Chapter 161: Auction Begins
The moment Su Tianhao stepped through the grand entrance, the world inside unfolded like a dream pulled from the tales of ancient cultivators.
The auction hall stretched vast and magnificent. Rows of cushioned seats descended in gentle tiers toward a central stage, each level sitting slightly lower than the last—a natural amphitheatre.
The ceiling soared high above, supported by jade pillars carved with reliefs dragons and phoenixes. Massive spirit stone chandeliers hung suspended overhead, casting warm golden radiance across the hall. Along the walls, formation arrays pulsed faintly—barriers against spiritual sense probing, maintaining order without announcing themselves.
But what struck Su Tianhao most was the sheer number of people.
The hall was packed. Easily over a thousand attendees, perhaps more. Cultivators of all ages filled the seats—young talents barely out of their teens, middle-aged experts with weathered faces, elderly masters whose presence alone commanded respect. Some wore luxurious robes shimmering with spiritual energy. Others dressed plainly, hiding their strength beneath unremarkable appearances.
And masks. So many masks.
Nearly half the crowd wore them. Simple cloth coverings. Elaborate constructs of jade, silver, and polished wood. A few bore inscription runes that likely altered voices as well.
Su Tianhao nodded to himself. It made sense. Revealing your identity while bidding on rare treasures invited trouble—jealousy, theft or even worse.
'The weak hide their faces. The strong don't need to.'
His Shrouded Dragon Veil served the same purpose. Far more effectively.
His golden eyes swept the hall with Little Rogue instincts. Four main exits. Two side passages. Guards at every entrance—all Martial Core Realm at minimum. Threats everywhere, but most attention was fixed on the stage.
'Good. As long as I don't draw attention, I should be fine.'
He glanced at the jade token in his hand. Number 657. He began scanning the rows—
A sudden pressure brushed the back of his mind. Not painful. Just... present. Like fingers tapping against glass.
Then a voice bloomed inside his skull.
'Young friend Tian Hao.'
Su Tianhao froze mid-step.
The voice was calm, warm, unmistakably familiar. It hadn't reached him through his ears—it resonated directly within his consciousness, clear as a whisper spoken into his very soul.
Telepathy.
He had encountered this before. Su Huiqing had used it during one of their business trips, back when he was still the rising star of the Su family. Only those who had reached Martial Soul Realm and awakened their Martial Soul could communicate this way. A technique both practical and exclusive.
And he recognised the voice immediately.
Elder Xuan.
Su Tianhao's gaze lifted toward the upper levels. Above the general seating, a distinct section separated by ornate railings and shimmering barriers—the VIP floor.
'Look up, young friend. Third private box from the left.'
Su Tianhao's eyes found it instantly. Through the semi-transparent barrier, two figures sat within. One elderly. One young, seated elegantly. He couldn't make out their features clearly, but he knew.
Elder Xuan and Wang Bing.
'Hahaha. I never expected to see you here. Come join us—an attendant will guide you.'
Before Su Tianhao could respond, a young woman in elegant grey robes appeared at his side and bowed.
"Honoured guest, please follow me. Elder Xuan has requested your presence."
Su Tianhao blinked. Then nodded.
---
The attendant led him up a side staircase. As they ascended, the atmosphere shifted—quieter, more refined. The VIP floor belonged to the truly wealthy and powerful.
They passed several private boxes, each sealed with formation barriers that obscured the occupants within. Some were occupied, faint murmurs leaking through. Others remained empty, waiting.
They stopped before the third box.
The attendant bowed. "Please, enter."
Su Tianhao nodded before stepping through the barrier.
The difference was immediate. The formation inside regulated temperature, filtered spiritual energy, and offered a level of comfort far removed from the general seating below.
'Truly worthy of Cloudrise City's number one auction house.'
Elder Xuan sat in a cushioned chair near the front railing, teacup in hand. Beside him sat Wang Bing, her face partially concealed by a translucent veil—but that flowing white hair and those luminous autumn eyes were unmistakable.
She turned at his entrance.
"Tian Hao!" Genuine warmth coloured her voice. "I didn't expect to see you here so soon."
Elder Xuan set his teacup down with a faint smile. "When I sensed your presence entering the hall, I thought it only right to invite you up. No need for you to sit among the masses when you're already acquainted with us."
Su Tianhao understood immediately. He had entered using Silent Pulse—masking only his cultivation base. For someone already familiar with him, sensing his presence among thousands would be effortless. His aura was too distinct.
'I should have used Illusory Flow.'
But no regret surfaced. That lapse in precaution had landed him here. Participating from the VIP floor was infinitely better than sitting below with the masses.
And Su Tianhao was not one to be ungrateful.
"Thank you, Elder Xuan. I appreciate the hospitality." He cupped his fists, bowing slightly.
"No need for formality." Elder Xuan waved a dismissive hand. "Bing'er speaks highly of you. Any friend of hers is welcome here."
Wang Bing's eyes curved into crescents.
"Come, sit." Elder Xuan gestured to an empty chair beside Wang Bing. "The auction begins shortly. You're here for materials, I assume?"
Su Tianhao took the offered seat. "A few items, yes. Grade 5 pills and medicines, if they appear."
"Grade 5?" Wang Bing raised an eyebrow.
Elder Xuan frowned. "If I remember correctly, you're only at Peak Martial Adept Realm. What could you possibly need grade 5 pills for? It's important to know one's limits."
His voice dropped to a note of quiet warning. "Grade 5 pills benefit Martial Soul experts—but to those below that realm, it's no different from poison."
"Thank you for the advice, Senior." Su Tianhao offered a faint smile and said nothing further.
Could he explain the absurd requirements of his cultivation technique? Or that his body could withstand such potency?
No.
From his vantage point, Su Tianhao could see the entire hall spread below. The crowd continued to fill in. Conversation hummed louder. Anticipation thickened in the air.
Wang Bing leaned closer, voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "Have you noticed? Nearly everyone down there is masked."
"Smart move," Su Tianhao replied quietly. "In a place like this, showing your face while bidding is asking for trouble."
"Exactly." Amusement coloured her tone. "Greed makes people desperate. Better to stay anonymous."
Elder Xuan chuckled softly. "Wise beyond your years, both of you."
---
The lights dimmed. Murmurs faded. All eyes turned toward the stage.
Silence fell over the crowd.
From behind a velvet curtain, a figure emerged.
Tall. Graceful. Undeniably striking. Her crimson dress clung to curves both elegant and provocative, the fabric shimmering faintly with spiritual energy. Long black hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. Her lips curved into a practiced, confident smile.
Though her beauty didn't quite reach the ethereal heights of Lu Ruyi or Wang Bing, her figure was another matter entirely. She carried the kind of mature, voluptuous allure that came only with age and experience—the sort of presence that drew eyes instinctively and held them without apology.
'She knows exactly what she's doing. An auctioneer like this—controlling the crowd would be as easy as flipping a coin.'
Beside him, Wang Bing's eyes narrowed. She glanced at Su Tianhao's face, scanning it. Seeing the neutral expression, she exhaled quietly and leaned back—though her gaze never left the woman on stage.
The woman reached the centre of the stage and stopped. Her smile widened as she surveyed the crowd with practiced ease.
Then she spoke—voice sweet and alluring, like honey drizzled over silk.
"Welcome, honoured guests, to the Drifting Cloud Auction's Annual Grand Auction."
Her words carried effortlessly through the hall, amplified by the formation arrays. Every syllable precise. Every pause deliberate.
"I am Madam Rou, and I will be your auctioneer this evening."
The moment the name left her lips, the hall erupted.
"It's Madam Rou!"
"That dress—Red Spirit Silk! Heavens, it's really her!"
"Careful staring—I heard someone got heart demons just from looking!"
"Even a Martial Lord might not be able to resist her allure!"
Chaos rippled through the crowd like wildfire.
Su Tianhao blinked. "This Madam Rou... she's really this famous?"
Elder Xuan nodded, brows furrowing slightly. "I've heard of her."
"Really?" Wang Bing's eyes lit up with interest.
"Her name is Rou Yulan." Elder Xuan's voice carried quiet weight. "Once a renowned courtesan from the capital—famed not just for her beauty, but for a keen wit and negotiation skills that left most men scrambling. Her past is deliberately veiled. Some say she was a noble's concubine. Others claim she served as an informant during the border wars."
He paused. "She vanished from public view entirely, only to resurface years later as an auctioneer here. With a tongue like silver and a mind like a blade, she quickly rose through the ranks."
His gaze grew distant. "Though she never displays her cultivation openly, the rumours are plentiful. Some say she once killed a Martial Master with a single poisoned kiss. Others claim an ancient guardian beast protects her."
He leaned back. "Whatever the truth, she has become as relevant as the treasures themselves."
Su Tianhao and Wang Bing exchanged a glance.
Then they turned back to the stage with renewed interest.
---
Madam Rou raised one slender hand, jade ring shimmering beneath the lights.
"Please."
The word drifted through the hall—soft yet commanding, graceful yet firm.
The chaos fell silent. As if swept away by an invisible wind.
Her smile deepened. "I'm flattered by your enthusiasm—but if you all collapse before the treasures even appear, this Madam will feel quite guilty."
Light laughter rippled through the crowd.
"But." Her eyes narrowed slightly, tone cooling into something silk-laced with steel. "I must remind everyone—this is the Grand Auction. Dignity, order, and decorum are expected."
The atmosphere tightened immediately. The wild energy reined itself in.
Madam Rou's expression softened, her voice resuming its warm, honeyed tone. "Now then... shall we begin?"
She gestured gracefully, almost sensual. A faint ripple of spiritual energy swept across the stage.
"Tonight, we have gathered treasures from across Longzhou Country. Rare spirit herbs. Ancient artifacts. Powerful techniques. Medicines capable of changing fates."
Confidence rang clear in every word. "Whether you seek strength, fortune, or simply the thrill of competition—you will find it here."
The crowd stirred. Whispers rose like a tide.
"Before we begin—the rules." She raised her hand.
"All bids are final. Payment is due immediately when the gavel falls. We accept spirit stones, gold, or equivalent treasures." Her smile remained pleasant, but steel ran beneath it. "Spiritual sense probing of other attendees is strictly forbidden. Violators will be removed and permanently barred. Violence within these walls will not be tolerated—our guards are authorised to act with full force."
She paused, letting that settle. "And finally—enjoy yourselves. Bid freely. Bid fiercely. But bid wisely."
Her eyes glinted with amusement. "The Drifting Cloud Auction takes no responsibility for bankrupting the foolish."
Laughter rolled through the hall.
"Now then..." Her smile turned playful. She clapped once.
"Shall we begin?"
The velvet curtain parted, revealing a raised platform.
"Our opening treasure tonight—a Flame Serpent's Core. Harvested from a 4th level grade 5 spirit beast. Perfect for Fire Qi cultivators seeking to refine their spiritual energy or craft grade 5 fire-attribute pills."
A crystalline pedestal rose from the stage. Atop it sat a glowing red orb the size of a fist, pulsing with heat and light.
Madam Rou's voice rang out, clear and commanding.
"Let the auction begin!"