Because of obtaining the blood of a little fox spirit at the auction in the Star Luo Empire previously, upon hearing Hong Zhuang talk about the auction in Geng Xin City, Wang Zhong immediately became interested.
Perhaps something good could be found here again!
With such a small expectation, Wang Zhong immediately expressed his interest in the auction.
Originally, Wang Zhong wanted all seven of them to go together, but the four Guardian Hall Knights stated that they had the duty to guard the main hall and could not accompany him.
Therefore, Wang Zhong took the cardinal Hong Zhuang and two other bishops with him. As for Miles, Wang Zhong left him to his own devices, free to go wherever he pleased as long as he stayed within Geng Xin City.
Moreover, even if Miles wanted to go to the auction with Wang Zhong, Wang Zhong would not agree.
Taking someone like Miles along would simply be embarrassing!
Compared to the auction house in the Star Luo Empire, the auction house in Geng Xin City was slightly less luxurious and grand, but the number of participants and the heated atmosphere far surpassed the latter.
Furthermore, the auction house here was also very large. Wang Zhong roughly scanned with his eyes, and it could accommodate at least nearly five thousand people! This number was quite exaggerated; some small towns had only this many people in total, and an auction house with such a capacity was astonishing.
Also, there were no private rooms here. Although it was divided into upper and lower floors, the upper floor was an open-air corridor with dozens of circular protruding pavilions that offered a good view of the auction stage below.
Standing in a protruding pavilion on the second floor, Wang Zhong placed his hands on the wooden railing in front of him, observing the participants below: nobles, commoners, Soul Masters, people from all walks of life, representing all sorts of backgrounds.
"This auction house has no entry requirements; anyone who wishes to attend can participate."
"Considering the liveliness of the auction house, it has undergone dozens of expansions, leading to the current super-large auction house that can accommodate fifty-six hundred people."
Hong Zhuang stood beside Wang Zhong, diligently explaining.
"My lord, as you are new here, you are likely not very familiar with the distribution of power in Geng Xin City. Allow me to provide a brief explanation."
"In Geng Xin City, although our Spirit Hall is the strongest in terms of presence, its influence is not the greatest."
"The Blacksmith's Association." Wang Zhong lifted his gaze from the crowd seated below, scanned the entire corridor on the second floor, and said in a flat tone.
Hong Zhuang nodded, "Yes, the Blacksmith's Association is the most influential organization in Geng Xin City. They have recruited nearly ninety-nine percent of the blacksmiths, and with three Divine Craftsmen among them, it has become a holy city for blacksmiths, much like Spirit City!"
"Although those blacksmiths lack combat power, their craftsmanship and forging skills are extraordinary!"
"Many items made by their hands are highly regarded even by powerful Soul Masters, and they are treated with caution."
"For example, incredibly durable armor and razor-sharp weapons."
Wang Zhong did not dispute this. Hong Zhuang's words were accurate, and he had heard about such things.
It was said that a suit of armor made by Lou Gao could allow an ordinary person wearing it to easily withstand an attack from a Soul Master without injury.
"Although the Blacksmith's Association is powerful, they are ultimately just blacksmiths. Even if many of them are Soul Masters, their strength and combat effectiveness are not to be feared."
Hong Zhuang's chin was slightly raised, his expression revealing unconcealed pride and disdain.
The head of the Blacksmith's Association, Lou Gao, one of the current Divine Craftsmen, was also a Soul Saint, but his combat power was far inferior to his own.
If they were to fight, Hong Zhuang was confident he could take Lou Gao's head within fifty moves!
"And in Geng Xin City, there is another power. Although they are not as renowned or as numerous as the Blacksmith's Association, and their entire existence seems almost transparent, they are a formidable rival to our Spirit Hall."
With a hint of gravity in his eyes, Hong Zhuang turned his gaze to another protruding pavilion on the second floor. There sat three middle-aged men, some seated, some standing, engaged in conversation.
Two were standing, and one was seated. Their attire was similar, consisting of short shirts and long trousers. The seated man was somewhat portly, with a broad and round face that bore a peaceful yet unfathomable smile.
The man on the left of the two standing was more robust, while the one on the right was taller and thinner. Although the three were conversing, a clear hierarchy of respect was evident.
"Who are they?" Following Hong Zhuang's words, Wang Zhong asked his question.
Judging by their demeanor and bearing, all three men held high positions, and their Soul Power cultivation was quite considerable.
"The City Lord of Geng Xin City, Ying Zhou, and the two Deputy City Lords, Tang Le Cai and Li Huai!"
"The胖子 (pàngzi - fatty) sitting on the sofa is the City Lord of Geng Xin City, Ying Zhou. His Spirit is the Swollen Buffalo, and he is at the same level as me, level seventy-two."
"Tang Le Cai on the right has the Spirit of the Sharp Thunder Leopard, level sixty-eight, an agile attack-type Battle Soul Emperor. Li Huai on the left has the Spirit of the Stone Rock Rhinoceros, level sixty-six, a power-type Battle Soul Emperor."
As if sensing Hong Zhuang's gaze, the three men engaged in conversation simultaneously turned their eyes towards them.
Ying Zhou's smile did not diminish, and he nodded amiably, exuding a welcoming and cordial aura.
Unlike Ying Zhou, Tang Le Cai displayed clear vigilance and displeasure upon seeing Wang Zhong and his group.
The existence of Spirit Hall was like a tiger lying beside them, making them uneasy. Furthermore, the Platinum Bishop was of a base character, relying on the power of Spirit Hall behind him to bully men and women in Geng Xin City, committing all sorts of wicked deeds.
Even as the City Lord appointed by the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, he was powerless against such a force!
Who on the continent did not fear or dread Spirit Hall!
Even the Haotian Sect, the strongest of the Upper Three Sects, was forced into seclusion, and the Four Great Subsidiary Sects were scattered or in decline. Such outcomes were enough to make many tremble.
Moreover, even the powers within the imperial city's Spirit Hall, the Emperor of Star Luo and the Emperor of Heaven Dou could do nothing about them. What could a mere City Lord of Geng Xin City do?
Li Huai glanced sideways at the direction of Wang Zhong and his group, rolled his eyes, and even turned his body away.
Out of sight, out of mind!
The different reactions of the three clearly illustrated the aversion and apprehension of Geng Xin City's original dominant force towards the later arrival of Spirit Hall.
"Hong Zhuang, why is it this guy!"
"Where is Miles?"
Tang Le Cai casually scanned the area and unexpectedly noticed that Miles was not present. This was indeed strange.
Given that guy's greedy and shameless nature, he would definitely attend every auction. If he found any good items, he would invariably bid sky-high prices, then take the goods and refuse to pay.
Yet today, he had changed his ways and hadn't come!
"Miles, if my information is correct, he has been stripped of his authority."
Ying Zhou's smile did not diminish, and his words caused Tang Le Cai and Li Huai to leap in their hearts.
"Stripped of authority!"
"Miles is a Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall. Who dares to strip him of his authority? Hong Zhuang?" Tang Le Cai exclaimed in surprise.
"Impossible. Without the Pope's order, even if Hong Zhuang is a Cardinal, he wouldn't be able to take his place."
"The Pope's autocracy and authority, Hong Zhuang would not dare to provoke!" Li Huai pondered and shook his head, offering his opinion.
"I didn't say it was Hong Zhuang."
"I'm talking about the young man standing in front of Hong Zhuang and the two bishops!" Ying Zhou narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards Wang Zhong flashing with sharpness.