Xiang Yin
Ten-Thousandfold Auction Returns, Starting with an Auction House!
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Xiang Yin (向音) |
| Gender | Female |
| Affiliation | Profound Heaven Auction House, Guangyang City 4 22 |
| Occupation/Role | Auctioneer; had worked at the auction house for many years 4 16 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 4 4 |
History
First Auction under Gu Fan
Xiang Yin conducted the auction following Gu Fan’s takeover of the Profound Heaven Auction House. She opened with the first-tier, upper-grade Four Symbols Pill, personally supplied by Gu Fan, which the Huang Lineage Head won for thirteen thousand low-grade spirit stones 4.
The less impressive lots that followed made her increasingly uncomfortable. She showed embarrassment when the Miao Lineage Head paid three thousand spirit stones for an ordinary Yellow Tiger core. By the fifth lot—a rusty, mundane Hundred-Refined Saber—she was struggling to maintain her smile amid open ridicule. Auction House Master Shi purchased the saber for two low-grade spirit stones, and Xiang Yin attempted to close the auction 5 6.
Zhu Huai interrupted her with an additional lot supplied by Gu Fan: the second-tier, low-grade Scarlet Flame Saber. After taking several deep breaths to recover her composure, she introduced it as the crowning treasure. She reassured skeptical bidders that Gu Fan himself had supplied it, then conducted the sale at a starting price of ten thousand low-grade spirit stones. The city lord ultimately won it for thirty thousand—the first second-tier magical treasure Xiang Yin had ever auctioned 7 8 9 16.
The Black Baleful Intent Snake Auction
At the next auction, Xiang Yin introduced an Incomplete Sword Manual containing seven progressively stronger moves. Citing the auction house’s appraisal, she explained that its final move reached peak-grade first-tier power. Commander Mad Wolf won the manual for twenty-five thousand low-grade spirit stones 13.
The subsequent lots again tested her confidence. After selling a first-tier black snake to the city lord, she worried that the eight remaining mundane items would drive guests away. She continued promoting them despite boos, but by the final scheduled lot, roughly two-thirds of the audience were rising to leave 14 15 16.
Zhu Huai then brought her a Black Baleful Intent Snake as an additional finale. Initially dismissing it as another unimpressive snake, Xiang Yin became terrified upon realizing it was a second-tier demonic beast capable of swallowing her. Its docile behavior eventually allowed her to recover. Excited by the opportunity and impressed by Gu Fan’s calmness, she announced the eleventh lot with renewed confidence, setting an opening bid of twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones 16 17.
Ninth Auction and Gu Fan’s Departure Announcement
By the ninth auction, Xiang Yin confidently addressed the auction house’s largest crowd yet. Audience members cheered and called out marriage proposals, briefly making her blush. She opened with a jug of Black Forest spring water; regular attendees now understood that mundane opening lots preceded valuable finales 22.
Before the tenth and final item, she yielded the center of the platform to Gu Fan, who announced his departure from Guangyang City and the restoration of monthly auctions and a five-percent commission. Xiang Yin then presented the second-tier, low-grade Spirit Heart Lotus, starting at ten thousand spirit stones 23.
Appearance
- Face: Described as resembling that of a fox enchantress 4.
- Voice: Melodious and lilting 4 13.
- Expression: Frequently presents a sweet smile while conducting auctions 13.
Personality
Xiang Yin tries to preserve a courteous stage presence even when embarrassed or discouraged. She repeatedly forces a smile through complaints, sarcastic bids, and threatened walkouts. Nevertheless, Gu Fan’s insistence on daily auctions featuring mundane goods leaves her privately anxious and unable to understand his decisions 5 6 14 15.
She takes considerable pride in her profession. The chance to auction second-tier treasures transforms her dread into excitement, and she feels honored to share in the Profound Heaven Auction House’s growing prestige. By the ninth auction, she has become noticeably more confident, though the crowd’s marriage proposals still fluster her 7 16 17 22.
Abilities & Skills
Auctioneering
- Introduces lots, explains their advertised qualities, and announces starting prices and minimum bid increases 4 8 13.
- Quietens excited crowds and maintains proceedings through complaints and skepticism 4 8 14.
- Uses a gavel to count down bids and confirm successful sales 13 15.
- Draws on years of experience to regain her composure before presenting exceptional treasures 7.
Treasure Knowledge
- Recognizes the Black Baleful Intent Snake and understands the danger posed by a second-tier demonic beast 16.
- Explains the Incomplete Sword Manual’s seven moves using the auction house appraisers’ assessment; the appraisal is not presented as her own 13.
Equipment
- Gavel — Used to close bidding and award auction lots 13 15.
- Voice-transmission artifact — Held while conducting the auction; her palm becomes drenched in sweat as she worries about the remaining mundane lots 14.
Relationships
- Gu Fan — Auction house master and her superior. His unexpected finale items repeatedly rescue difficult auctions, and she comes to admire his composure and ability to supply rare treasures 7 8 16.
- Zhu Huai — Steward who delivers Gu Fan’s additional lots to her onstage, including the Scarlet Flame Saber and Black Baleful Intent Snake 7 16.
- Miao Lineage Head — Recurring bidder. His purchase of the red milk fruit relieves her when she is about to declare it unsold; she does not initially know that he is bidding to gain Gu Fan’s attention 15.