Chapter Thirteen: The Dry Source Auction House

  Gǔ yáng zhèn, cǐ kè rén mǎn wéi huàn, dà jiē shàng dōu shì yōng jǐ de rén qún. Yī tiáo xiǎo lù shàng, liǎng gè yuē shí liù、qī suì de shào nián dōng zhāng xī wàng, qí zhōng yī gè hái bù shí de duì zhe jiě xiǎo tān shàng mǒu xiǎn wù pǐn zhǐ zhǐ diǎn diǎn de, duì shén me dōu fǎng fú chōng mǎn le hào qí.

  "I'm asking you, sister, where are you going?" a young man said in a low voice.

  "You idiot, didn't I tell you to call me Big Brother?" another youth said discontentedly.

  These two young men were Lin and Ling. After descending the mountain, Shiying performed a small magic trick, subtly changing her appearance to become a young man. However, this young man was somewhat excessively handsome.

  "I didn't just hear someone say that there's an auction up ahead, let's go take a look, maybe we can even find some treasures." Xiaoyu was very excited after coming down the mountain, full of curiosity about everything, and naturally didn't want to miss this lively event.

  Helplessly shaking his head, Ling Lin followed her footsteps.

  Ling Lin, who had left Qing Yuan Zong, wasn't without the thought of secretly ditching Shi Ning and leaving alone. However, one was a Martial Dao realm, while the other was a Xian Tian realm. Ling Lin discovered that he didn't have any opportunity to sneak away quietly. Although these few days of cultivation allowed Ling Lin to take another step towards the Xian Tian realm, reaching the 8th level of Martial Dao, but this was still far from being enough in front of a true Xian Tian realm expert. "Looks like I'll be a temporary little follower for a while."

  Qianyuan Auction House, a supposedly top-tier sect-backed auction house with a large scale, covering major cities across Daluo Country. This place is just a branch, the headquarters of the auction house is in the capital of Daluo Country. However, even as a branch, every monthly auction attracts a considerable number of cultivators.

  At the entrance of the auction house, Ling Lin and the other person looked at the auction house in front of them. The auction house was very large, with a vaulted entrance that led to a crowded interior filled with people. At the entrance, two smiling young boys were responsible for receiving guests and distributing bidding numbers.

  Looking at the rows of people entering the auction house, Shi Ning was not in a hurry, and stood at the back with Ling Lin. After the initial commotion had died down, Ling Lin sensed the atmosphere around him. Since he hadn't entered the Innate Realm yet, Ling Lin hadn't opened his Spiritual Sense, so he could only faintly distinguish between strong and weak based on the aura of the people around him. The people in front were all at different levels of the Martial Dao Realm, with the highest being only at the seventh level.

  After waiting for a long time, just as it was about to be Ling Lin's turn to enter the arena, suddenly a figure flew in from the distant horizon at high speed, emitting a powerful aura. Ling Lin was secretly shocked and realized that this person was a pre-heavenly expert. He then glanced at Shi Ning beside him, making a silent comparison in his heart as to who was stronger between the two of them, only to discover that this little demoness was also staring at this person.

  He instantly arrived at the entrance, his sleeve swept across, and a strange gust of wind appeared. Most people were blown away by this strange wind, involuntarily dispersing in all directions. Some with lower cultivation were even blown to the ground, rolling around.

  Ling Lin was about to mobilize his true energy to counter the strange wind, but saw Shi Ning take a step forward. As soon as she took this step, the strange wind dissipated instantly. "You've gone too far," Shi Ning said calmly. Her tone was flat, making it impossible to discern her emotions, but Ling Lin felt that this little demoness was somewhat angry.

  Upon witnessing this scene, the man's expression flashed with a hint of solemnity. Earlier, he had clearly sensed that everyone present was at the Martial Dao realm, yet suddenly, a young innate realm cultivator appeared. His eyes narrowed, and the arrogant look on his face dissipated somewhat. However, it only went as far as that. He glanced at Shi Cong Cong, nonchalantly dropping a few words: "Dòu Wǔ Méng Měng Shān" (Mengshan of the Douwu Alliance). Then, he took over a token handed to him by a respectful young servant and swiftly walked into the inner arena, disappearing into the crowd.

  "Dou Wu Meng", upon hearing these three words, Shi Ning's foot which was just about to step out, furrowed her brow and didn't move. Ling Lin had no idea what Dou Wu Meng was, but the successive noisy sounds that rose from this place made him understand this organization he heard for the first time.

  The Dou Wu Alliance was originally a small group organized by a loose cultivator and his few friends, in order to absorb some loose cultivators, so that they could help each other mutually. After all, the life of a loose cultivator is not easy, having a few companions who can look out for one another is always good.

  However, what the other founders did not expect was that this unintentionally organized group would grow larger and larger. As more people joined, the nature of the group slowly changed from mutual assistance to a culture of violence and aggression. Eventually, they formed an organization called the Dou Wu Alliance. Some even say that the Dou Wu Alliance is just a gang of bandits, except that these bandits are cultivators. Although this may be true, the Dou Wu Alliance has become a force to be reckoned with, its power rivaling that of ordinary sects. With their violent and vengeful style, not many people dare to offend this group of madmen.

  For the first time, Xiao Mo saw Ling Lin eating a dumpling, and he couldn't help but look at him with new eyes. This guy was sometimes a bit arrogant, but still had a good sense of proportion. For example, at this moment, they were sneaking out of Qing Yuan Sect, if they clashed with the people from Dou Wu Alliance now, it would be a very unwise thing to do.

  "We'll go in too." Shi Ning took a token from a child and walked into the inner court with Ling Lin.

  "Two gentlemen, please come this way." As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, a middle-aged man came to greet Ling Lin and Shi Ning. The man first looked at Shi Ning with his eyes, then respectfully said while leading Ling Lin and Shi Ning to a room.

  "This is the VIP room, if you need anything, just order the maid outside." After finishing speaking, he slowly backed out.

  Inside the room, Ling Lin gazed down at the crowded and noisy crowd below. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, this was the benefit of having real power. This time, he had to thank that little witch again. The guy had actually quieted down for once, Ling Lin turned his head, only to find Shi Ningning furrowing her brow, still sulking.

  "You're still angry." Ling Lin said.

  "Hmph, that damned guy, if he hadn't sneaked out this time, I'd have made him pay. " Ci Ning stomped her foot in anger, still visibly upset about what had happened at the entrance.

  "Look at you just now without reaction, I thought you had let go long ago." Ling Lin picked up a fruit and took a big bite, smiling.

  Bai glared at Ling Lin, and Shi Jing said disdainfully: "It's not worth ruining my trip for a guy like him." Then, as if she had just reacted, she pounced on Ling Lin with her teeth and claws, shouting: "Good, rotten wood, dare to mock me!"

  After a few days of getting along, Ling Lin found that this little demoness was actually not bad, except for being a bit mischievous and spoiled. The occasional glimpses of her simplicity and cuteness would always make him smile, and teasing the little devil occasionally became a flavoring in their daily life. His past self had spent almost his entire life in bed, but these few days at Qing Yuan Sect were spent in thrilling excitement. This kind of life made him feel especially enjoyable, and his tightly strung heart began to relax slightly. Gradually, he regained the liveliness and playfulness that a young man of his age should have.

  "Alright, big brother, no, big sister, I was wrong, spare me!" Ling Lin, who had been knocked to the ground, smiled and surrendered.

  She raised her chin, and with a cold gaze at the auction stage that had suddenly lit up, she glanced at Ling Lin who was lying on the ground, saying: "This time I'll spare you. Next time, dare to mock me again, humph." After finishing speaking, she brandished her small white fist in a show of intimidation.

  At these words, they stopped laughing and got up from the ground. Ling Lin also turned his gaze to the auction stage where the lights suddenly lit up.