Ainiluo approached, all smiles, accompanied by a handsome man with slanted bangs wearing the uniform of a major from the Second Legion.

“Ainiluo, don’t tell me this is the Qian Luobing you mention so often.”

Buxheli gazed at Qian Luobing with interest.

“That’s right. We’re dear sisters.”

Ainiluo smiled brightly.

‘She hadn’t expected to run into Qian Luobing here.’

“Ainiluo, what are you doing here?”

Qian Luobing asked, her expression cold.

“I’m here to buy things, of course. Can’t talk now, the auction is about to begin.”

Ainiluo chuckled and led Buxheli to a nearby seat.

“Miss, what is Ainiluo trying to do?”

Jiang Huai asked worriedly.

“What else could it be?”

Adika snorted.

Even a fool could see that Ainiluo wasn’t here for anything good.

“Ignore them. Today’s auction is very important for us.”

Qian Luobing’s gaze was firm.

‘She desperately needed powerful weapons and equipment to climb higher through the ranks.’

Long Ming sat quietly in the back, watching.

Just then, a smiling man in a black formal suit and tie entered from a side door and walked to the center of the auction stage.

The noisy room instantly fell silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Good evening!”

Malam bowed to the crowd.

CLAP, CLAP.

The room erupted in enthusiastic applause.

“I am delighted that you could all join us for the Star Canon Auction. I now officially declare the auction open.”

“Our first item up for bid is a Level 3 transport ship, in 70% condition. The starting bid is one million Star Coins!”

Malam gestured to the crowd.

A holographic image materialized behind him.

A Level 3 transport ship, battered and riddled with holes, appeared before the crowd.

Upon closer inspection, one could even see the insignia of the Twenty-Seventh Legion spray-painted on the hull.

But the crowd didn’t care about such details. They only cared about whether the price was cheap, and many began to murmur.

“One million Star Coins? That’s a steal! You’d make a profit just by scrapping it for parts!”

“1.1 million!”

“1.2 million!”

…

Long Ming looked at the item for sale, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

‘He could now be sure that Betty hadn’t been lying to him.’

‘This Forty-First Legion really is just a fence. They’ll take anything and sell it.’

But that had nothing to do with him. Long Ming leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and waited for the Mechanical God he had consigned to go on the block.

…

「An hour or so later.」

Malam announced with a chuckle.

“We will now begin the auction for our eighteenth lot: five ‘Destroyer’ units, each at 70% integrity. You may bid on each unit individually. The starting bid per unit is 500,000 Star Coins!”

Long Ming’s eyes opened at the announcement. It was finally time for his items to be auctioned.

“510,000!”

“520,000!”

…

The price began to soar.

Soon, the price was driven up to 900,000.

Long Ming was a little surprised to see the price, which was nearly as high as a brand-new unit’s.

‘But on second thought, it makes sense. This is the front line, and people are desperate for Mechanical Gods. Even at a high premium, it’s better than nothing. After all, you only have one life!’

In the end, all five Destroyers were bid up to 1 million each. After the commission, he would net 800,000 for each one.

This price was even a little higher than what he had gotten when he sold them in the Star Alliance.

“Next is a custom Third Generation Mechanical God, the ‘Shadow Raider’! Although this mecha was sliced in half at the waist, the damage is manageable and the main power core is intact. So bid with confidence! The starting price is five million Star Coins!”

“5.1 million Star Coins!”

…

The officers in attendance bid enthusiastically.

This level of custom Third Generation Mechanical God was something only field-grade officers could typically afford to pilot. Moreover, you needed the right connections; otherwise, there was no way to even acquire one.

Long Ming quietly watched the bidding.

After a fierce bidding war, the price was finally driven up to 10.5 million.

Long Ming was slightly dissatisfied with the price. After deducting the commission, it was less than what he had received in the City of Stars, but it was still within an acceptable range.

“We will now begin bidding on the custom Third Generation Mechanical God, the Fiery Wing! This custom machine was manufactured by the Star Alliance’s own Karenji Heavy Industry Group, meaning its quality and performance are a cut above your standard custom Third Gen. Most importantly, the damage to this Fiery Wing is minimal, concentrated primarily in the chest area. This makes it a true gem among gems…”

Malam presented a holographic image of the Fiery Wing Mechanical God, his introduction brimming with passion.

“Miss, it’s starting.”

Jiang Huai and the others felt their hearts leap into their throats.

“I know.”

Qian Luobing replied with a slight nod.

Meanwhile, Ainiluo’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the Fiery Wing. She turned to Buxheli beside her and said coquettishly,

“I want that Mechanical God.”

“Not a problem. I’ve got more than enough money. If you like it, I’ll buy it for you, no matter the cost!”

Buxheli replied with a smile.

“You’re the best to me.”

Ainiluo hugged Buxheli’s arm gleefully.

“Let the bidding begin! The starting price is five million Star Coins!”

Malam the auctioneer announced to the crowd with a smile.

“5.1 million!”

…

“6 million!”

…

The price for this custom Third Generation machine soared, quickly reaching ten million.

“Miss, the price is so high!”

Jiang Huai and the others began to lose their composure.

They knew a Mechanical God like this would sell at a premium, but they hadn’t expected the premium for a damaged one to be so high.

With a glint in her eye, Qian Luobing raised her paddle and called out.

“11 million!”

The room fell silent.

Auctioneer Malam spoke, a wide smile on his face.

“The lady bids eleven million! Do I hear any higher?”

Seeing Qian Luobing’s bid, Ainiluo raised her paddle with a smile and called out.

“11.2 million!”

…

“11.6 million!”

Qian Luobing bid, her brow furrowed.

“12 million!”

Ainiluo looked absolutely determined to win.

Qian Luobing’s expression grew colder. Although she was unwilling to concede, the price had already surpassed what she could afford.

“Damn it!”

Jiang Huai and the others were furious, but there was nothing they could do.

When Ainiluo saw that Qian Luobing wasn’t raising her paddle, she broke into a victorious smile and said,

“My apologies, but this Mechanical God is mine.”

Seeing that Qian Luobing could no longer afford to bid, Long Ming paused in thought for a few seconds. Then, he leaned over the back of the chair in front of him and spoke calmly.

“If you don’t have enough money, I can lend you some.”

Qian Luobing and her companions turned toward the voice and instantly recognized the speaker: Red Ghost.

“Why would you lend it to me?”

Qian Luobing asked coldly.

“No reason.”

Long Ming replied in a low voice.

‘No matter how I look at it, lending Qian Luobing money to bid is to my advantage. The higher the price goes, the more I make.’

Just then, auctioneer Malam shouted with excitement.

“Twelve million, going once!”

“Twelve million, going twice!”

A triumphant smile spread across Ainiluo’s face as she listened.

She had won the auction.

Long Ming kept his eyes fixed on the stage and said in a hoarse voice,

“You’d better decide quickly. You only get one chance.”

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