Thud! A stubble-faced大叔 staring at me with wide eyes crashed into a roadside pillar.

The 178th, I counted silently in my heart.

Thump! Another auntie fixated on me took a spectacular flat fall.

179 now…

"Hey, where are we even going? We’re almost at 180!"

"What 180?"

"Never mind…" My delicate brows furrowed slightly as I sighed. The disaster count instantly jumped to 183.

"Don’t sigh, Xiao Ye! We’re here~" Sinan Ying pointed ahead.

Before us stood a massive square building—pure white walls, a perfect cube. It looked just like—

"A dice?"

"It’s an auction house!" Her reminder made me notice the giant characters atop: "Jianshide Auction House."

An auction house… Wait, an auction house!?

Excitement surged through me. It’s finally here! Throughout novels, auction houses are essential hubs. Whether the MC is an overpowered genius, a useless guy, a pretty boy, or whatever—they always snag gear, spirit treasures, or even harem members from auctions. On collection quests, at least one key item comes from here. And after bidding? Villains (or "good guys") always try to rob the MC, only to get looted themselves… Seriously, walking into an auction house guarantees huge gains—it’s an ironclad rule!

"Alright, alright, let’s go in! Auction house, auction house~" My excitement was already unbearable!

"Why so hyped again… Hold on, take this violet-gold card first." Sinan Yuan handed me a card shimmering with luxury.

"This violet-gold card is for super VIPs only. Fewer than five factions in the entire Imperial Capital qualify…"

"Then I’ll take it!"

"Wait, listen!" Sinan Yuan snatched it back, eyeing me like a pauper. "I’m just showing it off. We don’t need credentials here—this auction house is a Sinan Family property."

"Eh? So that means…"

"As the clan head’s daughter, the young mistress can spend unlimited funds, skip commissions, and enjoy top-tier suites and service. Of course, we tag along and share the perks."

The world of the super-rich… so impressive…

———————————————————————————————————

The auction house’s opulent interior clashed sharply with its plain exterior. Spacious halls, rows of seats, elevated VIP rooms… This felt more like a grand opera house than an auction venue.

I’d never entered an auction house back on Earth. Everything here fascinated me. To my surprise, we weren’t just buyers—Sinan Yuan had brought an item to bid on. My trophy… a Wasteland Beast Core.

Turns out, after we left the mountains, a clan member retrieved the core. Though lifeless and useless practically, it remained valuable as decor.

Did you even ask my permission…

"Miss Yuan, this thing—"

"Don’t worry. I know it’s your trophy. Whatever it sells for is yours."

"Thanks!"

"Shh, it’s starting!"

Lights plunged the hall into darkness, leaving only spotlights on stage. A burly figure in skimpy clothes… no, a blonde beauty appeared. Her eyes smoldered, her waist sinuous. Every glance radiated charm, straightening every man’s spine in the room.

"Dear guests, long time no see! I’m your old friend, auctioneer Su Ya~"

"OOOOHHHHHH!!!"

The silent hall erupted—cheers and whistles filled the air. This beauty clearly had fans. Pity I’d grown used to gorgeous women lately (especially when I looked in the mirror), so she barely fazed me.

"So thrilled to see so many friends here! Thank you for your trust. Enough chatter—let’s begin! First item, please welcome Ah-Zuo and Ah-You~~"

Two handsome youths—likely "Ah-Zuo and Ah-You"—placed a silk-draped object on Su Ya’s table. Seriously, such lazy names for extras.

Su Ya’s snow-pale hand lifted the cloth, revealing a stunning… ceramic piece?

"A celadon-glazed phoenix-patterned sunflower washer, crafted by ceramics master Zhou Shuren 300 years ago! Flawless preservation, zero defects—a national treasure! Starting bid: eight million universal coins!"

Wait… just ordinary pottery? Not a spirit artifact, Spiritual Medicine, or some overpowered material? And so expensive?

"Nine million!" Someone shouted while I puzzled.

"Ten million!"

"Fifteen million!"

Bids flew fast. That little dish doubled in price within moments, finally selling to a young master for twenty-three million.

The next three items were all artworks… Seriously? How’s this different from Earth auctions? At least throw in some high-tier gear! This is a fantasy world, right?

Then again… combat isn’t everything. An auction full of weapons and potions would be weird. The good stuff’s probably later. Just wait quietly.

"Xiao Ye, look! It’s your item!" Sinan Ying suddenly yelled, loud enough for the whole hall to hear. Countless eyes snapped to us. Flustered, I ducked my head and covered my face.

"A green-ground damask gourd carving, by modern master Zhang Dawan. Carved from a whole Wasteland Beast Core—naturally flawless and high-grade, elevated further by the master’s touch! Starting bid: ten million universal coins!"

So nervous… I’d harvested that core myself. How much would it fetch?

"That voice earlier… Could it be the Sinan Family’s useless daughter?"

Before bids began, a shrill, mocking voice cut from a VIP room across the hall.

"Does the mighty Sinan Family really sell lifeless waste cores? Anyone with eyes knows it’s worthless. Don’t embarrass yourselves!"

"You—what did you say!?" Sinan Ying shot up, enraged.

"It’s the Cleone Clan. Don’t provoke them!" Sinan Yuan pinned her back down.

"We don’t know their numbers. We came lightly. A direct clash would be unwise."

"But Xiao Ye—"

"I’m fine," I cut in quickly. "Snapping back now would play right into their hands."

Truthfully, hearing my trophy mocked stung. But I couldn’t lose composure over petty taunts.

Seeing no real reaction, the Cleone side sneered again: "Worthless is worthless! Two words and you’re a turtle hiding its head?"

"Esteemed guest," Su Ya chirped sweetly, her tone light but icy beneath, "our rules strictly forbid public provocations. One more slip, and we’ll have to escort you out."

Right—the auction house is Sinan property. Of course she’d side with them.

"Hmph. Since Miss Su Ya insists, we’ll drop it. Our mistake this time." Unexpectedly, the sharp-tongued speaker apologized smoothly. Their motives were baffling.

Bidding resumed. My beast-core carving sold for twenty-eight million—a solid result.

"Now, the art auction concludes. The real show begins! Behold our carefully selected—spirit artifacts!"