The auctioneer opened the device, explaining it was a transformable soul tool capable of enlarging and shrinking.
As the transformation completed, its true form emerged a spindle-shaped vessel with a dragon-head prow, vertical fishtail stern, and wing-like fins on both sides that swayed gently under the auctioneer's control.
Its snow-white jade-like surface gave an exquisite impression.
"A boat?"
Dugu Yan's face showed surprise as she examined the soul tool on stage.
Its appearance alone suggested extraordinary craftsmanship, especially with its size-changing capability.
"Highly sophisticated soul tool." Dugu Bo offered rare praise. Having used the Alchemy Pavilion buildings designed by Lou Gao's Soul Tool Pavilion, he'd developed interest in soul tools and studied them casually.
From the auctioneer's introduction, Dugu Bo judged this piece genuinely valuable.
"Master Lou Gao might find this fascinating." Ning Rongrong smiled faintly.
Truthfully, she was startled the auctioned item was actually the Dragon Abyss Boat Tang San later purchased in the original story.
Mocking "boos" sounded from outside the window, indicating how unpopular the Dragon Abyss Boat was, likely failing to sell many times.
Had this soul tool remained unsold for eight years until Tang San acquired it?
Judging by the crowd's dismissive attitude, it had probably been auctioned repeatedly.
"Absurd." Ning Rongrong couldn't help muttering.
The experienced auctioneer remained unfazed by the jeers, his dead-fish eyes unblinking as he cleared his throat.
"As explained, everyone should recognize the Dragon Abyss Boat's value lies not in itself, but its underlying principles. Deciphering its secrets would make it priceless!"
"Starting bid: 30,000 gold spirit coins! Auction begins now."
When the auctioneer mentioned "deciphering secrets... priceless," numerous attendees both soul masters and ordinary spectators glanced toward the illuminated VIP rooms upstairs.
Watching the crowd's greedy eyes, Ning Rongrong's eyelid twitched.
"This boat's meant for them seeing if anyone's gullible enough to buy?"
The crowd's habitual upward glances confirmed this wasn't the boat's first auction appearance.
"Rongrong, buying it?" Dugu Yan noticed too. "Won't we look like ridiculously wealthy fools?"
"Buy it. So what if we seem foolish?" Ning Rongrong slapped the table.
"Just 30,000 gold coins? I've millions saved why worry?"
"Rongrong, you're fearless! I'd be too embarrassed." Dugu Yan gazed at her admiringly.
"Hmph. For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's sake, being seen as extravagant spenders matters little."
Noticing Dugu Yan's skeptical look, Ning Rongrong coughed.
"When personal and collective interests conflict, choose the latter. What do individual losses matter?"
"Really now..." Dugu Yan's mouth twitched. She suspected Ning Rongrong simply didn't care about appearances.
Having decided, Ning Rongrong firmly pressed the bid button.
Below, the auctioneer's hand trembled slightly.
Jackpot!
The manager was right a big fool actually appeared!
With shaking, excited voice, the auctioneer announced:
"VIP Room One bids 30,000! Any higher offers? This ultra-rare, irreplicable ancient Dragon Abyss Boat offers unmatched value! Bid now!"
The crowd stared at him like he was an idiot.
But professional decorum held.
The Dragon Abyss Boat had failed to sell countless times, becoming the auction house's quirky "treasured mascot."
Finally selling it today was cause for celebration!
His commission... just imagining it brought joy.
Tonight he'd visit Vast Sea City's most entertaining spots!
No three nights! Take three consecutive days off!
Too exhausted to return?
Nonsense! As a Soul Ancestor-level sea soul master, how could he possibly be that weak?
Impossible!
After three ceremonial call-outs with no competing bids, the auctioneer happily concluded the sale finally ridding their "treasured mascot."
Subsequent auction items failed to interest the VIP room occupants.
When the auction concluded, Ning Rongrong delightfully collected her Dragon Abyss Boat after payment.
Theoretically only usable near shore and withstandable against hundred-year spirit beasts, its true value as the auctioneer claimed might emerge if its secrets were decoded.
She planned to immediately dump it on Lou Gao back home. His fascination with novelties might produce an oceangoing submersible warship someday.
Pleased with their Vast Sea City gains, Ning Rongrong turned attention toward finding ten-thousand-year spirit beasts.
The marine charts still concerned her while marking ten-thousand-year beast zones, they lacked population estimates.
With Dugu Bo present, lingering in the city was unnecessary.
They needed a proper ship for sailing the fragile Dragon Abyss Boat could wait.
Heading northwest toward the docks to inquire about seaworthy vessels, they'd barely exited the auction house when Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed.
"Followers. Quite a few."
"From the auction?" Dugu Yan asked.
"Likely. Weak soul masters probably pirates."
"Aren't pirates maritime?"
"Maybe abandoning professionalism for a big score," Ning Rongrong remarked casually. "Elder Dugu, can you gauge their strength?"
"Hard without seeing soul rings. Probably not Soul Douluos or Title Douluos."
Their weakness made Dugu Bo unconcerned.
"Capture them alive they might know about ten-thousand-year spirit beasts."
"Agreed." Dugu Bo nodded after consideration. "But caution remains desperate men pose unpredictable risks."
Suddenly, scattered footsteps accelerated, abandoning stealth as figures blocked their path ahead.
"Halt!"
"Hand over your money!"