27: Chapter 27 Scheming Against the Qi Family (Part 1)

Inside the space, facing the massive amount of supplies, there wasn't the slightest sign of an upgrade.

"Xiao Yu, what's going on? Why is there no movement at all?"

Based on past experience, having stockpiled such a large quantity of supplies, the space should have undergone a corresponding upgrade.

But now, let alone receiving any rewards, even the area hadn't increased, and Xiaobai was still the size of a small Tibetan Mastiff.

Xiao Yu was busy happily scattering seeds on the spirit fields with a group of clones.

"Master, at the current stage, supplies can no longer satisfy the upgrade conditions. You need to collect items rich in energy sources to unlock a larger space."

"However, what these items are is something Master needs to discover on your own."

Qi Yin frowned; in other words, after the supplies reached saturation, a new opportunity needed to be discovered.

Looking at Xiao Yu's cunning expression, she definitely knew something.

Qi Yin rolled her eyes and spread her hands.

"Sigh, forget it. I finally got some supplies, but they're useless. I'm so tired, I don't want to do this anymore."

Glancing at Xiao Yu out of the corner of her eye, she saw the other party flapping her little wings rapidly, clearly a bit flustered.

"Master, Master, you can't think like that. Once the space upgrades next time, you'll be able to unlock the Doomsday Mall. There are so many good things there."

However, Qi Yin didn't seem tempted by this so-called mall. She just squatted down to interact with Xiaobai, tossing pieces of fresh beef from her hand as if they cost nothing, then watching Xiaobai retrieve and eat them.

Xiao Yu was a bit jealous that Qi Yin was ignoring her.

"Fine, fine. Currently, only jade, emeralds, and zombie crystal cores reaching a certain quantity can unlock the Doomsday Mall..."

Having obtained the answer she wanted, Qi Yin curled her lips, tossed a batch of new fruit tree saplings to Xiao Yu, and turned to leave the space.

Watching Xiaobai heartlessly chasing and playing with a group of chicken, duck, and goose chicks, Xiao Yu felt like she had been set up.

But she had no evidence...

Outside the shelter, Qi Yin frowned, sitting alone on the branch of a large tree, swinging her long legs.

Her fingertips unconsciously traced the rough bark, leaving behind a shallow trail of frost.

Although she didn't know what use the Doomsday Mall actually had, she could feel that if she wanted to live comfortably in the Apocalypse, she had to unlock the mall.

But she definitely couldn't get any zombie crystal cores in the next few days; high-quality jade and emeralds containing large amounts of pure energy were feasible, however.

There was just one problem: how to get a staggering amount of high-quality raw stones in a short time?

She had money, but ultimately, she was just an ordinary person with no connections.

Just as Qi Yin was lost in thought, the faint sound of wheels rolling over grass came from below.

Looking down, she saw Lu Yanxiu pushing Xiao Sinian, who was sitting in a wheelchair, slowly stopping under the tree.

He was still wearing that half-face gold-stamped mask, a thin blanket covering his knees, looking up at her.

Moonlight spilled down, casting a cold, hard silver light on his mask.

Xiao Sinian spoke, his voice steady, devoid of emotion: "Thank you for your help today."

Qi Yin knew he was talking about keeping the supplies, so she waved her hand indifferently.

"No need. I collected a storage fee, and with so many of your things, I'm not losing out."

"But speaking of which, you have a lot of people over there, right? Since all the supplies are with me, what are you all eating?"

If she hadn't seen wrong, nearly a hundred people in camouflage uniforms had come in the afternoon, and after entering the villa next door, they hadn't come out again.

To this, Lu Yanxiu pointed to the ground.

"Rest assured, Boss has already hollowed out the ground here and put quite a lot of things inside. With just our people, we won't starve."

Qi Yin was surprised. Hollowed out? Could they do this in such a short time?

They were truly wealthy and imposing.

But now, there was something more annoying waiting for her.

Seeing that the head she had just raised in surprise was now lowered again, her expression somewhat dejected, Xiao Sinian spoke calmly.

"What are you worrying about?"

Qi Yin propped her chin with both hands, her beautiful face almost distorted by the pressure.

"Girls, after all, always like shiny, expensive things. I haven't had them before, and now I'm wondering where to get some beautiful raw stones to play with."

Lu Yanxiu chimed in with a smile: "Isn't this a coincidence? Tomorrow, there's a private auction held by the Old Master of the Xiao family at a manor in the outskirts of the capital. The finale items are the exploration rights and mining permits for two mines in Lin City."

Taking advantage of his words, Qi Yin leaped down from the tree in one motion, walked over to crouch in front of Xiao Sinian, and looked him in the eye.

"Tell me in detail."

Xiao Sinian nodded.

"One is a waste mountain. Although it looks ordinary on the surface and the geological report is mediocre, it was privately surveyed before, and it hides quite a few good things inside."

"The other one looks glittering with treasure, and the report is written in a flowery way, but it has basically been hollowed out; it's just a trap."

Meeting Qi Yin's gaze, Xiao Sinian added calmly: "Those few from The Qi Family also seem very interested in these two mountains, but the funds they can currently mobilize are just enough to compete for one."

Their eyes met, and they understood instantly.

"Then when are you going? Can you take me with you?"

Qi Yin's eyes sparkled.

Xiao Sinian seemed to smile slightly.

"Now."

The vehicle slid silently into the night. It was quiet inside the car; the three of them didn't communicate much, but a silent tacit understanding had already been reached.

The auction was held in a private garden in the suburbs. Security was tight, and all the attendees were wealthy and prominent.

Everyone was dressed glamorously, whispering to each other, and the air was filled with the scent of money and power.

Qi Yin was still wearing her sleek black clothes, following beside Xiao Sinian's wheelchair with an indifferent expression, out of place with the surrounding environment.

Meanwhile, Lu Yanxiu moved skillfully among the crowd, exchanging pleasantries.

Finally, they sat down in an inconspicuous corner.

Soon, Qi Mingyuan, Qi Ming, and Wang Hui appeared at the banquet, dressed gorgeously.

They were sitting in the front row, talking to a pot-bellied mine owner, with smiles of determination on their faces.

She didn't see Lu Yingman, but Qi Yin thought it made sense; Qi Mingyuan never seemed to take Lu Yingman to any important occasions.

After all, who would allow their status as a live-in son-in-law to be constantly mentioned by others?

The auction began. Qi Yin was focused on waiting for the mines later on and wasn't interested in the beautiful jewelry beforehand, so she didn't pay much attention.

After waiting for quite a while, it was finally time for today's finale.

The PPT displayed various ore samples from that treasure mountain and exaggerated geological reports. The starting bid was as high as 500 million.

Qi Mingyuan raised his paddle almost without hesitation, his eyes very eager.

Other bidders joined the competition one after another, and the price quickly rose to 2 billion.

At this moment, Qi Yin glanced at Xiao Sinian, and after receiving his nod of approval, she slightly nodded to Lu Yanxiu.

Lu Yanxiu lazily raised his paddle, his voice not loud but particularly clear.

"2.2 billion!"

Qi Mingyuan frowned, turned his head to look, and seeing it was Lu Yanxiu, his brows furrowed tightly.

"What does this brat want to do again?"

Qi Mingyuan's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he increased the bid: "2.3 billion!"

Just then, Qi Yin's cold, clear voice rang out in the quiet venue, carrying a hint of just-right uncertainty and probing.

She raised her paddle: "2.5 billion."