The price competition had almost reached a fever pitch, especially for those from the United States. They were so tense that their faces were nearly frozen, and every time someone called out a higher price, they shivered all over. After all, their funds were not infinite.
"You all keep fighting. Even if you get it, after developing the technology for a few hundred years, you'll still lose to a kid from my family wearing a split-pants Hidden Elementers," Fang Jueyu lay comfortably on the sofa, happily munching on fruit, deciding it was better to watch this dogfight than to miss out on the next worthwhile treasure.
This intense struggle lasted for almost half an hour, and finally, those from the United States bought it at a price of 7.6 billion euros per set.
152 billion might seem like a massive figure, but what they had invested into research for this project was ten to one hundred times that number. Letting it fall into foreign hands would be the United States' greatest loss.
The countries that failed to grab the price showed expressions of disappointment, yet they were not utterly hopeless. They believed that although the United States was the largest economy, their money was not limitless. The first two batches of enhancers were mainly designed to deplete their funds. Who among those vying for this enhancer wasn't carrying billions of euros?
It could almost be said that the combined funds brought by attendees at this auction were enough to ignite a terrifying financial storm worldwide!
"I estimate those Americans brought at most 30 billion euros, and now half is gone. We still have a chance in the next round," Jingen Shuuji confidently remarked. With 15 billion euros, grabbing just one set was more than enough for him!
"It's a bit boring!" Fang Jueyu had been sitting for half an hour and was even yawning, "Xiaoyi, help me see how many countries' representatives have come?"
"There are quite a few; almost all developed countries are here, while many other countries have come to stir the pot. Are you sure you want me to tell you all?"
"That's unnecessary," Fang Jueyu said, "But no matter who takes this enhancer, it won't be anything to cheer about!"
The United States, Sun Country, Germany, France, and others, none of these countries invoked any positive feelings in him. As for England, perhaps there was a historical friendship with their royal family, but only at that level. As for their government, Fang Jue remembered well that they had a hand in past events.
"Is there anyone with relatively good relations with Huaxia?"
"Yes, quite a few—Israel, Pakistan, and Ukraine have sent people, but they don't bring enough money even for a down payment!"
"Oh?" A slight curve appeared at the corner of Fang Jueyu's mouth, "This just got a lot more interesting!"
The auction continued. With so much buzz online, Fang Jueyu felt it inappropriate to monopolize the scene. He refrained from bidding on items of low value or little interest, opting instead for the exquisite pieces worth millions of euros.
A diamond named "Pink Blossom," weighing 71.2 carats, was purchased by Fang Jueyu for 170 million euros.
A painting by Michel Basquiat, valued at 185 million euros.
A bronze sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, sold for 150 million euros.
Among the next 30 offerings, Fang Jueyu bought 14 items, the cheapest of which were more than 90 million euros.
The most intriguing piece was a saber once belonging to Napoleon! His Crowning Sword is a national relic stored in a state museum and definitely not for sale.
This dagger was a backup, with a largest diamond of 102 carats and over twenty smaller, yet substantial diamonds embedded in the hilt. Along with the bloodstone and tortoiseshell, it was a ridiculously opulent ceremonial item.
Several people from France tried their hardest, but in terms of financial resources, the whole country couldn't compare. How could they possibly outperform him?
This short sword was won by Fang Jueyu for a staggering 8.7 billion euros, surprising everyone, showing Fang Jueyu wasn't lacking the money to compete for the DSB-003 enhancer. He simply had no interest!
"Awesome! You've brought in a national treasure-level item?" Wang Cong laughed with glee. Decades ago, French robbers had seen countless Huaxia treasures fall into their hands, with some even displayed in museums.
Now, Fang Jueyu had reclaimed their national treasure, serving poetic justice!
"What a pity. If I could get Napoleon's Crowning Sword, that'd be something!" Fang Jueyu said, "I hear this saber is quite sharp. I'll have my chef use it at home for chopping ingredients! Such a good knife, isn't it perfect for cutting ribs?"
"Right, and what about the Sun Country's katana or the three Divine Artifacts swords? Keeping them in a shrine is a waste. Better use them to slice food!"
"You really dare to dream!" Wang Cong believed that if such items were ever up for sale, Fang Jueyu would buy them to chop pig bones!
"Here we go, they're selling that dumb enhancer again!" Wang Cong gestured towards Fang Jueyu. No matter how expensive the item, if there's no competition, it's not fun. Yet, when the bidding's intense, watching dogs fight over a bone is amusing!
As another cart was pushed onto the auction stage, the atmosphere heated up again.
"Are you done? I was just a hair away from buying it! If we lose this opportunity, you in the finance department are in trouble!"
"What? We're out of money? What about all that government revenue?"
"Let it go, Adubos. Our nation's financial capability can't match theirs!"
Pakistan was just a small country, their funds barely sustaining the operation of state machinery. Even if they wanted a piece of this, they lacked the capability!
"Alas, our nation is too weak in this area of research. We had a one-in-ten-thousand chance, but we were too naive." Adubos shook his head, wearing a bitter smile.
Suddenly, the communicator one of them carried vibrated, and he picked it up in confusion. It was a temporary device, and no one but top national figures knew its code.
"This... Adubos!" He stammered and widened his eyes in shock, "Someone transferred 30 billion euros into our account!"
"What?" Adubos grabbed the communicator. The message came directly from their finance ministry. Someone had just transferred 30 billion euros into their national account via a Swiss bank!
All these funds were at their disposal, and their one task was to do everything possible to bring the enhancer back!
"Who could it be?" Adubos's hands trembled as if he felt some intervention from above. Their nation had only given them 5 billion euros, yet this 30 billion came from a private account!
"Could it be some national magnate?" guessed Adubos, "But who could afford this?"
"Adubos, there's more news!" He handed over the communicator.
The communicator displayed a brief message: Ba Tie, I can only help you this far!