Auction

The stall owner naturally saw that Huo Hai was interested and whispered to him, "Friend, are you thinking of going to the auction house? I advise you not to go in lightly. That isn't a place ordinary people can enter."

Huo Hai could not help showing a puzzled expression. "Why? Could entering the auction house be dangerous?" This was the Underground Black Market. The one capable of establishing such an auction house here had to be Imperial City Academy's Purple Thistle. They would not persecute people from their own academy, would they? Or was there some hidden story within?

"Of course there's no danger. If this place were dangerous, then nowhere in Imperial City Academy would be safe."

After a pause, the stall owner said in a low voice, "However, to enter the underground auction house, you need at least a thousand Academy Contribution accumulated beforehand. Otherwise, entry is forbidden." To get in, one needed contribution. That was the threshold.

Huo Hai nodded. The Heavenly Spirit Continent was strict in its hierarchy; it was the same everywhere. Huo Hai had long experienced this rigid hierarchy within the academy. It was also a spur that drove people to cultivate and improve themselves without cease.

"A thousand Academy Contribution—there should be quite a few people who can reach that, right? Why shouldn't one enter lightly?"

The man stared at Huo Hai in astonishment. The surprise in his eyes could not be concealed even by his mask. "Y-you don't really think Academy Contribution is that easy to earn, do you? Forget it, perhaps you come from a better background. Ordinary people like us can't compare. The moment academy missions are released, most of them are claimed. What remains are missions of extremely high danger."

"Few people dare accept those missions. Usually, we cannot