NOVPUBA starting fund of 10 million StellarCoins was given.
Whatever they dig up can be sold if they choose.
The total value of their money and the treasures they have at the end of the day determines their ranking in the ’Luckiest Person’ challenge.
Before the challenge started, Gwen gave a simple introduction to the rules again, just to give the viewers a clear idea.
After her explanation, Gwen turned to the treasure hunters and announced, "Now, let the competition begin!"
As Gwen said the word ’begin’, the camera immediately focused on a middle-aged man.
He was the first one up, now standing in the circle with a wooden shovel in hand.
The area seemed pretty ordinary, and from the way the circle was drawn, it was evident that it was made hastily.
It was unlikely that treasures would be found so early on.
So, he dug very casually with his first shovel.
But, with that casual dig, he uncovered a fist-sized Night Pearl.
The Night Pearl gave off a faint white light, and the cameras on site quickly moved in.
Gwen also exclaimed, "Wow!!! Fantastic! Congratulations to our contestant Peter. He found a treasure with his very first dig."
"Now, Peter, do you intend to sell this item to the other contestants or keep it for yourself?" Gwen asked.
At this point, all fifty treasure hunters looked at the glowing Night Pearl.
They were all considering the appropriate price.
How much should they offer if they wanted to buy it?
At this moment, the system also informed Daniel of the value of this Night Pearl.
[Item]: Night Pearl.
[Age]: Eighteen billion years ago 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
[Condition]: In perfect condition
[Detail]: A lighting tool from the Atlantis era, housing a product of Atlantean black tech that can maintain a consistent level of brightness without fading.
[Appraisal]: A rare decorative item that may come in handy during exploration or treasure hunts.
[Market Price]: 40,000,000
[Buyback Price]: 37,000,000
A lighting tool worth forty million.
Even in the modern era, the products of Atlantis remain explosive.
Of course, they also bear elements of ancient technology.
Daniel fixed his gaze on Peter, the treasure hunter who found the Night Pearl.
If Peter decided to sell the pearl, Daniel would find a way to get it.
Just this one item could ensure that Daniel wouldn’t be eliminated in the subsequent rounds.
As for the issue of liquidity for buying more treasures later, since he had already ensured he wouldn’t be eliminated, why worry about that?
Under the spotlight and in front of the camera, Peter pondered for a while before shaking his head, "I choose to keep it."
This Night Pearl seemed like a modern tech product, but it was the first thing he dug up.
Even if it wasn’t worth much, he wanted to keep it as a memento.
Gwen nodded with a smile, "Congratulations to Peter for securing the first treasure. Let our treasure hunt journey continue."
Soon, the second treasure hunter began to dig.
Besides yellow earth, there was nothing but yellow earth, not even a piece of iron was found in the shovel.
This was somewhat disappointing for the second hunter.
Peter’s success had led him to believe that even the outermost layer of this area was filled with treasures.
Apparently, that wasn’t the case.
Soon, the first round of digging was over.
All fifty treasure hunters had taken a turn, each with a shovel.
Even Daniel, who had the treasure hunt suit and could dig deeper, found nothing.
Standing on the sidelines, Gwen shrugged slightly in resignation, "This is treasure hunting. Everyone must be prepared for the possibility of finding nothing."
"Now the second round is about to begin. Can Peter bring us another treasure?"
Out of fifty treasure hunters, only Peter struck gold with his first dig.
This lucky streak raised his own expectations for his next dig.
He drove his shovel into the earth and dug hard.
Unfortunately, Lady Luck did not favor him this time, and Peter’s dig was fruitless.
Then came the boring part.
More than twenty people dug in succession but found nothing.
Then it was Hols’ turn.
He used an ill-fitted wooden shovel that seemed ready to break at any moment to dig.
An oddly-shaped stone fell out from the cracks of the shovel.
Hols’ eyes lit up as he quickly picked it up. "What is this?"
Upon closer inspection, the stone appeared even more suspicious.
It somewhat resembled an octopus stone carving, except it had a human face and expressions mixed in.
At first glance, it didn’t seem like much.
However, the more Hols looked at it, the dizzier he became, as if he were stuck in some strange space, unable to escape.
Members of the "Wild Treasure Hunt" crew and other treasure hunters, intrigued, gathered around.
But they left just as quickly as they came.
Some with weaker wills even squatted on the side, dry heaving.
This peculiar situation instantly caught the attention of Taylor, who was standing nearby.
"Could this... be a product of Cthulhu?"
Indeed, it was a product of Cthulhu, the stone carving held a fraction of the power of the Great Old Ones.
Thankfully, it was just a small fraction.
Otherwise, as soon as it appeared, this oasis from Atlantis would have been corrupted.
And those residing in the oasis would lose their sanity forever.
They would either die or become crazed followers of the Old Days, spreading fear and nihilism.
All of this was information provided by the system to Daniel.
[Item]: Great Old Ones Carving
[Age]: Seventeen billion years ago
[Condition]: In perfect condition
[Detail]: A product carved by ancient beings under the control of the Great Old Ones. It is an item used by the Great Old Ones to descend onto Earth. The power residing within it now is minimal, to summon the Great Old Ones, a large number of living sacrifices are needed to restore its original power.
[Appraisal]: If you can destroy it, it is best to do so. Avoid any connection, however minor, with the Great Old Ones.
[Market Price]: 300,000,000
[Buyback Price]: 240,000,000
Is this thing really that terrifying?
Daniel looked at the ’Great Old Ones Carving’ in Hols’ hand.
He had read some classic Cthulhu stories before and was well aware of the allure and horror of Cthulhu.
When the system issued such a warning, he naturally didn’t plan on stubbornly getting involved.
Hols was also in a predicament.
This object was clearly extraordinary, but it felt like a hot potato in his hand.
After some thought, Hols decided that his life was more important.
He couldn’t hold onto this object, even if it meant being eliminated without finding anything.
He held up the ’Great Old Ones Carving’ and announced, "I intend to sell this, starting bid ten thousand StellarCoins."
Selling a found treasure? Even though it was a bizarre item like the ’Great Old Ones Carving’, it still drew the attention of quite a few treasure hunters.
"Fifty thousand StellarCoins!"
"Seventy thousand StellarCoins."
"Ninety thousand StellarCoins!"
"One hundred thousand StellarCoins!!"
Hols was selling the treasure he found, and the treasure hunters below started their bids.
After all, the item was related to Cthulhu, making them hesitate as they placed their bids.
At that moment, Grease Dome stepped forward, his eyes filled with greed as he looked at the ’Great Old Ones Carving’.
"Three hundred thousand StellarCoins! I suppose none of you would have much love for this item, right?"
Daniel raised his hand, "Five hundred thousand StellarCoins."
Daniel didn’t want the ’Great Old Ones Carving’.
The main reason he bid was to drain Grease Dome’s funds.
Grease Dome frowned at Daniel, gritting his teeth as he named his price: "Seven hundred thousand StellarCoins."
Without hesitation, Daniel named his price again: "One million StellarCoins."
Such nonchalance, making his bid without batting an eye.
The other treasure hunters even thought that Daniel was the one who wanted the ’Great Old Ones Carving’ the most.
Grease Dome gritted his teeth.
Each treasure hunter only had ten million StellarCoins in capital.
If he were to spend one-tenth on the first item, it was uncertain whether he would still be able to gain the qualifications from this ’Great Old Ones Carving’.
Just as he was about to give up, Grease Dome’s gaze became vacant, and he emotionlessly raised his hand: "One million five hundred thousand StellarCoins."
Grease Dome was acting extremely odd at that moment.
Even though he was still moving, his body was extremely uncoordinated.
He was lifting his hand, walking in a specific posture, but something just seemed off.
Despite this strange behavior, it didn’t deter Daniel.
Looking at Grease Dome, Daniel cracked a smile, "Two million StellarCoins."
Grease Dome turned to look at Daniel.
The look in his eyes was clearly not his own.
There was a touch of surprise in them, along with an indescribable emotion. Surprise, confusion, and rage!
