Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan exchanged glances, taken aback.
They had never witnessed such a scene before and were at a loss on how to react.
However, Lin Ran keenly noticed five individuals who were not participating in this fervent competition for talent.
There was a man with flowing long hair, a powerfully built man, a man wearing a mask, a woman with green hair, and another woman with short black hair.
These five exuded a cold aura, arms crossed, their eyes constantly exchanging glances, completely out of sync with the atmosphere of the conference room.
Who were these five?
Lin Ran cast a curious glance at them.
Upon sensing Lin Ran's gaze, the five displayed friendly smiles.
Then, the long-haired man in the center cleared his throat.
Hearing his voice, the teachers from other institutions gradually quieted down, turning their attention to the group of five.
These five were, naturally, the five department heads from Qingjing Yan Yun University.
Frankly speaking, even the teachers from these other universities were seeing Qingjing Yan Yun University in such a situation for the first time.
Normally, even when recruiting top scholars, a university of Qingjing Yan Yun University's caliber would only send one department head.
After all, the top few dozen ranks were usually divided among the ten major universities, so there was no need to appear so desperate.
But the situation today...
Seeing that the noise had subsided, the long-haired man, with a look of triumph, sprang from his chair and strode to the center of the conference room, declaring with self-satisfaction:
"Well... how should I put it..."
"We are taking these two people for Qingjing Yan Yun University! The rest of you can go home."
"Now, let's discuss our terms..."
"No matter how many sets of Golden-tier demon energy equipment and Golden-tier heavenly treasures you offer, we will always offer one more."
"Let's start with ten of each! If you disagree, keep bidding!"
"Furthermore, we will each year additionally provide one Platinum-tier demon energy equipment and one Platinum-tier heavenly treasure!"
"What do you say, is anyone else going to bid?"
Upon hearing this, the representatives from the other nine universities changed their expressions.
What the heck?! Had the department heads from Qingjing Yan Yun University gone mad?
Their previous bids had already escalated to nearly seven sets of Golden-tier demon energy equipment and heavenly treasures each.
Now, they had been directly raised to ten of each by the Yan Yun University representatives.
Yet, historically, the terms for every top scholar signing a contract were at most four or five of each.
Now, not only had they doubled the quantity, but they had also added an extra Platinum-tier item of each...
The value of a single Platinum-tier demon energy equipment or heavenly treasure, even estimated conservatively, was at least five times that of a Golden-tier item.
And this was not just for Lin Ran alone; Luo Qingyan was right beside him!
Their losses would be doubled...
This show of wealth and arrogance, were they trying to be a pushover with no regard for cost?
However, the long-haired man showed no sign of regret, looking at the teachers from other universities with a playful grin.
After all, it wasn't their own money being spent, and the old man with the white beard's only command was to bring Lin Ran back.
Therefore, they could shamelessly offer such exorbitant terms.
The teachers from other universities were generally limited by their principals with a maximum quota, making it impossible for them to continue competing.
As expected, things unfolded exactly as the long-haired man had anticipated.
After his declaration, the teachers from the remaining nine universities could only shake their heads, lamenting that everyone from Yan Yun University had gone crazy.
Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan were indeed top-tier talents, but it wasn't worth such a financial outlay.
After all, not every promising seedling could grow into a towering tree.
Throughout history, there had been instances where geniuses heavily invested in by universities perished prematurely in secret realms and forbidden lands.
Or, individuals with extraordinary talent eventually faded into mediocrity or embarked on an evil path.
If something were to happen to these two, wouldn't Qingjing Yan Yun University suffer a significant loss?
"Congratulations to Yan Yun University for securing two prodigies!"
"We shall take our leave..."
After bidding farewell to the five department heads of Yan Yun University, the teachers present also said goodbye to Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan before leaving the conference room.
Although Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan did not end up joining them, if they were to achieve great success in the future, at least they would leave a good impression, wouldn't they?
These people were willing to make such a cost-free investment.
Seeing that the extraneous individuals had all departed, leaving only the seven of them in the room, the long-haired man burst into laughter and approached Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan, saying:
"Little brother Lin Ran, little sister Qingyan, welcome to Qingjing Yan Yun University!"
"Let's start with introductions..."
"I am Lü Qiufeng, Head of the Qilin Department at Yan Yun University!"
The muscular man also nodded:
"Xu Lei, Head of the Xuanwu Department at Yan Yun University!"
The masked man stepped forward:
"Gao Xian, Head of the Zhuque Department at Yan Yun University!"
The green-haired woman smiled:
"Lin Miao, Head of the Qinglong Department at Yan Yun University!"
The short black-haired woman said sternly:
"Ling Shangqing, Head of the Baihu Department at Yan Yun University!"
Lin Ran and Luo Qingyan also clasped their fists towards them:
"Greetings to all department heads..."
Lü Qiufeng waved his hand grandly:
"Alright, let's keep things simple. We'll discuss the specifics once you enroll."
Saying this, Lü Qiufeng took out two black gold cards from his spatial storage device and handed them to the two, continuing:
"Ten million Dragon Coins each, considered as basic travel expenses funded by our university."
"Come to Qingjing within ten days and report to Yan Yun University first."
"As specially recruited individuals who we scouted early, you need to arrive a bit sooner. I hope you two don't mind."
"We'll discuss the details then."
"Oh, right, little brother Lin Ran, when you choose your department, you must choose our Qilin Department, alright!"
Xu Lei raised his sword-like eyebrows:
"An SS-rank defensive talent going to your Qilin Department? Lü, have you been drinking?"
"Lin Ran and our Xuanwu Department are a perfect match!"
Ling Shangqing sneered:
"Haven't you seen Lin Ran's performance in the college entrance examination instance?"
"Such ferocious offensive and killing techniques clearly suit our Baihu Department!"
The masked man slowly approached:
"If I'm not mistaken, the dark flames Lin Ran used in the college entrance examination instance were likely propelled by mental power."
"Since dark flames are his primary means of output, he definitely must choose our Zhuque Department..."
Watching the four of them start arguing again, Lin Ran was somewhat dumbfounded.
Well, now that they had managed to send away the people from other schools, their own internal competition for talent had begun anew.
Was he, the top scholar, really that sought after...