Auction Turmoil

Deep within the abandoned Line 3 of the subway system in the western suburbs of Tianhai City.

This place had long been forgotten by the city, leaving only cold steel skeletons, peeling paint, and a perpetual damp, musty smell.

However, at this moment, in the depths of a platform half-buried by massive concrete debris, a deliberately hushed clamor emanated, starkly contrasting with the dead silence of the surroundings.

Several high-wattage mining lamps, casting a dim, flickering yellow light, hung from twisted steel beams, barely illuminating the relatively open space below.

The air was thick with the acrid smell of cheap tobacco, sweat, machine oil, and some kind of chemical solvent.

Dozens of figures, dressed in various ways but all with wary and greedy eyes, stood or sat gathered in this underground black market hub known as the "Weasel's Den."

Among them were lone martial artists with formidable presences, gang members in uniform with fierce gazes, and brokers wearing masks, unwilling to reveal their identities.

At the end of the platform, before a makeshift wooden stage covered with a dirty red velvet cloth, stood the night's main attraction—"Old Weasel."

He was short and lean, dressed in a faded, old-fashioned suit, his sparse hair slicked back in a greasy middle part.

Most striking were his eyes: small, cloudy, yet sharp as a shrewd rat's, darting around the crowd below with a hint of imperceptible calculation and cruelty.

He held a crudely made megaphone, his voice hoarse but penetrating:

"...Next item for auction, mining rights for a newly discovered small vein in the Wild Dog Mine, initial extraction share! Contains raw ore of low-grade Energy Stones, estimated total volume of 150 kilograms! Purity is secondary, but the quantity is substantial! Starting bid, fifty thousand Credit Points! Each increment, no less than five thousand! Those interested, make your bid!"

As his voice fell, a low murmur rippled through the crowd.

Shares in low-grade ore veins held little appeal for true experts, but for low-level martial artists and minor factions, they were tangible, valuable assets!

The cornerstone of cultivation!

In a corner, Lin Xiao leaned against a cold, rust-covered support pillar, his oversized hoodie pulled low, obscuring most of his face, revealing only his tightly pressed, bloodless lips.

His complexion was still pale, residual cold sweat on his forehead, his breathing deliberately light and steady, but every subtle breath sent a dull ache, forcibly suppressed, from his right shoulder and back.

The injuries from forcefully overexerting himself in the arena were far from healed.

His left hand was shoved into his pocket, tightly gripping the bulging prize money bag—it contained eight thousand Credit Points, plus over two thousand scraped together by Fatty Wang selling off his belongings, totaling just over ten thousand.

A desperate chasm separated him from fifty thousand.

But he had to get this share!

It was his lifeline to escape depletion and repair his core!

[Source Energy Points: -1.93].

The dim blue screen in his mind remained faint, covered in cracks, his core like a candle in the wind; every thought process brought needle-like pain.

He dared not use the modifier again lightly; it was like dancing on the edge of a cliff.

"Fifty thousand!" a gruff voice rang out first, from a burly man with a scar on his face and a fierce aura, clearly a leader of some small gang.

"Fifty-five thousand!" from another direction, a martial artist in a leather jacket with a sinister gaze followed suit.

"Sixty thousand!" the scarred brute retorted, unwilling to be outdone.

The price climbed slowly, but not significantly.

Clearly, for this low-grade ore vein, most people had a limited price ceiling in mind.

Lin Xiao's heart sank.

Even at this pace, the final auction price was far beyond his reach.

Just then, a lazy voice, laced with distinct mockery and malice, echoed from the back of the crowd:

"Seventy thousand!"

This bid immediately elevated the price by a notch!

Instantly overshadowing the previous bidders!

Lin Xiao's pupils beneath his hood contracted sharply!

That voice… he recognized it! It was "Viper" Ah Qi!

The top enforcer under Scarface Qiang!

The guy whose leg was broken by a falling beam during their last ambush!

Why was he here?

And… seventy thousand? Would the Blood Wolf Gang even be interested in such a low-grade ore vein?

There was only one answer—he was targeting him!

As expected, after placing his bid, Ah Qi's snake-like eyes pierced through the crowd, accurately locking onto Lin Xiao in the corner with venomous intent!

He even provocatively tilted his chin and made a throat-slitting gesture!

A malicious price hike! Barefaced revenge!

"Seventy thousand! This boss bids seventy thousand! Any higher?"

Old Weasel's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible glint; he clearly welcomed this "unexpected" price escalation, his voice rising a few decibels.

"Sev… seventy-five thousand!"

The sinister lone martial artist gritted his teeth, clearly having reached his limit.

"Eighty thousand!" Ah Qi immediately countered, his voice filled with the glee of a cat playing with a mouse, his gaze still fixed on Lin Xiao.

The sinister martial artist's face turned ashen. He shot Ah Qi a fierce glare, then reluctantly shut his mouth.

Spending eighty thousand on a low-grade ore vein wasn't worth it.

"Eighty thousand! Anyone else?"

Old Weasel's small eyes swept across the crowd, finally landing on Ah Qi with a questioning look.

Ah Qi grinned triumphantly, his gaze provocatively fixed on Lin Xiao, as if to say, You want it, you little bastard? Beg me!

All eyes in the "Weasel's Den" were, intentionally or not, focused on Lin Xiao's corner.

Everyone could see it: Ah Qi of the Blood Wolf Gang was targeting this guy hiding in the shadows!

He was going to push him to his absolute limit!

Beneath his hood, Lin Xiao's breathing quickened. The fingers gripping the prize money bag turned white from the force.

Humiliation, anger, and a sliver of cold killing intent churned wildly within him! But he forced himself to suppress it. Impulsiveness wouldn't solve anything.

Eighty thousand! He didn't even have a tenth of that!

What should he do? Give up?

That meant a desperate situation with depleted Source Energy Points! It meant being at the mercy of others!

The number "Source Energy Points: -1.93" flickered ominously in his mind, like a death knell.

He had to go for it! He could only gamble one more time!

Lin Xiao's gaze, like that of the calmest hunter, rapidly scanned the entire venue.

Ah Qi was surrounded by several menacing-looking thugs, all grinning sinisterly at him.

In the shadows behind Old Weasel stood two silent, imposing bodyguards, their auras restrained and their gazes sharp.

The exits of the "Weasel's Den" were all guarded.

A direct confrontation? A dead end!

The only way to break free… was through Ah Qi!

Specifically, the black personal terminal on his waist, its communication indicator light blinking!

When Ah Qi had bid earlier, Lin Xiao had clearly seen him habitually tap the terminal with his thumb, as if confirming something or communicating.

That was very likely his communication tool with the outside – probably Scarface Qiang!

Disrupt it! Create chaos!

The moment the thought formed, a tearing pain shot through his soul!

The azure light screen in his mind flickered and warped wildly, black cracks spreading furiously!

His core emitted a sharp, dying wail, on the verge of disintegration!

WARNING! Core extremely unstable! Attempting to forcibly modify external precision electronic device (Target: Personal Communication Terminal)... Required Source Energy Points: 0.3! Risk: Extremely High! Failure may result in complete core collapse or abnormal explosion of target device!

0.3 points!

Deducting 0.3 from -1.93 would bring it to -2.23!

The risk was even higher than when he'd detonated Liu Meng's old injury on the arena stage!

Lin Xiao's teeth bit deeply into his lower lip, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.

The fear of annihilation from the depths of his soul washed over him like ice water!

But looking at Ah Qi's arrogant, triumphant face, seeing Old Weasel about to bring down the gavel to announce the winner…

He had no choice!

"Scan and lock onto target terminal! Modification directive: Instantaneous overload of core communication module, triggering strong electromagnetic pulse interference and temporary shutdown! Duration: 3 seconds!" Lin Xiao's will, from the abyss of despair, let out a silent, hysterical roar!

Command received! Source Energy Points deducted: 0.3!

Source Energy Points: -1.93 - 0.3 = -2.23!

Modifying parameters... (Light screen collapses violently! Black cracks instantly engulf the remaining light! Core emits a glass-shattering wail!)... Modification complete!

BOOM—!

A soul-tearing and draining emptiness, even more violent and profound than the last time on the arena, instantly engulfed Lin Xiao like a cosmic black hole!

His vision suddenly went black, the edges of his sight rapidly being covered by heavy red hues and static snow.

A fishy-sweet sensation surged up his throat, but he forcefully suppressed it!

His body swayed violently, his back slamming heavily against the cold iron pillar with a dull thud!

Cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt!

In the real world.

Just as Old Weasel raised the small wooden mallet high, about to bring it down, and Ah Qi wore a cruel smile of a victor—

BUZZ—CRACKLE!!!

An invisible, extremely intense electromagnetic pulse erupted from Ah Qi's waist like a storm!

"Ugh!" Ah Qi's smile froze on his face, then contorted into extreme pain and shock!

He felt as if the personal terminal clipped to his waist had instantly become a searing hot brand!

An indescribable, high-voltage shock-like pain and numbness shot through half his body!

Simultaneously!

"Crack! Zzzt—!"

Sparks of blinding blue electricity burst from the surface of his expensive black personal terminal!

The screen flickered and distorted madly, as if it had a loose connection, emitting a pungent smell of burnt smoke!

Immediately after, the entire screen went completely black, falling into dead silence!

A faint smell of burnt odor wafted through the air.

This sudden turn of events happened in the blink of an eye!

"Damn! What the hell?!"

"The terminal exploded!"

"Enemy attack?!"

Several of Ah Qi's thugs nearby cried out in alarm, instinctively drawing their weapons and nervously scanning their surroundings!

The other bidders in the audience also erupted in an uproar, startled by the bizarre explosion and electrical sparks. They retreated in a panic, and the scene instantly descended into chaos!

"Silence! Silence!"

Old Weasel on stage was also startled by the incident. The wooden mallet in his hand froze mid-air. His small eyes darted suspiciously at the chaotic crowd below, especially at Ah Qi, who was clutching his waist, his face pale, groaning in pain.

Now was the time!

Amidst the chaos, Lin Xiao, enduring the soul-shattering pain and the blurring vision, used the last of his strength to forcefully raise his left hand!

His voice was hoarse and weak, yet it cut through the noise like a sharp blade, clearly piercing the clamor:

"Eighty thousand five hundred! I bid eighty thousand five hundred!"

This bid was only five thousand more than Ah Qi's eighty thousand! Just enough to clear the minimum increment!

The entire "Weasel's Den" fell silent for a moment!

All eyes snapped and focused on the figure leaning against the pillar, his face hidden by a hood, unsteady on his feet, but who had just shouted out his bid!

Ah Qi, clutching his painfully numb waist, glared at Lin Xiao with a mixture of shock and fury, trembling with rage!

He wanted to bid! He wanted to crush this bastard!

But his terminal was destroyed! He couldn't contact Scarface Qiang outside to confirm funds!

Moreover, the intense pain and numbness in his waist made it difficult even to speak!

"You... you bastard..." Ah Qi pointed at Lin Xiao, trying to say something, but his words were broken by the pain.

Old Weasel's eyes flickered.

He glanced at the chaotic situation, then at the clearly incapacitated Ah Qi, and finally at the mysterious person (Lin Xiao) who, though weak, had made a clear bid... As a shrewd broker, he instantly made the decision that best served his own interests – cut the Gordian knot!

"Eighty thousand five hundred! This boss bids eighty thousand five hundred! Are there any higher bids?"

Old Weasel's voice carried a hint of urgency as his gaze swept across the audience.

The chaotic crowd exchanged glances.

Eighty thousand five hundred for a low-quality mineral vein wasn't a good deal to begin with.

Furthermore, the bizarre "terminal explosion" incident felt sinister, and no one wanted to tempt fate.

For a moment, no one responded.

"Eighty thousand five hundred! First call!"

"Eighty thousand five hundred! Second call!"

"Eighty thousand five hundred! Third call! Sold!"

Thump!

The small wooden mallet in Old Weasel's hand struck the table with a crisp sound!

"Congratulations to this boss! The share of the Wild Dog Mine is yours!"

Old Weasel's face split into a merchant's smile as he pointed at Lin Xiao.

The dust had settled!

Lin Xiao's taut nerves suddenly relaxed, followed by an overwhelming wave of dizziness and exhaustion!

[-2.23]! His soul felt completely drained, leaving only endless cold and darkness!

His body swayed, almost collapsing, but he managed to brace himself against the iron pillar behind him.

"Boss, please proceed to the back for payment and paperwork."

A thug in black, expressionless, walked up to Lin Xiao. His voice was cold, his eyes scrutinizing.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand. He pulled the bag containing ten thousand Credit Points from his pocket with his left hand, then fumbled out a few small, unregistered bonds he'd prepared earlier (part of what Fatty Wang had gathered). His voice was hoarse, "The money, it's here.

For the rest... use this as collateral."

The thug in black took the bag and the bonds, quickly counted them, and handed them to a bespectacled accountant holding a calculator.

The accountant pushed up his glasses, his fingers flying across the calculator. After a moment, he nodded to Old Weasel.

Old Weasel narrowed his small eyes and looked at Lin Xiao, "Boss, we're still quite short, aren't we?"

Lin Xiao took out an oil-paper package (something Fatty Wang had procured) from his chest. From a few steps away, he tossed it to Old Weasel, "Add this. It's new stuff from Old Pi of the Black Market, the formula's been improved, and it's got a stronger kick. It'll more than cover the rest."

Old Weasel took the oil-paper package and opened a corner. A pungent smell of sulfur and saltpeter hit him.

He sniffed it carefully, a glint flashing in his small eyes.

He weighed the oil-paper package, then looked at Lin Xiao's weak yet calm demeanor. Finally, he grinned, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow from smoking. "Deal! You're a straightforward boss! This mining vein share is yours! Ah Biao, take this boss to the back to get the certificate!"

A burly bodyguard with a fierce aura walked over and gestured for Lin Xiao to follow, his eyes holding undisguised warning.

Lin Xiao ignored Ah Qi, who was practically spitting fire beside him. He forced himself to stand and followed the bodyguard, walking somewhat unsteadily into the deeper darkness behind the platform, under the gazes of surprise, greed, and apprehension from the crowd.

Every step felt like treading on a knife's edge.

The exhaustion of his soul was like a cold tide, constantly battering his precarious consciousness.

The faint blue light screen in his mind had completely fallen into deathly silence, leaving only the black lines, like abyssal cracks, exuding a desperate aura.

[Source Energy Points: -2.23]!

The price was immense!

But, the mining vein share was secured!