Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Auction (Part One)

Zi Chenyu didn’t even spare Chao Xiong a glance. He turned around and walked straight to Dao Sansheng’s side, bowing slightly at the waist and cupping his fists in greeting.

“Young Master Dao, it’s been a long time—I’ve almost missed you,” he said, then stood beside Dao Sansheng.

“That token of yours grants you entry. No need to buy a ticket,” Dao Sansheng pointed to the token that Zi Chenyu had just held in his hand, though it had already been put away at some point. “You may use a private box on the second floor. If you don’t mind, we can go in together.”

Before Dao Sansheng could answer, Chao Xiong squeezed over. “Of course we don’t mind! Isn’t that right, Senior Brother Dao?”

Seeing Chao Xiong’s excitement, Dao Sansheng nodded.

Meanwhile, the woman in black who had just rushed inside ran straight toward the back warehouse. She sped through the corridors with practiced familiarity, making it a challenge for the law enforcement team to keep up.

Back in the warehouse, staff were inventorying items soon to be auctioned. Among them, a young maiden worked busily, carefully checking the names and quantities of items. Suddenly, a masked woman in black burst in. The maiden was about to strike, but as the intruder removed her mask, a familiar face was revealed.

“Lin Na, why is it you? And what are you doing dressed like this?” the maiden exclaimed in surprise. Lin Na didn’t answer. Instead, she began undressing. In a flash, the black clothes were stowed away in her storage ring. A delicate face and slender figure were now revealed. She pulled the elastic from her hair, letting her smooth locks cascade gracefully down her shoulders, filling the storeroom with a faint fragrance. She then slipped the elastic onto her wrist.

At that moment, a man in black barged in, followed closely by four others. All eyes fixed on the two women present, and the leader’s gaze quickly landed on Lin Na as she put on her hair tie.

He strode over, seized her wrist, and began to search her.

“Don’t! You bastards—I’ll report you to the chairman!” Lin Na thrashed wildly, struggling to free herself. The four men in black standing aside watched without a word.

Unable to bear it any longer, the girl checking the items set her things down and was about to intervene, but was blocked before she could get close.

“Are you all insane? She’s Lin Na—the auctioneer and host for tonight’s event! If you treat her like this, how will you explain it to the chairman?” the girl shouted, but it was no use. Lin Na’s storage ring had already been taken.

“Open it yourself. If you don’t, I’ll force it. If your spirit is wounded in the process, you’ll have only yourself to blame,” the squad leader said coldly, unleashing his divine sense to forcibly break the storage ring’s barrier.

“Where do you get your nerve, Zhuang Jianhun? Don’t think that the former chairman’s favoritism toward the law enforcement team allows you to do as you please. There’s a new chairman now—you can’t be unaware of that!” A woman in a sky-blue gauze dress strode in from outside, her presence domineering.

The squad leader froze, his hand still on the ring, not daring to move.

“Why are you looking at me? If you disrupt the new chairman’s first auction, can you afford the consequences?” she snapped.

He hesitated, but then forcibly broke open the storage ring, spilling a chaotic heap of colorful items all over the floor.

Lin Na blushed furiously at the sight, hastily stooping to gather her things.

After scanning through everything and finding nothing of interest, the squad leader turned his attention to the maiden sorting auction goods.

“This isn’t the front hall, Zhuang Jianhun—it’s the backstage. Here, I give the orders. You don’t get to throw your weight around,” the woman in blue declared, unleashing her protective aura—a force equal to those of the five men in black.

Seeing the situation escalate, the squad leader beckoned his men, ready to leave.

“Zhuang Jianhun, prepare to face Chairman Lin’s punishment!” the blue-garbed woman called after them, eyes blazing with righteous fury as the five departed.

A transmission talisman soon flew out from within. The black-clad guard at the door caught it, read the message, then stepped forward and put away his spiritual tool.

“Everyone, we’ve just received word from the law enforcement team: the woman in question has been apprehended. You may now enter the venue. Have your tickets ready. If you don’t have a ticket, please leave quietly. Do not test the consequences of causing trouble here,” he announced. His gentle tone suddenly turned cold as he shot a meaningful look at Dao Sansheng and the other three, his implication clear.

“Hey, Black Robe, what are you playing at? This is my token, and I’m bringing these four friends in. Do you have a problem with that?” Zi Chenyu flashed his purple-gold token, a mocking glint in his eye. In Zixian City, he had yet to meet anyone more arrogant than himself.

The guard bowed deeply, gesturing courteously toward the entrance. “Honored guests, your private box on the second floor is ready, and someone will show you the way. We hope you enjoy your stay.”

Zi Chenyu patted the guard on the shoulder approvingly. “That’s more like it. With service like this, I’ll surely visit often—and mention you to the chairman.”

The guard bowed even lower. Even after the group’s backs had vanished, he dared not straighten up, eyes cast on the ground.

As the three entered, a young woman in a cheongsam approached, swaying with graceful curves. Dao Sansheng couldn’t quite make out her face as she drew near.

She bent in greeting, her pointed ears and bright, limpid eyes striking. Her nose was unusually high, and her hair was a soft yellow, adorned with a fluffy headband topped by two small, adorable ears. Her petite mouth moved as she introduced herself succinctly.

“Honored guests, welcome. I am your guide, Fox Meier. I will be at your service for the duration of your stay. Should you require anything, simply call for me—I will be waiting just outside your private box on the second floor.”

With that, she flashed a charming smile.

A talking Golden Core demon fox working as a hostess? Dao Sansheng felt his curiosity about the auction house’s backstage only deepen. Who could command such resources?

Fox Meier led the way, and the five followed. After entering, a long corridor stretched ahead, seemingly endless—unexpectedly vast, given the modest exterior of the venue.

Both sides of the corridor were lined with samples of rare materials and herbs, each encased in a layer of spiritual energy. The sight was enough to make one’s mouth water. Who could say if anyone had ever tried breaking the barrier to snatch the treasures within?