As the auction of the first major item concluded, the second major item began to take the stage. Although this second item was not as unusual or mysterious as the first, its value was no less significant.

This second item was a set of heirloom treasures from a European royal family, including a crown adorned with precious gems and several other items like a ceremonial sword, all comprising a royal heirloom collection.

Wu Hao had no interest in these heirlooms from a European royal family centuries ago. Although these treasures attracted bidding from wealthy individuals from Europe and the Middle East, Wu Hao had no intention of placing a bid.

The reason he bid on the first item, an ancient jade compass, was not because the jade itself was particularly valuable. Instead, he was intrigued by the compass’s unique ability to absorb and transform valuable gems into powder.

Therefore, even though the ancient jade compass was only a partial item, Wu Hao did not hesitate to purchase it.

He even planned to buy more gems after the auction ended and return to his country to study how the compass absorbed and transformed gems into powder.

This experiment would undoubtedly be costly. According to the video evidence provided by the organizers, they used a gem worth several million dollars to test the compass’s ability. The gem turned into powder within seconds of being mounted on the compass. Further research would require many gems, making this object precious but somewhat impractical.

Time flew by, and after the second item was sold to a Middle Eastern tycoon for $2.2 billion, the third and final item of the auction was officially presented.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the next item is the final and most special piece of this auction. It comes from outer space and was recently discovered by an expedition team in a jungle in South America. According to our current research, this unusual black meteorite differs greatly from any meteorites previously found in history. It appears to be a crystallized form of energy. Preliminary tests with special instruments indicate that the energy contained in this meteorite is equivalent to ten days’ worth of electricity consumption for the entire United States. Additionally, this meteorite seems to possess the unique ability to alter biological DNA, making it of immense research value.”

The auctioneer meticulously explained the details provided by the organizers. However, this explanation was based on preliminary conclusions drawn by the research team. To fully understand the meteorite, it would take years of dedicated research with current technology. As for its origins and composition, not even Wu Hao could guarantee a complete analysis within a few years.

Currently, he only knew that the black meteorite could be absorbed by him, enhancing his physical abilities.

The research institution that discovered the meteorite lacked the resources to develop its full potential, which is why they sought a buyer. As word spread about the meteorite’s uniqueness, more organizations and institutions became interested, leading to this auction.

Among the interested parties, the most determined were the research institutions affiliated with American financial magnates. In a Western capitalist country like the United States, these institutions effectively represent the American government. The country’s economy and military power are largely controlled by a few wealthy families, each having their own representatives in government.

Thus, the American financial magnates were the most determined to win the auction. Even if the meteorite was not purchased by them, it would not be easy for anyone to leave the U.S. with it.

“The starting bid for the final item of this auction is $2 billion, with increments of no less than $50 million. The auction begins now…” Soon, with the fall of the auctioneer’s gavel, bids started coming in from the upper boxes.

Most bids for this final item came from the upper boxes, while the wealthy attendees seated in the hall below seemed to tacitly refrain from bidding, knowing they could not compete with the financial power of the upper boxes.

After all, the black meteorite was only useful to those with their own research institutions. For others, spending a fortune on it would be futile and potentially dangerous.

Quickly, with representatives from the financial families bidding, the price of the meteorite soared from the starting bid of $2 billion to over $3 billion. The price seemed to indicate that the financial families were not willing to back down.

Wu Hao, observing from below, thought to himself, “It seems there are indeed many interested parties, each more determined than the last. I wonder how high the final price will go. However, no matter how high it gets, I am determined to get it. Even if I have to fight for it, I will get it.”

With this in mind, Wu Hao continued to watch the bidding. After another ten minutes, the price reached an astronomical $4.8 billion, with only two boxes remaining in competition.

The owners of these two boxes were the DuPont family and a representative from a research institution under the Rothschild family. Both families were long-established super-rich dynasties in Europe and America.

The Rothschild family was renowned for its countless global holdings and its total assets were incalculable. No institution could fully account for their wealth, as many of these institutions might themselves be part of the Rothschilds’ empire.

The DuPont family, while less influential globally compared to the Rothschilds, was the oldest family in America.