Published: February 9, 2025
Chapter 2: The Dual Offer
Some things are not simply evaluated based on their current state, but rather on their potential for future development.
If Ye Zhongming hadn’t already possessed the Stable Beast Saddle, he might have pursued the Black Solid Beast Equipment set, but he would first consider others' bids before deciding whether to place a bid and how much. He needed to determine his psychological price point.
Only after clarifying these issues would he participate in the auction.
However, the situation was different now. He already had a Black Solid Set in hand. Missing out on something he might never encounter again in his life, how could Ye Zhongming let it go, regardless of the price?
Moreover, possessing the Treasure-Holding Gourd and having the craftsman profession meant these two white-grade items could become silver-grade in his hands, with limitless possibilities for the future. Letting go of the earth yellow pill would be a disservice to himself.
Even now, despite Ye Zhongming leading Cloud Summit Villa to heights unimaginable in his previous life, with five hundred core members daring to enter the G1 Resistance Zone, his thirst for power had never ceased, in fact, it had intensified.
Wen Zhong's hesitance hung over Ye Zhongming like a dark cloud. He speculated what could make the highest leader of one of China's four war zones want to say something yet hold back.
In this context, even though magic crystals could be obtained through killing mutated life forms, Ye Zhongming did not intend to miss out on suitable equipment.
He directly raised the bid by one thousand grade 3 magic crystals. Even the commanders of various war departments and powerful leaders present were slightly surprised. This Ye Zhongming showed some guts; it seemed like he was a bit... foolishly generous.
The auctioneer glanced at Ye Zhongming with delight. He had encountered many extravagant wealthy individuals before the apocalypse, but after it began, everyone was reluctant to spend magic crystals unnecessarily. It was rare to see someone so generous with their bids.
Even Bai Shishi, who was trying hard to control herself from looking over, couldn't help but cast a concerned glance in his direction.
Perhaps this bidding style made others sense Ye Zhongming's determination to secure these two pieces of equipment, leading to a moment of silence where no one else continued to bid.
Until... Zhang Jingcheng raised his hand.
Three thousand five hundred!
Although he didn’t match Ye Zhongming's confidence in raising the bid by a thousand magic crystals, his response seemed a bit confrontational given the previous competition.
Ye Zhongming gestured, four thousand!
Interest in the beast equipment existed, but it wasn't intense. If possible, most would prefer to invest resources in themselves to improve their own strength.
Of course, only a little over a year had passed since the apocalypse began, and many still lacked battle beasts, which contributed to the situation.
Zhang Jingcheng bid four thousand five hundred magic crystals.
"This young man, does your father know how you spend money like this?"
Having decided to cooperate with Ye Zhongming and Cloud Summit Villa, Wen Zhong showed a decisive demeanor, turning his head to sternly warn Zhang Jingcheng. While he knew Ye Zhongming was wealthy, wasting money excessively here was a loss for Cloud Summit’s strength. He didn't mind being more straightforward at this moment, which could win Ye Zhongming's favor, achieving two goals at once.
"I manage my family's money, uncle."
Zhang Jingcheng replied with a grin, seemingly oblivious to Wen Zhong's meaning.
Ye Zhongming unperturbedly raised the bid to five thousand.
This price caused many war department commanders to shake their heads. Just two pieces of white-grade equipment, specifically beast equipment; who wouldn't think this was foolish?
Even Zhang Jingcheng paused when he heard five thousand, glancing over as if trying to confirm whether Ye Zhongming genuinely wanted to buy or would back out like before.