Ye Yun woke up to find it was already six in the morning, meaning he had slept for less than three hours. Ever since his abilities materialized, his sleep time had been decreasing. As for his cancer, it was long gone.
The massive improvement in his in-game stats had materialized into reality after he logged out. The sudden surge had been so intense that, even with the game pod significantly reducing the pain, Ye Yun had been writhing in agony. Fortunately, the game pod provided sufficient nutrient solution.
Little did he know that while Ye Yun was still a demolition captain in Wolf City, several major countries that had paid hundreds of billions yesterday on the 'Heavenly Dao Forum' were now furious!
Shortly after midnight, many people had clicked on Ye Yun's earth-shattering, soul-stirring paid post, wondering which other lemmings would be harvested. To their surprise, they discovered that the viewing price had dropped from the original 280 billion US dollars to a mere 100 billion US dollars!
This… what the hell.
Those who had spent over a thousand or two hundred billion US dollars to view the post were instantly indignant. Both in reality and on the forum, they launched an offensive against the initiator of the post titled 'The Strongest King.' Notably, in the United States, many citizens took to the streets, adding a splash of color to the urban landscape.
However…
"Fuck! This damn Chinese bastard, how can they be so shameless! So disrespectful of free market rules! If I find out who it is, I will impose sanctions on them!"
"Investigate! We must find this detestable fellow, I want to stuff his mouth with my Gatling gun!"
"I believe we must issue the strongest possible statement to China, demanding they hand this person over to us!"
In the United States, members of Congress, who were in the midst of a session in the Capitol Building, erupted in curses. Yesterday, the 260 billion US dollar budget had been unanimously approved by a vote of the congressional members. And now, it had inexplicably returned to 100 billion US dollars? Even a massive discount sale wouldn't be this absurd.
Mialo and Taggus stood in a corner, watching their performance. They exchanged glances and let out soft sighs. They were here today to explain the passage of such a large additional expenditure, only to witness this scene. Fortunately, the decision hadn't been made by the two of them.
However, they also knew that the performance of these congressmen was largely for show. Since it wasn't their money being spent, the worst that could happen was a loss of face. Their current behavior was merely to show the general public their stance.
They had initially thought that by paying such a high price for the viewing rights to that information, it would be exclusive to their circle. They never expected the viewing fee for that information to revert to 100 billion US dollars at midnight.
"Order!" Speaker Perodong tapped his gavel on the desk in front of him and then activated the large screen behind him, displaying information directly from the FBO Intelligence Bureau to Congress.
"Just now, we received news from India. They have paid 100 billion US dollars to view it. The current price is… 98 billion US dollars!"
"News from Korea states they paid 98 billion US dollars to view it, and the current price is 96 billion US dollars."
"From Russia…"
Silence…
A prolonged silence…
Hundreds of congressmen stared at the darkened screen, their mouths dry and their throats parched. They were already furious when the price was 100 billion US dollars, and now it was down to 98 billion? A 2% discount, and then further reductions?
A few quick-thinking congressmen began to withdraw from the meeting, exiting the Capitol Hill complex and driving away. They had been so vociferous in their condemnation when the price was 100 billion US dollars, and now that it was even lower, how could they possibly complain? The congressional session was being broadcast live, and the people in their constituencies could see everything. Thus, a perfunctory display was sufficient.
"War! War! We demand China hand over the person and return our 160 billion US dollar price difference!"
"Yes! Sanction them! Through trade…"
The arguments resumed…
Mialo and Taggus looked speechlessly at the congressmen slamming their desks, and turned to leave in frustration. A presentation? To hell with it.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government seemed to sense the changing atmosphere. An announcement was promptly posted on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
---
The Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
"The Chinese are indeed untrustworthy, lacking any sense of contractual spirit!" Prime Minister Johnson rubbed his temples as he looked at the report on his desk, feeling weary.
"Didn't their Ministry of Foreign Relations say that this matter is merely a transaction between private individuals, in accordance with international market mechanisms? And the contract clearly stated that there was no clause prohibiting price reduction," the Deputy Prime Minister said from behind him, frowning.
"Sigh, that's what they say. I imagine the old big brother over there is already in an uproar and might make some demonstrative moves. If they call, tell our subordinates to deal with it casually. Sending out our ships also costs a significant amount of money," Johnson said helplessly. At present, everything was focused on Heavenly Dao, so they had to save where they could. The national strength was no longer as robust as it once was.
---
"Haha… those fools from yesterday! They spent hundreds of billions of US dollars more than us for the same thing! Such a difference of only a few hours, it's clear that our India does business better! India truly is the greatest nation!" The Indian Minister of Defense paid the 100 billion US dollar viewing fee without a second thought and laughed heartily.
"Defense Minister is truly amazing, knowing that if the price is too high, no one will buy. I think you are the truly great one," his assistant said, seeing the Minister of Defense in a good mood and offering a flattery.
"You're mistaken! It's our sacred cow that's powerful! Look, I just had a mixed bath of cow dung and urine yesterday, and precisely at midnight today, luck strikes…"
The Minister of Defense couldn't finish his sentence. He realized that the viewing fee for this information wasn't increasing by 2 billion US dollars every so often like yesterday. Instead, it had become 98 billion, a 2 billion reduction from what he had just paid.
"Damn it!" In his rage, the Minister of Defense threw off his 'Heavenly Dao Ring.'
"Defense Minister, have you viewed the information yet?"
…
At this moment, the heads of the remaining over two hundred countries, along with thousands of tycoons and families internationally, were jolted awake at midnight. They quickly logged onto the 'Heavenly Dao Forum.'
These were all top talents or wealthy individuals in the world. They knew some of the secrets of cultivators and celestial beings, so upon hearing such news, their sleepiness vanished instantly.
960…
880…
640…
Finally, the price stabilized at 30 billion US dollars!
Countless people who were monitoring the view count let out a collective sigh of relief! 52. Deducting the 9 views from yesterday, this meant 43 people had paid to view today. In other words, 8 people had purchased at the price of 30 billion US dollars. Countless people took out their calculators and busily computed the earnings of the post's owner, 'The Strongest King.'
However, reality delivered another severe blow.
When the view count reached 54, the price changed again, becoming 25 billion US dollars. When it reached 64, the price dropped directly to 20 billion!
What was most outrageous was that when the view count reached 74, the price plummeted to a mere 10 billion US dollars!
Starting from 30 billion, the price dropped after every 10 sales!
Instantly, countless important figures couldn't sit still. They scrambled out of their game pods, and with trembling hands, pulled out a cigarette to calm their nerves, then directly dialed the Ministry of Foreign Relations of China…
And in the United States…
A group of congressmen stared with dry mouths at the information transmitted by the FBO, utterly stunned.
However, they had just received a call from the US Secretary of Defense, who said their aircraft carrier was being prepared!
At the same time, India, Japan, the UK, Korea, Germany, and other countries received urgent military hotlines from the United States!