Chapter 238: Disgusting Tactics

"What news?" Seeing Zhang Zide's mysterious expression, Lin Qian immediately asked.

Zhang Zide smiled and said, "I received a message from one of my clan members. They found the Refining Body text in the literary section!"

"The Refining Body text? Let's go check it out!" Upon hearing this, Lin Qian's face lit up with joy.

The Refining Body text was crucial to the success of the Puppet Body Project.

The sooner they obtained this text, the sooner they could complete the project, allowing the Hua Xia Empire's generals, aside from Zhao Long, and the five legion commanders and prime minister, to manifest in the real world!

Without delay, Lin Qian hurried towards the literary section, with the others following closely behind.

In the third-floor literary section of the Treasure Hall, they followed Zhang Zide's guidance and found the spot where the young clan member had informed them.

"Good job." Zhang Zide patted the young man on the shoulder, handing him 10,000 mid-grade soul crystals as a reward.

The young clan member accepted the crystals with a wide grin before leaving. For him, relaying a message and earning 10,000 mid-grade soul crystals was a great deal.

Lin Qian approached the display case, where a book lay on the counter. Judging by its exterior, the pages were slightly worn, suggesting it had been flipped through by many hands, but otherwise, it appeared unremarkable.

The book was made from specially treated materials and refined through techniques to ensure it was resistant to decay, water, and fire, preserving it well.

The title on the one-inch-thick book clearly read Refining Body, the very text Lin Qian had been searching for. However, it was uncertain what the contents were like.

At the Treasure-Betting Event, books like this weren't typically considered gambles. They were appraised and given a set price for direct sale.

After all, books were not like other items—one could often gauge their value at a glance, so there wasn't much to gamble on.

The same went for pills; experienced alchemists could tell a pill's quality by its scent and appearance. Many ancient relics even had the type of pill clearly labeled on their containers.

"Brother Lin, the book you've been looking for is priced this low?" Li Yunfeng, arms crossed, glanced at the price tag on the display case, his eyes widening in surprise.

Despite the water-breathing apparatus obscuring his face, Li Yunfeng could clearly see the excitement in Lin Qian's eyes upon hearing about the Refining Body text.

A text that Lin Qian valued so highly should be expensive, yet the price tag on this display case showed a mere 200,000 mid-grade soul crystals.

Compared to the other items, this was among the cheapest.

"Xiao Qian, could it be a mistake? Maybe it just shares the same name?" Ye Xin also studied the book through the display case, considering the possibility.

Lin Qian nodded slightly, staring at the display case as he said seriously, "Even if it's just a coincidence, I have to buy it. I can't afford to pass up any chance."

Lin Qian had confidence in the authenticity of the Refining Body text. Based on what he knew from its description and table of contents, the refining methods described were not highly practical.

According to Zhuge Ming, even if one successfully created a puppet using this method, it would have meridians and a dantian but no place to embed soul crystals, making it little more than a decoration.

The Refining Body text was more of a concept, with limited practical use. This was likely why it was priced so low.

But for Lin Qian, it was invaluable!

Without hesitation, Lin Qian retrieved a pale blue metal token, infusing it with his soul power before waving it over the display case.

A beam of blue light shot into the formation barrier around the display case.

The token in Lin Qian's hand was something he had received upon entering the Treasure Hall. It recorded his identity, and if he wanted to purchase something, he just had to activate the token and direct the blue light into the display case's formation.

Afterward, he could return to the central area on the first floor, pay the required soul crystals, and claim his chosen item.

However, there were exceptions.

Not long after Lin Qian directed the blue light at the Refining Body text, another beam of blue light appeared, shooting into the display case's barrier.

Simultaneously, the price on the formation screen jumped from 100,000 to 150,000 mid-grade soul crystals.

Lin Qian's expression darkened as he turned to look in the direction of the new bid.

Not far away stood a group led by none other than Zhang Keran, the head of the Northern Branch Clan.

In Zhang Keran's hand was a pale blue token, clearly the source of the previous bid.

And Zhang Keran's actions were precisely the exception!

When someone bids on an item, it takes three seconds to confirm the purchase. During this time, others can continue to bid, but they must increase the price by a minimum of 50,000 mid-grade soul crystals.

In other words, if more than one person is interested in an item, they can engage in a bidding war to secure it.

The item goes to the last bidder after three seconds of confirmation.

Frowning, Lin Qian lifted his token and waved it again, increasing the price to 300,000 mid-grade soul crystals, clearly determined.

Seeing the price rise to 300,000 mid-grade soul crystals, Zhang Keran merely smiled. Before the three-second confirmation period ended, he waved his token again, raising the price to 350,000 mid-grade soul crystals.

"Zhang Clan Leader, what's the meaning of this?" Zhang Zide asked, frowning.

Feigning surprise, Zhang Keran replied, "Ah, Zide, is that you? I didn't mean anything by it. I was just curious about this Refining Body text and wanted to buy it myself. Surely the Treasure-Betting Event doesn't prohibit others from bidding, right?"

Lin Qian said nothing, simply lifting his token once more and directing it at the barrier.

The price jumped to one million mid-grade soul crystals!

But Zhang Keran only smiled as he waved his token again, raising the price to 1.05 million mid-grade soul crystals.

Seeing this, Ye Xin's expression turned cold. "Zhang Clan Leader, you're just trying to cause trouble!"

Lin Qian genuinely wanted the Refining Body text, so he had raised the price to one million mid-grade soul crystals. As for Zhang Keran, he continued to incrementally increase the price by 50,000 mid-grade soul crystals, clearly not interested in the text itself but rather intent on irritating Lin Qian!