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Inside the black VIP booth No. 1, Zhongli sipped his tea while his gaze subtly drifted toward the white seating area.
The subtle changes in Chen Xin's demeanor did not escape his notice.
"How interesting..."
Zhongli murmured, already anticipating the unfolding drama.
Without the Heartbreak Pink to conceal her aura, Xiao Wu's identity as a 100,000-year spirit beast was blatantly obvious.
To a Titled Douluo, she was as conspicuous as a torch in the dark.
You stand on the bridge admiring the view, while someone upstairs admires you.
As Zhongli observed the "farce" in the white zone, "Xue Qinghe's" eyes remained fixed on him.
Paimon: "???"
What about me?
"Consultant?"
"Xue Qinghe" followed Zhongli's gaze toward the white zone and immediately recognized the masked figures of Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.
"Ning Fengzhi... Chen Xin?"
She muttered, slightly surprised.
After a brief consideration, she dismissed it.
Ning Fengzhi was a frequent visitor to the auction house—after all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked many things, but never money!
With wealth came the pursuit of rare treasures.
What if a spirit bone appeared?
What if an ancient spirit tool surfaced?
The auction house was practically a second home to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin have visited Zhongli before—it's no surprise he recognizes them."
With that thought, she turned her attention back.
"What a coincidence, running into Teacher and the Sword Douluo here."
Her habit of addressing Ning Fengzhi as "Teacher" was ingrained from years of playing "Xue Qinghe."
And respect was necessary—she was still "Xue Qinghe" in public!
What if someone overheard and misunderstood?
Speaking of which—
The black VIP booth No. 2, adjacent to theirs, was currently occupied by Prince Snowstar!
Fortunately, the soundproofing in the black booths was excellent, so Snowstar remained oblivious to their conversation.
For his own safety, Snowstar played the role of a wastrel—a facade to reassure Snowgrave and "Xue Qinghe."
After all, Snowgrave himself hadn't ascended the throne through entirely legitimate means!
If Snowstar hadn't pretended to be useless, he might not be alive today.
Suddenly, "Xue Qinghe's" brow furrowed, her eyes flashing with golden light.
"Tang San... Xiao Wu?"
She had seen them at Heaven Dou City's gates about a month ago.
Especially Tang San—even masked, she'd recognize him in ashes!
In the original timeline, Tang San's close ties with Ning Fengzhi made sense.
If not for Tang San's hidden weapons, the assault on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't have been so devastating!
How could mere weapons pierce a god's heart?
"Xue Qinghe" stroked her chin, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, Tang San, and the others remained unaware that despite their "low profile," they had already drawn attention.
Tang San and Xiao Wu wore the uniforms of Blue Tyrant Academy—one reason Ning Fengzhi had approached them.
Still oblivious to Xiao Wu's true identity, Ning Fengzhi chatted amiably about the auction house's workings.
Chen Xin, however, stood with arms crossed, his gaze repeatedly flickering toward Xiao Wu.
A 100,000-year spirit beast in human form!
She represented a 100,000-year spirit ring—and a 100,000-year spirit bone!
And she was practically defenseless!
Normally, even Chen Xin might struggle against a 100,000-year spirit beast.
But a human-form one?
All the rewards, none of the risk.
After a moment's deliberation, Chen Xin decided the auction house was not the place to act.
The repercussions would be too severe.
He could always strike after they left.
The fewer who knew, the better.
Time passed, and after roughly the length of an incense stick's burn, a figure finally appeared on the auction stage.
The event was about to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House."
As the auctioneer's voice rang out, the murmurs and odd noises throughout the hall gradually faded.
With the auction officially starting, the nobles' playful antics subsided.
"Our first item tonight—"
The auctioneer gestured as a staff member approached, carrying a tray veiled in red silk.
At the same time, several strongmen hauled a steel plate onto the stage.
Those with sharp eyes would notice the plate bore several pierced holes...
Testimony to the item's destructive power.
"This first lot is called Sand-Shadow Shot!"
With a flourish, the auctioneer unveiled the item—a compact mechanical device.
"This weapon delivers a strike equivalent to a Great Spirit Master's full-force attack. The steel plate behind me is proof of its potency."
"Most remarkably—it requires no spirit power! Even an ordinary person can wield it with identical effect..."
The auctioneer, despite his years of experience, had never encountered such a marvel.
A weapon that bypassed spirit power entirely!
While a Great Spirit Master's strike meant little to nobles, the true value lay in its instant activation and accessibility—a perfect emergency tool.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed at the description.
No spirit power needed?
Even if it did, so what?
Since when did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lack spirit power?
*They lacked offensive and defensive means!
(Specifically, the direct bloodline — those with the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda spirit.)
"If this Sand-Shadow Shot could be mass-produced..."
That was Ning Fengzhi's true interest.
"Starting bid—1,000 gold soul coins!"
"Minimum increment—100 gold soul coins!"
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged startled glances.
*The first auction item was his creation—the Sand-Shadow Shot!
Tang San was more than satisfied with the 1,000-coin starting price.
The materials cost mere pennies in comparison.
What profit margin was this?!
"White Zone, Seat 65—5,000 gold soul coins!"
"Heavens! White Zone 65 has placed a 5,000-coin bid! They seem determined to win..."
And so it began—the price skyrocketed from the very first bid...
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 95 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.