You're Not the Only One

Tang San stood at the railing outside the southern private room on the second floor, gripping it tightly with both hands. His eyes were bloodshot, and he panted like an ox.

Those were his father's Spirit Bones.

The instant he saw those two Spirit Bones, every memory surged back like a flood, every detail terrifyingly clear.

"Now, the starting bid," the auctioneer announced, swallowing hard. His voice was dry. "Two inherited Spirit Bones of the Clear Sky Sect, to be auctioned together. Starting bid: one Gold Soul Coin."

One Gold Soul Coin?

Sharp intakes of breath and hushed discussion erupted at once.

Yet the private rooms on the second and third floors grew even quieter. No one seated there was an idiot; they all understood exactly what that starting price meant.

"Now this is a show," Zhou Qiubai mumbled indistinctly.

"You're not worried at all," Dugu Bo said without even raising his eyelids. "If those two Spirit Bones really get sold for one Gold Soul Coin, you won't even have a place to cry."

Zhou Qiubai chuckled but said nothing more.

Of course he was not worried. No matter what price today's auction reached, he would not lose out.

If they sold for an astronomical price, the money could be used to fill Canghai City's coffers.

And if they failed to fetch a high price, that was fine too. After all, money was not the only real purpose of today's auction.

Downstairs, Tang Qingqing was the first to speak.

He stepped up to the railing, swept his gaze over the crowd below, and slowly raised his right hand.

"Those are inherited Spirit Bones of my Clear Sky Sect," Tang Qingqing declared loudly. "I am Tang Qingqing, an elder of the Clear Sky Sect. Today, I ask everyone here to do