Chapter 432: Storm Gathering Wealth

"I know that over the years, you and Mu Chunsheng have had many conflicts, and you disagree on profit distribution. If he truly eliminates our Paradise, he will become the most powerful conglomerate in this city. Who do you think his next target will be?" Pang Shan's voice was calm, as if he were merely stating facts.

Zong Wen pondered for a long time, then began to scrutinize Pang Shan.

"How do we form an alliance?"

"During the upcoming auction, we will take turns bidding high," A glint appeared in Pang Shan's eyes. "For instance, starting from the next round, we will each take turns bidding 1.2 million. If Mu Chunsheng wants to acquire an item, he must bid more than 1.2 million in every round! With over a hundred items up for auction, no matter how wealthy Mu Chunsheng is, he cannot afford to buy every single one at a high price.

This means that among the first fifty items, we can roughly split the majority of them evenly. Even if Mu Chunsheng bids without regard for cost and buys twenty items at very high prices, under such a burden, he will be unable to compete for the remaining dozens of items. Once the number of items he holds is significantly less than mine, and he abandons the idea of competing with me, we can control the quantity and price of our respective successful bids, allowing me to acquire relatively more items. This way, I can secure the most items for the relatively lowest price."

Zong Wen immediately spoke up, "To put it simply, you want me to pay for you, don't you? What benefit do I get from this?"

"We can first sign an agreement that for five years, our two conglomerates will prioritize cooperation and never do anything to harm each other's interests. After I gain the Emissary's friendship, I will use my connection to advance your relationship with the Emissary. This means you can also forge a good relationship with the Emissary for the least amount of money, though it will be slightly later than mine."

Zong Wen considered this carefully for a long time, then shook his head. "That's not enough. In addition, I want several of your Paradise's properties in the lower district, including..."

As time passed, the power struggle between the conglomerates grew increasingly intense. What was initially an auction war involving only Beidou and Paradise, under the strategy of 'vertical and horizontal alliances,' now saw the other three major conglomerates eagerly preparing to join.

Meanwhile, dozens of cars parked outside the Hongchen Hotel. The subordinates of each household, carrying box after box of silver notes, hurried to the banquet hall. It seemed as if they were all rushing to deliver money to Chen Ling.

The five major conglomerates concentrated the most wealth in Hongchen Main City. At this moment, the Hongchen Hotel was like a vampiric octopus in the night, greedily and playfully drawing the wealth of the five major conglomerates into itself, ceaselessly. The banquet hall had become the eye of the storm in the entire Hongchen domain!

In the bustling and volatile atmosphere of the hall, only a golden mask stood indifferently in the center of the platform, looking down at the clamoring scene below.

Chen Ling's second purpose for taking a break was to prompt the major conglomerates to unite. After all, if only Beidou and Paradise participated in the auction, their financial resources wouldn't be enough to sustain frequent high bids, and there wouldn't be much room for manipulation. But if all five conglomerates were involved, it would be different.

Having two people rush to give him money was nothing compared to the thrill of having five people scramble to do so!

As the major conglomerates mostly settled their agreements and the first batch of funds largely arrived, Chen Ling tapped the table lightly with one hand.

Thump!

A pale bolt of lightning flashed outside the window behind him, and a low, unequivocal voice slowly rang out:

"The auction continues."

Seeing this, everyone returned to their respective seats.

"Item number six: the golden vase. Please place your bids."

The golden vase was well-crafted and not light in weight. Previously, it might have fetched a price of over 300,000. The conglomerate directors narrowed their eyes and, after a brief consideration, quickly wrote down their bids.

Five slips of paper were handed to Chen Ling, and he quickly scanned them:1.4 million, 1.4 million, 1.45 million, 1.55 million, 1.6 million.

It was evident that with funds in place and alliances clearly defined, the five major conglomerates' bids had become considerably bolder. But for Chen Ling, it was far from enough.

Chen Ling expressionlessly drew out a slip of paper, displayed it before everyone, and calmly stated:

"The highest bid for this auction is 2.2 million."

What?!

The five major conglomerates were slightly startled; this price was somewhat beyond their expectations. Immediately, they began to suspect the other camps, thinking it might be the opposing party's bidding strategy, or perhaps that their combined alliance made them bolder in their bids.

The five directors began furiously calculating in their minds, pondering what this price implied, while simultaneously planning their next bidding strategies. The atmosphere in the hall became incredibly oppressive.

Chen Ling, witnessing this, naturally chuckled inwardly. Now that all five major conglomerates had entered, and their interests were intertwined, it was the perfect time for manipulation. If Chen Ling wished, he could influence any director's bidding strategy through 'behind-the-scenes manipulation.'

On the surface, it was a game of financial power and psychology, but ultimately, it was merely a money-making scheme orchestrated by Chen Ling, with everyone else dancing to his tune.

"Item number seven..."

Under Chen Ling's inducement, the price for the seventh item reached 2.25 million, then largely stabilized around 2 million. If there were occasional dips that were too low, Chen Ling would no longer deliberately manipulate the price, unless the price dropped below 1.7 million, or if the number of items held by one of the opposing factions became significantly disparate; only then would he intervene to influence the price.

This was a race of financial power. Chen Ling had to ensure that no one fell too far behind, so they would continue to see hope of winning and willingly keep spending money.

As items were sold one by one, the night deepened amid the fervent bidding.

Meanwhile,

"Hiss... Where is this place?"

In a corner of the street opposite the Hongchen Hotel, Jian Changsheng lifted his head from a trash can, his face full of bewilderment.

Beside him, Red Heart 9 stumbled and fell with a plop from a tree branch, covered in leaves and soil and looking utterly disheveled.

"Damn it, that kid threw us at least two kilometers away!"

The two of them got up, dusted themselves off. Jian Changsheng recalled the strange incident that had just occurred and couldn't help but ask,

"What was up with that kid? Did the Emissary bring a child with him?"

"Bring a child? Which child could take me down in a single encounter?!" Red Heart 9 recalled the space that felt like a funhouse mirror which he had fallen into upon entering, and that utterly terrifying little 'cannon punch.' His face was extremely grim.

"That kid has at least seventh-tier strength... No, perhaps even more, most likely eighth-tier!"