Chapter 178: The Auction Begins

178. Chapter 177: The Auction Begins

For the next five days, the people under Si Yu went out early and returned late each day, shuttling the items Li Xuan had written on the list back to the camp in Gengxin City.

Of course, Li Xuan's procurement this time was rather large, so such a huge purchase naturally attracted attention from other forces, but Li Xuan did not appear; instead, Lou Gao stepped forward to clarify, saying that a manor was to be built near Gengxin City to serve as his new laboratory.

With Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao's clarification, others stopped focusing on the matter, after all the auction was the main event.

Besides herbs and building materials, Li Xuan had not yet begun buying slaves; he thought that after the auction ended, he would handle the inheritance of his noble estate and purchase slaves.

……

Six days later, in the Courtyard of the Blacksmith Guild garrison in Star Luo City, there were only three hours left until the auction began.

"Xuan Ge'er, I've already settled the payment for all these goods; there are still 100,000 gold Soul Coins left, you decide," Si Yu hurriedly ran in from outside and handed a new Soul Guide Device to Li Xuan.

With so many people and eyes everywhere, those bags full of gold Soul Coins could easily make others envious, so Si Yu put the remaining gold Soul Coins into the Soul Guide Device and handed it to Li Xuan.

Moreover, these supplies cost Li Xuan nearly 1.4 million gold Soul Coins, so the scale of the shipment is evident! "Brother Si Yu, these brothers have worked hard during this period; consider these gold Soul Coins as a reward for them. You decide how to distribute them, and send the rest to Gengxin City. Please, Brother Si Yu, help me reward these brothers. The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect has too many scouts, so I won't appear," Li Xuan returned the Soul Guide Device to Si Yu and said with a smile.

"... Then thank you, Xuan Ge'er," Si Yu hesitated briefly, then nodded, accepting Li Xuan's generosity. These people who run around outside can barely earn much all year, so this counts as a benefit for them.

At that moment, Lou Gao, dressed in an appropriate formal suit, stepped out of his room. Wearing the suit, Lou Gao exuded an unspoken authority—truly worthy of being the Guild President of the Blacksmith Guild.

"Si Long, Si Yu, the time is nearly up; go prepare the carriage, we're about to set off," Lou Gao said while adjusting his clothes, addressing Si Long and Si Yu.

"Yes, teacher!" Si Long and Si Yu immediately nodded in response, then turned to prepare the carriage.

"Xuan Ge'er, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is also attending the auction today, so later I and Si Long will alight at the main gate; Si Yu will lead you through the side gate into a private room of the auction, where no one checks. Then you go straight into the private suite; once inside, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect members won't be able to spot you, and you'll be safe," Lou Gao turned back, smiling, and said to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan had no choice; now Star Luo City is swarming with scouts from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and Li Xuan can't even try to leave. With Lou Gao attending the auction, this garrison is even less safe.

【7】 Therefore, following Lou Gao to attend the auction is currently the safest option for Li Xuan.

So now Li Xuan attending the auction with Lou Gao is the safest.

As long as he is a bit more careful, once inside the auction, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's scouts become useless; after all, this is the capital of the Star Luo Empire, still their territory.

"Thanks, Old Lou," Li Xuan respectfully nodded to Lou Gao.

Soon, Si Long and Si Yu had harnessed the carriage; Li Xuan and Lou Gao arrived at the garrison's rear courtyard, and after confirming no one was around, Li Xuan finally boarded the carriage.

Lou Gao followed closely and also boarded the carriage.

Si Long and Si Yu drove the carriage, urging the horses toward the White Tiger Auction.

……

At this point, Star Luo City had already become bustling; the surrounding clamor was extraordinary, suggesting the auction was spurring the city's economic development. Soon, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the White Tiger Auction; Lou Gao and Si Long disembarked and walked straight into the auction.

Meanwhile, Si Yu drove the carriage with Li Xuan to the back entrance of the White Tiger Auction, found a quiet entry, confirmed no one was around, then led Li Xuan out of the carriage and headed straight to a private room on the fourth floor of the auction.

Moving swiftly, Si Yu and Li Xuan soon arrived at the fourth-floor private room of the White Tiger Auction.

After entering the private room, Li Xuan and Si Yu both let out long sighs; after all, the two had been on edge and cautious the whole way, fearing discovery. Though it was only four floors, it had exhausted them.

At this moment, the private room was empty; presumably Lou Gao, with Si Long, was downstairs chatting with others and hadn't entered yet.

"Xuan Ge'er, it's basically safe here; this is the Star Luo Empire, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect hasn't extended its reach that far yet. Rest here; after the auction ends, we'll leave later," Si Yu said casually, sitting on the sofa, picking up a glass of juice from the table and taking a sip, speaking freely to Li Xuan.

"Sigh... If I manage to forge the Heaven-Shaking Cannon, I wouldn't have to fear any Jian Douluo; once I fire a shot, no one could stop me," Li Xuan sighed helplessly.

Thinking of the still-blank Ladi Canyon, Li Xuan decided his development was still too slow! This time he would buy as many slaves as possible, accelerate the transformation of Ladi Canyon, and quickly turn it into his stronghold. Then he could invite Lou Gao to forge a Heaven-Shaking Cannon for him; with a Heaven-Shaking Cannon, Li Xuan's safety would be greatly enhanced.

The private room was spacious, nearly a dozen square meters, furnished with three sofas and a coffee table laden with fruit, juice, and alcoholic drinks.

After relaxing, Li Xuan simply sat on a sofa.

Directly opposite the sofa was a huge floor-to-ceiling glass window, through which one could clearly see the outside scene.

However, the glass seemed one-way; Li Xuan could see outside clearly, but could not see into the private room.

In that case, even if Li Xuan stood in front of the glass, he wouldn't be noticed.

After a short rest, Lou Gao and Si Long walked in from outside.

"Teacher, second brother."

"Old Lou, Brother Si Long."

Seeing Lou Gao and Si Long enter the private room, Si Yu and Li Xuan simultaneously stood up and greeted the two.

"Alright, sit down and rest; it's basically safe here. No matter how powerful those forces are, they can't act here," Lou Gao said to Li Xuan with a smile.

Li Xuan, having heard Lou Gao's words, also nodded seriously.

Then the several of them took their seats, awaiting the start of the auction. (End of chapter)