Chapter 1 The First Auction
The first auction concluded swiftly. As it was the inaugural session, the evolutionary energy did not face excessively inflated prices. Nine hundred million was considered within a normal price range.
However, as more evolutionary energy was offered in subsequent rounds and the number of sessions gradually decreased, all auction participants keenly felt the increasingly heavy atmosphere. Those who were once on friendly terms, calling each other brother or sister, were now potential malicious competitors vying for evolutionary energy.
Inside a private room.
A attendant leaned in and whispered into Olannar’s ear, “Your Highness, the matter you requested has been handled. Do you require immediate departure?”
“What matter?” Lu Mingming, standing close by, heard it clearly.
Olannar replied, “Following your plan, several individuals will pretend to bid on a batch of evolutionary energy, which will then be used for official basic investment schemes…”
“I have a small suggestion,” Morian suddenly interjected.
Olannar tilted his chin, gesturing for Morian to speak.
Morian smiled, “Before the auction commenced, we informed everyone that all proceedings would adhere to the auction house rules.”
“And then?” Lu Mingming pressed.
Morian lowered his gaze and smiled, adding, “I took a brief look at the auction attendee list. Most of those present at this auction are hoping to leverage this opportunity to sell their evolutionary energy at a higher price with minimal investment. Therefore, during that vicious financial crisis, the majority of those harmed were the lower and middle classes. Why not…”
Lu Mingming’s thoughts instantly aligned with Morian’s, her eyes lighting up, “Why not, after these people purchase this batch, we immediately announce this news through the Alliance officials? In short, we absolutely cannot let them harm those poor common folk.”
“That seems a bit unethical. If you decide to proceed, you must also be prepared to bear the responsibility and risks of being extensively pursued by the bidders,” Lu Yan stated his opinion rationally.
“I quite like this type of plan,” Olannar said nonchalantly.
“Rest assured, they won’t have that opportunity. I’ll cover it,” he added. To him, dealing with disruptive forces was effortless. Just because the Alliance officials hadn’t paid attention before didn’t mean they had truly let it go.
“Moreover, we have this talent who can strategize like a devil.”
“Can I take that as a compliment?” Morian asked, completely unfazed, propping up his gold-rimmed glasses with a finger. Half his face was refined, like a etiquette teacher from a prestigious university, while the other half, hidden in shadow, was chillingly composed.
The auction concluded, with the first batch of evolutionary energy completely sold out. A net profit of ten billion was achieved.
Lu Yan promptly dispatched his scattered tough men to carry out their tasks, informing those who had won the auction of the delivery times and contact information. Ostensibly, this was to protect the safety of every buyer and ensure no other bidders obtained information, guaranteeing everyone’s purchase rights.
“Today’s auction concludes successfully. If you are looking forward to the next auction, you can introduce new participants in advance for reservation opportunities,” the bald man said, speaking eloquently with the auction hammer in hand, detailing the post-auction arrangements.
Aside from the auction, the remaining trade fair was also a focal point. Lu Mingming, in particular, held an extremely strong curiosity for the trade fair. She recalled that the first time she attended a trade fair in Sin City, her spiritual power could "see" the value of treasures. She wondered if it still had any effect.
“I plan to go to the trade fair later,” Lu Mingming stated her intention concisely.
“Unfortunately, I need to help organize the financial matters and can only wait for the next time to go with you,” Morian was the first to respond. There was no alternative; among this group, he was the only one capable of computations comparable to the star net computers. Without Morian’s assistance, the finances would likely descend into chaos.
Though reluctant, Lu Yan also said, “I need to supervise the men of the Star Luo Chessboard ensuring the safety and order of the receipts, so I can’t make it.”
Lu Mingming was indifferent, “It’s fine, you all do what you need to do.” She had initially intended to go alone.
Olannar, who was about to speak, found his words stuck in his throat. He had nothing to do; he could accompany her!
In the next second, Olannar was firmly held by Lu Yan and Morian on either side. Though they had not known each other for long, an inexplicable understanding had developed between them. The two exchanged smiles, their handsome faces, though different in style, sharing the same amicable expression. Secretly, they held Olannar firmly in place, restricting his movements.
“I’m off now~” Lu Mingming waved and smiled goodbye before they could say anything further.
She hurried out to change into a new cloak and put on a wig, disguising herself as an elderly woman. Her spiritual sea automatically slowed its expansion, and like last time, glowing lights of varying colors and intensities appeared.
Most people came with the intention of making a quick profit. Lu Mingming saw several people promoting good items that were actually quite rubbish. This time, Lu Mingming decided not to interfere with other people’s affairs and continued to search for treasures among the “junk.”
Looking down the entire street, she found few good items but quite a few swindlers. Many people, after being exposed by those who knew better, fled without hesitation. Seeing no promising goods, Lu Mingming randomly walked into a room that indicated it was currently engaged in trading.
The nine people seated inside abruptly stopped their discussion. They were startled to see Lu Mingming suddenly enter, but fortunately, they did not mind, allowing Lu Mingming to find a seat at her leisure. She took a relatively common, moderately valued item from the necklace gifted by Aunt Shi and said, “I’d like to exchange this set of rabbit beans for 0.1 grams of evolutionary energy.”
Even for such a small amount, it was considered a fantastical request, and no one present was willing to engage with Lu Mingming. Lu Mingming’s original intention was not to trade, so she was happy to be at ease and listened to them continue to exchange various treasures. There were indeed many good items… the quality outside was far from what was here. Lu Mingming subtly observed the fluorescent glows held by them.
Suddenly, the door was knocked again. An extremely old and weary old man drifted out from the crack in the door. He was as thin as a sheet of paper, his eyes filled with red veins, as if he might collapse into madness at any moment. He was the first person Lu Mingming had seen who did not choose to conceal his appearance.
The old man found a place to sit and took out a small diamond from his worn clothing pocket. It was about the size of a fingernail, ordinary in appearance. If taken to a jewelry family, it might be worth some money, but here, it might not even be picked up if dropped on the ground.
“I want to exchange this diamond for some medicine that can slow down gene sickness. My child is suffering from gene sickness and is about to degenerate completely into a beast-like state. Please, save me!!” At this point, the father’s eyes were filled with tears, and he was on the verge of breaking down.
However, not a single person had the inclination to help. At most, they cast a brief glance at the old man before proceeding to introduce the next item. *Pathetic.* Lu Mingming thought, her spiritual sea calmly sweeping over as usual. If there were any small items, she would take them as a good deed.
In an instant, a tiny, sharp blue light erupted within the diamond, almost matching the medicinal herbs placed in Lu Mingming’s necklace. *What is this...?* Lu Mingming also sensed a very familiar energy – it was the cold, mysterious energy that invaded blood, similar to what she had felt from Hong Yu.
Whether it was a new treasure or something related to Hong Yu, Lu Mingming did not want to miss either. She quickly made a decision, feigning a slightly reluctant expression, and squeezed next to the old man, “Seeing how pitiful you are, I can exchange some for you.”
Overwhelmed with sudden joy, the old man’s tears could not be controlled, “Are you… are you serious?”
As soon as he spoke, the people in the room became suspicious, “Why do you want this thing? Could there be something strange about it?”
How could Lu Mingming reveal the truth? She pretended nothing was amiss, deliberately roughening her voice, “My woman likes shiny things. I’ll buy it to amuse her.” Upon hearing it was for a lover, Lu Mingming successfully earned disdainful glances from the others.
“Be careful, don’t die on your woman.” The man opposite her spoke with extreme bitterness, outright cursing. Lu Mingming paid him no mind and, taking the old man’s hand, prepared to change rooms. Before leaving, she glanced at the man’s noticeable dark circles and darkened complexion hidden beneath his mask and retorted without hesitation, “Mind your own business, you impotent man.”