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Ning Fengzhi was a regular at the auction house. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked everything but money!

With money, one naturally had to buy useful things.

Otherwise, it was merely an ever-growing string of numbers.

Soul bones were rare, but what if there happened to be one?

The auction house considered the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a regular customer.

To Xue Qinghe, it was hardly surprising to encounter Ning Fengzhi here. After all, he navigated this place like a fish in water, and part of the auction house was funded by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Tang San, still in the white zone, remained shocked. He had not expected the auction house to have so many intricacies. The Heaven Dou Auction House alone probably earned several billion Gold Soul Coins a year.

Ning Fengzhi wore no disguise. Basically, anyone in the private rooms could see him.

"Ning Fengzhi? What is he doing there?"

Xue Xing, in another private room, was also somewhat surprised to see Ning Fengzhi.

"The two beside him look somewhat familiar?"

Because they wore masks, Xue Xing did not know who Tang San and Xiao Wu were. Besides, there had been so many people in the Education Committee's office that asking a Prince to remember an ordinary-looking child was indeed rather difficult.

Ning Fengzhi chatted with Tang San and Xiao Wu about the auction house, and the atmosphere seemed pleasant. Chen Xin sat on the other side, watching Xiao Wu.

A transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast meant she possessed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and a soul bone, yet her strength was inferior to that of an ordinary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Chen Xin considered it and decided it was inappropriate to act at the auction house. The repercussions would be too great. He decided to make his move after they left. The fewer people who knew Xiao Wu's true identity, the better.

After some time, someone finally appeared on the auction platform, and the auction began. The auctioneer enthusiastically welcomed everyone. The noise in the auction house gradually faded, and the nobles were no longer so relaxed.

"Now, let me introduce the first auction item." The auctioneer announced as a staff member stepped forward carrying a tray covered in red cloth. At the same time, several strongmen carried up a steel plate with several holes in it, used to test the auction item's power.

"The first auction item is called Hiding Sand Shadow!" The auctioneer lifted the red cloth, revealing the item.

It was a small black box, seemingly no larger than a palm. It had a ring clasp and a lock clasp, and its entire surface was pitch-black, covered with dense little holes.

Upon hearing its name, Wriothesley, who had been somewhat drowsy, slowly opened his eyes and looked down.

Tang San, Xiao Wu?

No wonder.

However, upon seeing Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, Wriothesley narrowed his eyes again.

Without the Lovesick Heartbreak Red or Tang Hao, Xiao Wu was as good as dead.

Of course, if the Asura God intervened, then he had said nothing.

"This item allows a Soul Grandmaster to unleash a full-force attack. The steel plate behind me is one of those left over from previous tests," the auctioneer said. "It is called Hiding Sand Shadow. It requires no Soul Power, and even ordinary people can produce the same attack power."

As an auctioneer, this was the first time he had encountered something so unusual.

The fact that it could produce such power without Soul Power was nothing remarkable to the nobles, but its key feature was that it required no Soul Power and could be used instantly. It was an excellent piece of life-saving equipment.

Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up upon hearing this. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not lack Soul Power; what they lacked were means of attack and defense. This was especially true for the sect's direct-line soul masters. If Hiding Sand Shadow could be mass-produced... This was exactly what he wanted.

He glanced sideways at Tang San. Although he said nothing, he recognized the structure of this thing; he had seen it with his daughter before. He had not expected the Clear Sky Douluo's son to be so low-key. If he could obtain the method for making it...

"The starting bid is one thousand Gold Soul Coins! Each increase must be no less than one hundred Gold Soul Coins!" the auctioneer repeated.

This bidding increment was unavoidable, mainly because the auction house feared people causing trouble.

A few years ago, two nobles had gotten into a spat. The auctioneer had not understood the situation at the time, and as soon as he called out the starting bid, those two started raising the price one Gold Soul Coin at a time. Later, they even changed it to one Copper Soul Coin per bid.

After that, the rule requiring bids to increase by at least a certain amount was established.

Tang San and Xiao Wu froze for a moment. They had not expected the first auction item to be the Hiding Sand Shadow he had just appraised. He was satisfied with the starting price of one thousand Gold Soul Coins, because the raw materials for making Hiding Sand Shadow cost only a few Gold Soul Coins. To think it could now be auctioned for one thousand Gold Soul Coins—the profit was obvious.

Ning Fengzhi pondered briefly, lifted his fingertip lightly, and decisively pressed the bidding button. The number ten thousand Gold Soul Coins instantly flashed onto the screen, like a clap of thunder exploding through the air. His finger was like a ripple brushing across a lake's surface, stirring up waves.

"Uncle, did you press the wrong button? Even if you have wealth like gold, there's no need to squander it so extravagantly."

Xiao Wu watched the auction intently from the side. Seeing Ning Fengzhi's action, she could not help crying out in surprise, her brows knitting slightly as though she was confused and puzzled by this "uncle's" behavior.

The nobles who had originally intended to join the bidding casually now wilted like frostbitten eggplants, instantly losing their fighting spirit.

They did not lack Gold Soul Coins, but they also understood that paying ten thousand Gold Soul Coins for this item was truly rather extravagant.

Even they knew that buying such a thing was more loss than gain. Besides, who would be willing to provoke a colossal force like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

"Uncle, spending ten thousand Gold Soul Coins to buy this Hiding Sand Shadow is truly a little... extravagant." Tang San stood beside him, his expression sincere and his voice gentle, like a spring breeze carrying a hint of concern.

Though he felt somewhat uneasy about this "uncle," he also developed a degree of admiration for him.

Not only did Ning Fengzhi have no bad habits, he had also brought them much knowledge and insight they had never encountered before. Tang San could not help developing some goodwill toward him.

"I never expected this little brother to be able to make such a miraculous item at such a young age. I am truly ashamed."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly, his words carrying a probing undertone. His gaze burned as though observing Tang San's reaction.

If he could obtain the method for making this weapon, he could seize the initiative in future battles.

That was why Ning Fengzhi wanted to buy this weapon.

The Clear Sky Douluo's son—if he knew what was good for him, investing in him would be no issue.

But if he did not know what was good for him...

Naturally, Tang San understood what he meant and went along with it.

"Then, Uncle, I'll accept these ten thousand Gold Soul Coins." Tang San smiled.

He happened to need money to make Hidden Weapons, and Ning Fengzhi had conveniently come to deliver it. Why would he refuse?

Well then, let me say something about the update schedule.

First, thank you to all you generous readers for your tips.

Sometimes I also want to write more and add an extra chapter or something.

But sometimes, there are things beyond my control.

After all, I'm no longer a student and don't have that much free time.

The adult world is just this helpless ╮(︶﹏︶)╭.

And with year-end projects rushing toward their deadlines, sometimes even weekends are not spared by the boss.

Four thousand words a day is already squeezed out of my time.

So, if there are typos or awkward sentences sometimes, feel free to point them out. I'll fix them as soon as I see them; I reply quickly.

Don't worry, things will get better once the New Year comes.

Finally, my deepest thanks (〃'▽'〃)