Chapter 170 - 160: Alliance Auction House

Chapter 170: Chapter 160: Alliance Auction House

The burly instructor was taken aback when the young woman before him readily produced three High-level Crystal Cores.

After all, not just anyone could kill an Advanced Mutant Beast.

Seeing the look in the instructor’s eyes, Tang Mo couldn’t help but look herself and Xiao Tao over. ’Do we have the word "broke" written all over us?’

But Tang Mo quickly realized that, yes... they really did look broke.

She and Xiao Tao were wearing the most ordinary tracksuits, the fabric frayed from countless washes, and they didn’t have a single piece of equipment with attribute bonuses.

Actually, Tang Mo was wearing the Life Energy Short Sleeve and a Wrist Guard...

It was just that the attribute value they provided was practically negligible at this point.

"Xiao Tao, come on. I’m taking you shopping."

Tang Mo had heard that while she was away, an exciting new place had opened in S Base: the Alliance Auction House.

’Now’s the perfect time to check it out and get some new gear.’

"Huh? We have to spend more money?" Xiao Tao’s brow furrowed.

"You have to spend money to make money. Let’s go." Without another word, Tang Mo pulled Xiao Tao away from the training camp.

To be honest, Tang Mo had felt quite happy these past few days on the road with Xiao Tao.

She’d always thought of herself as someone accustomed to solitude, but when you actually had someone chattering away beside you, you realized that *this* was what it meant to truly live.

Xiao Tao had said she wanted to stick with her from now on, which would make Xiao Tao the first member of her future team.

Xiao Tao was very strong, a top-tier Power Attribute User. Tang Mo believed that with some training, she would become even stronger, easily on par with the members of the Qinling Team.

Tang Mo naturally had no problem spending money on her own partner.

After all, the stronger her partner was, the more helpful she would be in the future. It was a simple calculation.

The Alliance Auction House was located on the easternmost edge of S Base. When Tang Mo and Xiao Tao arrived, they saw a three-story building.

"Hello, and welcome."

An elegant woman in a qipao stood at the entrance. Seeing Tang Mo and Xiao Tao, she stepped forward with a smile and led them inside.

"Even the sales attendant is so elegant. The stuff here must be really expensive," Xiao Tao mumbled.

Tang Mo, however, simply followed the woman in the qipao, her eyes scanning the items displayed on the first floor.

"I’m not a sales attendant. I’m the director of the auction house, Rong Rong."

The woman’s expression soured.

There was an important auction on the third floor today, which was why she was dressed to the nines greeting guests at the entrance. Who would have thought she’d end up with two uncultured country bumpkins?

While the third floor of the Alliance Auction House was reserved for auctions, the first and second floors sold various treasures collected by the Alliance, items that had failed to sell at previous auctions, and other goods not quite valuable enough for auction that were sold on consignment.

But the prices were exorbitant. Most people without the financial means wouldn’t even step foot inside, not that the auction house ever lacked for customers.

"I’m sorry, ladies, but there’s likely nothing here for you. We have a very important auction upstairs today. If you don’t need anything, please leave at your earliest convenience."

The smile remained on Rong Rong’s face, but her tone had lost all its warmth.

"An auction? What time does it start?" Tang Mo couldn’t be bothered with the woman’s petty games; the auction she mentioned, however, had piqued her interest.

Auctions weren’t a daily occurrence; they were only held once enough treasures had been collected. ’To run into one on my first visit... I really have good luck.’

"In half an hour. However, you need a ticket to enter. If you don’t have an invitation, a ticket costs five High-level Crystal Cores."

Rong Rong didn’t believe these two little girls could possibly just cough up ten High-level Crystal Cores.

She was familiar with nearly every major figure from the S Base’s three great families, and she’d never heard of these two.

Rong Rong was a distant niece of Li Xian, the head of the Li Family. It was this connection, combined with her genuine competence, that had landed her this position.

Tang Mo was starting to get really annoyed. The feeling of being looked down on as poor no matter where she went was not pleasant.

"Are there any other attendants? You’re a pain. I’d like a different one."

Tang Mo said with a completely serious expression.

’An attendant, and she’s this much trouble? So annoying.’

"You..."

Rong Rong was so furious she was momentarily speechless.

She was a member of the Li Family and the director of the auction house. This was the first time anyone had ever dared to be so rude to her.

"Get out! You’re not welcome here!"

"Do you own this place?" Tang Mo said, cleaning out an ear. ’Funny, she could have sworn Qin Ling said he opened it.’

"If you don’t get out right now, I’ll have you thrown out!"

Rong Rong had never been treated this way before. Her elegant facade vanished, and she jabbed a finger at Tang Mo, nearly poking her in the shoulder.

Tang Mo’s expression slowly turned cold as she began to reflect. ’Have I been too nice lately?’

But before Tang Mo could make a move, Xiao Tao slapped Rong Rong’s hand away.

"What do you think you’re doing? Have some manners."

In Xiao Tao’s mind, no one was allowed to bully Tang Mo.

Xiao Tao’s strength was no joke. The single slap left Rong Rong’s hand red and stinging.

"You dare hit me?" Rong Rong was seeing red.

"Guards! Seize these two troublemakers! I’ll teach them a lesson myself!"

Afraid Tang Mo and Xiao Tao would run, Rong Rong grabbed onto Xiao Tao’s clothes.

Xiao Tao tried to shrug her off twice but couldn’t, stomping her foot in frustration.

She knew how strong she was and was afraid she’d seriously hurt the woman if she fought back, which would only cause trouble for Tang Mo.

"Are you insane?"

Now Tang Mo was truly angry. Her expression turned utterly glacial.

’I really tried to be patient.’

She drove her combat boot right into Rong Rong’s stomach.

Tang Mo’s own strength was considerable, and after countless battles, a single kick was enough to send someone flying several meters.

The force of the blow sent Rong Rong flying. She landed in a heap on the floor, glaring daggers at Tang Mo as if ready to commit murder.

’I don’t start fights, but if someone starts one with me, I’ll finish it ten times over.’

This was the creed Tang Mo had always lived by.

She wasn’t a person with many moral scruples; she didn’t care if you were old, weak, sick, disabled, a woman, or a child.

As long as you didn’t provoke her, all was well. But if you did, you had to bear the consequences.

"Seize them! Seize them both! I’m going to kill them with my own hands!"

Killing was forbidden within the Alliance, but Rong Rong had clearly been driven mad with rage. She wanted nothing more than for the two women before her to die!

The auction house naturally had guards, and by now, they had already surrounded Tang Mo and Xiao Tao.

Hearing Rong Rong’s order, the guards brandished their weapons and slowly closed in on Tang Mo and Xiao Tao, ready to attack.

"Momo, don’t be afraid. Stay behind me, and when you see an opening, run."