The auction starts at 2:30 at the auction building in Luoyan Dock.

The auction building in Luoyan Dock is very distinctive, with dragon and phoenix murals, dual security guards, more magnificent than any other building at Luoyan Dock.

Lin Tian and Chen Moxiang handed over their invitations. Once inside, a young girl with an impeccable figure and appearance followed them.

"Mr. Wang, I’m your attendant for today’s auction. You can just call me Qu, and feel free to instruct me on anything," Qu said with a charming voice, full of youthful vitality.

Chen Moxiang quietly glared at Lin Tian, signaling with his eyes, meaning: not bad, now even those two old geezers are using beauties to entice you. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Lin Tian smiled wryly, looked at Qu, and said, "Then why don’t you introduce the auction to us?"

"Alright," Qu said with a lively smile, "The family alliance holds an auction once a year, a tradition that’s been going on for hundreds of years, now reaching its several hundredth iteration. Members of our families seldom interact directly with the secular world, so this auction is an opportunity for secular people to directly touch ancient martial families. Of course, only the elite of society get the chance to be invited."

As Qu led Lin Tian, she continued, "What you’re seeing now is the ’auction building’ built specifically for the auction at Luoyan Dock. Due to differences in status among guests, the seating arrangements are particular. In the auction hall, those seated at the back are of lower status, those at the front relatively higher. As for you two, coming from the Security Management Institute, you are indeed honored guests, with instructions from the Sixth Elder for special treatment, so your exclusive room is number 3."

Qu pointed to a room on the third floor with a smile, "The auction building has three floors, the higher up you go, the better the rooms. See, it’s the third room on the third floor. I’ll take you up now."

Neither Lin Tian nor Chen Moxiang objected, following behind Qu towards the stairs.

There are three staircases in the auction building, none of them had people on them, but the hall was very crowded, almost completely full even though the auction is half an hour away from starting.

Seeing Lin Tian’s puzzled look, Qu explained, "Those seated in the hall are societal elites, but in the eyes of the families, they aren’t deemed prominent guests. Prominent guests are rare, so from the second floor on, there aren’t many people."

Lin Tian nodded and continued upwards.

Up on the third floor, Lin Tian suddenly saw a familiar face—Zhang Zhixing, Mr. Zhang. Behind him were a secretary and three officials.

Zhang Zhixing came to Luoyan Dock on official business, so it wasn’t surprising to have accompanying officials.

Lin Tian intended to greet him but reconsidered since he was wearing a mask and wouldn’t be recognized, so he let it go.

"Hello, Minister!" Suddenly, Chen Moxiang beside Lin Tian saluted perfectly, and Lin Tian quickly mimicked a salute, thinking that as an institute member himself, he couldn’t just stand there dumb.

"Haha, it’s Mo Xiang, no need for formalities, let’s head inside the room first," Mr. Zhang said with a smile.

"Yes!" Chen Moxiang had no objections; following leadership orders seemed natural.

Chen Moxiang came with Zhang Zhixing, so their auction rooms were naturally arranged together. It was just that the Sixth Elder wanted to cozy up, thus arranging another room for Lin Tian.

Lin Tian didn’t mind, though he had to use Spiritual Qi to lower his voice lest he expose himself.

The family alliance arranged room 4 for Zhang Zhixing, and upon entering, they found surprises within.

The room was enclosed, with one wall made of glass. One could see outside from inside, but not vice versa, ensuring privacy.

Inside was a large LCD screen where auction items could be viewed, and there was equipment to control the camera angles and zoom.

This kind of equipment wasn’t available in other rooms.

As for the wine, drinks, and fruits inside the room, needless to mention, the oversized fridge with four doors had everything one could ask for.

Everyone sat down on the sofa as Qu pushed a drink trolley over, distributing wine glasses, pouring half a glass for each.

Zhang Zhixing leaned on the sofa, turned to Chen Moxiang, and asked, "I know you know Lin Tian, any idea where that kid went?"

"Ah?" Chen Moxiang was a bit surprised, "How do you know I know him?"

"Haha, I know a bit about what he did in the Cultural Building. Besides, when we went to the Xu Family a few days ago, I saw the two of you exchanging glances," Zhang Zhixing replied with a laugh.

This only surprised Chen Moxiang more, since that was a top-secret mission, how did Zhang Zhixing know?

But Zhang Zhixing was her superior, she wasn’t supposed to question.

"I know Lin Tian, but I don’t know where he went. Is there something you need from him?" Chen Moxiang responded blandly, enough that even Lin Tian couldn’t notice any slip.

Zhang Zhixing sighed and said slowly, "I heard that the kid intercepted the family alliance’s medicine inventory yesterday. I really don’t know how to react... How could he do something like that? Now it’s troublesome, the family alliance wants to cause him trouble, and the other three families too. I just wanted him to help me with something but it’s impossible now."

Zhang Zhixing was frustrated, feeling he had finally found Lin Tian who had promised to help solve the virus issue, but then stirred up such a commotion.

Because Lin Tian had made so many enemies, even calling him in to crack the virus, he’d definitely be taken away by the families, leaving him in an impossible situation.

So now, he could only resort to seeking Lin Tian in secret to crack the virus alone.

Sitting beside quietly, Lin Tian remained silent, oblivious to Zhang Zhixing’s thoughts, saying less exposed fewer vulnerabilities, it was better for fewer people to know his identity.

Suddenly, Zhang Zhixing turned his gaze to him, smiling as he asked, "Who is this? Captain Chen, won’t you introduce us?"

"Oh, I almost forgot," Chen Moxiang feigned realization, patting Lin Tian’s shoulder said, "He’s one of my men, a fierce general. Just finished a task this morning, now I’ve called him over. You can call him Mr. Wang."

"Mr. Wang?" Zhang Zhixing’s lips twitched, the name sounded odd!

Lin Tian stood up abruptly, again saluted loudly saying, "Hello, leader!"

The act had to be complete, as a Security Management Institute member, facing leadership required showing the right attitude.