Chapter 72: Brothers Are Like This

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Ye."

"No, no, Brother Xue, after you..."

A luxurious carriage pulled up in front of the inn where Ye Hao was staying. In full view of the curious bystanders, Ye Hao climbed aboard. Xue Qinghe waved at the soldiers, and the carriage set off smoothly.

Inside the carriage, Ye Hao sat casually, helping himself to the fruits and snacks on the table, occasionally glancing out the window at the passing scenery. It was a moment of indulgence, a taste of the high life.

Throughout, Xue Qinghe maintained his usual graceful demeanor. Watching Ye Hao wolf down the food, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. "This kid really hasn't grown up yet."

"Where have you been these past few days, Brother Ye?" Xue Qinghe asked, sipping his tea.

Ye Hao, still chewing on a grape, replied with a laugh, "I went to Spirit Hall for a look. Didn't expect to cause trouble there."

"Trouble?" Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow. "What kind of trouble?"

Ye Hao at Spirit Hall? Causing trouble and still returning unscathed? Now that was intriguing.

Ye Hao continued, "I got into an argument with someone in Spirit City, which escalated into a fight. Before I knew it, the entire city was after me. Good thing I've got quick feet, or things could've ended badly."

Xue Qinghe shook his head with a wry smile, presumably you used the martial soul during the dispute with others, the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul, and no one in the Douluo Continent had it at all except her.

Knowing the character of the leader of Spirit Hall, Xue Qinghe could easily imagine how she would go to great lengths to win over a genius. Thankfully, Ye Hao had been fast enough to escape.

"So, where are we heading, Brother Xue?" Ye Hao asked, looking at the prosperous streets outside. The area was clearly an affluent district of Heaven Dou City, filled with glittering shops and bustling merchants.

"Don't worry, we're almost there," Xue Qinghe replied with a smile, then asked casually, "What do you think of Spirit Hall?"

Ye Hao paused his snacking and turned serious. "Why this question all of a sudden?"

Xue Qinghe held his breath, awaiting Ye Hao's answer.

"To be honest..."

Xue Qinghe stiffened slightly, unsure of what to expect.

"Spirit Hall is... not bad."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe relaxed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He had worried that the commotion in Spirit City might have soured Ye Hao's opinion.

"Even after all that trouble, you still think Spirit Hall is fine?"

Ye Hao gave Xue Qinghe a knowing look. "Come on, Brother Xue. You're just trying to get me to state my stance, aren't you? When your future plans come to fruition, you'll need to know where I stand, right?"

The significance of the Death Spider Emperor as a martial soul was simply too great.

"Spirit Hall awakened my martial soul when I was a child," Ye Hao said, "and for that, I'm grateful. They've done good for the common people. That's all I have to say."

"Fair enough."

The carriage rolled to a gentle stop. A soldier bent down to serve as a step, and Xue Qinghe descended gracefully. Ye Hao hopped down after him, taking in the vast, open area. In front of them stood a grand white circular building.

"This is the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House," Xue Qinghe explained. "It's filled with rare treasures. If you see anything you like, just let me know, and I'll make sure it's yours."

Having received the Blue Silver Emperor as a gift, Xue Qinghe felt compelled to repay Ye Hao. Since the palace treasures were strictly accounted for, even he couldn't move them at will. The auction house, however, was an ideal alternative.

The Grand Auction House was renowned for its collection of rare and valuable items, some even surpassing those found in the royal palace. However, the prices were exorbitant, and only the wealthiest nobles or the most powerful soul masters could afford to enter.

Donning a mask provided by Xue Qinghe, Ye Hao followed him inside. Masks were mandatory for bidders, ensuring anonymity and preventing incidents of theft or murder over auctioned treasures.

Inside, the decor was elegant but not ostentatious. The marble floors gleamed under the soft lighting, while the walls were adorned with antique paintings and armor displayed in glass cases, resembling a museum from Ye Hao's previous life.

"See anything you like?" Xue Qinghe asked as they strolled through the halls.

Ye Hao glanced around before consulting the auction catalog. Not a single item caught his eye. Most of the offerings were soul tools, ancient porcelain, and famous paintings—hardly anything practical for him.

Soul bones occasionally appeared at auctions, but they were always hotly contested, often leading to chaos. As Ye Hao thought about the External Soul Bone: Eight Spider Lances in his spatial ring, he dismissed the idea of seeking another. The rarity of external soul bones meant their auction would attract the attention of every major power in the city.

"Let's keep looking. Something might catch my eye," Ye Hao said with a shrug.

They were soon led to the central auction hall by a composed and professional attendant. The hall resembled an auditorium, with a circular stage in the middle for displaying items.

The auction was already in progress, and the air buzzed with excitement.

"15,000 gold soul coins, going once!"

"15,000, going twice!"

"15,000, sold!"

The auctioneer struck the gavel, sealing the deal.

The seating arrangement was divided into five tiers, each representing the bidders' wealth and status. The closest rows, upholstered in red, were reserved for the elite with millions of gold soul coins at their disposal.

Xue Qinghe scanned the red-tier seats, noting a few familiar faces. Unwilling to draw attention, he chose a less conspicuous spot, leaning casually on the railing with Ye Hao by his side.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Startled, he turned sharply, only to see Ye Hao grinning mischievously.

"This is what brothers do!" Ye Hao quipped with a cheeky smile.