Chapter 240: The Law of the Jungle in the World of Douluo Continent
Chapter 240: The Law of the Jungle in the World of Douluo Continent
The central marketplace of Heaven Dou City was perpetually bustling with heavy traffic and the clamor of crowds.
The gilded gates of the Heaven Dou Auction House were situated in the most prosperous section of the marketplace.
Two man-sized jade lions stood majestically at the entrance, their manes carved with such precision that every hair was visible.
The guards at the gate were all at the Spirit King level, carrying uniform-issue long sabers at their waists, their hawk-like gazes scanning the passing pedestrians.
Ordinary people didn’t even have the right to approach within three feet of the gates.
A carriage, understated in its decoration yet exuding exquisite sophistication in every detail, came to a steady halt in front of the auction house.
The curtain was lifted, and Xiao Wu was the first to jump down, her pink dress rippling with a soft glow under the lights.
She spun in place after landing, her gaze sweeping over the grand entrance, her eyes filled with starlight.
Zhu Zhuqing followed closely behind, dressed in black martial attire, her posture as straight as a pine and her steps light and silent.
Her cold eyes held a hint of scrutiny toward the unfamiliar environment.
Ning Rongrong stepped out of the carriage gracefully, lifting her skirt; the aura of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s Young Miss came to her naturally.
Her chin was slightly raised, long accustomed to the gazes cast her way.
Finally, Lin Qingmo stepped down.
He wore a moon-white robe, his hair neatly bound with a jade crown; his features were handsome, and his presence was as steady as a mountain.
Though clearly only a teenager, he gave off a profound sense of depth that was impossible to see through.
"A-Qing, hurry up!"
Xiao Wu grabbed Lin Qingmo’s sleeve and rushed forward, her toes tapping the ground as if she wanted to fly.
"Rongrong said there are lots of fun things inside. This is my first time at an auction house!"
"Run slower, don’t bump into anyone."
Lin Qingmo smiled helplessly, letting her drag him forward.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong followed quickly, flanking them on both sides like two Protectors.
The guards caught sight of this formation from the corners of their eyes; far from stopping them, they bowed in unison with impeccable respect.
Anyone arriving at the auction house in a carriage of this caliber was either wealthy or noble; they wouldn’t dare offend them even if given ten times the courage.
The four of them reached the gilded gates.
The heavy doors were pushed open from the inside by two staff members, and a warm breeze carrying the scent of sandalwood and luxury brushed against their faces.
A staff member in a sharp suit hurried over, bowing as he presented four finely polished silver masks.
His tone was respectful yet carried a firm certainty that brooked no argument.
"Honored guests, it is the rule of the Heaven Dou Auction House that all participants must wear a mask to enter."
Xiao Wu reached out and took a mask, her fingertips brushing the cold metal edge and tracing the engraved patterns.
Her brow furrowed instantly, and her mouth pouted so much she could have hung an oil bottle from it.
She leaned in toward the other three and whispered.
"With this thing covering my face, I can’t even breathe properly."
"It’s just an auction, why do they have to do all this pretentious stuff?"
Zhu Zhuqing took her mask, her fingers stroking the straps at the edges.
A layer of confusion clouded her cold eyes, but she didn’t ask any questions.
She just stood there quietly, waiting for the others to move.
Ning Rongrong, however, was clearly familiar with the process.
She took the mask, her fingers flying as she snapped it onto her face and adjusted the tightness of the straps.
She even checked her reflection in the smooth metal of the door to adjust its position.
Only then did she lean over to educate the three of them.
"You guys don’t understand, do you? It’s the rule of the Heaven Dou Auction House—anyone who comes in has to wear one of these."
Lin Qingmo took the mask, his fingertips rubbing the cold metal surface. He put it on with composed movements, leaving only a pair of clear eyes visible.
His gaze swept toward a group of people at the side entrance.
The leader wore robes embroidered with the insignia of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family’s prince; it was Prince Xue Xing.
He was also wearing a silver mask of the same style and was being led toward the VIP passage by a staff member.
Soon, he retracted his gaze, turned his head, and began to explain in a low voice to Xiao Wu—who was still complaining about the mask being stuffy—breaking down the rules clearly without any of the stiffness of a technical manual.
"What Rongrong said is just the surface rule. Looking deeper, there are three reasons for it."
Xiao Wu immediately leaned in, blinking curiously, having already forgotten her complaints. "What reasons? A-Qing, tell me quickly!"
"First, any item here can easily cost tens of thousands of gold. Showing your face is equivalent to putting your family’s wealth on display."
"If you’re targeted by desperate criminals afterward, you could lose your money at best, or your life at worst."
"You see that even Prince Xue Xing wears a mask according to the rules, which shows how much the auction house values the safety of its guests."
"After all, if guests were to run into trouble after buying things here, who would dare to come back?"
Lin Qingmo’s voice came through the mask with a low chuckle, falling clearly into the ears of the three girls.
"Second, anonymous bidding. If no one knows your identity, no one will be intimidated."
"People won’t be afraid to raise the price because of your status, nor will anyone deliberately hike the price to scam you. It’s relatively fair, as everything is based on the value of the item itself."
"After all, if everyone knew you were a member of the Imperial Family, who would dare to compete with you? How would the auction house earn its commission then?"
"Third, this is the ironclad law of the largest auction house in Heaven Dou City. Except for a very few existences that no one dares to provoke, everyone else must follow it."
"By establishing these rules, they can maintain order and allow Spirit Masters from minor clans and lesser nobles to feel safe enough to participate."
Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly as she listened, suddenly enlightened. "So that’s how it is. I thought they were just trying to be mysterious."
"It’s not like everyone follows the rules!"
Ning Rongrong chimed in immediately with a soft huff, her chin held high, looking every bit the ’my family is the best’ type.
"Whenever my father, Grandpa Sword, or Grandpa Gu come, they never wear these things, and the auction house people don’t dare to say a single word!"
Hearing this, Lin Qingmo laughed, his lips curling into an understanding arc as he summarized the essence of the rules in a single sentence.
"That is natural."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is one of the Upper Three Sects and is wealthy enough to rival a nation; they are the auction house’s biggest patrons."
"They wouldn’t risk offending School Master Ning over a minor rule like this."
"Furthermore, when School Master Ning travels, he is always accompanied by powerful experts at the Titled Douluo level, like the Sword Douluo. Even if he shows his face, who would dare to target him?"
"Rules are always made for ordinary people. With enough strength, one gains immunity from the rules."
The moment those words were spoken, Ning Rongrong’s eyes lit up, and her gaze toward Lin Qingmo was filled with admiration.
"Brother Qingmo, you’re absolutely right! That’s exactly what my father says!"
"Forget rules—strength is the only real logic!"
Xiao Wu also nodded, looking like she had learned a valuable lesson.
"So that’s it. No wonder even Prince Xue Xing has to wear a mask; it’s because his strength isn’t ’hard’ enough."
Zhu Zhuqing also looked up at Lin Qingmo, a flash of agreement in her cold eyes.
Born into the Imperial Family of the Star Luo Empire, she understood the logic behind such rules better than anyone.
If your strength isn’t enough, you must honestly follow the rules.
If you are strong enough, the rules are meant for others.
This was the most fundamental rule of the survival of the fittest in the society of Douluo Continent.
(End of Chapter)
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