How Can I Possibly Show This Thing Off!

However, Ning Liu's laughter did not last long.

The delight on his face quickly faded. He then turned around and looked at Li An, who was still stunned.

"Manager Li."

"There's no need for a meal."

"Go and prepare the next auction immediately."

The expression on Li An's face instantly froze.

An auction right away?

This new Field Master... was certainly decisive.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

For example, their Grade D Auction House had scarce supplies to begin with, and Suotuo City was only so-so. If they hastily organized an auction, the quality of the auction items would surely be mediocre...

Or perhaps, as a newly appointed official, shouldn't he first familiarize himself with the situation and understand Suotuo City's market?

He recalled the previous young Field Master, who had also arrived brimming with ambition and eager to make a grand show of things.

And what had happened?

The first auction had ended dismally. The final profit had not even covered the venue maintenance and staff expenses. Unable to bear the blow, he had immediately become deranged.

After all, reality's slap was often louder than one's imagination.

Just as Li An was choosing his words and preparing to offer some tactful advice, Ning Liu cut him off with his next sentence.

"The auction will be held tomorrow night."

There was no room for negotiation in his tone.

"Release the news now."

"Find me nine decent auction items."

"As for the final centerpiece..."

Ning Liu paused, a fiery gleam flashing through his eyes.

"I have my own arrangements."

As he spoke, he took a card from his robes and held it out before Li An.

The card was entirely black, with dark golden patterns embedded along its edges. At its center was a small Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda emblem.

This was...

Heaven Dou Empire Merchant Association Universal Black Card

Li An's pupils abruptly contracted.

He had only ever seen this kind of black card in the hands of distinguished guests from major cities or core figures from powerful sects!

"There are ten thousand Gold Soul Coins in here," Ning Liu said calmly.

"Use the money inside for the auction's early publicity and to acquire auction items."

"The time is short, but you must make it a major event."

Holding the weightless black card, Li An's hands began to tremble.

Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!

Even in its best year, their Grade D Auction House's annual revenue was only around a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!

This new Field Master had casually taken out ten thousand Gold Soul Coins as startup funds?

Countless thoughts flashed through Li An's mind.

Could it be... this man had not been sent here as punishment?

Was he the descendant of some important figure in the sect, sent down here to gain experience?

Or had he come with some special mission?

And the final centerpiece auction item would be personally arranged by the Field Master...

Could it be some earth-shattering treasure?

Was the Field Master planning to use this very first auction to make the auction house famous throughout Suotuo City?!

At that thought, Li An's worries and doubts instantly vanished, replaced by a long-lost excitement and fervor!

Perhaps this young Field Master truly could bring a turning point to this Death Aura-ridden auction house!

"Yes, Field Master!"

"This subordinate understands!"

Li An straightened his back, seeming to become ten years younger!

"Please rest assured, Field Master. Though Suotuo City is small, as long as we have enough hype and decent auction items, we can still attract quite a few people!"

"I'll go contact some of the city's long-established shops, as well as a few familiar soul master mercenary groups, and see if we can get our hands on anything good!"

Ning Liu nodded.

"Very good."

"Go."

Li An gave Ning Liu another deep bow, then turned and barked at the subordinates behind him, who were still standing there in a daze.

"What are you standing around for?!"

"Xiao Wang, take the Field Master to the Field Master's Office to rest!"

"The rest of you, come with me! Get moving!"

With that, he hurriedly led the other two out through the Auction House's main doors.

Only then did the named Xiao Wang come to his senses. He quickly trotted over to Ning Liu, wearing a fawning smile.

"Field Master, this way, please. I'll take you to the Field Master's Office."

Ning Liu said nothing more and followed the young man named Xiao Wang through the deserted auction hall toward the rear courtyard.

The Field Master's Building stood in an independent small building in the rear courtyard. It was not large, and its furnishings were quite simple.

The second floor was for resting, while the first floor was for work and receiving guests. There was only a desk, several chairs, and a bookcase.

"Field Master, please rest first. If you need anything, just call for me at any time."

Xiao Wang led Ning Liu to the second floor and said with a bow and a scrape. Then, tactfully, he withdrew and gently closed the door behind him.

Ning Liu was now alone in the room.

He walked to the window and gently drew the heavy curtains, completely shutting out the light from outside.

The entire room immediately fell into darkness.

The system was far too unbelievable. Naturally, he could not let anyone know about it.

He stood in the middle of the room, and with a thought—

"System, summon the Soul Saint Level Guardian."

Command confirmed.

Summoning Soul Saint Level Guardian...

Bzz—

A faint spatial ripple sounded, and the air before Ning Liu rippled like water.

Immediately afterward, a tall, upright figure silently appeared in the room.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in black fitted clothing, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

The instant he appeared, a powerful yet restrained aura filled the entire room.

Soul Saint Level Guardian: Wang Wei

Martial Soul: Mystic Armor Earth Dragon (Defense Type)

Soul Power Level: Level 75

Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black

The moment Wang Wei appeared, he dropped to one knee, placed his right hand over his chest, and lowered his head toward Ning Liu.

"Wang Wei greets his master."

A Level 75 Soul Saint!

Ning Liu looked at Wang Wei kneeling before him and felt the pure aura of a true powerhouse. His heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Even within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not every core disciple could have a Soul Saint-level guardian!

Normally, only the sect's true prodigies or core elders who had made tremendous contributions to the sect received such treatment.

And now, he—a disciple sent away after being "abandoned" by the sect—actually had a Level 75 Soul Saint as his guardian!

This beginner's gift pack was ridiculously generous!

With Wang Wei around, Ning Liu believed that as long as nothing too unexpected happened, his safety in this small corner of Suotuo City would be absolutely guaranteed.

"Rise, Wang Wei."

Ning Liu calmed himself and spoke.

"Yes, my lord."

Wang Wei rose and stood quietly to one side, his aura completely restrained. Unless one sensed him carefully, it was nearly impossible to detect his formidable soul power.

Ning Liu nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, the system's voice sounded once more.

Beep beep...

It has been detected that the host is about to hold his first auction. Please confirm whether to begin drawing the mandatory auction item?

A compulsory auction item?

Ning Liu's heart stirred.

The system rules mentioned that at every auction, the system would randomly select an item closely associated with a "specific person" and forcibly list it for auction.

He was rather curious.

Who would this so-called "specific person" be? And what kind of item would it be?

Hopefully, it would be something worthwhile. Since it came from the system and was even forcibly listed, it couldn't be too bad, right?

Something like a cultivation manual or a rare Soul Bone would be best.

After all, he could receive returns from it!

"Confirm selection."

Ning Liu silently recited in his heart.

Selection commencing...

A gentle glow appeared out of thin air before Ning Liu, slowly rotating.

Within the light, the outline of an item could vaguely be seen gradually becoming clearer.

Ning Liu held his breath and stared intently at the glowing mass.

Here it came!

What would it be?

The light faded.

A pink... pajama set with fluffy rabbit ears drifted lightly into Ning Liu's hands.

Ning Liu lowered his head and looked at the pink Bunny Ear Pajamas in his hands. They felt soft and silky to the touch and even carried a faint, sweet fragrance. His entire body froze.

Auction Item Name: Xiao Wu's Pajamas (Pink · Rabbit Ear Style)

Item Description: Pajamas worn daily by a certain young girl, retaining her faint body fragrance and possessing an indescribable attraction to certain groups of people.

Compulsory Auction Requirement: Must be auctioned as the tenth item of this auction, namely the finale item.

Starting Price: 500 Gold Soul Coins.

Ning Liu: "..."

He slowly raised his head, the muscles in his face twitching slightly.

Xiao Wu?

Who?

And they retained body fragrance, with an indescribable attraction to certain groups of people?

More importantly, the starting price was five hundred Gold Soul Coins?!

He was now a Soul Grandmaster. At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even his monthly disciple allowance was only ten Gold Soul Coins!

Yet this pajama set, which looked like nothing more than cute and somewhat fragrant, had a starting price of five hundred Gold Soul Coins?!

That was more than his entire fortune after years of painstaking saving!

"System!"

Ning Liu finally could not hold back and let out a silent roar in his heart.

"You call this thing an auction item?!"

"And the finale item at that?!"

"A starting price of five hundred Gold Soul Coins? Why don't you just rob people?!"

"This thing... how am I supposed to put this up for auction?!"

He had originally hoped the system would come through and provide a genuine treasure for the finale item, using the ten thousand Gold Soul Coin promotion to make a big first impression.

But instead... this?

If Li An found out that the grand finale treasure this new Field Master had "made his own arrangements" for was this...

Would Li An think he had truly gone insane?

At once, Ning Liu held the pajama set carrying a girl's sweet scent and felt as though it were scorching hot in his hands.

He could even imagine the expressions of those expectant guests below the stage when this "finale auction item" was presented on the auction platform.

Anger? Shame? Agony?

Wait...

The fourth rule of the system suddenly flashed through Ning Liu's mind.

Intense emotional fluctuations... the return multiplier would receive a random critical increase?

Perhaps...

This bizarre auction item was not entirely useless after all?

The corners of Ning Liu's mouth involuntarily curled upward.