116: Chapter 116: Here?

"Please sit, you two."

Liuer led them to their seats and personally poured tea.

Xiao Ran sat down and looked downstairs through the crystal.

The auction stage was surrounded by people, all ordinary Cultivators who were not qualified to enter the private booths.

They were gathered in small groups, discussing animatedly with eyes full of anticipation.

"Miss Liu, are all those people downstairs here for the auction?"

Xiao Ran suddenly asked.

Liuer nodded.

"Yes, the first floor has ordinary seats; anyone can enter as long as they have Spirit Stones."

"The second floor consists of VIP booths. One needs a cultivation level of the Soul Transformation Stage or higher to enter, or..."

She glanced at Xiao Ran with a beaming smile.

"Or be a Sect Genius with a noble status like Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Ran picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"And what about you, Miss Liu? Since you're a shopping guide, you must have seen many distinguished guests, right?"

Liuer smiled.

"This humble girl has worked at Wanbao Pavilion for many years and has indeed seen some big figures."

"However, someone as young and promising as Young Master Xiao is quite rare."

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Xiao Ran.

Not a single sentence went by without her praising how amazing Xiao Ran was.

Hearing this, Xiao Ran understood instantly.

This Liuer was indeed no ordinary guide; she was deliberately approaching him.

Bai Linger sat quietly to the side, remaining silent the whole time.

Xiao Ran set down his teacup and suddenly asked,

"Miss Liu, how long have you been at Wanbao Pavilion?"

Liuer was startled for a moment before replying,

"Almost ten years."

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Ten years... Then Miss Liu must know Wanbao Pavilion very well?"

Liuer smiled but said nothing.

Xiao Ran looked at her and suddenly grinned.

Since you want to play the role of a guide, I'll play along with you.

Then, in the next moment, Xiao Ran's smile vanished.

"Since Miss Liu has been a guide for so many years, you must be very familiar with the business."

"Come, give my shoulders a massage first."

Liuer was immediately stunned upon hearing this.

You want me to massage your shoulders?

Is this a joke?

"Young Master Xiao, please stop teasing me. We don't provide that kind of service here."

Liuer forced a smile, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

"Now we do."

"Don't worry, you'll be well-compensated."

Xiao Ran spoke nonchalantly.

After saying that, he pulled a top-tier Spirit Stone from his Storage Pouch and tossed it into Liuer's lap.

"Ah... this."

Liuer's smile gradually faded away.

I work at an auction house; do you think I haven't seen a Spirit Stone before?

This is a blatant insult!

Xiao Ran, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed and made himself comfortable in his chair.

"Hurry up. If you won't do it, I'll have them send someone else."

"If you won't do it, plenty of others will."

Xiao Ran said with his eyes closed.

Behind him, Liuer gnashed her teeth in hatred.

In all her years, no one had ever dared to make her massage their shoulders.

This was Xiao Ran.

If it weren't to fish for information, this old lady wouldn't be serving you!

"Hurry up!"

Xiao Ran urged again.

Liuer finally moved, her jade-like hands gently reaching for Xiao Ran's shoulders.

Her fingers kneaded lightly, looking incredibly perfunctory.

"Did you not eat breakfast this morning?"

"I really am going to replace you."

Xiao Ran's brow furrowed.

Liuer gritted her teeth, and the pressure in her hands gradually increased.

Only then did Xiao Ran feel comfortable.

He then stretched out his legs and rested them on the coffee table.

Seeing this, Bai Linger immediately stepped forward to massage his legs.

"Sensible!"

Xiao Ran gave her a big mental thumbs up.

There's no crime in being comfortable.

...

Before long.

When everyone had arrived.

A bell rang from downstairs.

The auction was about to begin.

Liuer was still applying pressure to his shoulders, but no matter how hard she pressed, Xiao Ran maintained an expression of enjoyment.

She was out of tricks and could only whisper a reminder.

"Young Master Xiao, the auction is starting."

Xiao Ran didn't even open his eyes upon hearing this.

"I heard it. Keep pressing."

"The item I want is at the end. No rush."

Liuer was fuming.

Is this guy addicted?

"Young Master, if there's anything you like, feel free to raise your placard. This humble girl will help you call out the price."

Liuer said through gritted teeth.

Xiao Ran nodded and continued to enjoy himself.

At the same time.

Downstairs, on the auction stage.

A white-bearded old man walked onto the stage and struck a golden gong in his hand.

"Everyone, the Wanbao Pavilion auction now begins!"

The entire venue fell silent.

Xiao Ran finally opened his eyes and looked toward the stage.

Seeing this, Liuer was instantly overjoyed.

Finally, I don't have to massage him anymore, right?

The pressure in her hands immediately lightened significantly.

"Hmm? Why did you stop?"

"Continue!"

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow and said calmly.

"You..."

Liuer was so angry she almost wanted to throw in the towel and quit.

But she had already been massaging for so long; wouldn't leaving now make all that effort for nothing?

So she endured it again, and the pressure in her hands suddenly intensified.

At this moment.

Xiao Ran's attention had shifted to the auction.

Regardless of anything else, he had to get the seeds of the nine nether magic lotus first.

Through the Soul link, Li Changsheng's voice came through.

"Xiao Ran, which booth are you in?"

"Hong Room."

"I'm in the Di Room."

Li Changsheng said.

"Guess who I just saw?"

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow.

"Who?"

"Su Wuhun."

"He's also in a Di-rank booth. With him is a Soul Transformation old man, likely an Elder of the Su Family."

Li Changsheng said.

Xiao Ran's eyes narrowed.

Su Wuhun...

Just yesterday he had been miserably defeated by Xiao Ran, yet today he appeared at the auction.

"This guy might cause some trouble!"

Following the usual plot development, this Su Wuhun would definitely try to oppose him.

"That's what I thought too. In any case, be careful."

That was also Li Changsheng's point.

The two cut the link.

At the auction, the first item had been brought onto the stage.

It was an Earth Rank High Grade longsword, with a starting price of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

The atmosphere in the venue instantly became heated.

Xiao Ran leaned back on the soft couch, leisurely sipping his tea.

For the current him, this kind of weapon was beneath his notice.

The real highlight was still to come.

...

At the same time.

Inside the Di Room booth.

Li Changsheng sat on the soft couch, and surprisingly, a woman in a pink dress stood beside him.

Liu Ruyan.

Today, she wasn't wearing the signature gauzy robes of the Hehuan Sect, but a dignified outfit, and the usual flirtatiousness had vanished from her face.

"Li Changsheng, what's with that expression?"

"Don't like seeing me?"

Liu Ruyan looked quite dignified, making such words seem out of place.

Li Changsheng immediately shook his head.

"Not at all... it's just that I rarely see you fully dressed, so I'm a bit unaccustomed to it."

Liu Ruyan was taken aback.

Then, a different expression immediately appeared on her face.

"So you prefer seeing me without clothes?"

Li Changsheng didn't dare to speak.

But Liu Ruyan had already gathered her hair and begun to undress.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't mess around."

"This is an auction!"

Li Changsheng was shocked and hastily tried to stop her.

But Liu Ruyan had already leaned in close.

"Hey, hey, don't unbutton my clothes..."

"You really are the death of me."

...