Chapter 575
The Town Auction
"Yes, that's true."
"His childhood sweetheart was married off to someone from outside the family because of his lack of ability."
"She was already heartbroken enough, but on the day of her wedding, she was attacked in the Boundary Sea."
"Everyone died, and from then on he liked to drown his sorrows in alcohol."
Xu Qingqiu nodded and said seriously, "He is also a devoted lover, and he has never been able to get over it."
"Judging from his strength, he's already at the level of a Celestial Immortal."
Ning Qi asked curiously.
"No, otherwise he would have been an elder long ago."
Xu Qingqiu shook his head: "He originally had a chance, but he has always been addicted to alcohol."
"I couldn't break free from it, so I was never able to make a breakthrough."
"If he were as ambitious as his senior brother, he would have already broken through to the level of a Celestial Immortal."
"Perhaps, this experience will provide an opportunity."
Ning Qi smiled and said.
"Let's hope so. All of us in this generation who haven't perished have already been promoted."
"Some have become branch leaders, while others are branch leaders."
Xu Qingqiu continued, "He's the only one who hasn't broken through yet, so he can only stay in the sect like me."
“But we female disciples are different. We generally don’t show our faces in public. Those who have reached our level usually stay behind to handle some internal affairs of the sect.”
"How are the strength levels of your elders distributed in your Ten Thousand Swords Sect?"
Ning Qi, on the contrary, became curious.
"Celestial Immortals are divided into nine ranks. Those with strength below the fifth rank are either branch leaders or ordinary elders."
"Those above the fifth rank are at the level of my master and his ilk."
"Those who reach the ninth rank in strength will become Supreme Elders."
Xu Qingqiu said seriously, "If it is the strength of a half-step Golden Immortal, then it is the strength of the left and right protectors. As long as they are strong enough, they will be promoted to sect master. Unfortunately, we must first wait for our sect master to perish or break through to the strength of a Golden Immortal."
"Otherwise, these two protectors will have to wait for an opportunity. Unless our Ten Thousand Swords Sect expands to the outside world, they will have a chance to be promoted to sect leaders in charge of the expansion. However, even if they go there, they will have to obey the summons of our sect leader."
"I see, it's quite complicated here!"
Ning Qi sighed after hearing what she had to say.
"Yes, there's no other way, we have too many people."
Xu Qingqiu added, "Otherwise, in an ordinary sect, a master with the strength of a Celestial Immortal would be considered a top-tier expert."
"But it is precisely because we have a large population that they do not have this opportunity."
"Aren't you afraid that these people will be resentful and betray us?"
Ning Qi seemed to have thought of something and couldn't help but smile as he spoke.
"No, they wouldn't dare."
Xu Qingqiu smiled and said, "Our Ten Thousand Swords Sect is the dominant force in this realm. Even those who expand nearby have spies on them."
"Unless they can go very far, anyone who defectes will be hunted down by us."
"Oh? You guys are really domineering. You have no future, yet you still won't let them go."
Upon hearing her words, Ning Qi couldn't help but express his disdain.
"There's nothing we can do about it; similar problems have occurred before."
"It was because we were too soft-hearted that we suffered two devastating disasters."
"If our sect leader hadn't gone to the Immortal Realm to seek help, our Myriad Swords Sect might have been destroyed long ago."
Xu Qingqiu sighed and said seriously, "Therefore, we must never be soft-hearted towards anyone."
"There's such a thing?"
Ning Qi said in disbelief.
"Of course there are, otherwise why would there be so many rules?"
After explaining, Xu Qingqiu looked ahead and said, "It's too early for us to go back. Let's go see what's going on up ahead."
"Alright, since we're here, let's take a look."
After Ning Qi agreed, he followed her forward.
He had no intention of returning to his sect.
After they walked a while, Gao Yunze and several of his fellow disciples also came over.
"Senior brother, is this the kid? Let's teach him a lesson."
One of the junior disciples couldn't help but say.
"No need, let's just see what they're up to."
"With my junior sister around, I don't want to give her a bad impression."
Gao Yunze shook his head and then said, "You all be careful not to get discovered by them."
"Ok."
"Senior brother, we'll head over now."
"..."
After they agreed, they each followed.
By the time they all caught up, Ning Qi and Xu Qingqiu had already arrived at a juggling stall.
Seeing the lively scene, Xu Qingqiu clapped her hands and cheered.
After looking around for a while, the two continued on their way.
Xu Qingqiu was exceptionally happy. She would buy candied hawthorns to share with Ning Qi and then take him to eat snacks.
The two were having a great time, and Ning Qi was especially happy to see her so lively.
"Master, it would be wonderful if Princess Xiangxiang were here too."
Yao Ling, perched on his shoulder, couldn't help but sigh.
"She's busy right now, she doesn't have time to play with us."
Ning Qi smiled and then continued, "Everyone has their own way of life, so don't interfere too much in other people's lives."
"We just need to do our own thing, understand?"
"Yes, Master!"
Yao Ling nodded, then continued to perch on his shoulder, observing the surroundings.
The place was exceptionally lively, with a constant stream of people coming and going.
"Ning Qi, there's an auction up ahead, do you want to attend?"
A moment later, Xu Qingqiu returned, pointing to a pavilion in front of her and saying with a smile.
"Oh? Do you want to go?"
Ning Qi simply asked with a smile.
"Okay, let's go in and see what good stuff is up for auction today."
Xu Qingqiu nodded and then pulled Ning Qi inside.
Ning Qi was pulled by her, and he felt as if he had been electrocuted.
This scene was witnessed by Gao Yunze, who was standing behind them.
Those eyes were practically spitting fire.
"Ning Qi, well done, you dare to steal my woman."
He gritted his teeth and said angrily.
"Senior brother, don't give him any face, go up and teach this kid a lesson."
Upon seeing this, a fellow disciple quickly spoke up.
The people behind him also looked eager to try.
Clearly, they were also very angry about Ning Qi stealing their senior brother's fiancée.
"No need, let's go."
"I think they're going to the auction. Let's make fun of them later."
Gao Yunze glanced ahead and couldn't help but reveal a mischievous smile.
"Correct!"
"Then let's go!"
"..."
The group immediately agreed and followed him forward.
Meanwhile, Ning Qi and Xu Qingqiu had already walked in from outside the door.
"Gentlemen, are you here to attend our auction?"
A waiter greeted the two men with a smile as they entered.
"That's right, what's fun to do here?"
Xu Qingqiu nodded and asked with a smile.
"That's a secret. You two sit down for a bit, and you might just find something you like."
The waiter smiled mysteriously and said, "Several people from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect have come today. You can go and take a look."
"No need, we'd like to go to a private room."
Ning Qi didn't intend to squeeze in with the people downstairs, but instead pointed to the upstairs area and said...
"Alright, please, both of you." The waiter knew that distinguished guests had arrived when he said that.
He hurriedly invited the two to come up with him, and after they went up, he led them to the door of a private room.
"This place, shall we?"
Xu Qingqiu looked inside but didn't see anyone, so she made a suggestion.
"Okay, let's do it here then."
After Ning Qi agreed, he asked the waiter, "Is this room occupied?"
"Young master, there is no one in this room at the moment."
The man responded to his question.
"Okay, let's go in then."
Upon hearing this, Ning Qi went straight inside.
Xu Qingqiu followed them inside, and the waiter followed as well.
"Gentlemen, we have tea and pastries here, all of the finest quality."
The waiter said respectfully.
Ning Qi understood what he meant upon hearing this.
So, he took out a storage bag and asked, "How many spirit stones do you need here?"
"Young master, we are protected by an array formation. People outside cannot see who is inside us."
“This spirit stone is naturally more expensive.”
Upon hearing this, the waiter added, "This room requires five hundred top-grade spirit stones."
"Oh? Five hundred?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingqiu paused for a moment and then said, "Let's squeeze in with the others."
"No need, since you're here, please sit down."
Ning Qi shook his head, then took out the spirit stones and handed them to the waiter: "Give us some pastries and spirit tea as well."
"Okay, please wait a moment."
The man took the spirit stone from him and rushed out excitedly.
There was no need to come here.
Xu Qingqiu looked at Ning Qi and said.
"Since we're here, let's enjoy ourselves. Why squeeze in with the others?"
Ning Qi smiled and said, "What if we find some treasure? Wouldn't that mean someone would see us?"
"You're right."
Xu Qingqiu stopped refuting, but asked curiously, "These were all obtained from the Immortal Realm, right?"
She clearly remembered that Ning Qi had acquired quite a few treasures back then.
"Yes, countless."
Ning Qi nodded and said with a smile.
"Gentlemen, the pastries are here."
Just then, the waiter came over.
He also brought two servants with him, and after they came forward, they placed pastries and tea on the table for them.
"Okay, thank you."
Ning Qi nodded, then picked up a piece of pastry and tasted it: "Not bad."
"I'll try it."
Xu Qingqiu also picked up the pastries out of curiosity and began to taste them.
"Young master, is there anything else you need? Our men are right outside the door."
The waiter pointed to the doorway and said to Ning Qi.
"Okay, you can go ahead. We'll call you if we need anything."
Ning Qi nodded, then waved his hand.
"Yes, son."
The man agreed and then left with his men.
"I think I saw your senior brother."
As Ning Qi looked down, his eyes suddenly lit up when he saw a familiar face.
It was Gao Yunze, who was leading a few people, searching for something in the crowd below.
"Hmph, he must have been following us."
Xu Qingqiu gave a soft snort, revealing a look of disgust: "How shameless."
"This shows that he is deeply in love with you."
Ning Qi made a joke at her.
"I don't care."
Xu Qingqiu shook his head, revealing a helpless expression.
The two men were discussing and commenting on the scene above, while Gao Yunze and his men were searching for them below.
"Strange, I clearly saw them come in, so how come I can't find them now?"
Gao Yunze looked at the crowd and asked in confusion.
"Yes, I saw them come in too."
The other person chimed in.
"Could they have gone to a private room? If so, we won't be able to find them."
The man looked around and then glanced towards the private room.
"That doesn't matter, as long as they're here."
“I can recognize their voices.”
Gao Yunze smiled, then found a place to sit down: "One of you go and keep watch at the door. If his mother leaves, come and tell us."
"The rest, we'll just wait here. I want to see if they're going to film anything tonight."
"Alright, senior brother, I'll go out and keep watch."
After one of them agreed, he went out first.
The remaining people sat down with Gao Yunze and waited for the auction to begin.
Ning Qi, who was upstairs, glanced down and said to Xu Qingqiu, "Look, they've sat down."
"Ning Qi, we need to be careful later. I have a feeling they're coming for us."
Xu Qingqiu looked at the people below with concern and said, "If we start bidding later, they will definitely cause trouble."
"Oh? Don't worry, I have my own way of dealing with it."
Ning Qi laughed upon hearing her reminder: "I'll make sure they don't know who we are."
"That's good."
Xu Qingqiu was finally relieved.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our auction tonight is about to begin."
At this moment, the auctioneer came to the stage and said to everyone with a smile, "Our next item for auction is a breastplate, a treasure from the outside world."
"It can defend against soul attacks; those who are interested can give it a try."
The starting bid is 500,000.
After he said that, many people looked over.
"This is nice, but it's obviously for women."
"Even if you use it, it's not very useful. Apart from defending against soul attacks, it's not much else."
"..."
Many people clearly had no interest in this breastplate.
Do you like it?
Ning Qi looked at it, then turned and asked.
"do not like."
Xu Qingqiu shook his head: "I have armor. This one can only protect the upper body and isn't very useful."
"Okay, then let's give up."
Ning Qi nodded and looked down.
At this point, people below had already started bidding.
"The quality of the items auctioned here is not high."
After a while, Ning Qi saw that they had sold some things one after another, and couldn't help but say something.
"Perhaps tonight's might not be good."
Xu Qingqiu glanced down and said, "I remember we sold quite a few good things a while ago."
"There were even fights over this back then."
"Master, look, more good stuff is coming down below."
At this moment, Yao Ling suddenly jumped up and reminded the two of them. (End of Chapter)