Ning Rongrong tugged Gu Feng along, her steps light as she caught up with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin ahead.
"Dad, Grandpa Sword, Brother Qinghe just said that the Ten Thousand Year Gem-Class Head Soul Bone arrived in the city this morning. It's already been sealed in storage, and the auction starts in three days."
Without breaking stride, Ning Fengzhi glanced at his daughter, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Don't worry, Rongrong. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacks all sorts of things, but Gold Soul Coins are the one thing we can never spend all of."
"At the special auction in three days, as long as that Soul Bone makes it onto the display stand, I'll get it for you, no matter how many Gold Soul Coins it costs."
Beside him, Chen Xin walked with his hands behind his back, his snow-white robes smooth and uncreased. He nodded approvingly at those words.
"Head Soul Bones suited to support Soul Masters are hard enough to find, and the older they are, the more reliable they become. Now that it's in the auction house, there's no reason to let it fall into anyone else's hands."
Ning Rongrong gave a little hop of delight, then turned to look at Gu Feng behind her.
Gu Feng smiled and nodded in response.
But he knew that this Soul Bone would never make it to auction. Shi Nian would take it first.
The next morning, warm sunshine bathed Heaven Dou City.
Ning Rongrong sat on a stone stool in the rear courtyard of the Crown Prince's Residence, holding a plate of freshly baked Crispy Chestnut Cake.
She picked up a piece and held it to Gu Feng's lips, her voice full of anticipation:
"Brother Feng, do you think Prince Xue Xing's mustache will