Chapter Nine: The Super Ring

"So, you’re the owner of ‘No White Elephants’?" Tang Yi found the owner’s way of speaking rather amusing. "My name is Tang Yi. I’m here to consign some items for auction—it’s my first time, so I hope you’ll take good care of me!"

"Indeed, I am the owner—Bu Baila. You see this sign? ‘Serious Inquiries Only!’ Now, what do you want to consign? Show me," Bu Baila replied languidly.

"Oh, it’s nothing much. I have a few storage rings I’d like to put up for auction," Tang Yi said, unfazed by Bu Baila’s attitude. He then took out three newly forged storage rings and placed them on the counter.

"Storage rings? Are you joking? You want to auction off this kind of flea market trinket? The auction house’s service fees might be worth more than the rings themselves," Bu scoffed.

"That’s my concern. All you need to do is appraise them and put them up for auction. The rest is your worry," Tang Yi responded.

"Fair enough. Let me inspect them," Bu Baila said, launching into a secret art.

He pressed his hands together, forming sword fingers that crossed each other. Twin points of purple light shimmered at his fingertips, converging into a single beam that shot toward one of the rings on the counter. The ring was enveloped and levitated by the purple glow. After a few breaths, the light dissipated. Bu Baila was left drenched in sweat, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

Despite his cultivation at the early Nascent Soul stage, and even using his family’s secret art to probe the ring’s interior, he couldn’t determine the full extent of its space. To know for sure, he’d have to perform a blood-binding ritual. In all his years managing this auction house, he’d never seen a storage ring with such vast capacity. In fact, on modern Earth, rings with such immense space were rare even among cultivators—these were legendary, immortal-grade rings.

"Immortal? Demon? Master craftsman? Mr. Tang, do you make other items—say, weapons, artifacts, armor? Our auction house will take them all, and the commission will be half price. What do you say?" Bu Baila was nearly tongue-tied.

"Your enthusiasm is impressive, but for now, I only have these rings. Sorry," Tang Yi replied with a playful grin. At that moment, a voice called from behind, "Captain Tang, are Brother Zhang and Brother Liu here too?"

It was Hua Shaojie, Lü Zhengyang, and Ding Pengfei. As the six men exchanged greetings, Bu Baila grew anxious. He knew that in a few days, the decade-long war party would be departing, and as a team leader, Tang Yi would be going as well. He had to make sure these rings were auctioned at ‘No White Elephants,’ or else if the rival ‘Come Again’ Auction House in the Western District got them, their prestige would soar, and ‘No White Elephants,’ a centuries-old establishment, would decline in his hands.

So, Bu said to Tang Yi, "Captain Tang, our auction house will take these three rings. By tomorrow evening, you can come by to collect your spirit stones. Commission—only thirty percent!"

"Thirty percent? That’s great! Just make sure to get me a good price," Tang Yi beamed. After all, who doesn’t love a bargain?

"Naturally. Seeking the best returns for our clients is our motto. If you could provide more detailed information about the rings, I’m sure we could fetch an even higher price," Bu Baila replied, instantly turning professional.

"These three rings… Well, their storage capacity is much larger than ordinary rings—enough to hold a whole Mount Tai, perhaps. And just for fun, I added a basic defensive array similar to the one on Shaojie’s armor. Then I noticed Zhengyang’s sword had a fascinating illusion array—he used it in the tournament, remember? Made a giant sword shadow and scared his opponent into the wards. I copied a version of that for the rings; it can project your image, magnifying it over tenfold. Finally, I thought the acceleration array on Pengfei’s boots was nifty, so I put one of those on the rings, too. In short, besides the vast space, there are three main features: First, a strengthened defensive array, probably able to withstand an early Nascent Soul attack, though I can’t guarantee against a mid-stage one. Second, the illusion array for intimidation. Third, the acceleration array, which boosts your speed—even when flying by sword. That’s about it. Make sure to get me lots of spirit stones!"

By now, Bu Baila and the others had their mouths agape—so wide, three large eggs could be stuffed into each. After Tang Yi finished, they all wiped the drool from their lips. Zhang Qiang and Liu Mingde were especially excited, since they already owned such rings. Bu Baila immediately gathered the rings, quickly wrote a consignment receipt, stamped it with a spiritual authenticity seal, and handed it to Tang Yi, afraid he might suddenly change his mind.

Hua Shaojie and his companions recalled how a few days prior, Tang Yi had asked to inspect their equipment, and, right in front of them, examined each item thoroughly. Now it was clear: Tang Yi could replicate anything just by touching it. In fact, what they didn’t know was that Tang Yi didn’t merely copy—he improved and upgraded everything.

"Brother Tang, do you have any more of these rings? I’ll buy one for whatever price you name!" Hua Shaojie stammered.

"Heh, it’s nothing. Let’s talk back at Moonview Pavilion," Tang Yi said, waving the consignment receipt before tucking it away. To Bu Baila, he added, "I’ll be here tomorrow for my spirit stones—don’t disappoint me!" With that, he led the way out. Hua Shaojie wanted to say more, but Zhang Qiang stopped him with a look.

Back at Moonview Pavilion, the group saw that the grand clock in the hall showed six in the evening—dinnertime by Earth standards. Tang Yi suggested they head upstairs for a private meal and a chat. Hua Shaojie and his friends insisted on treating everyone. Tang Yi simply smiled and went upstairs.

After they ordered, Tang Yi produced three rings identical to those for auction and tossed one to each of Hua Shaojie’s group. "Since you’re treating today, consider these rings my gift in return."

The three men were stunned, and then, as realization dawned, they were overwhelmed with excitement.

"It’s just three rings, nothing much. Shaojie and I are good friends, and since Zhengyang and Pengfei are his brothers, they’re my friends too. Don’t mention it," Tang Yi said, clapping Shaojie on the shoulder. Inwardly, he thought, I still have over a dozen of these left—these are only my prototypes. The real treasures are the ones I’m wearing, and those are ten times better.