Chapter 323: The Girl with a Price Tag
In the end, the fierce dog was sold for 5.26 million Federal Credits.
Su Tao didn’t know who bought it, but she definitely admired their courage.
If it were her, she probably couldn’t handle such a beast. She still preferred cute, cuddly animals that could brighten her mood effortlessly.
The auction’s intensity continued to climb until the tenth auction item appeared, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
The item… was a person—a living, breathing person.
Su Tao pressed against the glass, her mouth slightly agape in disbelief, staring at the girl sitting inside a large metal cage.
The girl had a sturdy build. With her head lowered, her shaved scalp was the only thing visible.
She sat rigidly inside the cage, her body covered with countless thin wounds. Her expression was blank, as if the commotion around her had nothing to do with her.
Su Tao was immediately furious. She turned to the others and demanded, “Is this human trafficking in broad daylight?!”
The Taoyang group was equally stunned, remaining silent.
Qian Rongrong clung to Qian Lin, too frightened to look.
Su Tao’s fingers clenched the glass so tightly they turned white.
The auctioneer, filled with enthusiasm, introduced the item:
“The ‘Raging Girl,’ starting bid: 8 million Federal Credits and 40 crystal cores! Ladies and gentlemen, watch carefully!”
At that moment, someone stepped onto the stage and stabbed a dagger into the girl’s shoulder without hesitation.
Instantly, the girl’s expression twisted in rage. Her eyes flared blood red, and the wound on her shoulder began to swell, quickly spreading across her entire body. Her frame expanded like an inflating balloon, threatening to burst through the iron cage.
Several spectators in the front rows panicked and bolted for safety, plunging the scene into chaos.
Even from their box on the second floor, Su Tao involuntarily stepped back as the girl’s inflated body nearly reached their level.
Just when it seemed she would grow even larger, the transformation halted.
With a low, animalistic growl, the girl gripped the iron bars and effortlessly ripped the cage apart as if it were a strand of noodles.
The first five rows of spectators had completely fled.
Yet, despite her freedom, the girl remained motionless, standing still while emitting heavy, beast-like breaths. She made no aggressive moves.
The auctioneer, clearly pleased with the display, reassured the audience:
“She has been implanted with a control chip. Without authorization, she cannot act on her own. Please return to your seats.”
The audience hesitated for a moment but eventually returned, still trembling from the spectacle.
The auctioneer continued, his voice brimming with excitement:
“Friends from afar, with her, you will have a towering giant as your bodyguard—loyal and obedient. She will do anything you command without resistance or escape. Bidding starts at 8 million!”
Bids came immediately:
“8.5 million!”
“9 million!”
“12 million!”
Su Tao watched helplessly as the living girl was sold for 18 million Federal Credits, treated no better than a commodity.
She wanted to help—but with 18 million, that was nearly all of her liquid assets.
And even if she saved this girl, there were probably thousands of other “Raging Girls” out there. Could she buy them all?
Feeling powerless, Su Tao slumped back onto the sofa, falling into silence.
The following auction items barely held her interest.
One item—a rare plant—caught Wu Zhen’s attention. He stared at it with wide-eyed fascination.
Su Tao, noticing his interest, didn’t hesitate to spend 2.4 million to buy a pot of the peculiar plant called “Venus Flytrap.”
Wu Zhen was ecstatic:
“This used to be common before the apocalypse, but now it’s incredibly rare! And this specimen is in perfect condition—I think I can try to…”
He stopped himself mid-sentence.
For a long time, Wu Zhen had been wondering: Could plants serve more than just food or decoration? Could they become weapons?
His experiments hinted at a possibility—but his abilities were still too weak. He needed to evolve.
With evolution, he was confident he could induce plant mutations—maybe even turn this Venus Flytrap into a man-eating monster.
Such creatures could form a powerful defensive perimeter around Taoyang.
Su Tao tilted her head curiously: “Try what?”
Wu Zhen, not wanting to overpromise, replied modestly, “Just a little mutation experiment to see if anything changes.”
She didn’t press further. For her, spending the money was simply to make him happy—no return on investment needed.
She even asked the others if they wanted anything. As long as it was within her budget, she was willing to buy it.
The group declined—except for Qian Rongrong, who shook her head fiercely:
“No, no, Sister Tao, you should save your money and not waste it!”
Su Tao smiled seriously: “Okay, my little housekeeper.”
Their cheerful banter finally lightened the atmosphere. Everyone tried to forget about the Raging Girl.
At that moment, the auctioneer’s voice suddenly rose with excitement:
“Ladies and gentlemen, the next item will make your adrenaline surge—introducing the latest invention by the legendary ‘Broken Finger Yu’—the ‘Energy Transfer Bracelet!’”
The crowd exploded with excitement.
“Broken Finger Yu is selling something?! No way!”
“Yeah! After that incident over a decade ago, she never auctioned her work again—not even the Long Capital could sway her. How did Xindu manage this?!”
“Just seeing one of her works in person is worth the trip!”
Even Xiao Wenting sat up straighter, his eyes locked on the screen.
The display revealed a simple black bracelet with a crystal slot.
The auctioneer explained enthusiastically:
“Ordinary folks in the apocalypse—have you ever envied those blessed with powers? With this bracelet, YOU can wield abilities too!
By inserting a crystal from an elemental power user—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth—you can experience up to two years of superhuman strength!”
“Not just three days—two whole years!
Friends, this is likely the only piece from Broken Finger Yu in the next five years—your one and only chance to become superpowered!”
“Starting bid: 30 million Federal Credits and 50 crystal cores!”
Xiao Wenting immediately stood up, his usually lazy demeanor replaced by intense focus.
Even Bai Jiayan—still skeptical about the auction’s quality—was wide-eyed:
“I take back what I said… This auction might be chaotic, but the items are no joke.”
