The Auction House

Wang Zhi thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"Tian'er Jie, I don't have any money on me. Maybe I shouldn't go to the Auction House."

He was telling the truth.

His family had spent five million Federal Currency to buy the Glow Grass Spirit this time.

Although his father was a Soul King and a Mecha Manufacturer with a decent income, more than half the family's savings had already been spent.

It wasn't because his family was poor. His parents were both Soul Masters, and their expenses were high too.

His father's Thousand Year Spirit had cost twelve million Federal Currency, wiping out three years of the family's savings in one go.

It was easy to imagine...

How much a Soul Master's expenses could add up to.

Of course, the main reason was that his father hadn't joined any organization and was an independent Soul Master.

Although he couldn't receive resources and support from a major organization, he enjoyed freedom and had complete control over his own plans.

As for why he hadn't joined a major organization...

After learning about the rules of this world over the years, Wang Zhi understood his father's choice.

Ultimately, it came down to talent.

Whether it was Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, or the Spirit Pagoda, they prioritized nurturing those with exceptional talent.

Only the exceptionally talented could become Titled Douluo, and those were the people who could be useful to them.

As for the rest—the Soul Masters who couldn't break through to become Titled Douluo—they didn't care about them.

On the Douluo Continent, high-level power decided everything.

So using resources to support ordinary Soul Masters was a poor investment.

Ordinary Soul Masters who joined major organizations had to keep completing missions assigned by the organization in exchange for resources, and answer its call without question.

Although they could exchange merit and contributions for resources, their cultivation time was also divided up, so their cultivation didn't improve any faster.

Rather than live that way, it was better to be a lone wolf.

Although he earned fewer resources, he had plenty of time to cultivate and didn't have to take orders from anyone.

So, although Wang Zhi's family wasn't poor,

they certainly weren't wealthy.

He really couldn't spare any money for the Auction House.

Hearing this, Zhou Tian'er looked at him with a flicker of sympathy in her eyes.

The next moment, she stepped forward and pulled Wang Zhi into her arms.

The girl's delicate fragrance enveloped him, and the soft warmth of her embrace made Wang Zhi's face turn red in an instant.

"Xiao Zhi, don't worry."

"Your big sister has money! It's on me!"

She held him tightly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Wang Zhi struggled for a moment, then freed himself from her embrace and shook his head.

"Tian'er Jie, I can't spend your money. You need it for yourself too."

Zhou Tian'er frowned, planted her hands on her hips, and stared at him earnestly.

"Xiao Zhi, do you really consider me your older sister?"

Wang Zhi looked into her earnest Emerald Green Eyes and sighed softly.

"Of course I do."

Zhou Tian'er nodded in satisfaction, a smile returning to her face.

"If you really do, then why are we dividing things into your money and my money?!"

"Xiao Zhi, let's go!"

As she spoke, she took Wang Zhi by the hand and headed for the exit.

Seeing this, Wang Zhi stopped resisting and followed Zhou Tian'er with a helpless look.

But a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes.

Hailu City, Auction House.

The building stood in the central district of the city. From the outside, it was a three-story, circular pavilion built entirely of white Stone Material, dignified and elegant beneath the sunlight.

As Zhou Tian'er led Wang Zhi to the entrance, a cool, slender figure was already waiting there.

Zhou Hanyou.

Today, she wore a pale blue dress that complemented her hair.

She stood quietly at the entrance, her expression cool, like a winter plum blossom blooming in solitude.

When she saw Wang Zhi, she merely nodded slightly and said nothing more.

"Let's go in."

Her voice was as cool and concise as she was.

Zhou Tian'er cheerfully sidled up to her.

"Hey, how long have you been waiting?"

"Not long."

Zhou Hanyou replied coolly, then turned and walked inside.

Zhou Tian'er took Wang Zhi by the hand and followed her.

The three of them entered the Auction House together.

The moment he stepped into the Auction House, Wang Zhi's view suddenly opened up.

Resplendent.

That was the first word that came to mind.

The hall was exceptionally spacious, its ceiling dozens of meters high, with enormous Soul Guiding Crystal Lamps embedded in it, casting a soft, brilliant glow.

Golden tablecloths covered the walls, their intricate patterns embroidered in silver thread and shimmering beneath the lights.

A thick red carpet covered the floor. It was so soft underfoot that their footsteps were almost inaudible.

The auction area stood in the center of the hall: a circular platform raised above the floor, with an elegant auction table on top.

Rows of seats fanned out around the platform, each one higher than the row before it, ensuring that everyone had a clear view of the stage.

The front row was reserved for VIPs, with comfortable armchairs whose backs were carved with exquisite designs.

Behind them were the regular seats. They weren't as luxurious as the VIP section, but they were still very comfortable.

Quite a few people were already seated: wealthy merchants in fine clothes, composed Soul Masters, and young students like them.

Zhou Tian'er led Wang Zhi toward the seating area with practiced ease.

At the entrance, an attendant respectfully offered them three masks.

It was a rule of the Auction House: to protect guests' privacy, everyone attending could choose to wear a mask.

Zhou Tian'er took the masks and turned to Wang Zhi.

"Xiao Zhi, do you want one?"

Wang Zhi thought about it, then shook his head.

He was just a New Student who'd only recently enrolled. He had nothing to hide.

Zhou Tian'er left hers off as well and handed all three masks back to the attendant.

The three of them found their seats.

They were a little toward the back, but the view was good, and they could clearly see the auction platform.

Zhou Tian'er sat to Wang Zhi's left and Zhou Hanyou to his right.

Two entirely different fragrances lingered around him.

On his left was the faint, sweet scent of Zhou Tian'er, like spring blossoms.

On his right was Zhou Hanyou's cool, delicate fragrance, like winter plum blossoms.

Sitting between them, surrounded by the two scents, Wang Zhi felt a little dazed.

Zhou Tian'er leaned closer and lowered her voice as she began introducing the items up for auction.

"Xiao Zhi, I hear there are some good things on offer today."

"You know about Thousand Year Whale Rubber, right?"

"It's great for improving your physical fitness, especially for Strength Type Soul Masters..."

"It's practically priceless."

She counted them off on her fingers.

"There's also the Mysterious Water Pill, a treasure for water-attributed Soul Masters. It can cleanse the marrow and change the tendons, and improve Soul Power."

"And there's more..."

As she spoke, her eyes sparkled.

Then a hint of regret crossed her eyes.

"Too bad I don't have enough money. Otherwise, I'd really want to buy everything."

Wang Zhi listened, feeling tempted too.

Thousand Year Whale Rubber, the Mysterious Water Pill...

They were all treasures well suited for young Soul Masters.