Inside the Tongtian Auction House, the main hall was spacious and bright, bustling with foot traffic—a scene of extraordinary liveliness.
The moment Yang Kai followed Hua Youmeng through the entrance, a young girl of graceful bearing stepped forward with a bright smile. She offered a respectful bow and said sweetly, "This humble servant greets the two honored guests. May I ask whether you've come to reserve seating for an upcoming auction, to consign items for sale, or for some other matter?"
Yang Kai gave her a glance. Under his powerful Divine Sense, the girl's cultivation level was immediately laid bare before him.
She was a First-Order Sovereign King Realm cultivator. While her strength wasn't particularly impressive, it was far from insignificant—and having someone of this caliber serve as a receptionist in the main hall certainly spoke to the Tongtian Auction House's grandeur.
In the entire hall, there were at least eighty people of similar caliber.
"We're here to consign some items," Hua Youmeng replied, composed as always, with a faint smile. "How do we go about it?"
"So you've come to consign items," the girl said, her smile sweetening. "Here's how it works, honored guest. Our auction house does not accept items valued at less than one million. If the items you wish to consign exceed one million, that meets our threshold. For items valued between one million and five million, I can handle the process for you. But for items worth more than five million and up to fifty million, I'm afraid that exceeds my authority—you would need to speak with one of our other managers."
"And if it's over fifty million?" Hua Youmeng asked in a low voice.
Though Hua Youmeng didn't know the exact value of those thirty-something land deeds, they were absolutely worth more than fifty million Saint Crystals.
The girl's expression shifted subtly, but she quickly blossomed back into a radiant smile. "In that case, our auction house's Director Li will personally attend to you. Please follow me this way!"
She had already realized that the items these two guests intended to consign were far too valuable for her or any ordinary manager to handle. Without a moment's hesitation, she led them deeper into the auction house.
Her heart fluttered with excitement—for in her line of work, if a receptionist successfully closed a deal with a guest, the rewards were quite handsome.
Throughout all of this, Yang Kai hadn't said a single word. He simply stood behind Hua Youmeng like a silent bodyguard, which only reinforced the girl's impression that Hua Youmeng was someone of considerable importance. She didn't dare show the slightest lapse in courtesy.
The three of them passed through the bustling main hall and suddenly arrived at an exquisitely tranquil courtyard. It was as though they had stepped into an entirely different world—the clamor of the outside vanished in an instant, replaced by the gentle murmur of flowing water over a small bridge and the delicate tinkling of silk-and-bamboo music. The effect was deeply refreshing.
After following the winding gravel path for a short while, they reached an oval-shaped archway. The girl produced a device resembling a communication compass from her spatial ring and channeled her spiritual sense into it.
After a moment, the archway flashed with light—the barrier being lifted.
The girl then turned around and bowed respectfully. "Please go inside, honored guests. Someone will receive you. This humble servant takes her leave."
With that, she turned and departed.
Hua Youmeng and Yang Kai exchanged a glance, then crossed the archway one after the other into the courtyard.
A woman who appeared to be around forty approached them with a graceful bow. "Are you two the guests here to consign items?"
"That's right," Hua Youmeng nodded.
"Please follow me!" The woman turned to lead the way, but in the instant she turned, she cast a curious glance at Yang Kai, as if somewhat surprised.
Yang Kai returned her gaze with a knowing smile. The woman's expression shifted subtly, and her steps faltered ever so slightly.
After a short walk, they arrived at a stone pavilion. Inside, the fragrance of tea filled the air. A woman in a floral-patterned long dress was brewing tea, her movements elegant and her bearing unmistakably refined.
"Miss, the guests have arrived," the woman said, stepping forward. After announcing them, she stepped aside and waited in silence.
"Director Li?" Hua Youmeng asked, somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected that the director of such a massive auction house would be a woman—and a strikingly beautiful one at that. In terms of appearance and bearing, Hua Youmeng quietly admitted she couldn't compare.
"Surprised, are we?" Director Li looked up at Hua Youmeng, pressed her lips together, and gave a playful wink. "What's the matter? Did you think I'd be a man?"
"No, no!" Hua Youmeng quickly waved her hands. "There is a touch of surprise, but… more than that, I'm truly impressed."
"Oh?" Director Li regarded Hua Youmeng with some curiosity, then seemed to understand. She nodded. "It seems you're someone in charge of an organization yourself, then. We have a fair bit in common."
"A humble trading guild—I wouldn't dare compare it to your esteemed house," Hua Youmeng said modestly.
"No organization is too small. The one in charge carries the hopes, the lives, and the futures of every brother and sister under their banner. That burden on one's shoulders… is a heavy one."
Hua Youmeng nodded emphatically, deeply in agreement.
The two women had barely met, yet they seemed to have found a kindred spirit in one another. They had instantly seized upon a shared topic and looked ready to talk deep into the night.
The attendant woman couldn't help but cough softly. "Miss, the two guests are here to consign items."
"Ah, forgive me," Director Li said with an apologetic smile. "I was moved by a shared sentiment and spoke out of turn. Please, don't mind me. Do have a seat."