Cultivation Simulator: Shocking the Academy

"It's really a place for wealthy people. Why does it feel so different..."

"Haha, naturally. I can say without exaggeration that everything in Muni City is the trendiest and most luxurious on the entire Profound Cyan Continent. And this Nanding Auction House is even more impressive. It developed into the most famous auction house in the entire Golden Wind Empire in less than three years. And I've heard that its founder is Miss Nanding Ge'Er of the Nanding Clan, and she's only eighteen this year."

"Eighteen?"

Su Chen twitched at the corner of his eye. "That means she started doing business at fifteen?"

In Su Chen's mind, a woman with such a business talent is simply a monster, just like his own talent for cultivation.

"Here she comes, that's Miss Nanding Ge'Er."

Phoenix patted Su Chen and called out.

Su Chen looked at the beautiful woman walking towards them, and his eyes lit up involuntarily.

Such a noble-looking woman. Although her figure wasn't as tall as Phoenix's, nor her face as perfect, that subtle makeup and composed, serene smile seemed as if born with her.

Is she really an eighteen-year-old girl?

"Hello, may I ask if you're here to auction something?"

Nanding Ge'Er asked politely.

Her sharp gaze quickly swept over the two and observed closely. Phoenix's beauty didn't surprise her much. On the contrary, the black-haired, black-eyed Su Chen did cause her some astonishment.

An easterner? And looks quite young. Why is an easterner walking with a western noblewoman?

"Yes, may we still auction items? It's very important to me."

Phoenix asked anxiously.

"It is possible, but we need to appraise the items you wish to auction. If they don't meet our auction house's requirements, then I'm afraid..."

Nanding Ge'Er spread her hands helplessly.

Phoenix's heart skipped a beat, and she clenched her jade fist secretly, unsure of how much the jewelry and jade she held could be worth.

Nanding Ge'Er led them through a side door of the auction house and into the appraisal room, unaware that several eyes had locked onto them since Su Chen appeared.

"It's him."

In a VIP room on the second floor, Lord Tianhui muttered to himself.

"My lord, do you know him?"

Wusentan's confusion showed. Such a young boy, and yet Lord Tianhui knows him? Could he be from some mysterious family?

"Haha, he's a very interesting young fellow. Wusentan, do you believe in fate?"

Lord Tianhui suddenly said with emotion.

Wusentan, usually known for his cold demeanor, looked even more confused. It surprised him to see someone as powerful as Lord Tianhui showing such an expression.

"I don't believe in it."

Lord Tianhui laughed, seemingly agreeing with Wusentan's answer. However, what he said next left Wusentan and Dolmont, still lounging in his rocking chair, with a shock!

"Thirteen years ago, I saw this boy in the eastern Iron Stone City. Back then, he was an ignorant infant that anyone could bully. Thirteen years later, we meet again, in the Forest of Death, and he has become a Four-star Beast Master, possessing both Profound Water and Flame Fire incredible powers..."

Immersed in his memories, Lord Tianhui failed to notice Wusentan and Dolmont's faces turning pale instantly.

"Thirteen years old, a Four-star Beast Master? And with both Profound Water and Flame Fire powers?"

Even Dolmont, usually lethargic, jumped up from his barely supporting rocking chair. The agility of his motions made one suspect that his body fat was an illusion.

He stared intently at the sentimental Lord Tianhui, his chubby cheeks twitching fiercely. "Tianhui, you rascal, if you're lying to me this time, I won't let you off!"

"I'm not lying, Dolmont."

Lord Tianhui shook his head. "If you don't believe me, I'll take you to meet him in a while."

Dolmont immediately rejoiced, laughing heartily, feeling as if the world was within his grasp. "Alright, just for those words, Tianhui, whatever prize you want to compete with me for today, I, Dolmont, won't utter a complaint!"

Lord Tianhui shook his head with a smile, privately sighing; a prize—wasn't that boy a rarest treasure? But could you not compete with me for him?

Wusentan remained silent, his gaze freezing at the auction house's side door, unresponsive for a long time. In his heart, a tempest surged as Lord Tianhui's words kept echoing like a spell.

Flame Fire, that boy from the East, possesses the third-ranked Flame Fire from the list of exotic flames?

His heartbeat accelerated, and for the usually gloomy Wusentan, his eyes resembled those of a greedy serpent staring at the entrance, as if awaiting prey...

"Sorry, Miss Cang, none of these items meet our auction house's criteria."

Nanding Ge'Er emerged from the appraisal room, addressing Phoenix, who stood expectantly at the doorway, with regret.

Hearing this, Phoenix felt her heart drop, her face turning pale instantly. The sudden decline of her family's situation, the increasing economic hardship, and her father's old and weary face surfaced in her mind, making her feel so disappointed and helpless.

However, at this moment, Su Chen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, "Miss Nanding, would you mind appraising these two items for me as well? If they meet the auction requirements, please help me sell them."

As he spoke, two objects appeared seemingly from thin air in his palm: a beginner Spirit Master's secret tome and a golden bull's horn. Yes, Su Chen had wanted to sell these items for a long time. Unfortunately, he never found the opportunity.

Nanding Ge'Er's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. She glanced at Su Chen's calm face and exclaimed, "Canghen Crystal?"

Su Chen smiled noncommittally. "If you wouldn't mind."

Slightly reluctant, Nanding Ge'Er nodded and accepted the items again as she headed toward the appraisal room. Watching her back, Phoenix smirked bitterly. "I'm sorry, Su Chen, I'm useless..."

Su Chen frowned slightly, gently wrapping his arms around her trembling shoulders from behind, consoling her, "How could that be? Don't overthink it. Some things are beyond human control, and it's not worth using them as a reason to blame yourself." He reassured.

"But I'm always hiding behind you. I really wish I could do more for the Cang Family..."

Phoenix choked up a bit.

"Believe in yourself, for my sake, alright? I promise you, the Cang Family will surely rise again, and so will you."

Su Chen's gaze was more serious than ever.

Feeling his conviction, even firmer than her own, Phoenix was momentarily stunned before nodding her head and embracing his waist in return.

"Uh, you two, the appraisal is finished. Both items meet the auction house's conditions."

Seeing this scene, Nanding Ge'Er blushingly announced.

Su Chen gave her a generous smile, and that smile made the well-seen Nanding Ge'Er feel as though the person before her was not just a youth.

This young man must have many stories. She thought to herself.

"These two items will be fitted into the auction during the intermission, and by regulation, we will take a five percent cut of the auction proceeds as a fee. Is there any issue?"

Nanding Ge'Er confirmed finally.

"Alright, Miss Nanding, can I ask you a question? How much would you appraise these two items at?"

Su Chen inquired.

Nanding Ge'Er was stunned for a moment, quickly apologizing, "I'm truly sorry, almost forgot this important business. According to our appraisal expert, the beginner Spirit Master secret tome should be worth 10,000 gold, and the gold bull's horn..."

"How much?"

Even Phoenix began to show interest.

"80,000 gold."

Nanding Ge'Er said slowly.

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously saw delight in each other's eyes. 10,000 plus 80,000 equaled 90,000 gold, and even after deducting the auction house's fee, more than 80,000 remained.

More than 80,000 gold was certainly a considerable fortune for a standard middle-class noble.

"So, how does it compare to your expectations?"

Nanding Ge'Er asked.

Su Chen smiled contentedly, "About what I expected. Thank you for your trouble."

Nanding Ge'Er looked at his quickly composed face, gave a slight smile, and turned away...

In the auction hall, a bidding fever swelled. The scene turned from calm to heated, then into a fervor. Nearly ten rare items were sold at high prices, benefitting all parties involved.