Chapter 56: Who Says the Protagonist Always Finds Treasures at Auctions?

Chapter 56: Who Says the Protagonist Always Finds Treasures at an Auction?

“These women themselves belong to the auction house, including their very lives. They were all purchased as commoners at a young age and raised here. They are not only staff but also part of the auction. If someone is willing to pay, they can be bought and sold.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan’s face darkened. “Treating people like commodities? Isn’t that slavery? I recall the empire’s laws strictly forbid slave trading, and you are the crown prince of Tiandou.”

[I can’t quite recall this part of the storyline—damn it, so many memories have faded after all these years. Now I can only piece together the general plot and the key treasures. Speaking of treasures, I remember the imperial relic of Tiandou—the Heart of the Sea God.]

Xue Qinghe shook his head helplessly. “There are many helpless things in this world. This is the Tiandou Auction House; it’s not just slaves they dare sell here—there is nothing they won’t put up for sale. Those girls appear expressionless because they have long lost their own hearts and cannot decide their own fates. All they can do is obey. Though beautiful, they possess no souls. The only thing I can offer them is pity.”

“How much cheaper would it be if I bought them using your status?”

Xue Qinghe seemed to see through his thoughts. “You want to buy them and then set them free? That would only be another tragedy.”

“Why?”

Sighing, Xue Qinghe continued, “These attendants have no survival skills beyond serving men. Even if you bought them, given their appearance, they would eventually fall into a man’s arms. Their fate would be even more miserable. They have no souls, no world of their own. Besides, each costs an astonishing one hundred thousand gold soul coins—ten times the price of the finest courtesans. Not just anyone can afford them. Even with my status, I can’t get a significant discount, and it would bring negative consequences for me.”

“Indeed, the empire forbids slave trade, but as long as there are profits, such behavior cannot be eradicated. Moreover, slave trading is highly lucrative. The forces behind this auction are complex, involving many vested interests. Even if I were emperor, it would be hard to intervene.”

“The so-called imperial laws are merely tools to control commoners. For the lofty noble class, they are meaningless. They can do as they please within the law, which in the end is just a set of rules they created for their own game.”

Zhong Yan fell silent, anger burning inside him, yet powerless. These girls were long corrupted; the world’s powerful had long been rotten. He could only leave a grim warning: “Just wait and see.”

The auction continued steadily. On the platform was a soul-guiding device shaped like a belt, now bid up to fifty thousand gold soul coins. Zhong Yan had no interest—it barely had half the storage capacity of the soul device Bi Bi Dong had given him.

As the auction neared its end, not a single item had caught either of their interests. Zhong Yan thought to himself, [Isn’t it said the protagonist always encounters a rare treasure at an auction? Either snagging something cheap, or missing out, then robbing the buyers afterward, leading to a chaotic brawl from which the protagonist acquires the prize without spending a penny.]

“Qinghe, didn’t you say we came to have fun? Why haven’t we seen anything interesting yet?”

“Don’t rush—it’s coming soon.” [Soon, it will arrive.]

The host on the podium smiled warmly at the bidders. “Next, we present a truly rare treasure. Gentlemen, especially, please pay close attention.”

With that, three burly attendants pushed a cart covered in black cloth onto the stage. The shape suggested a large square box.

The crowd stopped their chatter, eyes fixed on the stage, curiosity piqued.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe’s face turned grave. “Zhong Yan.”

“What’s wrong? Why are you calling me so seriously?”

“This is the ‘interesting’ thing I mentioned. But the fun isn’t in the item itself—it’s this Tiandou Auction House. Don’t blame me for using you, but I truly hope you cause a scene.”

The host’s expression turned mysterious. “Can anyone guess what this is? Alright, I’ll reveal the starting bid: one hundred thousand gold soul coins. Each increment must be at least ten thousand gold soul coins. This is the cream of the crop.”

As the auctioneer, stirring excitement was his duty, and he had succeeded in capturing the room’s attention.

“Now, esteemed guests, prepare yourselves.” With that, he yanked off the black cloth.

Revealed was not a box, but a massive iron cage. Inside it curled a young girl.

She was mostly naked, wearing only a few strips of cloth to cover her most private parts. Her pale skin was like translucent jade, reflecting the light. Her short, pale green hair had a unique charm.

Bang—

Staring at the girl in the cage, Zhong Yan was stunned. His soul energy surged with fury. The jade teacup in his hand shattered to dust.

A heavy, oppressive aura swept through the auction hall. Every soul master present could sense the owner’s wrath, threatening to erupt as a storm that would destroy the venue.

Everyone was shocked. Who dares cause trouble here?

Yet none feared for their safety, for the auction house would protect them. And anyone causing a scene here must have a death wish.

This was the greatest auction house in the Tiandou Empire, always guarded by at least one Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. There were countless Soul Sages and even Soul Emperors present.

Zhong Yan clearly saw the girl trembling inside the cage. He sensed her emotions—fear, helplessness, and despair.

He had never been this angry before. Not even when he witnessed the Tiandou army disguised as bandits cruelly massacring his village.

To imprison a living person in an iron cage and auction her off like a pet—what have they turned humans into?

Turning a healthy life into a slave dependent on others, transforming innocent girls into playthings for the elite.

These hypocrites, beasts in human skin, deserve death a thousand times over!

“I don’t blame you. In fact, I thank you for letting me see this.”

Stars appeared from the void, slowly orbiting Zhong Yan.

“Then, as you wish, let’s begin!”

[Chapter Break]

Is this fitting? Absolutely perfect.

(End of Chapter)