Chapter 388: The Auction Unfolds

“Is it finally about to begin?”

With the host’s introduction, both Long Kingdom netizens at their computers and the live audience were taken aback.

They had waited for days for this very moment.

“I hope Mr. Sun isn’t still haunted by that Silk Road Landscape Scroll and can secure the Yongle Encyclopedia in one fell swoop!”

One netizen clenched his fist.

As expected, even though the host deliberately teased a little secret, within this auction only the Yongle Encyclopedia could rightfully claim the title of a super-rare treasure.

A few minutes later,

the original edition of the Three Copies of the Yongle Encyclopedia, escorted by over a dozen security personnel, appeared on the display stand.

It was presented in a large crystal box; even from afar, every detail was clear and unmistakable.

“So there are so many copies? I thought it was just three little booklets!”

After taking a closer look at the original, someone couldn’t help but exclaim.

Each of the three copies is composed of over a hundred small volumes, all printed in ancient style, exuding a sense of antiquity and heft.

One could easily imagine

that these editions, if housed in any museum, would command their own aura – even at the Long Kingdom Museum, they’d stand proud.

This only deepened the mixed feelings among the Long Kingdom citizens.

A treasure like this, if it never returned to the Long Kingdom, would be a monumental loss.

“Ladies and gentlemen, these Three Copies of the Yongle Encyclopedia come from a collector in Country M. The starting bid is fifty million dollars! Increments of one million dollars from here on out!”

After about ten minutes of chatter dying down and everyone having admired the encyclopedia, the host picked up the microphone to announce the bidding rules.

“Huh? Starting at fifty million dollars – this treasure truly lives up to its reputation.”

Over here,

upon hearing the announced price,

both the live audience and the viewers at their computers showed a drastic change in expression.

Although many had expected a high starting bid, fifty million M Gold was still beyond what most had imagined.

Fifty million M Gold? That converts to roughly 350 million Dragon Coins.

Back in the day, the wildly hyped Zodiac Beasts fetched prices ranging from tens of millions to over two hundred million – the highest selling for 270 million Dragon Coins.

The starting bid for the Yongle Encyclopedia already surpassed the Zodiac Beasts! Moreover, this figure immediately blocked many potential bidders, as participants needed to verify their funds and post a deposit to bid. The auction would not tolerate random shouts.

If a bidder’s deposit couldn’t match their bid, their offer would be declared invalid.

Of course,

this indirectly emphasized that the value and status of these Three Copies of the Yongle Encyclopedia far exceeded that of the Zodiac Beasts.

“Sixty million!”

National treasures remain treasures. Just as many were still debating the base price, a middle-aged foreign man in the front row called out a bid.

This bidder immediately upped his offer by ten million M Gold – essentially adding the price of a Silk Road Landscape Scroll.

“Alright, Bidder No. 5 is at sixty million! Anyone else bidding higher?”

The host glanced around before continuing.

“Who was the first to bid? That bold move…”

On the forum, many Long Kingdom citizens noticed that the first bid wasn’t from Sun Xin of the Wenmo Group, and they began to worry.

They truly wished that Sun Xin had boldly made the first move from the start and secured the Yongle Encyclopedia.

“This foreigner seems to be from the Buffett Family of Country M – his strength is undeniable!”

Seeing this,

an informed insider replied on the forum.

“Huh? The Buffett Family? No wonder!”

Someone’s expression suddenly darkened.

Clearly, this man was also a top bidder, rivaling the likes of the Ross Consortium.

“Seventy million!”

Just as many Long Kingdom citizens were shocked by the identity of the first bidder, another foreign man in the front row called out his price!

This man was none other than

the much-anticipated contender Peter from the Ross Consortium!

After shouting his bid,

Peter couldn’t resist glancing at the man from the Buffett Family.

“So Ross Consortium has indeed made their move! Sigh…”

In response,

the hearts of the Long Kingdom citizens skipped a beat as they watched the live video, turning their eyes toward Sun Xin.

“Eighty million!”

Fortunately, the patience of the Long Kingdom citizens wasn’t in vain – moments later, Sun Xin in the front row raised his paddle.

Those present at the auction were all big players; they weren’t surprised by Sun Xin’s bid. Even Peter and the representative from the Buffett Family barely spared him a glance, knowing full well that this was just the beginning. Most importantly, they had never regarded Sun Xin as a true rival.

In their eyes, someone of Sun Xin’s caliber wasn’t even a contender.

However, the Long Kingdom netizens thought otherwise. When they saw Sun Xin bid, it was as thrilling as a goal in a football match – sheer excitement washed over them.

Some even leaped up from their seats.

“Great! Finally, Sun Xin has entered the fray.”

“Amazing!”

“After such a long wait, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for.”

“So cool!”

Little did they know, as the Long Kingdom citizens erupted in cheers, a composed Sun Xin was inwardly overwhelmed with bitterness.

Truth be told, this auction had completely upended his plans.

Not only had the Silk Road Landscape Scroll been snatched away, but the Yongle Encyclopedia had also taken an unexpected turn.

He had assumed the starting bid for the Yongle Encyclopedia would be around ten million M Gold, allowing a few more rounds of bidding.

Who would have thought the bid would kick off at fifty million!

Before he could even process it, the bid had jumped to seventy million M Gold. If he didn’t up his bid now, his chances were gone! Christie’s, the top auction house of Lanstarr, verified deposits swiftly and wouldn’t tolerate any reckless bidding.

Eighty million dollars was the highest Sun Xin could reach after his deposit verification.

“Good thing I shouted at least once, or I might have been ridiculed to no end,”

with that,

Sun Xin let out a slight sigh of relief, gathering his waning energy.

He knew that from this point on, the auction was no longer his game; all he could do was sit back and wait for the final outcome.

“Ninety million!”

Not surprisingly, less than half a minute after Sun Xin’s bid, a foreign man in his fifties in the front row raised his paddle to offer a new price.

This gentleman hailed from the elite international Child Family.

No sooner had he spoken than both Peter of the Ross Consortium and the representative from the Buffett Family looked his way.

It was clear that the two held the Child Family’s envoy in high regard.

“One hundred million!”

After a pause, Peter raised his paddle again.

“One hundred and ten million!”

Not to be outdone, the representative from the Buffett Family shouted his bid.

“One hundred and twenty million!”

A slight smirk appeared on the Child Family’s envoy as he raised his paddle once more.

In just a few minutes, the entire auction seemed to have become a showdown among these three, with the price soaring to one hundred and sixty million.

Yet, the much-anticipated Sun Xin remained silent – a situation that had the Long Kingdom citizens and the two in Yan City growing increasingly impatient.

“What’s going on? Sun Xin, why aren’t you bidding?”

“It’s just, I only got a chance once! I saw hope a moment ago!”

“Hurry up! Follow the rhythm!”