Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 32 Auction House

Feng Yao's fingertips gently rested on the strings, and a flash of enlightenment suddenly struck him. He finally understood why even a formidable figure like Tang Hao hadn't noticed Tang San's cultivation of the Mysterious Heavenly Art. In the eyes of orthodox spirit masters, physical cultivation mostly remained at a superficial level. Techniques like the Chaos Cloak Hammer Technique and the Nine Absolutes of Clear Sky, which combined physical strength with the flow of spirit energy, were considered untold secrets.

"Without the complete Xuantian Gong method, without detailed annotations and guidance, for Qian Renxue..."

Feng Yao sighed inwardly, the strings of his zither trembling slightly as his thoughts drifted through his mind. "To comprehend the mysteries of this world through mere observation, one must possess a solid understanding of yin and yang, the five elements, and the operation of the meridians, just like I do."

Feng Yao patiently explained to Xue Qinghe the subtleties of Xuantian Gong, but he soon discovered that when talking about concepts such as Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the circulation of meridians, Xue Qinghe's eyes were full of confusion.

"Your Highness, this can be simply understood as a special form of meditation," Feng Yao's fingertips gently stroked the strings, his soul power lingering like flowing water, "but it has greater benefits for the body, and the efficiency of cultivation is also higher."

"Are you saying that you have created a new meditation method?" Xue Qinghe's pupils shrank slightly, and the teacup in his hand was suspended in mid-air, with tiny ripples appearing on the tea.

Feng Yao nodded helplessly. "I suppose so. Right now, I'm using the music of the zither as a guide. While helping Your Highness clear the meridians, I'm also directing your soul power along specific routes." He tapped his fingertips lightly on the zither. "Your Highness must remember these paths. If you practice this method in the future, the results will far exceed those of ordinary meditation."

"What does the so-called 'ensemble' mean?" Xue Qinghe asked, leaning forward unconsciously.

"Just like how different instruments resonate in an orchestra," Feng Yao said with a flick of his wrist, and the sound of the zither suddenly became richer. "If Your Highness masters this method, our soul powers will resonate harmoniously like music, forming a larger 'vortex.'" A smile flashed in his eyes. "Then both the speed of cultivation and the quality of soul power will be greatly improved."

Xue Qinghe's eyes lit up, and this simple metaphor made him suddenly enlightened. He suddenly laughed: "How dare you ask me to cooperate with you in cultivation?"

Feng Yao plucked the strings of his zither with neither arrogance nor servility: "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Just like a student joining your tutelage, this is even more true on the path of cultivation. If you want to gain, you must first learn to give."

"How much faster is this method of practice than ordinary meditation?" Xue Qinghe asked after pondering for a moment.

Feng Yao gently plucked the strings of the zither, producing a clear, trembling sound. "It depends on the individual, and it also depends on the right time, place, and people. If Your Highness is free tonight, I can take you to the Tiandou Royal Academy's mimicry training field to try it out. I believe the results will satisfy you."

"Okay! I'm looking forward to it." A rare flash of excitement flashed across Xue Qinghe's eyes, but he immediately regained his usual composure. "But now..." He smiled faintly, "Let's put aside our cultivation for now and take me for a stroll."

A hint of surprise flashed across Feng Yao's eyes - this seemed a little different from the Qian Renxue he had imagined, who was extremely thirsty for power.

The carriage slowly stopped, and as Feng Yao disembarked, a magnificent building came into view. White marble pillars supported a gilded dome, and the five gilded characters on the main entrance gleamed brightly in the sunlight.

"Your Highness, where is this?"

"The largest auction house in Tiandou." Xue Qinghe raised the corner of his lips slightly, "You gave me such a great gift, how could I not give you something in return?"

The eagle-eyed receptionist hurried forward and respectfully ushered the two into the inner hall. Even Feng Yao, a seasoned veteran, could not help but marvel at the sight before him—dozens of maids in white formal gowns lined either side, their exquisitely tailored dresses framing their graceful figures to perfection. Low-cut designs revealed delicate collarbones, while the short skirts accentuated the long, slender legs, accentuated by high heels. Most remarkable of all, these were all naturally stunning beauties, devoid of even the slightest trace of artificiality.

Feng Yao subconsciously touched the tip of his nose. As a normal man, he certainly knew how to appreciate beauty, but then he thought about how this body was only thirteen years old. He usually treated Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling as little more than sisters. Whenever he had even the slightest evil thought, he was immediately filled with a strong sense of guilt.

Seeing these obviously mature maids again, I couldn't help but feel...
"What? Are you stunned?" Xue Qinghe joked, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Feng Yao coughed lightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the strings of the zither: "Your Highness, you're joking. I just think that the pomp and ceremony of this auction house is even more exquisite than Yuexuan's."

"Is it just about the show?" Xue Qinghe raised his eyebrows and chuckled, revealing a meaningful expression that said, "We are all men, why should we hide it?"

Feng Yao coughed lightly, his fingertips unconsciously plucking the strings of the zither: "Your Highness, please understand." He bowed slightly, but a barely perceptible blush appeared on the tips of his ears.

Xue Qinghe suddenly leaned in, his warm breath brushing Feng Yao's ear. "The maids here are all carefully trained by the Tiandou Auction House." He lowered his voice and said with a hint of teasing, "If you like, I can give you one?"

The strings of Feng Yao's zither trembled slightly, and then he regained his composure. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." He raised his eyes and smiled. "But I am worried that indulging in the pleasures of life will hinder my cultivation. It is not too late to consider these things when I am older."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, and his gaze lingered on Feng Yao for a moment - with the talent he showed and his status as a student of Yuexuan, if he was really interested, he would probably be able to choose any of the noble daughters of Yuexuan.

"Excellent! Self-discipline! If all the nobles in Tiandou were like you, we wouldn't have failed to cultivate a Titled Douluo in all these years." Xue Qinghe clapped his hands in praise, his eyes full of admiration. "I'm very happy to see that Mr. Feng has such a kind heart."

"Your Highness, thank you for your kind words." Feng Yao said with a smile.

Xue Qinghe's lips curled up slightly, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. After just a few hours of spending time together, he had already seen through Feng Yao's character—this young man had his own personal scale, weighing his own principles and righteousness.

“Such a person.”

Xue Qinghe's fingertips gently stroked the jade pendant on his waist, thinking to himself: "It may be difficult to use it as easily as an arm, but if I can get his approval."

His gaze swept over the graceful maids, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Feng Yao. If Feng Yao had already achieved great cultivation and reached marriageable age, he would surely have readily accepted this gift. However, it was precisely because he remained true to his heart that he remained unmoved by such temptation.

Xue Qinghe knew that his power might force the other party to submit to him due to external pressure, but to truly win the loyalty of this young man, relying on power and beauty would be futile - only by sharing the same ideals with him could he be willing to walk side by side with him.

The two walked along a corridor covered with dark-patterned carpet and were soon ushered into an elegant private room. The walls of the room were inlaid with soundproof soul crystals, and through the one-way transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, they could see the entire auction venue.

"Please sit down." Xue Qinghe raised his hand gracefully, his moon-white cuffs sliding down to reveal an antique jade bracelet. "No need to be formal today. If you have anything you like, just let me know." He smiled, "Consider this a gift from me to the future captain of the Royal Fighting Team."

Feng Yao gently stroked "Fuxi" and sat down, blue soul power flowing through the strings: "Your Highness, I am unworthy of your kindness."

The waiter served fragrant tea just in time. Amidst the lingering heat, the auctioneer took the stage. The first item—a shimmering, ten-thousand-year-old soul bone—was slowly wheeled onto the stand, causing a stir in the room.

Xue Qinghe took a sip of tea, his gaze lingering on Feng Yao's profile. He wondered what this young man, unmoved by beauty, would do when faced with truly precious cultivation resources. The scent of agarwood lingered in the private room, and the sound of bidding rose and fell outside the window. Feng Yao's fingertips unconsciously tapped the zither, each gentle sound seeming to strike at Xue Qinghe's heartstrings.

Xue Qinghe gazed deeply at Feng Yao's calm profile, thinking to himself, "Even a ten-thousand-year soul bone can't move him?"

He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, and suddenly smiled. "Xiaofeng, are you trying to help me save money?" He raised his hand and gestured to the waiter, "Go get that soul bone you just saw."

Feng Yao paused slightly when he heard this, and the strings of the zither emitted a clear tremolo sound: "Your Highness, this..."

"What?" Xue Qinghe interrupted with a half-smile, "Do you think my gift is not sincere enough?"

Feng Yao shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I just feel that I don't have any use for the soul bone at the moment, and this soul bone is not suitable for me. If I had something suitable, I would not be polite to Your Highness."

At this moment, the auctioneer's resounding voice echoed throughout the venue: "The next item is a rare treasure from the Far North - Millennium Mysterious Ice Marrow!"

On the stand, a translucent blue crystal slowly rose, its surface shrouded in visible ripples of cold air. The temperature in the entire auction hall seemed to drop slightly.

Soon, this thousand-year-old black ice marrow was bought away by an ice-attribute soul master.

The auctioneer's voice rang out again: "The next lot is a fragmented ancient zither score. According to research, it may have been written by a Titled Douluo of the Music Department a thousand years ago!"

Feng Yao suddenly looked up, his gaze darting towards the exhibition stand. He saw a few ancient notes glowing faintly under the influence of soul power on the yellowed, tattered music sheet in the auctioneer's hand.

"Starting price: 100,000 Gold Soul Coins!"

The auctioneer's booming voice echoed throughout the venue, but no one responded. The nobles showed little interest—to them, it was merely a fragmented piece of music. The ordinary spirit masters, on the other hand, shook their heads secretly—even if it truly came from a Titled Douluo, as the auctioneer claimed, how much value could a fragmented piece of music have?
Xue Qinghe keenly noticed the glint in Feng Yao's eyes. The corners of his lips curled up slightly, and he raised the sign elegantly: "One hundred and one hundred thousand."

The entire place erupted in an uproar! Guests looked sideways, and even the auctioneer was stunned for a moment—someone actually bid on this incomplete score, a prize from the distinguished guest in Box Number One!

"One hundred or one hundred thousand each!" the auctioneer's voice trembled with excitement. He had already prepared for the auction to fail. After all, if the music sheet wasn't made of a unique material that even they couldn't identify, it wouldn't be worth even fifty thousand.

Feng Yao also smiled at this time and said, "Thank you for your expense, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe just took a sip of tea calmly and said, "Just consider it as my tuition for you."

Feng Yao's mouth twitched upon hearing this. One hundred and ten thousand gold coins to buy Xuantian Gong? If Tang San knew that it wouldn't trigger the way to death, wouldn't he?
The auctioneer excitedly brought the hammer down three times, his voice trembling slightly. "Deal! Congratulations again to the winner of Box Number One!"

When the waiter brought the music sheet, Feng Yao took it carefully. The moment his fingertips touched it, the notes on the incomplete score glowed faintly.

Afterwards, Feng Yao unceremoniously put the music score into his soul guide so that he could study it when he had free time.

As the last lot was sold under the hammer, the crystal chandeliers in the auction hall gradually lit up, bringing this grand event to a successful conclusion.

As dusk fell, Xue Qinghe's gilded carriage slowly drove away from the auction house. Four snow-white horses marched in neat steps, casting long silhouettes in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"We've had a great harvest today." Xue Qinghe looked out the window at the dusk, tapping the window frame with his fingertips. "But the most precious thing is you, Xiaofeng."

Feng Yao raised his eyes and saw the last rays of sunset falling on Xue Qinghe's handsome profile, gilding him with a hazy golden edge. "Your Highness, I am truly unworthy of your kindness."

An unknown amount of time passed before, as the last rays of sunset faded, the Crown Prince's gilded carriage slowly stopped before the magnificent gates of the Tiandou Imperial Academy. Four snow-white horses spitted out white mist, and the shaft, inlaid with the imperial emblem, still gleamed brightly in the twilight.

Feng Yao, holding Fuxi, was the first to exit the carriage, his blue sleeves fluttering gently in the evening breeze. Xue Qinghe followed, his moon-white gown embroidered with gold thread, and the jade pendant at his waist jingled with each movement.

"Now, it's time for classmate Feng to take me to experience that magical method of cultivation." Xue Qinghe smiled, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Feng Yao bowed slightly. "It is my honor to lead the way for Your Highness." He turned sideways and gestured for invitation. "The mimic training ground is not far ahead. It should be unoccupied at this hour."

The academy was utterly silent in the twilight, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing softly on the stone pavement. The soul guide lamps along the path lit up one after another, casting a warm glow over the two.

The two of them walked through the quiet paths of the academy and soon arrived at the uniquely shaped mimic training ground. The crystal dome shimmered under the starlight, and the soul guide lights at the entrance stretched their figures significantly.

Feng Yao took out his student ID and handed it to the guard. Just as the guard was about to stop Xue Qinghe, a golden light flashed - the Prince's Golden Order shone brightly in the twilight.

"Your Highness!" the guard hurriedly knelt and saluted, his voice trembling with nervousness. "I was so blind that I failed to recognize Your Highness. I deserve death!"

Xue Qinghe raised his hand calmly, "No need to be polite." He glanced at the empty training ground, "I hereby order that the mimic training ground be temporarily closed today. No one is allowed to approach."

"I will follow your Highness's orders!" The guard kowtowed deeply and immediately retreated to arrange for the clearing of the area.

Feng Yao watched this scene, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the strings. Xue Qinghe turned and smiled at him: "Now, we can begin our 'ensemble'."

As the heavy stone door slowly closed, the entire mimicry training ground fell completely silent.

Today is the first chapter. After the update, the author has to catch the train. The author will go home and take a nap tomorrow, and then start to update the audience. I wish all the audience a happy May Day.
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(End of this chapter)