Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Celestial Martial Auction House

In the very center of Celestial Martial City stood a magnificent, imposing building. A massive plaque above the main entrance was inscribed with four large words: "Celestial Martial Auction House." An endless stream of Martial Artists passed through the doors, a clear sign of the Celestial Martial Auction House’s immense influence within Celestial Martial City.

"So this is the Celestial Martial Auction House. What a grand display!" he remarked, his gaze falling upon the two Tier Eight Spirit Pupil guards at the entrance. ’Back in the Shen Family, a Tier Eight Spirit Pupil is qualified to be an Elder, but here, they’re just guards. Comparisons are truly odious!’

’This is just a branch of the Celestial Martial Auction House,’ Elder Yan said in his mind. ’Wait until you see the headquarters. Then you’ll know what a truly grand display is!’

"We can talk about that later when there’s a chance. For now, let’s take care of business," Shen Haoran said, then walked straight through the main entrance of the Celestial Martial Auction House.

As soon as he entered, Shen Haoran felt as if he had walked into a small marketplace. The main hall was filled with stalls, and the air was thick with the unending cries of vendors, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Isn’t this an auction house? Why are there so many stalls?" Shen Haoran asked in confusion, watching the stall owners haggling with their customers.

’You wouldn’t know about this. The Celestial Martial Auction House is a major auction house; they have specialists to appraise your items. Not just anything can be put up for auction. Things that don’t make the cut are brought here to the first floor for face-to-face trading. At first, the Celestial Martial Auction House tried to regulate it, but as more and more people started trading here, they just turned a blind eye. However, the stall owners have to pay a stall fee to the auction house, so I guess it’s just another way for them to make money.’

"Tsk, tsk. This Celestial Martial Auction House really knows how to make money!" Shen Haoran said, clicking his tongue after hearing Elder Yan’s explanation.

"So, where should we go to sell them the information?" Shen Haoran asked.

’Look, there’s a receptionist over there. Have her take you to the manager here.’

"Oh~" Shen Haoran turned to look.

"Hiss..." Just as Shen Haoran was staring a little longer, working on the principle that it costs nothing to look, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his waist, making him suck in a sharp breath.

"Brother Haoran, is she that pretty?" Ji Lingxuan asked softly. Though her face was all smiles, her small hand was resting on the soft flesh of Shen Haoran’s waist, twisting left and right.

"Ow, ow! Ling Xuan, I was wrong! Let go!" Shen Haoran quickly admitted defeat.

"Hmph..." Ji Lingxuan snorted, gave his waist another vicious twist, and then finally let go.

After Ji Lingxuan let go, Shen Haoran lifted his shirt to look. His waist was black and blue. He shot Ji Lingxuan a pitiful, resentful glare, but she completely ignored him.

"Do you need any help, young man?" Just then, the receptionist walked over and asked with a smile, her body brushing against Shen Haoran—whether intentionally or not, it was hard to say.

Feeling the murderous intent radiating from behind him once more, Shen Haoran quickly sidestepped and said, staring straight ahead, "I need to see your manager."

"See our manager? Young man, our manager doesn’t just meet with anyone," the receptionist said with a beaming smile.

"Then please inform him that the young man who embarrassed the Wu Family’s Second Master is here to see him," Shen Haoran said nonchalantly.

"What!" Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, the smile on the receptionist’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of utter astonishment.

"You’re the young man everyone in the city has been talking about?" the receptionist asked, finding it hard to believe.

"I doubt anyone would dare risk the Wu Family’s retaliation just to impersonate me. So, can I see your manager now?" Shen Haoran asked.

"Oh, oh, yes, of course! Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll go inform him right away." After speaking, the receptionist hurried off toward the top floor. This young man had recently caused a huge uproar in Celestial Martial City, and the Celestial Martial Auction House was naturally very curious about his identity. The manager had long since given orders to be notified immediately if any news of this young man surfaced, which was why the receptionist was in such a rush.

A moment later, the receptionist reappeared before Shen Haoran and said respectfully, "This way, please, sir. Our manager is waiting for you on the top floor."

"Mm," Shen Haoran responded softly and followed the receptionist upstairs.

The Celestial Martial Auction House had three floors in total. The first floor was the trading area, the second was for auctions, and the third floor was the lounge area. The manager of the Celestial Martial Auction House was waiting for Shen Haoran on this third floor.

Shen Haoran and his companion followed the receptionist and stopped before a room. "We’re here," she said. "The manager is waiting for you inside, sir."

"Thanks!" Shen Haoran nodded in gratitude, then gently pushed the door open and entered.

Pushing open the door, Shen Haoran saw a refined, middle-aged man sitting at a desk, organizing various documents. He only looked up when he heard the door open.

"So you’re the mysterious young man?" Seeing Shen Haoran enter, the refined man stood up, sizing him up as he asked.

"I wouldn’t dare claim such a title. This junior is Shen Haoran. It is an honor to meet you, Manager," Shen Haoran said, bowing respectfully. Before he came, Elder Yan had instructed him that the Celestial Martial Auction House was different from the Wu Family; it had its own influence throughout the entire Xingluo Continent, so it was best to be respectful when meeting the manager here. Moreover, Shen Haoran could sense that the man before him possessed unfathomable strength. In a world where strength commanded respect, Shen Haoran always respected the strong!

"Haha, the younger generation is truly formidable. Don’t be so formal. I am Luo Wenqing. You can just call me Manager Luo," Luo Wenqing said with a laugh. He had assumed the young man who embarrassed the Wu Family’s Second Master would be as arrogant as the rumors claimed. But seeing him today, he found the real person was a far cry from the rumors. ’At the very least, an arrogant brat wouldn’t have greeted me so politely.’ Furthermore, Luo Wenqing could tell that Shen Haoran’s respect was genuine and not an act.

"So, Little Brother Shen, what business brings you here today?" Luo Wenqing asked curiously.

"Well, I’d like to sell a piece of information to your esteemed auction house."

"What kind of information? Let’s hear it."

"The information I wish to sell your esteemed auction house is a map to the Ancient Tomb of a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse! And that Ancient Tomb just opened two days ago!" Shen Haoran said in a low voice.

Although Shen Haoran’s voice was quiet, his words struck Luo Wenqing like a bolt from the blue. "What did you say?" he asked in disbelief. "The Ancient Tomb of a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse?"

"That’s right!" Seeing Luo Wenqing’s reaction, Shen Haoran nodded in satisfaction. ’He knew this would be the reaction. After all, the Ancient Tomb of a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse would contain countless treasures. A Spirit Emperor was an Emperor among men; their funerary goods would naturally be extraordinary. If one were to obtain the Spirit Emperor Powerhouse’s inheritance, their future achievements would be no lower than the Spirit Emperor Realm! Such a temptation was something few could resist.’

"Ahem, my apologies. I lost my composure for a moment. Please, Little Brother Shen, explain more clearly!" As expected of the manager of the Celestial Martial Auction House, Luo Wenqing’s mental fortitude was exceptional. He was stunned for only a moment before immediately collecting himself.

"It’s like this. I’m currently out training and accidentally stumbled into the area of that Spirit Emperor’s Ancient Tomb, which activated it. But my own strength is too low, so I couldn’t enter the Ancient Tomb alone! So I thought, since I can’t get in anyway, I might as well trade this information for something valuable. And of course, the first place I thought of was your esteemed auction house! I assume your auction house has the strength to enter a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse’s Ancient Tomb, correct?"