The morning sunlight filtered through the thin mist, casting its glow upon the training ground in the rear courtyard of the Li residence. Marco was practicing the "Shave" technique from the Six Styles, his figure flickering rapidly across the field, leaving behind multiple afterimages. After a night of contemplation, the restlessness in his heart had settled considerably, and he began to focus more on the precision of his foundational movements and the techniques of exerting force.
"Brother!" Ye Lingling's clear voice called from the edge of the training ground. She was wearing a light yellow dress today, looking especially lively. "Father wants you to come over. He said he has something for you."
Marco halted his movements, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and followed Lingling to the main hall. Li Zhaoyan was seated in the master's chair, idly toying with a golden card.
"Marco, come here." Li Zhaoyan beckoned and handed the gold card to Marco. "This is a VIP card containing one million Gold Soul Coins, accepted at all major banks across the Heaven Dou Empire. Since you're about to embark on your travels, you'll need some funds for the journey."
Marco was slightly taken aback. One million Gold Soul Coins was no small sum—it was equivalent to several months of the Li family's income. Just as he was about to decline, Li Zhaoyan had already pressed the card into his hand.
"When you're away from home, money isn't everything, but without it, nothing is possible," Li Zhaoyan said earnestly. "Take this money and don't be stingy when you need to use it. Remember, safety comes first."
Lingling chimed in from the side, "Yes, brother, just accept it. I've heard that prices outside are really high, and without money, you won't be able to get anywhere!"
Touched, Marco understood that this was his father's way of supporting him. He solemnly stored the gold card and bowed to Li Zhaoyan. "Thank you, Father. Marco will use it prudently."
Lingling blinked, as if she had noticed something, but she didn't expose it. Instead, she happily linked her arm with Marco's. "Let's go quickly! I heard there are lots of good things at the auction house today!"
The three of them took a carriage and soon arrived at the most bustling commercial district of Heaven Dou City. The streets were lined with shops, bustling with people coming and going, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. The air was filled with the sounds of vendors hawking their goods and customers haggling, mingled with the scents of spices, food, and the distinct aura of Soul Tools.
Lingling excitedly pulled Marco along, stopping to look at a jewelry store one moment and browsing through a clothing store the next, picking out various delicate trinkets. Marco followed behind her. Although he wasn't particularly interested in these things, seeing his sister so happy brought him great satisfaction.
"Wow, Marco, look at this hairpin! The gemstone inlaid on it is so beautiful!" Lingling held up an exquisite blue hairpin, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Marco smiled and nodded. "If you like it, buy it."
"Mm!" Lingling nodded happily and skipped off to pay.
After wandering around for a while, Lingling suddenly remembered something and whispered mysteriously to Marco, "Brother, I know a great place. Let's go check it out together!"
Marco asked curiously, "What place?"
"The auction house!" Lingling's eyes gleamed brightly. "I heard there are many rare items up for auction today, along with some new Soul Tools! Let's go inside and take a look!"
Marco was slightly taken aback. He was indeed no stranger to auctions, but he had always been brought by family elders before—this was his first time coming on his own initiative. However, since Ye Lingling seemed so eager, he didn't want to disappoint her and nodded in agreement.
Ye Lingling cheered, pulling him quickly toward a magnificent building at the center of the commercial district—the Heaven Dou Auction House. As the largest auction venue in Heaven Dou City, it not only auctioned various rare items but also served as an important social hub for nobles and wealthy merchants.
Upon entering the auction house, the first thing that caught their eyes was the spacious, brightly lit hall. In the center stood the auction platform, surrounded by different sections divided according to the color of Spirit Rings. The outermost area, designated for white and yellow Spirit Rings, was mostly occupied by commoners and low-level Soul Masters. Further in were the purple and black Spirit Ring sections, where mid-to-high-level Soul Masters and nobles typically sat. The innermost red VIP area was reserved for top-tier Soul Masters, aristocrats, and high-ranking members of prominent sects.
Ye Lingling, clearly familiar with the place, led Marco straight to the red VIP section. Along the way, uniformed staff stood expressionless on both sides, their eyes vacant as if devoid of any soul. They mechanically bowed to each VIP, yet few truly lifted their heads to look at the guests.
"These people," Ye Lingling whispered in explanation, "are specially trained to guide and serve VIPs. But most of them are ordinary people who've undergone training, which is why their eyes seem so lifeless."
Marco nodded slightly, inwardly reflecting. Though these attendants were well-dressed, they weren't much different from slaves in essence—only their living conditions were slightly better.
Once inside the red VIP area, the attendants' attitudes immediately became more respectful. A middle-aged woman in a purple uniform hurried over, giving a slight bow. "Respected guests, welcome to the Heaven Dou Auction House. Do you have a reservation?"
Ye Lingling proudly produced the Ye family's identity token. "We don't have a reservation, but I am Ye Lingling of the Ye family."
Upon seeing the token, the woman immediately showed a reverent smile. "So it's the young lady of the Ye family. My apologies for the oversight. Please, you and your friend, come this way." She guided Marco and Ye Lingling to several seats in the front row.
Marco noticed that the other guests in the red VIP section were all either wealthy or noble; some were even prominent figures at the Soul Douluo level. They sat in small groups, conversing quietly and occasionally commenting on the items up for auction.
The auction soon began, starting with weapons and armor. An exceptionally sharp Soul Tool dagger had a starting bid of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, while a set of remarkably defensive purple armor sparked a bidding war among several Soul Masters, eventually selling for three hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins.
Next came various spiritual medicines and Soul Tools. A five-hundred-year spiritual medicine capable of enhancing Soul Power cultivation was bought by a young noble for two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. The latest model of a Soul Tool communicator, prized for its convenient functions, also attracted considerable attention.
Marco wasn't particularly interested in these items. His gaze lingered more on the Soul Tools, contemplating how he might integrate them with the abilities of his own Martial Soul.
"Next up is one of today's finale auction items—a silver pendant!" the auctioneer announced loudly. Simultaneously, a server carefully carried a tray onto the stage, on which rested a pendant emitting a faint silver glow.
Marco's attention was drawn to this pendant. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the pendant had an ancient design, its silver surface engraved with intricate patterns, and at its center was a small spatial fluctuation rune.
"This silver pendant, named 'Star Track,' is an extremely rare Spatial Soul Guidance Device with an internal space of thirty cubic meters!" the auctioneer introduced. "Starting bid: one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins!"
"One hundred fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Two hundred fifty thousand!"
Bidders in the audience immediately began competing, and the price rapidly climbed.
Marco felt a stir in his heart. A thirty-cubic-meter space would be very practical for him. He could use it to store important items, such as Qing Yu's food, medicinal herbs for cultivation, or even precious Soul Tool materials.
"Three hundred thousand!" Marco bid.
"Three hundred fifty thousand!" a young noble seated nearby immediately countered.
"Four hundred thousand," Marco calmly continued.
"Four hundred fifty thousand!" The young noble refused to back down.
After a moment's thought, Marco bid again: "Four hundred eighty thousand."
The auction hall fell silent for a moment. The young noble hesitated and ultimately did not raise the bid further. The auctioneer announced loudly, "Four hundred eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins, once! Twice! Sold! Congratulations to this distinguished guest for winning 'Star Track'!"
Marco breathed a sigh of relief—he had finally secured this Spatial Soul Guidance Device. He calculated that, including several smaller items from earlier, he had spent four hundred eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins, nearly depleting the entire amount given to him by Ye Lingling's father.
However, the auction was not over yet. Among the subsequent items, something shocking appeared—a tiger girl shackled in chains. She had a beautiful face but was tightly bound by iron chains, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness.
"The next item is a female tiger tribesperson, approximately twenty years old, in good health. Suitable as a slave or maid. Starting bid: fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins!" the auctioneer introduced indifferently.
Seeing this, Ye Lingling immediately frowned, her eyes revealing strong compassion. "How can they do this! The tiger girl is a living being too!"
Marco also felt uncomfortable. Although the conflict between Soul Beasts and humans had existed for a long time, auctioning an intelligent tiger tribeswoman as a slave was excessively cruel.
"One hundred ten thousand!" a young noble shouted provocatively.
"One hundred thirty thousand!"
"One hundred forty thousand!"
Surprisingly, people in the audience actually began bidding, treating a living person as merchandise.
Biting her lip, Ye Lingling tugged at Marco's sleeve. "Brother, let's bid for her! We can't just stand by and watch her be treated as a slave!"
Marco remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright."
He raised his hand and said firmly, "One hundred fifty thousand."
The auction hall instantly fell silent, with everyone turning to look in surprise at the red VIP section. Marco's bid had more than doubled the previous price.
"One hundred fifty thousand, once!"
"One hundred fifty thousand, twice!"
Just as the auctioneer was about to announce the sale, a dignified voice suddenly came from the other end of the VIP section: "One hundred eighty thousand."
Everyone turned to look and saw an elegant middle-aged man standing up—none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Sect Leader Ning!" Many immediately bowed respectfully.
Ning Fengzhi looked gently at Marco and smiled, saying, "Young friend, I offer one hundred eighty thousand for this tiger girl. I hope you can yield."
Marco frowned. He didn't want to compete with Ning Fengzhi, but he wasn't willing to give up easily either. Just as he was about to bid again, Ye Lingling tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Brother, forget it. Sect Leader Ning's offer is higher, we..."
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand and smiled, "However, I've heard that this young friend is also a kind-hearted person. Since I originally intended to save this tiger girl, and since you're willing to bid as well, why not let me 'rescue' her?"
He turned to the auction house manager and said, "I offer one hundred eighty thousand for this tiger girl, but on one condition—she must be restored to freedom and never be traded as a slave again."
The auction house manager quickly nodded, "Of course, of course, Sect Leader Ning, rest assured we will comply."
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, then looked at Marco and Ye Lingling and said kindly, "Young friends, since fate has brought us together today, why not visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School another day? I will prepare some simple wine and have a chat with you both."
Marco and Ye Lingling exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
After the auction ended, Marco and Ye Lingling followed the crowd out of the auction house. Ye Lingling's mood had clearly improved significantly, while Marco seemed thoughtful. He knew that today he had not only witnessed the cruel side of the auction house but also experienced Ning Fengzhi's kindness and influence.
"Brother, where should we go next?" Ye Lingling asked happily.
Marco glanced at the sky and smiled, "Let's head back first, put away the Star Track, and then... we'll prepare properly. In three days, I'll be setting out on my journey."
Ye Lingling's smile faltered slightly but quickly brightened again, "Okay! Brother, I'll help you prepare everything!"
Marco felt warmth in his heart, knowing that although his sister was reluctant to see him go, she still supported his decision. He patted her head, feeling both anticipation and apprehension about the upcoming journey. But no matter what, this was a necessary step on his path to growth.