I am the Bandit King of the East Sea.

An extra 10,000 Berries? That's really the minimum bid increase they're asking for...

He was quite surprised to hear such a voice from the VIP section.

However, as a seasoned auctioneer, he quickly recovered and read aloud with a smile:

"510,000 for the first time..."

...

In the VIP section.

Sieg's seat was next to that of the shipping magnate Umit, so Sieg's bid naturally reached Umit's ears.

"Only adding 10,000 Berries? What is he planning to do?"

Umit felt deeply that he could not understand Sig’s words and actions.

Chapter 172 The auction scene was exceptionally heated.

What is Sig thinking?

Umit was a little confused by Sieg's idea and glanced around at the VIP seats.

The VIP seats at the front are semi-enclosed cubicles that block the view of the regular seats behind them.

However, these VIP seats are visible to each other, but out of politeness, no one usually stares at others in this setting.

At this moment, Umit glanced at the Celestial Dragon Charmaco Saint in the VIP seats on the other side and had a rough guess in his mind.

This wasn't the first time the Celestial Dragons had attended such an auction.

Many Celestial Dragons have actually frequented various auctions and markets, bidding extensively to purchase all sorts of treasures.

In reality, given the Celestial Dragons' status, even if they forcibly seized the goods, most merchants would have no choice but to kneel down and offer them up with both hands.

However, Celestial Dragons rarely do this.

For them, it's a kind of shopping pleasure, and they generally won't break the rules by snatching things—unless they can't resist.

"Perhaps Sigurd, like the Celestial Dragons, is enjoying the thrill of participating in the auction?"

A thought suddenly arose in Umit's mind.

After thinking for a moment, he coughed lightly and raised his paddle just before the auctioneer was about to announce the sale:

"Five...five hundred and twenty thousand."

Umit's voice was slightly hesitant, but he finally called out.

For someone of his status to haggle over such a price makes him feel a little ashamed and even a bit embarrassed...

The moment he spoke, the auctioneer on the stage froze.

Umet, the shipping magnate, is one of the big bosses behind the auction house; how could the auctioneer not recognize him...?

Moreover, he had seen the auction list in the back office!

This so-called West Sea Hidden Sword was originally an auction item provided by Umit!

"Why did Lord Umit also bid 10,000 Berries higher when bidding for the item he brought?"

"Even if you're a shill, do you have to do it yourself?"

"Just for this 500,000 yuan worth of goods?"

Ignoring his doubts, the auctioneer pretended not to recognize Umit and asked with a faint smile:

"It seems that hidden blades from the West Sea are quite popular."

"VIP number 34 offered 520,000. Is there a higher bid?"

“...530,000.” Sig’s expression was a little strange as he raised his paddle again.

"It's already reached 530,000, is there any more...?"

“Five hundred and forty thousand!” Umit spoke again.

Once raw, twice cooked.

Umit was no longer so embarrassed and regained his composure.

"...550,000."

From the next cubicle, Sig’s voice rang out again.

Umit's lips curled slightly, and he shouted again:

"Five hundred and sixty thousand!"

Is this the fun of participating in an auction?

A fleeting realization crossed Umit's mind, and his expression became slightly wistful.

He, Umit, the shipping tycoon, the dark king of the new world, a giant in the shipping industry, whose business spans the globe.

Over the years, he has amassed a vast fortune and wielded considerable power, earning him the title of "King of Shipping."

But at some point, he lost his original aspirations.

When he can afford everything, he has lost the desire to shop.

But today, he understood.

On this day, the shipping magnate Umit recalled his youthful days as a small businessman.

That was his lost youth.

"The happiest time in a person's life is when they're earning two or three million Berries a month..."

Umit smiled faintly. A rare joy stirred within his usually calm and still heart.

"Is this the level between the Celestial Dragons and Higurashi?"

"Five hundred and eighty thousand!" he raised his sign again.

Despite this shout, Sieg did not immediately raise the price.

He peeked out, his gaze passing over the small partition, and took a deep look at Umit next door, only to see the other man return the look with a smile.

Sieg's feelings at this moment were complex and difficult to describe.

What the hell!

He's still laughing?

Is this shipping tycoon with thick eyebrows and big eyes really messing with me?

This is blatantly acting as a shill for his own goods, and he's even doing it himself!

Sieg immediately recalled the time he first met the Shipping King two days ago.

Thinking about it carefully, there are many suspicious points...

Umit came all the way here, showed Sieg a huge pile of treasures, and then left...

"They came all the way here just to show off to me!"

"As expected of the king of the underworld, his heart is truly filthy!"

Sieg gritted his teeth, and then had no choice but to raise the price again;

"Five hundred and ninety thousand."

Six hundred thousand!

"........"

The bidding for the first item was incredibly intense! The two VIPs were locked in a fierce battle, constantly shouting out astonishing prices that challenged everyone's expectations, leaving the entire audience stunned!

"Did we wander onto the wrong film set?"

"Could I have misjudged it? This weapon called a hidden blade is actually quite powerful?"

"Are they really not deliberately disrupting the order? I want to see the next round of the treasure map auction!"

Not to mention the guests in the regular seats, even the VIPs in the front row frowned, and several people craned their necks to look in the direction of Sig and Umit.

Then, they were also surprised and discussed in hushed, low voices.

"Is that the King of Shipping?"

"And... the owner of the One Piece, Sigurd?"

Now, their perspective has changed a bit.

"Does this thing called a hidden blade have some special meaning? Or some secret that makes it worth fighting over between these two big shots?"

"There might be something fishy going on... I'll offer 800,000 Berries!"

"I'll offer nine hundred thousand!"

"One million!"

The VIPs in the front row were all extremely wealthy and powerful; for them, millions of peso were nothing.

It would be a real shame to miss out on a potentially valuable hidden blade because of a small mistake.

then.

Sig was stunned to see that the hidden blade, with a starting price of 500,000 Berries, quickly reached 1 million after a heated bidding war.

Sieg doesn't have much money on hand right now.

The newspaper has only published two issues, which was just a week ago, so it's not time to split the profits yet.

As for the treasure map, not to mention how much it can sell for, the money hasn't even arrived yet...

But this hidden blade... Sig really needs it.

Looks like we'll have to go all out...

"One million and one hundred thousand!"

Sig finally shouted out this number.

..........