Chapter 259: The Star Luo Empress’s Attempt to Win Favor

In the auction house, becoming the highest-ranking auctioneer was not easy.

You either had to please the wealthy, obtaining valuable items from them to auction off. The auction house tacitly allowed, even encouraged auctioneers to establish contacts with these high-status individuals to keep customers. Most auctioneers, like Qing Ya, took this path.

Or, you could be like Xu Jiujiu, a princess of the empire, for whom countless people would willingly spend fortunes. Thus, Xu Jiujiu was a gold-tier auctioneer—the highest level at Starlight Auction House.

Qing Ran giving Qing Ya such a significant business opportunity meant Qing Ya's rank as an auctioneer would be promoted. Auctioneers who had support had steady streams of business and were treated more highly by the auction house.

"Mr. Qing Ran, actually, I…" Qing Ya bit her lip gently, looking at Qing Ran's handsome face, and spoke impulsively.

She didn't want Qing Ran to misunderstand her.

"I understand." Before Qing Ya could finish, Qing Ran interrupted her.

"Alright. I'll go find the manager now." Qing Ya blushed and left the room, quickly returning with the manager of the auction house.

The manager, who had already received instructions from the Empress to find Qing Ran, was astonished and treated Qing Ran with even greater respect.

"Mr. Qing Ran, you can rest assured leaving these spirit bones with Starlight Auction House. We won't take a single cent; all auction proceeds will be given to you in full. Additionally, we'll have appraisers determine the value of these spirit bones and provide price protection services. If they sell for less than their value, we will compensate you for the difference," the manager assured, his tone extremely humble, even surprising Qing Ya.

"But I specifically want Auctioneer Qing Ya to handle the sale," Qing Ran said to the manager. He had a favorable impression of Qing Ya and didn't mind giving her a boost since it was no trouble for him.

"No problem," the manager said, giving Qing Ya a deep look. He didn't dare offend someone valued by both the Empress and the Princess.

Besides, setting aside all that, anyone who could produce such high-value items would naturally be treated as a top-tier VIP by the auction house.

In his heart, though, the manager couldn't help but marvel at Qing Ya's luck. Not all auctioneers were this fortunate. Many low-ranked auctioneers ultimately ended up as the personal playthings of nobles. Qing Ya, however, was the lucky one.

"May I have a word, sir? My master wishes to meet you. Would you have a moment?" the manager whispered as he approached Qing Ran.

"Hm?"

Starlight Auction House was the top auction house in the Star Luo Empire, backed by none other than the imperial family. If the manager addressed someone as his master, it could only be a member of the royal family.

"Is it because of my involvement with Dai Hao, or is it because the Ice Empress froze those soldiers? Is the royal family here to trouble me?" Qing Ran wondered curiously.

Though there had been skirmishes among the great empires on the continent, no large-scale wars had occurred for a long time. The incident involving Dai Hao's troops being frozen by the Ice Empress, resulting in a thousand casualties, wasn't a small matter.

Once they arrived at a secluded room, the manager opened the door and stepped aside.

Qing Ran looked into the room.

Inside was a tall woman with stunning beauty.

The woman wore a golden gauze dress that reached the floor, the fabric trailing to her knees and accentuating her graceful posture. Her waist was slim, but the curves of her hips remained prominent. The dress hugged her tightly, highlighting the appealing line from her waist to her hips.

However, her dignified and noble demeanor dispelled any improper thoughts.

Even Qing Ran found himself momentarily overwhelmed by the aura of nobility emanating from her, losing even the impulse to gaze at her directly until he finally regained composure.

Such presence could only belong to someone who had occupied a high position for a long time.

The Star Luo Empress?

Qing Ran recalled having seen the Emperor and Empress during his team's entrance earlier.

Only someone of such stature—an Empress—could exude this kind of aura. Despite her alluring beauty and graceful figure, she was charming without being provocative, evoking respect rather than desire.

Of course, Qing Ran was an exception—his courage was always considerable. The higher one's status, the stronger his desire to desecrate.

"Your servant greets the Empress."

Qing Ran performed a courtly gesture towards the noble beauty before him.

"No need for formalities, Mr. Qing Ran. I've long heard of the prodigy from Shrek Academy, a genius seen only once in a millennium, and was very curious. Since I heard you were in the auction house today, I thought I'd take the chance to meet you. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you," the Empress said, stepping closer with a smile and affectionately taking Qing Ran's hand.

She now considered Qing Ran to be like her own child.

"With such talent and demeanor, Jiujiu is indeed blessed," the Empress thought, astonished by Qing Ran's extraordinary presence. His remarkable talent and impressive looks made it seem as though all of heaven's favors had been bestowed upon him.

Qing Ran realized that his youth wasn't without its advantages. At the very least, these beautiful, dignified women lowered their guard around him because of it.

At this moment, a wicked thought flashed in Qing Ran's mind—he wanted to pull the Empress into his arms and embrace her.

Of course, this was only a thought; he could never bring himself to do such a vulgar thing.

Moreover, he had already sensed earlier that there was another person in an adjacent compartment in the room—a stunning beauty secretly watching him.

That person was likely Xu Jiujiu.

As the Empress warmly guided him to sit on the sofa, Qing Ran felt somewhat embarrassed. The scent of her perfume and makeup made his thoughts restless.

This woman, not only of great beauty but of the highest nobility, had an irresistible allure for Qing Ran.

The Star Luo Empire was second only to the Sun Moon Empire in power. The thought of a woman as exalted as the Empress... the experience would be...

"Your Majesty, may I ask why you summoned me here?" Qing Ran was still somewhat puzzled, though he could guess the royal family wanted to win him over.

"You seem to be an astute person, Mr. Qing Ran, so I won't beat around the bush. To be frank, while the Star Luo Empire is thriving, we lack in terms of powerful individuals. The Empire hopes to gain your support, as well as the backing of your allies. Naturally, we would offer you the highest level of treatment in return," the Empress said solemnly, her beautiful lips parting as she spoke.

Future battles would rely heavily on technology.

The Star Luo Empire couldn't compete with the Sun Moon Empire in terms of technology, nor did it have as many powerful individuals as the Heavenly Soul Empire, which was supported by the Body Sect. The gap between its strength and its status as a great empire was growing.

The Sun Moon Empire's soul tools were advancing at an incredible pace. Without them, armies had little chance of resistance.

Only those above the rank of Titled Douluo could serve as the pillars of the Empire.

In the past, the armies of the Star Luo Empire were invincible. However, with the advent of powerful soul tools and stronger spirit masters, the worries of the Star Luo royal family were quite understandable.

The Heavenly Soul Empire might also lack advanced soul tools, but at least it had the support of a super sect like the Body Sect. In comparison, the Star Luo Empire seemed almost primitive.

Even Duke Dai Hao was only at the ninety-fourth rank—how could they fight a war? If this had been ten thousand years ago during Tang San's era, things might have been different, but now, the strength of powerful individuals was sufficient to destroy entire armies.

(End of the chapter)