Not long after Lu Zhi returned to his room, he received an invitation from Jiang Yue to attend an auction. Not wanting to be alone with Shen Qi, Lu Zhi readily accepted.
Although Shen Qi followed him, Lu Zhi treated him as if he were invisible.
"Junior Lu, over here, over here."
Outside the auction hall was an exhibition of collectible treasures. Many people were coming and going. Jiang Yue, who was only 1.62 meters tall, had to jump and wave her hand vigorously for Lu Zhi to notice her.
Lu Zhi dodged a few people who were walking rather carelessly and asked, "Why are you alone? Where are the others?"
Jiang Yue pointed to the most crowded corner and pouted, "They all went to see the legendary S-class treasure just now. I don't know where they are now, but there are too many people over there, and I don't want to go."
Indeed, there were many people. From where Lu Zhi was standing, the crowd was gathered three deep. At Jiang Yue's height, she would probably only be able to see heads.
However, the legendary S-class treasure did pique Lu Zhi's curiosity.
"Are you really not going, Senior?" Lu Zhi asked with a smile, "If you squeeze in, maybe you can see it."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yue's expression soured, and she feigned anger, "Are you mocking my height?"
Height was a sore spot for Jiang Yue, and she would get into an argument with anyone who mentioned it.
"No, no, how would I dare?" Lu Zhi suppressed a smile and said earnestly, "I'm not familiar with the types of treasures, and I wanted Senior Jiang to be my translator."
With an excuse to save face, Jiang Yue huffed a little proudly, "Alright, we'll go too."
After following Lu Zhi for a few steps, Jiang Yue suddenly realized that Shen Qi hadn't said a single word from beginning to end. She couldn't help but glance over stealthily and saw that the formidable Shen's eyes had been fixed solely on Lu Zhi the entire time, not even sparing a glance in her direction.
Jiang Yue couldn't help but mutter to herself: Men's possessiveness is truly terrifying.
Perhaps it was luck, but as soon as Lu Zhi reached the crowd, many people who had been surrounding the treasure left, clearing a large space and allowing Lu Zhi to easily reach the front to view it.
"Wow~" Jiang Yue exclaimed dramatically.
A straight beam of light shone onto a protective glass enclosure five meters wide. A golden crown, emanating a dazzling radiance and imbued with a sense of historical depth, was quietly displayed before everyone's eyes.
Although the crown was only the size of a baby's fist, its exquisite craftsmanship was inlaid with various beautiful gems, making it breathtakingly beautiful, a symbol of power and wealth.
"This is just a replica!" Jiang Yue gasped in shock.
Lu Zhi withdrew his astonished gaze, "A replica? This isn't real?"
Jiang Yue nodded emphatically, "Of course, it's not real. How could a real S-class treasure be displayed so carelessly for everyone to see? Aren't they afraid of it being stolen?"
Lu Zhi knew how rare treasures were, let alone S-class ones. It was no wonder that with so many tourists viewing it, there were only a few security guards maintaining order.
"All the treasures displayed here are replicas. It's a special ability of an extraordinary person. Although the effects cannot be replicated, the appearance of the replicas is identical to the originals," Jiang Yue said, her eyes shining brightly as she stared intently at the crown, exclaiming in admiration from time to time.
Lu Zhi mused, "Apart from the effects, they are identical to the originals? So, this golden crown is real gold, and the gems are also real?"
"What are you planning?" Jiang Yue's eyes were wary.
Lu Zhi found it both funny and helpless, "What can I do? I'm just curious. If it's real, then the extraordinary person who possesses the replication ability must be very wealthy..."
Gold, gems, and the like – if you want them, just replicate them. What is money? To be even more exaggerated, perhaps even houses could be replicated, and people too? Clones?
The more Lu Zhi thought about it, the more incredible this ability seemed. But for every advantage, there was a disadvantage; it couldn't possibly have no limitations.
"You're thinking too much," Jiang Yue rolled her eyes. "Although they are real, they have a time limit. Once the time is up, they will automatically disappear."
Lu Zhi thought, as expected. He then asked, "What is the ability of this crown? And where is the real one?"
"I don't know," Jiang Yue shrugged. "But I heard that some rumors have been circulating about this auction, that they are looking for a master for the crown."
S-class treasures possess a will to choose their masters. If they are not recognized by an S-class treasure, its abilities cannot be unleashed. Therefore, the number of extraordinary individuals attending this auction was the largest in history.
"I see." Lu Zhi finally understood why he saw so many extraordinary individuals; they were all after the S-class treasure.
"We can enter the auction hall in half an hour. I'll go look around somewhere else first," Jiang Yue said, then darted away. This was because she had inadvertently glimpsed the cold gaze Shen Qi cast her way, as if he were driving away an annoying insect, which scared Jiang Yue into not daring to say another word to Lu Zhi.
As soon as Jiang Yue left, only Lu Zhi and Shen Qi, who had been silent beside him, remained.
While Lu Zhi admired the crown's beauty, Shen Qi suddenly spoke, "Do you like it?"
Lu Zhi felt that not answering would make him seem too petty, and it wasn't his style to bicker like a couple. So, he pretended to be calm and replied, "I appreciate it."
"Is that so~" Shen Qi said with apparent regret, "I was thinking if you liked it, I would buy it for you to appease your anger."
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and the surrounding people were close enough to hear Shen Qi's boastful words. They all cast unusual glances, filled with suspicion and conjecture, as well as disdain.
"Just don't bully me," Lu Zhi rolled his eyes, but his mood had indeed improved a lot because of Shen Qi's words.
"The auction is open for entry, shall we go in?" Shen Qi suggested.
Lu Zhi hesitated, "Aren't we waiting for Senior Jiang?"
"I saw her go in just now. Let's go," Shen Qi said, naturally taking Lu Zhi's hand. "We'll use a different entrance."
Lu Zhi let him lead him forward. The people walking beside them seemed to part as if blocked by an invisible barrier, creating a clear path for them to pass.
Lu Zhi looked at Shen Qi's back, then down at the hand holding his wrist. He couldn't quite describe the feeling, but he suddenly felt a sense of security.
Lu Zhi thought Shen Qi's mentioned separate entrance was on the same floor. Unexpectedly, they used their room cards to go up to the seventeenth floor. Upon exiting the elevator, the first thing they saw was not a corridor, but a room filled with all sorts of masks.
Shen Qi made a gesture to invite him, "Choose one."
Lu Zhi then understood that the 17th floor was reserved for VIP auction seats for those with abilities. However, to prevent disputes between extraordinary individuals over auction items and avoid scenes of murder and theft, the first layer of security was wearing masks.
These masks varied from ornate to grotesque. Lu Zhi thought for a moment and casually picked a black mask that covered the upper half of his face. The mask was also intricately decorated with beautiful red bead flowers.
Turning his head, he saw Shen Qi wearing a similar mask covering the upper half of his face.
However, Shen Qi had chosen a white and gold mask intricately decorated with green leaves, revealing his handsome lips and jawline. His silver-gray irises were like those of an elegant, high-ranking noble, and his every move exuded a heart-racing pheromone, captivating both men and women.
Lu Zhi withdrew his dazed gaze, coughed as if to cover his distraction, and said, "Alright, let's go in."
"Of course, my esteemed young master," Shen Qi said with a slight curve of his lips. He bowed slightly, placing his right hand on his chest, performing a gesture of respectful deference similar to that of a close medieval guard.
Lu Zhi's ears turned slightly red, and he quickly pushed open the door.