I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 408: Auction House

”Amitabha,” he chanted, forcing himself to suppress his rising urges.

With a stretch, he slipped out of bed and quietly freshened up while Meiʼer continued her breakthrough undisturbed.

The flow of time in this world was hugely different from that of Arenvath. One year here was barely about ten minutes in Arenvath. By Julianʼs estimation, there was still around seven hours left before nightfall in Arenvath, meaning he had nearly forty years to enjoy himself here before needing to return back to his loyal and eager harem.

Julian smoothed his monkʼs robe and adopted the familiar serene smile. Luoshi had invited him to the Lotus Pavilion, and with Meiʼer deep in her cultivation, he was free to explore.

”Letʼs see what this pavilion thingy is,” he murmured, stepping through the door into the fresh morning air.

The courtyard of the Heavenly Moon Sect welcomed him with peaceful energy and he found himself inhaling deeply. The rich air, heavy with scent of lotus and incense, filled his lungs as he strolled around.

Disciples buzzed with activity, their robes fluttering in the breeze as they hung garlands and lit jade lanterns that glowed faintly even in daylight. The sectʼs usual sternness had melted into celebration, and Julian found his curiosity rising.

Spotting a young female disciple arranging a banner, Julian approached. ”Young miss,” he said, smiling faintly. ”whatʼs so special today?”

The disciple, a young girl with a jade hairpin and bright eyes, looked up at him, startled. It was not just any day when a monk would stop for a casual chatting, let alone one with Julianʼs magnetic aura.

”Monk,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement, ”today is the Lunar Festival.”

”Lunar Festival?” Julian repeated, tilting his head slightly. ”Whatʼs that supposed to mean?”

The discipleʼs smile widened, then she gestured to the bustling courtyard. ”Itʼs our holiest day, the birthday of our Sect Leader, the Heavenly Moon herself. Her divine power founded this sect, and we celebrate with feasts, duels, and offerings at the Lotus Pavilion.”

Julianʼs smile deepened. The Sect Leaderʼs birthday… a perfect stage to flex her influence and sniff out threats.

”A noble tradition,” he said warmly. ”Thank you, young miss.”

The young disciple, cheeks still slightly flushed, gave a polite bow and resumed her duties. Julian joined his palms together once more and excused himself.

As he wandered through the sunlit courtyards, the first thing he noticed were the merchants who had set up stalls along the wide marble streets. These merchants, clearly from the towns below the mountain, were permitted entry only on rare occasions like the Lunar Festival.

They had prepared well, their stalls filled with rare herbs, glowing spirit stones, mysterious talismans, and even a few low-grade artifacts.

Disciples flocked around the stalls, their eyes wide with hope as they bartered, begged, and tried to snatch a treasure that might boost their cultivation by even a small margin.

Julianʼs gaze swept across the scene in amusement.

Beside the main merchants were other stalls — food stalls where the scent of roasting qi beast meat drifted through the air, dueling halls where hot-blooded disciples challenged one another, and side traders offering minor potions.

But none of it caught Julianʼs eye.

His gaze passed over the crowds with indifference, searching for something more worthwhile.

Minutes passed as he strolled and then, ahead in the distance, a building came into view. A large plaque hung above its entrance:

”Lin Auction House.”

Julianʼs smirk returned.

”Finally,” he murmured under his breath.

Without breaking his monk-like composure, he adjusted his robe slightly and headed toward the auction house.

The Auction House was grand, towering nearly three stories high. Eight cultivators stood on guard — six of them emanating the powerful aura of peak Core Formation.

A long line stretched from the main gate, packed with outer disciples, inner disciples, and even a few simple elders. Beside it, a separate entrance stood under a silver banner, clearly marked for VIPs — important officials, core disciples, inner court elders, and grand elders.

Julianʼs smirk widened as he casually walked away from the normal line and headed toward the VIP entrance.

The crowd immediately complained.

”Whatʼs that monk doing?” someone muttered in disbelief.

An elder, standing with arms crossed, shouted harshly, ”What are you doing, monk?! How dare you cross the line! Go back and wait like everyone else!”

A few disciples quickly bowed to the elder and added fuel, ”Yes! Monk, are you challenging the authority of the Heavenly Moon Sect?”

Despite the rising noise, Julian didnʼt even spare them a glance. His robe fluttered slightly with each steps as he walked straight toward the VIP section.

Standing at the VIP gate was a female guard, her posture measured and disciplined.

She gave off masculine energy — the way she stood, the way she held her spear— everything gave off hardened and seasoned composure. She had short boyish hair, but her body, though covered in a standard guard uniform, couldnʼt hide its natural curves.

She was trying so hard to fit into a manʼs world.

Julianʼs eyes flickered with amusement as he approached the female guard.

The murmurs behind him grew louder, the crowd expecting the female guard to block him immediately.

”Can I enter?” Julian asked, his eyes sweeping up and down the female guardʼs body.

The guard returned the stare coldly, glaring him up and down with clear suspicion. ”Who are you, monk?” she asked, her grip on her spear tightening slightly.

Julian smiled peacefully, joining his palms together. ”Amitabha. I am no one, Miss Guard. Just a humble soul lucky enough to be invited by Young Miss Luoshi to observe the Lotus Festival.”

The moment Luoshiʼs name escaped his lips, the surrounding noise hushed into silence.

The outer disciples, inner disciples, and even the few elders who had been mocking him tensed visibly. Everyone knew Luoshiʼs status — the personal disciple of the Sect Leader herself, someone many elders whispered was destined to become the next Sect Master of the Heavenly Moon Sect.