Chapter 449: Treasure Appraisal Pavilion

Along the way, he had encountered few such professionals and hadn't thought much of it. He never expected that this Honghai City actually had a Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, which meant there must be formal appraisers and methods for certifying them.

If nothing else, he could take the exam for fun and earn some extra money.

Otherwise, even if he knew about the Soul-Less Golden Man, he probably wouldn't have the money to buy it.

If anyone else knew what he was thinking, they would be speechless.

Although appraisers were not among the top nine professions, passing the exam was extremely difficult. It required a deep understanding of treasures. No formal appraiser could pass without decades of study.

But this guy wanted to take the exam just because he was short on cash. Anyone who heard that would be utterly dumbfounded.

"To the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion!"

With the idea in mind, he didn't hesitate. After asking for directions, Zhang Xuan and the others headed over.

The Treasure Appraisal Pavilion was resplendent and magnificent. It was not only a place for appraising treasures but also a huge trading market, filled with all kinds of items and bustling with people. Before even reaching it, they were awed by the splendid scene before them.

"This is the trading house run by the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion. Most of the items here are genuine. That's why it has become the largest trading market in the entire Ten Nations Alliance!"

Seeing the super genius before him utterly stunned, Zhao Feiwu felt a hint of pride.

The Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, due to its unique professional nature, inspired deep trust in people. Naturally, its trading house thrived, with more people willing to pay high prices just for peace of mind.

Because of this, although appraisers were not among the top nine professions, they were undeniably one of the most lucrative.

Many master teachers, when choosing a secondary profession, often favored this one.

However, to appraise treasures, one needed extensive knowledge of history, anecdotes, artifacts, materials, origins... Only by integrating vast amounts of knowledge could one achieve success. Passing the one-star exam was easy, but higher levels were extremely difficult.

Thus, many people wanted to become appraisers, but very few reached three stars or above, even fewer in number than master teachers.

For this reason, there were not many Treasure Appraisal Pavilions. Even a place like Tianwu King City didn't have one, allowing a fake master like Mo Yang to be so sought after.

"Can an appraiser guarantee a correct judgment?"

Sun Qiang couldn't help asking.

He had run a shop in the mall and knew many tricks. Even an appraiser could make mistakes; they couldn't guarantee every judgment was correct!

After all, humans aren't machines; there are always times when they slip up.

A cobbler's wife goes barefoot. No matter how skilled an appraiser, they couldn't guarantee a lifetime without a single error.

"Appraisers, limited by their level and eyesight, indeed cannot guarantee every item is correctly appraised! However, in such cases, they usually seal the item and invite other appraisers to examine it together. If the invited few can't give a definite answer, they can only offer a comprehensive opinion as a reference."

Zhao Feiwu said.

"That's as good as no answer!" Sun Qiang shook his head.

"An appraiser has only three chances to make a wrong judgment in their lifetime. If they exceed that, their qualification is automatically revoked. Without being certain, they dare not easily draw conclusions!" Jin Conghai interjected.

"Three times?"

"Yes. From the moment they become a formal appraiser, every item they appraise must be recorded and filed. If something goes wrong with that item, it counts as an error. If they exceed three errors, no matter what star level they've reached, they will be directly disqualified!"

Jin Conghai continued.

Over the years, he had seen many appraisers disqualified for making mistakes, and he felt quite sad about it.

Many had built a reputation over a lifetime, only to have problems in old age.

Everyone fell silent.

It seemed that while everyone envied appraisers, the profession wasn't easy.

More than three errors and you're disqualified—but who could guarantee that every appraisal would be flawless?

"Actually, every profession is the same, even more so for master teachers. One wrong instruction could ruin your reputation, and no one would trust you again!" Seeing the others sympathizing with appraisers, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Before he came to this world, his predecessor had made a mistake in guidance, causing a student to go berserk, which stirred up a storm and left him unable to recruit any students.

"Yes, and physicians too. One mistake could cost a life..." Zhao Feiwu nodded, then looked at the young man before her.

This guy seemed about her age—how could he easily solve congenital muscle weakness, which even four-star and five-star physicians couldn't cure, and thus heal her illness?

"So many things..."

"So beautiful..."

Just as she was wondering how he had learned medicine and what his backing was, she heard Yuan Tao and the others exclaiming excitedly.

While talking, they had walked into the lavishly decorated hall, where vendors selling all kinds of items lined the area, covering dozens of professions.

Medicines, pills, cauldrons, weapons, formation plates... scattered like stars, a dazzling array that overwhelmed the eyes.

Countless treasures, rarely seen in ordinary times, shimmered with light, stimulating the senses.

"Come one, come all! Take a look at the latest [Treasure-Seeking Mirror], which can automatically determine the value of treasures, giving you a basis and assurance for purchase. Only ten spirit stones—you won't lose out, and you won't be cheated!"

A young man shouted loudly.

"Treasure-Seeking Mirror?"

Zhao Ya and the others blinked, wanting to go over.

"It's just an ordinary broken iron mirror, a scam. If ten spirit stones could buy a Treasure-Seeking Mirror, he wouldn't be here selling mirrors!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Even without the Library of Heaven's Path, his Eye of Insight could discern the origin and value of some simple treasures.

The so-called Treasure-Seeking Mirror in the young man's hand was obviously fake.

"A scam? Didn't you say... everything here is genuine?" Zheng Yang looked at Zhao Feiwu.

He had just said that with the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion's guarantee, most items here were genuine—how could a fake pop up so quickly?

"How many treasures are here?" Without answering, Zhao Feiwu rolled her eyes and gestured around.

"At least tens of millions, maybe even hundreds of millions!"

Zheng Yang glanced around: "That's just what I can see. There are more inside that I can't see... probably even more!"

The entire trading house had no fewer than several thousand stalls, each with countless treasures. The total number was terrifying.

"Yes, with so many items, even if all appraisers worked to death, they couldn't examine them all! Plus, with items coming and going every day, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands flow through—how could they appraise each one?"

Zhao Feiwu smiled: "When I said genuine, I meant items with an appraiser's certification mark. Without that, it's best not to buy, or you might be cheated without knowing!"

"Oh!"

Everyone nodded.

The Treasure Appraisal Pavilion's trading house, as the largest market in the Ten Nations Alliance, had too many buyers and sellers. If every item needed appraisal, even the most skilled appraiser would be exhausted.

"Of course, if you see something suitable, you can buy it. If you're unsure, you can pay a high price to have a real appraiser upstairs examine it. If it's genuine, you profit; if it's fake, you lose!" Zhao Feiwu added.

Like gambling on appraisals, buying unappraised items tests your eye and luck. Without luck, you can only swallow your losses.

"Appraisers really make money..."

Not to mention the commissions from running the trading house, but when people buy items and then come to them willingly to be exploited—truly one of the most profitable professions.

"Come take a look! I have [Water-Land Fish] here. Just hold this fish in your mouth, and you can breathe freely underwater for three days and nights without suffocating. A truly great item!"

"Take a walk, take a look! Authentic [Antidote Grass], can cure seventeen common miasmas. Inexpensive and endlessly useful!"

"I have Star Stones here. At night, they shine like stars, illuminating all directions. Don't miss out!"

...

Voices clamored from all sides, treasures everywhere. Without a guide, coming in alone, it would be hard to tell good from bad, hard to choose!

Walking slowly among the stalls, Zhang Xuan suddenly frowned and stopped.

At a nearby stall, a palm-sized gray item caught his eye.

Although his Eye of Insight hadn't reached the highest level, and was far inferior to that of a high-level master teacher, he could still easily discern the origin and value of ordinary treasures.

Yet, for some reason, this scale was completely unreadable.

"Strange!"

Turning, Zhang Xuan frowned.

Could it be that it was extremely valuable, beyond what his current strength could analyze?

"Friend, see anything you like? I guarantee everything here is genuine..."

Seeing someone approach, the stall owner hurriedly greeted him with a full smile.

"Genuine?"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan looked around.

This stall indeed had many items, no fewer than a thousand: weapons, pills, armor... everything imaginable. There were many genuine items, but just as many fakes.

All genuine—the merchant's words were indeed not to be trusted.

The textures rippled in his eyes, and he quickly scanned again.

He could see through most of these items at a glance; there were no particularly precious treasures. Without much hesitation, he pointed at the gray item nearby and asked directly: "What is this?"

"This?"

The stall owner paused, then smiled: "Young master has good taste! This is the most valuable item on my stall. I got it from a tomb raider. I'm not sure exactly what treasure it is. But I've tried burning it with fire—no damage; soaking it in water—no marks. It's extremely hard, definitely a top-notch treasure..."

"Most valuable? Who are you trying to fool?" Zhao Feiwu snorted, hearing his endless self-praise.

These stall owners, whenever someone shows interest in an item, always say the same thing, trying to sell it at a high price.

If you believe 'most valuable' or 'most precious,' you'd be a fool.

"How would I dare fool you? This thing is really precious. I even had a two-star appraiser examine it, and he couldn't figure it out!" the stall owner declared earnestly.

"Alright, how much is this?" Too lazy to haggle, Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"If the young master fancies it, it means fate. I'll sell it cheap—one hundred spirit stones!"

Hearing the price inquiry, the stall owner's eyes lit up, and he smiled.

"What did you say?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned, almost spitting blood.

He thought such stall goods could be bought cheaply, maybe one or two spirit stones, or a few gold coins... He never expected it to be so expensive.

One hundred spirit stones...

He had only a few left, and they had been used up on the road. That much money—even selling himself wouldn't be enough!

No wonder it was the Ten Nations Alliance—the prices were shockingly high.

"These stall items are always overpriced to scare people. Don't fall for it!"

Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Zhao Feiwu chuckled and sent him a telepathic message.

"Scare people?"

"Watch me. I'll help you bargain. In a bit, we'll definitely get it cheap!" Zhao Feiwu said confidently.

"Good!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

One hundred spirit stones was a sky-high price for him; he couldn't afford it. Since she offered to help lower the price, he was happy to go along.

"Don't spout nonsense here. We've bought things from the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion before; this isn't our first time. One hundred spirit stones? That's as much as a ten-session three-star jade talisman. This piece of junk is worth that? Are you trying to rob us?"

Waving her hand, Zhao Feiwu acted like a regular customer, glaring: "Give us a real price!"

"Young miss, you jest. That is the real price. This item, though unremarkable, I acquired at a high cost. Even a refiner tried to forge it but failed. Even if I don't know exactly what it is, I know it's a treasure..."

The stall owner gave a dry laugh, then gritted his teeth: "But... since you're a regular customer and often come here, I won't beat around the bush. How about this: you name a price, we'll discuss it. If it's fair, take it; if not, forget it."

"That's more like it. How about this: I'll give you fifteen spirit stones!"

Seeing her tactic work, Zhao Feiwu waved her hand triumphantly.

"Fifteen? Fine, I'll take a loss. Fifteen it is!" The stall owner looked pained.

"That's all it takes?"

Zhao Ya and the others staggered, eyes wide.

Asking 100, countering with 15—they thought he'd be beaten to death, but he agreed...

That was brutal!

If they hadn't experienced it themselves, they wouldn't have believed it.

"Hmm!" Having bargained successfully, Zhao Feiwu looked smugly at Zhang Xuan: "Alright, pay up!"

"Pay up?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He really wanted to pay, but... fifteen spirit stones was still a huge sum for him. He didn't have that much on him.

"Fifteen spirit stones—I still think it's too expensive!" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Fifteen spirit stones too expensive? Young master must be joking. That's already the lowest price..." the stall owner said bitterly.

"This... it really isn't expensive. If you really like it, just buy it!" Seeing that he was still hesitating after she had bargained down to fifteen, Zhao Feiwu raised an eyebrow.

You came here to buy the Soul-Less Golden Man, which would cost thousands or tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Fifteen spirit stones for something you fancy—why are you complaining about the price?

"How about this: let me take a look first to see what it's worth, then we'll talk."

Zhang Xuan said.

"Alright!" The stall owner handed over the gray item.

Taking it, Zhang Xuan finally got a clear look.

It was palm-sized, dark gray on the surface, curved on one side and concave on the other, resembling a large fish scale.

The concave part was etched with special patterns, dense and intricate, with some areas blurred, making it hard to tell what they were.

"Flaw!"

Glancing at its appearance, without much hesitation, he called out in his mind.

His Eye of Insight couldn't identify it, but the Library of Heaven's Path could clearly reveal its nature.

Whoosh!

A book appeared in his mind. He opened it casually, and as soon as he saw the contents, his eyes widened and his breathing quickened.

"What a treasure..."

A line of text in the book detailed the item's name and flaws.

"Dragon Scale Protective Talisman, forged two thousand years ago by Bai Xi, a six-star refiner. Can withstand three attacks from a Mortal Transcendence Ninth Layer expert. Flaw: ..."

His fist clenched.

Setting aside everything else, the ability to withstand attacks from a Mortal Transcendence Ninth Layer expert alone was terrifying.

If he had had this before, Lu Chong would never have been injured, let alone fallen into a coma from which he still hadn't awakened.

"I must buy it!"

Originally just curious, he hadn't expected it to be so precious. Suppressing the excitement on his face, he was about to say he'd buy it when a voice sounded nearby.

"Fifteen spirit stones, you say? I'll take it!"

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man staring intently at the Dragon Scale Protective Talisman in his hand.

"So it's Appraiser Liu Chang!"

Recognizing the man, the stall owner quickly said: "I should sell it to you directly, but this young master saw it first. How about... you two discuss it?"

"Appraiser?"

Hearing the title, Zhang Xuan finally noticed the man.

He wore a badge on his chest with two shiny stars.

So he was a two-star appraiser.

Appraisers sometimes browsed here too, buying items on the side, hoping to stumble upon something valuable and make a profit.

"I've taken a liking to this item. Hand it over to me!"

Appraiser Liu Chang frowned, looking at Zhang Xuan.

"Sorry, but I've taken a liking to it too. I don't want to give it to anyone else!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

No way. If he hadn't known what it was, he might have let it go. But now that he knew, he would never let it go!

This item was equivalent to three chances to save his life. Only a fool would sell it.

"Not giving it?"

Appraiser Liu Chang snorted, ignoring Zhang Xuan, and turned to the stall owner: "He saw it first, but hasn't paid yet, right? In buying, the highest bidder wins. I'll give you fifty spirit stones. Sell it to me!"

"Fifty?"

The stall owner's eyes lit up.

He had acquired this item by chance and truly didn't know its exact value. Selling it for fifty seemed like a great deal.

Excited, he quickly looked at the young man: "Young master, Appraiser Liu has made an offer. If you... can't offer a higher price, please return the item to me."

Zhang Xuan looked over: "How about this: I'll give you a price. If it's acceptable, sell it to me; if not, give it to him!"

"Fine!" the stall owner nodded.

"Fifty gold coins!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Fifty... gold coins?"

The stall owner was stunned, nearly spitting blood.

The other guy offered fifty spirit stones, and you offer fifty gold coins. Bro, are you messing with me?