Gu Sheng pressed the horse-face mask onto his head.
The man with the monkey-face mask clapped his hands twice, and immediately, sedan-bearers prepared nearby carried a sedan forward.
Gu Sheng complied without hesitation, stepping inside.
Old Zheng had explained some details of the auction to him, so he wasnât surprised.
Sitting upright in the sedan, Gu Sheng heightened his senses to the maximum, not relaxing in the slightest. Although he knew it was routine to enter the auction this way, he remained instinctively vigilant.
The sedan-bearers carried the sedan in a winding, twisting path.
It was impossible to discern the exact direction.
After about a quarter-hour, the sedan tilted slightly, and a respectful voice from the sedan-bearers rang out:
"Sir, weâve arrived. You may proceed as you wish."
Gu Sheng stepped out of the sedan, and the bearers began their return journey.
Raising his head to look, Gu Shengâs eyes immediately revealed an expression of amazement. In this wilderness, there was unexpectedly such a luxurious place.
What met his gaze.
A finely crafted pavilion stood tall and vast, spanning over ten zhang. Inside, shadows flitted, with many strong auras. Gu Sheng tightened the horse-mask on his face and stepped forward.
The pavilion was brightly lit.
Everyoneâs face was covered with masks of varying shapesâsome dressed in black, others in robes of fine quality, and even skirts. Around them, beautiful maids flitted gracefully like butterflies among flowers, serving tea and pastries.
"Sir, are you alone?"
A maid greeted Gu Sheng respectfully.
Gu Sheng slowly nodded.
The maid continued:
"The first floor holds the area for direct trades, while the second floor hosts the auction itself. Please follow me."
The maid walked gracefully, her eyes alluring, and Gu Sheng followed her up to the second floor.
"The auction begins in two quarter-hours. You may wait in this private room or freely explore the first floor at your leisure. Iâll be outside; feel free to summon me at any time."
The maid served tea and pastries before respectfully retreating.
Only then did Gu Sheng take stock of the private room.
Three walls were enclosed, one was openwork. Through the open section, he could see other private rooms arranged in a tiered circular structure descending toward the very center, where an auction platform stood.
"What an impressive layout."
Gu Sheng couldnât help but marvel, his curiosity deepening about the powers behind this black marketâcapable of such grand expenditures.
He closed his eyes to rest, showing no intention of exploring the first floor.
Quickly.
The two quarter-hours passed in a blink.
The previously somewhat noisy environment gradually quieted down, as one by one, masked figures took their seats in private roomsâsome subdued and restrained, others unapologetically ostentatious, even brazen.
With a slight sense, Gu Sheng could tell that among them were many in the Blood Refining Realm.
Still, even if Blood Refining was noteworthy, it wasnât omnipotent. After all, throughout Canghe County, including major factions and wandering rogues, there were only so many Blood Refining masters, and they couldnât all be gathered here.
Suddenly.
Every light flared up at once, instantly transforming the slightly dim auction hall into brilliance. Especially the auction platform in the center, which was prominently illuminated, rendered strikingly magnificent.
A charming woman dressed in a green skirt had somehow appeared there, smiling enchantingly, her gaze sweeping across everyone. Each person felt as if the seductive woman was smiling directly at them.
"Honored guests, welcome to the second auction of the year! I, Lu Luo, will introduce todayâs auction items one by one. May you all find what you desire and leave fully satisfied!"
The green-skirted womanâs smile carried a subtle squint in her eyes, radiating warmthâit was evident she was no novice.
"Allow Lu Luo to remind everyone, should any guest bid but fail to present corresponding payment, the consequences may be... rather severe~~ please bid within your capacity~"
"Now, without further ado, the auction begins!"
"Letâs unveil the first auction itemâplease take a look!"
Lu Luo smiled and clapped her hands lightly, and immediately, two robust men carried a cage covered with a black cloth onto the platform.
The cage measured half a zhang in length, width, and height, provoking curiosity about its contents.
Smiling, the green-skirted woman pulled away the black cloth, her expression dazzling.
"Honored guests, feast your eyes!"
Gu Shengâs pupils contracted sharply, his breath catching. As the black cloth slipped off, the cageâs contents were revealed to all the bidders.
A boy curled up tightly inside!
The boy was stark naked, his skin pale and smooth as jade. His lowered head offered glimpses of his stunning beauty.
Lu Luo patted the cage, and the handsome boy, overcome with fear and confusion, stood up stiffly. His body was taut, then turned and twisted for displayâeven his privates exposed without reservationâas though he were mere merchandise. Or rather, he genuinely was merchandise.
"With emerald-green eyes, unparalleled beauty, a mix of exotic bloodlines, crystalline skin, years of grooming to perfect obedience, and skilled in various arts of pleasureâguests can indulge without concern!"
"The starting bid: one hundred taels!"
Lu Luo smiled as she looked towards the private rooms, her tone high-pitched and excited.
Gu Shengâs gaze turned dark, exhaling softly. Yet inside, his understanding of the black marketâs sinister powers grew deeperâclearly, they werenât virtuous.
"One hundred twenty taels!"
"Ha ha, I bid one hundred fifty taels! Itâs been too long since I enjoyed such a pretty young lad!"
"One hundred fifty-six taels!"
......
"Damn it, I bid one hundred eighty taels! This kind of soft, tender flesh must feel amazing to play with!"
Gu Sheng listened to the frenzied bidders around him. While most remained indifferent, many revealed their peculiar tastes.
Several were clearly female elites, while others were clearly male.
Gu Sheng felt nauseatedâif he didnât have strength, perhaps one day he too might be captured by traffickers. The mere thought of that scene disgusted him. In this world, having outstanding looks without corresponding power was a curse.
Finally.
The handsome boy was won by a bulky man wearing a bull-face mask, his vast chest hair exposed. Amid his coarse, unrestrained laughter, the boyâs eyes filled with despairâbut mostly with numbness.
"Congratulations to this honored guest! The auctioned item will be delivered to your private room shortlyâplease wait a moment!"
Lu Luoâs delicate face glowed with delight. The bidding war for the first item had ignited the atmosphere of the auction, ensuring everything began smoothly.