Chapter 38: "World Treasure: The Auction That Shook the Wilderness"

Jiang Chen's words had barely left his mouth, yet the world was already dissecting them.

Philosophers, historians, and scientists across the globe analyzed his statement, debating its deeper meaning.

Some believed he was simply being humble. Others argued that, as a Chinese explorer, his words reflected the natural restraint of his culture.

But the majority of experts agreed—

Jiang Chen's words carried profound weight.

He had explored the depths of human origin.

The depths of human history.

The depths of human knowledge itself.

His sentence wasn't just a passing remark—it was a revelation.

Within hours, his words were being quoted by scholars, dissected in academic papers, and discussed in university lecture halls.

Within days, they were engraved into textbooks, immortalized as a phrase that captured a turning point in human understanding.

Years later, his words would be framed and placed alongside the greatest minds in history—Newton, Einstein, Hawking.

"I just explored the depths of human beings." — Jiang Chen (Explorer).

If Jiang Chen had known how much weight those words would carry, he might have chosen them more carefully.

But right now—

He had more pressing matters.

—

After the media storm settled, Jiang Chen found himself surrounded once again—this time by scientists.

They wanted everything.

The maps.

The images.

Every detail of his underground journey.

"Mr. Jiang, if you could provide precise drawings of the cave system, we could organize an official scientific expedition—"

"Do you have high-resolution images of the murals? We need to analyze them further—"

"Please, Mr. Jiang, any data you can share will help us rewrite history—"

Jiang Chen didn't refuse.

He provided maps, sketches, and photos, knowing full well that no ordinary expedition could ever reach the depths he had.

Without his abilities, his physical endurance, and his mobile storage space—

No one else would make it down there.

Still, he let them dream.

—

Then came the biologists.

They were desperate to examine the glowing plants and creatures he had brought back.

"Mr. Jiang, these species could hold groundbreaking medical properties—"

"Their ability to survive in extreme environments could reshape our understanding of evolution—"

"We must begin research immediately—"

But before Jiang Chen could respond—

A new group swarmed in.

The billionaires.

—

Chaos erupted.

"It's a waste to let scientists have them! I'll pay ten thousand dollars per specimen!"

"Ten thousand? That's nothing! I'll pay fifty thousand for one of the glowing creatures!"

"I'll triple whatever they offer!"

Jiang Chen watched as scientists and the wealthy elite clashed—

One side desperate to study the underground ecosystem.

The other eager to own a piece of it.

"I can't believe this!" a scientist shouted. "These are priceless discoveries! They belong in a research lab!"

"And what, let them rot in a petri dish?" a billionaire scoffed. "These creatures are masterpieces of nature! I'll pay for them to be preserved properly!"

"Science isn't about money!"

"Everything is about money!"

Jiang Chen crossed his arms, observing the chaos unfold.

And honestly?

He didn't mind at all.

Because right now—

He needed money.

And if they were this eager to throw it at him—

Why would he refuse?

Jiang Chen's eyes gleamed as he calculated his earnings.

In just a short span of time, he had made over a hundred million dollars.

And this was just the beginning.

—

His company had sold for tens of millions before, but after funding two high-risk expeditions and purchasing a small private jet, his finances had nearly dried up.

That wasn't even considering his future plans—

He wanted to establish his own logistics company. That required capital.

More importantly, he had an even grander vision—

A trinity institution.

A zoo, a research laboratory, and a museum, all in one.

The ultimate hub for biological discovery.

But that kind of ambition?

It was a bottomless pit for burning money.

And Jiang Chen needed a lot of money.

His family's resources? Out of the question. He had left home long ago and had no intention of asking them for support.

If he wanted to make this dream a reality, he had to fund it himself.

So—

He turned to the easiest solution.

—

Jiang Chen reached into his backpack—at least, that's what it looked like.

In reality, he was accessing his mobile storage space.

With a simple thought, he retrieved a transparent water bag wrapped in black cloth.

A slight smirk tugged at his lips.

"Inside are one hundred small, transparent glowing fish," he announced. "Since they've lived underground for so long, they don't do well with sudden exposure to light. Who's interested?"

For a second, there was silence.

Then—

A frenzy broke out.

"One hundred?! I'll pay one hundred thousand!"

"One hundred thousand? You must be joking! Half a million!"

"I'll pay three million dollars!"

Jiang Chen grinned. "Deal."

—

And it didn't stop there.

He retrieved another bag—this time, containing slightly larger glowing fish.

"This one's different. Still glows, just bigger."

Gasps rang out.

"Wow! It's gorgeous!"

"Honey, I need this! One million!"

"Two million!"

"Four million!"

Jiang Chen smiled. "Deal."

—

One by one, the exotic creatures were sold off.

The bids skyrocketed.

Wealthy collectors, corporate executives, and even scientists competed fiercely, each desperate to claim a piece of the underground world Jiang Chen had uncovered.

In the span of an hour—

His earnings had surpassed a hundred million dollars.

One hundred million.

All from a spontaneous wilderness auction, conducted on the mountaintop, without an auctioneer, without formalities.