On the way to the central venue, Su Xiao noticed that many Contractors were heading in the same direction.
Half an hour later, Su Xiao arrived near the central venue, which was already a sea of people.
Without the mandatory regulations of Reincarnation Paradise, maintaining order on site was nearly impossible, as most lone Contractors were unruly.
"Tickets for the 80th row of the central venue. 500 Paradise coins each, first come, first served."
"50th row tickets for sale, priced at 800 Paradise coins, no haggling."
Several Contractors were selling tickets at the entrance of the central venue. They were selling high-priced tickets, and it was obvious that these guys were ’scalpers.’
Normally, auctions use a deposit system, but the God Emperor Adventure Group and Black Sail Merchant Group took an alternative route by selling tickets.
Those willing to spend hundreds of Paradise coins on tickets indicated that these Contractors had the financial resources to participate in the auction.
If they didn’t have enough Paradise coins, no one would spend hundreds just to watch the spectacle.
Calculating at 1000 Paradise coins per person, if there were 500 Contractors participating, the God Emperor and Black Sail Merchant Group could recoup their costs.
But just the Contractors Su Xiao saw numbered more than five hundred, more than five thousand.
Unfortunately, the ticket revenue couldn’t all go to the God Emperor and Black Sail Merchant Group.
The Reincarnation Paradise took a large portion as tax, and adding promotional and venue fees, the God Emperor and Black Sail Merchant Group could at most break even.
However, the profit from the auction wasn’t from ticket sales but from commissions on the items auctioned.
It was around seven-thirty now, with half an hour to go before the auction started.
The Contractors gradually entered the central venue, and Su Xiao followed the crowd inside.
"Hello, guest, please show your ticket."
A member of the God Emperor Adventure Group stood at the entrance, standing straight with pride, as hosting an auction at Reincarnation Paradise was an honor.
Su Xiao handed over the ticket he got from the Divine Emperor, and the Contractor’s face changed slightly.
"So it’s Mister Bai Ye, please come inside."
This Contractor smiled, indicating that the Divine Emperor had instructed them before.
There was no tacky VIP passage scene; the central venue had only two entrances, the front and the back.
The front door was for guests to enter and exit, and the back door was for transporting auction items, so even if you were VIP, you’d have to enter through the front.
Upon entering the central venue, the venue looked like a large lecture hall, the seating formed a semicircle around the central stage. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
The central venue was lavishly decorated, considering the cost was 20,000 Paradise coins per hour, anything less would be odd.
Su Xiao headed straight for the front row and his seat, number eight.
The seat No. 8 was at the very front, closest to the stage, allowing Su Xiao to see the auction items directly, while those beyond the 10th row could only watch via the big screen.
Seat No. 8 was nicely arranged, with a triple-seat sofa in front of a round table, on which fruits and delicate sweets were placed.
Su Xiao sat on the sofa, and Bubu Wang sat next to him. Nearby Contractors glanced over, as the first 50 seats were not for sale.
"Looks like that Divine Emperor guy made a fortune."
Su Xiao leaned back on the sofa, looking sideways at the many Contractors behind.
Bubu Wang barked, eyes fixed on the snacks on the round table, seeming to ask Su Xiao: ’Can I eat this, or would it be embarrassing?’
Su Xiao chuckled lightly.
"Spent 2000 Paradise coins, why not eat."
Su Xiao picked up a red apple, took a bite, sweet juice, full pulp.
Soul Reaper liked eating apples, coincidentally, so did Su Xiao.
Bubu Wang took a bite of the snacks on the table but lost interest after just a small piece—it was far worse than its usual treats.
The crowd at the venue grew, seat No. 1 was vacant, likely reserved for the Divine Emperor.
Seat No. 2 belonged to the Black Sail Merchant Group’s Boss, a chubby guy with a shiny red face, though friendly in appearance, he was definitely not a benevolent person.
Seat No. 3 was Xiela, showing that power was far more reliable than wealth.
Apart from the first three tables, the other 4–50 had no special significance, just first come, first served.
"Big Brother, this venue’s pretty nice, this time the ’Divine Emperor Boss’ really made a profit."
"You don’t get it; renting the central venue requires high permissions. The ’Divine Emperor Boss’ pillaged a Derivative World and obtained a high-level item before selling it to Reincarnation Paradise, which got them the rental rights."
"Big Brother is wise."
"Second Brother is mighty."
"Third Brother, you’re too modest, you’re also good."
No need to guess, this trio of jesters—looking across the entire Reincarnation Paradise—could only be the National Team Brothers.
The three of them walked valiantly to the front row, their seats were 49.
"Big Brother, that guy’s here too."
"That strongman with the knife."
The National Team trio noticed Su Xiao eating an apple, eager to set up a pose.
After weighing the pros and cons, they obediently sat down; pretending could be costly—they might genuinely die.
"Yo~, look at you, you managed to handle those three so thoroughly."
Xiela spoke, with her brother not around, her poisonous tongue level shot up to MAX.
"Bitch, you don’t know shit."
"Bitch, you totally don’t know shit."
"Bitch, did you forget the ’despair’ when we three beat you up?"
This lack of quality drew attention, and the nearby Contractors watched with interest.
"You three clowns, have you considered that deal? The benefits are great, as long as you come back."
The Divine Emperor approached, stopping Xiela’s venom.
"Divine Emperor Boss, we three are used to going solo, thank you for your past care."
Usually the buffoons, at this moment, the National Team trio became serious, even addressing the Divine Emperor with respect.
"Then forget it, everyone has their aspirations. If you encounter trouble that you can’t resolve, come find me. After all, we were once like brothers, and always will be."
The Divine Emperor stepped forward, patting the shoulder of the National Foot Boss.
"You’ve gotten stronger."
The National Foot Boss scratched his head.
"Built more muscle, seems like I’ve gotten dumber."
Xiela raised a glass of orange juice; she meant nothing else, more like teasing an old friend.
"Xiela pretty as a flower." ×3
The National Team trio spoke in unison; for some reason, this infuriated Xiela.
"Don’t you three have a newbie phase!"
Adjacent to this scene, Su Xiao munched on an apple, watching the show, while Bubu Wang unexpectedly pulled out milk-flavored popcorn.
"Bai Ye, interested in a match after the auction?"
A boisterous shout came, and from the voice alone, it was obvious—it was the combat healer who learned the wrong initial skill.
Su Xiao firmly rejected Crazy Healer’s suggestion; if he had to fight, it should be in the Derivative World, much more thrilling there.
"Really a shame, but I’d prefer to meet you in the Derivative World."
"Then see you in the Derivative World."
Su Xiao and Crazy Healer had clashed before. Although Su Xiao would sell items to the God Emperor Adventure Group, he had personal grudges with Crazy Healer.