The Thunderclap Buns were as large as watermelons, their snow-white skins flickering with electricity.
Unlike toxic ingredients like Electric Bananas, Thunderclap Buns were completely harmless. On the contrary, they could invigorate the nervous system, making it stronger.
If salt essence was like replacing a carriage with a thousand-mile steed for strengthening nerve signals, then Thunderclap Buns were like building a superhighway.
The auctioneer tapped his small hammer. "Thunderclap Buns, starting bid 6 million Beli!"
"10 million Beli!"
"14 million Beli!"
The starting bid was not high, but the bidding speed was incredibly fast!
This single auction item alone was worth more than all the previous items combined!
Soon, the price stalled at the limit of 18 million Beli. All bidders were sweating, clearly indicating that this price was already the limit for some dignitaries.
A middle-aged man dressed as a noble stood up and asked loudly, "The price of this auction item has exceeded my total cash. Can I use other valuable items for exchange?"
Zhang Wei looked back. The speaker was an old acquaintance.
Lord Claude.
Seeing Zhang Wei's gaze, Claude offered a polite smile and a nod.
The auctioneer hesitated, then discussed with some of the staff behind him.
"Yes, but the final price will be determined by the appraiser."
Zhang Wei rejoiced. These conditions were clearly more favorable to him.
Tam, a four-star chef, must have some rare ingredients in his collection, right?
A merchant, seemingly having anticipated this, raised his number plate. "I offer a commercial street in Crane City, with a total of 42 shops. The market price is over 23 million!"
Earl Claude said, "The Vanishing Immortal Palace is willing to offer its shipments for the next 35 days, with an estimated sale price of over 25 million!"
This method of sale was a great deal for the Vanishing Immortal Palace, essentially getting something for nothing.
Of course, this did not include the Immortal Gourd.
"Thirty million!"
"I offer my service for the next half-year as repayment."
A squid monster wearing a chef's uniform stood up, clearly confident in his worth!
The octopus monster waved its sticky tentacles and cupped its fists towards the surrounding crowd. "Esteemed sirs, please give me, Zhang, some face and let me have this ingredient. I would be eternally grateful."
This octopus monster was ugly, with its four feet joined together, possessing both human skeletal structure and the unique suction cups of an octopus. Its grim face looked extremely world-weary, and its nose drooped like a bag past its chin.
"Who is this guy?"
"He dares to interfere with the auction's normal proceedings, is he not afraid of death?"
"This is a judicial auction!"
"This is the head chef of the Crane City Burger chain, Mr. Zhang!"
"Forget the judicial auction house, even the governor of Crane City gives him some face!"
"The Crane City Burger chain? Damn, that's a real behemoth..."
"But why would a burger chef be interested in buns?"
"Who knows, cross-pollination of ideas? Or developing new dishes?"
The crowd whispered, but for a moment, no one dared to bid.
After all, it was not worth offending such a high-ranking chef for an ingredient.
"See what this item is worth."
Everyone turned to look. The speaker was Zhang Wei!
At this moment, Zhang Wei was holding two bright red fruits, each about half the size of a water tank. Where they passed, they mingled with the mist, causing rainbows to appear.
The octopus's eyes narrowed, and the wrinkles on its forehead deepened.
"Tam Kench."
"It's you?"
"Just a mere four-star chef, and you dare to contend with me?"
Zhang Wei mimicked Tam, baring a huge catfish mouth, and said provocatively.
"Nyah~~~"
Admittedly, his transformed, giant tongue was quite agile.
The octopus spirit was stunned, its face turning even darker.
"Damn it, I'll kill you!"
"Nobody stop me, I'm going to kill this old catfish today..."
"He actually stuck his tongue out at me! I have twenty years of accumulated ink that I haven't had a chance to vent!"
"Nobody stop me!!!"
After much persuasion, they finally managed to seat the octopus.
The attention of the crowd then turned to the two fruits.
"May I ask Mr. Kench, what is the name of these fruits?"
Tam's personality was rather eccentric, and Zhang Wei did his best to imitate his tone.
He said with extreme arrogance, "These are my most precious collections. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them unique in the world! They are the legendary Fruit Treasures, Rainbow Fruits!"
As soon as he said this.
Some showed shocked expressions, while others looked bewildered.
Zhang Wei continued, "This item is also known as the 'King of Fruits.' Depending on the temperature and humidity, it can transform into at least seven flavors. But if your taste buds are sensitive, tasting seventy or even seven hundred flavors is not impossible!"
"But if it's such a legendary item, why haven't I heard of it?"
"Hmph, ignorance is bliss. This treasure is extremely rare, even in the mortal realm. It hasn't appeared for thirty years. Do you know how much effort I put into acquiring it?"
The appraisers exchanged glances. If Zhang Wei's words were true, these two fruits themselves held significant auction value, no less than the Thunderclap Buns.
"Oh, I remember, please wait a moment, everyone."
An appraiser suddenly shouted and dashed backstage like the wind.
Before long, he rushed out again, holding a picture book.
He excitedly shouted, pointing at the book, "Rainbow Fruit, also known as the Treasure of Fruits, is an ultimate delicacy that gathers the essence of fruits. Its flavor is extremely rich and fragrant. Just one drop of its juice can turn an entire swimming pool of water into fruit juice, and a bite can leave you reminiscing for an entire day."
"I heard about this from my master years ago, but I never thought I would see it with my own eyes today!"
The picture book was passed around among the crowd. The fruit in the picture and the written description were exactly the same as the items in Zhang Wei's hand.
This was indeed the Rainbow Fruit!
"This... how should it be appraised..."
"There's no precedent for this item, it's really hard to say!"
"This kind of treasure is no less valuable than the Thunderclap Fruit. If there are two of them... they should be eligible for exchange."
"But we can't wait for another auction, can we?"
As everyone hesitated, Lord Claude raised his hand.
"We, the Vanishing Immortal Palace, are willing to purchase both fruits at a unit price of twenty million!"
"That's forty million!"
The octopus roared, "Mr. Lord, what are you doing?"
"Oh, my dear Mr. Zhang, I am truly very sorry."
"I have no intention of saving the day or confronting you. But these Rainbow Fruits hold great significance for the Vanishing Immortal Palace. If they can be cultivated artificially, the inner layer will have another treasure."
"As the person in charge of the Vanishing Immortal Palace, I cannot stand by and watch it slip away. This would be a grave dereliction of duty!"
For the Vanishing Immortal Palace, which focused on the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, the value of Rainbow Fruits far surpassed that of Thunderclap Buns.
Compared to ephemeral interpersonal relationships, Claude valued practical benefits more.