Awkward Master and Disciple! Divine Artifact! Soul Raising Pill! From Arrogant to Obsequious!

"Three hundred thousand!"

Ling Xiao swept his hand.

The moment he said it, all the other bids fell silent.

Countless people cursed inwardly. Which spendthrift was throwing money around to win a beauty's smile this time?

But the price was simply too high.

No matter how their dance partners or lovers pinched their arms and twisted their thighs, nobody dared bid again!

Inside the private room.

Qian Renxue gazed at the gorgeous dress the maid had brought in, deeply moved.

"Teacher... you really don't have to do this. There's no reason for a disciple to let her teacher buy things for her."

The more she thought about Ling Xiao spending money on her, the more guilty she felt.

"Ah, it's fine, it's fine—"

Ling Xiao waved his hand with a generous air.

"You're paying for it anyway."

"Huh?" Qian Renxue's hands froze as she held the dress. Her mouth formed a small O.

Her expression shifted from moved to bewildered to gritting her teeth. In just a few seconds, she had acted out an entire drama.

"Um... Teacher, I'm out of money!"

It wasn't as if she had absolutely no money.

After losing five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins at the Soul Fighting Arena, she had only a little over a hundred thousand left on her card.

That was why she hadn't dared to bid just now.

Now it was Ling Xiao's turn to fall silent...

"Sir, would you like to pay by card, or...?"

The slightly chubby manager eyed Qian Renxue, who was muttering to herself with an ever-changing expression, and tactfully urged her to hurry.

At that, Qian Renxue grew even more embarrassed and stared at Ling Xiao reproachfully.

"Ahem. Put it on the tab for now. We'll settle up later."

Knowing he couldn't keep enjoying his invisible state, Ling Xiao appeared and spoke.

The manager was startled when another person suddenly appeared. But he had seen plenty; in the imperial capital, people were either rich or noble.

It was perfectly normal for young masters and ladies to bring a guard along. He simply assumed the other party had a rather impressive concealment technique.

"Of course, sir!"

"I'll give the order. Once the auction is over, you can settle the bill at the counter."

The manager replied with his smile unchanged, though contempt and a sneer had crept into his heart.

Putting on airs when you don't have the money!

There'd be quite a show after the auction...

"Oh, right—does your auction house accept items for consignment?"

Ling Xiao asked casually.

"If so, add this item to the auction as well."

He took a small pill bottle from his sleeve and casually set it on the table.

"Certainly. May I ask what kind of medicine this is, sir?"

The chubby manager smiled humbly.

"I refined it myself. Let's call it a Soul Raising Pill!"

"Anyone below Soul Douluo rank who takes it will immediately gain one level of Soul Power!"

"Huh? It... it can raise your Soul Power by one level?"

The chubby manager was stunned.

Qian Renxue's mouth fell slightly open, too.

"Teacher, you don't have to... I can offer other items as collateral."

"No need! It's just scraps left over from refining medicine!"

Ling Xiao waved his hand, unconcerned.

Qian Renxue's lips twitched uncontrollably.

Scraps...

He'd called it scraps. What could she possibly say?

"Sir, items can still be added to the auction before it ends, but they must undergo professional testing!"

The chubby manager had recovered from his initial shock and replied with a smile, his tone returning to its usual courteous manner.

No matter how grand Ling Xiao's claims were, he couldn't just take his word for it.

He didn't care whether it was a pill or whether it had side effects!

But he had to confirm that the item really could raise a Soul Master below Soul Douluo rank by one level.

That was the rule for participating in the Ghost Market auction!

"No problem. Go ahead!"

Ling Xiao waved him off, not worried in the slightest that the other party might pocket his item.

The chubby manager carried the tray with the pill bottle and withdrew with a polite bow.

Before long,

the chubby manager came hurrying back.

A thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead, and excitement shone across his face.

"Sir, your pill has passed appraisal, and we've arranged for it to go up as the final item!"

"There are nine items left before it!"

He had suspected Ling Xiao was exaggerating, but now there was no doubt.

A pill that could raise someone's Soul Power by one level!

It was unbelievable.

And he was the one who had brought it in. He'd earn a sizable commission when it sold, too.

"Mm, got it. You can leave now."

Ling Xiao wasn't surprised by the result in the slightest.

Qian Renxue looked just as unsurprised.

"Um... sir—"

"Our auction house's elder of worship would like to meet you after the auction ends."

"Would you be willing to grant him the honor...?"

The chubby manager didn't leave. Instead, he cautiously edged half a step closer.

His voice dropped very low, and he was ten times more deferential than before.

"There's no need for a meeting. Don't bother me with this sort of thing again."

"Yes, yes, of course. That was our mistake. I'll take my leave at once!"

The chubby manager's forehead was beaded with sweat.

"If you ever have pills like this to trade again, please consider our auction house first!"

"We'll offer you the best possible price!"

He clearly didn't want to give up on a big spender like Ling Xiao so easily.

Bowing as he backed toward the door, he wore a broad, ingratiating smile.

Only after Ling Xiao gave no response did he reluctantly close the door.

"Pfft... Teacher, that was too cold of you!"

The instant the door shut, Qian Renxue recalled the chubby manager's nervous, fawning look, as if he wished he could wipe the floor clean with his sleeves.

She finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

Ling Xiao said irritably. "I'm only doing this to pay your bill, aren't I?"

"Oh..."

Qian Renxue obediently fell silent.

But as she stroked the golden-threaded, fish-scale dress, she couldn't hide her delight.

The two of them had been ready to leave, but since they couldn't pay the bill, they had no choice but to sit down and wait for the final auction items.

They had thought the rest would be a waste of time.

But when the third-to-last item was brought out, Ling Xiao suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

"The item making its appearance now is an extraordinarily special one!"

The host lifted the red cloth, revealing a pitch-black stone about the size of a fist on the tray.

"Its hardness surpasses every known mineral. Even a Titled Douluo can't damage it in the slightest!"

"If it could be forged into a weapon, it would undoubtedly be a super divine artifact, surpassing every other weapon!"

The host had added an unusual amount to his usual spiel.

The auction house had spent a great deal to acquire the stone, only for it to end up sitting in their hands.

After his introduction, even those who hadn't been very interested in the stone perked up and began placing bids here and there.

"Bid for that stone!"

Ling Xiao suddenly said.

"The stone? What's so special about it?"

Qian Renxue turned to him, her eyes full of confusion.

"It's a Star Core, the finest essence left behind after a planet dies. You could also call it the Essence of Stars!"

Ling Xiao said unhurriedly.

"If you merge it into your sword, it'll give the sword a trace of sentience, allowing it to resonate with your will!"

"Its quality will undergo a complete transformation. It might even leap straight to the level of a divine artifact!"