Ning Rongrong Comes to Seek Cooperation

Inside the auction house, Lin Yue looked at the new "Faction Connection Module Enabled" prompt on the System Panel, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. Qian Renxue's joining meant the formal commencement of cooperation between the auction house and Martial Soul Hall. Next, all they needed was for the first auction to begin, and the entire Douluo Continent would witness the true power of the Otherworld Auction House.

The sunset streamed through the windows, casting a golden halo on the display cases in the hall, illuminating the precious treasures. Lin Yue picked up the clear tea on the table and took a gentle sip—his era of auctions had only just begun.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's carriage rumbled over the bluestone road in the morning light, slowly making its way towards the Otherworld Auction House. Inside the carriage, Ning Rongrong was tidying her skirt in front of a bronze mirror. Her goose yellow gauze skirt made her skin appear like snow, but a hint of imperceptible tension was hidden in her lively eyes—representing the sect this time, the hope of enhancing the strength of support martial souls for the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect rested on her shoulders.

"Rongrong, don't be too nervous," said Ning Song, an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect accompanying her, sitting opposite her. He looked at the beloved daughter of their Sect Master and said gently, "We've brought the sect's treasured Thousand-year Jade, which is enough to exchange for quite a few points. Even if we can't buy the Glazed Body Tempering Pill, we can still gather a lot of information."

Ning Rongrong put down the bronze mirror, her small hands clutching the sachet at her waist—it contained a protective jade pendant left by her mother, which was also one of her sources of confidence for this trip. She took a deep breath and said with a hint of stubbornness, "Elder Grandpa, I'm not nervous, I'm determined to buy the Glazed Body Tempering Pill! Look at my elder brother and the others, their Soul Power is almost catching up to mine. If my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could be a bit stronger, I could help the sect more in the future."

Ning Song couldn't help but smile at her earnest expression. Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the Upper Three Sects, due to the limitations of their support martial souls, they had always struggled to contend with the offensive martial souls of the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Upon hearing that the auction house had the "Glazed Body Tempering Pill," which could specifically enhance the strength of support martial souls, Ning Fengzhi immediately decided to send Ning Rongrong to represent the sect. Firstly, it was an opportunity for her to gain experience, and secondly, he valued that she had grown up in the sect since childhood and understood the needs of support martial souls better than anyone else.

As the carriage entered the auction house's safety zone and stopped, two Silver Armored Guards stepped forward. Unlike the respect shown to Qian Renxue or the gentleness towards Xiao Wu, the guards showed more seriousness upon seeing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's emblem—the strength of the Upper Three Sects was enough to make any force dare not underestimate them.

"Esteemed guests of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, please come inside." The guard stepped aside to lead the way, his tone respectful yet measured.

Ning Rongrong lifted her skirt and alighted from the carriage, her small hands tightly gripping the Point Exchange Voucher (50,000 Base Points exchanged from the Thousand-year Jade). She looked up at the Black Jade Main Building of the auction house. Under the sunlight, the Golden Light Screen shimmered with a faint halo, making her eyes widen—she had never seen such a miraculous building in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Upon entering the hall, Ning Rongrong's gaze was immediately drawn to the treasures in the display cases. From the Soul Power Recovery Potions emitting a green glow to the Soul Tool Parts engraved with complex patterns, each item made her stop and observe with curiosity. It wasn't until she saw a jade box in the innermost display case that her steps completely halted—a label was affixed to the jade box, reading "Third-grade Pill Body Tempering Pill (For Support Martial Souls Only)," with the starting bid marked as 30,000 points.

"This is it!" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and she reached out to touch the display case, but was stopped in time by the Administrator.

"Miss, the treasures in the display cases are for viewing only. If you wish to bid, you must wait for the auction to begin or accumulate enough Contribution Value to unlock priority purchasing rights," the Administrator said gently, but with an undeniable adherence to rules.

Ning Rongrong's hand froze mid-air, and disappointment instantly appeared on her face. She turned to look at Ning Song, her eyes showing a hint of grievance, "Elder Grandpa, we still have to wait for the auction? What if someone else bids for it?"

Just as Ning Song was about to comfort her, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's need for the Glazed Body Tempering Pill seems more urgent than I imagined."

The two turned around and saw Lin Yue walking slowly towards them. He was wearing a Moon White Robe and holding a folding fan in his hand. His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong with a hint of a smile—this young girl's directness and purity were much more endearing than those of the more calculating faction representatives.

"Are you the owner of the auction house?" Ning Song stepped forward, cupped his hands in a salute, his tone carrying the composure of an elder from the Upper Three Sects, "I am Ning Song of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and this is the daughter of our Sect Master, Ning Rongrong. We have come today to seek the Glazed Body Tempering Pill from your establishment. We hope for your accommodation."

Lin Yue smiled and nodded, his gaze shifting to Ning Rongrong, "Miss Ning wants the Glazed Body Tempering Pill to enhance the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

Ning Rongrong was taken aback for a moment, then nodded vigorously, "Yes! Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a support martial soul. Every time we amplify others, our own Soul Power is greatly consumed. If it could become a bit stronger, we could help more people in the future!" Her voice was clear and carried a hint of childishness, which made Lin Yue feel a sense of goodwill.

"The limitations of support martial souls are indeed a problem for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Lin Yue put away his folding fan, his tone becoming serious. "Although the Glazed Body Tempering Pill can temporarily enhance strength, it cannot fundamentally solve the problem. If Miss Ning is willing, I might have a method that can bring long-term benefits to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Ning Song and Ning Rongrong were both stunned. Ning Song frowned, his tone carrying a hint of vigilance, "What method do you have, Sir? Please speak frankly." He knew well that "there is no free lunch," and the auction house suddenly offering benefits must have ulterior motives.

Lin Yue didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I want to invite Miss Ning to be a clerk at the auction house, responsible for 'Faction Connection'—for example, relaying auction information from the auction house to various support sects, collecting feedback on the needs of support martial souls, and assisting us in optimizing the research and development of support-type treasures."

He paused, looking at the confusion in Ning Rongrong's eyes, and added, "As compensation, the auction house will reserve one priority bidding right for low-level support treasures for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect each month, including the Glazed Body Tempering Pill you desire. In addition, for every connection task Miss Ning completes, she can accumulate Contribution Value. Once the Contribution Value reaches the standard, not only can she unlock the bidding permission for Third-grade Pills, but she can also obtain clues related to the evolution of support martial souls."

"Clues related to the evolution of support martial souls?" Ning Song's breathing suddenly hitched. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been passed down for generations, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could at most condense seven Soul Rings. If it could evolve, the entire sect's strength would undergo a qualitative leap. He looked at Lin Yue, his eyes filled with shock and anticipation, "Is what you say true?"

"Naturally, it is true." Lin Yue took out a pale green jade token and handed it to Ning Rongrong, "This is the Staff ID Card. With it, Miss Ning can freely enter and exit the support-type treasure exhibition area of the auction house and can also view the basic Task List. If you agree, it can take effect now."