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Tang San frowned. The way that man had looked at Xiao Wu made his skin crawl!
Fortunately, he didn't know the specifics of the guy's thoughts—otherwise, the auction house entrance might've witnessed another "justifiable execution" speech.
Admittedly, though Xiao Wu was still as flat as a board, her proportions were undeniably alluring.
The man sighed after a few more glances before finally heading inside.
"What was that old creep's problem?"
Xiao Wu wasn't stupid. Glaring at his retreating back, she muttered under her breath.
"This auction place doesn't seem very… reputable."
Tang San studied the grandiose sign above the entrance, then turned his gaze to the main doors.
"Xiao Wu, maybe we should leave?"
He spoke tentatively. The noble's earlier words—and the way he'd looked at Xiao Wu—had soured his impression of the auction house.
He had no desire to linger.
But Xiao Wu's curiosity was as relentless as a cat with nine lives. If they didn't go in today, she'd be sulking for weeks.
"San-ge, let's just take a quick look!"
"I want to see why they think they're so much better than us…"
She turned her big, pleading eyes on him—a tactic she knew worked like a charm.
A little pout, and he'd cave instantly.
"Well…"
Tang San hesitated, glancing between her and the doors before finally nodding.
"Alright. Just a quick look."
A mere few steps past the entrance, the duo froze in stunned silence.
Holy—
The interior was drowning in gold and jewels!
"Guests, may we see your invitation or savings card?"
A voice snapped them back to reality. Only then did they notice the "greeters"—or perhaps gatekeepers—standing nearby.
The women wore half-masks and outfits far bolder than anything typically seen in the Douluo Continent.
Probably girls from poor families—given how little fabric covered their thighs…
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged blank looks.
Invitations? They understood the concept but didn't have one.
Savings card? What even was that?
Having never dealt with large sums of money, the term meant nothing to them.
Noticing their confusion, the greeter's tone turned flat.
"No invitation? No problem. As long as you can present a savings card with a balance of at least 100,000 gold soul coins, you may enter."
"Alternatively, if you're here to sell an item, you can gain entry after passing an appraisal."
Seeing their cluelessness about savings cards, the greeter's enthusiasm evaporated.
Why bother being polite to people who don't even have 100,000 coins?
After all, she herself was worth at least that much!
Every staff member here had a price tag of 100,000 gold soul coins or higher—hence the entry requirement.
(Special invites and consignors were exceptions.)
Tang San finally grasped the rules:
Prove you're rich, prove you've got something to sell—or get lost.
"Miss, we're here to consign an item. Where would the appraisal take place?"
After a brief pause, Tang San spoke up. He wasn't stupid—he'd quickly pieced things together.
The greeter's eyebrows rose slightly before she offered a perfunctory smile.
"Right this way, guests…"
"But first—would you like to wear masks? You see—"
As Tang San and Xiao Wu followed the greeter inside, three new arrivals stepped through the doors:
Zhongli, Paimon, and "Xue Qinghe."
The entrance wasn't guarded by one greeter but dozens—and that was just the ones who could fit by the door!
"Whoa! This is fancier than our own mansion!"
Paimon's jaw dropped the moment they entered.
The former Dugu residence—now Zhongli's estate—was among Heaven Dou City's most luxurious properties.
Yet compared to this auction house? It looked downright modest.
The moment her voice rang out, every greeter's head snapped toward the entrance.
Who dared compare their home to the auction house's grandeur?
Then they saw the newcomers—and their pupils shrank in shock.
The Crown Prince?!
Since when did His Highness visit the auction house?!
Wait—is that the Titled Douluo?!
None had seen Zhongli before, but Paimon was unmistakable!
That floating creature was too iconic!
"Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Lord Zhongli!"
The women bowed deeply, strategically showcasing their finest assets to "Xue Qinghe" and Zhongli.
Even behind masks, their smirks were visible.
If either of these two took a liking to them, they'd die happy!
So handsome!
Especially Lord Zhongli—he looks so young yet so dependable! His looks are only slightly inferior to the legendary readers!
"Xue Qinghe's" face darkened.
These women had no shame!
For a split second, she regretted bringing Zhongli here.
A sidelong glance confirmed Zhongli's expression hadn't shifted an inch—no flicker of interest, not even a change in his gaze.
Then again, she—Qian Renxue—was arguably one of the continent's most stunning women.
Yet Zhongli's eyes had never wavered when looking at her either.
…A slight blow to her pride.
Wait.
Was he just… too old for this?
Zhongli's back prickled with sudden unease. He frowned briefly before schooling his features.
"Rise."
"We're merely here to observe the auction."
"Lead the way."
"Xue Qinghe" shelved her odd thoughts and addressed the greeters.
"At once, Your Highness! Lord Zhongli!"
"Ah—before we proceed… would the three of you care for masks?"
This was standard procedure—even Emperor Snowgrave would be asked.
(The auction house's sole red private booth was reserved exclusively for him.)
"Huh? Like the ones you're wearing?"
Paimon pointed at the greeters' half-masks.
"Yes, little Paimon."
"Ooh, fun! We'll take them!"
The greeters exchanged glances.
For these three… masks were pointless.
Paimon could wear ten masks and still be recognized instantly.
In truth, the auction house's masks served one real purpose:
Letting guests shed their social masks instead.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 90 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.