An Invitation from Ning Fengzhi

Heaven Dou Auction House.

Over the past five days, the auction house had exhausted its network of connections to spread word of this peerless, one-of-a-kind gemstone throughout the upper circles of the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.

The auction house had vigorously promoted it as an object imbued with the spiritual essence of ten thousand years, formed from divine ice and containing pure, restrained energy. It could stabilize a soul master's foundation and soothe turbulent Soul Power, making it an incomparably rare treasure.

For a time, countless princes, nobles, sect elders, wealthy merchants, and soul masters all fixed their attention on this grand finale auction.

The guests arrived at the auction venue as scheduled.

It was noon.

The sunlight was perfect that day, gilding the white jade steps before the auction house in golden light and setting the atmosphere to the fullest.

Lin Mo used the [Simulation] skill to take on someone else's appearance, silently entered the auction house, and accurately found his reserved private room.

Even though the auction house had deliberately instructed people to watch for the black-robed man who had come a few days ago, he could still use this disguise to evade their surveillance, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

He had arrived rather early.

All manner of powerful figures from Heaven Dou City arrived one after another.

Among them, an exceptionally luxurious gilded carriage slowly came to a stop at the end of the red carpet. The carriage bore elegant patterns, and the flag of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family fluttered from it in the wind.

The Heaven Dou Imperial Family!

That certainly carried weight.

Soon after, a luxurious carriage bearing the banner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect followed behind. Its white horses were as snowy as frost, adorned with golden bells.

Both entered directly through the auction house's VIP passage without disembarking at the entrance.

--

Heaven Dou Auction House.

Inside one of the top private rooms.

The entire room was spacious and luxurious, carpeted in soft cloud brocade. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could overlook the entire auction hall. The tables, chairs, and tea sets were all crafted from millennium-old rosewood, extravagance evident in every detail.

Ning Fengzhi wore a snow-white formal suit. His face was as refined as jade, and his bearing was upright.

He sat before a leather sofa, leaning on a gemstone cane. With gold-rimmed square glasses on his face, he appeared gentle and scholarly.

Beside Ning Fengzhi stood a little girl around five or six years old.

The girl wore her hair in a bun and was dressed in a green gauze skirt. Her skin was fair and translucent, while her glass-like eyes were lively and adorable.

She was Ning Rongrong.

She supported herself on the sofa with both hands, boredly swinging her little legs.

On the left side of the room.

A handsome young man in white sat upright on the single sofa.

The blond youth carried himself with elegance as he sipped hot tea.

Across from the sofa sat a hunched, elderly figure.

He was an emaciated old man with a full head of white hair and beard. His cheekbones were sunken, his frame was large, yet his body was skeletal and thin. He looked like a skin-covered skeleton, somewhat frightening. Though his hunched figure seemed frail enough to be blown over, faint spatial ripples lingered around him.

He was one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two Title Douluo, the Rank 95 Bone Douluo, Gu Rong!

A Title Douluo was truly terrifying!

The VIP private room was located on the second floor in the best central position. From its floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire auction venue below could be seen at a glance.

Ning Rongrong looked at the packed auction hall below, then turned around and blinked her lively eyes.

"What kind of grand finale treasure could attract so many people?"

Xue Qinghe, who had been drinking tea beside her, set down his cup and smiled faintly.

"I heard that the auction house recently acquired a strange gemstone with a ten-thousand-year heritage. The gem has a regular shape and distinct edges, yet it is incredibly hard. Ordinary methods cannot cut it. It does not appear to be a product of the current era and is suspected to date back to ancient times. It may be related to lost Soul Tools."

"Soul Tools?" Ning Rongrong looked somewhat surprised.

"Can that gemstone store items too?" She looked toward Xue Qinghe, the crown prince.

Xue Qinghe explained slightly, "Soul Tools are not limited to storage. It is merely that only those types have been passed down. During excavations of ancient ruins, some Soul Tools with offensive or protective functions have been discovered, but their manufacturing techniques have been lost. As those unearthed items deteriorated over time, they gradually faded from public view. Only storage Soul Tools remain in circulation."

Ning Fengzhi said nothing and merely directed his gaze toward the auction venue.

When he had first heard the news that the auction house possessed a gemstone suspected to be an ancient Soul Tool, he had immediately thought of the Heart of the Ocean, the inherited treasure held by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

That object was also a remnant from ancient times, and no one had ever been able to unravel its mysteries.

Even the auction house could not identify the material of this gemstone. It was truly rare.

Now that it had emerged, perhaps it also contained some great secret.

If it was merely a matter of spending money, he did not mind acquiring it first and studying it slowly afterward.

"If that thing truly came from ancient ruins, its value may be beyond measure." Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo who had remained silent the whole time, finally spoke slowly.

"We can only wait for the opening to reveal the answer." Ning Fengzhi rested both hands on his gemstone cane, calm and composed.

As they conversed, the auction below had already reached its finale.

The female host in a red dress was delivering an enthusiastic opening speech.

Lin Mo watched calmly from another VIP private room.

The auction house had only just learned that the seller of the Heart of Eternity had appeared.

No one knew when he had entered the venue.

The Auction House President was somewhat dumbfounded.

Even with people assigned to watch for him, no one had any idea how he had slipped in without a sound.

Without question, he was an extraordinary expert with remarkable methods.

--

At the auction.

All kinds of treasures were sold one after another at high prices, and the atmosphere grew increasingly fervent.

The Auction House President personally came to confirm that this seller was truly present.

Lin Mo was still disguised as the black-robed man.

"What is it?"

"This is the auction house's gold card. It carries a limit of one million Gold Soul Coins. If you see anything you like during the auction, you may use the auction house's funds to bid for it first. Once the Heart of Eternity is auctioned, you can make up the difference afterward." The Auction House President respectfully presented a gold card.

Lin Mo glanced at him and naturally understood what he was thinking.

"You're not worried it won't sell?" Lin Mo put away the gold card and spoke calmly.

"If it fails to sell, our auction house is willing to purchase it for three million Gold Soul Coins." The Auction House President wore a restrained, ingratiating smile.

Seeing this, Lin Mo said nothing further.

The Auction House President took his leave first.

Once the room had become quiet again, Lin Mo returned his gaze to the auction floor.

All kinds of treasures were on display.

High-Level Hunting Ground Tokens, special products from the sea, rare herbs and exotic plants gathered from the Soul Beast Forest, and even the most direct form of primitive labor.

Lin Mo fell silent at the sight.

There was a reason the Heaven Dou Empire was backward. It was still practicing slavery, yet it wanted to talk about development?

Any of the powerful figures sitting below could be dragged out and executed without wronging a single one.

--

After the earlier buildup.

At last, the host's impassioned voice rang through the entire auction hall and reached the top-floor VIP rooms.

Lin Mo also shifted his attention to the venue.

"Distinguished guests! Next is the grand finale treasure of today's auction! A peerless, one-of-a-kind treasure formed over ten thousand years—the Heart of Eternity!"

As her words fell, a dazzling transparent glass display platform slowly rose from the lift.

Sunlight streamed down through the auction house's dome and shone upon the pigeon-egg-sized Heart of Eternity resting on the platform.

The flawless diamond instantly refracted a rainbow glow. Its gentle, pure radiance filled the entire hall. Though it did not release the slightest trace of Soul Power, it carried an innate sacred and noble quality that made everyone present hold their breath.

"This object bears no traces of artificial carving. It formed naturally and was born after ten thousand years of accumulation!"

"Worn close to the body over long periods, it can calm the mind, soothe turbulent Soul Power, and stabilize a soul master's Martial Soul foundation. Even when a Title Douluo cultivates, it can reduce the interference of inner demons!"

"Most precious of all, its core is incomparably pure. It is suspected to be an artifact from ancient times, shrouded in mystery. There is only one in the world, a peerless and unique treasure!"

The host delivered every prepared selling point with ringing conviction, instantly igniting the entire venue.

Countless powerful figures and soul masters below stared with burning eyes, all deeply tempted.

Ning Rongrong widened her eyes at the dazzling gemstone, her face full of amazement. "It's so beautiful! It can actually refract seven-colored light!"

Ning Fengzhi's gaze remained fixed on the gemstone.

He had led the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for decades and seen countless treasures, rare gemstones, and heavenly materials, yet he had never encountered a treasure of such pure quality and unique aura. This truly was an exception.

Even knowing that the auction house's promotion had been exaggerated, the gemstone's appearance and quality already deserved the title of peerless treasure.

"It is pure and transparent, without the slightest impurity. Even if used solely for collection or decoration, it would still be considered a top-grade item." Ning Fengzhi spoke slowly, his tone certain.

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly. "Since Teacher has taken a liking to it, this disciple will not join the bidding."

"Thank you for yielding it to me, Your Highness." Ning Fengzhi nodded in acknowledgment.

--

At this moment, bidding officially began.

"The Heart of Eternity, starting bid—one million Gold Soul Coins! Each increase must be no less than one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

The starting price caused an uproar throughout the hall.

Even an ordinary top-grade soul bone cost only several million Gold Soul Coins. A gemstone of unknown use starting at one million was an astronomical price!

Yet many great noble houses and factions still began bidding for it.

"One and a half million!"

"Two million!"

"Two million three hundred thousand!"

The price rose steadily. In only a few breaths, it broke through the three-million mark and approached the psychological price Lin Mo had originally set.

Just as everyone continued competing fiercely, inside a top-floor VIP private room.

"Four million." Salas spoke calmly, while the maid beside him called out the bid, her voice ringing clearly through the auction hall.

"Four million Gold Soul Coins."

The moment those words fell, the entire venue went silent. Every faction still bidding immediately fell quiet.

Wasn't this just ruining the fun?

The host froze for a moment, then cried out in delight, "Four million Gold Soul Coins! Are there any guests willing to bid higher?!"

Lin Mo was also somewhat moved when he heard it.

Truly foolish and rich. What extravagance.

Was their money really that easy to earn?

Seeing that the price had been raised high enough, Ning Fengzhi directly made his bid.

Xue Qinghe pressed the bidding device.

"Six million Gold Soul Coins!"

That was outrageously lavish?!

This price was already comparable to a top-grade Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone!

Salas had originally believed victory was certain and planned to spend four million to buy this gemstone as a tribute for the Pope.

He had not expected the other party to immediately raise the price by two million.

If he followed, the other party would most likely continue raising the bid.

By then, the unnecessarily inflated price might instead offend someone.

These high-ranking nobles could more or less guess the identity of the person who had just bid.

This Sect Master Ning truly had deep pockets.

Salas let out a sinister, strange laugh and chose to withdraw from the bidding.

In the end, Ning Fengzhi purchased the Heart of Eternity for six million Gold Soul Coins.

--

Inside the VIP private room.

The Auction House President personally brought the Heart of Eternity, sealed inside an exquisite sandalwood box, together with an attendant.

Ning Fengzhi accepted it, and the attendant consciously withdrew.

He opened the sandalwood box, revealing the dazzling gemstone resting on a cushion of genuine silk.

Ning Fengzhi's eyes brightened slightly. His fingertips gently brushed the cool, transparent surface as he sent in a faint probe of Soul Power.

The object gave no response. It only carried an extremely pure, gentle sensation, and merely looking at it did indeed calm the mind.

"It truly is extraordinary." Ning Fengzhi sighed sincerely.

"What kind of person is this seller, to be able to produce such a peerless treasure?"

"Reporting to Sect Master Ning..." The Auction House President roughly described the information concerning the black-robed man.

He especially mentioned that despite their deliberate surveillance, the other party had still entered the auction house's private room without a sound, completely unnoticed.

Xue Qinghe continued drinking tea calmly.

Gu Rong merely remained seated as a guard and said nothing.

As for Ning Rongrong, she was still young and had no say in the matter.

Ning Fengzhi listened carefully.

Clearly, that seller was no ordinary person.

"Please convey a message for me. We wish to thank the original owner of this treasure in person and witness the bearing of such an expert. I hope the president will pass it along on our behalf. If necessary, you may mention my name." Ning Fengzhi said.

He wanted to meet the seller and ask about the origin of the item.

If it truly came from ancient ruins, then the six million had been absolutely worth spending.

The Auction House President did not dare neglect the matter and hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

"Understood! I will immediately send word and contact the honored guest!"

Although such behavior was not in accordance with auction rules.

But there were always people who stood above the rules.

Meanwhile.

In another VIP private room.

Lin Mo was clad in a black robe, gray mist shrouding his body and concealing his aura as he perfectly maintained the disguise of his [Simulation] skill.

With the tall, upright build of an adult, a composed and indifferent face, and unfathomably deep eyes, he looked mysterious and distant, carrying the bearing of an expert. He was utterly unlike his original youthful appearance.

Given the quality of the Heart of Eternity, he had expected it to draw the fierce competition of many top nobles.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy beyond measure and loved collecting rare treasures. There was a high chance they would bid on it.

Raising the price by two million at a time was most likely the work of that old fox, Ning Fengzhi.

The final price far exceeded his expectations.

With this money, he would have more than enough to cultivate peacefully at Heaven Dou Plant Academy.

Lin Mo calmly took a sip of tea.

He was quite satisfied with this trip to the auction.

Just then, there was a soft knock on his door, followed by the respectful voice of an attendant outside.

"Come in," Lin Mo said calmly.

The Auction House President came in personally and presented the auction proceeds.

Five resplendent Dragon Pattern Cards lay atop a golden tray.

Auction houses generally took a commission of five to ten percent.

Yet the Auction House President said these were gold cards worth five million, and together with the one million previously gifted, they totaled six million Gold Soul Coins.

The president did not mention commissions at any point and handed the seller the full amount.

Lin Mo did not stand on ceremony, collecting all five gold cards as they vanished into his sleeve.

A storage Soul Tool?

The Auction House President's brow twitched.

"Honored guest, might you do us the favor of meeting Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? What do you think...?"

Ning Fengzhi?

Lin Mo understood at once, though his expression did not ripple in the slightest.

When Ning Fengzhi traveled, one of Bone Douluo or Sword Douluo was most likely by his side.

With his current abilities, he still could not handle them.

He had no disputes with them, so there should not be any conflict.

There should be no problem with his safety.

He had just taken six million from them. No matter what, they were a major benefactor.

After considering it carefully, Lin Mo still decided to take a look.

"Lead the way."

Lin Mo's voice was low and magnetic, carrying a hint of distant indifference.

The Auction House President was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to open the door himself.

Lin Mo walked with calm, unhurried steps. His aura seemed utterly ordinary, yet no one dared underestimate him in the slightest.