Auction Ends, A Date with Ouyang Zixin

An hour later.

The group left the small shop.

Su Chen and Gu Yue were both in high spirits, clearly satisfied after their meal.

"Let's go, let's head to the auction house together."

Su Chen opened the doors of his Soul Guidance Sports Car, inviting Tang Wulin and Xie Xie to join.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie did not refuse.

Gu Yue naturally took the front passenger seat.

The two good brothers, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, sat in the back.

"Vroom—"

The Soul Guidance Sports Car roared to life and shot forward.

However, no one noticed that Tang Wulin felt a bit stifled at the moment.

Because when he was injured earlier, that strange power within his body had been triggered once again.

He had intended to use it to launch a sneak attack on his opponent, but he never expected that just as he stood up, the opponent would be instantly taken out by Gu Yue.

This resulted in that surge of power remaining pent up inside him, unable to be released, leaving him feeling inexplicably stifled. He couldn't even enjoy his meal... he had only managed to eat ten portions of Braised Beef Stew.

East Sea Museum.

The auction house and museum in Eastsea City were jointly operated, with the museum showcasing various rare auction items.

Su Chen and his group were lucky enough to arrive just in time for an ongoing Level 2 auction.

The entrance to the auction house was bustling with people, appearing quite busy.

Generally, anyone wishing to enter the auction venue to participate in bidding was required to pay a hefty security deposit; even the most basic auction required a starting deposit of 100,000 Federal Coin.

But Su Chen was clearly an exception to this rule.

He was not only a buyer but also an important seller.

The top-tier metals he forged by hand—alloys that reached the Spirit-Refinement level or even higher quality—were usually transported through Mu Chen's channels to other regions or even overseas for sale to maximize profit margins.

As for the lower-tier Hundred-Refinement and Thousand-Refinement metals, most were sent directly by him to this auction house to be sold.

By virtue of his status and his consistent supply of high-quality goods, Su Chen had long since become one of the auction house's top VIPs, enjoying numerous privileges.

"Young Master Su, what brings you here today? I'll go notify the supervisor right away!"

A female staff member with a pleasant appearance spotted Su Chen's group with sharp eyes. Her face immediately lit up with a surprised smile as she hurried over to greet them.

She was clearly very familiar with Su Chen.

"No need to trouble Supervisor Wang."

Su Chen waved his hand, his tone casual. "I'm just bringing my classmates over to take a look and buy a few things; there's no need to bother him."

"Very well, Young Master Su, please follow me!"

The staff member's smile never wavered as she skillfully led the way, completely omitting any mention of a security deposit.

She brought the four of them directly to a VIP room on the second floor.

The layout inside the room stood in stark contrast to the noise and crowding of the lobby below.

Soft, oversized leather sofas were arranged in a circle around a polished glass coffee table, which was already stocked with freshly cut seasonal fruits and exquisite pastries.

Directly facing the sofas was a massive one-way glass wall, offering a clear view of the auction floor below and the giant Soul Guidance screen ahead.

The screen displayed real-time details and prices of the current auction items.

The auctioneer's voice was transmitted clearly into the room, while the sounds from inside the private suite could not be heard outside, ensuring absolute privacy.

"Holy crap, it's actually the top-tier VIP room..."

As soon as Xie Xie stepped inside, his eyes widened.

Although his family was wealthy and he was a top young master in Eastsea City, he was still young and had a limited allowance; usually, he could only broaden his horizons by following the adults in his family.

He couldn't even dream of enjoying such treatment himself, let alone paying the 100,000 Federal Coin security deposit required just to get through the door.

Yet Su Chen not only paid nothing but enjoyed such treatment, which left him feeling a bit sour inside...

How could the gap between people be so vast?

Tang Wulin was even more stunned by the luxury before him.

He came from a remote town like Red Mountain City and had a modest family background; he didn't even know which way the auction house's doors opened.

Everything before him exceeded the scope of his understanding.

Only now did he truly realize just how high Su Chen's status and standing really were...

No wonder Su Chen had been able to serve as the captain of the law enforcement team in Red Mountain City at such a young age.

This background is just too powerful...

Gu Yue, however, appeared quite calm, as if she were accustomed to such scenes.

"Please enjoy, and if you need anything, just press the bell."

The staff member said this with a smile before retreating silently and gently closing the door.

Su Chen picked up the auction catalog to flip through it, then glanced at the large screen. "The auction has been going on for quite a while; it looks like it's nearing the end."

Just as he said, the auction had reached its latter half.

The items displayed on the screen were all treasures, with starting bids easily exceeding 500,000 Federal Coin, and many even starting at a million.

"Now up for auction is item number 37, one Century Dragon Scale Fruit. It contains the aura of a pure dragon bloodline and has a significant effect on strengthening the physique... Starting bid is 600,000 Federal Coin..."

The auctioneer's voice, amplified by a Soul Tool, reached Su Chen's VIP box.

The screen clearly displayed a strange fruit covered in fine, golden scales, emitting an alluring luster.

"650,000!"

"700,000!"

Bidding from the floor rose one after another.

The Century Dragon Scale Fruit had excellent effects on enhancing a soul master's physique, especially for children, as it could greatly strengthen their foundation, making it very precious.

"VIP number one bids 900,000 Federal Coin!"

At this moment, Su Chen placed his bid.

The Century Dragon Scale Fruit was useless to him, but it should be useful for Gu Yue.

Not just Gu Yue, but also Ouyang Zixin, and Mu Xi...

Although consuming spiritual items to increase cultivation was an extravagant act.

But as the saying goes.

Since we're already here...

Su Chen didn't mind a round of spending.

Spending money could make one feel happy; exchanging money for a good mood was well worth it.

Su Chen's price instantly crushed the 700,000 bid from the floor.

The hall went quiet for a moment, and many people looked up toward the mysterious box number one on the second floor with strange expressions.

"Where did that rich snob come from?"

Someone muttered in a low voice.

Although the Century Dragon Scale Fruit was precious, it shouldn't reach 900,000; this markup was quite severe.

"900,000 going twice! Any higher bids?"

The auctioneer scanned the room, and seeing no one respond, decisively brought down the gavel. "900,000 going three times! Congratulations to VIP number one!"

Inside the box, Xie Xie and Tang Wulin both had their eyes wide open.

900,000 Federal Coin...

Su Chen spent it without even blinking, and it was clearly an overpriced purchase...

Even though it wasn't his own money, Xie Xie still felt an immense heartache!

"What a waste! Why am I not the rich one?" Xie Xie clutched his chest, his face full of grief and indignation.

Tang Wulin also felt his heart twitch.

He had worked for three years, scrimping and saving, only to scrape together 30,000 Federal Coin; at 900,000, he would have to work for ninety years...

However, this was only the beginning.

The subsequent auction items opened Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's eyes, while simultaneously leaving them feeling numb.

"Item number 38, three Century Green Root Fruits! Nourishes the spirit and warms the soul... Starting bid 250,000!"

"Item number 40, one Century Star Soul Grass..."

"Item number 41, one Century Ice Heart Lotus..."

The auctioneer's voice rang out again and again.

"VIP number one bids 750,000!"

"VIP number one bids 680,000!"

"..."

Every fall of the gavel was accompanied by a "Congratulations to VIP number one."

However, Su Chen was not bidding blindly. He only bought rare natural treasures, mainly those he hadn't tasted before, so he didn't mind the markup.

As for the common ones, he could buy them through the Spirit Pagoda or the Blacksmith Association at prices lower than the market rate, and he was already tired of eating those.

Soon, the auction ended, and Su Chen's total spending easily broke through the ten million Federal Coin mark, with him purchasing over a dozen spiritual items.

The staff immediately delivered all the auctioned items.

"Gu Yue, this Star Soul Grass is for you. It's beneficial for improving mental power." After paying, Su Chen handed the box containing the Star Soul Grass to Gu Yue.

"Thanks, then I won't be polite~" Gu Yue took the box, her face breaking into a smile. She seemed very pleased and accepted it with a clear conscience.

Then, Su Chen looked at Tang Wulin and said, "Wulin, your strength is good. This Dragon Scale Fruit will be beneficial for you."

Tang Wulin was a talented individual.

Su Chen was willing to invest in him, as it would be more convenient in the future, whether he wanted Tang Wulin to work for him or run errands.

No matter how strong Tang Wulin became, he wouldn't be able to defeat him.

Regardless of whether they would fall out in the future, they were classmates now, and Tang Wulin was just a kid who posed no threat to Su Chen.

"Ah, this... no, no... Class Monitor, this is too valuable... I can't accept it..." Tang Wulin quickly waved his hands.

This was a spiritual fruit worth nine hundred thousand Federal Coins; how could he possibly accept it?

"What's this? You're a blacksmith. Making money in the future will be easy. Consider it a loan from me. You can slowly repay me when you have the money~" Su Chen, without further ado, directly stuffed the jade box into Tang Wulin's arms.

"Class Monitor, what about me, what about me..."

Xie Xie came over at this moment, looking expectantly at Su Chen.

Although he disliked rich show-offs.

If Su Chen were to give him a heavenly treasure worth hundreds of thousands of Federal Coins for free, then that would be a different story.

"Here, this Pecan Fruit is for you."

Su Chen wasn't one to play favorites; he casually tossed the Pecan Fruit to Xie Xie.

Hundreds of thousands were truly nothing to him.

"Uh..."

Xie Xie's mouth twitched slightly.

Although this Pecan Fruit was worth hundreds of thousands, it was clearly far inferior to Gu Yue's Star Soul Grass and Tang Wulin's Dragon Scale Fruit.

"You don't like it? Then I'll eat it myself."

Seeing Xie Xie's expression, Su Chen feigned displeasure and made a move to take it back.

"No, no, no, how could I not like it... Besides, once something is given, how can it be taken back..."

Xie Xie quickly hugged the Pecan Fruit in his arms and said.

Hundreds of thousands of Federal Coins were still money; he wouldn't be picky.

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's head back for today."

Su Chen smiled, didn't dwell on it, and led the three back to the academy.

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin said their goodbyes and left.

Gu Yue also bid farewell, returning to absorb the Star Soul Grass.

"Buzz buzz~"

Just then, Su Chen's Communication Soul Tool vibrated.

Su Chen picked it up and saw that it was a message from Ouyang Zixin.

[Ouyang Zixin: Xiao Chen, are you free today? Can you accompany me for a run tonight~]

[Su Chen: Of course, Senior Sister. Wait for me, I'll go change. I'll be right there~]

Su Chen quickly replied.

Su Chen hadn't run with Ouyang Zixin for several days.

Moreover, with so many things bought today, Su Chen intended to give some to Ouyang Zixin.

Also, Ouyang Zixin hadn't visited Su Chen's villa yet...

Tonight...

Su Chen looked forward to it, directly using Teleportation to go to his residence to change clothes.