166: Is it all over?

As the countdown to the start of the auction began,

Xie Ning had yet to return, making Yan Ruyu feel somewhat worried.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked around, hesitating whether to go inside the auction house to search for him when a voice rang out from the stage:

"The 21st Auction of the year 601 officially begins! Please welcome our auctioneer to the stage!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience as all eyes focused on the entrance of the auction stage.

A handsome figure with delicate features, a sword at his waist, and a book in his left hand walked out awkwardly in an auctioneer's outfit.

Seeing this figure, Yan Ruyu's eyes widened.

Coincidentally, the figure on stage also saw her and gave her a grin, leaving her even more petrified.

Seeing Yan Ruyu's colorful expression, Xie Ning's heart bloomed with joy.

Meanwhile, a wave of whispers rose from the audience.

"Who is this guy? Shouldn't it be Liu One Hammer?"

"Yeah, such a major auction involving thirty pieces of true martial gold is being hosted by a youngster? This is ridiculous!"

"Could it be Auctioneer Lin Hai? Great Master Liu One Hammer's top Disciple."

"Impossible. I've seen him; he's average-looking and nothing like this person. Although this guy has some bruises on his face, his features are extraordinary."

"Then..."

As the crowd whispered, the organizers were also completely bewildered.

The Chairman Manager shouted to the staff, "Hurry up and check this person's identity! Find out who he is! Why have I never seen him before?"

"Manager Wang, I just asked. It was the newcomer, Xiao Qian, who found him backstage. He said he's Great Master Liu One Hammer's apprentice and hasn't been on stage much. He's filling in for now. As soon as Great Master Liu returns, they'll swap immediately. It won't delay the auction of the true martial gold," a female staff member ran back, panting, and said.

Clearly, that newcomer Xiao Qian had taken his own guesses as truth; after all, the "Disciple of Liu One Hammer" hadn't denied his words.

"That's the only way. It's a pity about the first few items; they'll probably go unsold." The manager thought for a moment and added, "Tell our plants to stay alert. If an item is about to go unsold or the price is below market value, have them bid it up."

"Yes," the female staff member replied before hurrying away.

The manager took out his phone, wanting to call the Chairman to confirm, but hesitated for a moment and sighed. "Forget it, the Chairman is busy with important matters; better not disturb him. As long as we can stall until Liu One Hammer arrives, everything should be fine."

As he spoke, he looked down from the upper level, frowning at Xie Ning, who was causing a stir due to his youth... Xie Ning looked at the reactions around him and smiled, completely unbothered. He picked up the auction gavel and gave it a heavy strike.

Thud—

The dull sound echoed throughout the venue via the speakers.

"Welcome everyone to this auction. I am your auctioneer for today. We have prepared 35 auction items..."

Following some auction patterns he'd seen online, Xie Ning rattled off a long string of boring opening remarks, leaving the audience drowsy and exchanging looks of confusion.

Yan Ruyu's face darkened, but she didn't do anything.

On the upper level, the manager and several supervisors looked at each other, the same question reflected in their eyes: Who on earth is this guy?

Finally, after more than two minutes, Xie Ning's opening remarks were still going when someone in the audience couldn't take it anymore and shouted:

"Hey! Auctioneer, just start the auction already!"

"Yeah, do you even know how to auction? This isn't an opening ceremony; why all the long-winded nonsense!"

"It's like an old lady's foot-binding wrap—stinking and endless."

"Just start!"

Hearing the crowd's reaction, Xie Ning said, still wanting more, "What a pity, I still had so much to say. But since you're all eager to spend your money, let's begin. Please welcome our first beauty to the stage!"

The audience: "..."

Yan Ruyu was completely too embarrassed to watch.

The people on the high platform wiped away their sweat.

The manager made a split-second decision and instructed the staff, "Go find another auctioneer outside immediately! Requirements? No requirements! Anyone who's an auctioneer will do! Could you possibly find one worse than this?!"

He shouted the last part with his neck strained, his voice nearly a roar.

The others nodded in agreement.

While he was speaking, the first auction item was pushed out from backstage by a hostess wearing a sexy, short-sleeved, deep purple qipao.

"Auction item number one, and the first item of the session, is a bottle of Silver Rank sub-dragon venom blood. It is made from... it is made from..." Xie Ning stopped halfway, pulled out a thick auction manual, flipped through several pages, mumbled for a bit, and then said, "Oh~ found it. It is refined from the heart blood of a sub-dragon species, the Venom Wyvern."

Yan Ruyu: "..."

The audience: "..."

On the upper level, the manager in charge of the auction let go of his grip. His wine glass shattered, spilling red wine everywhere. He said blankly, "It's over. This kid hasn't even read the internal auction manual. We're completely finished! Where's the new auctioneer? Why haven't they been found yet?"

Others quickly comforted him, "Don't worry, sir, don't worry. Look on the bright side—at least he knows to check the manual. Even if the auction is a mess, he can at least hold out for a few rounds. As soon as the new auctioneer arrives, we'll pull him off."

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry. At least he'll check... Holy crap! Look! Now we're really screwed!" a supervisor with a northern accent swore on the spot.

But at this moment, no one blamed him for swearing; they were all staring at the auction stage in stunned silence.

The manager slumped to the floor, a look of despair on his face. "Now, it's really all over."

It was no wonder they were so shocked.

Because after reading just a few lines from the manual, Xie Ning tossed the book behind him, and it vanished from sight.

Looking at the stunned crowd, he gave a gentle smile and said, "Don't be nervous. That little booklet is too unreliable; I'd better explain it myself."

Everyone, including Yan Ruyu, had only one thought in their minds: Could anything be more unreliable than you?

Seeing the disbelief on everyone's faces, Xie Ning smiled. He turned around, walked over to the hostess, and winked at her as she stood there flustered. Then he turned back, scanned the audience, and said:

"Our first auction item is a bottle of Venom Dragon Blood Plasma. Although it looks and sounds similar to the sub-dragon venom blood mentioned earlier, it is actually something different. Venom Dragon Blood Plasma is a long-lost refining secret. It is a plasma refined from a large amount of sub-dragon venom blood and is infinitely close to true Dragon blood. It is an indispensable evolution spiritual Materials for most poison-type Demon Tamers Beast. Its effects are superior to sub-dragon venom blood, and not only that, for the Dragon-type..."

As the introduction began, Xie Ning got into the zone. His explanation was not only more detailed than the booklet, but he even corrected some errors and went into great detail about the effects of the Venom Dragon Blood Plasma.

His words silenced the entire venue. People wanted to refute him but couldn't find a reason to.

Because Xie Ning didn't just talk; he also shared tips on how to distinguish between sub-dragon venom blood and Venom Dragon Blood Plasma. Not only did his explanation match search engine results, but it was even more thorough.

For a moment, those in the audience who needed it had bloodshot eyes and were growing impatient, waiting only for Xie Ning to announce the starting bid.

Yan Ruyu let out a long sigh of relief, but still glared at Xie Ning, seemingly blaming him for scaring her.

Meanwhile, on the upper level, the group that had been in despair just moments ago was now filled with immense hope.

A hope that the auction would become a massive success.

Thump, thump, thump~

A staff member rushed in without knocking, panting as he asked, "Manager, we've found an auctioneer. Should we swap him out now?"

"Tell him to go back where he came from," the manager replied without turning his head.

"Huh?" the staff member was stunned.

The manager added, "Oh, no, let him wait backstage for now. Unless I say so, he is not to go on stage. Send a few people to hold him down firmly."

"What?!"