Leng Yan’s words caused Lu Yin’s gaze to tremble, as he quickly understood what she was saying.
“The Outerverse’s four great conglomerates are able to lure in powerhouses as they please simply because they can recruit Enlighters at best. Things are no different for us. So what if we span both the Innerverse and Outerverse? The majority of the money that we earn still has to be given to those powerful clans, and we don’t have many experts who are able to escort our convoys. My Brightstar Corp. may span both the Innerverse and Outerverse and seem wealthy and powerful, but our strength is not as much of a deterrent to the Outerverse’s four financial titans. As soon as the Outerverse was isolated, Endless Borders was immediately able to swallow our business,” Leng Yan explained.
Lu Yin remained silent.
Leng Yan sighed. “Di Nuo just gave us their last diplomatic offer to purchase our business. If we refuse, we will be suppressed on all sides. Our Brightstar Corp. doesn’t even have an Enlighter here in the Outerverse, and we cannot contend against Endless Borders’ resources.”
Lu Yin understood Leng Yan’s words, as those Innerverse powers were truly too overbearing. However, he still did not believe that the Innerverse financial powerhouses would have that bad a time, as many of them actually had some of the great powers backing them.
He could always try to learn the truth about Brightstar Corporation’s actual condition through Di Nuo. No matter how powerful Brightstar Corp. was, they could not compare to colossal titans like Shamrock Enterprises. Since Shamrock Enterprises and Mavis Bank still existed, then there was no way they would allow Brightstar Corp. to be acquired uncontested like this.
Lu Yin left after his conversation with Leng Yan. He had merely been curious about Brightstar Corporation’s situation. Even if they did have plans for the Outerverse, they would still have to tread carefully unless their strength was on the level of the Neohuman Alliance.
Still, he had asked what he should ask.
Soon after his conversation with Leng Yan, Lu Yin called Di Nuo and asked about the situation concerning Brightstar Corp.
Di Nuo’s answer was essentially the same as what Lu Yin had heard from Leng Yan, and it turned out that Brightstar Corp indeed could not survive on its own anymore. Lu Yin obtained some additional information on accident, which was that Brightstar Corp. was not its own individual company. Rather, they were a subsidiary organization that belonged to a giant conglomerate from the Innerverse. That parent company was the truly top-notch Innerverse financial group.
“But even with that financial giant behind Brightstar Corp., you still are willing to move against them?” Lu Yin was puzzled about this.
On the other end of the call, Di Nuo grudgingly replied, “Your Highness, it wasn’t me who took action, but rather our headquarters. They need Brightstar Corporation’s star charts. As for that massive conglomerate group, their primary businesses are in the Innerverse. Thus, they won’t be able to influence us too much even if the Innerverse and Outerverse reconnect.”
Lu Yin ended the call. That Innerverse corporate giant? Endless Borders was clearly unafraid of them, and Leng Yan had previously mentioned that the Innerverse’s financial groups were not having an easy time in the Outerverse after being cut off from the Innerverse. They were wealthy, but they had no power. Or could it be that Endless Borders’ background was too powerful? More to the point, had Endless Borders become stronger?
Lu Yin lowered his gadget and stopped thinking about Brightstar Corp. After all, it was none of his business. Besides, the Innerverse was still suffering from the massive effects of the Sixth Mainland’s invasion, and their final outcome was still unknown.
He hoped that Leng Yan had been stating the truth, as that would be a good thing. Those Innerverse companies were basically individual wallets, and so long as nobody protected them, there was bound to be a way to fish out some money.
He did not know if his luck was good or bad on this day. Right after he met an old acquaintance in the form of Leng Yan, another person from his past appeared.
“Gerlaine, my feelings for you are true! Don’t go, Gerlaine!” Some distance from Lu Yin, Gerlaine’s brows furrowed in an expression of impatience. There was a handsome youth next to her, and he looked quite wealthy as he had four cosmic rings on his hand.
Lu Yin watched the commotion develop with interest.
Gerlaine turned back and snapped at the young man, “Can you stop bothering me!? It’s impossible for me to like you, so just give up.”
The handsome youth’s face turned sour. “Gerlaine, we’ve known each other since we were young, and we were even childhood sweethearts-”
“Shut up! Who was childhood sweethearts with you? We’ve only met each other a few times!” Gerlaine was getting angry.
“It’s felt like forever,” the lad exaggerated.
Gerlaine was rendered speechless. “You want to get with me just to take advantage of my relationship with my brother to get into the Yu Academy. Don’t think that I don’t know your true motives! And let me tell you that that’s impossible. My brother does not do any personal favors.”
The man immediately tried to explain himself. “You’re mistaken, Gerlaine. My feelings for you are true, and they aren’t tainted by any other thoughts. It doesn’t matter whether I get into the Yu Academy or not, so just give me a chance, Gerlaine. Alright?”
Gerlaine felt helpless, and her eyes started to dart about. She noticed the Lu’s Grand Auction in the distance, and her eyes rolled. “If you can get me into the Lu’s Grand Auction, I’ll give you a chance.”
The youth’s expression changed, and he wailed in agony, “Don’t make things difficult for me, Gerlaine! There’s only a few people in the entire Great Yu Empire who qualify to enter the Lu’s Grand Auction. Even my uncle can’t get in despite being a court councilor, and I heard that even the Imperial Cabinet members have to verify their assets before they’re allowed to enter. This place only looks at one’s money and not their status. I- I’m not that rich.”
“Then don’t say that I didn’t give you an opportunity. It’s fine if we can’t enter.” Gerlaine was happy at his response, and she turned to leave.
The handsome man hurried after her. “I can’t enter, but there’s nobody my age in the entire Great Yu Empire who can enter either. If that’s your criteria, then you won’t be able to find a boyfriend.”
Gerlaine snorted. “This only is relevant to you. It won’t be the same if it’s someone I actually like.”
The man’s expression changed, and he ground his teeth as he stared at Gerlaine’s silhouette.
“And-” Gerlaine suddenly turned and stared at the youth. “The Royal Regent is younger than you, but he can enter.”
He was left speechless. “The auction house actually belongs to the Royal Regent.”
Gerlaine snorted and was about to leave, only to be blocked by someone in front of her.
“Do you really want to enter?” Lu Yin pointed at the Lu’s Grand Auction as he looked at Gerlaine in amusement.
Gerlaine didn’t respond, but the handsome youth became angry. He rushed forward and glared at Lu Yin. “Kid, what are you trying to pull?”
Gerlaine looked at Lu Yin with curiosity, as this person felt familiar to her, especially his slightly thuggish expression.
Lu Yin looked at her and smiled. “Old friends meet each other once again. Do you remember those happy times when we robbed people together?”
The man grew furious. “Kid, I’m talking to you!”
Gerlaine’s eyes lit up, and she looked at Lu Yin happily. “You- you’re Lu-”
Lu Yin raised a finger and pointed at the Lu’s Grand Auction. “Let’s go in for a look.”
Gerlaine nodded and then suddenly thought of something. “I nearly forgot—can you bring Jeraldine in as well? She wanted to go too.”
“Jeraldine’s here too? Alright, call her over then,” Lu Yin said, as they were all old friends. He remembered Jeraldine in particular, as she had been the first trialtaker he had encountered on Earth, and she had helped to guide him. They had bumped into each other outside his home, and thinking of that moment really took him back. The last time he had seen Jeraldine, it had already been eight years since the trial on Earth.
“Gerlaine, who is this youngster?” The handsome young man glared at Gerlaine.
Gerlaine used her gadget to contact Jeraldine while blatantly ignoring the man.
The man stared at Lu Yin. “Kid, I’m warning you! Stay away from Gerlaine! My uncle is a minister of the empire, so you had best watch out if you want to keep your life!”
Lu Yin looked at the young man. “Got it.”
The man was stumped. Was this kid going to give in just like that?
At that moment, Jeraldine ran over from nearby. When she saw Lu Yin, she acted slightly reserved. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“It hasn’t been that long.” Lu Yin smiled.
Jeraldine suddenly remembered something. Her face flushed red, and she no longer spoke.
“Come on, let’s go!” Gerlaine was very eager to see the inside of the auction house, and she pulled Jeraldine and Lu Yin after her towards the Lu’s Grand Auction.
Lu Yin was puzzled. “When did the two of you become so close?”
“We all joined Yu Academy. Didn’t you hear?” Gerlaine rolled her eyes.
Lu Yin instantly understood. Yu Academy was not very big, and furthermore, the two of them had participated in the same trial on Earth. Thus, it was very normal for them to get to know each other.
The handsome young man rushed over. “Gerlaine, where are you guys going?”
Gerlaine shook her head. “To the auction.”
The man was stunned. “The auction? The Lu’s Grand Auction? How are you guys getting in?”
Gerlaine laughed, and Jeraldine just smiled. With this old friend of theirs around, not only could they get into the auction house, but there was no place in the empire that they couldn’t enter.
Lu Yin very easily escorted the two girls into the auction.
The man stared on blankly, and then his eyes lit up brilliantly. Could the Lu’s Grand Auction not be verifying people’s assets this time? He hurriedly rushed over and tried to enter, but he was instantly stopped. This confirmed that one’s wealth still needed to be verified to gain entry, so who the heck was that kid? He had been able to enter so easily; could he be somebody from the empire? Or was he a foreigner?
Inside the Lu’s Grand Auction, Lu Yin had Bei Qing to arrange a random private room for him. Bei Qing did not dare probe into Lu Yin’s relationship with the two girls, but he gave special instructions to take care of Lu Yin’s room before he left.
“Wah, so this is the Lu’s Grand Auction! I’ve been very curious about what it looks like in here, as there’s almost no information about it even on the network. At least we get to enjoy a new experience today. It’s quite normal,” Gerlaine said.
Jeraldine also looked down at the main floor out of curiosity. There were many people rising up from beneath the floor to appear in the main hall.
This was also Lu Yin’s first time inside the building.
“Hey, change your looks back. This face is uncomfortable to look at.” Gerlaine looked at Lu Yin, but she did not seem to be in great spirits.
Lu Yin restored his normal appearance. “Where’s your brother?”
“On the first mainland ring. He’s not interested in things like this.” She paused, and her lips twitched before she continued, saying, “He’s also broke.”
“Tell me what catches your eye later,” Lu Yin said.
Gerlaine was delighted upon hearing this offer. “You’ll buy it for us?”
Lu Yin seriously answered, “I’ll give you a discount.”
“Hey! You’re already the Great Eastern Alliance’s leader, so be more generous!” Gerlaine said grudgingly.
Jeraldine softly said, “Gerlaine, don’t talk nonsense.”
Lu Yin smiled. “I have got no choice. I’m short on money.”
“You’re broke? You should be so rich that you can’t even spend it all.” Gerlaine didn’t believe him.
Lu Yin pursed his lips, but he did not explain. His lack of money could not be explained through words, as the amount of money that he needed was beyond what normal people could fathom, especially when considering the Ninesuns Cauldron Transformation. Not even Lu Yin knew how much money it would take to fill up that pit.
Of course, his die was still what consumed the most amount of money. Rolling three pips and six pips were money-sucking pits that he would not be able to fill for the rest of his entire life.
…
“Your Highness, I should return that thing to you,” Jeraldine softly mentioned to Lu Yin.
Lu Yin was puzzled. “What?”
“Has Your Highness forgotten?” Jeraldine’s expression dimmed.
Lu Yin thought about it for a moment. “Oh, you mean that? That’s for you. There’s no need to give it back.”
Jeraldine’s expression then became complicated.
Gerlaine bobbed over and stared at Lu Yin. “What did you give Jeraldine? Is it a love token?”
Lu Yin was about to anwer, but Jeraldine hurriedly interrupted. “It’s about to start! The auction is starting!”
Gerlaine’s attention was instantly diverted, and she looked down at the main floor with great interest.
This was the most famous auction in the entire Outerverse, and she did not want to miss a single moment.
Jeraldine heaved a sigh of relief. Rings carried a certain meaning for girls, and while Lu Yin did not care, she could not just ignore it. If that ring was discovered by Gerlaine, then rumors would undoubtedly spread everywhere and cause her a great deal of trouble.
The auction began, and the first item to appear immediately raised the atmosphere to a rowdy climax. It was one of the formcast models, and it was instantly sold without any delay. Everyone had thought that these items would be the grand finale and the Lu’s Grand Auction was acting too willfully by auctioning it off first.
