CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 106: THE PERSON WHO PURIFIED THE ENERGY STONES IS ME

Su Ruan didn’t believe a word of it.

The idea that just a casual strike would make her big brother as terrified as a mouse seeing a cat, just at the mention of his name, she didn’t believe at all.

"The Energy Stone auction is about to start." Lu Shinian diverted the topic by taking Su Ruan’s hand directly, "Let’s win it first and talk later."

"Hmm?" Su Ruan raised an eyebrow, "Didn’t you say that Energy Stone is fake?"

"It’s fake." Lu Shinian replied, as he sat down.

As soon as he sat down, the Energy Stone auction began.

On the first floor, the auctioneer was introducing the Energy Stone for this auction.

"Level 1 Energy Stone with zero impurity content, auctioning two together, starting price at one million!"

"Start bidding now!"

Those words set the atmosphere ablaze.

The people sitting in the first-floor hall were the first to start bidding.

"Two million!"

"Five million!"

"Ten million!"

......

Passion ignited in that instant, no one would doubt the authenticity of Star River Auction House, built on years of credibility.

Su Heyuan was indeed a very successful businessman, but in some ways, more of a mad gambler.

Betting all the credibility Star River Auction House had gathered over the years on the one who could reduce the impurity content of the Energy Stone, even though they didn’t know if that person was aware of this auction.

But after today, everyone would know.

Lu Shinian fixed his eyes on the screen in mid-air and pressed the bidding price.

"Two hundred million."

A price that exceeded everyone’s expectations echoed from private room number 3.

The scene fell into silence immediately.

No one expected that someone would bid two hundred million to buy two Level 1 Energy Stones, even if they were Level 1 with zero impurity content, but they were just Level 1!

Even with zero impurity content, their effect was too limited for High Spiritual Power Users.

The silence spread, and everyone was astonished by the two hundred million.

It wasn’t until the auctioneer banged the gavel that others reacted.

Soon, the news "Level 1 Energy Stone sold for a sky-high price of two hundred million" spread rapidly, making headlines on the Star Network.

Even those on low-level planets with poor reception would receive the notification within half a day; as long as there was a Light Brain and access to the Star Network, they would see the news.

For those without a Light Brain, others would inform them, since this was already the biggest news recently, apart from Commander Lu getting married!

Meanwhile, in private room number 3, Su Ruan rubbed her ears, doubting what she heard.

Two hundred million for two stones? Did Lu Shinian lose his mind, or was there something wrong with her head?

Su Ruan touched Lu Shinian’s forehead, mumbling, "No fever."

Lu Shinian, slightly helpless, caught her small hand and kissed her fingertips gently, "Ruan Ruan, my mind is fine."

"And I haven’t entered the Ancestral Stage."

Su Ruan couldn’t help but look at him twice more, "Then why did you spend two hundred million on two stones?"

Lu Shinian smiled and shared the deal between him and Second Master.

"In short, he wants me to win this to lure that person out together.

"Afterwards, I get eighty percent of the Energy Stones, and he gets twenty."

As for how the Second Master plans to cooperate or coerce that person, that’s not his concern.

Su Ruan was deeply silent upon hearing this.

It took a full minute before she spoke in a complicated tone, "I should have told you the truth earlier."

Her wary nature, combined with decades spent in the Otherworld, made her extremely sensitive, her nerves tightening at the slightest disturbance.

That’s why she initially concealed it when she was uncertain.

She did want to tell him later, but never found the right opportunity.

Luckily, it’s not too late to tell now.

Su Ruan took a deep breath, ensured the room was in private mode, and leaned into his ear, whispering, "That person is me."

Lu Shinian was taken aback.

"What?" he almost thought he misheard.

"The one who can purify Energy Stones, it’s me." Su Ruan reiterated softly.

Lu Shinian fell into silence.

"So the mouse the Second Master mentioned digging holes everywhere is you?" he asked.

Su Ruan: ???

"What mouse?" she was puzzled, wasn’t it about Energy Stones? How did it relate to mice?

"Nothing." Lu Shinian snapped back, "Let’s talk about this when we get back."

Su Ruan nodded obediently, "Okay."

Lu Shinian soon acquired the two regular stones bought for two hundred million. Luckily, this two hundred million was merely a temporary account maneuver; the Second Master quickly credited the amount back to his account after receiving the goods.

Although he wasn’t short of two hundred million, he wasn’t foolish enough to buy two regular stones for that amount.

Moreover, the person he was looking for was right beside him, so there was no need for elaborate schemes.

According to the agreed plan, there was nothing more for Lu Shinian to do but wait for public opinion to ferment and for that person to come forth voluntarily.

And now...

Lu Shinian looked down at Su Ruan, chuckling low and helplessly.

"Ruan Ruan, let’s head home first."

Since the objective was achieved, there was no need to stay any longer.

————

In private room number 1, after transferring the money to Lu Shinian, Su Heyuan drummed his fingers on the tabletop, looked across at Ji Bai, and asked, "How did Lu Shinian know I was in private room number 1?"

"Cough, cough!" Ji Bai coughed strongly, "Uhh... I think I told him."

Ji Bai, realizing the situation, quickly explained, "Yesterday Ye Qing found me, said Lu Shinian would come seeking you today, Second Master, and asked which room you were in, so I told him."

Su Heyuan squinted and soon pieced together the logic.

Ye Qing first got the room number from Ji Bai, then planned for Lu Shinian to come find him.

He naturally wouldn’t reject a partnership with Lu Shinian; after all, the commander’s reputation is quite useful.

And Lu Shinian wouldn’t refuse him as a partner either, since the Second Master’s information network is immensely beneficial.

Once they met, they’d immediately hit it off, with no further need for Ye Qing’s intervention.

As for the reason behind these maneuvers...

"Did the little sister go looking for the big brother?" Su Heyuan asked.

Ji Bai scratched his head, "Seems like it. But they didn’t chat long before Su Ruan came out."

"Hmm." Su Heyuan responded indifferently.

"Second Master, what does it all mean?" Ji Bai asked, bewildered, "Ye Qing only asked me one question and promised to sell me the latest Mecha model."

Su Heyuan glanced up, giving him a cold look, "If you had half of Ye Qing’s intelligence, I wouldn’t have to worry so much."

The big brother’s wild and rough nature found him a good strategist.

Well, with Ye Qing in the mix, at least he doesn’t have to worry about the big brother suffering major losses.