CHAPTER 489: Auction House

"Hehehe, that's why I say, those who know what's what can get good things from a place like this!" Han Shuo said with a smile.

"Let's go. Take me shopping with you. You seem like a person who knows what's what!" Sophie said cheerfully. She grabbed the corner of Han Shuo's shirt and pulled him towards a busy area.

Han Shuo followed helplessly. He thought to himself, "Wasn't it you who first said that as the host, you must receive me properly? How did it come to be that I have to keep you company instead? It seems that the words coming out of a woman's mouth are definitely not to be trusted.

Seeing that Sophie was in a good mood, Han Shuo did not throw cold water on her. He accompanied her as she squeezed through the crowd and visited various stalls. Using his keen sense for substances, Han Shuo found several worthy items for her.

"Han, you are amazing! How do you know so much?" Sophie said excitedly to Han Shuo as she clutched a crude jade bracelet.

The jade bracelet was also one of the things Han Shuo had helped Sophie choose. After wearing this jade bracelet, she could feel the effect of the jade bracelet in relieving fatigue. After listening to Han Shuo's entire lecture on the effectiveness of jade bracelets, Sophie truly felt the utmost admiration for Han Shuo, and almost prostrated herself before Han Shuo in worship.

"It's almost afternoon now. Let's go to the auction as well," Han Shuo suggested as he smiled at Sophie.

"There's nothing interesting about that place, we might as well stay here and continue strolling around," Sophie replied with a curled lip. She clearly did not have a good opinion of the auction house.

"Surely there will be many interesting people and objects at this auction, which is only held once every three years in the Kasi Empire. Since I have already come to Kasi Empire, it would be inexcusable not to experience it. And you, as the hostess, perhaps it is time for you to do the honours?" Though the stalls on the streets have been useful, there must be even more valuable treasures at the auction. Not only that, but the items being auctioned off were highly valued. It was for these reasons that Han Shuo made such a suggestion.

"Fine. Since you are so insistent, I will go with you," Sophie reluctantly agreed to Han Shuo's request. Following Han Shuo, they headed towards the auction site.

The auction was housed in a huge building with a squadron of knights in shining armour standing guard at the entrance. As Han Shuo and Sophie walked past, they saw these knights standing in the doorway, refined and courteous. Although these knights could still be described as friendly in attitude, they were undoubtedly blocking their way.

"Lady, gentleman, no entry without an invitation," one of the knights reminded them with a smile.

Considering Han Shuo and Sophie's current ordinary appearance, along with the very ordinary clothes they were wearing after removing their space rings, there was not a single exceptional feature on them. Obviously, characters in ordinary clothes should not appear in such a five-star premier venue where the privileged classes congregated.

Han Shuo let out a cold sneer, inwardly thinking that such people could definitely be found in any region. Don't be fooled by this knight's superficial worldly manner, the mockery and contempt in his eyes were hard to hide. Han Shuo could tell the contempt in his heart with just one look.

"So, this is the invitation. Can we go in now?" Sophie casually took out two invitation letters and handed them to the knight with a slight groan. The knight was astonished. He had obviously never expected that someone like Han Shuo and Sophie actually had the qualifications to receive the invitation. Foolishly, he stared at Sophie and Han Shuo, momentarily forgetting how to speak.

"Can we go in?" Sophie asked again in a slightly louder voice.

"Of course, of course!" the knight was suddenly awakened and replied hastily. Then he stepped aside and bowed. "Please come in," he said politely.

"Huh!" Han Shuo gave the knight a cold look before he and Sophie marched in with great strides.

As soon as they passed through the entrance, they saw a lavishly decorated and beautifully lit scene. Inside was an incredibly spacious hall, with rows and rows of magnificent, glittering crystal lanterns suspended high above. The floor was covered with a soft red carpet. The hall had tiered seating, similar to that of a luxurious cinema. Exquisite pastries and fruit were neatly arranged on each table.

Directly in front of them, an auctioneer in evening dress was cheerfully giving a presentation about an item. Colourful stage lights shone down on a delicate staff in which was embedded a water-blue rhombus-shaped gem. Under the lights, the staff looked even more beautiful and dazzling. For some water mages who enjoyed looking at the beautiful, this magical staff was a deadly temptation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this delicate staff was created by Master Faler of the Elven race. This vision-blue staff can triple the power of water elemental spells and allow for a faster recovery of mental strength. As for its design, perhaps the only word that can describe it is 'perfection'. Master Faler's pieces are all amazingly refined without exception..." On the stage, the host was promoting the magical staff in a highly provocative manner.

Han Shuo watched carefully for a moment. He discovered that this staff was not bad at all, but it was a shame that it was a bit too ornate. Its extremely artistic design was actually not very conducive to a magus being able to grasp it well. This Master Faler had clearly sacrificed practicality in his quest for perfection.

Given Han Shuo's temperament, there was no way he would choose such a weapon. However, its beauty aroused the mad pursuit of female mages. In the Kasi Empire, thanks to the presence of the Ice Shrine, most mages specialised in water element magic. As the auctioneer finished his words, the crowd immediately began to stir.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please come with me!" a male waiter said smilingly as Han Shuo and Sophie stared at the stage.

"Is there a private room available?" Sophie asked the waiter indifferently.

The waiter stared blankly, looking Sophie up and down. Then he replied with a smile, "I'm sorry. They were all booked out a long time ago."

Han Shuo understood that in this kind of high-class auction sale, there were rooms specially prepared for those true bigwigs a few floors up, away from the grand hall with tiered seating. Those with high status would usually book a private room in advance.

If Sophie had come with Braque as originally planned, she would have been in one of these VIP rooms. But since she was with Han Shuo at the moment, all she could do was get over it.

"Never mind then. Lead the way," Sophie replied casually. With the waiter's guidance, Han Shuo and Sophie reached their seats near the back row. In front of the delicate pastries was a magic console. On this console, one could enter an exact amount of gold coins.

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