CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 75: AUCTION

Su Bai gave a thumbs-up, eyes full of envy, "What a great friend, I wish I had a friend this amazing too."

Ruan Li laughed awkwardly twice.

She thought with some guilt, a kissing friend still counts as a friend, right?

"But the black market only opens after dark."

On a dark and windy night, the two cloaked figures walked furtively along the path.

Until they stopped at the entrance of a dark alley, where a man with a scar on his face stopped them.

Su Bai took out two Crystal Cores from his arms, "Toll."

The man weighed the Crystal Cores in his hand before letting them pass.

Ruan Li looked down at her toes, holding her cloak tightly, following behind Su Bai.

She was suddenly pulled aside.

"Turn here!"

Su Bai whispered.

Ruan Li looked up just in time to see herself almost bump into the wall ahead, turned to see Su Bai laughing at her, "I just wanted to see if you would really hit it if I didn’t remind you."

Ruan Li looked at him speechlessly, "You are something else."

Su Bai snorted a laugh, "Off we go, off we go."

Turning left, they saw colorful lights illuminate the night sky, with many small shops and stalls lined along the way. Most of the shopkeepers were wearing black cloaks as well.

"Follow me to sell the potions first, and stay close."

Ruan Li followed behind Su Bai until he entered a rundown pharmacy with a red lantern hanging at the door.

Su Bai told her to wait at the door for a moment, he would be out soon.

Ruan Li stood quietly in a corner, her cloak revealing only her clear eyes, which stood out in the black market.

A burly Beastman walked along the road, and upon seeing Ruan Li, walked straight towards her. He was also wrapped in a black cloak, but his ferocious face was exposed, and he gave her a leering look.

Wrapped in a black cloak, what was there to look at?

Ruan Li glared at him.

"Interested in following me, sister? I’ll make sure you walk sideways in this city," the Beastman boasted arrogantly, as if offering charity.

Ruan Li cursed "crazy" in her heart and dared to say out loud, "I’m waiting for someone, my friend will be out soon."

The Beastman, hearing her clear voice, looked even more excited, "I’ve seen this ploy many times, are you waiting here specifically for me?"

He took a step forward, trying to put his arm around Ruan Li, but she sidestepped, making him lurching a few steps forward, the ground even shaking thrice from his heavy figure.

Ruan Li dare not imagine, if he really hit her, she might have been crushed to death.

The Beastman saw that she didn’t give him face, a hint of malice flashed in his eyes, but he turned and laughed disdainfully, "Playing hard to get? I like that!"

Ruan Li saw this shameless Beastman rushing towards her, and she ran to the side, hanging onto her cloak.

The nearby vendors were all watching the show.

After all, Xiong Jie was the only heir of the City Lord’s family, no one dared provoke him, nor did anyone want to court favor; he liked it this way.

Ruan Li saw him in hot pursuit and couldn’t help but curse, "You crazy? I am male!"

Xiong Jie grinned, "I don’t care!"

Ruan Li grasped her necklace and imagined a face full of bumps and craters, then took off her hood, "You like this too?"

She said, "I know I wasn’t born good-looking, I didn’t expect you to say you like me, not caring about how I look."

Upon her removing the hood, Xiong Jie cursed, "*! You f* look like this!"

Ruan Li pretended to be hurt, chasing after him and asking, "Didn’t you say you don’t care?"

Xiong Jie just hated himself for not running faster, "I’m going to puke when I see your face! Get lost!"

Ruan Li pretended to chase a few more steps forward, Xiong Jie ran away without daring to look back.

Ruan Li covered her face, glanced at the onlookers, and cried, "Am I really that ugly?"

Some were even covering their mouths, about to vomit, while others looked shocked, as if unable to believe how a Beastman could look uglier than a toad’s ancestor.

Su Bai happened to come out of the store, his eyes scanning around without seeing Ruan Li’s figure. While muttering curiously, a very grotesque-looking Beastman approached him, "I’m here."

Su Bai averted his eyes, afraid he might puke from disgust, "Brother, you got the wrong person."

"It’s me, Su Bai." Ruan Li put on her hood.

Su Bai finally noticed her voice, shocked and puzzled, looking her up and down thoroughly.

The figure seemed right.

He remembered Ruan Li’s necklace that could turn into any appearance, "Is it really you? How did you become like this?"

His voice conveyed undisguised disdain.

Ruan Li giggled, "This is better! Once the hood is off, no one dares look at me."

Su Bai was speechless, "You’re something else."

He led Ruan Li to the trading house, which was the largest auction house on the Deserted Star, and if they didn’t have the signal source Ruan Li wanted, nowhere on the Deserted Star would.

From the outside, the trading house was utterly different from other shops on that street, instead exceptionally luxurious. Inside was even more resplendent, almost entirely decorated in gold.

Such wealth disparity, some are filthy rich, while others are dirt poor.

Su Bai took Ruan Li to the front desk, got two tags, and followed the attendant inside.

However, they nearly bumped into someone around the corner.

"Watch where you’re going! Didn’t you see the young master?" Xiong Jie shouted aggressively, but upon seeing Ruan Li, fell silent inexplicably.

Then, without a word, left with a strange expression.

Su Bai wondered, "What’s up with Xiong Jie?"

Ruan Li touched her nose, not daring to admit she scared him away.

She and Su Bai sat down in the auction hall, and the auction soon began. Shortly after, it was time for the signal source Ruan Li wanted.

Few in attendance seemed interested in this item; Ruan Li tugged Su Bai’s sleeve, whispering, "Could I borrow some Crystal Cores from you for now? Once my family finds me, I’ll repay immediately."

Su Bai reluctantly agreed, only to see Ruan Li promptly raising the paddle.

"Number 708, twenty Level 1 Crystal Cores!"

The price wasn’t particularly high, but soon Ruan Li stopped smiling, as an unknown person ended up competing with her for the signal source.

The price quickly escalated to eighty Level 1 Crystal Cores, and when Ruan Li tried to raise the paddle again, Su Bai firmly held down her hand, "Grandma, I’m begging you! I only have 99 Level 1 Crystal Cores in total!"

These were what he earned from selling half a month’s worth of potions today; he hadn’t even warmed them up in his pocket!

Ruan Li tugged at his hand, reassuring him, "Don’t worry, once my Beast Husband arrives, I’ll pay you back tenfold."

Su Bai wavered for a moment, then gradually let go, resigned as if facing doom.

"90 Level 1 Crystal Cores!"

"Number 303, 95 Level 1 Crystal Cores!"

Ruan Li wondered who on earth this person was, and why they also needed the signal source?