Zhang Fusheng looked up to examine the surroundings; the building only had four or five floors, incongruous with the tall skyscrapers nearby.
The main door was closed, with two attendants dressed in black standing quietly on either side of it.
Noticing someone approaching, the two attendants spoke simultaneously:
"Welcome to the Golden Auction House, what might you require?"
Golden Auction House?
Zhang Fusheng was momentarily stunned; the term was clearly familiar to him, as the Fearless Lion meat Old Shi purchased back then came from the Golden Auction House.
He had always thought the Golden Auction House was a force unique to the Golden Province, but now it seems...
"We want a map of the plateau, a plateau map with divine markings." Ruan Yutuâs voice was clear.
The attendant slightly bowed:
"The plateau map is a Level 1 controlled item, if Miss wishes to purchase it, inquiries are required... Please enter."
They pulled open the wooden door, gesturing for them to enter.
Zhang Fusheng dismounted from the cow, leaving the dark-colored ox outside.
Ruan Yutu calmly extended her hand, gently leading the porcelain doll inside:
"Let your boss come to see me, just say the name âRuan Yutuâ. "
The two attendants exchanged glances, one respectfully nodded and left, while the other invited them to a spacious room.
Not a single further question was asked.
A moment later.
The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside, as a middle-aged man, wearing a black robe and with a large belly, came trotting in.
His gaze briefly swept over the translucent porcelain doll, landing on the girl who looked like an immortal.
"Miss Ruan?"
The rotund middle-aged man took off his hat, cautiously inquired.
"Yes, itâs me."
The middle-aged man pondered momentarily, awkwardly performed a salute, then asked:
"Where do you come from?"
"From the tranquil bamboo forest, then to Jin City, passing through Windmill Village, and finally Yingtian City."
Upon hearing âtranquil bamboo forestâ, the manâs eyes and brows relaxed, evidently having confirmed Ruan Yutuâs identity,
he nodded and bowed, face full of smiles:
"Oh my! It really is you, why did you personally come..."
The manâs expression suddenly stiffened, voice lowered:
"Miss Ruan, are we ready... to take action?"
"No rush, wait for the notification."
Ruan Yutu casually replied:
"I was merely passing by, just to pick up a map of the World Plateau, thatâs all."
The man nodded, promptly instructing the attendants to fetch the map.
While waiting, he couldnât help but ask:
"You just said you came from Windmill Village?"
Zhang Fusheng glanced up, recalling Windmill Village, the place they passed not long ago.
"Yes."
Ruan Yutu wondered:
"Is there something wrong with that village?"
The man wiped his sweat, face showing uncertainty:
"Perhaps itâs not the same Windmill Village..."
He saw the translucent child suddenly raise its head, voice crisp:
"Continue."
The man was momentarily stunned, instinctively looked at Miss Ruan, seeing her nod, he continued with a smile:
"Thereâs a Windmill Village nearby, but half a year ago it was destroyed by a white snake, leaving no survivors, only ruins, and those ruins are quite mysterious..."
Zhang Fusheng and Ruan Yutu exchanged a glance.
Ruins?
The former furrowed his brow slightly, tapping the table with his knuckles:
"Tell me, how exactly is it mysterious?"
The man glanced at the porcelain doll-like boy, a curiosity rising within him regarding the child beside Miss Ruan, who could it be?
Could it be Governor Suâs...
His gaze flickered, he explained in a low voice:
"People whoâve entered the ruins have never emergedâthere was a Celestial Human who entered, eventually also vanished without a trace."
"Even the Divine Spirit took note of the matter, yet ultimately chose not to enter."
"Rumor has it, the Deityâs spiritual sense frantically warned, thus they ultimately decided against it, and with time, it became a forbidden zone for life..."
Ruan Yutuâs expression changed, Zhang Fushengâs face also grew increasingly solemn.
The plump man glanced at the box before bowing slightly:
"The map retrieval is still pending, Iâll go check on the situation."
Saying so, he squeezed his corpulent frame through the wooden door.
Footsteps gradually faded away.
"The Golden Auction House spans all over the south and north, each being a chess piece laid by Master, every province, every plateau city auction house, prepared for the day of uprising and independence."
Zhang Fusheng nodded peacefully, slightly squinting:
"Iâve been pondering about that Windmill Village..."
Ruan Yutuâs expression likewise turned perplexed.
Shaking his head, Zhang Fusheng did not idle, his thoughts diving into the Divine Realm.
Within the Divine Realm, at the far west of the human realm, rested an ancient Buddhist TempleââLeiyin Templeâ.
Zhang Fusheng entered the illusory Leiyin Temple, where four Arhats and thirty-six Vajras remained motionless.
Scripture banners fluttered above their heads, solemn and majestic.
As for the Buddha statue.
It still sat majestically in place, the Buddha statue was solemn, while the weasel within already perished.
The weasel had died at the very instant Yellow Eyebrowâs will descended, its spirit and soul completely collapsed.
Yellow Eyebrow has since hidden within the ancient stars in self-seclusion,
leaving behind, naturally, nothing but an empty shell.
At this time, a hundred thousand monk bones encircled âLeiyin Templeâ, chanting scriptures for several days,
finally clearing away the lingering Buddha charm of the Yellow Skin.
"Let me see..."
Step by step, Zhang Fusheng walked to the Merit Box, reached out and grasped it.
The Merit Box swayed, transformed into an ordinary pouch, with the letters âHuman Speciesâ on it.
"The legendary Human Species Bag..."
Zhang Fusheng was quite apprehensive about this object, the slightest trace of Yellow Eyebrowâs true spirit was asleep, hidden within, even until today.