Meanwhile, inside the Auction House, Lin Yue glanced at the newly added "Faction Connection Module Activated" notice on the System Panel and smiled with satisfaction. Qian Renxue's involvement meant the Auction House's partnership with Spirit Hall had officially begun. Now all that remained was for the First Auction to open, so the entire Douluo Continent could witness the true strength of the Otherworld Auction House.
The setting sun streamed through the windows and spilled across the display cases in the hall, gilding the precious treasures with a golden glow. Lin Yue lifted the cup of tea from the table and took a gentle sip. His era of auctions had only just begun.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's carriage rolled over the stone-paved road in the morning light, heading slowly toward the Otherworld Auction House. Inside, Ning Rongrong adjusted her skirt in a bronze mirror. Her goose-yellow dress made her skin look as fair as snow, but her bright eyes held a trace of hidden nerves. She had come to represent her sect, and the hope of strengthening the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Support Spirit rested on her shoulders.
"Rong Rong, don't be too nervous." Ning Song, an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sat opposite her. Looking at his Sect Master's precious daughter, he offered gentle reassurance. "We've brought the sect's treasured Thousand-year Jade. It should be enough to exchange for plenty of Points. Even if we can't buy the Glazed Body Tempering Pill, we can still gather a lot of information."
Ning Rongrong set down the mirror and clenched the scented pouch at her waist. Inside was a protective jade pendant her mother had left her, one of the reasons she felt confident about this trip. She took a deep breath, her voice tinged with stubbornness. "Elder Grandpa, I'm not nervous. I'm determined to buy the Glazed Body Tempering Pill! Just look at my big brothers—they're almost catching up to me in Soul Power. If my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could become a little stronger, I'd be able to help the sect more in the future."
Ning Song couldn't help laughing at her earnest expression. Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the Upper Three Sects, the limitations of its Support Spirit had always made it difficult to stand against the powerful offensive Spirits of the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. When they heard that the Auction House had a Glazed Body Tempering Pill that could specifically strengthen Support Spirits, Ning Fengzhi immediately decided to send Ning Rongrong as the sect's representative. It would give her a chance to gain experience, and she had grown up in the sect and understood the needs of Support Spirits better than anyone.
The carriage entered the Auction House's secure area. As soon as it stopped, two Silver Armored Guards approached. Unlike their deference toward Qian Renxue or their warmth toward Xiao Wu, the guards showed extra respect when they saw the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's insignia. The strength of one of the Upper Three Sects was enough to make any faction take them seriously.
"Welcome, honored guests from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This way, please." The guard stepped aside to show them the way, his manner respectful but measured.
Ning Rongrong lifted her skirt and stepped down, clutching the Point Exchange Voucher in her small hand—the Thousand-year Jade had been exchanged for 50,000 Base Points. She looked up at the Black Jade Main Building of the Auction House. A soft glow rippled across the Golden Light Screen in the sunlight, making her eyes widen. She had never seen a building so wondrous at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
As soon as she entered the hall, Ning Rongrong's gaze was drawn to the treasures in the display cases. From the green-glowing Soul Power Recovery Potion to the Soul Tool Parts carved with intricate patterns, every item made her stop and look with curiosity. She only came to a complete halt when she saw a jade box at the very back of the display. A label on it read, "Second-grade Pill · Glazed Body Tempering Pill (for Support Spirits only)," and the starting bid listed beside it was 30,000 Points.
"That's the one!" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She reached for the display case, but the Administrator beside her promptly stopped her.
"Miss, the treasures in the display cases are for viewing only. To bid on them, you'll need to wait for the auction to begin or accumulate enough Contribution Value to unlock priority purchase rights." The Administrator's voice was gentle, but his rule was firm.
Ning Rongrong's hand froze in midair, and disappointment immediately showed on her face. She turned to Ning Song, looking slightly aggrieved. "Elder Grandpa, we have to wait for the auction? What if someone else buys it?"
Ning Song was about to comfort her when a gentle voice suddenly came from behind them. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's need for the Glazed Body Tempering Pill seems more urgent than I expected."
They turned and saw Lin Yue walking toward them. He wore a moon-white robe and held a folding fan. When his gaze fell on Ning Rongrong, it carried a hint of amusement. This girl's frankness and sincerity made her far more likable than those representatives from factions with hidden agendas.
"You're the owner of the Auction House?" Ning Song stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, his manner steady as befitted an elder of one of the Upper Three Sects. "I'm Ning Song of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and this is Ning Rongrong, our Sect Master's daughter. We've come to purchase your Glazed Body Tempering Pill. We hope Your Excellency will make an exception."
Lin Yue smiled and nodded, then turned to Ning Rongrong. "Miss Ning, do you want the Glazed Body Tempering Pill to strengthen your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
Ning Rongrong was taken aback, then nodded vigorously. "That's right! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a Support Spirit. Every time we boost someone else, we use up a lot of our own Soul Power. If I could become a little stronger, I'd be able to help more people in the future!" Her voice was clear and youthful, and Lin Yue couldn't help feeling fond of her.
"The limitations of Support Spirits are indeed a problem for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Lin Yue put away his folding fan, his tone turning serious. "The Glazed Body Tempering Pill can improve your strength for a time, but it can't solve the problem at its root. If you're willing, Miss Ning, I have a way for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to benefit in the long term."
Ning Song and Ning Rongrong both froze. Ning Song furrowed his brow, his voice edged with caution. "What is this method? Please speak plainly." He knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. If the Auction House was suddenly offering benefits, it must have something to gain.
Lin Yue didn't beat around the bush. "I'd like to invite Miss Ning to work as a staff member of the Auction House, handling Faction Connection for sects. For example, she could pass auction information on to the various Support Sects, collect feedback about their Support Spirit needs, and help us improve the development of support-type treasures."
He paused, noticing the confusion in Ning Rongrong's eyes, then added, "As compensation, the Auction House will reserve one priority bid each month for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on a Low Grade support-type treasure, including the Glazed Body Tempering Pill you want. In addition, Miss Ning will accumulate Contribution Value each time she completes a connection task. Once she reaches the required amount, she'll not only unlock permission to bid on Third-grade Pills, but also gain priority access to information related to Support Spirit evolution."
"Information on Support Spirit evolution?" Ning Song's breath caught. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had passed down the knowledge for generations that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could form at most seven Soul Rings. If it could evolve, the entire sect's strength would undergo a qualitative leap. He stared at Lin Yue, shock and hope filling his eyes. "Is Your Excellency serious?"
"Of course." Lin Yue took out a pale green jade token and handed it to Ning Rongrong. "This is a Staff ID Card. With it, Miss Ning can enter and leave the Auction House's support-type treasure exhibit freely, and view the basic Task List. If you agree, it can take effect immediately."
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