Chapter 277 – 「Wanbao Auction House」

City Center Square, Wanbao Auction House.

This was the largest auction house in Tianfeng City.

Located on the west side of City Center Square, close to the Base City Management Building and the Professional Assistance Center, it was an auction house renowned throughout Tianfeng City and even known by people in other Base Cities.

Wanbao Auction House was divided into three floors, each containing an auction hall that held auctions at fixed times. Without exception, all items auctioned were Extraordinary Items, making Professionals its primary target audience. Even the Eight Great Families were often attracted by the auction items appearing here, to the extent that each family stationed personnel to regularly monitor the daily lists of Extraordinary Items up for auction, ready to bid at any time.

Especially on the Third Floor of Wanbao Auction House, it was said that only truly precious items would appear in this floor’s auction hall. The finale items of each auction were treasures that could tempt behemoths like the Eight Great Families, causing the Third Floor auction hall to receive the most attention. Whenever an auction opened here, it would inevitably attract big shots from various forces to compete.

After finding this information in his Terminal, Su Ming came to City Center Square and arrived before Wanbao Auction House.

“Truly magnificent.”

Looking at the palace-like grand auction house before him, Su Ming couldn’t help but whistle.

There was no such place in Longyao City, and among the Four Coastal Base Cities, probably none had such either. Only a Base City like Tianfeng City could showcase such scenery.

“If Yun Langyue saw this place, I wonder if she’d feel envious?”

Su Ming thought with some mischief in his heart, but didn’t delay, directly slipping into a secluded corner nearby to begin disguising himself.

Yes, Su Ming was preparing to use an alternate identity again.

There was no helping it – what he was about to do next was somewhat attention-grabbing. To avoid causing too much trouble, it was better to use a disguise.

Of course, Su Ming wouldn’t use the Ming Wang identity. Using the Ming Wang disguise here would be no different from seeking death – once the news leaked, major forces would come blocking him in minutes.

Therefore, unlike before, Su Ming didn’t drape himself in a black cloak or wear combat attire to appear mysterious. Instead, he took out a piece of clothing from his backpack.

It was an overly gorgeous formal dress that extremely mismatched Su Ming’s style.

Ornamental Garb: When worn, it can transform into the most suitable luxurious formal dress for the current environment, possessing effects like wrinkle removal, waterproofing, and self-cleaning. It’s something coveted by high society.

This was something of unclear purpose that Su Ming had obtained from a package after saving Xu Qianqian from Gao Xu and Xu Yanyan during the Huaming Campaign.

The Dragon Gall Motorcycle was also obtained at that time. Besides that, Su Ming had also obtained a bottle of half-baked rejuvenation medicine, and then this Ornamental Garb.

Originally, Su Ming thought he would probably never use this Ornamental Garb in his lifetime, but now using it for disguise wasn’t a bad choice.

Su Ming put on the Ornamental Garb, letting it transform into a luxurious formal dress, then immediately took out a mask from his backpack.That was no ordinary mask, but rather a half-face mask similar to those used at masquerade balls, covering only the area around the eyes. It appeared excessively ornate.

Once he put on this mask and paired it with the luxurious formal attire he wore, Su Ming underwent an instant transformation right on the spot—shifting from an utterly ordinary passerby to a young master from high society.

What was even more astonishing was that it wasn’t just his appearance; Su Ming’s very aura had changed as well, becoming exceptionally noble, flamboyant, and conspicuous.

Anyone who saw Su Ming at this moment would undoubtedly perceive him as a young master from a prominent Family, a high-society Young Master.

And all of this was brought about by the effects of that mask.

Sky Illusion Mask: An alchemical item, a special type of tool capable of altering the wearer’s appearance, aura, presence, and even body odor according to their needs. The more intently someone gazes directly at the wearer’s face, the more blurred the wearer’s features will appear. This effect even works on Phantom Demons, and not even the highest-starred Professionals can see through the wearer’s true visage. It is one of the top-tier concealment tools.

This mask was an Extraordinary Item that Su Ming had unboxed from packages during his frenzied crystal chip spending spree to mitigate the effects of the Demon Emperor Sword.

At that time, Su Ming had not yet unboxed the Blue Demon Ceasefire Ring, so when he obtained this mask, he was genuinely thrilled.

Although this mask couldn’t resolve the hidden dangers brought by the Demon Emperor Sword, as an Extraordinary Item rated by his Golden Finger as one of the top-tier concealment tools, its value was unimaginable.

Capable of affecting even Phantom Demons and evading the perception of the highest-starred Professionals—with such powerful effects alone, this Sky Illusion Mask could be deemed priceless.

The mall’s buyback price for this Sky Illusion Mask was————「300,000」.

Three hundred thousand crystal chips!

The buyback price for Fire Fang was eighty thousand, and the buyback price for Xiong Wen, ranked ninety-ninth on the weapon leaderboard, was fifty thousand. Yet, the buyback price for a mask with no combat applications was several times higher than theirs, clearly demonstrating the marvel and preciousness of the Sky Illusion Mask.

This was far more valuable than the equipment he had used when disguising himself as Ming Wang before.

Although that set of equipment also had the function of concealing aura and scent, it was clearly not on the same level as the Sky Illusion Mask, which could affect even the highest-starred Professionals and Phantom Demons.

Not to mention, this mask also had the effect of altering appearance and the wearer’s aura, and it could even make those who carefully observed Su Ming feel increasingly vague about his impression. This was truly miraculous.

With it, Su Ming’s sense of security skyrocketed, and he no longer had to worry about his disguise being exposed.

Thus, without hesitation, Su Ming put on the Sky Illusion Mask and, paired with a set of decorative clothing, instantly transformed into a noble Young Master.

After completing this transformation, Su Ming nonchalantly stepped out from the corner.

It must be said that the current Su Ming was the complete opposite of when he used the “Ming Wang” persona.

When donning the “Ming Wang” persona, Su Ming was reserved, mysterious, aiming for low-profile and concealment. Unless one paid close attention, it was easy for ordinary people to overlook him.But at this moment, Su Ming was different. His noble and flamboyant aura, combined with his luxurious attire, made him appear to others like a prince parading through the streets, causing many women to stare at him with sparkling eyes, unable to look away.

Even the Professionals couldn’t help but cast curious glances at Su Ming, seemingly speculating about which great Family’s young master he might be.

Su Ming swaggered into the Wanbao Auction House without hesitation.

He didn’t linger on the first floor, nor even the second, heading directly for the Third Floor.

However, Su Ming was quickly stopped.

“Please show your invitation.”

Two guards blocked Su Ming’s path, expressionlessly making their demand.

Su Ming halted.

“I don’t have one.”

Su Ming said this directly, bluntly, and frankly, leaving both guards momentarily stunned.

After recovering, the other guard spoke up.

“Without an invitation, you cannot proceed to the Third Floor. Please step back.”

The guard stated this matter-of-factly, his tone devoid of contempt but undeniably condescending despite his professional demeanor.

Immediately, Su Ming laughed.

“Blocking me?”

Without any hesitation or reservation, Su Ming unleashed his Aura.

“An Upper-Rank Professional…!?”

The two guards’ expressions instantly changed.

Seeing this, Su Ming took a step forward, his Aura intensifying as if he might strike at any moment, causing the guards to show signs of panic.

Naturally, Su Ming had no intention of resorting to violence over a simple disagreement.

However, since he had disguised himself as a young master, wouldn’t it be a waste of this persona if he weren’t domineering, assertive, and condescending?

This time, the character Su Ming had crafted for himself was that of an arrogant and forceful Young Master.

Therefore, Su Ming didn’t hesitate in the slightest, immediately revealing his strength.

He wasn’t afraid of being unable to back down.

Because he knew that someone would inevitably step in to intervene upon sensing his presence.

Sure enough…

“Please wait!”

Before long, a middle-aged man hurried out from inside, calling out to stop Su Ming.

“Manager Yu!”

The two guards immediately looked at the man as if he were their savior.

But Manager Yu paid no attention to the guards, instead approaching Su Ming directly and bowing in apology.

“My deepest apologies, esteemed warrior. We have been negligent.”

After speaking, Manager Yu dismissed the two guards, who breathed a sigh of relief.

Su Ming took a moment to assess this Manager Yu, his eyebrows raising slightly beneath the mask.

The reason was simple: Manager Yu was also an Upper-Rank Professional.

The faintly visible vigorous Qi and the powerful Aura ready to be unleashed told Su Ming that this was a formidable expert.

“Incredible, even a random manager is an Upper-Rank Professional?”

One could only say, this was truly Tianfeng City.

But while Su Ming was surprised, Manager Yu was even more astonished.

“Judging by his voice and appearance, this person seems quite young, yet he’s already an Upper-Rank Professional. Could he be a core disciple from one of those Super Families?”

While rapidly pondering this, Manager Yu didn’t neglect his duties toward Su Ming.

“Might I ask what brings our honored guest to the Third Floor?”

Manager Yu inquired politely.The third floor of Wanbao Auction House had always been strictly accessible only to those holding invitations—this was an established rule.

Though Su Ming lacked an invitation, as an Upper-Rank Professional with an evidently significant background, Manager Yu refrained from directly citing regulations. Instead, he earnestly inquired.

Su Ming glanced at Manager Yu and suddenly smiled.

“This young master is here to sell a few items,” Su Ming declared, adhering to his persona with a slightly domineering tone. “What? Does Wanbao Auction House refuse guests without invitations, yet also turn away distinguished patrons bringing business your way?”

“Sell items?” Manager Yu was momentarily taken aback.

As an auction house, Wanbao naturally accepted consignments and had a dedicated appraisal room. Clients wishing to auction items would go there for identification and pricing.

Only sufficiently valuable treasures would be sent to the third floor to become auction items.

No one like Su Ming had ever appeared directly on the third floor to sell something.

Nevertheless, Manager Yu said nothing and instead nodded at Su Ming.

“In that case, please proceed to the reception room. I will summon a specialized Appraiser to evaluate Your Excellency’s items.”

Manager Yu’s hospitality was impeccable.

Su Ming knew this deference stemmed from the deterrence of his status as an Upper-Rank Professional.

Had he been a lower-rank Professional causing such a disturbance, he would almost certainly have been expelled.

But as an Upper-Rank Professional—an undisputed powerhouse even in Tianfeng City, commanding respect—he wouldn’t be offended over trivial matters.

“How may I address you?”

Manager Yu led Su Ming to the reception room. After seating him, he discreetly inquired while sending for the Appraiser.

Su Ming glanced at him.

“My surname is Wang, given name Yue.”

Naturally, Su Ming didn’t give his real name, calmly offering a pseudonym.

“Wang?”

Manager Yu’s interest was piqued.

Could this be a young master of the Wang Family?

But he’d never heard of a Wang Yue among the Wang Family’s young masters.

An Upper-Rank Professional, seemingly quite young—which prodigy of the Wang Family could he be?

Manager Yu mentally reviewed several faces but dismissed them one by one.

As a manager of Wanbao Auction House, he knew the renowned young masters of the Eight Great Families, yet none matched the person before him.

The Wang Family’s young masters were either not yet Upper-Rank Professionals or differed in build and voice from this individual—simply no match.

Thus, this person might not be from the Wang Family, merely sharing the surname, or perhaps had given a false name.

Having reached this conclusion, Manager Yu subtly probed for other details.

Unfortunately, Su Ming concealed himself impeccably, speaking flawlessly. The information he revealed was either trivial or unverifiable, leaving Manager Yu unable to glean anything substantial in the short time.

Soon after, Wanbao Auction House’s Appraiser entered, interrupting their conversation.

“Manager Yu.”

The white-haired elder bowed respectfully to Manager Yu.”Mm.” Manager Yu nodded and said, “Please appraise the auction items for Young Master Wang.”

“Certainly.” The elderly man turned to Su Ming, still speaking respectfully, “Young master, may I take a look at the items?”

Su Ming appeared nonchalant, yet with a wave of his hand over the table, objects clattered into existence one after another, covering the entire surface.

“This…”

In that moment, both Manager Yu and the Appraiser were stunned by Su Ming’s display.

Summoning items out of thin air?

Such a method was unheard of even to them.

Moreover, what Su Ming had produced was no ordinary assortment.

They were, unmistakably, pieces of alchemical weaponry.

(End of Chapter)