Xuan Su's Probe, Lin Dong's Shock

"Sir!"

The Middle-aged Man respectfully introduced, "This is Manager Su of our Ten Thousand Gold Auction House. She is an Essence Core Realm expert!"

Lin Fan withdrew his gaze from the stunning, charming beauty and said calmly, "Manager Su, please appraise this technique for me."

The Middle-aged Man carefully picked up the Jade Stone from the table and handed it to Xuan Su, reminding her, "Manager Su, you only need to place it against your forehead to sense the existence of this technique with your spiritual perception."

"Oh?"

A strange glint flashed through Xuan Su's beautiful eyes. She lifted the Jade Stone with her slender, jade-like fingers and pressed it against her forehead.

As she examined it, her expression gradually turned grave.

A moment later, Xuan Su opened her eyes and said in a deep voice, "This Body Tempering Technique is indeed extraordinary. It has reached the standard of a First-Rate Manual, but unfortunately, it is somewhat incomplete."

As she spoke, Xuan Su could not help looking at Lin Fan, probing, "May I ask whether you possess the subsequent portions of this technique?"

"I obtained this by chance. There are no subsequent portions."

Lin Fan shook his head.

"I see."

It was unclear whether Xuan Su believed him, but she asked again, "Sir, do you intend to auction it?"

Lin Fan asked, "I intend to sell it directly to your auction house. Do you accept it?"

Xuan Su was taken aback, then nodded. "Of course we do. However, the price we offer will certainly not compare to an auction price."

Lin Fan naturally understood that.

But he was in a hurry to improve his strength. A little more or less money made no difference.

Lin Fan asked again, "What price can you offer?"

Xuan Su held up three jade-like fingers and said, "Thirty thousand Yang Essence Stones."

"Isn't that price too low?"

Lin Fan said, "As I recall, even Second-Rate Manuals can be worth over fifty thousand Yang Essence Stones!"

"That is indeed the case."

Xuan Su nodded. "However, those are complete Second-Rate Manuals, and they come with matching secret arts."

With that, she smiled at Lin Fan and said, "If you can provide a complete manual, we are willing to offer one hundred thousand Yang Essence Stones!"

"I don't have a complete one."

Lin Fan shook his head. "What is the most you can offer?"

"Then we can add another five thousand. Any more than that, and we will not make much profit." Xuan Su replied.

"Thirty-five thousand it is!"

Lin Fan asked again, "Does your Ten Thousand Gold Auction House have any Jade Marrow?"

Xuan Su said, "Jade Marrow is a rare Refining Material and quite expensive. Our Ten Thousand Gold Commerce Guild happens to have a piece."

Lin Fan asked, "Then how much is this Jade Marrow?"

Xuan Su's red lips curved slightly. "If you truly want it, then fifty thousand Yang Essence Stones will do!"

"Pfft!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

He had not expected Jade Marrow to be so expensive!

"Forget it, I can't afford it!"

Lin Fan sighed and asked again, "Do you have any Yin Attribute Spiritual Medicine?"

"Yes."

Xuan Su smiled. "A Fifth-Grade Yin Attribute Spiritual Medicine is worth ten thousand Yang Essence Stones, while a Fourth-Grade Yin Attribute Spiritual Medicine is worth one thousand Yang Essence Stones. How many would you like, sir?"

Lin Fan considered it, then ultimately shook his head. "Forget it. I won't buy any for now. Just give me the Yang Essence Stones."

"Alright."

Xuan Su nodded. "Sir, you are welcome to visit anytime."

As she spoke, she said to the Middle-aged Man beside her, "Go fetch thirty-five thousand Yang Essence Stones."

"Yes, Manager Su!"

Upon hearing this, the Middle-aged Man hurried out.

Shortly afterward, he returned carrying a palm-sized Cyan Cloth Bag.

The Middle-aged Man handed over the bag. "Sir, there are thirty-five thousand Yang Essence Stones inside."

Lin Fan took the bag and said, "Since the transaction is complete, I shall take my leave."

With that, he turned and left.

After Lin Fan departed, the Middle-aged Man said to Xuan Su, "Manager Su, that guy was evasive. I think he probably has a complete First-Rate Technique."

"So what if he does? Our Ten Thousand Gold Commerce Guild has earned such a great reputation in Celestial Capital Prefecture precisely because we have never robbed our customers."

Xuan Su cast the Middle-aged Man a sharp look and said, "Do not set your sights on him, or do not blame me for being merciless."

"Yes, I understand."

Feeling Xuan Su's gaze, the Middle-aged Man hurriedly replied.

Though Xuan Su appeared to be a delicate and vulnerable young woman, she was exceptionally ruthless when she acted.

After leaving the Ten Thousand Gold Commerce Guild, Lin Fan did not immediately depart. Instead, he wandered around the city for a while.

He took several turns, secretly entered a courtyard along the way, removed his Bamboo Hat and outer Black Robe, then blended into the crowd and headed out of the city.

Lin Fan remained cautious the entire way, but he did not discover anyone following him.

It was not until midnight that he returned to the Lin Family.

The next day.

After waking up, Lin Fan headed straight for Lin Dong's home.

Meanwhile, after breakfast, Lin Dong was preparing to head into the forest to train.

The moment he stepped out of his house, he saw Lin Fan approaching him.

Lin Dong smiled and asked, "Lin Fan Bro, are you here to see Qing Tan?"

"No."

Lin Fan smiled. "I'm here to see you."

"Me?"

Lin Dong was somewhat puzzled, unable to understand why Lin Fan had come looking for him.

Lin Fan glanced around and lowered his voice. "This is an important matter. Let's find somewhere without anyone around."

"An important matter?"

Hearing this, Lin Dong's heart stirred.

Could Lin Fan Bro be planning to ask me to help him propose to Qing Tan through Father?

With that thought, he nodded and led Lin Fan into his room.

Lin Dong shut the door and asked, "Lin Fan Bro, what is it that you want to tell me?"

Lin Fan stared intently at Lin Dong and said something shocking. "I can sense that you have a treasure on you!"

"Hm?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Lin Dong's gaze toward Lin Fan turned colder.

This was his secret. Not even his parents or Qing Tan knew about it. How did the other man know?

Lin Dong knew very well what kind of consequences would follow if his treasure were exposed.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of taking your treasure."

Lin Fan smiled and said, "You are my Brother-in-Law. I would never harm you."

"Even if you wanted to harm me, you would not be my match!"

Lin Dong spoke calmly.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Lin Fan smiled. Immediately afterward, a dense glow of Yuan Power flickered across the surface of his body.

"What? Earthly Yuan Realm?"

Sensing Lin Fan's Yuan Power fluctuations, Lin Dong could not help crying out in shock.

He had thought that advancing from the Body Tempering Second Level to the Body Tempering Sixth Level in just a few months was already impressive enough.

Who would have thought that the other party had directly cultivated to the Earthly Yuan Realm?

Could Lin Fan Bro have obtained a treasure as well?

Lin Dong thought to himself.

After all, that was the only explanation for why the other party had cultivated even faster than he had.