526 Billion

"Two billion."

Seeing the price steadily rise in increments of one billion, Song Xiaolong from the National Security Consortium could no longer contain his urgency. He was determined to win the bid, eager to conduct experiments. If the teleportation array was built, humanity could implement new tactical plans, which would be immensely beneficial for the current situation.

After speaking, Song Xiaolong discreetly signaled to the other bidders, asking them to give him this one. It would be a favor, a small human debt owed.

Fortunately, there weren't many first-time bidders. Most of the major families and consortiums from Earthstar City were still in a wait-and-see mode, so the number of participants capable of bidding on the teleportation array was limited.

Seeing his signal, people like Huang Guyuan and Peng Xianyu decided to keep quiet, not out of respect for Song Xiaolong, but because of the National Security Consortium's contributions over the years.

In the end, the method to construct the teleportation array was successfully auctioned for twenty billion.

"Alright, thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. I appreciate it greatly. However, this auction ends here. The next auction will be in three days. If anyone needs Red Fire Ore, please come again," Yu Hewei said with a smile.

With his words, the crowd slowly dispersed. Those who had won Red Fire Ore arranged for their teams, under the supervision of the Iron Fist and Giant Arrow Mercenary Corps, to collect their ore.

Meanwhile, Song Xiaolong rushed to Kent to claim the method for constructing the teleportation array.

After some pleasantries, Kent handed him an encrypted USB drive.

The method for constructing the teleportation array had already been recorded and copied onto the USB. There were only seven copies in total, each with a unique password. Six of them were for auction.

Song Xiaolong quickly took out a laptop from his spatial pouch and inserted the USB. Following Kent's password, he opened one of the encrypted documents, which contained detailed instructions and illustrations.

"Well, it's not that difficult, just a few points to pay attention to. It can be set up all at once," Song Xiaolong nodded. Ideas were already bubbling up in his mind. Although the blueprint was complex, it was manageable. After all, it required eleven thousand Red Fire Ores to construct. It's not something one could memorize easily after just a few glances. As long as there were strict regulations on photography and the time spent in the teleportation array, it could largely prevent replication.

Seeing Song Xiaolong leave with a satisfied expression, Kent found it hard to understand his emotions, nor did he care to. As he looked at the eighty-five billion credit points that had been deposited into his identity ring, he felt an overwhelming sense of sudden wealth.

For a moment, he felt lost. This was the first time in his life he'd seen so much money, and he wasn't sure how to spend it.

"Five more auctions to go. If the price fluctuation stays low, I could end up with five hundred billion," Kent thought, chuckling. "This gives me time to think about future plans. This year's Ranking of Heroes—I'll definitely be the brightest star. As for university, I'm not planning to continue. Or rather, I could apply for early graduation with my current abilities."

After all, Kent was now a First-Star Inspector, and the best senior students in the Inspection program were only at the level of a Probationary Inspector.

"Shockwaves! Red Fire Ore can be used to construct a one-way teleportation array that can transport one hundred to three hundred people up to three hundred miles away."

"Summary of the Red Fire Ore auction: A total of twenty billion low-grade ores and two million medium-grade Red Fire Ore were auctioned, raising sixty-five billion."

"The construction method for the teleportation array had six auction slots, the initial auction price being twenty billion, which was won by the National Security Consortium."

...

The next day, not only Earthstar City's entire network but also the networks of the other thirty-five star cities were in an uproar. People were most focused on the potential of the teleportation array, and the appearance of this array sparked unlimited speculation. Even many strategists and military experts began to weigh in.

However, the teleportation array had limitations. It couldn't be used on a large scale and would only be deployed as a strategic tool.

While humans were in an uproar, Kent paid no attention to the commotion. With his newfound wealth, he bought large quantities of evolution liquid, mostly advanced and even top-tier. These were to feed his three summoned beasts.

Especially Wukong, the Diamond Monkey, whose rank was lower and in need of an evolution. However, Wukong was a Buddhist-style monkey and only ate vegetables. Kent had no choice but to purchase evolution liquid for him.

One bottle of advanced evolution liquid would provide about ten thousand experience points. To accumulate a million experience points, a hefty sum of credit points was required.

Fortunately, with his skyrocketing wealth, Kent no longer cared about the cost.

"Uncle Qian, I want to buy your Storm Combat Technique," Kent said, now that he had the money.

"I knew you'd come right away."

Qian Zhenqian chuckled bitterly. This kid had hit the jackpot with the mine. Of course, to a Four-Star Inspector like Qian Zhenqian, several hundred billion credit points weren't even that much.

Kent had just sold a mine, but Qian Zhenqian owned several alternate spaces, his wealth counted in the trillions.

"Here," Qian Zhenqian handed Kent the Storm Combat Technique. "I don't need the money. You were lucky. If you come across something good in the future, don't forget about me."

It was an investment. Kent had great potential, and his future was incredibly bright. Even reaching Qian Zhenqian's level seemed entirely possible.

Especially since Kent had a connection to the Heavenly Fire Kylin. While not an official backing, it would still provide a level of deterrence.

Kent nodded, understanding the meaning behind his words. Since Qian Zhenqian didn't want anything in return, he couldn't insist.

"Thank you, Uncle Qian," Kent smiled.

After leaving, Kent studied the Storm Combat Technique. During this time, he stayed focused on selling mines and hunting monsters around the area. He'd also invited two Four-Star Inspectors, who not only had immense combat power but also legendary experiences. Constantly learning from them made his progress faster than if he'd tried to figure it all out on his own.

Three days later, the second auction concluded. Thanks to the first auction's success and the incredible appeal of the teleportation array, this time, there were more bidders. The competition was much fiercer.

"The Red Fire Ore auction raised seventy billion credit points. The teleportation array went for twenty-six billion, bought by the Xinhua Consortium from Luoyang City. In total, we raised ninety-six billion credit points."

Kent was overjoyed. The feeling of sitting back and watching the money roll in was incredibly satisfying. The speed at which his wealth was growing was unparalleled, and he had become addicted to it.

However, Kent knew that once the Red Fire Ore was sold out, his daily earnings would disappear.

Another three days passed, and after the third auction ended, Kent's wealth surged by another ninety-seven billion credit points.

After another three days, the fourth auction concluded, and Kent gained ninety-three billion more.

The fifth and sixth auctions followed soon after, bringing in eighty-nine billion and eighty-six billion credit points respectively.

In total, Kent earned five hundred and twenty-six billion credit points from selling the mine and the teleportation array construction method.

"Cough, cough. Finally, it's over." Kent smiled widely, feeling accomplished as he looked at the now-empty Red Fire Ore mine. He felt an immense sense of achievement.

"After paying Iron Fist and Giant Arrow Mercenary Corps fifty million, giving Uncle Li a ten-million credit tip, giving Uncle Qian a ten-million credit tip, sending three million to the Knife Scales Blood Serpent Mercenary Corps, sharing some with my four younger brothers, and covering the costs of advertising, organizing, and the host's fee for the auction, I estimate the total expenses at around four billion credit points."

Kent quickly calculated everything in his mind. After deducting the expenses, he was left with five hundred twenty-two billion credit points.

"With so much money, I guess I'm the richest young millionaire in all thirty-six star cities of Earthstar. What should I do next?"

Kent had been pondering this. With grand ambitions in his heart, he knew that there were plenty of things to spend money on.

"Kent, what are your plans for the future?" Li Wanfeng asked on the way back to Earthstar City.

Kent knew that Li Wanfeng was one of the closest people to him in the world, apart from his loved ones. So, after a bit of thought, he decided to be honest and share his ideas.

"Uncle Qian, my plans may seem distant, but I believe I can achieve them," Kent said seriously, his expression focused. "I want to control other worlds and turn them into humanity's backyard."