Chapter One Hundred: Treasure Appraisal

Although it did not glow with any special radiance, the ring was exquisitely fashioned in an antique style, and anyone could tell at a glance that it was by no means comparable to the cheap junk sold by street peddlers in the fine grade. The blue-robed appraiser took it carefully and examined it, and at once his expression changed. He looked it over again more closely, and when he raised his eyes to Ye Chen again, there was a note of respect in them.

“Does the customer intend to auction this item through our firm?”

Ye Chen nodded, a little puzzled. It was only a bronze item, after all. Was this fellow not taking it a bit too seriously? It was also because Longteng Wandering Wolf and the others had been drinking so recklessly that they had not explained matters clearly; otherwise Ye Chen would not have found it strange. Over the past few days, Night-Glittering Gold had swept up every piece of bronze-grade equipment and above on the market, and with the contribution from Longteng, the total still did not reach thirty pieces. That sounded like a lot, but for such a vast auction house, it was merely a drop in the bucket. It was not that Night-Glittering Gold was reluctant to spend money. The real issue was that, if you wanted to buy bronze-grade equipment now, someone had to be willing to sell it. There were prices, but no goods available. That was the situation.

The auction house had long since issued strict instructions to the staff below: anyone auctioning bronze equipment had to be received as a guest of honor.

“In that case, please wait a moment. I will go and inform Supervisor Flowing Wind. Customers selling items of this level are to be received by a dedicated attendant.” The blue-robed appraiser wore a warm smile and spoke to Ye Chen respectfully.

Seeing Ye Chen nod, the appraiser hurried to the swordsman whose whole body shimmered with blue light and whose nickname was Flowing Wind. He whispered a few words into Flowing Wind’s ear, then carefully handed over the ring for him to inspect. The swordsman gave a slight nod, then smiled amicably at Ye Chen and came over under the guidance of the blue-robed appraiser.

“Welcome, honored guest. I am Flowing Wind, the hall supervisor for the auction venue. Your equipment has met the standard for our special reception service. Pricing for the goods will be discussed with you by a more professional senior appraiser. Please follow this attendant to the appraisal chamber inside the venue, where a senior appraiser will serve you there.”

Flowing Wind smiled warmly at Ye Chen and made an inviting gesture. A beautiful elf maiden player came to stand before Ye Chen, smiling as she indicated that he should follow her.

Ye Chen’s expression did not change much, but inwardly he was amazed. Good heavens, this service, this spectacle, was truly first-class. It seemed that the billions of players in Divine Descent really represented enormous profit, or else such a professional gaming industry would never have grown from it.

As the graceful elf maiden led Ye Chen into the venue, the players outside immediately began to clamor. A lustful berserker, whose gaze was fixed on the girl’s lovely figure, shouted loudly, “Didn’t you say no one could go in? Why can he go in and we can’t? We want to go in too. We want a beautiful attendant too.”

The rest of the players joined in, especially those who were also there to sell items; they demanded the same treatment.

“Everyone, everyone, listen to me, listen to me. The guest just now was selling items that met the standard for special reception. If you can produce equipment of the same level, then we guarantee equal treatment for all. As for the standard for special reception, the equipment sold must be bronze-grade or higher.” It seemed the swordsman Flowing Wind had been waiting for this question, for he immediately explained everything with a smile.

Feeling the envious and astonished gazes of hundreds of people behind him, Ye Chen smiled faintly. He thought to himself that Night-Glittering Gold really knew how to do business, even going so far as to make use of the players’ vanity. He himself did not care about empty fame, but many players cared very deeply. In such a situation, selling bronze equipment would undoubtedly let one make a grand appearance before the crowd, show off one’s strength, and gain some attention. That sort of allure could not be underestimated.

Sure enough, as soon as Flowing Wind finished speaking, the players outside became restless. Before Ye Chen even entered the appraisal chamber, someone was already shouting that he wanted to sell the bronze equipment he was wearing.

The elf maiden pushed open the door to the appraisal chamber for Ye Chen, bowed, and then withdrew on her own. Ye Chen stepped into the hall and glanced around, discovering that there were indeed far fewer appraisers inside than outside. There were only ten in all, and they all seemed rather old. Several were clearly middle-aged men, and seated in the very center was an old fellow. These people were probably veteran staff brought over by Night-Glittering Gold from the Second District, or even from the main battle district.

“Haha, the first business of the day is mine. None of you are allowed to snatch it from me. Come, come, young man, over here. Let me see whether you can give me a pleasant surprise.”

The old man seated in the center laughed heartily, his voice strong and full of energy. His first sentence was clearly directed at the other appraisers, while the second was for Ye Chen.

Respect for the old and care for the young were virtues, so Ye Chen nodded and walked over to the old man. He sat down in front of the table and placed the bronze ring upon it.

The old man picked up the bronze ring and examined it, a trace of disappointment appearing on his face as he muttered, “Only bronze equipment? Looks like there will be no surprise.”

“Haha, Old Wang, bronze equipment is already pretty good. This isn’t the Second District, much less your main battle district. Being able to collect bronze equipment in the first half-month after opening is something to secretly rejoice over.” A bearded middle-aged man beside him laughed. The others echoed him in agreement.

The old man gave a wry smile and nodded, then offered Ye Chen an apologetic smile before pricing it professionally. “One bronze ring. Attack: sixteen to twenty-five. Strength: plus eleven. No additional attributes. Suggested starting bid: one hundred and thirty. Expected transaction price: around two hundred and fifty gold. Young man, do you have any objections?”

Ye Chen shook his head. The price was very reasonable. If this ring were not being auctioned, its value would be around one hundred and eighty gold at most. An auction should bring a little more, and two hundred and fifty was just about the upper limit. The starting price of one hundred and thirty was not low either; with a few bids, it would not result in any loss.

“Oh, then there’s no problem. This is your admission token for this session. It can be used to participate in this afternoon’s auction. It is a complimentary item for those selling bronze-grade equipment or above.”

The old man drew a black iron token from beneath the table and handed it to Ye Chen. Seeing that Ye Chen accepted the token but did not leave, he asked in surprise, “Do you have something else, young man?”

“Of course I do. Did I say I only had one bronze item? Please take a look at this one as well.” Ye Chen smiled and took out another bronze ring. A mischievous thought suddenly came to him: he would bring out the items for sale in several rounds. Didn’t the old man want a surprise? One bronze item was not a surprise—then what about nine? And if he added a silver staff, and finally took out the White Tiger Pill, he was quite eager to see the old man’s expression.

“There’s more? Two bronze items. Very good, very good.” A look of interest appeared on the old man’s face. The other appraisers also gave Ye Chen a fresh appraisal. Someone who could produce one bronze item might merely be an ordinary player who had been lucky, but someone who could produce two should indeed have some real ability.

........................................................

One hundred chapters already. Let’s celebrate, let’s celebrate. Please vote for recommendation tickets.

As for the one who offered six thousand acceleration votes, are you brave enough to vote every day starting Monday? Vote every day, and six thousand every day. Haha, forget it for today.