Chapter 362
Departure, Tiandou City Auction House.
An eerie silence fell over the entire training ground.
Only Meng Shenji held the black jade card, his hands trembling slightly, his smile completely frozen, leaving only utter embarrassment and a trace of lingering fear.
He had been vehemently declining, but the other party told him that this amount of money was not even one ten-thousandth of his wealth, and was more than enough to buy the college he had dedicated his life to!
This made his previous excuses seem so ridiculous and superfluous.
He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed blocked, and he could no longer utter any words of refusal or flattery.
Looking at Meng Shenji's embarrassed appearance and then glancing at Ning Rongrong's distraught expression, Yu Tianheng felt a mix of emotions.
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family, he and Yu Tianxin were engaged in fierce competition for resources, while Lin Xia... for him, wealth was probably just a numbers game.
This absolute disparity left him with no room for even a trace of jealousy, only a deep sense of powerlessness and a profound awe that compelled him to look up to them.
Lin Xia seemed oblivious to the fascinating expressions on everyone's faces, and also unconcerned about Meng Shenji's hand frozen in mid-air.
His gaze returned to Qin Ming, as if his earlier declaration of wealth, which would have made the heart of any leader of any power on the continent race, had never happened; his tone remained calm and natural.
"Now that the venue issue is resolved, and since we don't have classes, let's go explore Tiandou City!"
After saying this, Lin Xia looked directly at Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others, and then extended an invitation:
"This is my first time here. I wonder if any of you would be interested in accompanying me to explore Tiandou City? I've heard that the Tiandou Auction House is quite bustling."
"Okay!"
Dugu Yan barely hesitated, and her face once again displayed that slightly lazy and naturally arrogant smile, her voice clear and crisp.
“I’m familiar with the Tiandou Auction House. I can take Lord Lin, this wealthy man, there to broaden his horizons and prevent you from being ripped off by those unscrupulous merchants.”
She deliberately emphasized the word "tycoon," adding a touch of teasing in an attempt to lighten the lingering heaviness in the air.
Ye Lingling remained quiet, her cool and aloof face beneath the veil revealing little emotion, but her glass-like eyes brightened slightly.
She nodded slightly, which was taken as agreement.
The Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Soul's sensitivity to life forms fueled her extraordinary desire to study Lin Xia and Bangiras.
The auction house is a mixed bag, filled with rare and precious items, and perhaps one can observe Lin Xia's reactions to different things.
Moreover, the opportunity to follow this mysterious city lord up close is invaluable in itself.
"Can...can we go too?"
Yu Feng recovered from his daze, a playful smile returning to his face, and leaned forward to ask.
Oslo opened his eyes, a hint of curiosity in them. The Graphite and Stone Mill brothers exchanged a glance and said in deep voices:
"We've never been to an auction house before."
Although they were shocked by Lin Xia's wealth, the young people recovered quickly and had an instinctive longing for bustling and lively places.
Yu Tianheng's feelings were the most complicated.
He suppressed the surging thoughts in his heart—the awe of Lin Xia's absolute power, the frustration of his own shortcomings, and the pressure of being the young patriarch within the family.
Lin Xia's invitation is both an opportunity and a test.
Being able to build a closer relationship with the Lord of Gengjin City would undoubtedly be of great help in consolidating his position.
However, this also means that he must put aside his pride as the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family and integrate into the circle led by Lin Xia with a humble attitude.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting to Lin Xia.
"It is our honor to be invited by City Lord Lin. The Heavenly Dou Auction House is indeed worth a visit, and we are willing to go together."
Ning Rongrong's mood was like a jumbled mess of emotions, and deep in her glassy eyes lingered the bewilderment that followed the upheaval of her understanding of wealth.
Zhu Zhuqing remained as aloof and calm as ever, as if the clamor of the outside world had nothing to do with her, and simply stood silently beside Lin Xia. Meng Yiran, on the other hand, seemed somewhat reserved and excited; the Tian Dou Auction House was a legendary place to her.
Qin Ming looked at his team members who had suddenly become lively, then at the still-hot black jade card in Meng Shenji's hand, and shook his head with a wry smile.
Today's class was completely canceled, but it might not be such a bad thing if it could ease the tension between Lin Xia and her teammates.
He looked at Meng Shenji, seeking instructions with his eyes. Meng Shenji was eager for Lin Xia to be comfortable in the academy, so he quickly put on a smile.
"It's wonderful that City Lord Lin has such refined tastes! The Heavenly Dou Auction House certainly has many novelties. Teacher Qin Ming, why don't you come along? It would be good to have someone to look after you."
He didn't mention the card at all, as if his earlier refusal had never happened.
Lin Xia was well aware of everyone's reactions. Her gaze lingered on Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling for a moment longer, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.
"Let's go then."
He said no more, turned around and walked out of the training field, his blue robes fluttering, his steps unhurried.
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran immediately followed.
Dugu Yan walked quickly to Lin Xia's side, her emerald green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Lord Lin, what kind of items are you interested in at the auction? Soul bones? Rare soul beasts? Or antiques and curiosities?"
She tried to find out Lin Xia's preferences.
Ye Lingling also moved closer silently, her cool gaze falling on Lin Xia.
"Just browsing."
Lin Xia's answer remained indifferent.
"I've heard that the Tiandou Auction House has everything; perhaps I'll come across something interesting there."
He didn't give a clear answer, his gaze sweeping over the beautiful environment of the academy, as if he really was just there for sightseeing.
The group left the training ground in a grand procession and passed through the magnificent campus of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
Along the way, the students and teachers they encountered saw Chief Instructor Meng Shenji respectfully trailing half a step behind Lin Xia. The entire Royal Fighting Team surrounded several unfamiliar faces, and when they saw the iconic young man in blue, they all cast shocked and curious glances at him.
The news that Lin Xia, the city lord of Gengjin City, has joined the academy has clearly begun to spread.
Upon arriving at the academy's imposing mountain gate, a luxurious dark gold carriage, pulled by four magnificent snow dragon steeds, was already quietly waiting.
The driver was still the same middle-aged man with a cold face and sharp eyes. Upon seeing Lin Xia, he immediately bowed and greeted her.
"City Lord."
"Ah."
Lin Xia nodded slightly and boarded the carriage first.
The interior of the carriage was spacious and luxurious, covered with snow-white velvet carpets, and the walls were made of warm-colored wood inlaid with silver patterns. Fixed small tables and temperature-controlled soul guide devices were all available.
Ning Rongrong easily found a comfortable spot to sit down, and Zhu Zhuqing quietly took her seat.
Meng Yiran remained somewhat reserved. Dugu Yan, on the other hand, unceremoniously pulled Ye Lingling to sit opposite Lin Xia, and looked around the interior of the carriage with great interest. Although it was not as luxurious as some of her grandfather Poison Douluo's treasures, the understated elegance and the application of soul guidance technology amazed her.
Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, and the others boarded the train one by one. The originally spacious carriage suddenly seemed a bit crowded, but no one complained. The atmosphere gradually became lively as Dugu Yan took the initiative to start a conversation.
"Let's go, to the Tiandou City Auction House."
Lin Xia gave instructions to the driver.
"Yes!" (End of Chapter)