63: Auction controversy, spending a fortune

In the center of the black market, the tallest building stood like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the clouds.

This was the [Interstellar Chamber of Commerce] Auction House.

It was the core, the most luxurious, and the most money-burning place in the entire black market.

A massive holographic projection on the outer wall of the building scrolled through the list of tonight's auction items.

Every single item was enough to drive ordinary survivors crazy.

But Gu Pingsheng didn't even glance at it.

He led the three women and walked straight toward the VIP entrance.

Two rows of guards wearing exoskeleton armor stood at the entrance, holding heavy blaster rifles, their cold eyes scanning everyone who attempted to approach.

"Halt."

A guard reached out to block them.

"This is the VIP entrance. Ordinary guests, please use the side entrance."

His tone was stiff, carrying a hint of impatience.

After all, the attire of Gu Pingsheng's group, except for Liu Ruyan who looked like a noble lady, was too low-key.

Especially Gu Pingsheng, wearing a black trench coat, who looked just like an ordinary wandering hunter.

"Ordinary guests?"

Gu Pingsheng stopped, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't speak, but casually pulled a black card from his pocket, held it between two fingers, and waved it in front of the guard.

That was a black market supreme card that the four-armed shopkeeper at [Golden Finger Firm] had specially given him to curry favor while he was offloading stolen goods earlier.

It was said that there were fewer than ten of them in the entire black market.

The guard's electronic prosthetic eye scanned the card.

Beep—!

A crisp notification sound rang out.

The guard's expression changed instantly.

His originally cold gaze immediately became incredibly respectful, even carrying a hint of panic.

"Sup...Supreme Card?!"

He jerked his hand back and snapped a salute.

"I'm sorry! My lord! I was blind! Please enter! Please, go right in!"

The ordinary guests waiting in line to enter, seeing this, cast looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

"Who is that? How can he use the VIP entrance?"

"Look at that card... It seems to be the legendary Supreme Card?"

"My God! That's something only major shareholders or top overlords of the black market can possess!"

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Liu Ruyan linked her arm with Gu Pingsheng's and lifted her chin even higher.

This feeling of being the center of attention simply fascinated her.

...

Top floor, VIP Box No. 1.

This was the position with the best view in the entire auction house.

A massive floor-to-ceiling one-way window allowed them to overlook the entire auction hall.

The box was luxuriously decorated, paved with thick handmade carpets, and furnished with leather sofas and expensive drinks.

There were even two android maids dressed as bunny girls, kneeling on the floor to serve them.

"Tsk, this place is not bad."

Gu Pingsheng walked to the window, looking at the dense crowd below, and swirled the red wine glass in his hand.

That feeling of being high above, controlling everything, arose spontaneously.

"Captain, is the finale item of this auction really that 'eden fragmented map'?"

Gu Nian sat on the sofa, holding a tablet, and was quickly browsing the auction list.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, clearly holding reservations about this so-called "legend."

"Whether it's real or not, we'll know once we bid for it."

Gu Pingsheng took a sip of red wine, his tone casual.

"But... the starting price is five million energy coin."

Gu Nian said, feeling a bit of heartache.

"That's one-tenth of our current floating capital."

"Money is something you can't take with you when you're born, nor when you die."

Gu Pingsheng turned around, walked over to her, and reached out to ruffle her hair.

"As long as we can become stronger, no amount is too much to spend."

"Besides..."

He glanced at Liu Ruyan, who was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror, and smiled.

"We are rich people now."

...

"Clang—!"

A crisp bell sound rang out.

The auction officially began.

The lights in the center of the hall suddenly brightened, focusing on the circular auction stage.

An auctioneer wearing a tuxedo with a small mustache walked up.

"Distinguished guests, good evening!"

His voice spread throughout the venue via speakers, full of passion and agitation.

"Welcome to the Interstellar Chamber of Commerce annual gala! Tonight, we will witness the birth of countless miracles!"

"Without further ado, let us bring out the first auction item!"

Following his gesture, a display stand slowly rose.

On it sat a ridiculously styled energy rifle.

"【Thunder Roar (Blue)】! Crafted by the hands of a senior artisan from the Machine Cult! Starting price: 50,000 energy coin!"

"60,000!"

"70,000!"

"80,000!"

A flurry of bidding immediately erupted from the ordinary seating area below.

For ordinary survivors, a blue weapon was already a rare top-tier item.

But Gu Pingsheng only glanced at it and lost interest.

Trash like this isn't even fit to tie the shoelaces of his [Thousand Mechanism Transformation].

The next few auction items were also insignificant things.

Things like enhancement potions, rare materials, slave contracts...

Gu Pingsheng kept leaning back on the sofa, closing his eyes to rest, too lazy to even raise his paddle.

Until...

"Next up is one of tonight's finale items!"

The auctioneer's voice suddenly rose by an octave.

The lights in the entire hall dimmed instantly, leaving only a spotlight hitting the display stand.

A tray covered with red velvet cloth was brought up.

The auctioneer abruptly lifted the red cloth.

A tattered piece of parchment lay quietly on the tray.

It looked very ancient, its edges already carbonized, with some blurred lines and symbols drawn on it.

But under the spotlight, those lines were faintly emitting a golden glow.

"The legendary—【eden fragmented map】!"

The auctioneer roared loudly.

"It is said that it records the path to the 'Realm of God'! There, one can find endless resources, the secret to immortality, or even... the opportunity to become a god!"

"Starting price: 5 million energy coin! Each bid must be no less than 100,000!"

Boom—!

The whole venue instantly boiled over.

Everyone's eyes were locked tightly onto that map fragment, their gazes filled with greed and fanaticism.

Eden!

That was the ultimate dream of all survivors!

"5.5 million!"

"6 million!"

"7 million!"

The price soared all the way, breaking 10 million in the blink of an eye.

Gu Pingsheng opened his eyes and sat up straight.

"Finally."

He looked at the map fragment, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Although he didn't know if it was real or fake, that special energy fluctuation couldn't fool his [Hand of God].

This thing was definitely a treasure.

"12 million!"

Just then, an arrogant voice suddenly came from the neighboring Box No. 2.

The voice was loud, carrying an air of unbridled arrogance.

The whole venue went quiet for a moment.

12 million.

This was already a sky-high price.

Most ordinary survivors couldn't earn that much money in a lifetime.

Gu Pingsheng turned his head to look.

He saw a young man standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of Box No. 2.

Wearing a golden-glittering power armor, with a thick gold chain around his neck, and holding two scantily clad beauties in his arms.

One look and you could tell he was a nouveau riche.

"It's the young master of the Interstellar Chamber of Commerce, Zhao Tianba!"

Someone below recognized his identity and exclaimed in a low voice.

"No wonder he's so rich; it turns out he's the crown prince of that vampire chamber of commerce."

"It's over, looks like this map is his."

Zhao Tianba listened to the chatter below and triumphantly lifted his chin.

He raised his wine glass and waved it at the whole venue.

"This map, this young master wants it! Whoever dares to snatch it from me is going against the Interstellar Chamber of Commerce!"

A threat.

A naked threat.

But in the black market, fists and money were the hard truth.

No one dared to offend this behemoth for an uncertain legend.

Seeing this, although the auctioneer was a bit dissatisfied with him breaking the rules, he didn't dare to say anything.

After all, this gentleman was a big spender.

"12 million, going once!"

"12 million, going twice!"

"12 million..."

Just as the auctioneer raised his hammer, ready to let it fall.

"20 million."

A calm voice rang out abruptly throughout the venue.

The voice wasn't loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears.

The whole venue was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned.

Even Zhao Tianba's hand holding the wine glass froze in mid-air.

20 million?

Added 8 million directly?

Where did this madman come from?

Everyone's gaze turned toward the source of the voice—Box No. 1.

Gu Pingsheng was still leaning on the sofa, playing with that black ring in his hand, not even glancing at Zhao Tianba.

As if what he had just called out wasn't 20 million, but 2 dollars.

"You..."

Zhao Tianba's face instantly turned the color of a pig's liver.

Having run rampant in the black market for so long, no one had ever dared to disrespect him like this.

"25 million!"

He gritted his teeth and shouted viciously.

At the same time, he turned his head and stared fixedly at Box No. 1, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"Kid, I advise you to be sensible. Some things, you might have the life to buy, but not the life to take!"

Facing this low-level threat, Gu Pingsheng just chuckled.

He raised his hand and extended three fingers.

"30 million."

"You!"

Zhao Tianba was trembling with rage.

He smashed his wine glass on the floor, glass shards shattering everywhere.

"35 million!"

"40 million."

Gu Pingsheng remained as nonchalant as ever.

He didn't hesitate with every bid, not even for a second of thought.

This aura of not treating money as money completely shocked the entire venue.

The audience below was dumbfounded.

"Is... is this the war of the super-rich?"

"It's too terrifying! Tens of millions thrown away just like that!"

"Who exactly is in that Box No. 1? How come I've never seen them before?"

Zhao Tianba's breathing became rapid.

35 million was already his limit.

This time out, his old man only gave him a limit of 40 million.

If he bid any higher, he would have to use his own private stash.

But...

Looking at Gu Pingsheng's punchable "I'm just rich" expression, he couldn't swallow this anger no matter what.

"4...45 million!"

He almost roared it out.

After shouting this, he felt his heart bleeding.

"50 million."

Gu Pingsheng spat out a number indifferently.

Still a second-bid.

Still so casual.

"Pfft—!"

Zhao Tianba almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

50 million!

This already far exceeded the value of that map fragment!

Even if it were a real Eden map, it wouldn't be worth this price!

"Are... are you crazy?!"

He pointed at Gu Pingsheng, his finger trembling.

"Do you know who I am? I am Zhao Tianba! The Interstellar Chamber of Commerce's..."

"100 million."

Gu Pingsheng cut him off.

He turned his head and looked at Zhao Tianba properly for the first time.

His gaze was cold, as if looking at an ant.

"One more word, and it's 200 million."

Boom—!

This sentence was like a nuclear bomb exploding in the auction hall.

100 million!

Doubled directly!

What kind of concept is this?

This is enough to buy a small interstellar fleet!

The whole venue was silent.

You couldn't even hear breathing.

Everyone was stunned by this number.

Even the auctioneer had his mouth wide open, not reacting even as the hammer in his hand dropped to the floor.

Zhao Tianba was even more stunned, standing there like he'd been struck by lightning.

100 million...

Selling him wouldn't even be worth that much.

He looked at Gu Pingsheng, his lips trembling, but he couldn't say another word.

That was absolute financial crushing.

It was a dimensional reduction strike.

In front of this 100 million, his so-called "Interstellar Chamber of Commerce young master" identity was like a joke.

"Still bidding?"

Gu Pingsheng raised an eyebrow, his tone playful.

Zhao Tianba turned pale and slumped back onto the sofa.

Bid?

With what?

With his life?

"1...100 million, going once!"

The auctioneer finally came back to his senses, his voice trembling with excitement.

"100 million, going twice!"

"100 million, going three times!"

"Sold!"

"Congratulations to the distinguished guest in Box No. 1 for winning the 【eden fragmented map】!"

As the hammer fell, the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

That was a tribute to the strong.

It was also a worship of money.

Inside the box.

Gu Nian looked at the number in the account that had instantly halved, her heart twitching with pain.

"Captain... that was 100 million..."

She clutched her chest, feeling like she was about to suffocate.

"With so much money, how many supplies could we buy, how many times could we upgrade the spaceship..."

"Don't feel bad, housekeeper."

Gu Pingsheng smiled and pulled her into his arms.

"Money is a bastard; spend it and earn it back."

He pointed at the tray below that was being carefully held by a waiter.

"But this map is the ticket to the throne of God."

"With it, we can truly master our own destiny."

Gu Nian looked at his eyes, which were flashing with ambition.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that the 100 million was worth it.

This man was destined to stand at the peak of the star sea.

And she was willing to go crazy with him.

"Alright..."

She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Anyway, you're the captain, you call the shots."

"But next time... can you not be so scary? My heart can't take it."

"Haha, I'll try."

Gu Pingsheng laughed loudly.

Just then.

The door of the box was knocked.

A waiter walked in carrying a tray.

"Sir, your auction item."

Gu Pingsheng reached out and picked up the map fragment.

The moment his fingertips touched it, a warm feeling came through.

That was the residue of divinity.

It was indeed real.

He nodded with satisfaction and casually tossed a bag of energy coin to the waiter as a tip.

"Tha...thank you, sir!"

The waiter retreated excitedly.

The moment the box door closed.

Gu Pingsheng's gaze suddenly turned cold.

He turned his head and looked toward the door.

He put the map fragment in his hand into his space.

In its place was the 【Thousand Mechanism Transformation】 that had already transformed into a pistol form.

"What's wrong?"

An An keenly sensed his change, and the dagger in her hand instantly slid into her palm.

"There are rats."

Gu Pingsheng sneered.

"And, not just one."

His 【Hand of God】 could not only perceive treasures but also killing intent.

Just now.

In the corridor outside the box, several extremely subtle auras suddenly appeared.

That was aimed at him.

It seems someone doesn't want him to leave here alive with this map.

"Get ready to work."

He stood up and adjusted his collar.

"Since they want to play, we'll play with them properly."