Chapter 175 - Emperor's Shop
"So this appraising competition, do all the customers have to participate?" Jin Rou asked.
"Well, it's as the owner said." The bald merchant shrugged his shoulders, "But customers can hire master appraisers if they don't have the confidence of choosing. Of course, it would not be free of charge as master appraisers were expensive."
"That's true." Zin Shi nodded in agreement, "Hiring a 6-star master appraiser would already price at 1,000 rubies per half a day."
"That much?" Jin Rou was surprised. To think that master appraisers worth this much. He could not help but rub his chin for a moment, pondering things... what if he just become a master appraiser and become rich then? This was a passing thought in Jin Rou's mind. Well, as he already had the power and status in the cultivation world, what could he ask for? Money! That's the least he had right now.
"The price of 6-star master appraisers has increased, actually." The bald merchant said, "It is already two thousand rubies per half a day."
"..." Zin Shi did not know what to say and just put her head down in shame. To think that her information was that outdated and she still had the guts to say it, she just wanted to find a hole and bury herself.
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"We're here!" The bald merchant said as he welcomed the appearance of the shop. It was kind of a rundown place as if it was r not renovated for countless of years. It seemed like it suffered and survived thousands of trials and tribulations, but still standing.
"Hmmm." Jin Rou nodded in approval. As someone who held the highest status in the universe, he could see that this rundown shop had a very strange and mysterious aura. It was like a hazy fog, covering one's sight to block anyone from determining anything. But of course, to Jin Rou, this was a piece of cake. This effect was only effective for those people below Immortal Emperors. Besides, this place was really secluded and if not for the bald merchant who knew the twists and turns of the road, they might be lost now. Of course, if Jin Rou was serious, he could find that place anyways.
While Jin Rou was impressed, Zin Shi was not. As for her, who likes physical appearances of things, she found this shop a bit off... But of course, she did not say it out loud and just shut her mouth. She was afraid to offend people here.
"Don't you ever judge this shop, youngsters." The bald merchant made a 'tsk tsk' gesture and said, "This place was something you could not afford to offend. But oh well, just a reminder from this friend. Come, let's enter!"
The bald merchant opened the door and it made a 'cracking' sound. After which, what met them was a bustling scenario of people with high-class robes and clothes talking to each other. Judging from the refined attitude of these people, these people was someone that not just anyone could afford to offend. In the middle of the shop, was a huge table with a lump of scrap stones standing by, estimated to be thousands. Although the interior of this shop was the same as the exterior, just the people gathered here were already enough to change this place into a high-class one.
Zin Shi could not help but look at her clothes. The ladies gathered around here wore very luxurious things and whatnot, revealing their utmost beauty. However, she only wore plain and simple clothes that it would be difficult for her to be noticed. For some reason, her confidence in herself decreased by level.
Jin Rou noticed this, however, as he did not know what to say, he just kept quiet and would help Zin Shi if needed.
"Merchant Hao! You've finally returned!" Just all of sudden, a matured man in a black robe came over to them. He looked at Jin Rou and Zin Shi as if he was sizing them up, "So these two are newbies?"
"Staff Li, yes that's right. These two are new customers of La Estance Market." Merchant Hao, the bald merchant, nodded and added, "And looks like I was fortunate, as this young lady here possesses a golden card!"
"Golden card?" Staff Li almost wanted to take a step back from being stupefied. As a staff of this shop, where only golden card users had the privilege to purchase something here, he knew the importance of this card itself. After calming himself down, he asked Zin Shi, "Young lady, may I see your golden card?"
The moment the golden card was mentioned, everyone stopped talking and set their eyes upon the newcomers, as if they did not dare to believe what they heard.
"Ah... yes!" Being the center of attraction now, Zin Shi found it very uncomfortable and immediately showed the golden card.
"It's true!" Staff Li was surprised again. To think that such a young lady had this card. Did she steal it from her parents? or grandparents? Possible normal scenarios played right in his mind. Unfortunately, none of them had hit the spot.
After a short while, he regained his calm and said "Welcome to Emperor's Shop! I am Staff Li. I believe you guys came here to participate, right?"
As someone who worked here for thousands of years, he knew how to talk professionally and effectively. After all, the owner of this place was very strict and a perfectionist when it comes to business.
"Is it possible to just watch?" Jin Rou asked.
Staff Li was a bit annoyed by this question. However, when he thought that this young man's companion was a golden card user, he knew he needed to stay calm as the water, "This friend here, it is possible. However, the rewards waiting for you is not a joke and you might think it through if you really just want to watch."
"Then we will participate, then." Actually, Jin Rou really wanted to join the fray, as this was a new experience for him outside his realm. After all, even in Rou Celestial Realm, the celestial appraisers there were also popular and held a high status in the society.
Staff Li smiled and talked to them for a while to make them feel comfortable. After which, the appraising competition officially had started.