The Eve of the Auction!

(The original characters appear gradually~)

After just one night, news spread through Suotuo City as if it had grown wings, and every faction moved the moment they caught wind of it.

The Suotuo City branch hall of Spirit Hall.

Jiang Shaocheng tapped his fingers against the tabletop, his expression dark.

"Soft Armor worth One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins?"

"In a small place like Suotuo City, an auction item of this level actually appeared."

A trace of greed flashed through his eyes, only to be suppressed by vigilance a moment later.

"This matter is no small thing. It must be reported to the Balak main hall at once."

"If it really is some extraordinary treasure, it absolutely cannot fall into someone else's hands."

He picked up his brush, quickly wrote a secret letter, handed it to a trusted subordinate, and instructed him to send it out with the utmost urgency.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, Liu Shaobing paced back and forth, his brows tightly furrowed.

"One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins..."

"What exactly is this Seven Treasures Auction House trying to pull?"

His thoughts were meticulous, and he sensed something unusual in the air.

"Suotuo City has already been unsettled lately. We had better not have any more trouble."

"Men, pass down my order. Strengthen patrols within the city, especially near the auction house. Strictly prevent anyone from causing trouble."

He paused, then added, "Also, prepare a generous gift. I will personally pay Manager Li An a visit."

Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena.

Arena Master Wu Chen slapped the table, making the teacups rattle wildly.

"Damn it! Soft Armor worth One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

"That old fox Li An—what kind of dogshit luck did he have to get his hands on something this good?"

He had a reckless temperament, but at this moment, his mind was also starting to work.

"No, I've got to go join the excitement too."

"Maybe I can pick up a bargain."

He stroked his chin, his eyes glittering.

"Go. Sell off the idle properties our Soul Arena has lately and exchange them for Gold Soul Coins."

"Move quickly!"

The Heaven Dou garrison camp in Suotuo City's Soul Hunting Forest.

Army Commander Zhang Chen wiped down his martial soul, the Green Steel Axe, its blade gleaming with a cold light.

"One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins?"

"Tsk, tsk. That really is a lavish move."

A fierce smile appeared on his face, carrying a somewhat unrestrained edge.

"After the Zhuge Crossbow was handed in, the people above still haven't given any response."

"But the waters of Suotuo City are getting muddier and muddier."

"Still, I like it."

"Pass down the order. Tell the brothers to stay sharp these next few days. There might be some fat sheep to slaughter."

"Ah, don't get it wrong. What we're robbing is what's in the hands of bandits and raiders. That's what you call ill-gotten wealth!"

For a time, undercurrents surged through Suotuo City, and countless people frantically raised funds for the auction that was about to arrive.

Some even went so far as to sell off their family property, and even the beautiful maidservants in their mansions were put up with price tags, all for the chance to win a single auction item at that grand event!

After all, something like the Zhuge Crossbow was far too important!

No one knew whether something like it would appear again at the next auction!

At the same time, a thousand miles away, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Rongrong, dressed in a fitted outfit, swaggered out of the sect.

Yesterday, she had immediately boarded a Thousand Mile Horse carriage and rushed back.

At this moment, she was tightly clutching a completely pitch-black card in her hand.

It was the highest-grade Black Crystal Card of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Hmph, that bastard Ning Liu. If this young lady wants it, then it belongs to this young lady. He actually dared to take this young lady's things to auction!"

Her delicate little face was full of anger, and then she leaped into the luxurious carriage that had long been waiting at the side.

"To Suotuo City's Seven Treasures Auction House. As fast as possible!"

The coachman did not dare delay. He cracked the whip and urged the horses on, and the carriage quickly drove away.

Ning Rongrong leaned against the soft cushion, thinking to herself.

A full One Million Gold Soul Coins. I refuse to believe I still can't buy back that Moonlight Spirit Rabbit Soft Armor!

Once I buy it back, just you wait and see how I deal with you, Senior Brother!

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, inside the Sect Master's office.

Ning Fengzhi sat in the main seat and let out a soft sigh.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone."

He looked at the two elderly men on either side, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.

"Aren't the two of you spoiling Rongrong a little too much?"

Sword Douluo Chen Xin stroked his long sword, his expression calm.

"She's a young girl. What's wrong with doting on her a little?"

"She is the future hope of the sect."

Bone Douluo Gu Rong pulled his lips into a grin, looking as if it were only natural.

"Exactly."

"She's the genius of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If we don't dote on her, are we supposed to let her suffer instead?"

"Besides, if she wants money, then give it to her. What's the problem?"

"The one thing our sect lacks least is money."

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his brow.

"But this time, she came straight back from Shrek Academy."

"What about her studies?"

"And I heard it was for that piece of soft armor, and that she needed One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"You just gave it to her that easily?"

Chen Xin gave a soft snort.

"A place like Shrek isn't worth going to anyway."

"An academy run by a bunch of Soul Emperors and Soul Saints—what could they possibly teach?"

"If Rongrong stays in our sect, with Old Bone and me personally instructing her, it's better than anything else."

Gu Rong nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, exactly."

"Besides, is One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins even a matter worth mentioning to her?"

"If she wants it, then give it to her."

"She's the genius of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Is she not even worth a bit of money?"

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a moment.

Of course he understood what the two of them were thinking.

They regarded Ning Rongrong as the apple of their eye and wished they could present the very best things in the world before her.

"I'm not talking about the money."

"I'm worried that if she continues like this, she'll develop a willful and reckless nature."

"That won't be good for her future growth."

Chen Xin said mildly, "She has the capital to be willful."

"As long as she's strong enough, what do a few little tempers matter?"

Gu Rong also said, "Little Ning is a bit spoiled, but when it comes to major rights and wrongs, she still knows what's what."

The next moment, his tone suddenly turned serious.

"However, don't be fooled by the girl's spoiled and unruly manner. Her mind is still rather simple. What if the family doesn't give her enough, and she gets deceived outside by someone's petty favors and little kindnesses?"

"Besides, we're watching over her."

Ning Fengzhi gave a wry smile.

"Forget it."

Then he changed the subject and brought up another person.

"Speaking of which, that auction in Suotuo City this time was supposedly also because of something that brat Ning Liu put out."

"That piece of soft armor was put up by him."

At the mention of Ning Liu, both their faces darkened.

"Fengzhi, we didn't know about this. If we had, no matter what, we wouldn't have let you do it!"

A trace of complicated emotion flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

"The sect rules are there. Those people in the Council of Elders are terribly pedantic. There wasn't much I could do."

Sword Douluo said calmly, "But he is still a disciple of the sect, after all..."

"I have always felt it was something of a pity that he left just like that."

He paused for a moment.

"This time, for him to cause such a stir in Suotuo City was beyond my expectations."

"It seems he has made something of himself outside as well."

Gu Rong also curled his lip.

"Ning Liu may have been lacking innately, but there was never anything wrong with his mind or character!"

Seeing their reactions, Ning Fengzhi made up his mind.

"How about this?"

He spoke.

"Since Rongrong has gone to Suotuo City, and that auction is also connected to that boy Ning Liu..."

"Why don't we secretly make a trip to Suotuo City and have a look?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled, then continued, "We'll go see Rongrong, and take a look at that boy while we're at it."

"And as for that Shrek Academy, whatever it really is like, we can see for ourselves and make sure Rongrong won't be bullied."

"Good."

Bone Douluo nodded.

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet.

"Then it's decided."

"We'll go quietly and not alarm anyone."

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

In Suotuo City, in front of Seven Treasures Auction House, the place was already packed with people.

"Have you heard? There are treasures at this auction!"

"Soft Armor with a starting bid of One Hundred Thousand Gold Soul Coins! When has Suotuo City ever had something like that?"

"Who knows? But someone who can bring out a treasure like that must have even better finale items!"

The people present discussed it animatedly, their faces filled with excitement.

Although most of them could not afford to buy anything, just going in to watch the excitement would still give them something to talk about.

"We can't afford it, but surely we can go in and have a look, right?"

"Exactly. It's good to broaden our horizons."

Just then, several luxurious carriages slowly approached and stopped at the entrance of the auction house.

Each carriage bore an illustrious emblem.

Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire garrison, the Balak Kingdom auction house...

There was even the carriage of the Prince of Balak Kingdom.

The carriage doors opened, and one figure after another stepped out, each with a steady bearing and powerful Soul Power fluctuations.

The Head of Balak Kingdom Spirit Hall Branch.

The Garrison Commander of the Heaven Dou Empire's Balak Kingdom forces.

The chief person in charge of the Balak Kingdom Grand Auction House.

The Prince of Balak Kingdom.

Every one of these people was a Soul Saint-level powerhouse!

The entire crowd instantly fell silent, their eyes widening.

The powerful aura emanating from them made the surrounding crowd unconsciously step back, clearing a path.

Soul Saints!

So many Soul Saint lords had actually come!

In a small place like Suotuo City, even a Soul King was rarely seen under normal circumstances, let alone a Soul Saint!

Just what kind of background did this auction have?

It had actually drawn so many important figures!

Li An, the auction house's steward, was all smiles as he hurried forward to welcome them.

He bent his waist extremely low, his manner respectful.

"Welcome, My Lords!"

"I am Li An, the supervisor of this auction."

"This way, My Lords!"

As he led the way, his heart swelled with immense pride.

Being able to invite so many Soul Saint lords to attend meant this auction was destined to be recorded in Suotuo City's history!

And all of it was thanks to the new venue master!

Afterward, under Li An's guidance, these important figures slowly entered the auction house.

Once all the important figures had gone inside, Li An returned to the entrance.

He cleared his throat and announced in a ringing voice.

"Ahem!"

"Esteemed guests!"

"Thank you all very much for your interest in this auction!"

"However, as seating inside is limited, in order to ensure the experience of our honored guests..."

The smile on his face did not change, but his tone carried a trace of unquestionable authority.

"This auction requires asset verification before entry!"

"Only those with assets exceeding ten thousand Gold Soul Coins may enter!"

The moment those words came out, another wave of exclamations erupted at the scene.

"What?!"

"Asset verification?!"

"Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins?! Isn't that the standard for your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Grade A auction houses?!"

"The Suotuo City Auction House is clearly only a Grade D Auction House!"

Many people who had originally come just to watch the excitement instantly hung their heads in dejection.

Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!

That was no small sum!

To ordinary people like them, it was practically an astronomical figure.

Those who had no money but wanted to watch the excitement could only leave in disappointment and resentment, slinking away with their tails between their legs.

But some people felt indignant and could not help speaking up in defiance.

"On what grounds?! We came here, so why should we have to verify our assets?"

"Exactly! You have no bearing at all. This is discrimination!"

"A shady shop! This is a shady shop!"

Some people even began to stir up the crowd, wanting to cause trouble.

The smile on Li An's face faded, replaced by cold indifference.

"Heh heh heh."

He did not waste any more words, but behind him, several figures slowly stepped out.

These people wore identical uniforms, with the emblem of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda embroidered on their chests.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Guard!

The leader's face was expressionless. He merely raised a hand, and the soul rings on his body abruptly lit up.

Two yellow, two purple, one black.

The Soul Power fluctuations from the man in front showed that he was unmistakably a Soul King!

And a Soul King with the optimal soul ring configuration at that!

The dozen or so people following behind him also revealed their soul rings one after another, all of them Soul Ancestors without exception!

The people who had been clamoring about causing trouble instantly fell silent.

This newly recruited Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Guard was simply a dimensional blow in a place like Suotuo City!

Afterward, Li An swept his gaze over the crowd of troublemakers.

"Is there anyone else who isn't convinced?"

"If you're not convinced, you may step forward now."