Zhang Xin walked into the bustling auction house, his senses immediately overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere. Laughter and conversation filled the air, a stark contrast to the turbulent life he had led. The sounds of families enjoying themselves, parents laughing with their children, and the general warmth of the place made Zhang Xin feel like an outsider. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt such peace. His thoughts wandered to his own childhood, filled with memories of isolation and hardship, and the warmth he now witnessed only reminded him of what he had lost.
"Zhang Xin!" Xiaobo's voice broke through his thoughts, calling him over to a table where a group of people were seated.
Zhang Xin shook off the thoughts and walked toward the group, feeling a mix of gratitude and nervousness. He had always been a loner, but Xiaobo had invited him to join his friends today, and Zhang Xin appreciated the gesture. As he sat down, Xiaobo introduced him to the group with a friendly grin.
"This is Xin Yi, Hao Ran, and Yu Xuan," Xiaobo said, gesturing to each person in turn. Zhang Xin smiled and exchanged pleasantries with them. Despite his usual reticence, he felt a sense of warmth from the group, and a part of him was thankful for Xiaobo's efforts to include him.
Suddenly, a girl with striking white hair and a flowing purple dress approached the table. Zhang Xin's heart skipped a beat. It was her. The same girl he had met the night before, the one who had left him with so many unanswered questions. He could hardly believe his eyes.
Xiaobo chuckled, seeing Zhang Xin's surprised expression. "Ah, looks like we have a romantic couple in the making!" he teased, causing Zhang Xin's face to flush with embarrassment.
"It's not like that," Zhang Xin quickly clarified, though his voice faltered slightly. He turned to the girl and said, "You... you're the one I met last night, right?"
The girl gave him a small smile, though her eyes held a mysterious glint. "Yes, I am," she said softly, her voice carrying an odd mixture of warmth and caution. "I didn't expect to run into you again."
Before Zhang Xin could respond, Xiaobo spoke up. "Dong Mei, what are you doing here? Did you run away from home again?" he asked with a playful tone, though there was a certain seriousness behind his words.
Dong Mei's expression flickered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "I came because... I wanted to be here," she said cryptically, her eyes not meeting anyone else's.
Zhang Xin, still processing the unexpected encounter, turned to Xiaobo. "Do you know her?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Xiaobo nodded. "Yeah, she's a friend of mine. Don't mind her mysteriousness, she tends to keep things to herself."
Before Zhang Xin could ask more questions, a new voice interrupted them.
"Is this where the fun is happening?" The voice belonged to Xu Sanxi, a new arrival at the table. He was tall, with a laid-back attitude and an infectious smile. "Did I miss something interesting?"
Zhang Xin greeted him with a polite nod, and soon, the group was engaged in lively conversation. Xu Sanxi, with his carefree demeanor, suggested they all go to the auction house together. "I've heard there are some amazing items being auctioned tonight," he said, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
The mention of the auction house stirred something in Zhang Xin. The allure of ancient treasures and mysterious artifacts was enough to spark his curiosity. The group quickly agreed, and they made their way to the venue, excitement building with each step.
As they entered the auction house, Zhang Xin couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of the place. The room was filled with bidders, some whispering eagerly among themselves, while others stood tall, preparing to make their moves. The air buzzed with anticipation.
"I heard the five-level Ice Pill is up for auction tonight," Xu Sanxi remarked, his voice low but filled with excitement. "It's supposed to be one of the most powerful items in existence. People are willing to pay a fortune for it."
Zhang Xin's interest was piqued. He had heard rumors of such items before, but the mention of the Ice Pill made him wonder what other treasures might be hidden within the auction house. "What's so special about this Ice Pill?" he asked, turning to Xu Sanxi.
"It's rumored to be crafted from the purest essence of ice, capable of enhancing one's abilities beyond imagination," Xu Sanxi explained. "If you get your hands on it, you can pretty much shape your future."
The crowd's excitement only grew as the auctioneer took the stage, ready to begin. He introduced the first item with a flourish. "Ladies and gentlemen, the first item up for bid is the legendary Ancient War Armor! Known for its impenetrable defense and historic significance, this piece is a must-have for any serious collector!"
The bidding began with a starting price of 500 silver coins. Zhang Xin watched intently as the price quickly escalated, with eager bidders competing fiercely for the prized armor. The excitement in the air was palpable as the auctioneer called out bids.
"50 gold coins!" Xiaobo suddenly declared, his voice loud and confident as he raised his hand.
Zhang Xin watched as Hao Ran claimed victory with a bid of 50 gold coins, the crowd applauding his success. "Good choice," Zhang Xin murmured, impressed by Hao Ran's decisive action.
Next came the auction of a broken ancient sword, its blade cracked but still sharp. The bidding for this item was equally intense. The starting price was 700 silver coins, but a mysterious figure wearing a large hat stunned everyone when they bid 100 gold coins.
"Who is that?" Zhang Xin whispered to Xiaobo, intrigued by the bold bid.
Xiaobo shrugged. "No idea. But that's the thing about auctions. You never know who's lurking in the shadows."
The mystery bidder won the sword, and the auction continued with the next item—a set of Golden Dragon Skills, an ancient power capable of unlocking incredible light attributes. The starting bid was 100 gold coins, and Zhang Xin's heart raced as he recalled the mysterious voice of the dragon that had spoken to him in his sea of consciousness.
"I've heard about this," Zhang Xin said, his voice tinged with awe. "They say this skill can bring someone to the third level, unlocking unimaginable power."
As the bidding war for the Golden Dragon Skills intensified, Zhang Xin felt a sense of urgency building within him. He had to have that power.
Just as the auction seemed to reach its peak, Zhang Xin made a surprising move. "100 gold coins!" he declared boldly, raising his hand with a fierce determination.
The room fell silent for a moment before the auctioneer's voice rang out, "Going once, going twice... Sold! To the gentleman in the corner!"
Zhang Xin's heart pounded in his chest as he claimed the prize, the Golden Dragon Skills now in his possession. He felt a rush of pride and excitement, but something deeper within him stirred. He knew this was just the beginning.
As the next item—a five-level Ice Pill—was presented, Zhang Xin couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. His attention shifted to a familiar face in the crowd. It was his Uncle Li, sitting in the corner, watching the auction with a keen eye.
Zhang Xin's mind raced. What was his uncle doing here? And why had he kept his disappearance a secret for the past month?
"Xiaobo," Zhang Xin whispered, leaning in toward his friend. "Do you know anything about the Li family?"
Xiaobo glanced at him, his expression turning serious. "The Li family? They're one of the most powerful families in the Jing Fu Empire. What about them?"
Zhang Xin felt his stomach tighten. "I think I just saw my uncle here. He's been missing for a month. Why would he be here? And why didn't he tell me about this world... this auction?"
Xiaobo frowned. "I don't know, but it seems like there's more to your uncle's disappearance than you realize."
The auction continued, but Zhang Xin couldn't focus. His thoughts were consumed with questions about his uncle and the secrets he was hiding. What was his uncle involved in? And why had he been keeping the truth from Zhang Xin?
Determined to uncover the truth, Zhang Xin knew he couldn't rest until he got answers. He had to find out what his uncle was hiding, and more importantly, how it was all connected to his own destiny.
As the auction came to a close and the group prepared to leave, Zhang Xin was more resolved than ever. This was only the beginning of his journey—one that would lead him to uncover the truth about his family, his past, and the mysterious world he had just begun to understand.