Heroes Gather Before the Auction House

The first ray of morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting its glow upon the Black Jade Main Building of the Otherworld Auction House, making the glazed tiles shimmer with radiance. The auction house square, usually spacious, was now packed with a dense crowd. Teams from major powers lined the edges of the square, the wheels of Soul Guiding Chariots rumbled over the stone pavement, and the air was filled with a mixture of tension and anticipation.

On the east side of the square, the Martial Soul Hall's contingent was the most conspicuous. Qian Daoliu, clad in a golden robe, had the phantom image of Angel Wings flickering behind him, exuding the pressure of a Peerless Douluo. Ten Titled Douluo followed him, among whom Ghost Douluo's face remained pale, clearly still recovering from the shadow of Dugu Bo.

Qian Daoliu's gaze swept across the square, finally settling on the auction house doors, his eyes filled with determination. This auction, no matter the cost, he would acquire the Yellow Tier High Grade Combat Skill and restore Martial Soul Hall's honor.

Not far away, the Clear Sky Sect's team was much more low-key. Tang Xiao wore a black cloth robe, holding the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. Though the hammer's body was wrapped in black cloth, it couldn't conceal its domineering aura. The disciples beside him were solemn, holding Point Vouchers, clearly determined to win something at this auction. Tang Xiao looked at the auction house doors, his heart filled with expectation. With combat skills, the Clear Sky Sect could rise again, no longer needing to hide in the valleys.

On the west side of the square, within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's ranks, Yu Tianxin was directing disciples to organize resources. He held a newly exchanged Point Token, its numbers still flashing, his face alight with excitement. "This time, we must get 'Mountain Splitting Fist'! With this combat skill, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Assault System Soul Masters will be able to suppress Martial Soul Hall!"

And at the very edge of the square, the Star Dou Great Forest's team was the most unique. Di Tian, in human form, wore a dark green robe, surrounded by a dense natural aura. Behind him followed terrifying beasts like the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, each exuding a pressure no weaker than a Titled Douluo. Di Tian's gaze was sharp as he scanned the crowd, finally landing on two figures in front of the auction house doors, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes.

In front of the auction house doors, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong wore matching light blue employee uniforms, with silver belts around their waists adorned with auction house tokens. Xiao Wu held a roster, her head bowed as she verified information. Sunlight fell on her hair tips, casting a golden hue on her brown hair. Her movements were skilled and serious, and occasionally when she looked up, a professional glint flashed in her eyes, completely devoid of her usual liveliness, replaced by a newfound composure.

Ning Rongrong stood beside Xiao Wu, holding a stack of Auction Handbooks. She would occasionally smile at the Soul Masters queuing, "Please wait a moment, everyone. The auction will begin in half an hour. You can look through the handbooks to familiarize yourselves with the auction items." Her voice was clear and pleasant, carrying the unique elegance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, yet with an added composure befitting the auction house.

"Isn't that the Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Why is she an employee of the auction house?" someone in the crowd whispered, their tone filled with surprise.

"What do you know! Being able to work at the auction house is a tremendous opportunity! Perhaps Miss Rongrong already has combat skills and is just familiarizing herself with the auction house's procedures!" another person immediately retorted, their eyes filled with envy.

Ning Fengzhi stood among the crowd, watching his daughter's figure with a look of relief. He recalled Ning Rongrong's previously willful and capricious nature, and seeing her now, composed and calm, filled him with emotion. "The auction house not only gave Rongrong a chance to become stronger but also helped her grow significantly." "Rongrong has grown up," Ning Fengzhi murmured to himself. Sword Douluo Chen Xin, standing beside him, nodded, "Rongrong working at the auction house is a great boon for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We'll be able to get information about combat skills faster in the future."

In the Star Dou Great Forest's contingent, the Titan Giant Ape leaned towards Di Tian and whispered, "Lord Di Tian, Xiao Wu is a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast from our Star Dou Great Forest. Now that she's with the auction house, does this mean for us..."

Di Tian nodded slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "With Xiao Wu at the auction house, we'll get information on combat skills and resources immediately. After the auction, I'll find an opportunity to talk to her. If we can get priority for combat skills for the Star Dou Great Forest, we can establish ourselves firmly on the Douluo Continent and no longer be oppressed by human forces." Sky Azure Bull Python also chimed in, "Exactly! With combat skills, our soul beast strength can improve. Then even Peerless Douluo won't dare to provoke us easily!"

Among the crowd, the discussion about Xiao Wu grew louder. A middle-aged Soul Master looked at Xiao Wu's retreating figure, his eyes filled with complexity. "Who didn't know before that Xiao Wu was a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone? So many forces wanted to capture her! But now? With the auction house, what are a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone worth? A Yellow Tier combat skill can instantly kill a Soul Master with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!"

Another Soul Master quickly agreed, "Isn't that the truth! Didn't you see Senior Dugu Bo? He was only level 91 before, but with a Yellow Tier combat skill, he could easily defeat Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was level 95! Who would still covet Xiao Wu's Soul Ring and Soul Bone now? Those are outdated things!"

"And haven't you seen? Xiao Wu is now part of the auction house! Who dares to have ideas about her? Isn't that like looking for shit in a toilet?" someone said with a laugh, and the people around nodded, their eyes filled with reverence. The auction house's strength was evident; even Martial Soul Hall didn't dare to provoke them easily. Anyone who dared to lay a hand on someone from the auction house was undoubtedly courting death.

In a corner of the square, Tang San stood alone, his gaze fixed on Xiao Wu's retreating figure, his heart filled with disappointment. He wore a blue outfit and held a Point Token, the number on it not insignificant, but it was what he had accumulated by grinding the simulation arena day and night. He had originally intended to buy "Chasing Wind Steps" for Xiao Wu at the auction, but seeing her now, skillfully handling the auction house's affairs, seeing her and Ning Rongrong cooperating so well, he felt the distance between him and Xiao Wu growing wider.

Before, Xiao Wu always stuck to him, and he was the first person she thought of when encountering problems. But now, Xiao Wu was busy at the auction house every day, not even having time to talk to him. The last time he wanted to ask Xiao Wu to cultivate together, she said she needed to familiarize herself with the auction procedures and refused him.

Tang San looked at Xiao Wu's serious profile, his heart aching as if pricked by needles. He knew Xiao Wu had changed. She was no longer the little girl who needed his protection. She had her own goals, her own circle, and he was not in that circle.

"Tang San, why aren't you going to find Xiao Wu?" Oscar walked over with two sausages, handing one to Tang San. "Xiao Wu is part of the auction house now. If you get closer to her, maybe our Shrek can get priority for combat skills?"

Tang San took the sausage but didn't eat it, just shaking his head. "She's very busy now, I don't want to disturb her." He looked at Xiao Wu, his eyes filled with helplessness. He could feel Xiao Wu becoming more distant from him, even their gazes rarely meeting. Before, when Xiao Wu looked at him, her eyes were filled with joy and dependence, but now, when Xiao Wu looked at him, her eyes only held politeness and distance.

Oscar looked at Tang San with sympathy. "Actually, Xiao Wu isn't having it easy either. She wants to become stronger, to no longer depend on others. There's nothing wrong with that. If you truly care about her, you should support her, not mope here."

Tang San fell silent. He knew Oscar was right, but he couldn't help but feel sad. He looked at Xiao Wu, silently vowing to become stronger, to buy the best combat skills at the auction, and let Xiao Wu know that he was still the Tang San who could protect her and fight alongside her.