Central Curve Plateau.
What was once an empty wilderness was now bustling with people.
A small platform had been set up. Chixia and other Patrollers were distributing number plates to the crowd at the edges of the platform.
"So this is the charity auction? Honestly, there are more people here than I imagined."
Noah held his number plate 888, casually chatting with Yangyang beside him.
"Disasters always touch people's hearts. Moreover, the villagers of Taoyuan Vale are also citizens of our Jinzhou. Though we may not share the same surnames, we all share the same heart."
Yangyang seemed in a good mood, pointing to the temporarily built platform as she introduced:
"For example, this charity auction is hosted by the treasure appraisal master Youhu."
"Youhu?"
Noah subconsciously pictured that blue-haired, bratty loli figure.
Soon after, the Lion Troupe performed a lion dance on stage. Amid the gongs and drums, the auction officially began.
A loli with short blue hair in twin tails stepped onto the stage.
Standard crop top exposing the navel, paired with low-waist jeans, wearing a pearl beret. High nose bridge, upturned corners of the mouth, carrying an air of mischievous quirkiness.
It was indeed Youhu.
"Welcome everyone to the charity auction. All proceeds from this auction will go toward helping the people of Taoyuan Vale rebuild their homes. Without further ado, let's bring out the first auction item."
Youhu struck the auction gavel. Two people carried a painting slowly onto the stage. Knowledgeable clients in the audience already exclaimed:
"Is that Mountain Dwelling in Xiehua Village?"
"Is it authentic... that wouldn't be cheap!"
"Quiet—"
The gavel struck again. Youhu cleared her throat, glanced at the painting, and understood:
"This is an auction item provided by an anonymous painter... too new, a replica, but it captures 99% of the original's charm. Interested friends can bid—starting at 100 Shell Credits."
"It's... not really a replica..." A weak voice rose from the crowd, only to be drowned out by bidding the next moment.
"Number 53, bidding 800."
"Number 66, bidding 900."
"Number 186, bidding 1,200—any higher?"
A Mountain Dwelling in Xiehua Village sold for 1,500.
The next auction item was brought on stage. Youhu examined it briefly, her eyes lighting up slightly:
"Very genuine!"
"Underglaze red fish and algae pattern small plate, provided by the relic merchant Chenpi. Authentic, approximately 300 years old—manufacturing technique lost to time. Starting bid 5,000!"
Time passed minute by minute. Items were brought on stage one by one, and surprisingly, many were provided by people Noah knew.
Aunt Panhua auctioned [Jinzhou Malatang Recipe], Koko from Shifang Pharmacy auctioned [Twenty Advanced Nutrition Blocks], Ma He auctioned [1,000 Yuan Grocery Store Voucher]...
Notably, Ma He's voucher started at 1,500 Shell Credits and could only be used to buy bird eggs.
According to rumors, Ma He had just doubled the price of his unsold bird eggs.
Well well well—it had to be you, Ma the big unscrupulous merchant.
"This grocery voucher should go back and marinate a bit longer."
Youhu stuck out her tongue, refusing to auction this item and moving to the next.
The entire auction venue was abuzz with excitement, incredibly lively.
"Yangyang, when is that Taoyuan Vale girl's item coming up?"
Noah's number plate hadn't been raised once.
"It should be soon." Yangyang looked puzzled:
"Why do you ask?"
===✧✦✧===
On the other side.
A plainly dressed young girl clutched her money pouch tightly, appearing somewhat nervous.
Inside the pouch was not only her own money but also what she had borrowed from everyone she knew.
"A Shang, your father's vehicle is Jinzhou property with an independent serial number. It will be bid on by internal officials."
A dark-skinned elderly man advised beside her:
"In the end, all the money will be donated to the village. Why compete with the officials?"
"That vehicle is my father's only relic."
The girl's voice was faint as she tightened her grip on the pouch.
"It's fine if you don't win, but if you do, carrying everyone's debt might take five to ten years of work to repay. Is it worth it?"
Faced with the elder's persuasion, the girl merely pursed her lips, saying no more.
"The second-to-last item is—a second-hand military transport vehicle! But it has water damage and 50,000 kilometers of wear."
On stage, Youhu struck the block:
"Original price 100,000 Shell Credits, starting bid 30,000."
In Jinzhou, vehicles were rare to begin with. Military vehicles often represented higher quality and transport capacity, even more beloved by military enthusiasts.
Though used, the price far below original still sparked a frenzy.
"Number 187, bidding 33,000."
"Number 235, bidding 38,000."
"Number 563, bidding 45,000."
Bidding frequency gradually weakened. A man with a dragon pattern embroidered on his shoulder raised his plate.
"Number 666, bidding 100,000."
"100,000 once."
"100,000 twice."
Clearly, for a used vehicle, no one was willing to pay over the original price.
On stage, Youhu raised the gavel, about to strike, when a girl's voice rang out.
"Number 001, bidding 100,100."
The man with the dragon-embroidered shoulder frowned, turning to look at number 001's position. His furrowed brows gradually relaxed; he did not bid further.
"Number 888, bidding 150,000!"
Noah raised his plate high. His voice wasn't loud, but it suppressed the entire venue, drawing countless sidelong glances.
"Who's that—overpaying so much for a used vehicle?"
"Shh, it's the Hero of Jinzhou!"
"So it's the Hero of Jinzhou—truly chivalrous, generously helping Taoyuan Vale. Worthy of him."
"No one would compete for something the Hero of Jinzhou wants, right?"
"What nonsense—it's already severely overpriced. How could anyone compete?"
Yangyang tugged Noah's sleeve, her expression anxious. Noah gently pressed her hand, signaling no need to worry.
As his arm pressed down, Yangyang immediately stopped.
In the crowd, the small hand holding number 001 stubbornly raised again.
"Number 001, bidding 150,100."
Before the crowd could even react in shock, another voice overwhelmed the venue.
"Number 888, bidding 200,000."
"200,000 once."
"200,000 twice."
In the crowd, the girl trembled as she tried to raise her hand, ultimately lowering it powerlessly, yet with a sense of relief.
She didn't have that much money to compete.
But she also no longer needed to owe so much debt to relatives and friends.
"200,000 thrice—sold!"
As the deal concluded, thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the venue.
Noah strode onto the stage, taking the keys to the military transport vehicle, then slowly walked toward the crowd.
Wherever he passed, people subconsciously made way, whispering and speculating uncertainly.
"What is the Hero of Jinzhou doing?"
"An extra 50,000 Shell Credits isn't a small amount—he wouldn't be looking for trouble with the person who bid against him, right?"
"Shh, I heard this vehicle is the relic of number 001 girl's father. To win it, she begged many people to scrape together the money."
Under countless gazes, Noah finally reached the applauding girl, smiling as he extended the keys.
"No need to pay anything—it originally belongs to you."
Noah could hardly imagine a person's expression shifting in one second from relief to shock to joy to sorrow to tears.
The girl took the keys, not even having time to thank him before tightly embracing him, sobbing uncontrollably in his arms.
Wait, is this appropriate?
Noah felt somewhat at a loss. His gaze inadvertently caught the dark-skinned elder nearby.
Time suddenly paused.
The elder's pocket gained 50,000 Shell Credits.
Time resumed flowing.
Noah heard Youhu's shout from behind:
"The final highlight auction item is an upright piano provided by a young lady from a musical family. Original price 130,000, starting bid 80,000."
[Daily Quest You Live in the Light · Continuation Completed.]
Light does not know how bright it is, nor does it know whether in some crack it has illuminated, a seed might have welcomed spring because of its arrival.