point.

Xiao Wu listened intently, occasionally posing her own questions, such as how to judge if a human Soul Master had malicious intent, and how to ensure that the materials provided by Soul Beasts could be exchanged for reasonable resources. The administrator was surprised by her understanding of Soul Beasts and praised her meticulousness.

When night fell, Xiao Wu returned to the lounge and looked at the auction house lights outside the window, her hesitation gradually dissipating. She touched the Blue Silver Grass bracelet on her wrist and said softly, "Tang San, I'll come find you when I become stronger. I'll tell you about a good place that can protect many friends then."

Lin Yue stood by the window on the second floor, looking at the lights in the lounge, knowing Xiao Wu had made her choice. He activated his system panel and looked at the new prompt: "Soul Beast Exchange Section Preparation in Progress," a satisfied smile appearing on his lips. The auction house's layout had moved forward another step.

Next, he needed to wait for Xiao Wu to officially join, and then, through her, establish contact with the Soul Beast tribes in the Star Dou Great Forest. But before that, the upcoming first auction was what would truly shock the Douluo Continent—

Just as the morning bell in the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial city struck three times, a luxuriously decorated Gilded Carriage drove out from the Crown Prince's Mansion and sped along the smooth official road towards the core area of the Douluo Continent. Inside the carriage, Qian Renxue sat on a soft cushion, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe that accentuated her handsome features. Her brows carried the gentle demeanor unique to the Heaven Dou Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe"—yet, in the depths of her narrow phoenix eyes, lay a sharpness and vigilance unbefitting of her current guise.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, we are approaching the safety zone of the Otherworld Auction House," the coachman's voice came from outside the carriage, carrying a hint of imperceptible reverence.

Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at her waist—this was the "stepping stone" she had prepared for this "investigation," a Thousand Year Warm Jade imbued with a faint Soul Power, enough to exchange for the auction house's basic points. She took a deep breath, suppressing her thoughts: coming here as Xue Qinghe, not only was she to investigate the auction house's true background but also to clarify the authorization for acquiring high-tier treasures. If she could secure priority bidding rights for the Martial Soul Hall, it would be a great accomplishment.

The carriage stopped at the edge of the safety zone outside the auction house. Qian Renxue tidied her robes and stepped out of the carriage. Unlike Xiao Wu's arrival, she exuded the natural grace of nobility. Her gaze swept over the auction house's black jade main building and golden light curtain, a hint of astonishment flashing in her eyes—such architectural craftsmanship and energy fluctuations far surpassed the current standards of the Douluo Continent. No wonder even her mother, Bibi Dong, paid such close attention to it.

"Your Highness Xue Qinghe's arrival, we apologize for not welcoming you sooner." Upon seeing Qian Renxue's attire and demeanor, two silver-armored guards immediately stepped forward to pay their respects, their tone more respectful than they would be to ordinary visitors.

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority. "I have heard that your auction house possesses rare treasures and have come to see them. How may I enter?"

"Your Highness only needs to exchange points to enter. The Thousand Year Warm Jade you carry can be exchanged for 10,000 basic points," the guard said, leading Qian Renxue towards the point exchange counter.

After exchanging for the point voucher, Qian Renxue entered the auction house hall, holding the jade token. Unlike Xiao Wu, who focused on Soul Beast materials, her gaze immediately swept over the display counters on both sides of the hall, carefully observing the Soul Power fluctuations of each treasure—from low-tier Soul Power Recovery Potions to mid-tier Soul Bone Repair Talismans, and even high-tier Immortal Herb Seedlings, each one stirred her heart. Especially the object wrapped in black velvet in the deepest part of the display, though its full appearance was unclear, it exuded an aura that made her soul tremble.

"This Highness seems very interested in high-tier treasures?" A gentle voice suddenly came from behind her.

Qian Renxue's heart tightened, and she spun around abruptly, only to see Lin Yue standing behind her at some unknown time, holding a cup of clear tea, his eyes looking at her deeply. For some reason, under Lin Yue's gaze, she felt as if her disguise had been stripped away, all her thoughts laid bare.

"Are you the owner of the auction house?" Qian Renxue forced herself to remain calm, cupping her hands in a salute. "I am Xue Qinghe, and I have long heard of the Otherworld Auction House. I have come to experience it today."

Lin Yue smiled and offered the tea in his hand. "Your Highness is too kind, please have some tea. Although the auction house has many treasures, high-tier ones require specific authorization to inspect. If Your Highness is merely visiting casually, you might not see the most crucial items."

Qian Renxue took the tea. As her fingertips touched the cup's rim, her vigilance intensified—Lin Yue's words were clearly probing her intentions. She said calmly, "Oh? What is 'specific authorization'? As the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, if I can provide imperial-level support to the auction house, would I be qualified to obtain authorization?"

She deliberately dangled the bait of "Heaven Dou Empire support," wanting to see if Lin Yue would reveal more information for profit. After all, in her view, no power could refuse an invitation for cooperation from an empire.