Chapter 431: Alliance and Diplomacy

"Pang Shan actually bid 1.5 million for the very first item... What exactly does he want to do?"

This question simultaneously arose in the minds of the directors from the three major consortiums: Whale Shark, Tripod Deer, and Capital Blooms. They had initially believed this to be a minor auction, primarily aimed at mending their relationship with the Special Envoy. However, it was now clear that events were unfolding in an entirely different manner.

This was sheer madness!

The three immediately realized that Paradise was likely orchestrating everything behind the scenes, specifically targeting Beidou. If so, Mu Chunsheng would certainly not let the matter rest. This major conflict might have only just begun.

"1.5 million, an unexpected price," Chen Ling remarked opportunely. His voice was no longer as chilling as before; in fact, it had become somewhat gentle.

"It seems I misjudged," he continued. "There are still some among you who come with sincerity."

Upon hearing these words, the directors of the major consortiums immediately became more alert. They secretly exchanged glances while inwardly debating whether to join this silent "struggle."

"The second item for auction is the Golden Snake Eye. Please place your bids," Chen Ling's voice resonated once more.

This time, however, before Chen Ling's words had even faded, the Beidou Consortium had already submitted a price that Mu Chunsheng had prepared in advance. After a brief hesitation, the directors of the other consortiums also submitted their bids.

The bids were 800,000, 940,000, 1.05 million, 1.1 million, and 1.55 million.

Unsurprisingly, Mu Chunsheng's bid was the highest of the round. The other consortiums' prices, influenced by the previous round's bid, had also increased severalfold.

Witnessing this, Chen Ling knew his plan had worked.

By modifying the highest bid of the first round, he ensured the initial item remained unsold and discreetly in his possession. However, this price also acted like a bomb, instantly igniting suspicion and fierce competition among the five major consortiums.

The fuse Chen Ling had laid among the five major consortiums was now lit. With just a slight manipulation, he could control the entire auction. If he wished, he could even influence the thoughts and emotions of the directors of the five major consortiums by carefully designing specific details.

How much money could he truly earn relying solely on the intrinsic value of gold, even with the most exceptional sales techniques?

Only by manipulating human psychology could he silently drain them of their blood and wealth.

"The highest bid for this auction is 1.55 million," Chen Ling calmly announced.

At these words, Mu Chunsheng finally relaxed back into his chair, sneering at Pang Shan in apparent provocation.

"Who are you to compare financial strength with our Beidou Consortium?"

As realization dawned, Pang Shan was plunged into unparalleled shock. Feeling Mu Chunsheng's gaze, his heart immediately sank. *Damn it,* he thought, *is his goal to ruin Paradise?!*

Indeed, the two groups had always been at odds. If Beidou gained power, Paradise would be their first target for destruction.

At this thought, a look of grim determination appeared in Pang Shan's eyes. He pulled his subordinate closer, leaned in to whisper something, then looked at Chen Ling on the stage with a solemn expression, as if awaiting the start of the next bidding round.

The third auction concluded with a final price of 1.61 million, secured by Pang Shan. The Beidou Consortium's final bid was 1.6 million, falling short by 10,000.

Chen Ling observed Mu Chunsheng, whose eyes were practically spitting fire, knowing he had successfully ignited the core conflict. In reality, this third auctioned item was merely a pure gold pendant, its value far less than the previous Golden Goblet and Golden Snake Eye, probably only worth around seventy or eighty thousand.

However, with two major consortiums fiercely clashing, the inherent value of the item itself had become irrelevant. In the eyes of the two directors, they were now vying for something far more significant and long-term, and this was precisely the situation Chen Ling had aimed for.

A gold pendant worth just over 70,000 sold for 1.61 million, a staggering 23 times its value! Such a terrifying profit was enough to astound anyone.

Yet, Chen Ling knew very well that prices could not be maintained at this level indefinitely. Pang Shan and Mu Chunsheng were currently caught up in their heated competition, but once they cooled down, the auction prices would gradually decrease. Indeed, if the two developed a sufficient tacit understanding, they could even push the prices down to a mutually acceptable point.

As expected, the price for the fourth auction was only 1.45 million, ultimately secured by the Beidou Consortium.

After winning two consecutive items with high bids, the Beidou Consortium was running low on the bank notes they had brought. Though not a massive amount, it was enough to make Mu Chunsheng calm down. He urged his subordinates to quickly bring more money while staring intently at Pang Shan, wondering what he was thinking.

For the fifth auction, Pang Shan seemed to have noticed that Mu Chunsheng was running low on cash and secured the item for only 1.2 million.

Just as everyone expected Chen Ling to proceed with the next round of bidding, he calmly stated:

"A fifteen-minute intermission."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the five consortium directors immediately became fascinating. Pang Shan and Mu Chunsheng, in particular, exchanged a glance, their eyes glinting sharply as they wondered what schemes were now being hatched.

This fifteen-minute break was naturally not an arbitrary decision by Chen Ling. For one, he had noticed that the consortium directors hadn't brought significant bank notes to the banquet and needed time to raise more funds. Only with sufficient financial power could the subsequent bidding become even more aggressive.

As for the other reason... Chen Ling's eyes narrowed slightly.

In the hall, Mu Chunsheng had his son push him directly towards Su Xiaohong, the director of the Whale Shark Consortium. Seeing this, Pang Shan's expression immediately turned grim. After a moment's thought, he picked up a glass of red wine and slowly walked towards Zong Wen, the director of the Capital Blooms Consortium, who was nearby.

Zong Wen seemed to have grasped Pang Shan's intentions, and his eyebrows involuntarily rose.

"You..."

"An alliance?"

"Oh?"

"That Mu Chunsheng has gone mad," Pang Shan said. "He wants to eliminate Paradise, the biggest threat, before he dies of illness. Given that, I absolutely cannot let him get the Special Envoy's help."

"Interesting..." Zong Wen shrugged. "But why should I form an alliance with you? The Capital Blooms Consortium and Beidou Consortium have cooperated for many years. Strictly speaking, he and I are allies. If he wants to mess with you, what does that have to do with me?"

"You swapped the Rosewood Peace Buddha," Pang Shan countered. "You wanted to use the Special Envoy's influence to kill Mu Chunsheng."

"What?! No! It wasn't me!"

"Whether it was you or not," Pang Shan pressed, "he now believes it was you. Otherwise, given your alliance, do you think he would have gone to Su Xiaohong first?"

At these words, Zong Wen immediately fell silent. He glanced to the other side, where Mu Chunsheng seemed to have already reached a preliminary agreement with Su Xiaohong, whose gaze unconsciously flickered towards them.