566: Give up the competition

For a moment, the attention of the entire auction venue was drawn to Venue 999.

When the number "1.5 billion star coins" hovered steadily on the light screen, after the initial gasp of amazement, everyone in Venue 999 did not look at Li Yang first, but instead, all eyes turned simultaneously toward the two figures at the very front of the venue.

The two Champions sat there quietly, their postures composed and expressions indifferent, as if they were unmoved by this sudden price increase.

The Male Laureate tapped his fingertips against the armrest, his gaze fixed on the light screen, lost in thought, while the female Champion tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with a hint of curiosity.

They made no movements, did not speak, and did not touch the control panel in front of them again, as if they were just patiently waiting for something.

"Impressive..."

In the crowd, someone couldn't help but gasp, whispering in admiration.

"To think he could still bring out 1.5 billion star coins... But looking at it, this should be his limit, right?"

Li Yang, who was being watched by everyone, was not calm inside at this moment.

On the surface, he still sat straight with a calm expression, but only he knew that his palms were slightly sweaty and his heart was pounding in his chest.

1.5 billion was already close to the limit of all the funds he could mobilize.

He calculated quickly in his mind: his savings, the liquid funds he could use, plus the maximum amount he could borrow... even if he bet everything, at most, it would only be 2 billion star coins.

2 billion was his limit, and also his bottom line.

If those two nobles continued to bid, and once it exceeded this number, he could only watch helplessly as the opportunity slipped through his fingers, without even room to struggle.

"Don't increase it any further..."

He prayed silently in his heart.

"Let it end here..."

However, things did not go as he wished.

Seeing Li Yang bid again, the Male Laureate was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, a barely perceptible arc curving at the corner of his mouth.

"See..."

He said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of certainty.

"I said my judgment wouldn't be wrong. A person like him would never fear or retreat just because of our status."

The female Champion also nodded slightly, a flash of appreciation crossing her eyes.

"Indeed, I'm starting to believe in your judgment."

She responded softly.

"He is worthy of being the one who pioneered 'Discipline Inspection and Supervision'... He has courage, strategy, and that pride that refuses to bow down easily."

As her voice fell, the Male Laureate no longer hesitated.

He raised his hand, tapped his fingertip lightly on the light screen, and a calm and clear voice resounded throughout Venue 999.

"Venue 999, VIP 1, bid — 2 billion star coins!"

"Boom!"

This time, not only Venue 999, but even the other venues that were originally just watching the show instantly erupted into an uproar.

"2 billion!? Still bidding, they are really fighting it out now."

"Bidding 500 million at a time! This is no longer bidding; this is burning money!"

Inside Venue 999, when Li Yang heard this number, he was slightly stunned, then exhaled deeply, letting out the last trace of luck in his chest.

2 billion...

This number landed exactly on his limit, and one could even say it had already exceeded the range he could bear.

He knew very well that even if he bet all his money and barely scraped together 2 billion, it would be meaningless.

Since the opponent dared to call out 2 billion directly, it meant they still had the capacity, whereas he had no next move to make.

"Sigh..."

Li Yang sighed softly in his heart, a flash of dejection crossing his eyes.

He knew that from this moment on, this auction had nothing to do with him anymore.

That Potion was, after all, not meant for him.

"Brother Martin."

Li Yang withdrew his gaze from the light screen, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, yet also revealing a bit of detachment.

"It looks like I don't have the fortune for this. I'll transfer the money back to you."

As he finished speaking, he raised his hand and swiped lightly on his personal light screen.

Soon, the huge sum of funds that Lan Xing and Martin had previously transferred to him was returned the same way.

"Sigh, nothing can be done."

Martin looked at the prompts, then looked at Li Yang, eventually just sighing heavily, raising his hand to pat his shoulder, and comforted him.

"Who told us we were unlucky to run into these two nobles."

He spoke lightly, but felt somewhat bitter inside.

He originally thought he could take a gamble with Li Yang and might actually win, but he didn't expect a noble to appear halfway, directly raising the price to a height they could hardly even look up to.

Meanwhile, Qi Yu and Qi Fang, who were on the side, were now completely unable to worry about comforting anyone.

The two of them stared blankly at the string of numbers "2 billion star coins" on the light screen, their mouths slightly agape, unable to close them for a long time.

"Two... two billion..."

Qi Yu murmured, her voice somewhat floating.

"Brother Yang just now... bid up to 1.5 billion..."

Qi Fang's Adam's apple bobbed once, and he swallowed with difficulty.

"I hadn't even seen 100 million before... Numbers like 1.5 billion or 2 billion, I wouldn't even dare to imagine..."

For people like them who had just stepped into the Empire not long ago, levels like 1 billion or 2 billion were completely beyond the scope of their imagination.

The bidding war just now had an even greater impact on them than the Potion itself.

At this time, the entire auction venue also fell into a subtle silence.

The bid of 2 billion was like a heavy boulder, firmly pressing on everyone's heart.

Time passed second by second, and the number on the light screen never changed.

The audience in other venues also gradually reacted.

"It seems VIP 1 has won."

"2 billion, this price is no longer something an ordinary person can play with."

The auctioneer looked at the light screen, confirmed a few times, and seeing no one bidding again, slowly raised the auction hammer in his hand, cleared his throat, and prepared to announce the final result.

"Venue 999, VIP 1, bid 2 billion star coins —"

His voice was drawn out long; according to custom, this was to give one last chance to those who were hesitant.

"Is there anyone else who wants to increase the bid?"

The venue was silent; everyone assumed that this intense auction had come to an end.

Seeing no response, a flash of satisfaction crossed the auctioneer's eyes; his wrist sank slightly, and the auction hammer was about to fall.

Just at this moment, the auctioneer stopped and then shouted.

"Venue 3562, VIP 355, bid — 2.5 billion star coins!"

At this moment, the entire auction venue seemed to be ignited again.

"What!?"

"Someone else is increasing the bid!?"

"Venue 3562? Where did that big shot come from?"

The crowd, who were already prepared to watch the show, were all shocked by this sudden blow and sat up straight abruptly.