Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
During this month, Qin Ming strictly adhered to the plan formulated by Lin Mu.
Yu Tianheng, Tang San, and the others participated in at least two Spirit Fights every single day.
Under such high-intensity training, not only did their soul power improve faster than before, but their practical combat experience also skyrocketed.
The most pleasantly surprising were none other than the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo.
Under Lin Mu's guidance, they ate together, lived together, were inseparable, and even attempted to guide and blend their soul power with each other during cultivation.
Just a few days prior, during a sparring session, the two brothers' Black Turtle spirits produced a clear resonance for the first time.
An aura, as heavy and profound as a mountain, flickered and vanished in an instant. Although it was not yet complete, it was undoubtedly an extremely encouraging beginning, proving that their direction, at the very least, was correct.
As for Lin Mu himself, aside from cultivating, his time was spent teaching Ye Lingling the movement technique.
Ye Lingling's comprehension was good, and coupled with her diligent practice, she had already grasped the most basic footwork, greatly enhancing her evasive abilities.
However, this was still far from enough. Lin Mu planned to refine some pills to assist their cultivation.
Although they couldn't compare to the immortal-grade herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, with his alchemy skills, they would be sufficient to accelerate the training speed of Tang San and the others, and might even expedite the spirit fusion of Shi Mo and Shi Mo.
Refining pills required medicinal ingredients, and the quality of ingredients needed to boost soul power was universally high.
"It seems I must make a trip to the auction house," Lin Mu calculated silently.
As the most prosperous city in the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City's auction house was a gathering place for all kinds of treasures from across the continent. There were bound to be plenty of rare medicinal ingredients.
However, he shouldn't have to foot the bill himself. After all, this was to enhance the overall strength of the Royal Team. He believed that the three Education Committee members, being wise and understanding, would certainly be willing to reimburse him.
Having made up his mind, Lin Mu was just preparing to head to the auction house when, unexpectedly, he encountered an uninvited guest upon leaving his room.
Xue Qinghe very naturally stepped forward and greeted him, "Brother Lin, are you heading out?"
Seeing this uninvited guest, Lin Mu felt both speechless and helpless. Over the past month, this guy had been showing up at his place almost every other day, clearly up to no good.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Lin Mu's expression remained impassive as he said calmly, "I intend to visit the auction house to purchase some medicinal ingredients."
"Oh? Brother Lin also has an interest in medicinal ingredients?"
A gleam of interest flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes. He proactively offered, "It just so happens I have no business today. Why don't I accompany Brother Lin? I'm very familiar with the auction house; perhaps I can be of assistance."
Lin Mu initially wanted to refuse, but on second thought, having this Crown Prince by his side might save him some trouble.
"Then I'll trouble Your Highness."
Before long, the two arrived at one of the most magnificent structures in the heart of Heaven Dou City: the Heaven Dou Auction House.
Inside the auction house, lights blazed brilliantly, and guests gathered in clouds, all elegantly dressed soul masters and nobles.
Although it was Lin Mu's first visit, Xue Qinghe was extremely familiar with the place and led him to the very front row of the red zone.
After a while, the auction finally commenced.
As expected, there were indeed quite a few rare medicinal ingredients in this auction, and their prices were not low. Fortunately, Lin Mu had considerable savings, and since he could later seek reimbursement from the three Education Committee members, he managed to secure all the ingredients he needed.
Lin Mu's goal in this auction was very clear. He only bid on a few millennium-aged rare herbs and showed little interest in the other items.
Just as the auction was nearing its end, the atmosphere on the auction stage suddenly became fervent. The auctioneer forcefully struck his gavel, his voice high-pitched and dripping with allure: "Distinguished guests, next up is the crowning jewel of this very auction!"
As his voice fell, a massive iron cage was pushed onto the stage. Curled up inside the cage was a figure.
It was a young girl, seemingly no more than sixteen or seventeen years old.
She possessed resplendent, long golden hair and a pair of emerald-green eyes, like jadeite. The most eye-catching feature was a pair of furry fox ears atop her head, and behind her, a bushy fox tail hung limply.
She wore only a thin gauze garment, and the skin exposed beneath it was as white as snow, fairer than the purest white. Her gaze was fearful and helpless, yet it carried a unique, exotic charm that evoked instant pity.
"This young lady, upon awakening her spirit, underwent certain bodily mutations, retaining some fox-like characteristics, yet she possesses no soul power. She is docile and obedient..."
On the auction stage, the auctioneer vividly described her. Meanwhile, below the stage, various excited discussions arose one after another, along with countless pairs of scorching, fervent gazes.
This type of item was extremely popular within the noble circles of Heaven Dou City, and as such, it would always be bid up to an astronomical price.
Seeing this, Xue Qinghe frowned slightly, seeming somewhat displeased with this kind of transaction, but he said nothing. Matters of this sort were not uncommon in Heaven Dou City.
Lin Mu's gaze fell upon the fox girl, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Although he had anticipated such things, witnessing it firsthand was still somewhat hard to accept.
"Your Highness, could you help me bid for her?"
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe was momentarily taken aback, looking at Lin Mu in surprise.
Seeing not a trace of improper desire in his eyes, but rather an indescribable solemnity, he was puzzled.
Though somewhat not understanding why, this was precisely an opportunity to do him a favor. She immediately nodded and said, "Of course, no problem."
At that moment, the bidding price had already reached one hundred and twenty thousand gold soul coins.
"One hundred and thirty thousand gold soul coins."
Xue Qinghe's clear, resonant voice rang out, instantly suppressing the clamor.
The crowd followed the sound and saw that it was the Crown Prince who had made the bid. Many felt a twinge of apprehension and did not continue bidding.
"One hundred and forty thousand gold soul coins."
Just then, a voice tinged with authority came from another side. It originated from an elderly man dressed in luxurious attire—none other than Prince Xue Xing.
As a supporter of Xue Beng, he had always been at odds with Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe's expression remained unchanged as he raised the bid again: "One hundred and fifty thousand gold soul coins."
"One hundred and sixty thousand gold soul coins!"
Prince Xue Xing, as a power holder second only to Emperor Xue Ye, possessed wealth far beyond what Xue Qinghe could match.
Seeing this old bastard creating obstacles for him, a cold glimmer flashed deep within Xue Qinghe's eyes, and even a faint, barely perceptible trace of killing intent.
Just as the two sides were locked in a bidding war, another gentle voice came from the rear.
"One hundred and eighty thousand gold soul coins!"
Everyone followed the sound and saw, seated in the back row, a middle-aged man with a refined, scholarly bearing. Beside him was a white-haired elder, whose figure stood straight and firm as a sword.
"Could it be them?"
Lin Mu's eyes flickered. Although the two were wearing masks, possessing such temperament and financial power, it was highly likely they were the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
Xue Qinghe similarly recognized the pair, a strange look flashing across his eyes.
At the same time, Ning Fengzhi also noticed Xue Qinghe up ahead, and the expression on his face became somewhat unnatural.
Could it be that his disciple also harbored this particular hobby?
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the man beside Xue Qinghe, and his heart stirred.
Over the past month, it seemed Xue Qinghe had been associating quite closely with a certain young expert.