Chase Outside the City
When they saw that he was a handsome young man, the Soul Masters instinctively cast him jealous looks, envious of his appearance.
Then they stared fixedly at Su Tianyu as though he were already dead, their eyes conveying the pointed message that he was courting death by daring to compete with a noble for a treasure. One after another, they wore expressions of anticipation, ready to enjoy the show.
"Oh? I didn't expect a commoner Soul Master to actually compete with me for the Hundred Treasure Purse. Steward Hu Bing, what do you think?"
Interest appeared in Li Dabao's eyes, and his lips curved into a playful smile. He turned to Hu Bing, who was sitting on the sofa beside him, and spoke teasingly.
Hearing his young master's question, Hu Bing opened his eyes. A cold, ruthless glint flashed through them as he slowly spoke.
"This commoner Soul Master really doesn't know whether to live or die. Didn't he see how the commoner Soul Masters in the hall all shut their mouths and stopped bidding once you made your offer, young master?"
"It wouldn't make sense to say he hasn't seen the world, either. After all, he's someone who managed to become a Soul Master. I don't believe he could be unaware of these unspoken rules of the Soul Master World. Since he wants to court death, I'll personally kill him once he leaves Haagen-Dazs City."
"Haha, Steward Hu, you really know my mind. You're nothing like those old things from the family back at the estate, always spouting grand principles. They say you have to watch out for unfamiliar Soul Masters when you're away from home, and that you shouldn't make enemies of them lightly when you don't know their background."
"That kid in the hall looks like a commoner Soul Master to me. How dare he bid against us nobles? He really doesn't know the rules. Steward Hu, keep a close eye on him. Once he leaves Haagen-Dazs Royal City, we'll go and rob him of everything valuable he has."
"Young master is right. The two of us will give him a proper lesson and teach him the rules for surviving in the Soul Master World, so he understands the rule about respecting nobles. That way, he can survive in the man-eating Soul Master World."
"We're showing him great kindness by doing this. I expect the kid will weep tears of gratitude, drop to his knees and kowtow on the spot, thanking us for sparing his life."
Hu Bing told Li Dabao what he thought. The two exchanged a glance, then both burst out laughing in the private room.
After laughing a few times, Hu Bing asked Li Dabao a question.
"Young master, should we raise the bid for the Hundred Treasure Purse? It's a treasure that can preserve the medicinal potency of herbs. If that kid wins it for just 120,000 Gold Soul Coins, won't he have gotten a huge bargain?"
After hearing Steward Hu out, Li Dabao waved a hand from his large armchair, as though he wasn't worried in the least about Su Tianyu getting a bargain. He spoke lazily, his interest waning.
"It's fine. Once he leaves Haagen-Dazs City, we'll follow him and stop him on the road. Then the Hundred Treasure Purse and everything else of value he has will all be ours. Let the kid be pleased with himself for now. Once he leaves the city, we'll take back what belongs to me."
In the auction hall, after Wang Qianqian heard Su Tianyu bid 120,000 Gold Soul Coins from the auction platform, the people in the private rooms above-
None of the noble Soul Masters called out another bid, so she could only bring the auction hammer down heavily on the display table. She picked up the Amplifying Soul Tool and called out her congratulations.
"Congratulations to this honored guest on winning the Hundred Treasure Purse for 120,000 Gold Soul Coins. After the auction ends, you may return to the auction hall to complete the handover of your purchase."
Time trickled by, and with the sale of the twentieth item, the auction came to a perfect end.
Su Tianyu rose and was just about to leave the auction hall when a Soul Master not far away walked toward him.
Su Tianyu had no choice but to stand where he was and watch them approach, his expression indifferent. He wanted to see what this commoner Soul Master wanted with him. If they had come to oppose him, then sorry, but once they left the auction venue, Su Tianyu would show them what cruelty meant.
"Young brother, you really are bold, daring to bid against a noble Soul Master for an auction item. Should I say you don't understand, or that you simply didn't take it seriously?
"Remember to be careful when you leave the auction. Some noble Soul Masters specialize in robbing people when their guard is down. Once you leave Haagen-Dazs City, don't stop to rest. Run as fast as you can. All I can do is warn you to be careful. As for the rest, take care of yourself."
With that, the commoner Soul Master walked away without looking back, leaving the auction with the many other Soul Masters in the hall.
Su Tianyu opened his mouth, intending to thank him, but who would have thought that as soon as the man finished speaking, he would leave without looking back?
Watching the man's retreating figure, Su Tianyu shook his head. He understood the substance of the warning. Having competed with a noble Soul Master for this treasure, there were matters to deal with afterward: Su Tianyu would have to personally take care of the tails following him.
"Heh, this is the Douluo Continent, where the weak are meat for the strong. Where is there any such thing as peaceful, carefree days? It's all a man-eating world. If you're strong, whatever you say is right, and there will naturally be great scholars to argue in your defense."
Su Tianyu went to the Starlight Auction House's hall and handed his auction paddle to a staff member. After a short wait, another staff member came over carrying a tray and lifted the red cloth covering it, revealing the Hundred Treasure Purse.
The Hundred Treasure Purse was about the size of a pocket. The golden and green colors of the cloth bag blended together beautifully, keeping it from looking overly plain and simple.
Su Tianyu reached out and picked up the Hundred Treasure Purse from the tray. He wrapped a piece of fruit in Soul Power and put it inside to check the item's actual effect. After confirming that there was no problem, he took out his black card and settled the payment in Gold Soul Coins on the spot.
He walked out of the Starlight Auction House's hall and onto the square outside. When some Soul Masters who had yet to leave saw him emerge, their gazes filled with malice and greed. They were just waiting for Su Tianyu to show an opening, whereupon they would all swarm him.
Seeing these commoner Soul Masters reveal their greedy natures to him, Su Tianyu sneered, gave them a cold glance, and walked toward the city without looking back.
By evening, the distant horizon was awash in the golden radiance of the setting sun, as beautiful as a painting of an immortal realm. Su Tianyu, however, was still fleeing for his life and clearly had no chance to stop and admire the sunset glow.
"Run, kid, run! If you run well enough to make me happy, I might just decide to spare your life."
Watching Su Tianyu fleeing for his life in the distance, Li Dabao opened his mouth and burst into laughter, as though watching Su Tianyu run for his life gave him a different kind of amusement.
Hu Bing, who was following beside Li Dabao, saw how delighted the young master was, grinning from ear to ear, and joined in his wild laughter. The two continued chasing after Su Tianyu.