Sanctuary Trial Chapter Twenty-Eight The Auction

Following their footsteps, it wasn’t long before they arrived at the preparation area for the Tianqing Academy within the arena. By this time, everyone else had already assembled and was waiting there. As they saw Luo Chen approach, they each greeted him in turn. Qing Xuanyu, standing beside him, glanced at Luo Chen, her cheeks tinged with a blush, then quickly lowered her head and hurried over to sit beside Xiaoya, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze.

Luo Chen noticed that Qing Xingyue and the others were also watching him, though more out of curiosity as to why he and Qing Xuanyu had arrived together. After all, Qing Xuanyu’s little gestures just now had said everything. Seeing the look on Qing Xingyue’s face and the sly smile tugging at her lips, Luo Chen could not help but shake his head. He strode straight to the front, standing once again in the spot where he had watched the matches the previous day.

As the bell sounded once more, Luo Chen looked up at the figure slowly emerging atop the City Lord’s platform. But this time, unlike before, the golden knight leapt directly, landing on the dueling platform. His gaze swept the surroundings before settling on the participants’ preparation area.

“After two days of contests, today, among the nine remaining victors, one will receive a bye, while the remaining eight shall compete for a place in the final four of this trial!”

As he finished speaking, the golden knight produced nine tokens, each engraved with the name of a participating force. He tossed the tokens into the air, and they began to spin in sequence. After a few breaths, one token slowly descended before the golden knight.

“Today’s bye goes to: Tianqing Academy.”

Hearing this, Luo Chen noticed the barely restrained delight on the faces of his companions and smiled as well. At least today, those from the Academy would not have to fight, giving them a better chance at reaching the top three tomorrow. On the platform, the golden knight extended both arms, and two additional dueling platforms rose on either side of the main stage.

“The four matches to determine the semifinals will take place simultaneously. In the afternoon, the top three will be decided. Contestants, take the stage!”

As the eight disciples appeared on the central platform, the eight floating tokens above once again spun and intertwined. After a few moments, with a wave of the golden knight’s hand, the tokens paired off and dropped before him.

“Platform One: Sacred Restoration Pavilion versus Sword Hall of Heaven.”
“Platform Two: Hundred Flowers Palace versus Silver Tiger Clan.”
“Platform Three: Holy Land of Heavenly Pool versus Water Command Sect.”
“Platform Four: Illusory Sky Sect versus Withered Wood Cliff.”

As the golden knight finished announcing the pairings, disciples from both sides of the four platforms took their places. Luo Chen glanced at Qing Xingyue, then turned and walked toward the exit, leaving the others momentarily puzzled by his actions. Qing Xingyue simply smiled, then exchanged a meaningful look with Qing Xuanyu. Taking the hint, Qing Xuanyu quickly followed in Luo Chen’s footsteps. In no time, Luo Chen had left the arena.

“Brother Chen, wait for me!”

Hearing her voice behind him, Luo Chen stopped and turned as Qing Xuanyu beckoned, then hurried over to his side. Luo Chen was a bit puzzled as to why she had followed; after all, he had left simply because the results held no suspense for him, making it unnecessary to stay.

“Yu’er, why did you come out?”

“I was afraid you’d run off, so I followed you.”

Luo Chen frowned slightly—the excuse seemed a bit flimsy. He meant to ask further, but seeing Qing Xuanyu slip her arm through his, he smiled and let it go. The two of them headed toward the bustling avenue ahead. Along the way, Qing Xuanyu darted about, buying one thing after another, grabbing whatever caught her fancy and leaving Luo Chen with no choice but to obediently pay for it all.

Watching the trinkets Qing Xuanyu picked out, though none were of much practical use—at best, they might serve as playthings or ornaments—Luo Chen ended up spending nearly a thousand spirit stones along the way. To say he wasn’t pained by the expense would have been untrue. Yet, seeing the happiness on Qing Xuanyu’s face, he decided not to dwell on it. Compared to her joy, a few thousand spirit stones were nothing. So, he simply kept up with her, following wherever she led.

After a while, Luo Chen brought Qing Xuanyu to a shop at the heart of the bustling district. Above the entrance, three bold characters read: Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Luo Chen paused and glanced at Qing Xuanyu.

“Brother Chen, is there something you need to buy?”

Luo Chen touched the ring on his finger, nodded to Qing Xuanyu, and led her inside. Once through the door, he saw shelves on either side lined with all manner of wares. Behind the counter at the front, a middle-aged man was poring over what seemed to be accounts. Luo Chen walked straight up.

“Esteemed guest, please feel free to look around,” the man said, without so much as glancing up. Luo Chen turned to survey the shop, frowning slightly, then turned back to the man and smoothly produced a shield from his ring, placing it on the counter.

“I’m here to sell something.”

Qing Xuanyu, watching Luo Chen’s solemn, slightly annoyed demeanor, couldn’t help but stifle a giggle behind her hand. Luo Chen ignored this, keeping his serious gaze fixed on the man, who finally looked up at him, then down at the shield before him.

Perhaps only Luo Chen and Qing Xuanyu knew that his irritation was an act; in truth, Luo Chen simply disliked such indifference—after all, a guest is still a guest. After a few moments, the man’s face shifted to one of deference, a smile spreading across his features.

“Sir, are you certain you wish to sell this item?”

Luo Chen nodded, noting the delight on the man’s face as he gingerly traced the intricate engravings on the silver shield. Luo Chen understood why—he had brought this shield out from the Thunder Abyss, discovering it only after leaving. Most likely, Sword Elder Zhongli had placed it in his ring before returning it. It was a treasure of the Earth tier, after all.

“Sir, I cannot appraise this item myself. However, our shop will soon be holding an auction. Would you be willing to consign it for sale?”

“An auction?”

“Yes, sir. The item will go to the highest bidder, and we only take a twenty percent commission.”

Luo Chen considered—twenty percent wasn’t unreasonable. Besides, he’d never attended an auction before; this might be a good chance to broaden his experience. Thinking thus, he nodded. The man, seeing this, came out from behind the counter.

“Sir, miss, please follow me.”

With a courteous gesture, he led the way. Luo Chen glanced at Qing Xuanyu, took her hand, and followed. They passed down a winding corridor, and before long, a grand two-story pavilion appeared before them. At the end of the corridor, the stairs led upward, and at another gesture from the man, they ascended to the second floor.

He led them to a spacious, private box. One wall was left entirely open, obscured only by a beaded curtain that looked to be made of jade. The entire pavilion was circular in design, each private box spaced several meters apart and separated by soundproofing crystals. Luo Chen estimated there were at least fifteen such boxes on the second floor. Turning to look out the window, he could make out the distant outline of the arena. Luo Chen and Qing Xuanyu settled onto the plush beast-fur divan in the center.

“Sir, miss, please rest here for a moment. The auction will begin shortly.”

With that, the man turned to leave. Luo Chen nodded, watching his retreating figure, then called out after a moment’s hesitation.

“Wait.”

“Yes, sir? Is there something else you require?”

The man bowed, and Luo Chen casually produced a large silver hammer. The man’s face paled in surprise at the sight of it, and Qing Xuanyu covered her mouth in shock. Luo Chen set the hammer upright beside him and glanced at the man.

“Help me auction this as well. I have no use for it.”

The man looked at the hammer—standing nearly a meter tall, its surface inscribed with faint red runes—then at Luo Chen. Taking a few heavy steps forward, sweat beading on his brow, he seemed almost unable to believe his ears.

“Sir, are you sure you want to auction this?”

Luo Chen, pouring himself a glass of the fine wine prepared on the table, glanced at the man and nodded before downing the drink in one go. Seeing Luo Chen’s calm demeanor, the man swallowed hard, wiped the sweat from his forehead, produced a ring, and stored the hammer inside, bowing once again before quickly leaving the room.

“Hmph! Brother Chen, you’re so stingy—not even a single good item for Yu’er.”

He had just poured his second cup of wine, not yet taken a sip, when he froze—Qing Xuanyu had turned away, her posture embodying indignation. Luo Chen couldn’t help but smile, and, resigned, finished the cup in one gulp. He cleared some space on the table, then, with a wave of his hand, filled it with various items.

“All right—you can pick whatever you like.”

At his words, Qing Xuanyu slowly turned back, her surprise audible in her soft gasp. Spread across the table were swords, bracelets, bracers, and all manner of oddities. For a moment, she was overwhelmed, glancing helplessly at Luo Chen.

“Brother Chen, you…”