Countless wealthy people had become simultaneously panicked and envious of Lu Yin’s ability to hire Smoker. This demand had then caused the prices of natural treasures that could evade danger to continuously rise.
Natural treasures of that quality were already pricey to begin with, and even though they did not have many uses, they could always be sold for exorbitant prices. At this moment, the prices for such treasures had become even more excessive, as pharmaceutical giants such as Shamrock Enterprises were constantly gathering natural treasures. No matter how high the prices rose, there was always a demand for natural treasures, as countless people sought to obtain even just one.
Even if they could not hire Smoker, such natural treasures could save their lives at a critical moment or be stored away to appreciate in value. In the worst case, they could always sell it to Shamrock Enterprises without suffering any financial losses.
Many people in the Outerverse were speculating on the natural treasures market.
In this situation, the announcement of an auction selling off natural treasures that could evade danger as a one-time event shocked the various great weaves.
With Lu Yin’s strength, he was unafraid that people might be concerned about his wealth. On the contrary, he was actually eager for someone to cause trouble for him.
But just selling natural treasures was too monotonous. After Lu Yin thought about it, he decided to also list the gemspring water, which was a lockbreaking tool. It had been stored within Hall of Insight, and since he only had twenty five drops in his possession, it would be fine to sell five of them. But even that was enough to attract crowds of Lockbreakers to the auction; after all, they were all quite wealthy.
After that, he also listed one of Elder Wu’s poisons that was potent enough to even threaten Enlighters.
He wanted to use this bottle of poison to demonstrate to the various weaves of the Outerverse that, in his auction, he would sell and also accept anything. Who cared if it was something legal or illegal? He would accept and sell everything.
He wanted to turn this auction into a moneymaking machine.
When Lu Yin handed the updated list over to Bei Qing, the young man was stunned. “Your Highness, are there really ten natural treasures at the level of evading danger?”
Gavin was also surprised. So many?
Lu Yin nodded. “Advertise to the public using this list.”
Bei Qing was placed in a difficult position. “Can this poison even be sold? Can it really pose a threat to Enlighters?”
“The auction can be called the Grand Lu Auction, and these various items will help its reputation soar. I’ll have Xiao Ya and some other people help you coordinate your advertising, so hurry up and get this list published. If the auction’s reputation becomes large enough, others will send over items to be auctioned off as well. Pay attention to everything that is to be auctioned, and we can just buy whatever we find useful,” Lu Yin said. This was the benefit to running an auction, as he would be the first to obtain any information on the goods being sold.
Gavin hesitated. “Your Highness, can something like that poison be auctioned secretly? This will harm the empire’s image.”
Lu Yin casually replied, “Then just don’t call it a poison. Change the name—for example, call it a life-preserving object or something like that. It’s simple.”
Gavin then stopped speaking.
Bei Qing left in excitement.
The establishment of this auction turned out to be very simple, and with Lu Yin’s support, Bei Qing was able to quickly build an auction house in Zenyu Star’s most bustling district in just two days. The main issue to take care of now was the advertising.
Bei Qing met with Sister Ya, who also enjoyed Lu Yin’s support. She had since become the go-to person for the empire’s propaganda needs, and she could even influence the Great Eastern Alliance’s media now. It would not be too difficult for her to publicize Bei Qing’s list of auction goods.
After the news was released, it shocked the entire Great Eastern Alliance, just as expected. The news continued to spread at lightning speeds; the surrounding weaves and even the central weaves soon learned of it.
The impact of auctioning off natural treasures was just too great, and not even Lu Yin could have predicted how much attention would be drawn to it. Sister Ya even had some people secretly hype up the auction, and it was soon predicted that the prices of these natural treasures would end up as multiples of their original prices.
The Grand Lu Auction’s name quickly spread throughout the various weaves in the shortest amount of time possible, and news of it continued spreading to even further weaves.
The first auction was scheduled to be held one month after the initial announcement, as Bei Qing needed to let the wealthy travel to Zenyu Star.
Actually, an online auction was not a bad idea either. However, building an auction house served more purposes than just making money; Lu Yin needed it to draw in people as well.
When the publicity of the Grand Lu Auction reached its zenith, countless people and organizations tried to contact them and purchase the items that they needed in advance, but they were all summarily rejected by Bei Qing. It was a seller’s market, and he was the least afraid of people not wanting their items. Those who wanted to buy the goods could travel to Zenyu Star, and it would be up to the potential buyers on whether or not they wished to bid on a given item.
Bei Qing’s attitude left many infuriated, but they didn’t dare to do anything about it, as the auction was being held on Zenyu Star under Lu Yin’s supervision. This was a place where not even Aegis could exert its dominance, let alone smaller powers.
***
On Planet Hydrotink, Felynn stared at the list of items for the auction with an ugly expression.
gemspring water was something that had been exclusively stored in Hall of Insight, which meant that the drops that were about to be sold in the Grand Lu Auction had to be Lu Yin’s. He must have stolen some of Hall of Insight’s treasures during the commotion back then. What a despicable person.
To Lockbreakers, the importance of a lockbreaking tool did not need to be mentioned. Even Felynn wanted to obtain some of those drops of gemspring water, let alone other Lockbreakers.
Urgent footsteps rang out from behind her as Master Kai approached. “President, this gemspring water is definitely from the Lockbreaker Society’s former headquarters!”
Felynn replied, “I know, but let’s wait for the auction to begin. As for our resources, even though Hall of Insight was raided, only a portion of its stores were taken. We still have a portion remaining in our possession.”
Master Kai had an ugly expression. “I’ve already contacted the Grand Lu Auction, but the boss, Bei Qing, still won’t agree to sell those drops to us. They’re not giving us any face, hmph!”
Felynn was helpless. “The one behind the curtains of this auction house is Lu Yin.”
Master Kai was surprised. “Lu Yin? Why would it be him? It’s no wonder why this auction is so exaggerated—there’s even ten natural treasures up for grabs.”
On the list of auctioned goods, there was more than just the gemspring water that appealed to these two. There were also natural treasures and life-preserving items that could threaten Enlighters. All of these items were desirable.
***
In Armament Weave, when Yi Feng saw the auction list, he immediately contacted Wei Rong. He wanted some resources to purchase the gemspring water, but he was quickly turned down by Wei Rong. They also had some drops of gemspring water, as Lu Yin had only obtained a small amount of the stores. Thus, there was no need to fight over it. As for the natural treasures, Wei Rong had no confidence in being able to outbid Shamrock Enterprises for them, so it would only be a wasted trip.
***
In a gloomy place, a cold voice muttered to itself, “There’s actually ten natural treasures there. It’s lucky that we didn’t pit ourselves against Lu Yin then. Otherwise, Smoker would have become our nightmare.”
“No matter what, we have to obtain those natural treasures as well as that life-preserving item that can threaten Enlighters. There must be someone supporting Lu Yin, but just who is it exactly? Could it truly be the Hall of Honor?”
***
In outer space, Di Nuo sat atop a massive spacecraft as he calculated his planned expenditures. His luck was good, and he was representing Endless Borders within Frostwave Weave, which was the heart of the Great Eastern Alliance. He had to improve his own business while suppressing all others, or else he might find himself replaced.
At this moment, his gadget rang, and Di Nuo looked down. “Captain Yang, please speak.”
“Have you seen the list of goods for Lu’s Grand Auction?” a gloomy voice asked.
Di Nuo quickly replied, “I’ve seen it, yes.”
“Buy at least three natural treasures and one drop of gemspring water, and try your best to purchase that life-preserving item as well,” the gloomy voice ordered.
Droplets of sweat streamed down from Di Nuo’s forehead. “This- Captain Yang, I don’t have that many funds available.”
“I will request for headquarters to send you more, Mr. Di Nuo. You should understand the difficulties and dangers that our expedition crews face. These items are all life-saving treasures, and as such, they are all incomparably precious to us.”
Di Nuo hurriedly replied, “I got it, I understand. Rest assured, Captain Yang, I’ll do my best.”
The call ended, and Di Nuo’s expression grew bitter. He was aware of the importance and influence of this auction, and he knew that countless eyes would be focused on it. Although their Endless Borders was one of the four great corporations, there was still Shamrock Enterprises, the Mavis Bank, Aurora Enterprises, and other colossal financial titans that towered above them. Just how could they seize these treasures with the amount of resources they had? He was in trouble.
After thinking about it, Di Nuo contacted the Grand Lu Auction in an attempt to purchase some items in advance, but he was instantly and mercilessly rejected. He did not grow angry, as it was clear from a glance that this Grand Lu Auction belonged to Lu Yin.
If Di Nuo was left with no other choice, then he would look for Lu Yin himself to purchase some of the items.
***
As for Shamrock Enterprises’ headquarters, it was still based on that same green planet. Shen Fu was casually rocking in his recliner as usual when his secretary, Xiao Qin, approached from nearby and handed him a list.
Shen Fu took a look and gasped. “Ten danger evading natural treasures? What’s the background of this Lu’s Grand Auction?”
“According to the rumors, the boss, Bei Qing, is from Shenwu Continent, and he is also a member of the Great Yu Empire’s First Squadron,” Xiao Qin coldly reported.
Shen Fu replied, “The First Squadron is Lu Yin’s personal army. It looks like Lu Yin found a good place that has many natural treasures that have lived for tens of thousands of years. Perhaps it’s the ruins of some ancient sect. It’d be best to check this situation out carefully. As for this auction, since there are natural treasures, my Shamrock Enterprises must also join in the fun as a matter of face. Represent me by going there and buying them all.”
Xiao Qin frowned. “The advertising for this Lu’s Grand Auction has been rather well done, and all the great weaves are aware of it. The prices will likely be driven up.”
Shen Fu laughed. “My Shamrock Enterprises has no fear of spending money. Go on.”
“Yes, Chief Shen.”
***
Countless people were staring at the list of goods to be auctioned and were counting how much money they would need to obtain the items that they wished to acquire.
Lu Yin did not really pay attention to the commotion that he had stirred up, as the markets were constantly changing. The prices of these items would be driven much higher than normal, but it would not end up being too excessive. Every item had a maximum price, and anyone who was able to participate in this auction was knowledgeable enough to know the upper limit, so as soon as the price reached an excessive amount, people would definitely back down and think of another way to acquire the goods. The price that an item reached in an auction was just a reference for the prices that would be used in successive transactions.
However, Lu Yin would not release too many natural treasures into the market at once. If the number of such treasures increased too quickly, the market would descend into chaos. Lu Yin trusted that the great financial powers like Shamrock Enterprises or the Mavis Bank already had their own reserves of danger evading natural treasures and that they had simply never exposed their reserves, as that was their foundation.
However Lu Yin had no choice, as he was broke!
During this time, many people contacted him, and even Smoker had taken the initiative to contact him once. The assassin had inquired if Lu Yin wanted to upgrade his membership status, which had left Lu Yin rather speechless. In the end, he did upgrade his membership, and in doing so, gave another ten natural treasures to Smoker. After all, Lu Yin was not short of such treasures.
But why did Smoker want so many natural treasures? Lu Yin was rather curious about this.
Time quickly passed by, and soon, there was only half a month left before the auction. The auction house was completely sealed off, and the Imperial First Squadron itself was actually guarding it, which piqued many people’s curiosity.
