Versatile Mage: Lord of the Styx, but Lord of the Living

Chapter 149 The room reeks of vinegar; enjoying the bliss of having two wives!
The two chatted amiably, and just before the auction was about to begin, Lu Ran brought up one last thing:

"Eileen, is your family interested in fire-attribute elemental crystals?"

Eileen's beautiful eyes lit up, and she smiled and said:

"These elemental crystals, possessing specific attributes, can not only be used to create speed-control magic artifacts effective for high-level mages, but also greatly benefit the cultivation of fire mages. Their value is immense."

"Lu Ran, if you really have fire-attribute elemental crystals, the Victoria family will take as many as you have."

Lu Ran smiled. Of course he knew the value of Yuan Crystals, and he said this only to give the other party something to look forward to.

The calamity of fire is about to strike Dunhuang, and at that time, the place will be covered with gold.

Countless fire-attribute elemental crystals will also fall from the Starry Sky Tree.
Before leaving, Lu Ran and Eileen exchanged contact information; international calls were possible.

On the way back, Zhao Manyan and Mo Fan stared at Lu Ran with envy and jealousy in their eyes.

"Ran-ge, have you met Grand Duchess Eileen before?" Zhao Manyan asked unwillingly, as he was truly shocked by the scene of Lu Ran and Eileen chatting happily.

"This is truly the first time I've seen this before," Lu Ran said sincerely.

Zhao Manyan found it even more unacceptable.

That's Eileen!

The Grand Duke of the Victoria family, a true nobleman.

In terms of status, position, and cultivation, she is far superior to those young ladies from prominent families in Shanghai!
How come you two are chatting so happily on your first meeting?
Aristocratic manners? That can't be!

Lu Ran then parted ways with Zhao Manyan and Mo Fan and went to the private room opened by Mu Nujiao.

When Lu Ran arrived, the auction had just begun.

Inside the private room were Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu.

Lu Ran, staring directly at the auctioneer giving a vivid presentation on stage, suddenly blurted out:

Where is Xinxia?

Mu Nujiao remained silent, but Ai Tutu's eyes darted around before she replied, "Xin Xia and Bai Tingting are in the same private room."

"When did those two become so close?" Lu Ran asked in surprise.

"They're all from the healing department, so we see each other a lot on a regular basis."

Lu Ran nodded, looked at the 'aloof' Mu Nujiao beside him, and asked in a low voice:
"Jealous?"

Mu Nujiao rolled her eyes at Lu Ran and snorted, "Why would I be jealous?"

"Really? Looks like the air in this private room isn't very good; it smells like vinegar everywhere."

"Hee hee~"

Ai Tutu chuckled to herself, while Mu Nujiao's lips twitched slightly.

Helpless, Lu Ran told Eileen about the soul seed and magical artifact he had just traded with her.

Of course, the details of how the two had a very pleasant conversation were not mentioned.

Upon hearing this, Mu Nujiao's expression softened slightly.

She didn't ask Lu Ran why he didn't approach the Mu family, after all, the Mu family and the Victoria family were worlds apart.

The auctioneer suddenly shouted:
"The next item up for auction is a galactic vein brimming with energy!"

On the auction stage, a piece of Star River Vein, shaped like a pebble and the size of a goose egg, shone brightly.

"As everyone knows, the Star River Vein is an indispensable resource for mid-level mages to break through to higher-level barriers, and even among Star River Veins, their quality determines the probability of a breakthrough."

"Starting price: 1.3 million! Each bid must be at least one million higher!"

Lu Ran's eyes lit up. The quality of this Star River Vein was very high, no less than the one he used when he first broke through to the high level!

Both Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu were quite tempted.

However, they still have a long way to go before reaching the higher levels.

Mu Nujiao is doing alright; she recently broke through to the third level of the wind element. Ai Tutu, however, is in a worse situation. She's currently only at the second level of both elements, and it's unclear how long it will take her to reach the third level of the intermediate stage.

Resources and talent are one aspect, but the motivation to cultivate is equally important.

Lu Ran glanced at Mu Nujiao and said with a smile:
"Want it? I'll take a picture and send it to you."

Mu Nujiao was taken aback upon hearing this, and was about to shake her head when she heard Lu Ran press the bell and announce the price:
"One hundred and fifty million!"

The noisy auction fell silent for a moment, but soon a new wave of excitement swept through.

Most people didn't expect that you would pay tens of millions more for this Star River Pulse?

Is it because you have money but nowhere to spend it?
One hundred and fifty million is almost enough to buy 1.5 ordinary quality Star River Veins!
Ultimately, this Star River Pulse fell into the pocket of the incredibly wealthy Lu Ran for a staggering price of 155 million.

"It's too much money, not worth it," Mu Nujiao said softly.

"It's okay, I'm willing to do it for you," Lu Ran said with a wink and a smile.

Mu Nujiao fell even more silent.

Lu Ran shook his head and chuckled, then explained:

"Don't feel guilty. This galactic vein is of very high quality, and its energy is almost overflowing. There's a reason why it's expensive."

"For ordinary high-level mages, if they try to break through using ordinary Star River Veins, the probability of breaking through to a higher level will not increase much if they fail. On the contrary, it will cast a shadow over their cultivation."

Lu Ran vaguely remembered that in the original novel, Zhao Manyan spent three portions of Star River Vein to break through to the advanced level.

It's not that Lao Zhao has a bad talent; Lu Ran thinks it's related to his background and luck.

Trying to break through a bottleneck too many times can actually be detrimental.

After hearing this, Mu Nujiao felt much calmer.

"Once your cultivation improves a bit more, you can consider breaking through. That way, you might become a high-level mage before the World University Tournament, and you'll still have time to control the constellations."

Mu Nujiao, her face slightly flushed, said:
"I haven't even mentioned using your resources yet. If I'm selected, my family will also help me prepare resources."

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow: "The resources given by the family must be repaid!"

"The cultivation resources your man provided"

Mu Nujiao turned her head and stared into Lu Ran's eyes.

Lu Ran changed the subject with a sly smile and said, "Of course you have to pay it back! But, if you put on a good show in bed, maybe you won't have to pay it back."

Mu Nujiao's fair face flushed red.

"Cough cough!"

Ai Tutu coughed softly, her face darkening. "You really don't treat me like an outsider, do you?!"
Lu Ran didn't show favoritism towards Ai Tutu either.

Having lived together for so long, although they haven't actually slept together yet, they have had intimate contact, and Lu Ran has long regarded Tu Tu as his woman.

This was also the view from the outside, so Lu Ran naturally wouldn't let it go.

The next magical artifact for cultivation is a light-attribute one that is perfect for Aitutu!
Lu Ran simply waved his hand and slapped it down, giving it to Ai Tutu.

Ai Tutu was pleasantly surprised; she hadn't expected to get a share too!
Although it wasn't as expensive as the Star River Vein, this light-attribute magical artifact still fetched a final price of 90 million!
Items that make it to international auctions are the absolute best of the best, each starting at tens of millions.

"Lu Ran, you're so good to me!"

Ai Tutu took the initiative to hug Lu Ran's arm and shake it.

Mu Nujiao glanced at Tu Tu with some shyness, but didn't say anything.

Lu Ran stretched out his arms and wrapped them around the slender waists of the two beauties.

Lu Ran could feel that the two women's delicate bodies stiffened slightly, but for the first time ever, they did not resist at all and let Lu Ran hold them.

So, you could say he enjoyed the blessing of having two wives?

(End of this chapter)