The moment Lu Cheng looked at the ten-thousand-year soul nourishing wood, Immortal Emperor Ling Tian, standing nearby, felt his heart clench!
"This mortal ant, could he also have seen the extraordinary nature of this soul nourishing wood?"
"No! Impossible!"
"How could a mortal from this fragmented world recognize an immortal item?"
"Right! He must have just happened to think this piece of wood looked a bit peculiar!"
Lu Cheng did not, as Ling Tian had imagined, immediately inquire about the origin and price of the wood.
He didn't even glance at the soul nourishing wood again!
Instead, a respectful, faint smile appeared on his face, and he proactively extended his hand to the old professor in front of him.
"Professor Bai, I've long admired your name, my apologies for not meeting you sooner!"
Lu Cheng's tone was gentle and humble, completely devoid of any 'young master' airs.
"I, Lu Cheng, have always deeply admired your research achievements in Ming Dynasty history! It's my great fortune to meet you today!"
This tactic of flattery not only cleverly narrowed the distance between him and the old professor,
but also relaxed the old man's nerves, which had been tense due to his treasure being coveted.
Indeed!
When Professor Bai heard Lu Cheng's words, especially when he realized Lu Cheng could even accurately state his research direction!
A hint of surprise and pride instantly appeared on his face, which carried a scholar's arrogance!
He quickly extended his hand, gripping Lu Cheng's tightly, his face beaming like a chrysanthemum.
"Young Master Lu, you are truly too polite! You flatter this old man too much!"
"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it at all! I'm merely digging for food in old piles of paper. I never expected Young Master Lu to even be aware of it, it truly makes this old man feel overwhelmed!"
...Just as Lu Cheng and Professor Bai were chatting happily, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious,
Ling Tian, who had been left aside and treated as air, finally couldn't hold back!
He looked at the ten-thousand-year soul nourishing wood, so close at hand, and practically wanted to rush over, snatch it from the old man's grasp, and fiercely absorb the soul power contained within it.
He was extremely anxious, yet had no good solution.
He quickly searched through the original body's memories.
Finally, he found the largest sum of money he could currently offer!
He suddenly stepped forward, interrupting Lu Cheng's conversation, and with extreme confidence, pointed at the black piece of wood in Professor Bai's hand, declaring loudly:
"Fifty thousand!"
"This piece of wood, I will offer fifty thousand for it, sell it to me!"
He thought that fifty thousand yuan should be a huge sum for these mortals, right?
At least, for his host's original body, it was indeed the upper limit of what he could afford.
However, these bold words only earned him looks of utter idiocy from everyone present.
Professor Bai was so angered that he almost laughed out loud on the spot; he couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge this problem student's crazy talk.
And Lu Cheng seemed as if he had only just noticed there was another person there.
He turned his head and asked Professor Bai with a puzzled expression:
"Professor, who is this student?"
Professor Bai impatiently waved his hand, as if shooing away an annoying fly.
"Young Master Lu, please don't mind him. He's a disobedient problem student in our department. Just ignore him."
Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng's face showed a knowing smile.
He likewise ignored Ling Tian.
Instead, he continued his "dimension-reduction strike" of financial prowess against Professor Bai!
He sighed, feigning helplessness.
"Ah... Speaking of which, it's truly shameful."
"A national talent like Professor Bai, wholeheartedly dedicated to unearthing historical treasures for the country and preserving culture!"
"To still have to worry about research funds, this is truly a dereliction of duty for us younger generations!"
These words could be said to have precisely hit Professor Bai's most painful spot!
All scholars engaged in academic research lack money.
Especially those like him, who are involved in niche subjects like history and archaeology, which are extremely expensive and offer no commercial returns.
Professor Bai even felt that Lu Cheng had spoken directly to his heart; he felt as if he had found a true kindred spirit!
He tightly gripped Lu Cheng's hand, sighing repeatedly.
"Only Young Master Lu truly understands me!"
Just as Professor Bai was moved to tears, and even wanted to become sworn brothers with Lu Cheng if it weren't for Lu Cheng's young age,
Lu Cheng unleashed his most lethal trump card!
He calmly said to the principal, who had been following him:
"Principal, I have a small, unrefined suggestion."
"How about I personally donate another one hundred million yuan?"
"To specifically establish a... hmm, let's call it the Lu Clan Cultural and Historical Heritage Protection Fund."
"This fund will primarily be used to support national masters like Professor Bai in conducting deeper historical and cultural research."
He paused, then turned to look at the old man, who was almost dazed by the mention of "one hundred million yuan":
"Professor Bai, I, a junior, boldly wish to invite you, esteemed elder, to serve as the chief academic advisor for our fund."
"What do you think?"
...One hundred million in funding?
Chief academic advisor?
Who would even consider refusing that?
Forget being a chief academic advisor!
If Lu Cheng asked him to be his father and kneel down to call him 'daddy' right now, he'd be willing!
He was so excited he became incoherent, gripping Lu Cheng's hand tightly, thanking him repeatedly, nodding like a pounding garlic, afraid that Lu Cheng would go back on his word the next second.
"Willing, this old man is certainly willing, extremely willing!"
And Lu Cheng, after confirming that the old professor had been completely won over by his dimension-reduction strike,
finally, casually brought up the "mysterious piece of wood" in the professor's hand.
"Oh, by the way, Professor Bai."
"I noticed the wood in your hand has quite a unique shape."
"I'm currently decorating my study and need a paperweight to hold down book corners."
"I wonder, Professor, if you could bear to part with it..."
After Lu Cheng's series of attacks, how could Professor Bai possibly refuse?
Before Lu Cheng even finished speaking, he wrapped the piece of wood in a handkerchief and respectfully presented it to Lu Cheng.
"Young Master Lu, you are too kind! There's no question of bearing to part with it, if you can even take a liking to this small collection of mine, then it's the good fortune it accumulated over eight lifetimes!"
The ten-thousand-year soul nourishing wood!
His Immortal Emperor's life-extending treasure!
In Lu Cheng's words, it had become a broken paperweight for holding down book corners?
Ling Tian, who had been ignored all this time, could no longer contain himself after hearing this!
His shattered divine soul almost exploded on the spot from sheer anger!
Although it was true that he hadn't adapted to this world, which might have led him to misjudge the price and be seen as a fool by everyone.
But, if Lu Cheng hadn't appeared, if he hadn't snatched it, wouldn't this ten-thousand-year soul nourishing wood and these two exquisite cauldrons have been easily acquired?
"My soul nourishing wood! My opportunity!"
"This despicable, shameless mortal ant!"
"To actually snatch this Emperor's supreme treasure!"
"This enmity is irreconcilable!"