The Auction

In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's private training forest, Ning Bei looked at the Red Cloud Elk before him, which wore an ingratiating expression, and nodded in satisfaction. After being nourished by the Alchemy Fragrance for a month, the little elk had successfully reached a cultivation of 130 years. One had to know that when it had first been captured, the little thing had only recently become a Hundred-Year Soul Beast.

Judging by the Alchemy Fragrance emitted by the first floor of the Pill Pagoda, it could increase a Soul Beast's cultivation by one year per day.

During this period, Ning Bei's Soul Power Level had also reached Level 13. Due to the sale of Elixirs, the pocket money he received from his Parents had increased as well, and several thousand Gold Soul Coins were already lying in his Storage Necklace.

In the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce, Ning Bei's Elixirs sold for three Gold Soul Coins each, and they were still in short supply. He estimated that the price would rise in the future. Although this amount of money was nothing to the immensely wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one had to remember that this was a business with no capital costs.

Including the New Year's money his Parents had given him before, Ning Bei could be considered a little tycoon even without relying on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resources. An ordinary commoner's family spent only one Gold Soul Coin a month.

Long periods of cultivation were extremely agonizing for someone like Ning Bei, who had experienced the colorful nightlife of his previous life.

But his Parents and the two elders had extremely high expectations of him, so Ning Bei had not slacked off too much. Even so, his restless heart was gradually becoming impossible to suppress.

Taking Xiaotao with him, he arrived at Gu Rong's residence and walked straight in without knocking.

"Bone Grandfather, I haven't left the Sect even once this month. Take me out for a stroll."

"Oh? How has your cultivation been these days?"

Gu Rong looked at the two of them in amusement.

"I reached Level 13 a few days ago. We Soul Masters need to pay attention to balancing work and rest too!"

Gu Rong thought about it. Ning Bei had indeed cultivated diligently during this period. Making a six-year-old little monkey stay in the Sect and cultivate every day was truly asking too much of him. The children of other Sects all fished for three days and dried their nets for two.

Ordinary children were already like this, let alone Ning Bei, the Sect's treasured darling.

"All right. Bone Grandfather will take you out for a stroll, but let me make this clear first: you aren't allowed to run around once you leave my side."

Ever since Ning Bei awakened his Martial Soul, his Parents had imposed even stricter restrictions on him. Before, he could still sneak off to Seven Treasure City with Xiaotao, but now, before they even reached the Sect's entrance, Chen Xin and Gu Rong would grab him by the neck of fate and haul him back.

"That's great, Bone Grandfather. Let's go!"

Xiaotao said nothing beside him, but a smile also bloomed across her face. Clearly, she had been bored to death staying in the Sect this past month as well.

The three of them left the Sect and arrived at Seven Treasure City, which belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

It had to be said that because of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth, Seven Treasure City was also incredibly prosperous. The streets were filled with endless hawking.

"Master, let's go browse Seven Treasure Clothing!"

It had to be said that all women, regardless of age, liked browsing clothing stores. The last time she had secretly snuck out with Xiaotao, Ning Bei had accompanied her there once. It had brought him a deep psychological shock while he was suppressed by Heaven's Dao. He could only exclaim that she truly deserved to be an agility-type Battle Soul Master—her street-shopping ability was maxed out!

Ning Tao's father was a collateral member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while her mother was from another clan. Ning Tao had not inherited her father's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but instead inherited her mother's Wind Spirit Cat.

Her Parents had been killed by a powerful Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast during a Soul Hunting expedition. With her innate Soul Power Level of five, she would originally have been sent to work at one of the Seven Treasure City businesses under the Sect after reaching adulthood. However, Ning's Mother saw that the Girl was well-behaved and happened to have Ning Bei around the time she was born, so she kept her at her side as a Maid.

As the saying went, even a seventh-rank official was influential when serving before the prime minister's gate. Relying on Ning Bei's status in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one dared slight his little Maid.

"Ning Tao, shut your mouth! No matter what you say, I'm not going clothes shopping with you this time. Do you know how difficult it is to come out now?"

After hearing Ning Tao's words, Ning Bei's head nearly shook so fast that it left afterimages.

Ning Tao nodded regretfully.

"Understood, Master. Then where are we going?"

Ning Bei thought for a moment, then looked at Gu Rong.

"Bone Grandfather, does the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce have an auction today?"

Gu Rong nodded with a smile.

"You're in luck. The weekly auction happens to be today. But it's still early, so let's wander around first."

"Then that's great! We'll go to the auction later, all right, Peach?"

"I'll do whatever Master says."

Gu Rong accompanied the two little ones around Seven Treasure City. Before long, both of their hands were filled with various snacks.

Their Storage Soul Tools were also packed with all sorts of novel trinkets.

Not long afterward, Gu Rong brought the two of them to the entrance of the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce.

"Come on in, Bei Er. The auction is about to begin."

When the guards at the entrance saw Gu Rong and Ning Bei, they hurriedly ran to call the Steward. The Steward came to the three of them and respectfully greeted them.

"Elder, Young Master, what brings you to the Chamber of Commerce today? Please, follow me."

"Bei Er was bored with cultivation, so I brought him out for a stroll. Arrange a private room for us."

"Yes."

They arrived at the private room Ning Fengzhi commonly used. The Steward ordered his servants to bring tea and snacks, then left a Maid behind before bowing and taking his leave.

Looking over the private room's luxurious decorations and the beautiful attendant standing to one side, Ning Bei silently complained to himself, That rotten old man sure knows how to enjoy himself.

Looking outside the private room, he saw people entering and taking their seats from time to time. Slowly, the entire auction hall filled with people.

Before long, the auction officially began. A young, beautiful woman wearing very little walked onto the stage.

"Esteemed guests, welcome to this auction. I am the auctioneer, Ya Fei."

"Next, I will introduce the auction items and conduct the bidding."

Upon hearing the auctioneer's name, Ning Bei wore a strange expression. Did I cross over into the wrong show again?

Before long, the first auction item was pushed onto the display platform. It was an exquisitely crafted formal gown.

"This is the first auction item of today's auction: an evening gown personally crafted by Mei Te Si, the chief designer of Seven Treasure Clothing Industry. The starting price is 500 Gold Soul Coins, and each bid must increase the price by at least 50 Gold Soul Coins. Distinguished guests who are interested may begin bidding."

"550 Gold Soul Coins."

"600."

"..."

"1050."

"Very good. Distinguished Guest No. 302 has bid 1050 Gold Soul Coins. Is there anyone willing to go higher? If not, this evening gown will belong to this distinguished guest."

From inside the private room, Ning Bei looked at the gorgeous evening gown onstage and thought of his old mother at home. It was time to show some filial devotion.

Ever since his Spirit Awakening, he had practically been confined to the house. Although he could understand their concerns, whenever he occasionally wanted to go out, he still needed someone to put in a good word for him.

Thus, Ning Bei waved toward the Maid in the private room.

"Oh! Distinguished Guest in Private Room No. 1 has bid 1200 Gold Soul Coins. Is there anyone willing to bid higher?"

"1200 Gold Soul Coins, once."

"1200 Gold Soul Coins, twice."

"1200 Gold Soul Coins, three times."

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Private Room No. 1 for obtaining this evening gown made by Grandmaster Mei Te Si."

The auctioneer, Ya Fei, struck the hammer in her hand that represented the conclusion of the sale, announcing the item's new owner.