On the auction stage, as the gradually rising bids finally subsided, Ripple naturally announced the winner of these two treasures—No. 1 Room.
The price was slightly higher than previously estimated.
After all, not many people were bored enough to offend the people of Wanbao Pavilion and No. 1 Room for the sake of a fragmented treasure.
Watching the two treasures being pushed off the stage, Ripple was about to turn around and continue warming up the crowd for the next items when her heart suddenly trembled.
A familiar sensation enveloped her in an instant, but it vanished after only a few seconds.
‘This Power of Yunxi… could the Chief Pavilion Master have arrived?’
She raised her eyes toward the position of No. 1 Room, her expression remaining calm, though a fleeting trace of doubt flashed through her eyes.
To her, performing her current auction duties was more important than meeting the Chief Pavilion Master.
This was the professional quality of a Branch Pavilion Master, the first lesson she had learned before coming here—the primary principle was to perform one’s duties well in all matters.
Even if the Pavilion Master arrived in person, one must not put the cart before the horse for the sake of flattery and fawning.
***
The auction continued in full swing.
Although they had experienced a series of events just now, all the guests were still full of interest in the subsequent auction items.
Even the two women, Qin Luoyi and Xia Qingyao, temporarily cast aside the previous matters and developed thoughts of bidding on the upcoming objects.
Only No. 1 Room had temporarily detached from the state of the auction.
Yinger, who had already regained her composure, had already left Yun Mu’s embrace.
She stood beside the youth, her hands habitually folded in front of her chest in a posture similar to a hug.
If Yun Mu could see, he could likely tell quite easily that the other person’s current posture was much more humble compared to before.
In front of her, Tu Shan Huaizhi sat sideways on Yun Mu’s lap, her two ears standing high, her face full of vigilance, looking very much like she was about to bristle.
“I apologize. Yinger was rude just now.”
“More than rude! You vixen… No, you, you bad woman! You actually wanted to take advantage of Brother Yun Mu just now, and you even faked Amnesia. You, you, you…”
The girl was so excited she almost scolded herself as well.
There was no helping it; the other party’s actions just now had been far too intimate.
“Huai Zhi… actually, it wasn’t that intimate…”
“Brother, do not speak. This is a battle between women.”
“Eh?”
Yun Mu was speechless, only feeling confused.
Clearly, Yun Mu did not understand how this kind of thing had been pulled into a restrictive term like a “battle between women.”
“Um, Miss Huaizhi, I can explain this. Actually…”
Seeing that the small flames in the other’s eyes were about to leap out, Yinger had no choice but to recount her general experiences during this period of time.
As Tu Shan Huaizhi listened to these words, her mouth gradually fell open, finding it quite unbelievable.
“You mean… your current memory is still stuck at last night before you went to sleep?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then how do you explain how you could quickly judge that the two of us were the auction’s guests even though you clearly have no memory?”
“This… Miss Huaizhi, you can doubt me on anything else and I would have no objection, but regarding my work, I am still very responsible.”
Perhaps because they were talking about her strength, the corners of Yinger’s mouth unconsciously curved up slightly.
“I have received guests in No. 1 Room no fewer than ten times. Although the most recent time was a hundred years ago, I clean the room every day, and I remember every detail here very clearly. Moreover… according to the rules of Wanbao Pavilion, since the two of you could enter No. 1 Room, you must be the honored guests of my Wanbao Pavilion.”
Well-reasoned and supported by facts, these words left the Fox Demon momentarily unsure of how to refute them.
“Alright, Huai Zhi, it’s fine. There’s still the auction. Although we’ve acquired what we wanted, maybe there’s something else we might want?”
Seeing this, Yun Mu hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
“Fine. In that case, you must stand even further to the side,” the girl took the opportunity to back down, but she still issued a command.
“Also, take this. I heard Pavilion Master Ripple say it was to be given to you, right?”
She reached out, took the Jade Plaque from Yun Mu’s waist, and handed it over.
“This is… I understand…”
Without asking more, Yinger took the Jade Plaque with both hands and turned to walk toward a position even further away.
Then, after two light clicking sounds, she walked back with graceful steps.
Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi did not pay attention to these things.
They simply listened to the introduction of each item, the shouts of the auction prices, and the finality of the hammer, considering whether they had any intention of bidding.
However, until the very end, the human and the demon did not take a fancy to anything else.
It was as if their coming here this time was solely for the Stone Tablet and the clothes.
“You two, these are the items you bid for, as well as some tokens of appreciation from our Wanbao Pavilion.”
Outside, Ripple’s closing remarks were still continuing.
Yinger had already presented two Space Rings containing the items on a jade tray.
Seeing this, Tu Shan Huaizhi did not say much.
She directly took the rings with quick eyes and hands and performed an inspection—the left one held the Stone Tablet and the Magic Robe, while the right one held two Jade Plaques and some high-quality clothes, though they were all for women.
“What are these Jade Plaques?”
The girl took out the two Jade Plaques.
She conveniently placed the one on the left onto the ring finger of Yun Mu’s left hand, and then put the one on the right onto her own left ring finger.
Yinger, who had taken everything in, let out a light laugh and explained, “These Jade Plaques are gifts from our Wanbao Pavilion. In the future, as long as you purchase items at Wanbao Pavilion, you can enjoy random discounts with these plaques.”
“Random?”
Taking the Jade Plaque handed over by the girl, Yun Mu lightly stroked it to feel the patterns upon it before storing it into the pouch Eleven had given him.
“Does it mean it’s not a fixed discount?”
“Yes. After all, the value of each item is different.”
“I see. Thank you. Despite not spending a single Spirit Stone, I have received so much kindness. I am truly grateful.”
As he spoke, he stood up and clasped his hands in a formal bow.
“It is dictated by the rules. No need for thanks.”
Yinger also returned the bow.
“Next, please follow me this way.”
Following behind the woman, they stepped onto a completely unfamiliar path.
Compared to the change in Yun Mu’s sensory experience, Tu Shan Huaizhi had a more direct experience—it was darker, more crowded, and quieter.
Fortunately, after walking for about fifteen minutes, the light of the sun shone into this space.
The originally narrow tunnel also gradually broadened significantly until finally, sunlight enveloped them, and everything became clear and open.
It truly felt like the sensation of “initially very narrow, just wide enough for a person to pass; after walking dozens of steps, it opened up into a broad level clearing.”
“This is the furthest place our Wanbao Pavilion can send the two of you. For the rest of the way, you can only rely on yourselves. Take care.”
“Thanks.”
They spoke in unison.
Then, there was a sudden ripple in space.
The moment Yinger turned to step back into the Cave Entrance, she disappeared.
“It actually contains the Dao Rhyme Laws of Space.”
Feeling this miraculous power, Yun Mu was about to reach out to feel the power that had not yet dissipated when his body tightened.
He was pulled directly inward, shattering the lingering aura of the laws.
“Huai Zhi, why…”
“Shh, someone is coming.”
Outside the Cave Entrance, a petite figure draped in a Cloak was walking out from the woods.
She observed her surroundings for a long time before finally setting her gaze on the spot where the two had disappeared.
Clutching her chest, her dark eyes were filled with deep sorrow.
“It seems to be nearby… Lord Yun Mu… no, Little Mu…”