This Item... Has Extremely High Collectible Value!

"Rest assured, Host. All living beings returned by the system are absolutely loyal to the Host and have no possibility of betrayal."

"As for auctions, if the Host puts up an item returned by the system for auction, it cannot be returned again!"

The cold mechanical voice replied in his mind without a trace of emotion.

Absolutely loyal?

Ning Liu froze.

It was not that he doubted the system's words. It was just that the value of this "loyalty" was far too high.

This was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, a Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger!

That thing was loyal to him?

A thought sprang uncontrollably into his mind: Didn't that mean he now had a... super bodyguard at least on the level of a Titled Douluo?!

Ning Liu's heart began racing again. This time, it was not out of fear, but an unbelievable, ecstatic joy.

He knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had two Titled Douluo.

But even those two Titled Douluo might not be able to defeat a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, right?

"Wait. Loyalty is one thing, but how am I supposed to raise this thing...?"

Ning Liu's thoughts began to drift.

He could not just leave it in the system space, could he? What would be the difference between that and not having it at all?

Let it out? Where would he put it?

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's property in Suotuo City was only so large. Even the backyard was not big enough for it to roll around in.

He could not possibly lead it through the streets on a walk, could he?

The image was too beautiful. He did not dare imagine it.

And what did it eat?

It was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. He could not feed it ordinary meat, could he? Did he have to feed it Soul Beasts? Or heavenly treasures?

He could not afford to raise it!

Ning Liu felt like his head was about to split in two.

But at the very least, auctioning it off was impossible!

In a tiny city like this, who could afford it? Wouldn't that be a total loss?

Besides, this was simply too astonishing!

If someone truly coveted it, even Titled Douluo might come looking into his secrets!

He only had one Soul Saint under his command. How could he protect himself?!

While he was lost in wild thoughts, struggling with this sweet yet deadly burden, the proceedings on the auction stage did not stop.

Li An's voice rang out again, carrying professional enthusiasm.

"The next auction item is somewhat special."

His words drew the attention of the entire hall.

Two staff members carried up a cage covered with black cloth. It was much smaller than the previous tiger cage, but still heavy.

"This is a... ah, a noble young lady from Luori City in the Starbar Kingdom."

Li An chose his words carefully.

The black cloth was lifted from the cage, revealing the figure curled up inside.

She was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a torn but still faintly luxurious gown. Her golden hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears and terror, and her hands were bound behind her back.

She was remarkably beautiful. Even in such a miserable state, her noble bearing could not be concealed.

A low murmur rose throughout the Auction House.

Auctioning people was not uncommon on the continent, especially defeated nobles or slaves.

But directly auctioning the clearly identified daughter of a city lord, and one from the Starbar Kingdom at that, was rather sensitive.

The Starbar Kingdom was a vassal state of the Star Luo Empire. Its relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire was tense, and clashes occurred from time to time.

"This young lady is of noble status. She is the only daughter of the Luori City Lord. The starting bid is One Thousand Gold Soul Coins, and each bid increase must be no less than one hundred Gold Soul Coins."

Li An quickly announced the price, seemingly eager to get this item over with.

The atmosphere turned cold for a moment.

Although the girl was beautiful, buying the daughter of a city lord from a hostile vassal state might bring unnecessary trouble.

"One Thousand One Hundred Gold Soul Coins."

A sinister voice came from some corner.

"One Thousand Two Hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

Another voice immediately followed.

The price began to rise slowly.

In the end, the Starbar Kingdom city lord's daughter was bought by someone in a private room on the second floor for One Thousand Three Hundred Gold Soul Coins.

Ning Liu did not feel much about it. Auction Houses were like this; all sorts of strange things could appear.

What he cared about more was...

Ding! The daughter of the Luori City Lord in the Starbar Kingdom has been successfully auctioned! Transaction price: 1,300 Gold Soul Coins. Random return multiplier in progress...

It was happening again!

Ning Liu perked up.

How many times would it be this time?

It could not still be a thousandfold return, could it?

Was the system planning to give him a hundred city lords' daughters?

Spare him!

He had nowhere to house them!

Congratulations, Host, you have received: a 100-fold return!

Congratulations, Host, you have received: Gold Soul Coins!

Clatter!

Ning Liu heard the sound of coins hitting the ground in his mind.

One hundred and thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins!

He let out a long breath, then could not help laughing bitterly.

The system had been quite practical this time. It had directly given him money.

That was good. It saved him the trouble.

Although he had not received anything earth-shattering, one hundred and thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins was still an enormous sum.

In a corner of the Auction House.

Dai Mubai watched as the girl was taken away by the staff, and an uncontrollable fury flashed through his golden eyes.

His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

The Star Luo Empire!

People from the Star Luo Empire again!

As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he could only watch helplessly as the empire's citizens—even the daughter of a city lord—were auctioned here like merchandise, yet he could do nothing.

The humiliation made his chest feel tight.

But there was nothing he could do.

He was only a disgraced prince fleeing from reality. He did not even know whether he would survive in the future!

The auction continued.

"The sixth auction item: a Star Blue Sapphire, pure and flawless, containing faint ice-element energy. It has been verified as an excellent material for crafting Soul Tools or inlaying weapons. The starting bid is eight hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

Ding! Star Blue Sapphire successfully auctioned! Transaction price: 1,100 Gold Soul Coins. 10-fold return obtained! Congratulations, Host, you have received: Ten Thousand Year Cold Crystal!

"The seventh auction item: Thousand Year Peach Resin, extracted from the essence of a thousand-year-old peach tree. It contains immense Life Energy and is an excellent supplementary material for healing injuries! The starting bid is One Thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Ding! Thousand Year Peach Resin successfully auctioned! Transaction price: 1,250 Gold Soul Coins. 50-fold return obtained! Congratulations, Host, you have received: Ten Thousand Year Peach Resin!

"The eighth auction item: Thousand Year Red Fire Snake Fruit, grown deep within volcanoes. Its fire poison is potent, both righteous and sinister, and it can aid cultivation for fire-element Soul Masters or poison-element Soul Masters. The starting bid is One Thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Ding! Thousand Year Red Fire Snake Fruit successfully auctioned! Transaction price: 1,800 Gold Soul Coins. 50-fold return obtained! Congratulations, Host, you have received: Ten Thousand Year Red Fire Snake Fruit (one fruit)!

"The ninth auction item: Star Iron, weighing one hundred jin and possessing immense density. Neither water nor fire can harm it, making it an exceptional material for forging divine weapons! The starting bid is One Thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Ding! Star Iron successfully auctioned! Transaction price: 1,480 Gold Soul Coins. 100-fold return obtained! Congratulations, Host, you have received: Deep Sea Sinking Silver (the size of a fist)!

Four auction items in a row were successfully sold, triggering the system's returns.

Tenfold, fiftyfold, fiftyfold, one hundredfold.

Ning Liu looked at the new items on the system panel, his expression calm.

Of these items, only the Deep Sea Sinking Silver felt unfamiliar to him. It was probably quite rare. As for the others, they could only be considered fairly valuable.

However, compared to the Aromatic Silk Beauty and that Golden-Eyed Void-Tearing Tiger, the shock these items brought seemed far less intense.

Ning Liu silently thought.

My tastes have been spoiled.

Of course, no matter how small a mosquito was, it was still meat. And these were no mosquitoes, but genuine treasures.

His wealth was accumulating at an astonishing rate.

But now, only the final item remained—the auction item he had truly been waiting to see reach its climax tonight.

On the auction stage, Li An cleared his throat. His face carried a solemn expression, even one that could be called reverent.

His voice spread throughout the auction hall.

"Distinguished guests!"

"Thank you all for your patronage tonight. This auction is nearing its end."

"What comes next will be the final auction item of this event!"

"And also the grand finale!"

Li An paused, emphasizing his next words.

"This item was personally provided by the Field Master of our Seven Treasures Auction House, Lord Ning Liu!"

Whoosh!

An item personally provided by the Field Master?

The auction hall fell silent for a moment before erupting into even louder discussion.

Everyone's curiosity was aroused.

With the surname Ning, he had to be a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. His knowledge and collection would certainly be extraordinary.

What would the grand finale item he brought out be?

A rare treasure?

A powerful Soul Bone?

Or perhaps something long lost?

Inside a private room on the second floor.

City Lord Liu Shaobing stroked his chin, a glint flashing through his eyes.

Jiang Shaocheng, the Martial Soul Hall Branch Master, wore a faint sneer as well, seemingly wanting to see what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could bring out to put on such a show.

Everyone focused their attention on the auction stage.

Li An took a deep breath and gestured toward the backstage.

A staff member carefully carried up a tray covered with red velvet.

On the tray lay a... neatly folded... pink piece of clothing?

There also seemed to be two fluffy ear decorations on it.

What was this?

Everyone was utterly baffled.

Li An's ability to maintain his expression nearly collapsed at that moment.

But he still forced out a professional smile and introduced it in a tone that was nearly gritted through his teeth, yet had to remain professional.

"Ahem... This final grand auction item is called..."

He paused, seemingly trying to prepare himself mentally.

"According to the description provided by the Field Master, this is..."

"The everyday sleepwear worn by a cute young lady of mysterious identity!"

"Its material is special, its craftsmanship exquisite, and it also... retains the young lady's faint, refreshing natural fragrance."

Li An's voice echoed through the spacious auction hall, sounding especially clear, and especially... strange.

The entire hall fell deathly silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed, wondering whether their ears had malfunctioned.

Sleepwear?

With a lingering fragrance?

A pink rabbit-ear design?

This was the grand finale item brought out by the Field Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect???

Li An forced himself onward and continued reading from the card in his hand.

"This item... ah... possesses extremely high collectible value and... aesthetic value."

"The starting bid is: five hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

"Each increase must be no less than... ten Gold Soul Coins."

After saying that, Li An quickly stepped half a pace back, as if the pink sleepwear on the tray were some terrifying flood beast!