Withered Leaf Tea, also known as Withered Glory Tea, was the biggest specialty of the League of Nations' Hongxu Marsh.
The tea grew in the marsh, and in a year, it would only be alive for a month. For the rest of the time, it would be no different from a withered tree.
The leaves were new, but the branches were dead. One life, one death, one withered, one flourished, thus its name.
After frying the tea and steeping it into water, it would make one feel as though they had experienced the four seasons. It was one of the most famous teas in the League of Nations.
However, the Hongxu Marsh was extremely dangerous. Even Transcendent Mortal experts might not be able to survive if they were devoured by it. Furthermore, the tea would only last for a month, so the production rate was low. As such, there weren't many who were able to taste it.
"Indeed. This place produces Withered Leaf Tea, and there's also... Withered Leaf Snake!" Zhang Xuan said.
"Un!"
The crowd nodded.
The Withered Leaf Snake was a spirit beast that fed on the tea leaves of the Withered Leaf Tea. Its body contained lethal poison, and even a Transcendent Mortal 3-dan expert would die from a single bite.
"Could it be... the poison of the Withered Leaf Snake? But that's not right. Even though the Withered Leaf Snake's venom is potent, its venom is extremely potent. Furthermore, its saliva is unique, making it easy for one to identify it. This Verdant Bamboo is as smooth as new, and there aren't any marks on it... "
The elder couldn't help but ask.
The Withered Leaf Snake was an extremely fearsome existence that even Transcendent Mortal experts had to tread carefully around. If there was any saliva left on it, one should be able to identify it.
"It's not the saliva of the snake, but... this Verdant Bamboo is the nest of the Withered Leaf Snake. In other words, the Withered Leaf Snake is crawling around the Verdant Bamboo every day. "
Zhang Xuan said with a grim expression.
"Ah..."
Hearing those words, the attendant holding the book paled in fright, and he nearly fell to the ground.
He had been taking care of the Verdant Bamboo for the past few days, wiping it from time to time. When he thought of the Withered Leaf Snake, he couldn't help but feel a wave of disgust wash over him.
"As such, the excrement of the Withered Leaf Snake would more or less stick to the Verdant Bamboo, and over the years, it would be absorbed into the depths of the Verdant Bamboo!"
Ignoring everyone's discomfort, Zhang Xuan continued, "These things usually don't reveal themselves. In fact, they can't even be seen, and they don't have any effect on humans. However, once they come into contact with flames and heat, they will reveal themselves, causing any lifeform that comes into contact with them to suffer a great loss!"
"If we only use the bamboo as the foundation of the formation, it won't affect us too much. We can continue using it. However, when it came to concocting medicinal pills, it was impossible. If one were to accidentally consume the poison, even a Transcendent Mortal 3-dan cultivator would die on the spot! That's why there's a saying like 'If you want to refine the Exquisite Jade Pill, say you bought a fake'! "
Zhang Xuan explained.
"I see!"
Only then did the crowd come to a realization. They looked at the young man once more with admiration in their eyes.
To be able to see through the poison hidden in the Emerald Bamboo with a single glance, one must have a deep understanding of the attributes of plants, their habitats, and their origins to be able to do so!
"Amazing!"
The old man clenched his fists.
Not to mention other things, just this insight alone made him feel ashamed of his inferiority.
"Young Master, you've broadened my horizons. Since you're so fond of the Spirit Soothing Grass, I'll give it to you as a token of my gratitude!"
The old man waved his hands grandly and said.
"Teacher …"
Liu Chang was stunned.
When the other party asked for the Spirit Soothing Grass for five hundred gold coins, he thought that there was something wrong with the other party's head. Only at this moment did he realize that the other party had already guessed that his teacher would give the Spirit Soothing Grass to him.
This was something that he had just bought for five hundred spirit stones. To give it away so easily … Wasn't he being a little too generous?
Even if he could tell that the Emerald Bamboo was a fake, there was no need for him to be so generous.
"Could it be … This is impossible! How could he see through even this? "
Suddenly, Liu Chang recalled something, and his body stiffened as his body trembled uncontrollably.
He finally understood why his teacher was so generous.
An appraiser only had three chances to make a mistake in their lifetime. If they were to make more than three mistakes, they would be stripped of their qualifications and fall from grace.
His teacher had appraised countless artifacts, and he had already reached the limit of three mistakes. If he were to make another mistake, he would end up in such a situation!
In other words, if the other party didn't stop him and allowed him to take the Emerald Bamboo to find someone to concoct pills for him, even if he wasn't poisoned, he would lose his qualifications as an appraiser.
In the past few years, he had offended many people and harbored grudges with them. If he were to lose his identity as an appraiser, there was a good chance that he would be hunted down by others. In other words … the other party had saved his teacher's life. No matter how valuable the Spirit Soothing Grass was, he would still be willing to pay the price.
But … the fact that his teacher had broken the rule three times was only known within the appraiser circle. Other than his close friends, no one would know of it. How did this fellow know of it? Furthermore, why was he so certain that he would give the Spirit Soothing Grass to him out of gratitude?
Putting that together with his previous experience on the first floor …
Could it be that despite his young age, this fellow was an unparalleled appraiser?
Liu Chang hurriedly turned his gaze to the young man to see if his conjecture was right. However, the young man replied righteously, "I don't dare to accept such an expensive gift. Sun Qiang, give this elder five hundred gold coins, and we'll buy the Spirit Soothing Grass from him. We can't let him lose out! "
"Pu!"
A moment ago, Liu Chang was still doubting whether the other party was an expert. However, upon hearing those words, his body swayed and he nearly spurted blood.
The heck!
"I don't dare to accept your offer. We can't let you lose out …" To speak so confidently, how could he be so shameless?
What was the difference between paying five hundred gold coins and not paying at all?
Was this really something an expert should do?
Liu Chang hurriedly turned to look at his teacher, only to see him swaying unsteadily, as if he was holding in a mouthful of blood. With a livid expression, he said, "Gongzi, I am truly grateful for your offer. There's no need for money …"
"Elder, there's really no need to stand on ceremony with me!" The young man insisted. "Five hundred gold coins … I can still afford it!"
"…" Liu Chang.
Picking up a piece of trash from any battlefield would be worth that much money. Of course, he could afford it …
Knowing that he would die of depression if he continued arguing with the other party, the old man could only accept the gold coins and keep them in his storage ring. "Gongzi, you seem to have a deep understanding of appraising. May I know … who is your teacher? Could it be that you are an appraiser as well?"
Liu Chang's ears perked up as well.
To be able to see through a problem that even his teacher was unable to, the other party's mastery of appraising had already reached an unfathomable level.
To be able to groom such a young appraiser, Liu Chang was also curious to know who the other party was.
"Our young master is Master Teacher Zhang Xuan, and his teacher is Master Teacher Yang Xuan." Sun Qiang stepped forward and introduced proudly.
"Master teacher?"
The old man's face stiffened. Only then did he realize what was going on.
On the other hand, Liu Chang was shocked.
Previously, he still harbored a strong opinion of the other party, but if he had known of his identity, he would have never dared to do such a thing.
Even though an appraiser could earn a lot of money, there was still a huge gap between them and a master teacher.
It was just like the difference between a lottery winner and a government official. No matter how rich one was, it was nothing in front of an occupation like this.
Not to mention, the capability of the young man before him in appraising was even higher than that of his teacher, let alone him.
"So, you are a master teacher. It's no wonder your eye of discernment is so sharp. Please forgive me for my lack of respect!"
Recovering from his shock, the old man clasped his fist and said, "I am Sai Xiaoyu. You can just call me Brother Sai in the future. I dare not accept the title of senior!"
Seeing that the other party's skill in appraising wasn't beneath his, not to mention that he was a master teacher as well, the old man immediately felt the urge to befriend him.
"Sai Xiaoyu? Could you be … Master Sai of the Appraiser Hall? "
Hearing this name, Zhang Xuan didn't seem to think much of it. However, Zhao Feiwu was taken aback for a moment before asking.
As the princess of the Alliance of Nations, she had been fond of reading since young. As such, she knew a little about the strongest experts of the various guilds in the region.
It was said that the head of the Appraiser Hall was called Sai Xiaoyu, and he was a 4-star pinnacle appraiser. He had appraised countless artifacts in his life, and even the Alliance Head Residence had specially invited him over as an esteemed guest.
She thought that it would be impossible for her to meet such an unfathomable figure. Who could have thought that not only would she be taught a lesson by Zhang Xuan, she even managed to scam a stalk of Spirit Calming Grass out of him …
"My position as the head of the Appraiser Hall is just the favor of my old friends. It isn't worth mentioning!" Sai Xiaoyu shook his head with a smile.
"So, you're the head of the Appraiser Hall. That's great!"
Upon realizing the other party's identity, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but ask, "I heard that … Honghai City has obtained a Soulless Metal Humanoid. May I know if the news is true? Where is it?"
That was the reason why he came to Honghai City.
Since the other party was the head of the Appraiser Hall, he should know about it.
"Soulless Metal Humanoid? So, Brother Zhang is here for that! "
Coming to a realization, Master Sai chuckled. "There is indeed such a thing. Furthermore, it is being auctioned at the Appraiser Hall tonight."
"Tonight?"
Zhang Xuan clenched his fists tightly, and an awkward expression surfaced on his face.
It was already afternoon when they arrived at Honghai City, and the sky was already darkening. If the Appraiser Hall were to be auctioned tonight, wouldn't that mean that the auction was about to begin?
He didn't have a single spirit stone on him at all.
If he wanted to participate in the auction without any money, he would probably be chased out of the premises before he could even enter.
One must know that in order to enter a large-scale auction, one had to go through a verification process. Otherwise, if anyone were to intentionally raise the price, the market would be in chaos.
"That's right, it'll be held two hours later. If Brother Zhang is interested, I can reserve a suite for you!"
Sai Xiaoyu said.
"Thank you, Brother Sai!"
Nodding his head in gratitude, Zhang Xuan continued asking, "What's the price of the Soulless Metal Humanoid? How many spirit stones would it cost?"
It was best to find out more about it so that he could make preparations in advance.
"The Soulless Metal Humanoid is an artifact left behind by the soul oracle, so it's hard to estimate its price. Our Appraiser Hall has estimated its price to be 1500 spirit stones, but the price of the Appraiser Hall's auction is bound to increase by several folds. Thus, it would probably cost you 3000 spirit stones! "
After explaining, Sai Xiaoyu turned to Zhang Xuan with a smile. "Why? Does Brother Zhang intend to make a move on it?"
"I am interested, but … I don't have enough money on me …"
Zhang Xuan scratched his head awkwardly.
"You don't have enough?" Sai Xiaoyu chuckled. "That's not a problem. I do have some savings, so I can lend some to you. May I know how many spirit stones you lack? Feel free to ask. "
"Lend some? That's great! "
Zhang Xuan replied gratefully. "I still lack 3000 spirit stones. Can you … lend it to me?"
"…" Sai Xiaoyu.
"…" Liu Chang.
"…" The crowd.
(Author's Note: Author's Note: The story of a small figure struggling to become a big boss. Those who are lacking in books should take a look!)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
