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

The moment the ancient mirror was presented, the Xuanhuang Cauldron in Lin Ran's sea of ​​consciousness trembled violently.

As the wooden box was opened, a strong suction force emanated from the cauldron, like a wild beast that had been starving for three days finally seeing its food.

This ancient mirror is definitely not ordinary!

A murmur arose from the audience; some shook their heads, while others began bidding.

This mirror looks too old; it's not nearly as appealing as the spirit-gathering jade pendant in front of it.

However, its dizzying effect makes it a worthwhile purchase, and the auction price has been rising steadily.

Zhao Yanran turned her head to the side: "Young Master Lin, is this the mirror you need?"

"Take a picture." Lin Ran pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, and suppressed the restlessness.

"What's a suitable offer?"

"Regardless of the cost."

Zhao Yanran nodded and began to quote prices.

"Eighty million."

"Eight thousand five."

Ninety million.

In the back corner, a figure wearing a black hood held up a bidding paddle.

"One hundred million."

A commotion broke out in the arena.

The previous bids were increasing by millions, but this time the price jumped to ten million, which was hard to miss.

"It's broken 100 million?"

"Is this thing really that valuable?"

The value of an item depends on the person who uses it.

"One hundred million is too high."

Many people turned to look at that corner, but the hood covered most of the person's face, and only a pair of calloused hands could be seen resting on the armrest.

Zhao Yanran didn't turn around to look; she tapped another number on the panel.

"One hundred and ten million."

The hooded man held up a sign that read: "One hundred and twenty million."

"One hundred and thirty million."

"One hundred and forty million."

The two went back and forth, and the numbers on the bidding panel kept refreshing.

Those in the room gradually realized that this competition was extraordinary; an ancient mirror that could cause temporary dizziness simply did not meet this value.

Several buyers who were initially interested put down their bidding paddles.

"One hundred and fifty million." Zhao Yanran's voice remained steady.

The hooded man remained silent for a long time before finally raising his sign again: "One hundred and sixty million."

"One hundred and seventy million." Zhao Yanran followed immediately, giving the other party no chance to catch their breath.

The hooded man turned his head, his gaze piercing through the dim light and landing on Zhao Yanran.

The large hood covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of dark brown eyes, which held a hint of resentment and scrutiny.

He stood up from his seat, pushed aside his chair, turned and walked toward the exit, the hem of his black robe trailing across the carpet as he disappeared into the shadows of the emergency exit.

The auctioneer raised his gavel: "One hundred and seventy million, first time... one hundred and seventy million, second time... one hundred and seventy million, third time. Sold!"

The mallet fell, its crisp sound echoing through the quiet meeting hall.

Chu Xining turned her head and pouted at Zhao Yanran: "Miss Zhao is indeed extraordinary."

"I will do my best to get what Young Master Lin likes." Zhao Yanran completed the payment confirmation on the panel and showed the confirmation page to the staff.

After confirming that everything was correct, the staff handed the wooden box to Zhao Yanran.

Lin Ran has achieved his goal and can leave now.

However, the auction was nearing its end, and the final item was brought out.

A seventh-tier Flame Lion Beast King crystal core.

"As everyone here knows, crystal cores can be used to forge weapons, refine body-tempering potions, and also serve as the core energy source for large-scale defensive barriers."

"Crystal cores of rank six and above are extremely rare, and this rank seven crystal core is an even rarer find. Those who need it should not miss this opportunity!"

"The starting bid is 350 million, and each bid must be at least one million higher."

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, an even more intense round of bidding began.

Lin Ran had Zhao Yanran raise her paddle five times in a row, bidding from 380 million to 650 million, before finally being won by another person for 780 million.

It must be said that the price of seventh-order crystal cores is very high.

However, if calculated based on the proportion of energy contained within it, the price of this crystal core has not yet been fully realized.

The energy contained in a seventh-order crystal nucleus is approximately ten thousand times that of a third-order crystal nucleus.

If Lin Ran were to absorb it, this one crystal core would be equivalent to the ten thousand third-tier crystal cores that Zhang Qichuan gave him.

However, the price of an item cannot be calculated in this way.

Lin Ran's ability to directly absorb crystal cores mainly relies on the "Myriad Treasures Spirit Forging Technique" and the Xuanhuang Cauldron; neither can be dispensed with.

Ordinary martial artists cannot directly absorb the energy from high-level crystal cores.

After all, the energy within is too violent; if you absorb it rashly, you might accidentally explode and die.

Even low-level crystal cores require special techniques to be absorbed slowly.

Because the crystal core still contains the mental remnants of mutated organisms, directly absorbing it could very likely turn one into an idiot.

This limits the scope of crystal nuclei's use.

Just as the auctioneer said, this seventh-order crystal core can only be used to forge weapons, refine potions, and serve as the core energy source for defensive barriers.

If used to forge weapons or as an energy core, the current price is already far above par.

As for refining potions, the higher the level of the crystal core, the higher the refining cost and the greater the loss.

Its true value might be less than that of using it directly as an energy core.

The person is willing to spend 780 million to buy this crystal core, so they probably want to forge some powerful weapon.

Lin Ran thought that if he wanted crystal cores, there were plenty in the sea, and he didn't necessarily need this one.

Once my cultivation level improves, I will be able to easily acquire seventh-tier crystal cores as well.

There's even a giant eighth-tier octopus waiting for him in the sea; there's no need for him to show off.

Moreover, although the cultivation technique he gave Zhao Yanran was valuable, it was impossible for her to be ruined.

So he stopped Zhao Yanran from bidding further.

With the last item sold, the auctioneer announced the successful conclusion of the auction, and staff began guiding guests to leave in an orderly manner through the passageways on both sides.

The four walked out of the auction house, and the night breeze swept over them.

Zhao Yanran handed the wooden box to Lin Ran and casually asked, "Young Master Lin, is there anything special about this mirror?"

"It's too early to say." Lin Ran took the wooden box, and the Xuanhuang Cauldron in his sea of ​​consciousness vibrated again, as if an old bachelor had seen his new bride.

He barely suppressed the strange movements of the Xuanhuang Cauldron and continued, "In short, it's not a loss."

Zhao Yanran nodded: "As long as it's useful to Young Master Lin."

Just as the four of them reached the roadside, Zhao Yanran was looking down at her wristband and calling for a taxi when a dark figure silently fell from the rooftop of the building opposite.

His black robe trailed on the ground, and his hood covered most of his face, revealing only a pair of dark brown eyes.

As the aura of the Profound Realm unfolded, the roadside trees swayed without wind, and fallen leaves swirled across the road.

"Boy, hand over that ancient mirror. Otherwise, you will not be able to leave today."

Lin Ran glanced at him: "Who gave you the confidence to talk to me like that?"

Upon hearing this, the old man in black robes paused slightly, then said coldly, "Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

Lin Ran shrugged: "Sorry, I'm still a student, I don't drink any alcohol."

The old man in black robes snorted coldly and disappeared from the spot.

When it reappeared, its figure was already in front of Lin Ran, its five fingers wrapped in a layer of dark blue true energy, directly locking Lin Ran's throat.

Seeing this, Lin Ran pushed his right palm forward, colliding head-on with the claw.

Bang!

The shockwave exploded, and the stone pavement beneath their feet cracked simultaneously, leaving a shallow trench plowed out by the force of the energy.

"Transcendent Realm?" The black-robed elder's pupils contracted slightly, and his voice became more solemn.

Lin Ran took a half step back and flicked his wrist.

In terms of physique alone, this Foundation Establishment cultivator is still no match for a Profound Realm martial artist.

This old man possessed profound inner energy and carried a chilling power, making him quite difficult to deal with.

Fortunately, he wasn't some extraordinary martial artist. His mid-Foundation Establishment spiritual power circulated through his meridians, and the cold air was quickly dispelled.

The old man in black robes changed his moves with lightning speed. After his hand missed, he used the momentum to turn around and swept his left leg like a whip towards Lin Ran's waist and ribs.

Lin Ran raised his knee to block, hooked his foot around the opponent's ankle and pulled him down, while simultaneously throwing his right fist at the opponent's face.

The old man leaned back to avoid the punch, slapped the ground with one palm, and used the momentum to flip over, landing three steps away.