Global Coming: Farming with my sister-in-law in the end times

Chapter 780 A Billion-Dollar Price, the Final Decision Made!
The two of them, speaking in unison, subtly enlivened the atmosphere of the auction.

The female host stood on the stage, taking in everyone's reactions, her face still bearing a professional smile.

After a brief wait, she gracefully raised the auction hammer: "Now, the bidding for the 'Frostcore Eternal Silence Hammer' officially begins."

The starting price is 1 billion, and each bid must be at least 50 million.

With the crisp sound of the gavel falling, compared to the enthusiastic bidding for the previous final lots, the auction seemed to fall into an eerie silence.

No one made a bid, seemingly observing and contemplating something.

For a moment, the huge auction hall was completely silent; even breathing could be heard clearly.

The magic hourglass flowed silently with fine sand on the stage.

And so, half a minute passed...

The female host's smile remained unchanged, because she knew that someone would definitely make a bid for this precious, legendary forging hammer.

Even if you buy it as a collectible, it will never go unnoticed.

The current situation is simply because no one wants to be the first to stick their neck out.

She said calmly, "There are only ten seconds left. If no one makes a bid, then this precious legendary equipment will unfortunately go unsold."

Upon hearing this, a slight commotion finally arose among the crowd below.

A slight commotion came from the corner; some people were talking in hushed tones, while others were stroking the number plates in their hands, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

At that moment, from the shadows at the back row, a mysterious man in black robes suddenly raised a sign, and a hoarse voice came from under his hood: "Let this old man give it a try. I'm just about to have a handy weapon made."

"The frost core on this forging hammer looks good; it could be used to make the core orb for the staff."

As soon as he finished speaking, the forging hammer on the display stand emitted a slight humming sound again.

Its icy hammer body trembled slightly, as if it foresaw the terrible fate that was about to befall it.

However, as soon as the first person made a bid, it immediately triggered a chain reaction, with many people following suit.

A burly mercenary said, "Eleven billion, I'm going to buy this hammer to keep as a collector's item."

Upon hearing this, a powerful figure wielding a greatsword nearby immediately retorted, "Campbell, you're a guy with absolutely no artistic talent, yet you claim to know how to collect things? I bet you're just thinking of reselling them!"

"Heh heh, I won't let you get away with it. I'll offer 1.5 billion crowns!"

The two seemed to have some grudge against each other, and the burly mercenary glared at them angrily, as if he was about to lash out on the spot.

But when his gaze fell on the back of that booth, a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes, and the anger in his heart was suppressed.

This is the territory of the Giant Axe Mercenary Group; causing trouble is strictly prohibited.

Otherwise, they will be punished by the Giant Axe Captain, that legendary powerhouse!

The female host smiled gently and said, "Guest number 47 has offered 1.5 billion... Is there anyone who bid higher?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a series of bids came from all directions.

"I'll offer 1.7 billion!"

"1.8 billion!"

"I'll take it, two billion!"

Prices began to climb at an alarming rate, and buyers who had originally intended to wait and see started to join the fray.

After all, even if this legendary forging hammer is unusable, its value is still immeasurable!
It's worth many people going bankrupt to buy it.

However, when the bid reached the 3 billion mark, the upward trend began to slow down again.

This can be seen from the relic that was auctioned last time.

These mercenaries and nobles have roughly three billion in liquid funds.

Perhaps they also possess many other incredibly valuable assets, such as territories, magical mines, family treasures, and so on.

But it's impossible to gamble everything on a legendary item that can't be used.

It can be said that as long as those mysterious entities on the second and third floors don't make a move, the price will likely reach its peak.

The one who offered 3 billion was a mercenary who looked quite young.

He held up his number sign, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

He could almost see himself acquiring this forging hammer!
However, before he could get excited for long, the next scene shattered his fantasy.

A light shone from the window of VIP room number fourteen on the third floor.

3.1 billion...

When the number appeared, the bidder in the room froze on the spot.

A conflicted look appeared in his eyes, as if he was hesitating whether to continue following.

However, before the bidder on the first floor could react, numbers lit up in another private room on the third floor.

Three billion.2 billion.

Immediately afterwards, numbers lit up in the other private rooms as well.

Three billion five hundred million!
Three billion!

Three and a half billion!

The bidding for these private rooms was equally frenzied.

In the blink of an eye, it had accumulated to five billion.

The person who offered the high price of 5 billion was a mysterious and powerful individual from VIP room number 6 on the second floor.

Below, hundreds of eyes were fixed on the one-way glass of the private room, seemingly trying to guess the identity of the person inside.

At this price, it's practically reached the limit of market expectations.

Even the mysterious experts in these private rooms did not place any more bids.

If it were a usable legendary weapon, you couldn't buy it even for 50 billion, let alone 5 billion.

However, this thing is ultimately a hot potato, and there are very likely only two possible outcomes in the future.

Either it is destroyed, or its core materials are incorporated into other equipment.

Either it will be found by the dwarves and then retrieved.

Time passes minute by minute.

The mercenaries whispered among themselves, discussing the matter in hushed tones.

"Is 5 billion about the limit?"

"Yeah, any higher and it'd be insane... In my opinion, this thing is worth at most three billion. Whoever spends so many crowns to buy it is crazy..."

Before he could finish speaking, another mercenary quickly stopped him: "Don't talk nonsense. These beings up there are not to be trifled with!"

Upon hearing this, the mercenary immediately shut his mouth, a look of lingering fear appearing in his eyes.

Just when everyone thought the item was about to fall into the hands of the seller in box number six.

A number lit up again on the window of VIP room number one on the second floor.

Six billion!
It directly exceeds the price of one billion for Box 6!
The crowd erupted in uproar.

Some of the guests stood up abruptly, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"It's that mysterious expert from VIP room number one! He's made his move again!" someone exclaimed in a low voice.
"That's quite audacious. He spent eight billion to buy that relic before, and now he's spent six billion to buy another collectible."

At this moment, a young man dressed as a nobleman couldn't help but sneer, "This isn't about having guts, it's just being a fool with too much money and nowhere to spend it!"

Upon hearing this, a woman wearing a silver mask beside her coldly said, "You can't just say things like that. What if this mysterious expert has a use for it?"

"Useful? What use is it?" The nobleman curled his lip in disdain. "Is he going to go to the Southern Continent to kill that legendary blacksmith?"

"I think this person has lost his mind!"

However, before he could finish speaking...

A vast aura emanated from the backstage exhibition hall.

A terrifying pressure suddenly appeared like a giant mountain, pressing down on the young nobleman!
"Click...click!"

With a sickening cracking sound, the young nobleman's legs buckled instantly, and he knelt down with a thud!
"what!!!"

A sharp scream echoed throughout the entire venue.

Everyone turned their attention to that direction.

He immediately saw the young man kneeling on the ground, his face pale and contorted with pain.

He gritted his teeth and, enduring the excruciating pain, said, "Damn it, who dares to lay a hand on me..."

"I will make you pay the price!"

Everyone was so shocked by his sudden turn of events that they were speechless.

Just then, a faint voice came from behind the booth: "On my Giant Axe territory, you must not humiliate our distinguished guests from the Giant Axe Mercenary Group."

"Otherwise... there will be no mercy!"

The chilling killing intent contained in the voice sent a shiver down the spines of the young nobleman and the other guests!

Because they all knew who the speaker was!
The leader of the Giant Axe Mercenary Group, the behind-the-scenes controller of this black market, is a terrifying figure with legendary combat power!
After the initial shock, a storm of emotions surged within everyone's hearts!
This powerful legendary expert actually took action because this young nobleman spoke rudely to the guests on the second floor!

As mentioned before, those who can participate in this auction, even just the guests on the first floor, all have extremely strong backgrounds or influence.

However, the other party did not hesitate at all, seemingly ignoring the nobleman's so-called background.

This made them wonder what the identity of the mysterious person in the second-floor VIP room was that made the Giant Axe Captain so protective of him.

At that moment, the young nobleman kneeling on the ground was still gritting his teeth as he said, "My father... is Duke Carona, how dare you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a calm reply came again, "No matter who your father is, you must follow the rules on my Giant Axe's territory."

"However, considering this is your first offense, I forgive your ignorance."

"Take it away."

As soon as he finished speaking, two burly mercenaries emerged from the corner and dragged the arrogant nobleman out like a chicken. Throughout the entire ordeal, the hall was completely silent; everyone was stunned by this swift and decisive action…

On stage, the female host calmly announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the price for the No. 1 VIP room on the second floor has reached a staggering six billion."

"Is anyone else going to raise the price?"

Upon hearing this, the auction house fell into a brief silence.

Twenty seconds passed, and still no one bid.

After all, following the recent incident, they were even more wary of the mysterious existence of that private room, and no one dared to make a bid rashly.

The female host slowly raised the gavel.

If no one bids within ten seconds, then this legendary forging hammer will belong to Cao Xing.

time flies.

Just when the magic hourglass had only five seconds left.

Another astonishing number lit up on the window of VIP room number six on the second floor.

Seven billion crowns!
At this moment, the atmosphere in the venue once again became boiling!

"Gods above! They've caught up again. This guy in Box Six doesn't seem to care about the status of the guy in Box One at all!"

"Of course, those who can get into the private rooms on the second and third floors are no ordinary people."

"Judging from their stances, they both seemed eager to take down the forging hammer."

"There's going to be some fun stuff to watch next!"

Hundreds of eyes scanned back and forth between Box 6 and Box 1, as if one could sense the invisible clash between these two mysterious powerhouses.

As for the nobleman who had just been dragged out, they quickly forgot about him.

……

At this moment, in the private room where Cao Xing was.

Liu Muxue frowned slightly and asked, "Ah Xing, should we continue following them?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Xing smiled faintly, a determined glint in his eyes: "Follow, of course I'll follow."

"After all, this is a legendary forging hammer. As long as we can buy it with crowns, it's worth any amount of money."

As mentioned before, every piece of legendary equipment is unique, and some powerful legendary equipment is priceless.

Treasures of this caliber are rarely traded unless exchanged for items of equal value.

Now, because this forging hammer is bound to the original owner's soul, it has become an unusable collectible, which is why it appeared at the auction.

However... Cao Xing had forcibly removed the soul binding effect of some legendary equipment more than once before.

In other words, now that he has this forging hammer, he will surely find a way to remove the bindings on it in the future.

Cao Xing chuckled and said, "Perfect timing... Harold is still missing a suitable hammer after becoming a legendary blacksmith."

Liu Muxue replied, "Okay, then we'll add another billion."

The next moment, an astonishing figure of eight billion appeared again on the window of the number one private room on the second floor!
A strong sense of disbelief appeared in the eyes of the guests.

Because this figure has already reached the price of the first and final item, that legendary relic!

"This is insane! Another eight billion crowns!"

A noblewoman in an elegant gown covered her mouth and exclaimed softly, "This mysterious expert has spent nearly 17 billion crowns on the first item up for auction!"

"Yes... this person's background is truly unfathomable. I wonder if the person in VIP room number six wants to continue..."

Everyone held their breath, seemingly waiting for the confrontation to escalate further.

A moment later, the numbers on the window of box number six started changing again.

Nine billion!
This number struck like a thunderbolt through the venue!

"They actually caught up!"

"Terrifying! This distinguished guest in VIP room number six is ​​also quite extraordinary; his background has completely surpassed the value of that relic!"

"Yes, the strong person in VIP room number one must be feeling the pressure..."

The group engaged in a heated discussion, speculating whether the price for VIP room number one would continue to rise.

...

...

Inside the private room, Liu Muxue turned to look at Cao Xing, her eyes filled with a questioning expression.

Cao Xing said directly, "Continue, go up to 10 billion."

His voice was very calm, as if 10 billion was nothing to him.

In fact, after learning the value of the legendary secret medicine in his possession, 10 billion was not a large sum for him.

At a minimum price of 20 million per bottle, 1,000 bottles would be worth 20 billion.

If you also include the ones Francesca recently concocted, there are easily one or two thousand bottles of the secret potion, with a value reaching tens of billions of crowns.

Therefore, with such strong financial backing, he was determined to get his hands on this legendary forging hammer!

Liu Muxue nodded slightly: "Okay, Xing."

Her slender fingers began to glide gracefully across the crystal.

The next moment, a number that took everyone's breath away was revealed.

10 billion crowns!

After this number was announced, the venue fell into a long silence.

No one spoke for more than ten seconds.

Their gazes darted back and forth between the two private rooms, their eyes filled with shock and awe.

Even a clash between such powerful individuals, even if it's just a contest of wealth, leaves them feeling suffocated!

The magic hourglass slowly flowed away.

Twenty-five seconds passed, and the time limit for the auction was about to expire, but there was still no movement from box number six, as if they had given up on the bidding.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the final result to be revealed.

When the thirty seconds are up.

The female host took a deep breath and gently tapped the auction gavel: "Let us congratulate our esteemed guest in Box 1 on the second floor for winning this precious dwarven relic—the Frostcore Hammer of Eternal Silence—for 10 billion!"

"This transaction price ranks among the top ten in the history of all the auctions held by our Giant Axe Mercenary Group!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue, mixed with cheers that rose and fell!

And Cao Xing also acquired this legendary forging hammer!
...

...

In the box.

A joyful smile appeared on Liu Muxue's face: "That's wonderful, Ah Xing! Mr. Harold will definitely be very happy to hear this news!"

Even Bai Zhi, who was standing to the side, showed a hint of surprise, marveling at Cao Xing's formidable strength.

After all, spending 10 billion kronor in one go is still quite astonishing.

At this moment, a smile appeared on Cao Xing's lips.

“Not bad... In this way, I have won two of the six final items.”

"The other two items were auctioned by Giant Axe on my behalf."

"In other words, most of the final items in the auction are related to me."

Thinking of this, he nodded in satisfaction again.

……

Below, the female host composed herself and continued, "Next up is the last item in this auction, and also the one that our president considers the most precious!"

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy venue instantly fell silent.

Many eyes turned to the woman on the stage, their gazes filled with intense curiosity and longing.

After all, as the previous host had already mentioned, this item was added at the last minute, and it even pushed the legendary forging hammer to the second-to-last position.

In addition, the hype generated by the Giant Axe Mercenary Group had already fueled everyone's high expectations.

They asked eagerly.

"Beautiful lady, let us see what this rare and priceless treasure is!"

"Yes, we've been waiting for so long!"

"What exactly is it that will broaden everyone's horizons!"

The female host smiled slightly: "Please be patient, everyone. Because this item is extremely large, its presentation will require some time to prepare."

"At the same time, please refrain from any outrageous behavior once the auction items are displayed."

After saying that, she took a few steps back.

Where she had been standing, two circular magic circles, each more than three meters in diameter, suddenly appeared, with complex runes emitting a strong blue light on the ground.

"Rumble..."

A series of strong tremors came, as if some enormous thing was about to rise from the ground.

The chandeliers in the auction house were swaying violently, and the entire building was shaking wildly.

As the shaking intensified, the guests below had to hold onto the armrests of their seats or other objects for support to maintain their balance.

……

(End of this chapter)