As soon as he finished speaking, he lightly flicked his wrist, and an ancient bronze mirror slowly appeared in the air.
This bronze mirror was about the size of a palm, its surface smooth as ice, its frame engraved with intricate refining patterns, and it emitted a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy, clearly a remarkable magical artifact.
The disciples all stared intently, their gazes fixed on the bronze mirror floating in mid-air, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Chu Yanqiu raised his hand again, gently touching the bronze mirror, infusing it with pale purple spiritual energy.
The next second, the mirror surface instantly lit up with a soft white light. After the light dissipated, a clear image appeared in the mirror.
In the image, a fist-sized piece of black iron lay quietly, its entire body deep black, its surface gleaming with a faint, eerie light, its patterns as fine as silk, and its touch icy cold. Even though it was just a reflection in the mirror, one could feel the profound spiritual energy it contained.
"Please look, everyone, this is the Millennium Black Iron," Chu Yanqiu's voice rang out slowly as he patiently introduced it to the crowd.
"This iron has absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for a thousand years. It is entirely black, gleaming with a ghostly light, and incredibly hard. It is a core material for forging magic weapons of Earth-grade or higher. Ordinary flames cannot temper it; only with pure spiritual power and special techniques can it be refined and integrated into the magic weapon, enhancing its power and spirituality."
Chu Yanqiu's explanation was detailed and thorough, and the disciples listened with great interest, nodding in agreement from time to time. Some even subconsciously memorized the characteristics of the Millennium Black Iron, secretly planning to look for it in the future.
However, Lin Hao, standing in the crowd, was as if struck by lightning. He froze on the spot, his curiosity and eagerness vanishing instantly, replaced by incredulous shock.
He stared intently at the reflection of the thousand-year-old black iron in the bronze mirror, his eyes bloodshot. Chu Yanqiu's explanation seemed to be completely shut out; he couldn't hear a thing.
The deep black color, the fine patterns, the faint glow—it was exactly the same as the "ordinary black iron" he had sold to Hu Nan a few days ago!
The scene from a few days ago flashed through his mind: Hu Nan had bought some black iron for three spirit stones.
Back then, Lin Hao had laughed at Hu Nan for paying such a high price for black iron.
Seeing everyone else selling their black iron to Hu Nan, he had also sold over seventy pieces of black iron collected by his trusted men to Hu Nan.
He had always thought he had gotten a great deal, making a fortune in spirit stones.
But now, looking at the thousand-year-old black iron in the mirror, Lin Hao suddenly realized that he hadn't made a profit at all; he had been meticulously tricked by Hu Nan!
Hu Nan had deliberately pretended to be ignorant of the market to swindle him out of his treasure at an extremely low price!
An uncontrollable rage erupted from the depths of his heart, spreading throughout his body.
Lin Hao's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at Hu Nan, filled with overwhelming anger and regret.
How laughable! He had been tricked like a fool, handing over the Millennium Black Iron to someone else with his own hands, and foolishly believing he had gained something. This humiliation and regret almost consumed him.
He simply couldn't understand how someone as shrewd as himself could be so easily outmaneuvered by Hu Nan.
Chu Yanqiu's gaze slowly swept over the Foundation Establishment cultivators, each with their own distinct expressions. He saw some looking troubled, others filled with anxiety yet unable to conceal their bewilderment, and knew they were currently unable to find the Millennium Black Iron.
Although somewhat disappointed, Chu Yanqiu still said gently, "Gentlemen, there's no need to rush. I know the Millennium Black Iron is rare and difficult to find."
"I'll make this clear today: even if we don't have the Millennium Black Iron now, it doesn't matter. As long as any of you can find it within three years and deliver it to the Imperial Sword Manor, my previous promise will be fulfilled—I will impart all my knowledge of crafting natal magic weapons, and the invitation to the Imperial Sword Manor will be sent as scheduled."
Upon hearing this, a stir arose again in the hall, but this time it wasn't anxious restlessness, but rather a sense of relief and joy.
The three-year time limit, though still difficult, gave everyone ample time to search. What had previously seemed an impossible opportunity now held promise, and the disciples' faces lit up with relief as they whispered amongst themselves, their voices filled with anticipation.
Lin Hao stood in the crowd, his anger and regret undiminished. Hearing the three-year time limit, a flicker of resentment flashed in his eyes.
If he hadn't been tricked by Hu Nan, he could have immediately produced the Millennium Black Iron and seized this opportunity. But now, the treasure was lost, and even with the three-year time limit, finding another piece of Millennium Black Iron was an impossible task.
Qin Changsheng, far away in the courtyard, also knew this was the best time to hand over the Millennium Black Iron.
He quickly controlled Hu Nan, pulling him out of the crowd.
Looking at Hu Nan emerging from the crowd, everyone watched him with curiosity, completely bewildered as to why he had come out at this moment.
Even Xuan Yangzi, Lin Zhentian, and Qingling Fairy above looked at Hu Nan with curiosity.
"Young friend, what brings you here?" Chu Yanqiu asked.
"Master Chu, this junior has a piece of thousand-year-old Xuan Iron here," Hu Nan said.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly plunging the entire sect leader's hall into deathly silence.
Every cultivator's face showed astonishment, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"Hu Nan? How could he have thousand-year-old Xuan Iron?"
"Yes, he just established his foundation, how could he possibly have thousand-year-old Xuan Iron?"
"He's probably trying to fool us with ordinary Xuan Iron!"
"I've seen plenty of these opportunists!"
The cultivators whispered amongst themselves, their gazes towards Hu Nan filled with doubt and shock. No one wanted to believe that the unassuming Hu Nan possessed thousand-year-old Xuan Iron.
They all believed Hu Nan was engaging in speculation.
Hu Nan was trying to deceive Chu Yanqiu with ordinary black iron.
Meanwhile, many cultivators also believed that Hu Nan had miscalculated.
After all, Chu Yanqiu was a master weapon refiner; no matter how well Hu Nan disguised himself, he couldn't possibly fool a master.
Meanwhile, Lin Hao, standing in the crowd, upon hearing Hu Nan's voice and seeing everyone's gaze turn towards him, his face instantly turned terrifyingly grim, like a dark cloud gathering. His spiritual energy surged violently, and he stared intently at Hu Nan, his eyes bloodshot, hatred almost bursting from them.
He knew better than anyone that Hu Nan truly possessed thousand-year-old black iron, and that he himself had sold it to Hu Nan!
Before Chu Yanqiu could speak, a deep, sharp rebuke shattered his words.
Lin Zhentian stepped forward: "Hu Nan! Stop your nonsense here!"
His voice was forceful and reprimanding, instantly silencing the remaining whispers in the hall.
Lin Zhentian was Lin Hao's father.
He naturally knew that his son deeply hated Hu Nan.
He also knew that Hu Nan had humiliated his son at the Foundation Establishment Ceremony last year.
Now, seizing the opportunity, he naturally wanted to thoroughly humiliate Hu Nan.
"Millennial Xuan Iron is an extremely rare treasure, something even many Golden Core cultivators struggle to obtain. You are merely a mediocre Foundation Establishment cultivator in the sect, usually listless and unable to even handle ordinary magic tools. How could you possibly possess Millennial Xuan Iron? You are clearly just trying to attract attention and disrupt order!"
Upon hearing this, the disciples nodded in agreement, their initial astonishment gradually replaced by disdain.
"Yes, Elder Lin is right. How could Hu Nan possibly possess a thousand-year-old black iron? He must be desperate for fame!"
"I knew it was impossible. He's often short of spirit stones, how could he possibly obtain such a treasure? It's utter nonsense!"
The discussions resumed, their gazes towards Hu Nan filled with mockery and disdain.