Aolai City Auction House

If the auction house dared to cheat him out of his goods, or tried to probe, investigate, or harass him, he would simply join the Spirit Pagoda and use a bigger fist to fight back against fists.

After all, the Spirit Pagoda was a colossal existence throughout the entire Sun Moon Federation.

Once he joined, he would have an official identity and the backing of a powerful organization. Ordinary people would not dare lay a hand on him so easily.

But that was a matter for later.

For now, he would see what the auction house had to say.

Han Li walked along the streets of Aolai City. After passing through several bustling commercial districts, he soon spotted his destination.

Aolai City's auction house stood slightly north of the city center, an extremely modern complex.

The entire building was made of tempered glass and silvery-white metal, its sharp, angular design brimming with a sense of the future.

A massive electronic screen hung above the main entrance, continuously displaying the various treasures due to be auctioned in the near future.

Red marble steps led up to the entrance, with an exquisite stone sculpture standing on each side, making the place appear exceptionally imposing.

When Han Li approached, the greeter at the door looked surprised as well.

After all, Han Li appeared to be only six or seven years old.

He was short, with an immature face, dressed in plain clothes. Standing alone at the auction house entrance, he formed a stark contrast with the adults constantly coming and going around him.

Children his age usually came to auction houses with adults, whether their parents and elders or a family steward. It was rare to see one arrive alone.

The greeter had worked at the auction house for years and had welcomed countless guests, but this was the first time she had encountered a child coming by himself.

She quickly suppressed her curiosity, put on a professionally gentle smile, bent down, and asked softly.

"Little brother, is there something you need at the auction house?"

Han Li's expression remained calm. Without any hurry, he raised his wrist before her and displayed the bracelet-shaped Storage Soul Guidance Device he wore.

The bracelet was exquisitely crafted.

It was the standard model issued by the Spirit Pagoda.

In an indifferent tone, he said,

"My dad is busy, so he sent me to sell a few things."

He said it casually and naturally, as though he were merely carrying out some small errand his parent had assigned him.

Han Li was not afraid of pointless probing.

But if he could invoke a nonexistent father, it could at least deter the auction house somewhat and make them think twice before doing anything unnecessary...

It would also spare him plenty of needless trouble.

Although the greeter did not know who the father Han Li mentioned was, she recognized the bracelet-shaped Storage Soul Guidance Device on his wrist.

That style of Storage Soul Guidance Device was a gift the Spirit Pagoda crafted for its talented youths.

Any child able to receive such a bracelet...

Without exception, was a gifted youngster noticed by the Spirit Pagoda, with talent far beyond that of ordinary people.

Thus, the bracelet proved one thing.

Han Li was a gifted youngster favored by the Spirit Pagoda.

And geniuses were often linked to future powerhouses.

Even if he was only a seven-year-old child now, his future potential was limitless.

No farsighted faction would casually offend such a highly promising genius.

The greeter's smile became even gentler, and her attitude grew noticeably more attentive. She stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.

"Of course. Please come with me."

The greeter then led Han Li through the auction house lobby and into a quiet reception room.

The room was elegantly furnished, with soft sofas, an antique tea table, and several oil paintings hanging on the walls. Warm yellow lighting made the entire space feel cozy and private.

The greeter invited Han Li to sit on the sofa, brought him a cup of hot tea, then left to fetch an auctioneer.

Han Li sat quietly on the sofa and waited.

Soon, a middle-aged auctioneer pushed open the door and entered.

He wore a dark formal suit, his hair meticulously combed. His face was composed and capable, and one glance was enough to tell that he was an old hand who had spent many years in the industry.

He sat down opposite Han Li, looked him over, and offered a polite smile.

"My young friend, what are you looking to sell?"

Han Li did not say much. He directly took out four century-old flowers and placed them on the table before him.

The moment the four century-old flowers appeared on the tabletop...

They immediately released dense fluctuations of Soul Power.

The auctioneer's gaze fell upon the four flowers on the table, and his eyes instantly lit up.

Century-old plant soul beasts.

He immediately recognized what they were.

Plant soul beasts of this age...

Were already rare in the current market.

Although plant soul beasts were not as scarce as animal soul beasts, humanity's continual development of the natural environment had made wild plants capable of growing for more than a hundred years increasingly rare.

One had to know...

Even the most ordinary century-old Soul Spirit from the Spirit Pagoda now cost around one million Federal Currency.

Soul Spirits were conscious energy entities that could communicate with Soul Masters and assist them in battle...

But their prices were correspondingly high.

This also meant that a century-old plant soul beast would not be cheap, and might even be worth somewhat more.

Because fusing a Soul Ring did not require the same high level of spiritual power as fusing a Soul Spirit.

In other words, Soul Masters who fused Soul Rings in the early stages could leave part of their spiritual power free...

Making it easier for them to fuse stronger Soul Spirits in the future.

Therefore, for many Soul Masters...

Especially those whose spiritual power was not strong enough, choosing Soul Rings early on was better than choosing Soul Spirits.

Of course, there was one important point...

Soul beasts were currently scarce.

Therefore...

When most Soul Masters sought to obtain Soul Rings, their only option was a Soul Spirit. They had no room to choose at all.

And Soul Rings from century-old plant soul beasts like these would definitely be highly sought-after goods on the market.

The auctioneer pondered for a moment, rapidly assessing the flowers' value and market demand in his mind before giving his offer.

"Two million per plant."

"For all four, eight million in total."

The auctioneer's voice was calm and steady.

His offer was direct and decisive.

He did not ask where Han Li had gotten them.

After all, he had worked in this business for many years.

He knew perfectly well what he should ask and what he should not.

Besides, the auction house had always followed this rule.

They did not ask about origins. They were only responsible for appraisal and transactions.

As long as the goods were genuine and legal, there was no problem.

At that moment, Han Li had not expected century-old plant soul beasts to be more expensive than century-old Soul Spirits.

He had originally thought that Soul Spirits possessed awareness and intelligence and could assist Soul Masters in battle...

So they should have been more valuable than mere Soul Rings.

But the reality was the exact opposite.

Century-old Soul Rings were actually worth more than century-old Soul Spirits.

That was an unexpected delight.

After a brief silence, Han Li nodded and agreed without hesitation.

"Fine. Deal."