In the private training forest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Bei looked at the Redcloud Elk in front of him, who had a rather sycophantic expression on its face, and nodded in satisfaction. After a month of nourishing under the Pill Tower's fragrance, the little elk had successfully reached a cultivation level of 130 years. When they had first captured it, the little thing had only just recently become a century-old soul beast.
It seemed that the fragrance released by the first layer of the Pill Tower could help soul beasts increase their cultivation by one year per day.
During this time, Ning Bei had also reached Soul Master Level 13. Thanks to the pill sales, his pocket money had increased, and his storage necklace now contained several thousand Gold Soul Coins.
At the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce, Ning Bei's pills were sold for 3 Gold Soul Coins each. Even though the price was relatively low, the demand still far exceeded the supply, and he estimated that prices would increase in the future. While this might seem like small change for a wealthy clan like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, it was essentially a no-cost venture.
Considering the pocket money his parents had given him as a child, even without relying on the clan's resources, Ning Bei could already be considered a little rich. For a regular civilian family, the monthly expenses were only about one Gold Soul Coin.
However, prolonged training was becoming a bit torturous for Ning Bei, especially since he had experienced the pleasures and distractions of the modern world in his past life. Yet, his parents and the two honored Titled Douluo had high expectations for him, so Ning Bei did not slack off. Nevertheless, the restlessness in his heart was growing harder to suppress.
Taking Xiao Tao with him, Ning Bei walked to Gu Rong's residence without knocking and entered directly.
"Grandpa Gu, I haven't left the sect in over a month. Can we go out for a stroll?"
"Oh? How's your training going these days?"
Gu Rong looked at the two of them with a smile.
"I've already reached Level 13. As soul masters, we also need to balance work and rest!"
Gu Rong thought about it for a moment. Indeed, Ning Bei had been training diligently. For a six-year-old child like him, spending every day in the sect was already a big challenge. Most other sect children only trained sporadically, every few days.
Even ordinary children were like that, not to mention Ning Bei, who was the clan's prized treasure.
"Alright then, Grandpa Gu will take you out. But remember, you must stay by my side and not wander off."
Ever since Ning Bei awakened his martial soul, his parents had become stricter with him. While he used to sneak out with Xiao Tao to visit Seven Treasure City, now, before they even reached the gate, Chen Xin and Gu Rong would have them by the collar, dragging them back.
"Great! Let's go, Grandpa Gu!"
Xiao Tao, who hadn't spoken yet, smiled brightly. It was clear that she, too, had grown bored staying inside the sect for so long.
The three of them left the sect and arrived at Seven Treasure City, which was owned by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Thanks to the clan's immense wealth, Seven Treasure City was incredibly prosperous, with the bustling sounds of street vendors filling the air.
"Young Master, let's go visit the Seven Treasure Apparel store!"
It was clear that, no matter their age, women loved shopping for clothes. Ning Bei had previously gone there with Xiao Tao when they snuck out, and it had left a deep psychological impact on him. He could only sigh and think, No wonder she's a sensitive and agile soul master—her shopping skills are maxed out!
Xiao Tao's father was from a side branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, while her mother was from a foreign family. Xiao Tao didn't inherit her father's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, but instead took after her mother's Wind Spirit Cat.
Her parents were killed by a powerful ten-thousand-year soul beast during a soul hunting expedition. Originally, with her innate level 5 soul power, Xiao Tao would have been sent to manage one of the clan's industries in Seven Treasure City when she became an adult. However, Ning Bei's mother found Xiao Tao to be a sweet and obedient girl and, coincidentally, Ning Bei was born around the same time, so they kept her around as a servant.
With Ning Bei's status in the clan, no one dared to treat Xiao Tao poorly.
"Xiao Tao, stop talking! There's no way I'm taking you to look at clothes today. Do you know how difficult it is to go out right now?"
After hearing Xiao Tao's suggestion, Ning Bei's head nearly spun with confusion.
Xiao Tao reluctantly nodded.
"Understood, Young Master. So, where are we going?"
Ning Bei thought for a moment before turning to Gu Rong.
"Grandpa Gu, is there an auction at the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce today?"
Gu Rong smiled and nodded.
"You're in luck! The weekly auction just happens to be today. But it's still early, so let's wander around for a bit."
"That's great! Let's go to the auction later, then. What do you think, Taozi?"
"I'll go wherever Young Master goes."
Gu Rong accompanied the two children around Seven Treasure City, and it wasn't long before they were each holding various snacks and filling their storage soul tools with all kinds of interesting trinkets.
Soon, Gu Rong led them to the entrance of the Seven Treasure Chamber of Commerce.
"Let's go in, Bei'er. The auction is about to start."
The guards at the entrance immediately rushed to inform the manager upon seeing Gu Rong and Ning Bei. The manager arrived shortly after and greeted them respectfully.
"Honored Elder, Young Master, what brings you to the Chamber today? Please, follow me."
"Bei'er's been feeling restless from all the training, so I'm taking him out to stretch his legs. Please arrange a private room for us."
"At once, honored Elder."
They were led to a private room frequently used by Ning Fengzhi. The manager instructed the servants to bring tea and snacks, leaving behind a maid before bowing and leaving.
Ning Bei surveyed the lavish décor of the room and the beautiful servant standing nearby, silently muttering, This old man knows how to enjoy life.
He looked outside and noticed that people were steadily filling the auction hall. It was soon packed to the brim.
Before long, the auction officially began. A young, beautiful woman dressed in rare attire walked onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this auction. I am your auctioneer, Ya Fei."
"I will now introduce the items we have for auction today."
When Ning Bei heard the auctioneer's name, he had a strange look on his face. Did she get the wrong stage?
Moments later, the first item to be auctioned was pushed onto the stage: a beautifully crafted evening gown.
"This is the first item of today's auction—a dinner gown personally crafted by Metis, the head designer of Seven Treasure Apparel. The starting bid is 500 Gold Soul Coins. Each subsequent bid must be no less than 50 Gold Soul Coins. Gentlemen and ladies, please start bidding if you are interested."
"550 Gold Soul Coins."
"600 Gold Soul Coins."
"…"
"1050 Gold Soul Coins."
"Alright, Guest No. 302 has placed a bid of 1050 Gold Soul Coins. Is there anyone else willing to bid higher? If not, this gown will belong to Guest No. 302."
Ning Bei, watching from the private room, looked at the gorgeous gown on the stage and thought of his mother. It was time to show a bit of filial piety.
Ever since his martial soul awakening, he had been almost confined to the sect. Although he understood their concerns, sometimes when he wanted to go out, he needed someone to help nudge things along.
With that thought in mind, Ning Bei waved to the maid in the room.
"Oh! Guest No. 1 has bid 1200 Gold Soul Coins. Any higher bids?"
"1200 Gold Soul Coins, once."
"1200 Gold Soul Coins, twice."
"1200 Gold Soul Coins, thrice."
"Congratulations to Guest No. 1 for winning the dinner gown made by Master Metis."
The auctioneer, Ya Fei, struck the gavel, signaling the successful transaction.