Following Babata's directions, the four arrived at the ' Treasure Tower ', which was more than 100 kilometers away.
The so-called Treasure Tower is the largest treasure trading market on Qiu Long Star, covering an area the size of a small city. It can be said that it is an independent mini-society.
" Babata, you must check all these famous paintings and artworks carefully. There can't be any connection between them and their original owners. If the family of the original owner of the Black Dragon Ship finds out, they might cause us trouble," Zhang Junbao said.
"Don't worry, I've checked them all. I've picked out three famous paintings and two other works of art. That's the most I can find."
Selling a small amount can be excused as part of your personal collection, but selling too much will easily arouse suspicion.
These are all works that I have specifically investigated. They have been missing for millions of years, all due to war. Nobody knows where they went.
Just say it was something your family had been keeping hidden, and you brought it along when you came out to gain experience.
This is a common occurrence. Some scions of large families, though supposedly going out to gain experience, might be afraid they can't endure the hardship. So, some elders in the family who dote on them will secretly slip them small gifts. If they slip them money directly, it's easy to get caught, but if they use these antiques and then exchange them for cash, there's less of a problem.
"You're just spoiled brats from a powerful family, the people at Treasure Tower should be familiar with you," Babata said, patting his chest with absolute certainty.
"That's good, let's go, brothers. Today we'll be playboys for once, hahaha..."
Luo Feng was still a little reserved, after all, he had never been a spoiled brat, but Thunder God's mannerisms were incredibly practiced.
He walks with an air of utter indifference, practically wearing several thick gold chains around his neck.
" Thunder God, judging from your appearance, you're not some spoiled brat, are you?" Luo Feng asked curiously.
"Haha, you guys don't know this, do you? Before the Great Nirvana, Thunder God was a rich kid. No one here is more suited to playing the spoiled brat than him," Hong said with a laugh.
" Brother Hong understands me best. When I was young, everything was a wonder to me, and I eventually became fascinated with ancient martial arts culture. Otherwise, you might not have met me."
Senior Brother, are you up to the task? Or I can handle it later. I've hunted down countless treasures, and I'm an expert at dealing with antique dealers!
Although these aliens look strange, they seem to do business much like the people back home.
"Wherever there are people, there is society; wherever there is society, there is humanity. These principles apply even to the universe." Thunder God said with a gleam in his eyes and a smile.
"I think you're just showing off your Universal Language. Fine, I'll leave it to you later. Make sure you negotiate a good price. Whether we can get off to a good start in the universe depends on you." Zhang Junbao wasn't being arrogant. Everyone has their own expertise, Thunder God is good at business negotiations, so he's the perfect candidate.
Of the group, Zhang Junbao was in seclusion for most of the year, Hong was a former Killer, Luo Feng had too little experience in the world, and only Thunder God was the most worldly-wise.
The group of four found the manager of Treasure Tower using the contact information on the business card.
"Distinguished guests, my name is Aokaluo. Please come with me to the VIP room for a detailed discussion."
Zhang Junbao and his three companions finally met Aokaluo, the manager of Treasure Tower. He had an octopus-tentacle-like beard and four orange-yellow eyes on his forehead, revealing a shrewd look. He was clearly a seasoned businessman.
The group sat down in the VIP room.
Would you mind showing us your collections?
Zhang Junbao touched the storage ring on his hand, took out a painting from it, and handed it to Thunder God.
Thunder God examined the famous painting in his hand and said, "In your area, can you find any people who are depicted in these paintings?"
"I'm an appraiser by profession. I can recognize any famous painting from within the Black Dragon Mountain Empire!" Aokaluo.
Thunder God looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and unfolded the painting, saying, "If you can't see the point of this painting, we'll go somewhere else. After all, it's not easy to find people who truly understand art on a place like Qiu Long Star."
"This... this is a masterpiece by Michelangelo, the famous painter of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, from 900,000 years ago?"
Wasn't it said to have been lost in the war?
"This is actually an original! It's unbelievable!" Aokaluo stared intently at the painting in Thunder God's hand.
"Hmm, you have a good eye. So, how much is it worth?"
"5 billion Black Dragon Coin, I'll offer 5 billion!" Aokaluo said.
Without a word, Thunder God rolled up the painting and was about to leave.
"Sir, sir, let's talk this out. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Seeing this, Aokaluo quickly pulled him back.
"Although I smuggled this from my father's collection, don't treat us like fools. Would the old man collect something worth less than 10 billion?"
You only offered 5 billion? Looks like you have poor judgment!
Thunder God's words made Aokaluo gasp. He really was a master of shocking statements! What did he mean by "I won't collect anything under 10 billion?" And he'd taken that from his own pocket!
"I misjudged it and misspoke. When it disappeared, it was already worth 5 billion. How about 12 billion Black Dragon Coin?" Aokaluo quickly said. He could tell that these people's backgrounds were definitely not simple.
"14 billion!" Thunder God exclaimed.
"Sir, you're killing me! Although this painting has been missing for a long time, I really can't triple the price!" Aokaluo pretended to be in a mournful state, with octopus tentacles waving on his face, almost scaring the group half to death.
"One price, 13 billion. Take it or leave it, I'll find someone else."
"Alright!" Aokaluo readily agreed. With such a masterpiece in hand, his status at the Treasure Tower would soon rise.
"I have some more stuff here. You seem pretty good, so name your price!"
Zhang Junbao took out several selected collectibles, lined them up on the table, and Aokaluo was almost stunned.
"Okay, I'll take them all!"
Half a day later, Zhang Junbao and his companions left, satisfied.
Because they didn't have bank cards, Zhang Junbao specifically requested that a new bank card be opened for each of them at the Universe Galaxy Bank, and the transaction was completed.
Three famous paintings and two works of art were sold for a staggering 48 billion Black Dragon Coin!
"Wow, Thunder God, you're putting your newfound knowledge to use right away, even bringing up your dad. I had no idea your father was so powerful," Hong said with a laugh.
"I learned this from my senior brother. When dealing with businessmen like them, you have to pretend that you have a bigger background than them, that you're not short of money at all, but that you can't be ripped off. Money doesn't matter, the important thing is face!" Thunder God said with a smug smile.
"The bank cards here have a spiritual imprint, similar to storage rings. 48 billion, that's exactly 12 billion for each person." As he spoke, Zhang Junbao was about to transfer the money to the group.
"No way, Senior Brother, we can't possibly split these things equally since we got them from you," Hong said.
Luo Feng shook his head. He hadn't done anything from beginning to end, and he felt uneasy about receiving this huge sum of money.
"Here's what we'll do. We need to purchase some items to defend Earth. Let's allocate 12 billion as public expenditure, and I'll keep it for now. The rest, we'll each contribute 9 billion."
You can also buy whatever you need; it's all dug up from the earth anyway, we're all brothers, no need to be shy."
"These are just small amounts of money. We need to quickly strengthen ourselves. Don't be stingy. Buy anything that can help improve your abilities!"
If you're not strong, you'll be slaughtered!
As you all saw when we arrived, the Treasure Tower has a slave market. We've only just taken our first step out of the universe, and we're pitifully weak. We must seize every opportunity to cultivate and become strong in the shortest possible time.
Otherwise, those people in the slave market will be our fate.
"Alright, consider this our starting capital. Becoming strong is the most fundamental task!" Hong said.
Recalling the slave market they had just passed, the Planetary Level slaves were all utterly submissive, their necks chained, being sold like livestock on Earth. Even the Star Level could only accept their fate.
"Let's go to the slave market. Don't be resistant; this is the universe. Now that we have money, we can buy some powerful individuals to take back and protect Earth," Zhang Junbao said.
Luo Feng and the others all nodded. They were not weak and naturally understood that this was reality. Fate has never been fair. If they were not strong enough, they might one day appear in this slave market and become objects to be chosen.
Here, all kinds of slaves are taken, men and women, of all kinds and races. There are Dream Shell Clan girls who look very much like Earth Humans, each with a pitiful appearance that makes people feel sorry for them.
There are also some that look like gorillas, with bulging muscles, extremely ferocious, and look like they're not to be messed with.
Unfortunately, at this point, they were merely commodities on display.
"Gentlemen, these are Tie Luo People. They are all very strong. Although they don't know how to cultivate, their strength is comparable to a ' Apprentice Ninth Rank.' Each one costs only 20 Black Dragon Coin. You can get a discount if you buy more. They are excellent as laborers."
The people at the slave market were enthusiastically promoting it.
The group was deeply shocked.
Apprentice Ninth Rank, also known as High-level War God on Earth.
Only 20 Black Dragon Coin each!
Even their docking fees don't compare to what Zhang Junbao tipped the imperial officials before—enough to buy nearly a thousand!
Only after inquiring about the price did they truly realize just how cruel the universe could be.
Planetary Ninth Rank -level Spirit Reader no more than 100,000.
Star Level First Grade being, powerful enough to sweep across Earth, costs only one million.
The price only increases when Star Level Ninth Grade, requiring 5 billion each.
After discussion, the four decided to purchase four Star Level Seventh Grade Spirit Reader, one hundred Star Level Low Rank martial artists, and one thousand Planetary Level Ninth Grade Spirit Reader.
These slaves, if put together, could easily sweep across the earth countless times.
That only cost 2.3 billion.
"It's a pity we don't have enough money, otherwise we could buy a Universe Level powerhouse and never have to worry again!" Thunder God said.
"It's ridiculously expensive!"
Star Level Ninth Grade already costs 5 billion, and among 100,000 Star Level Ninth Grade, there might not be even one that can break through to the Universe Level, so the price is naturally incomparable.
Universe Level slaves number in the trillions!
"Next, we need to find a transit planet to serve as a second base. In the future, any supplies we purchase can be transported to this transit base first, preventing Earth from being exposed."
I've already registered you for the Virtual Universe Network; all you need to do is purchase the Virtual Universe Connect headset.