Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”I’ll take this thing for 100,000 Gold Coins!”

Qiao Lin’s declaration was resolute, with a fierce determination, as if he was ready to fight anyone who dared to compete with him for the item, which was indeed a surprise for such a notoriously stingy person.

The reason why the onlookers regretted was that they had just witnessed Yun Xiao’s treasure appraisal skills. Whether it was the Sheep Horn of the Golden Horn Spirit Sheep or the Smoke Clearing Stone, their value might not be lower than some of the High Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Especially the Divine Clarity Jade, which had just been bid up to the sky-high price of 300,000 Gold Coins. And since such items are hard to come by, didn’t you see the rich tycoon who offered 300,000 Gold Coins didn’t even get to touch the Divine Clarity Jade in the end?

It seems that Qiao Lin was no fool. From the previous situation, it looked like for this treasure appraisal convention, the Treasure Pavilion presented all mysterious objects that could be treasures.

If one could buy an item comparable to the Divine Clarity Jade for 100,000 Gold Coins, that would indeed be a fortune. Therefore, at this time, many people’s eyes were aimed at the remaining six peculiar items, seemingly plotting something.

In the past, items from this problematic area weren’t readily bought because even if they were treasures, they would be of no great use if one couldn’t identify them.

But now, the first three items turned out to be rare treasures, which suggests that the remaining ones could also be highly valuable. Finding a Master Treasure Appraiser to appraise them later or reselling them at a high price, or if they benefit one’s cultivation, wouldn’t it all be a huge profit?

However, just as everyone was entertaining these thoughts, a strange voice from the ragged youth came over: ”Are you sure you want to spend 100,000 Gold Coins on this flower?”

Naturally, this question was posed by Yun Xiao. Initially, he wasn’t quite sure what the flower was, but after Qiao Lin picked it up and a surge of energy came forth, his doubts were no more.

”Of course, guard!”

Seeing Yun Xiao speak up, Qiao Lin’s face showed resolve as he called out loudly, and a guard approached. Without further delay, he eagerly threw out a heavy purse, which looked somewhat familiar.

It turned out to be the same purse that Qiao Lin had used earlier to buy the Soul Condensing Stone, but since Yun Xiao got the stone, the 100,000 Gold Coins had been left without use. Unexpectedly, it ended up being spent here.

”100,000 Gold Coins?”

The guard, seemingly well-versed in these dealings, glanced at the purse and seemed to recognize Qiao Lin’s identity but didn’t say much else. He just nodded, and the deal was settled.

In fact, items from the difficult area are usually not for sale, which is the cause for the earlier dilemma among the people. However, Qiao Lin, being wealthy and having some connection with the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion, the guard did not want to offend him and turned a blind eye.

Fortunately, no one had ever spent 100,000 Gold Coins on these uncertain items from the problematic area before, so there was no precedent. Seeing the transaction succeed, a smug smile appeared on Qiao Lin’s face.

”I refuse to believe that besides you, kid, no one can recognize the true nature of this treasure!”

Qiao Lin snorted. If it were anyone else without a grudge against Yun Xiao, they probably would have spent money to have Yun Xiao appraise it right then and there. But knowing that the youth didn’t favor him, it was better not to waste the effort.

While Qiao Lin was feeling pleased with himself, Yun Xiao shook his head helplessly and said softly, ”Do you not find this red flower somewhat familiar?”

”Familiar?”

Upon hearing this, including Qiao Lin, many of the surrounding Cultivators turned their gaze back to the red flower. To their surprise, on a closer look, it did indeed seem somewhat familiar.

”Just now, as I was entering the Treasure Pavilion, it seems I saw a flower bed next to the Pavilion gate, where the Red Sunflowers were blooming quite vibrantly!”

Yun Xiao seemed to recall something, and as he spoke, Qiao Lin’s pupils suddenly constricted to the size of needlepoints, and the surrounding crowd showed an excited expression because they recalled certain things too.

”The Red Sunflower, it’s actually a Red Sunflower. Qiao Lin has made a huge loss this time!”

A straightforward middle-aged man exclaimed, and his outburst left no room for doubt. The plant that Qiao Lin had just bought for 100,000 Gold Coins was indeed a Red Sunflower, meant for ornamental use.

Though not common, the Red Sunflower indeed required effort from the Treasure Pavilion to transplant from foreign lands. This flower thrives on sunlight and blooms very vibrantly under it.

However, due to the Cultivators of Xuri City not commonly seeing Red Sunflowers, they failed to recognize them momentarily, leading to such a farce.

The Red Sunflower’s sole feature is its vibrant bloom. It serves no purpose for the Cultivation of Meridian Qi or the soul, and spending 100,000 Gold Coins on it was a substantial loss.

Who knew what method the Treasure Pavilion had employed that made the Red Sunflower remain enticingly fresh even after being cut, deceiving even Qiao Lin for the moment.

The crowd’s gazes toward Qiao Lin were akin to looking at a fool. At this moment, everyone also realized that Yun Xiao had probably intended to directly reveal the true nature of the Red Sunflower, but Qiao Lin had preempted him.

Moreover, this fellow couldn’t wait and under Yun Xiao’s question, he immediately threw out 100,000 Gold Coins, seemingly afraid that someone else would compete with him for the item, only to end up with such a result.

Qiao Lin has always been overbearing in Xuri City, and with his condescending attitude, he naturally doesn’t have a good reputation, so at this moment, many people are showing schadenfreude, making Qiao Lin’s face nearly burst with anger.

But who is to blame for this?

Blame only Qiao Lin’s greed, thinking that everything in this challenging area would be treasures like the Divine Clarity Jade, which led to such a folly, making him the laughing stock among everyone.

Of course, if it weren’t for Yun Xiao consecutively identifying three rare treasures, perhaps Qiao Lin would not have been so reckless. After all, the appraisal event is held monthly, and before this, there was never someone foolish enough to spend 100,000 Gold Coins without understanding the full details of the item.

There are also some who are secretly relieved that they didn’t follow the trend. If they had spent 100,000 Gold Coins like Qiao Lin to buy a worthless item, they would truly be crying without tears.

Following the trend is risky; buy with caution!

At this moment, everyone decided that they would rather purchase items appraised by others instead of taking this risk, even if the price is higher, at least what they buy would be genuine, wouldn’t it?

However, what these people do not know is that even among the items appraised by others, many are fakes. Their thinking might lead them to be deceived again in the near future.

Ignoring Qiao Lin’s grinding teeth, Yun Xiao had already walked straight to the fifth curious item, which was placed in a pot looking like sludge and also faintly emitting an unpleasant smell.

”Ah, this Treasure Pavilion is really...”

Yun Xiao frowned slightly and directly skipped the fifth item, but someone nearby, extremely curious, approached and asked.

”It’s just the feces of a Fire Pine Dog, do you want to buy it?”

Yun Xiao turned his head and glanced at the person. After saying that, a look of embarrassment flashed across the person’s face, and he didn’t say anything further.

In fact, when Yun Xiao skipped over the feces earlier, everyone already knew it wasn’t a treasure, but still, they were curious. Upon hearing this, they cursed inwardly.

Even some people studied it for several hours, only to find out it was Fire Pine Dog’s feces. The Treasure Pavilion’s ability to deceive really is creative.

Because of this, everyone’s perception of the treasure dropped a notch. The grand Treasure Pavilion, even if unable to recognize treasures like the Smoke Clearing Stone and Divine Clarity Jade, couldn’t recognize the Red Sunflower or the Fire Pine Dog’s feces?

It was clearly a ploy to swindle those who fancied themselves as Treasure Appraisal Masters. If not revealed by Yun Xiao’s words, they might still be studying a Red Sunflower and a pot of feces.

Under the angry thoughts of the crowd, Yun Xiao had already reached the seventh curious item while the sixth item, with his insight, was naturally seen as ordinary and not worth more time.

”Ah?”

When Yun Xiao’s gaze landed on the seventh item, his eyes brightened because if he wasn’t mistaken, this item could possibly be even more precious than the Divine Clarity Jade, and moreover, it was something useful for his cultivation.

”Hold on!”

However, just as Yun Xiao reached out his right hand to grab the item, a strange voice suddenly came from somewhere, and a tall middle-aged man with a commanding presence walked straight up to the table and placed his hand on the item.

”Is that Pavilion Master Gong? Why has he come?”

Seeing the tall middle-aged man, many tightened their hearts, recognizing his identity at the first instance—the master of the Treasure Pavilion, Pavilion Master Gong Qizhen!

Generally, in events like these appraisal meetings that are full of buzz, Pavilion Master Gong Qizhen wouldn’t show up. But now, seeing him place his hand on the curious item and then glancing at the young man in plain clothing with an indifferent expression, many people understood something.

Presumably, Yun Xiao’s successful identification of three treasures being rare finds, although the following three items were ordinary, could testify that the young man indeed had a unique eye.

It seems that if there truly is a treasure, it could not escape this young man’s discerning eye, and Pavilion Master Gong likely knew some details about the seventh item and had to step in to prevent Yun Xiao from acquiring it.

Thinking this, some started to regret. Even Pavilion Master Gong couldn’t help but intervene here to stop Yun Xiao, so what kind of extraordinary treasure was the seventh item?

”Pavilion Master Gong?”

From the surrounding discussions, Yun Xiao also learned of the newcomer’s identity instantly. As he looked up, his expression appeared to be somewhere between smiling and non-smiling as if trying to peer into Pavilion Master Gong’s heart.