As previously mentioned, Soto City was a bustling mid-sized metropolis under the jurisdiction of the Heaven Dou Empire. Despite its designation, its scale rivaled many larger cities.
Among its most well-known landmarks, aside from the Soto City Great Spirit Arena, were its four major commercial streets, each lined with myriad shops and lively crowds.
One of these avenues, always overflowing with people, housed another city icon: Soto City Auction House.
As the top-tier auction venue in the region, the Soto City Auction House was second only to the Imperial Auction House in the capital. It spanned an enormous area and was crafted entirely from a special obsidian-like black stone, rare even in the Spirit Master world. Its décor was lavish, exuding wealth and status.
At the main entrance stood a two-to-three-meter-high silver-white archway, flanked by two imposing beast statues—Heavenly Wealth Beasts, symbols of prosperity and fortune in Douluo Continent culture.
In addition to the central auction hall, two smaller annexes—built in the same austere black stone—flanked the building. These served as private lounges and receiving areas.
"I heard today's auction has something truly extraordinary!"
"Heh, I doubt any of you have the gold soul coins for it."
"That treasure? Our Liu Clan will claim it, mark my words!"
A crowd had already formed when Yu Xiaogang arrived with Yu Chen, Liu Erlong, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others. Hundreds of bystanders were murmuring with excitement, including several portly, self-important merchants whose arrogance filled the air.
Yu Chen's gaze sharpened as he overheard them. He turned his head slightly to glance at the twin entrances to the auction hall.
The one their group stood before was packed with ordinary attendees. The other, curiously deserted, lay off to the side.
That side entrance, as Yu Chen knew from his Divine Selection insights, was designated for sellers—those bringing in items for auction. Entry through that path required presenting a rare or high-value item.
"Brother," Yu Chen said calmly to Yu Xiaogang, "Let's go through there."
Without hesitation, he led their group—Xiao Wu and the others following—toward the alternate entrance.
"Ha! Look at them heading to the seller's gate."
"They must be dreaming. No way a bunch of kids has anything worth auctioning!"
"Watch them get thrown out! That gatekeeper's got a sharp eye—he's not easy to fool!"
Laughter broke out from the waiting crowd. To them, a group of teenagers attempting to enter through the seller's gate was a joke waiting to happen.
The requirement was clear: only those carrying truly rare treasures could gain entry that way.
Yet Yu Chen and his companions walked calmly to the entrance, where an elderly man sat behind a stone desk.
Though he looked frail, with a lean frame and cloudy eyes, seasoned observers could sense the faint fluctuations of powerful spirit energy around him—he was no ordinary guard.
Suddenly, Liu Erlong, never one for subtlety, stepped forward and slammed her hand on the desk. "Hey! We're entering here!"
The old man's brows furrowed as he looked up with a flash of irritation.
But the moment his spiritual senses registered Liu Erlong's power—a soul power surging like a raging sea, with eight rings glowing faintly—his expression changed in an instant.
"C-Contra…" he stammered, voice trembling. "Respected Spirit Master, what may I assist you with?"
The onlookers, most of whom were mere civilians or low-level spirit masters, were stunned silent. They couldn't sense soul power the way experts could—but they could see the once-prideful gatekeeper suddenly bowing with utmost respect.
Even the few who had mocked moments ago fell into awkward silence, their laughter frozen mid-expression.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward with a smile, gently pulling Liu Erlong back. "Don't be alarmed. We're just here to register a few items for auction."
"Certainly, certainly!" The old man nodded rapidly. "It is our honor. I serve as one of the official appraisers here."
Yu Chen nodded slightly. "We have a few pieces to offer. Please evaluate them."
Before Yu Chen could act, Tang San reached into his Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night Soul Tool and pulled out two exquisitely crafted, dark-steel artifacts. He handed them to Yu Chen.
These tools, compact yet deadly, radiated the unique aura of high-precision craftsmanship—not something from any known forging guild.
"These are…" Yu Xiaogang and Dai Mubai leaned in, puzzled.
Yu Chen, however, recognized them instantly: Tang Sect hidden weapons, designed with ancient ingenuity and modern subtlety.
"Senior," Yu Chen said calmly, "Please appraise these."
Tang San stepped up and gestured to the first item. "This is a Wrist-Mounted Sleeve Dart, capable of launching silently from concealment."
He lifted the second. "And this is the Scatter Needle Viper, a mechanical tool loaded with thirty-six refined steel needles, each coated with paralyzing dust."
The old man's eyes lit up. "Marvelous craftsmanship! I've never seen such delicate killing tools in all of Douluo Continent! These could fetch—tens of thousands of gold soul coins!"
He ran a thin finger over the grooves of the weapons, marveling at the complexity.
Yu Xiaogang, too, was stunned. "Tang San… you forged these yourself?"
Tang San scratched the back of his head shyly. "Yes. I can produce more later if you need."
The appraiser straightened. "Based on their uniqueness and potential lethality, these qualify for entry into the auction's platinum tier!"
He withdrew a glowing platinum card from a velvet pouch. "By protocol, white-tier items range from 10,000 to 500,000 coins, but with your identities and this craftsmanship, you're granted entry into our platinum VIP zone."
He gestured toward the inner hall. "Please show this card upon entry. An attendant will guide you from there."
Yu Chen accepted the card with a nod.
But just as the old man turned to guide them in, Yu Chen raised a hand. "One more item."
From his Qiankun Bag, he drew out a jade box. As he opened the lid, the crowd leaned in.
Inside was a deep blue elixir, glowing faintly with spiritual mist.
Even without consuming it, its potency radiated outward—a spirit-enhancing pill, refined from ancient herbs obtained during one of Yu Chen's previous Divine Selections.
The appraiser's eyes widened. "This is…"
He took a cautious breath. "An 8th-grade elixir! This is extremely rare… especially one that amplifies spiritual essence."
He bowed deeply. "With this, we'll grant your party special placement in the priority auction list. Please allow me to make all arrangements immediately."
As the party prepared to enter the inner halls, the mocking crowd behind them could only gape, frozen in disbelief.
What treasures lay ahead and who would bid on them would soon shake even Soto City's elites.
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