"Congratulations to Sect Master Ning on winning this ten-thousand-year-old whale rubber!"
But unexpectedly...
When everyone saw Ning Fengzhi receive his auction item, he did not look the least bit happy.
Instead, his expression grew even darker!
Unable to make heads or tails of it, everyone could only sigh.
Perhaps this was what important people were like!
Their tempers changed like the weather!
Had Ning Fengzhi known what these people were thinking, he might have felt even worse.
His own daughter had told him to bid on this whale rubber, and it was going to some little brat, too.
How could an old father like him possibly be happy?
Any normal person would feel absolutely miserable, all right!
But the others did not know.
They could only look at Ning Fengzhi with envy.
They could all imagine that tonight might not be a peaceful night in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's rear courtyard.
When Yu Tianlong saw that he had won the bid...
He grinned so broadly that he could not close his mouth.
He thanked Ning Fengzhi:
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll be sure to put this piece of whale rubber to good use!"
Although there was nothing ambiguous about Yu Tianlong's words...
No matter how Ning Fengzhi listened to them, they sounded wrong!
But looking at the smile all over his daughter's face...
Ning Fengzhi's lips moved several times, yet no words came out.
After heaving a sigh...
He chose to close his eyes.
He kept comforting himself inwardly.
She's my own daughter, and I brought them together myself. Don't get angry, don't get angry!
But hearing Yu Tianlong and his daughter laughing and playing beside him filled Ning Fengzhi's heart with bitterness.
He realized that he seemed to be something of a slave to his daughter.
In any case, this feeling was far too awkward!
This atmosphere persisted until the auction ended. After winning the Thousand-Year Soul Bone, Ning Fengzhi could no longer stand it.
"Xiaolong, let's call it a day for the auction. There won't be anything good after this!"
"Let's collect our things first. I still have some matters to handle back at the sect."
Yu Tianlong was no fool, either, and naturally could tell that something was off with Ning Fengzhi.
Still, Yu Tianlong kept feeling as though Ning Fengzhi's left and right brains were fighting each other.
He had set this up himself, yet now he was getting angry. What a sore loser!
But Yu Tianlong did not keep dancing through his minefield. A little fun was enough!
What if he really pushed him over the edge?
So when Ning Fengzhi called to him...
Yu Tianlong replied very respectfully:
"All right, Uncle Ning. I was just thinking of seeing what effects that whale rubber has, too."
Walking ahead of them, Ning Fengzhi faltered and nearly fell.
Chen Xin and Qian Renxue, on the other hand, did not think much of it.
Only someone with ulterior thoughts would have their defenses shattered upon hearing that!
Meanwhile, when the host onstage and the bidders below saw the group leave...
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
The pressure had been too great.
They had been terrified that some auction item they fancied would catch the big shot's eye again.
That feeling was far too tormenting!
Yu Tianlong and the others followed the passage outside.
They walked out of the auction center together. The moment they stepped through the door, an attendant immediately approached them, different from the attendants Yu Tianlong and the others had seen earlier.
This attendant's clothing was not revealing, and her long dress was silver. She was also prettier.
Although she could not be called an unparalleled beauty, she was still quite attractive.
"Honored guests, please follow me."
The girl's voice was soft and delicate, exceptionally pleasant to the ear.
It was very soothing.
After bowing extremely respectfully to Yu Tianlong and Ning Fengzhi, the girl in the silver dress gestured for them to follow.
Ning Fengzhi raised his hand, signaling for her to lead the way.
He remained silent throughout.
Led by the girl in the silver dress, they entered a room beside the auction center.
The room was spacious but elegantly furnished, with comfortable white leather sofas and four kinds of exquisite fruit on a round coffee table.
The girl in the silver dress said:
"Please rest here for a moment, you three. Your auction items will be delivered shortly."
Yu Tianlong did not stand on ceremony at the sight. He plopped down on the sofa and began eating the fruit.
He reached out, grabbed a piece of fruit, and took a bite, sending juice spilling out.
"It's sweet. Tastes good. Rongrong, would you like some?"
Yu Tianlong picked up a bowl of fruit and held it out to Ning Rongrong.
Seeing what Yu Tianlong was doing, Ning Rongrong followed his example and sat beside him.
After taking the fruit, she began eating.
Watching the two little ones getting along so harmoniously, Ning Fengzhi drew a deep breath.
He kept trying to reason with himself inwardly.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later, sooner or later. Don't get angry, don't get angry!"
Seeing Ning Fengzhi like this, Qian Renxue and Chen Xin did not know what would be appropriate to say.
What a temper!
Fortunately, this atmosphere did not last long.
Soon, there were a few soft knocks at the door.
The same soft, delicate voice from earlier came from outside.
"Honored guests, your items are here. May we come in?"
His face still dark, Ning Fengzhi slowly replied to those outside:
"Come in!"
After opening the door, the girl entered first, followed by several girls carrying trays.
On them were none other than the whale rubber and the Soul Bone.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Yu Tianlong and finally sighed again.
He handed over a red card.
"Settle the bill for me!"
Seeing this, Yu Tianlong had wanted to offer his thanks, but Ning Fengzhi stopped him.
"There's no need between family!"
"Just remember the kindness of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"You mustn't do anything to wrong the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the future!"
Seeing Ning Fengzhi like this, Yu Tianlong instinctively glanced toward Qian Renxue. Seeing no reaction from her, he spoke directly according to his own thoughts:
"I understand. I'll remember!"
Ning Fengzhi waved his hand.
"We're family. There's no need to talk like outsiders!"
Soon, Ning Fengzhi's red card was handed back.
After saying a few brief words to Yu Tianlong, Ning Fengzhi prepared to leave.
After all, he had already accomplished what he had come here to do.
Naturally, he had no reason to stay.
But upon seeing that piece of whale rubber, Ning Fengzhi still could not help feeling a slight pang in his heart.
Now, all he wanted was to leave this place as quickly as possible.
It was simply too tormenting!
"Goodbye, Brother Long. Remember to come play with me!"
"Mm-hmm, I'll come find you and play!"
After receiving his answer, Ning Rongrong smiled happily.
After all, back at the sect, everyone treated her with immense respect and kept their distance from her.
Now that she had finally met a boy who was not afraid of her and was willing to play with her, Ning Rongrong was somewhat reluctant to part.
That was why she had invited him.
Seeing this, Chen Xin, who stood to the side, nodded in satisfaction.
"My good grandson, if you have any questions about cultivation, remember to come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and find Grandpa!"
"All right, Grandpa Sword. If there's anything I don't understand, I'll definitely come ask you!"
After Chen Xin finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi and the others left the auction house.
Once he was certain they had gone far away, Yu Tianlong slumped onto the sofa and looked at Qian Renxue, speaking feebly:
"Come on, big brother. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect treating me this well, what am I supposed to do?"
Qian Renxue smiled and calmly said:
"Those who achieve great things do not sweat the small stuff!"