CHAPTER 377: CHAPTER 78: AUCTION

The news of a Devil fruit appearing in the marketplace spread quickly. As Su Xiao expected, the marketplace was set ablaze by the Devil fruit.

Yet, he never imagined the situation would get this exaggerated.

More than half of the Contractors or workers in the trading market flocked to this vicinity, a sea of people bustling and bustling, with occasional curses ringing out.

"It’s that bastard who touched my chest. You, stand up!"

A female Contractor, blushing, had been groped.

"Don’t step on me, hey, you’re stepping on my face!"

A Contractor who had been pushed to the ground shouted angrily; he simply couldn’t stand up in this sea of people.

At this time, the area around Su Xiao’s stall was filled with Contractors, endless inquiries on pricing, and the auction price continued to skyrocket.

60,000 Paradise coins, 65,000 Paradise coins, 70,000 Paradise coins, 73,000 Paradise coins...

Before long, the bidding price for the Devil fruit reached 123,000 Paradise coins, and the rate of price increase slowed.

It’s not that the Devil fruit is worth 120,000 Paradise coins, but rather that there are too few Contractors with 120,000 Paradise coins in liquid assets.

The bidding price was rising, and the messages Su Xiao received were countless.

’We have pinpointed your location in the real world, hand over the Devil fruit, and we’ll spare your life — An anonymous Contractor.’

’Our Seven Star Adventure Group offers 160,000 Paradise coins, end the auction, let’s trade privately.’

’How about a barter? I don’t have liquid Paradise coins on hand now.’

There were threats, inducements, and many sincere buyers of the Devil fruit, but the offers weren’t high.

Before long, the bidding price for the Devil fruit rose to 150,000 Paradise coins, and for two minutes, no one raised the bid.

Just when no one had bid for five minutes, a female Contractor in a light blue mage robe squeezed to the front of the stall.

The female Contractor took a deep breath, revealing a helpless expression, squeezing through the crowd was too dangerous, she had to guard against being ’ambushed.’

This was a female mage; the dense water element surrounding her made Su Xiao instantly judge that she was a Water System Mage.

The female mage wore no heavy makeup, yet her natural face was equally captivating, giving a sense of fragility and strength.

"Finally squeezed in, these people are too crazy."

The female mage picked up the Devil fruit and nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing her pick up the Devil fruit, Su Xiao raised an eyebrow, it was this woman who offered the price of 150,000 Paradise coins, otherwise, she couldn’t have touched the Devil fruit on the stall.

"This thing suits Old Scar very well, wonder what will happen if he eats this fruit."

The female Contractor smiled sweetly, leaving several Contractors nearby stunned.

"Move aside, if you’re not bidding, no point in squeezing in, have some decency."

A roguish man stepped forward, wearing a brown leather jacket with only two buttons fastened, revealing his chest muscles, several Contractors followed behind him, ready to obey his orders.

Seeing this man, the female mage’s expression changed slightly, her competitor had arrived.

The female mage looked at Su Xiao and just as she was about to speak to him, her body stiffened.

In the female mage’s perception, although Su Xiao was sitting behind the stall, he appeared like a seated Demon God, with a light blue demonic aura wafting from him.

The female mage suddenly had an impulse to turn and flee, thinking to herself: ’What’s with this guy, it’s like I’ve met a natural enemy!’

The female mage’s perception was correct; she had indeed encountered a natural enemy.

"Cui Mo, you’re here too."

The roguish man’s tone was frivolous, his eyes undisguised in desire, like lasers that seemed to penetrate clothing.

Female mage Cui Mo chuckled lightly, she couldn’t control others’ gazes, though displeased, her face betrayed no emotions.

"Crow, are you planning to compete with me?"

Cui Mo’s voice was gentle, and her tone calm, yet faintly conveying an unwavering attitude, she was determined to get this fruit.

"Of course, let me think, has the bid gone up to 150,000 Paradise coins already."

Crow squatted down, nodded smilingly at Su Xiao while sending a message.

’Brother, let’s team up to scam this woman, she killed my good brother previously, it’s a win-win.’

After Crow sent this message, it suddenly reminded him of a movie he had seen, the scene was similar, and he decided to imitate his idol.

Crow bid, and seeing Crow’s bid, Cui Mo felt speechless.

Crow’s bid was: 150,001 Paradise coins.

"Crow, what do you mean by this, your behavior is childish."

The smile on Cui Mo’s face disappeared, she absolutely couldn’t fall behind at this time, she immediately bid 160,000 Paradise coins.

Crow sneered disdainfully and continued to raise by 1 Paradise coin.

Cui Mo put on a helpless expression, seemingly very troubled by Crow.

"You win, the Devil fruit is yours."

Cui Mo’s sudden concession did not bother Crow, dreaming of buying the Devil fruit for 160,000 Paradise coins was simply impossible.

From start to finish, Su Xiao stayed silent, he just needed to watch the performance of these two Contractors.

After a few minutes, Cui Mo seemingly couldn’t sit still and raised the bid again, directly increasing it to 170,000 Paradise coins.

Crow followed closely, adding another 1 Paradise coin.

This time Cui Mo hesitated for a long time, not bidding for several minutes, knowing that the auction would end after ten minutes, and by then Crow would purchase the Devil fruit.

It wasn’t until nine minutes passed that Cui Mo bid again, priced at 175,000 Paradise coins.

Crow smiled smugly, again raising by 1 Paradise coin, simultaneously messaging Su Xiao.

’Brother, share some of the profit after the trade, this woman can go as high as over 300,000 Paradise coins, today I’ll drag her down with 1 Paradise coin increments.’

"Crow, isn’t this going too far?"

This constant raising, especially by just 1, gradually wore down Cui Mo’s patience.

"You killed my brother, today you can forget about buying this Devil fruit."

Hearing Crow’s words, Cui Mo’s expression turned cold, she held out until the 9-minute and 40-second mark before bidding again, 180,000 Paradise coins.

Crow again raised by 1 Paradise coin, not only Cui Mo felt exasperated, but also the surrounding Contractors found it absurd.

Yet everyone knew the ultimate buyer of the Devil fruit was Cui Mo.

After the price of 180,001 Paradise coins persisted for 9 minutes and 55 seconds, Cui Mo finally couldn’t sit still and bid again. 190,000 Paradise coins.

Just as Crow was about to place another bid, a voice rang out.

"Nice acting, both of you."

A man clad in full body armor stepped forward, his voice resonating like a great bell, the helmet completely covering his face.

Crow curled his lips, about to turn and curse, but was stopped by Cui Mo.

"Crow, it seems we’ve been found out, the temporary alliance ends here."

Cui Mo turned and left, ignoring Crow whose mouth was slightly agape.

"Almost succeeded, you..."

Crow was very displeased, casting his gaze on the armored man.

The armored man raised his chin and said, "You might want to look at the stall owner’s expression."

Crow glanced at Su Xiao, discovering that Su Xiao had the expression of: ’Please continue your performance.’

Initially, Su Xiao didn’t notice the duo’s act, but Crow’s second message made him feel something was off.

And the prices they offered seemed high but did not meet his psychological expectations; they were exploiting human greed, hoping to keep raising the price.

Crow timed his bids, while Cui Mo was responsible for raising the price.

"Ruining my plan, this won’t be settled easily, and you, I offer 180,000 Paradise coins for the Devil fruit, whether to sell or not, it’s up to you ’to decide.’"

The ’to decide’ was deliberately emphasized, the threat unmistakable, after tearing down the facade, Crow’s true nature was exposed; he was a thug in the real world, and after gaining power, his unruly nature only became more apparent.