"Old Chen, what's wrong? You interested in that meteorite too?"
Seeing Chen Shi's unusually strong reaction, Steven couldn't help growing curious.
That was right — the item up for auction was nothing more than a meteorite. No one knew where his father had obtained it from; it had simply been sitting in the Devon Company collection for years.
Truthfully, it wasn't something Mu Jin valued highly.
After all, for a man obsessed with rare stones of every kind, meteorites weren't exactly rare trophies. He already owned quite a few.
This one was slightly larger than average, yes — but otherwise unremarkable.
Which was precisely why it had been placed in the auction lineup.
But in Chen Shi's eyes?
It wasn't just valuable.
It was priceless.
The moment he activated his system scan, a line of data appeared before him:
[Meteorite in which Jirachi is sleeping. Time until awakening: 5 days, 4 hours.]
Chen Shi nearly lost control of his expression.
What the hell…
This wasn't just a rock.
This was the slumbering vessel of Jirachi — the mythical Pokémon said to grant wishes.
Yes, legends tended to exaggerate. But in a movie from his previous life, Jirachi had even summoned a phantom projection of Groudon.
Its power was undeniable.
Most wishes? It could absolutely grant them.
The only downside—
It only awakened once every thousand years.
And stayed awake for only seven days.
Seven days… and then another millennium of sleep.
Chen Shi suddenly felt the situation was absurd.
First he obtained the egg of Victini during the World Championships.
Now he encountered Jirachi's meteorite at an auction?
Wasn't this a little too frequent?
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon just… appearing around him?
Before he could think further, the bidding began.
People interested in meteorites had already started calling prices.
"Ten million!"
"Eleven million!"
The main hall and upper private rooms quickly joined in.
Thirty million.
The price kept climbing.
Even if it had no practical use in battle, collectors adored rare celestial artifacts.
The momentum wasn't slowing.
Chen Shi didn't hesitate any longer.
He picked up the microphone on the table. His voice echoed through the amplifier outside their VIP room.
"Fifty million."
Silence.
Not just because the jump was massive—
But because the bid came from VIP Room No.1 on the third floor.
Anyone with basic common sense knew what that meant.
The Devon Company's premier box.
Whoever sat inside was either absurdly wealthy or politically untouchable.
And with that kind of aggressive opening bid, it was obvious:
They wanted it.
Many collectors instantly withdrew.
No one wanted to offend whoever was inside that room over a meteorite.
Onstage, Lizi blinked in surprise. She knew exactly who was inside VIP Room No.1.
Devon's young master.
And four of the most dazzling prodigies from different regions — all recently making waves at the World Championships.
Especially Chen Shi.
She hadn't expected them to care about a meteorite.
But she recovered quickly, flashing a professional smile.
"VIP Room No.1 offers fifty million. Any higher bids?"
She scanned the hall.
Nothing.
She raised her gavel.
"Fifty million, once—"
Silence.
"Fifty million, twice—"
Just as everyone assumed the meteorite was secured—
A voice rang out from the third floor.
"Sixty million."
Gasps erupted.
All eyes shot toward VIP Room No.4.
Someone dared to challenge No.1?
And raised it by ten million in one breath?
Chen Shi narrowed his eyes slightly.
The voice felt familiar.
But he didn't dwell on it.
This meteorite—
He was taking it.
"One hundred million."
Now even Steven, Cynthia, Leon, and Diantha glanced at him in surprise.
Not because of the number.
But because of his attitude.
Earlier, countless treasures had appeared — and Chen Shi had shown mild interest at best.
This meteorite?
He was determined.
Was there something special about it?
The four of them studied the stone again.
Nothing.
It looked… like a rock.
From VIP Room No.4 came another voice.
"One hundred and ten million."
Chen Shi's eyes sharpened.
"Two hundred million."
A ripple of shock swept the venue.
"Two hundred and ten million."
"Three hundred million."
Dead silence.
The entire auction hall felt like it had been vacuum-sealed.
No one dared breathe too loudly.
This wasn't an auction anymore.
It was divine beings clashing.
Upstairs, Chen Shi understood.
The other side wasn't after the meteorite.
They were targeting him.
And then he remembered.
That voice.
Suzuki Jingming.
The secretary from the Suzuki family.
But the man last time had been frightened half to death. He wouldn't dare act alone.
So someone else was behind this.
Chen Shi let out a cold laugh.
"So you lost face last time and want it back now?"
He felt nothing but contempt for the Suzuki family.
Raising the price?
Fine.
Who was afraid of who?
Steven was sitting right beside him.
Even if Chen Shi couldn't immediately produce the funds, he could borrow.
Steven would absolutely give him that face.
Besides—
Chen Shi's backpack still contained a small pouch filled with Mega Stones.
If he pulled out even one, the Suzuki family wouldn't dare breathe.
And their goal here was obvious.
The final three sets of Mega Stones and Key Stones.
If they kept provoking him now—
Later?
They'd suffer.
…
VIP Room No.4
Inside sat a young man in luxurious attire, barely in his early twenties.
His expression was dark and twisted.
Suzuki Yu.
Beside him, Suzuki Jingming cautiously asked:
"Second Young Master… we still need to participate in the final Mega Stone auction. Perhaps we should…"
Suzuki Yu's jaw tightened.
Veins bulged faintly at his temples.
He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.
They were both from prominent Breeder families.
But Chen Shi eclipsed him in every way.
Breeding.
Battling.
Reputation.
Ever since Chen Shi's rise, his own name had been dragged out by elders for comparison.
And every comparison ended the same way.
Defeat.
Last time, the Suzuki family had lost face to Chen Shi.
Today was meant to be revenge.
Raise the price.
Force him to bleed.
Make him feel it.
But every time Suzuki Yu raised the bid by ten million—
Chen Shi raised it by ninety million.
That calm, effortless tone—
It felt like mockery.
Like he was saying:
Child. Go home and play in the mud.
This game isn't for you.
Suzuki Yu's face burned.
This wasn't about money anymore.
This was humiliation.
And Chen Shi hadn't even bothered to look in his direction.
That—
Was the worst part.
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