The Eve of the Auction, Ning Fengzhi Arrives

After absorbing the spirit ring, the barrier that had hindered the continued growth of her spirit power vanished in an instant.

Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power immediately began to surge rapidly.

Level thirty-one...

Level thirty-four...

Level thirty-six...

It was not until she reached level thirty-seven that the momentum finally began to slow, eventually stabilizing firmly at level thirty-seven.

The three-thousand-year spirit ring combined with the enhancement from the immortal herb had ultimately boosted Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power by nine levels.

Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, a faint ghostly glimmer flashing through her pupils before vanishing, and the aura surrounding her entire being underwent a subtle change.

Once cold and frosty, she now possessed a more ethereal and otherworldly quality, as if she might dissolve into the shadows at any moment.

She raised her hand, black light patterns flowing faintly at her fingertips. With a gentle wave, an afterimage remained in place while her true form appeared silently three zhang away.

"This is..." Zhu Zhuqing looked at her own hands, a rare trace of pleasant surprise appearing in her eyes.

"The spirit ring from the Ghost Leopard must have granted you a new spirit skill related to speed or stealth."

Ye Guchen stepped forward, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Level thirty-seven spirit power, combined with your speed and the enhancement of the Ghost Leopard spirit skill—looking at spirit masters of the same rank, I fear few could even touch the hem of your garment."

Hearing this, a flash of eagerness crossed Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, and she raised her hand to strike at Ye Guchen.

Instantly, her fingernails transformed into five sharp blades, clawing toward him.

Possessing both speed and destructive power, if it were any other spirit master of the same rank, they would have had no time to react at such a distance and would have been severely wounded.

Yet, Ye Guchen merely tilted his body slightly, dodging with ease, though he did feel that Zhu Zhuqing's speed was indeed much faster than before.

"My third spirit skill is called Nether Ghost Slash; I didn't expect you to dodge it so easily."

Ye Guchen took her small hands in his.

"I am a Spirit Emperor now; it would be truly incredible if I were injured by you."

After being cleansed by the immortal herb, Zhu Zhuqing's skin had become even smoother and more delicate. At such close proximity, Ye Guchen could not help but reach out to stroke her cheeks.

"Your attack power is already at the forefront among Soul Elders; are you still not satisfied?"

At these words, Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, but instead closed her eyes, enjoying Ye Guchen's touch like a kitten.

Seeing this, Ye Guchen felt a sudden wave of heat, but he made no further moves, merely leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"Alright, Zhuqing, go and prepare as well. You are the proprietress of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, after all; everything will depend on you when the time comes."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing finally opened her eyes, hugged Ye Guchen, and said in a gentle tone.

"Okay~"

Only in front of Ye Guchen could one see her so docile; otherwise, Zhu Zhuqing remained as cold and aloof as ever.

Next, Ye Guchen took out one of each type of Soul Tool to be auctioned and carefully explained them to her.

As the proprietress of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, she naturally needed to understand how to use the items they were selling for the pavilion's first auction.

Zhu Zhuqing remained highly focused throughout, listening with extreme care, terrified of missing a single detail.

The following day, the carriage of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect slowly entered Heaven Dou City. As it turned onto the street where the Hundred Treasures Pavilion was located, one could clearly feel the increase in foot traffic.

Most were lingering around the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, though they were not buying anything, seemingly there to gather intelligence.

In the top-floor private room of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Zhu Zhuqing had changed into a black cinched-waist robe, with cloud patterns embroidered in dark gold thread along the collar and cuffs. A jade belt cinched at her waist outlined her already slender figure, making her look even more sharp and poised.

She was naturally cold by nature, and now, having consumed the immortal herb and broken through multiple levels, her skin was as lustrous as jade, and her features held an even more ethereal, otherworldly quality. Standing there, she truly possessed the aura of a female business executive.

Ye Guchen was leaning against the window reviewing the seating arrangements for the auction. Catching a glimpse of Zhu Zhuqing approaching, the corners of his lips lifted involuntarily.

"The proprietress looks better in this outfit than those gold-and-silver embroidered gowns worn by the Heaven Dou royalty."

Zhu Zhuqing cast a sidelong glance at him, her face expressionless, though her earlobes quietly flushed a faint red.

Just as she was about to say something, the manager's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Pavilion Master, Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sword Douluo have arrived to pay a visit. They are currently waiting in the main hall on the first floor."

Hearing this, Ye Guchen exchanged a look with Zhu Zhuqing, a flash of understanding passing through both their eyes.

What was meant to come had finally arrived.

"Invite Sect Master Ning and Senior Sword Douluo to the third-floor private chamber, and prepare the best tea."

Ye Guchen straightened his collar, the casual smile on his face receding slightly, replaced by the composure and steadiness befitting the master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"Zhuqing, come with me to meet our guests."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is visiting at this time surely for the sake of offensive Soul Tools. Bringing Zhu Zhuqing along will make it easier for her to take over this line of cooperation later."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, following half a step behind Ye Guchen.

The two walked out of the inner chamber one after the other, a natural tacit understanding flowing between their strides.

The moment they stepped out, Ye Guchen quietly placed the Ice and Fire Dragon King's Dragon Soul within the room before heading toward the elegant pavilion on the third floor.

Yet, the very instant the Dragon Soul was placed, it was keenly sensed by Sword Douluo downstairs.

"Title Douluo! And there are two of them!"

Sword Douluo immediately transmitted his voice to Ning Fengzhi.

"Fengzhi, the waters of this Hundred Treasures Pavilion might be deeper than we thought."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged, though his hand gripping his cane tightened slightly.

"Let's go in first. We came with sincerity, not to make enemies."

The third-floor elegant pavilion was a space specifically reserved by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for receiving distinguished guests, decorated with elegance and style.

A bronze incense burner sat upon a sandalwood table, with curling smoke rising to release the faint scent of agarwood.

The four walls were adorned with several landscape ink paintings; the brushwork was sparse and the artistic conception profound, clearly not ordinary works.

When Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were ushered into the pavilion by the manager, Ye Guchen and Zhu Zhuqing were already waiting inside.

"Sect Master Ning, Senior Sword Douluo, I have long admired you both."

Ye Guchen smiled and cupped his hands, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

"I am Ye Guchen, the owner of this Hundred Treasures Pavilion. This is my wife, the Lady of the Pavilion, Zhu Zhuqing."

Zhu Zhuqing bowed slightly, her tone concise and cold: "Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Sword Douluo."

Ning Fengzhi's gaze swept over the two, a flicker of sharp light flashing in his eyes.

As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had seen countless people and could tell at a glance that this young man and woman were no ordinary individuals.

Though the young man wore a warm smile, he possessed an indescribable, steady demeanor, his aura restrained yet unfathomable.

As for the young girl named Zhu Zhuqing, who appeared to be no more than twelve or thirteen, the soul power fluctuations faintly radiating from her were already at the level of a Soul Elder, and her features carried the unique, deep temperament of the Hell Spirit Cat martial soul.

To possess such cultivation at this age was a rare sight across the entire continent.

"Pavilion Master Ye is too kind." Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly and took his seat in the guest chair. "Please forgive our sudden visit.

The news of your pavilion's upcoming auction has spread throughout Heaven Dou, and I was so drawn to it that I had the audacity to bring Uncle Sword along to pay a visit in advance."

Sword Douluo Chen Xin remained his usual stern self, sitting beside Ning Fengzhi, though his gaze lingered on Ye Guchen for a moment longer.

As a Title Douluo, he naturally saw more clearly than Ning Fengzhi.

"Soul Emperor!"

What shocked him most was that the wisps of sword intent emanating from Ye Guchen actually made his own Seven Kill Sword martial soul feel excited!

Furthermore, in Ye Guchen's eyes, he saw no fear toward a Title Douluo like himself, but rather a hint of eagerness to test his skills.

"Interesting, I am not alone on this path!"