Chapter 78: The Auction
News spread through the Trade Market that a Demon Fruit had appeared. As Su Xiao expected, the Demon Fruit ignited the entire marketplace.
But he never imagined things would become this exaggerated.
Nearly half the contractors and workers in the Trade Market converged on this area. Heads bobbed and swayed, and angry shouts occasionally rang out from the crush.
"Which bastard groped my chest? Step forward!"
A female contractor's face was flushed red—she had been groped.
"Don't guess—hey, you're stepping on my face!"
A contractor who had been knocked to the ground shouted in fury. In this sea of people, he couldn't even stand up.
Right now, the stall Su Xiao was at was surrounded by contractors. Questions about the price came nonstop, and the bidding price kept skyrocketing.
60,000 Paradise Coins, 65,000 Paradise Coins, 70,000 Paradise Coins, 73,000 Paradise Coins...
Before long, the Demon Fruit's bid reached 123,000 Paradise Coins, and the rate of increase began to slow.
It wasn't that the Demon Fruit wasn't worth 120,000 Paradise Coins, but rather that too few contractors had 120,000 Paradise Coins in liquid assets.
As the bid climbed, Su Xiao received countless messages.
'We've already found your location in the Real World. Hand over the Demon Fruit and we'll spare your life—Anonymous Contractor.'
'Our Seven Star Adventure Group offers 160,000 Paradise Coins. Close the auction and trade privately.'
'How about a barter? I don't have liquid Paradise Coins on hand right now.'
There were threats, inducements, and plenty of people genuinely wanting to buy the Demon Fruit, but none of their offers were particularly high.
Soon, the Demon Fruit's bid rose to 150,000 Paradise Coins, and no one had raised it for two minutes.
Just as five minutes passed without a new bid, a female contractor in a light blue mage robe squeezed her way to the stall.
The female contractor let out a long breath, a helpless expression on her face. Pushing through the crowd was dangerous—she had to guard against 'surprise attacks.'
She was a water mage. The dense water element around her immediately told Su Xiao her specialty.
The female mage wasn't heavily made up, but her bare face was still captivating, giving off a fragile yet resilient vibe.
"Finally made it in. These people are insane."
The female mage picked up the Demon Fruit and nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing her pick it up, Su Xiao raised an eyebrow. The 150,000 Paradise Coin bid was hers—otherwise, she couldn't have touched the fruit on the stall.
"This thing is perfect for Old Scar. I wonder what'll happen when he eats it."
The female contractor smiled sweetly, and a few nearby contractors were stunned by the sight.
"Move it. If you're not bidding, get the hell out. Got any damn manners? Tch, bunch of idiots."
A scruffy-looking man stepped forward. He wore a brown leather jacket with only two buttons fastened, exposing his chest muscles. Several contractors followed behind him, looking completely subservient.
Seeing this man, the female mage's expression shifted slightly. Her competitor had arrived.
She looked at Su Xiao, about to speak, when her body suddenly stiffened.
In her perception, even though Su Xiao was sitting behind the stall, he felt like a seated demon god, faint blue-black smoke wafting from him.
The female mage suddenly felt an urge to turn and flee. She thought to herself, 'What the hell is this guy? It feels like I've met my natural enemy!'
Her perception was correct—she had indeed met her natural enemy.
"Quimo, you're here too."
The scruffy man's tone was flippant, his eyes unashamedly lustful, like lasers that seemed to pierce through clothing.
The female mage, Quimo, chuckled lightly. She couldn't control others' gazes. Though displeased inside, she didn't show it on her face.
"Wuya, are you going to compete with me?"
Quimo's voice was gentle and calm, but it carried a firm resolve—she was determined to get this fruit.
"Of course. Let me think... it's already at 150,000 Paradise Coins, huh?"
Wuya crouched down, smiled and nodded at Su Xiao, then sent him a message.
'Bro, let's team up to screw this woman over. She killed my good buddy before. It's a win-win.'
After sending this message, Wuya suddenly recalled that this scene was similar to a movie he'd seen. He was going to imitate his idol.
Wuya placed a bid. Seeing the price he offered, Quimo was speechless.
Wuya's bid was: 150,001 Paradise Coins.
"Wuya, what's the meaning of this? That's childish."
Quimo's smile faded. She couldn't afford to show weakness now, so she immediately bid 160,000 Paradise Coins.
Wuya smirked contemptuously and raised it by another 1 Paradise Coin.
Quimo made a helpless expression, as if Wuya was giving her a headache.
"You win. This Demon Fruit is yours."
Quimo's sudden concession didn't bother Wuya. Thinking he could buy the fruit for 160,000 Paradise Coins was a complete fantasy.
From start to finish, Su Xiao didn't say a word. He just needed to watch these two contractors perform.
After a few minutes, Quimo seemed unable to hold back. She bid again, directly raising the price to 170,000 Paradise Coins.
Wuya followed suit, adding another 1 Paradise Coin.
This time, Quimo hesitated for a long time, several minutes without bidding. Remember, if ten minutes passed without a bid, the auction would end, and Wuya would win the fruit.
Only after a full nine minutes did Quimo bid again, this time at 175,000 Paradise Coins.
Wuya grinned smugly and raised it by another 1 Paradise Coin, while messaging Su Xiao.
'Bro, after the deal goes through, you gotta give me a cut. This woman can at least go up to 300,000 Paradise Coins or more. I'll drag her down with 1 Paradise Coin today.'
"Wuya, do you have to be so hostile?"
Being constantly outbid by just 1 Paradise Coin was wearing down Quimo's patience.
"You killed my brother. You're not buying this fruit today."
Hearing Wuya's words, Quimo's expression turned cold. She held out until 9 minutes and 40 seconds before bidding again: 180,000 Paradise Coins.
Wuya raised it by another 1 Paradise Coin. Not only was Quimo speechless, but the surrounding contractors were too.
But everyone knew the final buyer of this Demon Fruit would be Quimo.
After the 180,001 Paradise Coin price held for 9 minutes and 55 seconds, Quimo finally couldn't take it anymore and bid again: 190,000 Paradise Coins.
Just as Wuya was about to bid again, a voice rang out.
"Nice acting, you two."
A man in full armor stepped forward. His voice boomed like a bell, and his helmet obscured his face.
Wuya curled his lip, about to turn and curse, but Quimo stopped him.
"Wuya, looks like we've been found out. Our temporary alliance ends here."
Quimo turned and left, ignoring Wuya, whose mouth hung slightly open.
"We almost pulled it off. You son of a..."
Wuya was furious, glaring at the armored man.
The armored man tilted his chin and said, "Take a look at the stall owner's expression."
Wuya looked at Su Xiao and found him wearing an expression that said: 'Please, continue your performance.'
Su Xiao hadn't caught on at first to their back-and-forth act, but Wuya's second message made him suspicious.
Besides, the prices they offered seemed high, but they hadn't reached his expectations. They were exploiting human greed, hoping he'd keep raising the price.
Wuya kept stalling for time, while Quimo was responsible for driving up the price.
"Ruining my plans—this isn't over. And you, I'll offer 180,000 Paradise Coins for this Demon Fruit. Sell it or not, 'you decide.'"
The 'you decide' was deliberately emphasized, the threat unmistakable. With the mask off, Wuya's true nature showed. In the Real World, he'd been a thug, and gaining power had only made his arrogant personality more pronounced.