Chapter 287: The Auctioneer in the Golden Dress

"Why are you here? Where is it?"

As he stepped out of the Starlight Auction House and saw the powerful figures he had brought from the Clear Sky Sect, Huo Yuhao's expression turned to sheer panic.

"It was stolen. The other side even had an Ultimate Douluo—we were no match for them." Even now, the Clear Sky Sect representative still had lingering fear in his eyes. If the other side hadn't held back, he might have lost his life on the spot.

"What?"

"Qian Ran, even my Snow Empress wasn't spared. Are you even human? Why do you keep taking everything from me?"

Hearing this dreadful news, Huo Yuhao's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.

Without the Snow Empress, how could he possibly contend with Qian Ran?

"It's not just that—many forces in Xingluo City seem to be eyeing the soul beast embryo. I think we've been marked," the representative whispered cautiously.

Although the embryo had been stolen, other forces didn't see it that way, especially those from the Mingde Hall.

At that thought, Huo Yuhao's face turned ghastly pale.

"Damn it all!"

"It must be that dog Qian Ran who leaked our whereabouts! That scumbag, and that Xu Jiujiu, are nothing but a pair of vile creatures!" Huo Yuhao spat furiously on the ground.

At the same time, he felt a chilling sense of dread creep over him.

It was clear now: Qian Ran wanted him dead.

Without delay, Huo Yuhao left immediately, too afraid to linger. Little did he know, however, that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy's experts had already locked onto his location.

"Qian Ran, you got the soul beast embryo?" In a private room within the auction house, Xu Jiujiu was overjoyed. At the same time, she couldn't help but marvel at the strength of the Martial Soul Sect.

Huo Yuhao had barely sent the soul beast embryo away when Qian Ran's people intercepted it. Such confidence!

"Yes. There shouldn't be any complications. Unless Mingde Hall sends all its top experts, no one can take it from me."

To illustrate, even a group from the Body Sect, led by the Poison Master—a Rank 98 Super Douluo—had inflicted heavy losses on Mingde Hall. While the Hall boasted Rank 9 soul engineers, most were far weaker in direct combat unless they possessed extraordinarily high cultivation levels.

Of course, exceptions like Ye Xishui were in a class of their own.

"You're amazing." Xu Jiujiu finally relaxed, her heart settling. Qian Ran's second martial soul was the Ultimate Ice, perfectly suited for the soul beast embryo.

"Still, it feels wrong for me to take things from your customers," Qian Ran said with a sheepish grin. The soul beast embryo had been sold by Xu Jiujiu, only for Qian Ran to steal it back. As a couple, their actions resembled the workings of a rigged game.

If exposed, the Starlight Auction House's reputation would be severely tarnished.

"I originally wanted you to have this soul beast embryo anyway, but I didn't have the authority," Xu Jiujiu replied softly. Despite her title as a princess and the respect she commanded, in reality, she held less power than even an average woman.

"I know. That's why I don't blame you."

"I was aware of the soul beast embryo's appearance at the auction long before this, but I didn't tell you because I didn't want to make things harder for you." Qian Ran pulled Xu Jiujiu into his arms, consoling her when he saw the guilt in her eyes.

"Thank you. You're so good to me." Xu Jiujiu was overwhelmed with emotion. She hadn't expected Qian Ran to be so considerate of her feelings.

"In my heart, you're more important than a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast embryo." Qian Ran smiled. Of course, these words were meant to comfort her. In truth, the Snow Empress held a status in Qian Ran's heart equal to that of the Ice Empress.

Moreover, the Snow Empress herself was a top-tier Ultimate Douluo.

"Mm." Xu Jiujiu knew Qian Ran was just trying to make her happy, but she couldn't help feeling warmth blossom in her heart.

"Qian Ran, if you really wanted me, I actually wouldn't…" Xu Jiujiu murmured shyly, her face flushing red.

"Then go put on that auction outfit," Qian Ran said with a sly glint in his eye. Truth be told, he'd been admiring Xu Jiujiu for a long time but hadn't found the right moment to act. Now that she was offering herself, how could he resist?

When Xu Jiujiu wore her golden auctioneer's gown, her elegant and noble demeanor on stage captivated Qian Ran. That image of her in the Starlight Auction House, effortlessly charming her audience, had left a deep impression on him.

"Alright." Xu Jiujiu went to change back into her outfit. She only wore it during top-tier auctions, as it was made of premium materials and extravagantly expensive. Yet in front of her beloved, she no longer cared about such formalities—she just wanted to show him her most beautiful side.

After donning the dress, Xu Jiujiu twirled gracefully in front of Qian Ran, showing off her beauty from every angle.

It was only then that Qian Ran noticed the gown's slightly open-back design. Her porcelain-like, delicate shoulders and back were as exquisite as a piece of fine china, leaving Qian Ran in awe. Her beauty was breathtaking.

This noble elegance stirred a darker desire within Qian Ran.

Why did humans always have a dual instinct toward beauty—to cherish and protect it, yet also to destroy it? He chuckled softly. Humans were truly complicated creatures.

Right now, Qian Ran's thoughts were a perfect storm of conflicting emotions.

Looking at this pure and dignified figure before him, he felt a pang of guilt at the idea of ruining such perfection. Yet, the wicked thoughts in his heart were even stronger.

Without further hesitation, Qian Ran took Xu Jiujiu's hands and led her to the couch. He sat down, pulling her along.

He wrapped one arm around her waist while lifting her left leg at the knee with the other, positioning it atop his own thigh.

"Ah!" Xu Jiujiu gasped in surprise, her face flushing as Qian Ran adjusted her into such a provocative posture. Always poised and graceful, Xu Jiujiu found herself unprepared for such boldness.

Her shy yet submissive reaction sent an indescribable wave of exhilaration through Qian Ran.

With a wicked grin, Qian Ran slowly reached out, gripping the delicate ties of her gown's waistband with his fingers.

Blushing furiously, Xu Jiujiu remained silent, lowering her head as Qian Ran began to tease apart her attire. Waves of shame and anticipation coursed through her heart.

As the gown slid off, her flawless figure was revealed beneath. She wasn't entirely bare—soft, rosy-pink undergarments covered her most intimate areas. Xu Jiujiu's noble and enchanting demeanor remained intact, yet her beauty now radiated an added allure that made Qian Ran's heartbeat race like never before.

Such a rare and exquisite woman—how could someone like Huo Yuhao ever deserve her?

Though Xu Jiujiu's cultivation couldn't compare to figures like Wang Dong'er, her other charms only grew more striking. Her royal upbringing had instilled her with an elegant temperament that Qian Ran found utterly intoxicating.

(End of Chapter)