Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

Looking at Zhang Qichuan's meaningful expression, a possibility flashed through Lin Ran's mind.

It's likely that Zhang Qichuan's reason for trying to dissuade Lin Ran was primarily to protect his own interests.

The new Haiwu exam was overseen by the City Lord's Mansion, and the debugging and maintenance of the holographic capsule were also handled by the technical department under the City Lord's Mansion.

If such a blunder were to occur during the martial arts examination he was presiding over, and then be exposed in public by a student, he would likely find it difficult to remain in his position as city lord.

He threatened to invalidate Lin Ran's grades as a warning, hoping to discourage Lin Ran from giving up.

If Lin Ran insists on investigating further, both sides will only suffer losses.

However, Lin Ran never liked being threatened: "Even if my grades are invalidated, I must get justice for myself!"

A dark glint flashed in Zhang Qichuan's eyes, but he quickly put on a friendly expression: "Since Lin insists, I'll go with you to check the holographic pod."

Seeing that the other party agreed so readily, Lin Ran was taken aback again.

Why wasn't Zhang Qichuan worried about things escalating?

He spoke up to dissuade Lin Ran in order to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Now that Lin Ran's request has been agreed to, there is only one possibility.

Zhang Qichuan confirmed that Lin Ran could not produce any evidence.

At this moment, the holographic capsule has probably been repaired and will likely leave no evidence.

Now that it's too late, there's no evidence to be found!

Zhang Qichuan waved and led the staff toward the assessment area where Lin Ran had been.

Seeing this, Lin Ran had no choice but to follow.

Upon arrival at the scene, the technicians quickly came over and stood before Zhang Qichuan: "Lord of the City."

"Hmm." Zhang Qichuan's expression was calm as he pointed to the holographic pod Lin Ran had used earlier: "Pull up all the logs from this holographic pod."

The technician responded and quickly swiped his finger across the wristband, causing a semi-transparent parameter panel to pop up on the wall of the holographic capsule.

A dense array of data scrolled across the panel: speed conversion rate, power conversion rate, neural feedback delay, spiritual energy sensing sensitivity—all data was clearly displayed.

"Reporting back to the city lord, all parameters are within the standard range. No abnormal changes were found."

The technician turned the panel toward Zhang Qichuan, his finger hovering over the speed conversion rate column.

The conversion rate is 100%, with no error.

Zhang Qichuan had the technician show the panel to Lin Ran, and said helplessly, "Lin, you can see it too. All the parameters are normal, there's no abnormal speed conversion as you mentioned."

"Heh..." Lin Ran sneered, "The city lord knows perfectly well that just because we can't find out now doesn't mean it didn't happen."

As he had expected, someone had already secretly processed the data on the device as soon as he exited the holographic capsule.

Now, when we investigate again, we can't find any problems at all.

Zhang Qichuan's gaze lingered on Lin Ran's face for a while before he waved to the technician, "You can go out now."

"Yes!" The technician picked up his toolbox, quickly walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him.

"I know you feel this is unfair," Zhang Qichuan said calmly. "But you also need to know that things in this world are not simply black and white."

Lin Ran raised an eyebrow: "So, the city lord means I should just let it go like this?"

"Given the current situation, what can you do if you refuse to let it go?" Zhang Qichuan raised his eyelids.

"Even if you have no evidence, and even if you can prove that someone tampered with your holographic pod, the person behind it won't pay any price for it."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the other side will at most just put forward a scapegoat, which you should be able to imagine."

At this point, he lowered his voice: "On the contrary, you yourself are very likely to face the consequence of having your grades invalidated. What's the point of doing something so thankless?"

It must be said that Zhang Qichuan's analysis makes a lot of sense.

Following the normal procedures would be very disadvantageous for Lin Ran.

However, Zhang Qichuan did not expect that Lin Ran originally did not intend to follow the normal procedures.

He will settle accounts with the Sun family sooner or later; there's no need to rely on others.

The reason for making a scene is simply to secure corresponding benefits for oneself.

Some things carry completely different weight when resolved privately versus publicly.

He needed to show some attitude before he could negotiate terms with Zhang Qichuan.

"You can ask me to give up the investigation."

Lin Ran looked at Zhang Qichuan: "First, the person responsible for debugging this machine must pay the price. Some money isn't so easy to get!"

Perhaps the other party was also coerced by the Sun family, or perhaps they had some unspeakable difficulties, but that had nothing to do with Lin Ran.

If you dare to take action, you must bear the corresponding consequences.

"Secondly, I need a large number of crystal cores. The city lord controls the city's defense forces; surely it would be easy for him to gather some crystal cores?"

Seeing Lin Ran relent, Zhang Qichuan's expression immediately softened, revealing a look of interest: "How many crystal cores do you need?"

"That depends on how many crystal cores are stored in the City Lord's mansion's warehouse," Lin Ran said seriously. "For me, naturally, the more the better!"

He didn't know how many crystal cores Zhang Qichuan actually had; he could only see how many Zhang Qichuan was willing to give up.

Before the development of psionic replenishment, crystal cores could only be slowly absorbed by awakened individuals.

Despite various development and research efforts, the crystal nucleus has yet to demonstrate its corresponding value.

According to records, a first-order crystal core could only be sold for a few hundred Chinese yuan at the time.

It wasn't until the advent of psionic replenishment that the price of a first-tier crystal core skyrocketed to several thousand Chinese yuan per unit.

The military initially used crystal cores to calculate military merits, and many cities stored large quantities of crystal cores in their armories.

After the drug was developed, the Lin family reached a cooperation agreement with the military.

The military was responsible for providing the Lin family with raw materials, and the Lin family was responsible for providing the military with medicines. This established the most basic bond of mutual benefit.

Lin Ran's request for crystal cores from Zhang Qichuan was essentially the same as asking Zhang Qichuan for money.

Of course, Zhang Qichuan couldn't just sell a large number of crystal cores directly.

After all, these are military supplies, so they cannot be allowed to enter the market in large quantities.

To exchange crystal cores for real gold and silver, some special methods are still needed.

Compared to paying a large sum of money directly, Zhang Qichuan wouldn't mind giving Lin Ran some crystal cores that couldn't be converted into cash immediately.

"Young man, don't be too greedy," Zhang Qichuan said, putting on airs.

Although he had already compromised in his heart, he still had to put on a show.

"I can give you five thousand third-tier crystal cores, and we'll call it even!"

The city defense forces were clearing the surrounding forests, mainly targeting mutated creatures of the third rank and above. Therefore, Zhang Qichuan did not mention any first or second rank crystal cores.

Lin Ran sneered, "Five thousand? City Lord, you're being a bit too stingy."

Based on the lowest price of 200,000 per crystal, 5,000 third-order crystal cores would be worth 1 billion.

From this perspective, Zhang Qichuan isn't really stingy.

However, in any transaction, there must be a bargaining process.

If Lin Ran had agreed so easily, Zhang Qichuan might have laughed at him for being so easily fooled.

"Five thousand is quite a lot," Zhang Qichuan said seriously. "Even your father wouldn't think it's a small number."

"He is him, and I am me; we cannot be confused."

Lin Ran waved his hand: "How about this, I'll give you a number: 100,000 Tier 3 crystal cores. As long as the City Lord agrees, I'll absolutely keep this a secret!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qichuan was so angry that he laughed.

"Heh...you really dare to ask for such an exorbitant amount!"

Zhang Qichuan took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Ten thousand third-tier crystal cores. If you don't agree, then there's no need to continue negotiating!"

"Deal!" Lin Ran immediately agreed.

In reality, he was just asking for a higher price; no matter how many crystal cores Zhang Qichuan was willing to give, he would agree.

Since it's all free, only a fool wouldn't take it.

Seeing how readily he agreed, Zhang Qichuan was taken aback at first, but then a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Very good, you are indeed a smart person! I look forward to your performance in the national tournament."

Lin Ran remained calm, his tone resolute: "I will definitely not let the City Lord down!"