ASER - Chapter 86
Chapter 86: Yuan Staff
"Personally produced by Master Lu, the 11th ranked weapons expert of the current era—the first-generation Yuan Staff. Twenty units were made for the Three Kingdoms market, each with a serial number. This is the first one, with 19 more Yuan Staffs to be sold subsequently. Below are the Yuan Staff's specifications..."
A'Diao was taken aback when she saw the creator's name.
Because this Master Lu was extremely famous, not even inferior to the top ten ranked individuals, and note, this top ten included masters from the First Era, while Master Lu was contemporary.
This person was once the sect master of Alchemy Mountain, and Alchemy Mountain had been the foremost producer of the strongest equipment in the Three Kingdoms since the First Era.
After the resurgence of Spiritual Energy, these hidden sects were revitalized. Master Lu, upon succeeding as sect master, was naturally full of vigor. However, some time ago, he was suddenly accused of killing his master to usurp the position, attacked by his fellow sect brothers, and ultimately defeated, fleeing near death. Now, his whereabouts were unknown, and unexpectedly, he was selling his creations online.
This matter had been mentioned by the military arts teacher in class, almost like a piece of news or a joke.
The bank, of course, didn't care if Master Lu had killed his master and usurped the position; it only cared if there was profit to be made, and A'Diao was the same.
"This Yuan Staff is quite interesting."
A'Diao read the description of the Yuan Staff and found that Master Lu's way of thinking was truly unique. While others' core design philosophy had always been about how to make equipment unleash the greatest power with lower Spirit Power consumption, Master Lu's innovation lay in creating a weapon's Prime Core. Initially, it was unconfigured. After the equipment was bound, this Prime Core would automatically match the user's own constitution and talent to the mode with the highest compatibility, transforming everything from its appearance and attack methods to its energy drive frequency.
That's why it was called the "Yuan" Staff.
It sounded impressive, but many people were observing it. A'Diao checked the records; this item had failed to sell twice.
This was the third auction.
Ah, if it failed to sell three times, its projected market value would continuously decrease.
Could it be that no one wanted to buy it?
A'Diao carefully reviewed its information and then understood why.
First, this item had an element of uncertainty. The description was so impressive, yet it was an unknown quantity. Unless there was a fundamental quality issue, it couldn't be returned. After all, Master Lu could argue that the compatibility effect depended on one's own aptitude, which was a huge gray area. Moreover, people improve, and if the compatibility was fixed, it couldn't keep up.
Second, regarding the first uncertainty, Master Lu did offer an explanation—a Prime Core had three adaptation periods. Within a year, it could be initialized three times and then re-transformed. During this time, if one's aptitude exceeded the adaptation limit, spirit cores could be fed to it to expand the limit, and the Prime Core would self-digest and upgrade. However, after a year, a higher-grade Prime Core needed to be replaced. This was even more impractical. With those resources, wouldn't it be better to directly buy superior equipment? Why gamble on such probabilities, and it even had an expiration date! Truly eye-opening!
Third, while a large group of people disparaged it, some were curious enough to bid above the base price of fifty million, but it ultimately failed to sell. The so-called "failed to sell" meant the creator was dissatisfied with the price, chose to abandon the transaction, and paid a commission to the bank to cancel the sale.
Once was acceptable, but after failing to sell twice, many people had complaints, feeling that Master Lu, already in a difficult situation, was being overly ambitious and unrealistic.
A'Diao looked at the previous highest bids for the failed auctions.
The highest price was one hundred million, and Master Lu didn't accept it?
But she suddenly understood: "Huh, this person is very shrewd."
Toilet: "?"
A'Diao: "The replacement setting for that Prime Core was likely intentionally designed by him, not a limitation of its capability. He wants to tie down some clients with powerful resources and abilities, forming a stable beneficial relationship to become his trump card. He either wants to protect his life under Alchemy Mountain's influence or wants to rise and seek revenge."
Toilet: "From the sound of it, you want to buy it? Aren't you afraid of trouble?"
A'Diao opened the price column and said calmly, "He's already in a bind. To save his life and seek revenge, he would do his utmost to release a masterpiece to rise again. After all, he was once a sect master; he still has vision and intelligence and wouldn't dig his own grave. Looking at where he studied and worked before the resurgence of Spiritual Energy, this person's professional level is extremely high; he's a genius. So I believe this Prime Core's capabilities match the description. If so, it's very suitable for me."
"Another reason is that he probably doesn't care about one hundred million or several hundred million. The reason it failed to sell was likely because the buyer wasn't a normal customer—but someone from Alchemy Mountain."
"He was afraid that people from Alchemy Mountain would scheme and cut off his escape routes, so he had no choice but to let it fail to sell. But conversely, this also shows that Alchemy Mountain fears him, afraid that he can truly rise again through his works."
All this served as counter-evidence of Master Lu's prowess; after all, no one understood his abilities better than the people of Alchemy Mountain.
And for A'Diao, most equipment had a fixed upper limit, but her growth rate was too fast, explosive even. She would quickly outgrow such equipment. To her, this Yuan Staff was very tempting.
Toilet: "Aren't you afraid of trouble?"
A'Diao: "What trouble? I'm just a buyer who bought a staff. Would Alchemy Mountain dare to assassinate me? Then I'll just push the blame onto Huayao Bank and extort a sum from them. But Huayao Bank definitely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen, or its reputation would be ruined. Before accepting Master Lu's listing, it must have weighed the pros and cons, and ultimately, it still auctioned it, three times even. This shows it's not afraid of Alchemy Mountain."
"Compared to the most powerful financial conglomerates, Alchemy Mountain wouldn't dare to act recklessly. As for whether this Master Lu will try to tie me down in the future—a year from now, let alone whether I'll continue to use this staff, even if I do, I'll have the confidence to handle such situations."
At that time, if she were still alive, at the very least, she would be a student at one of the three strongest academies. Chen Ran would also be a vice-provincial high official, and Chen Xun's name could also be used. Standing on the Chen family's ladder, why be timid?
Her money came easily, so spending it didn't hurt... alright, it still hurt, especially after A'Diao entered a price of three hundred million.
Toilet was a bit surprised. Why bid so high? But he quickly understood.
First, she wanted to tell Master Lu she wasn't from Alchemy Mountain, because Alchemy Mountain wouldn't bid such a high price to raise the price threshold for his work; they'd be too busy trying to devalue him.
Second, since she predicted this item was excellent, she figured the subsequent 19 Yuan Staffs could also be sold, and their prices would only be higher than 300 million. Even if she didn't use it, she could resell it later for a profit. This was a completely lucrative deal!
After A'Diao placed her bid, three hundred million in funds were locked. She had to wait until evening for the result. She actually wanted to buy other equipment, like defensive gear, but thinking of the medicinal ingredients, she gave up the idea.
Two hundred million, plus the tens of millions in her own account, were quickly depleted, transformed into medicinal ingredients currently en route.
Her Mental Power was insufficient again, and her money was insufficient again.
So frustrating!
A frustrated A'Diao went to the Small Spirit Gate in her wheelchair and happened to run into the little boy who was observing at the entrance.
The little boy was stunned when he saw her and blurted out, "Mummy?"
A'Diao: "Little idiot?"
Chen Yang recognized her voice instantly, was shocked, and said urgently, "Who beat you up like this?! Quick, tell me! I want to see who dares to hit a girl from my Chen family... I'll see if he..."
His tone was pompous and imposing, but A'Diao casually said, "Have you done your homework today? I've already had the test papers sent over. Scram."
Chen Yang: /(ㄒoㄒ)/!!!
What did I do wrong? Just because you got beaten up, I have to do homework!
And you told me to scram! You think I'm afraid of you?
"Scram, then scram. I'll go get my homework. I'll do it in the Small Spirit Gate when I get back."
Chen Yang scurried off, leaving A'Diao a bit stunned.
Do it in the Small Spirit Gate?
Do what?
Do homework?
Elementary school homework?
I... Damn!
Facing A'Diao's question, the Old Butler at the entrance lowered his head and said formally, "Little Young Master has gone in these past few days and found that his learning efficiency has greatly improved. He can even do some of the problems now and is very excited."
I'm also damn shocked.
A'Diao: "And then?"
The Old Butler continued formally, "And then there was no 'and then'."
A'Diao became interested. "Did Father cough up blood? Did my mother cry until she fainted? If it's true, you must tell me, so I can go show my concern. Only then would I not be neglecting my filial duty as a child."
Hahaha, Old Dog Chen, you have your day too!
Old Butler: "..."
The butler from Lingcheng said that the Third Miss was a "green on the outside, black on the inside" expert at piercing hearts. During this time, he had been secretly warning the other servants not to offend her, or they would face the consequences.
As expected.
Due to Chen Yang's ineffective absorption and the small population of the Chen family, regardless of whether others used it, the Spiritual Energy in this Small Spirit Gate was very dense. It was also equipped with a dedicated pharmacy, medicinal pool, and so on.
The specifications were extremely high, clearly built by relevant government departments, and its style was similar to that of Shanzhu Ju.
A'Diao stewed medicinal ingredients as usual while reading and digesting the study pack.
These teachers were incredible. How did they manage to create such a large amount of different learning content and test papers for everyone in such a short time?
Toilet: Because the education bureau canceled those messy thesis reports and performance assessments, freeing up their energy?
Oh-ho, there's some hidden meaning there.
A'Diao figured it was something like that. Anyway, she noticed that the teachers at Jinling Academy now walked with a spring in their step; they were probably quite tormented by those things before.
After the medicinal ingredients were ready, she drank the brew.
This time, it was the fifth bone dislocation.
The frequency of bone dislocations was increasing.
Moreover, this time she could climb out on her own without Xiao Yuanbao. Then, she activated 101 and 202, took out Toilet... and it wasn't long before the Spiritual Energy condensed into a large amount of spirit liquid.
The effect was too good.
A'Diao's Spirit Power intensity increased at a terrifying speed...
E2, E3, E4...
Outside the Tang-Song nations, at the Huayao Bank headquarters, after the time limit passed and the auction ended, Master Lu contacted a certain high-level executive at Huayao Bank to inquire about the situation.
"Three hundred million, who would offer this price? It couldn't be those scoundrels from Alchemy Mountain again, could it?"
Master Lu had a stern face, clearly displeased.
The executive said in a deep voice, "Do you think your current self is worth this price?"
What a humiliation!
The once infinitely glorious Master Lu's expression turned even uglier, but he knew that circumstances were stronger than people. It was already good that the other party was willing to help him now. So he grumbled, "Then why would this person do this? A fool with too much money?"
Someone who could be a high-level executive at the world's number one private bank either had incredible connections or an incredible mind. They naturally figured out the answer in an instant: "It should be to tell you she knows the value of the Yuan Staff. The three hundred million is to inform you she's not from Alchemy Mountain, so you'll sell it to her."
Master Lu was surprised. "Sounds like a smart person. Then sell it."
Executive: "It should be sold. You get it off your hands, and I get out of this mess."
Master Lu: "..."
Since it was decided to sell, there wasn't much more to say. But Master Lu secretly tried to ask about the buyer's identity, hoping this person was an incredibly powerful noble he could latch onto as a backer.
"The other party's identity is confidential. Checking their information is illegal. If I help you, I'll either end up in jail or lose my job. Do you want to ask again?"
"What are you having for dinner tonight?"
Click, the call ended.
Master Lu was embarrassed, but thinking of his difficult situation recently, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Three hundred million was a lot; it could allow his research and development funds to recover. He just didn't know which noble family's rich fool it was.
Of course, his Yuan Staff was naturally an awesome item, but it was, after all, only the first generation. He himself wasn't clear about its future.
The academy students were naturally not as quick to receive news as the Principal and others. After belatedly learning about the situation in the Jinxiang Area, Qu Jiangnan nonchalantly mentioned during Monday's class that they should cultivate well.
Oh my, the class teacher was always aloof and disdained idle talk. If she spoke, it was bound to be something important. So, was this a special reminder? There must be a reason!
Tuoba and the others immediately gathered information about the situation in Jinxiang... and heard about the content of A'Diao's speech.
How to put it.
It was just a speech.
"If it were anyone else, I would think this person is admirable, a peerless scholar. But when it comes to A'Diao..." Zhou Xiuhe calculated that this person had extorted nearly fifty million star coins from Yuan Shu and Zhongchuan Mingxiu.
Although those two had brought it upon themselves.
Tuoba's heroic face showed a hint of contemplation. He glanced at Zhongchuan Mingxiu, "Regardless of whether this is Chen Ran's or A'Diao's scheme, this Chen family is a den of foxes. Fortunately, you pulled back from the brink and cut your losses in time."
Zhongchuan Mingxiu, having now somewhat moved past that period of humiliation, smiled faintly upon hearing this, "Is Captain afraid?"
Tuoba remained as steadfast as a mountain: Heh, you schemer! You don't dare to fight her yourself, so you want to incite me.
"These are matters for the Chen family's political enemies to worry about. What we need to be concerned about is—A'Diao appearing in Jinxiang means Song Ling and the other three most likely went too. If she joined a local F-grade team alone, it would be one thing, but if Song Ling and the others accompanied her... then their team has something significant."
He wasn't talking about A'Diao. No matter how strong she was, she couldn't protect everyone in such a dangerous place.
And from current intelligence, by exhausting all her Spirit Power and supplementing with Spirit Power nutrient solutions, her peak combat power allowed her to kill four F-grade individuals. However, this was preceded by an intense battle with two ghouls... This indicated her overall strength was probably equivalent to F6 or F7.
Tuoba felt immense pressure because her progress was too fast, like ascending a new step every day.
Was the help from Chen Ran and Chen Xun that significant?
However, now that Chen Ran had been promoted to Governor-General, the treatment provided by the imperial court was far superior to that of a Prefectural Governor. The resources she received were likely even more abundant.
"They definitely have an extremely high-end intelligent auxiliary device; ordinary ones can't handle the situation there. I'll arrange for this, but if you have your own funds, it's best to get one too." Tuoba was powerful, after all. Though he didn't have A'Diao's knack for fleecing money, he had the capital from hunting in the wild and selling loot. He could easily produce tens of millions, not to mention the financial backing he had.
Mingze also nodded, "Based on the current situation, if the Jinxiang underground caves truly harbor the crisis A'Diao mentioned, the academy will likely have us participate."
They had high intelligence and also sensed that the opportunity for the academy to break the ice with the underground cave regions was approaching.
The prerequisite was that there was indeed a situation there.
"The Patrol Army has already taken several teachers from the academy over there."
Jinling Academy was full of high-quality experts, who would be very useful.
The Principal and Chen Ran had clearly teamed up.
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