12 Chapter 10: Auction and Trust

In front of the grand auction house, the trio stood amidst a bustling crowd. Xu, engrossed in conversation with an auctioneer staff member, negotiated the purchase of a VIP room for their group. Lingxi, with keen eyes, perused the paper listing the auction items, searching for intriguing treasures. Her expression grew serious as she fixated on two items: the Profound Veins Restoration Pill and the Profound Meridians Enlargement Pill. Observing Lingxi's intensity, Qingyue couldn't resist offering a portion of her precious purple profound coins.

Qingyue, however, had her focus solely on a single item listed: the seed of a Love Tree. This mystical seed hailed from the demon territory, the arch-nemesis of all Profound Sky Cultivators. Despite its seemingly ordinary appearance, the Love Tree possessed self-awareness and blossomed enchanting reddish-pink flowers in spring and bluish-white flowers in winter. Legends whispered that beneath its ethereal branches, many individuals had confessed their love and kindled passionate bonds.

With confirmation from the auction staff, Xu received a golden token bearing the number seven. Leading the girls through the bustling crowd, she guided them to the third floor where the VIP rooms awaited. Room seven became their sanctuary, as Xu swiftly turned the sign on the outside of the door from blank to "Do Not Disturb." The VIP room exuded elegance, with a spacious bed occupying thirty percent of the space on the far right side. Two large couches faced each other, flanking a wooden table on the left-center side, adjacent to the bed. At the far left wall, concealed behind a door, a private bathroom and closet awaited.

Upon the table, two bells sat—one the size of an adult's fist, the other resembling a toddler's fist. The larger bell was meant for summoning personal services from the auction staff, such as attendants or refreshments. The smaller bell served as a notification for auction bidding, capturing the attention of the host or hostess. Alongside the bells, trivial items like a picture book featuring elegant maidens and a pamphlet showcasing delectable feasts awaited the guests' perusal. Xu mused, "Perhaps the larger bell could summon both the girls and the meals."

"Um, Master?" Lingxi called, rubbing her hands together and casting watery eyes at Xu, seizing a moment when Qingyue was absent. "Could I, um, borrow more purple profound coins?"

Xu sighed. "..."

"Please?"

"Very well, Ling'er." Xu retrieved a small pouch from her pocket dimension. "How much do you require?"

"I'm not sure."

"Take this pouch for now." She tossed the pouch filled with coins to Lingxi, and a thought crossed her mind, 'Since I provided Ling'er with additional coins, I must also extend the same amount to Qingyue, to ensure fairness.' She produced another identical pouch and handed it to a bewildered Qingyue, who had just emerged from the bathroom.

"Use this money to acquire what you need, Qing'er." With the financial matter settled, Xu approached the bed, inspecting the bedding and linens. Satisfied, she gave a subtle nod and gracefully settled onto the bed, relishing its softness and the faint scent of freshness. Her attention shifted back to the duo. "The auction will commence in one hour. Make sure to acquire what you desire and wake me thereafter. Your Master shall take a brief rest."

"Understood, Master," Qingyue replied, taking a seat on the couch opposite the bed, facing Xu. Lingxi, meanwhile, toyed with the large bell, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

"Alright then, behave," Xu said as she nestled under the blanket and closed her eyes.

One hour later, the grand auction hall buzzed with anticipation. The hostess took center stage, her voice commanding attention.

"Going once! Going twice! Sold!" she announced, her gaze shifting to the final two items on the auction block. Behind the stage, a male staff member presented a plate holding two delicate glass bottles. Each bottle contained one of the most coveted heavenly treasures sought after by clans and sects far and wide—the Profound Veins Restoration Pill and the Profound Meridians Enlargement Pill. The hostess acknowledged the VIP customers on the third floor before turning her attention to the other eager bidders.

"Ladies and gentlemen, behold the items you've all been waiting for! These are miraculous treasures capable of healing damaged profound veins and expanding meridians. We will start the bidding at two thousand purple profound coins or two Purple Veined Heaven Crystals. Each subsequent bid must increase by one thousand purple profound coins or one Purple Veined Heaven Crystal."

After explaining the wondrous effects of the pills, she began the bidding for the restoration pill.

"Five Purple Veined Heaven Crystals!" a voice called out.

"Eight Purple Veined Heaven Crystals!"

"Thirteen Purple Veined Heaven Crystals!"

"One hundred Purple Veined Heaven Crystals!" an elderly voice resounded from VIP room three.

"One hundred thirty crystals!" came a bid from VIP room two.

"Five hundred crystals!" a young voice exclaimed from VIP room five.

As the audience fell into a hushed silence, the hostess prepared to declare the winner. But suddenly, a quiet voice emerged from VIP room seven.

"Five Purple Veined Divine Crystals."

The room erupted in astonishment. The young bidder had made an astronomical leap from five hundred to several thousand crystals. The other bidders were left speechless, unable to match such a bold move. After three minutes passed without any further bids, the restoration pill was sold to the mysterious young lady in VIP room seven—Lingxi.

"Now, let us proceed to the final item—the meridian enlargement pill!"

"Seven hundred crystals!"

"Eight hundred crystals!"

The bidding war intensified, filling the hall with palpable tension. Eventually, the pill was sold for a staggering seventeen Divine Crystals to the elderly man in VIP room three. To dispel any potential ill intentions, the man coughed and addressed his fellow cultivators.

"I am from the esteemed Sun Moon Divine Hall. I express my gratitude to everyone for allowing me to secure this treasure."

With the man's prestigious background made known, the attention of the cultivators shifted to the young lady in VIP room seven. Sensing the curiosity and potential hostility, Qingyue stepped forward, standing in Lingxi's place, and announced their background to deter any rash actions.

"On behalf of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace, I thank you all for allowing my junior sister to acquire the profound veins restoration pill," Qingyue declared.

The revelation that both pill winners hailed from the Five Great Sacred Grounds quelled any ill intentions among the cultivators, dissipating their nefarious thoughts into thin air.

Back in VIP Room Seven, Lingxi clutched the precious pill to her chest, her eyes sparkling with determination. Qingyue approached Lingxi, her eyes filled with warmth and admiration.

"Lingxi, you did it," Qingyue said softly, her voice laced with genuine pride. "You've shown remarkable determination and selflessness in acquiring this pill for little Che. I'm truly proud of you."

A blush crept onto Lingxi's cheeks, and she lowered her gaze, feeling a surge of happiness and gratitude.

"Thank you, Qingyue. You've always been there for me, supporting and guiding me," Lingxi replied, her voice filled with sincerity. "I couldn't have done it without you."

With a nod of understanding, Qingyue smiled warmly and reached out to hold Lingxi's hand, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment. As they prepared to leave the VIP room, Xu emerged from her brief rest, refreshed and ready to face the world once more.

"Are you two ready?" Xu asked, her eyes shining with approval.

Lingxi and Qingyue exchanged a determined glance before nodding in unison.

"Yes, Master. Let's go home!"