After that hit, Yun Luohe saw her score jump by 100 points and couldn’t help but smile.Earning sand coins like this almost felt… too easy.If she could land 10 consecutive hits next, she’d trigger the double bonus!Her excitement spiked, heat pooling in her palms.But the targets sped up again — now moving twice as fast as before.Her ten arrows were soon spent.All of them hit; only one was slightly off-center, grazing the edge of the bull’s-eye.The crowd of spectators gasped. Yun Luohe noticed the scoreboard behind the targets glowing red, each arrow instantly converting into points.The first round’s ten perfect hits gave her 500 points, worth a total of 1,000 sand coins.What a rush!Without hesitation, Yun Luohe called out to the NPC, “Another twenty iron arrows!”She cleared Stage One in short order.A sudden whistle echoed through the shooting range.“Sandstorm Mode activated! Prepare yourselves!”Yun Luohe gripped her longbow. Yellow sand roared in, engulfing the range; visibility plunged.Not only was it impossible to see clearly, but the swirling grit stung her eyes, making it hard to keep them open.She held her breath — this was basically blind shooting.Outside, the crowd erupted.“No way she hits anything in this!”“Stage Two is really this hard? That’s insane.”“Who is this woman? Which zone is she from? She’s way too good.”“It’s starting — quiet!”Yun Luohe adjusted her stance and breathing, eyes narrowing.All of her focus locked onto the vague shape of the target ahead.She pushed her [Perception] to the absolute limit, imagining herself in the eye of the storm. The arrow in her hand crept into alignment with her mental image of the target — but she didn’t release it right away.Only when the moment felt perfect did she let go. ****After clearing Stage Two, Yu Chenjin was waiting by the exit.Yun Luohe, cheeks flushed with success, walked over.“Sorry to keep you waiting.”“That’s fine.” He smiled faintly. “I just watched an impressive archery performance. Made quite a haul, didn’t you?”Yun Luohe nodded. “Mm, earned a lot.”The NPC had told her she was the first player to make over 1,000 sand coins in Sandstorm Mode.Stage One had netted her 1,740; Stage Two brought in even more — a full 2,880 sand coins.She hadn’t expected to pull in so much here, and at such a low cost.It was a shame she couldn’t keep going — once you cleared it, you couldn’t reattempt.Others, seeing how easily she’d passed, rushed to join in; the shooting range queue ballooned.Yun Luohe planned to use her winnings for shopping.She still hadn’t visited the Intelligence Exchange.Now was a good time. Later, if she still had spare funds, she could buy a stall permit — Liu Mazi handled those as well.Yu Chenjin was going to earn some sand coins in the range himself, so they split up for now, agreeing to meet back at the Wilderness Kitchen before eleven to attend the auction together.The Intelligence Exchange was inside a purple tent.Yun Luohe obtained two key pieces of information:“If you want to join the auction, you need at least 3,000 sand coins, or you won’t be allowed in.”“If you have rare goods, you can auction them — after deducting the commission, the remaining sand coins are yours.”Items for sale:Oasis Coordinates (2,000 sand coins): Includes one of the many oasis coordinates in the desert.Underground River Shark Weakness (500 sand coins): Every shark in the underground river has a fatal weak point.Weather Forecast Service (50 sand coins/time): 48-hour disaster warning on the Reef.Sandworm Queen Nest Location, Blue Crystal Ore Coordinates…Various desert resource coordinates and material recipes, prices vary.Basically, any desert intel could be bought here — but none of it was cheap.Although Yun Luohe had plenty of sand coins now, she couldn’t splurge before the auction.An oasis coordinate was too expensive; better to get a spring coordinate for just 500 sand coins — much better value.After circling several tents and spending a fair amount, she left the Wilderness Kitchen.Yu Chenjin arrived soon after.A broadcast rang out through the night market, announcing the upcoming auction in the open space before the maze.“The night market’s grand finale is about to begin. Players wishing to participate in the auction, please proceed to the designated area to register.”Entry to the auction had a threshold — several armored NPCs guarded the entrance, checking every bag for at least 3,000 sand coins.Anyone under the limit was turned away.Yun Luohe’s funds were more than sufficient.The entrance was already crowded.Auction Rules:Deposit required; winning bid deducts from it.Each raise limited to 15 seconds; exceeding time forfeits the bid.Any player bidding over 3,000 sand coins earns free NPC guard protection for one hour, until the night market closes.They entered together, picking a random spot to sit.At exactly eleven, the auction began.A beautiful woman in a gauzy gown with exotic features stepped onto the stage.“Good evening, everyone. I’ll be your auctioneer tonight.”A gilded gavel in her hand, her skirt shimmered in the candlelight, drawing every gaze.Before her, the table was empty — but as soon as she finished speaking, a luxurious wooden box materialized.Raising her voice, she announced:“Everyone, tonight’s first lot is — Underground River Sharkskin.”The box opened to reveal a whole sheet of sharkskin.“Premium quality, one full hide. Starting bid: 500 sand coins.”It was a low price, tempting even Yun Luohe.Sharkskin was always useful — hunting sharks was trouble. She already had some for a Tidal Windmill, but more could make high-grade insulation or serve unknown future needs.But she’d underestimated the competition.The bidding climbed quickly from 500 to 800 sand coins… and then stalled at 850.Guessing others wanted to save their sand coins for later, Yun Luohe offered 860.Someone raised to 900.Thinking better of it — there would be better items later — she stopped. ****The next few lots were all good — two high-grade sun-protection items, advanced recovery potions, even lightning-strike potions.Prices weren’t low, and competition was fierce.Yun Luohe didn’t bid; if it had been a potion recipe, she might have fought for it.Yu Chenjin hadn’t bid once either — likely nothing had caught his interest.Until the auctioneer revealed Sandworm Queen Shedding.“A complete shed from the Sandworm Queen, used to craft top-tier armor. Starting bid: 1,200.”The stage was wheeled out by black-armored NPCs, covered in black velvet.When the cover was pulled, a metallic-glistening hide was revealed — two people tall, edges still slick with drying mucus, refracting rainbow hues in the candlelight.“Legend has it the Sandworm Queen sheds once every century. This full hide can withstand underground river shark bites, and is the core material for Sandstorm Wing Gliders.”“1,500!” a rough male voice called from the left platform.Turning, Yun Luohe saw a black-skinned brute shouting, “This hide will be mine!”He was intimidating, but few were cowed.“1,800!” A tall twin-tailed girl called from behind Yun Luohe.The bids didn’t stop, quickly topping 2,000.Checking her funds, Yun Luohe had 5–6,000 left — enough if she wanted this hide.But there could be better things ahead.While she hesitated, someone bid 2,500 — a man in a bronze mask.After a moment, Yun Luohe raised to 2,600.Without even looking her way, he immediately countered: “2,800.”Clearly, he was determined. She let it go. ****The next item made the room collectively gasp — Blue Crystal Lizard from the Desert Sanctuary.In the glass case, a palm-sized creature curled up, ice-blue translucent scales, amber eyes — stunning.“The Blue Crystal Lizard can sense Blue Crystal Ore within a 5km radius. Its saliva can dissolve desert rock layers. Regular detectors can’t find the ore — only this creature can. Starting bid: 3,000 sand coins!”The room exploded.Yun Luohe was relieved she’d saved her funds.Before she could raise her hand, the price had hit 4,000.“4,500!” A woman cracked her whip for emphasis. “Don’t compete with me!”“5,000!” Yun Luohe bid.“6,000!” Bronze Mask countered again.She frowned — how many sand coins did he have?If he went any higher, she wouldn’t be able to match. Would she just watch him take it?Then Yu Chenjin handed her a cloth pouch. “Here’s 4,000 sand coins. Use them.”She froze. “What?”Four thousand, just like that? She couldn’t take it — there was no reason for him to give her this.“Take it as an investment. When you find Blue Crystal Ore, save me some.”Easier said than done — they weren’t even in the same zone.“But—”“No buts. Hesitate, and it’s gone. Besides, there’s nothing I want to buy.”With that, Yun Luohe stopped hesitating.“8,000 sand coins!” she called.The room fell silent. Bronze Mask finally looked at her, then slowly lowered his hand.The gavel fell. “8,000 once… 8,000 twice… sold to the lady — Blue Crystal Lizard confirmed.”Black-armored NPCs delivered the lizard in a special ventilated cage to Yun Luohe.All eyes were on her now.A protective ring of black-armored NPCs formed around her for the rest of the auction.Looking down, she found the lizard clinging to the glass, staring unblinking at her. Its gaze was icy, its stillness like a specimen — until it finally blinked once.Next, the auctioneer announced Night Market Stall Permits — 50 in total, fixed price 1,000 sand coins, first-come, first-served.Owning one was the only way to set up a booth at next week’s market.Yun Luohe was glad she’d kept 2,000 — enough for two permits, one for her and one for Yu Chenjin.Still, she regretted not having more to buy extras to take back.The final lot was coming up, but she was out of funds. She stayed to watch — with black-armored guards, she wasn’t worried about theft.Just as she’d stowed the Blue Crystal Lizard, a loud voice shouted behind her:“It’s them! Trading sand coins in public!”Turning, she saw a lanky player tugging on an NPC’s sleeve — Liu Mazi’s, no less. He was in charge of order during the auction.Yu Chenjin frowned. “What’s going on?”She shook her head. Behind the accuser stood the black-skinned brute from earlier.Liu Mazi, face full of pockmarks in the lamplight, twirled his bronze whistle. “Who’s accusing? Speak.”The lanky man stepped forward. “Me! I report these two for privately trading sand coins! During the auction, that guy”—he jabbed at Yu Chenjin—“handed her a bag with at least a few thousand sand coins! Private trading is against the rules!”The nearby players murmured, and Yun Luohe arched a brow.Liu Mazi turned to them. “What’s the story?”“Just lending her coins,” Yu Chenjin said calmly.“Bullshit!” the man screeched. “Private trading is trading! By night market rules, confiscate the coins and fine them 2,000 each!”The crowd knew — private trades, if caught, meant losing the goods and paying a fine.“Hold it.” Yun Luohe suddenly said, “Who said we traded?”Liu Mazi spun his whistle, grinning at her.“Open your backpack permissions for me.”Exchanging a glance with Yu Chenjin, they both did so.Liu Mazi turned to the accuser. “If there’s no trade, you pay 500 sand coins for malicious slander.”He could see everything in their inventories, with special markers for night market items.Yu Chenjin’s was sparse; little from the market at all.Liu Mazi inspected Yun Luohe’s carefully, then stroked his beard. “Done checking.”“Well?”“Night market rule seven: ‘A trade requires goods exchanged. Currency transfer alone isn’t a trade.’ Their packs have no exchanged goods. Looks like you made a false report — that’s a 500 fine.”“That’s crap! We saw it!”“Trying to cause trouble? Make it a thousand,” Liu Mazi said lazily, writing the fine.The farce ended quickly. Liu Mazi even winked at Yun Luohe.She thought to herself — so the favorability boost was useful. Next time, she should bring more jerky.The auctioneer returned to the stage, a spotlight falling on her.The crowd’s chatter died — everyone knew the finale was here.“Everyone,” she said in a low voice,“this next item is one of the desert’s oldest secrets — and the most valuable lot tonight.”A wooden box appeared before her.When she opened it, all eyes fixed on the yellowed sheepskin scroll inside, bound with twine, faint vermilion lines visible on its surface.“This is an Internal Map of the Desert Ruins,” she said, her voice rising.“It marks the true core of the ruins — rumored to hold the desert’s largest Blue Crystal Ore vein, schematics for lightning-proof mechanisms, and untold equipment and supplies. But it’s fraught with danger — without this map, you’d never make it out alive.”She paused, scanning the crowd’s suddenly eager expressions.“Starting bid… 10,000 sand coins.”Ten thousand!?Yun Luohe’s thoughts dropped and surged like a roller coaster. That was far beyond her reach.She doubted many here could afford it.“10,100!”“11,500!”“12,000!”“…?” Yun Luohe {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} stared. Are they all shills?She’d already spent Yu Chenjin’s 4,000 on the lizard and two permits. Her pack was nearly empty.Ten thousand sand coins was double most players’ total assets — who here could really bid?Either they’d brought something valuable to trade with Liu Mazi…Or they’d made a killing at the prize wheel.“13,000!” Bronze Mask called again.

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