Before the words had even faded, the auction house's doors were pushed open from within.
The first to emerge was a young man who looked to be in his early thirties.
He was tall and slender, dressed in a long azure robe.
A ring of gold thread trimmed his cuffs, and a steward's token hung from his waist.
His steps were swift, and he practically jogged out through the doors.
The group at the entrance that had been watching Xu Changqing make a fool of himself immediately put away their mocking expressions when they saw him appear.
"Chief Steward Nangong, it has been a long time!"
"Why has the Chief Steward come out in person?"
"Have you found any news about that fifth-grade phoenix-tail grass I asked you to Seek last time?"
Some cupped their fists, while others bowed slightly as they greeted him with enthusiasm.
Yet Chief Steward Nangong did not even spare the people around him a glance.
He walked straight through the distinguished guests who were greeting him with clasped hands and hurried over to Xu Changqing.
Then, before everyone, he bent deeply at the waist, cupped his hands, and bowed.
"This junior is Nangong He, the current Chief Steward of the Spirit Plant Auction House. Greetings, Senior!"
The moment those words fell, everyone present froze.
After all, aside from his white hair, Xu Changqing looked far younger than those around him, barely in his early twenties.
His face even looked more youthful than Nangong He's.
No one had expected the Chief Steward to treat him with such respect.
Xu Changqing gave a slight nod. "It seems this token is still useful."
Nangong He nodded frantically. "This token is indeed a distinguished guest token issued five thousand years ago.
"When my ancestor was still alive, he repeatedly