ID 45538: "Hey! Speaking of big groups, we can't overlook Zhou Yu from our southern district! Our young master Zhou is incredibly generous and never harms other players. He gathers those who are stranded without supplies. In just a few days, using his brilliant strategies, he seized one of our area's signal station shelters. What a powerhouse! I think Master Zhou has what it takes to go all the way!"
ID 451846: "I wonder if there's any chance that ID 1945 might show up? That guy seems loaded. Do you think he'll join the auction??"
ID 123321: "No way! Absolutely impossible!! Even if 1945 has tons of resources, he couldn't possibly afford this kind of auction! After all, everyone else here belongs to large groups, while he's just one person as far as we know. Rich beyond belief? Please. If he wins this auction, I'll eat zombie flesh right in front of you!"
ID 54321: "Exactly! Who does 1945 think he is? At best, he's made a quick fortune selling blankets, and now he thinks he can compete for a gold-tier blueprint? Ha! Don't make me laugh. I doubt he could even scrape together the hundred essential resources needed just to qualify!"
As the chatter continued, the auction began.
Niu Yao, Zhou Yu, and others submitted their deposits, alongside some lesser-known factions, including Chen Du. When Chen Du entered the auction interface, he was surprised to see over a dozen bidders. Clearly, contrary to the chat channels' claims, more people had the means to participate than expected.
The apocalypse had only started less than a week ago, yet many survivors were already banding together for survival. It was possible some individuals also possessed vast amounts of resources, but Chen Du quickly dismissed this thought. His abundance stemmed from the Infinite System—others weren't likely to have such an advantage.
[Dear esteemed bidders, welcome to the Endgame Trading Auction House. We hope each player finds their desired item today. To place a bid, click on the bidding panel. The auctioneer will count to three at the highest bid; if no further bids come in, the hammer falls, and the sale is complete!]
[All essential living supplies owned by participants will be converted into standardized units: one 500ml bottle of water and one 250g portion of food equal one unit of essential resources. If food is insufficient, double the amount of water may substitute, and vice versa.]
Chen Du waited patiently for the auction to begin, as did everyone else, all focused and alert.
[First item up for auction: Gold-tier Blueprint - Fortress Wall. Starting bid: 100 essential resource units. Minimum increment: 10 units. (The auction house will take 2% of the final price as commission.)]
Bidder #1 raised their paddle.
The virtual auctioneer announced in its mechanical voice, "Bidder #1 offers 100 essential resource units."
Soon after, Bidder #3 followed suit.
The auctioneer continued, "Bidder #3 offers 110 essential resource units."
Chen Du, Bidder #8, remained silent, watching the price climb steadily past the 200-unit mark. It seemed poised to reach 300.
Then Bidder #9 stepped in, offering 300 units!
The auctioneer declared, "Bidder #9 offers 300 essential resource units."
Instantly, the public channel erupted with shock.
"Holy crap! Three hundred units?! That's three hundred bottles of water and three hundred portions of food—over a hundred pounds of supplies! How long could someone survive on that?"
"Good Lord, three hundred bottles of water and a hundred pounds of food! This guy must be filthy rich!"
"I recognize Bidder #9—it's Niu Yao!"
"Damn, these big shots are insane. Where do they even get all these resources?"
Meanwhile, Bidder #9 posted in the private auction chat: "This blueprint is mine, Niu Yao's. Anyone who dares challenge me better watch out. If you win it today and I ever see you again, I'll tear your shelter apart and rip you limb from limb!"
Ignoring the threat, Bidder #5 raised their paddle.
Three hundred ten units!
The auctioneer chimed in, "Bidder #5 offers 310 essential resource units."
Bidder #5 then replied in the chat: "Who cares who Niu Yao is? I, Zhou Yu, am also interested in this blueprint. Sorry, but I won't back down."
When Bidder #5 revealed his identity, the public channel exploded once more.
"Holy hell, it's Young Master Zhou!"
"Zhou Yu's the most famous wealthy heir around here! No wonder he can afford over 300 units—that's insane!"
"Young Master Zhou, please let me join your group! Just give me something to eat!"
"Screw off! You think anyone can join Zhou Yu's crew? Look at yourself! Young Master Zhou, I'm strong—I can work for you!"
Zhou Yu could see the admiration pouring in through the public channel and reveled in it. He basked in the envy of others, convinced he deserved nothing less than the best. Nothing—and no one—could stand against him, especially when it came to wealth.
In response, Niu Yao fired back in the auction chat: "You've got guts, Zhou Yu. Consider this feud official!"
Zhou Yu shot back, "If Mr. Niu insists on making this personal, so be it. But don't mistake me for an easy target. Bring it on! As for the blueprint, it goes to the highest bidder."
These two prominent figures, having openly revealed themselves, clashed fiercely in the auction chat.
Chen Du glanced at their names. They were the same two high-profile players mentioned earlier in the public channel. Like the rest of the bidders, he chose to stay out of the drama, quietly observing as the price climbed higher.
Perhaps due to the steep cost or strategic timing, the final bid for Fortress Wall settled at 350 units. And the winning bidder? Zhou Yu.
It was both expected and astonishing—a testament to the immense resources behind his faction.
The virtual auctioneer's voice rang out again: "Bidder #5 offers 350 essential resource units. Any further bids?"
Inside his villa, Niu Yao cursed loudly. His team couldn't afford to bid any higher without jeopardizing their survival.
The auctioneer repeated, "Since there are no further bids, 350 going once…"