Battle of Three Realms was the exact game Shen Yelan was playing just now with Mo Shiyu and Sun Lili.
The game had launched four years ago as a PC game by a small company called PandaX. At the time, PandaX was practically unknown with no background and no reputation. None of the giant gaming companies in the market had taken them seriously and considered it insignificant.
But then, almost overnight, Battle of Three Realms exploded in popularity.
Its graphics were beautiful, the fighting mechanics were smooth, and the freedom inside the game was ridiculously high. The three realms in the game were the past world, the present world and the future world and incorporated fantasy elements like magic, magical beasts, hidden realms, ancient gods and demons, advanced technology, and cultivation.
Players could freely travel between the three realms, unlock different storylines, complete hidden quests, build factions, and even influence certain events inside the game.
Very quickly, it became one of the hottest games in the country. A year later, the mobile version was released, and the popularity only grew bigger. Then last year, the game officially entered the esports industry.
That was when everyone finally realized how terrifying PandaX's potential really was.
Many large companies tried to buy the game directly, but PandaX refused every offer. After failing to buy the company, many people tried the second-best option and attempted to invest instead. Unfortunately, PandaX publicly announced that they already had investors and had no plans to accept outside funding.
At the time, many people regretted not taking the company seriously earlier. They could only watch helplessly as PandaX's value climbed higher and higher.
Then last year, another shocking piece of news was revealed. PandaX was actually a subsidiary company under Kiaros. The moment that news came out, the entire industry exploded.
Who in the country had not heard of Kiaros?
In just nine years, it had grown from a tiny startup operating inside a basement into a global technology giant with branches all around the world. In the tech world, Kiaros was practically a legend.
After PandaX's connection with Kiaros was exposed, its value instantly skyrocketed several times over.
Then, one month ago, rumors began spreading that Eternal Night Pavilion would auction off PandaX's shares during today's auction.
No one knew whether the rumor was true or false. But even so, countless people still rushed to the Ghost Market today. And sure enough, the rumor had proven true.. They were really selling shares. Fifty percent of them, no less.
It was like a pie falling right into their laps from the sky.
But most of these people weren't really interested in PandaX. Their main target was Kiaros.
The hall below erupted with excitement.
The bidding started fast and climbed faster.
"Eighty million!"
"One hundred million!"
"One hundred and fifty million!"
Inside the private room, Mo Shiyu was practically sitting on needles. He kept shifting around nervously while staring downstairs.
Shen Yelan noticed his restless expression while eating another pastry.
"When are we bidding?" he asked Huo Ziyan.
"Not yet," Huo Ziyan replied calmly, not looking fazed at all by the rising numbers.
Mo Shiyu sat back and resumed vibrating anxiously.
Shen Yelan glanced at him.
"Is this what you came here for today?" she asked casually.
"Of course, everyone today came here for PandaX bidding," Mo Shiyu said as if it were obvious.
"Oh,"
Seeing her flat response, Mo Shiyu shook his head in disappointment. He'd thought that since she played the game, she'd understand how important this bid was. But apparently, he was overthinking it. She was just an ordinary girl who didn't get this kind of stuff.
Right then, Huo Ziyan reached over and took away the plate of pastries Shen Yelan was reaching for.
"You shouldn't eat so many sweets."
Shen Yelan frowned, "Then why did you order so many if we are not allowed to eat them?"
The corner of Huo Ziyan's lips twitched slightly. He had only ordered them all because he did not know what she liked. Who knew this girl would happily eat every sweet thing placed in front of her? He made a mental note not to order everything on the menu next time for this little gluten.
"Stop complaining. Too much sugar is bad for your teeth."
Shen Yelan mentally rolled her eyes and looked down at the stage. "Aren't you going to join? The bidding's almost over."
At this point, the price had already reached three hundred million. The bidding had narrowed to two people from the second floor.
"Wait,"
Shen Yelan raised an eyebrow with interest.
She took out her phone and sent a text message.
"Stop at four."
Slowly, the bidding reached four hundred million. Then one of the two remaining bidders dropped out, and the other came in at four hundred and twenty.
"Do we have anyone who can bid higher than four hundred and twenty million?" the auctioneer called out.
When there was no response, he continued, "Four hundred and twenty million, going once."
Mo Shiyu looked at Huo Ziyan nervously.
Shen Yelan rested her chin on her palm and watched the show.
"Four hundred and twenty million twice!"
"Bid five hundred." Huo Ziyan finally spoke.
Mo Shiyu instantly sat upright like he had been revived.
The corner of Shen Yelan's lips curved into a small smile. If Huo Ziyan had been watching her, he would have noticed the mischievous glint in those gray eyes. But right now, his attention was fixed on the stage.
"Five hundred million!" Mo Shiyu called out.
The auctioneer paused, then his voice echoed through the hall. "The guest in room three has just bid five hundred million! Is there anyone who would like to bid higher than five hundred million?"
Downstairs, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Everyone knew this bid would be the highest of the day, but nobody expected it to reach five hundred million.
Was this small company really worth that much?
Of course, Huo Ziyan's real target wasn't PandaX. Like many others, he wanted to partner with Kiaros. But even after reaching out to them multiple times, he'd never gotten a reply. So he figured he'd use this method to at least get a meeting with them. Getting PandaX was just a bonus. Others might not know it, but he was aware of the potential hiding inside that company.
Everyone looked toward the other room to see if they'd raise the bid again. But in the end, they didn't. Huo Ziyan won it. He'd shown up at the very last moment and snatched it with a single bid.
Shen Yelan had to admit. This was done beautifully.