XiShi's patience was wearing thinner than a sheet of paper. "Still," she drawled, her voice laced with exasperation, "what does getting another male have to do with going to the slave market?" This was, she estimated, the millionth time she'd asked her mate, XueLing, the same question. The man was being infuriatingly cryptic, as if he were guarding the launch codes to a nuclear missile instead of explaining a simple shopping trip.

"Patient darling," XueLing chuckled, a deep rumble that did little to soothe her frayed nerves, "let's get there first, shall we?"

XiShi sighed dramatically. Fine. She would play along. She followed him, her internal monologue raging. Slave market? Seriously? What century are we in? Upon arrival, her jaw nearly hit the floor. It wasn't a dingy, back-alley affair. They were ushered straight into a VIP section like area, because, apparently, XueLing was some high-roller in this... establishment. The place was massive, sparsely populated, and decked out in sophisticated, if slightly uncomfortable, wooden furniture. Well, at least it's not plastic, she thought with a touch of sarcasm.

The auctioneer announced the imminent start, and XiShi's foot started tapping a frantic rhythm against the floor. "So?" she prompted, her voice tight with anticipation.

XueLing finally decided to drop the cryptic act. "Fine, fine, let me explain properly. These auctions specialize in beastmen, from all over, some even from different continents―some even have awakened soul beasts, the rarest kind of beastmen are sold here. And not just anyone can attend."

He paused, as if reluctant to continue.

"So, if you desire a male, here, I can vouch for their strength. Furthermore, they have two rounds here. The first is when they choose their buyer. If a man chooses you, and you accept them, that's it. But if several men want you? They fight it out, and the winner's yours, after payment, of course. But hey―Don't worry , we can take as many as you want .If you don't like that, well, there's the general bidding round. Knowing you wouldn't like that, it gets really messy after the first round , as the beastmen at auction are pretty less , the gems out of the other gems are usually picked in the first round so ......." he finished with a knowing look, "we'll leave after the first round is finished."

XiShi was floored. Auctions? Like, actual human ( ??? ) trafficking auctions? She'd read the novel―where was this tidbit? And how did XueLing even know about this place? Probably some old-fart-knowledge, she figured, immediately tossing that theory out. Nah, she concluded internally. This was all too weird.

"Okay,"

What a day.