Chapter 176: Appraiser, the Life Profession Most Beloved by Experts

In Chang’an City, there was the Golden Pavilion.

Although the name was quite common, the interior was elegantly decorated and very quiet. Many players came and went.

This was the place in the main city to appraise equipment. For ordinary players, the number of free appraisals available in their sects was never enough. Moreover, there were many players who had not joined a sect.

Thus, the Golden Pavilion’s business was booming. It was bustling and crowded with people.

Ye Rong walked straight in. He had two flying swords and two Dao Scrolls, all with unknown attributes that needed to be appraised.

Although he had gained a lot from the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb, he had no intention of leaving yet. This was only the first treasure vault. If he left now, he might miss out on any new treasures that appeared later.

Besides, he had already used up his free appraisal quota for the week with Senior Brother Chen Taizhen. Even if he returned, he couldn’t get free appraisals.

There were many separate counters. Ye Rong looked around and headed towards one in the inner area.

If someone recognized that the items he wanted to appraise were snatched right under everyone’s noses from the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb treasure vault, it could bring unnecessary trouble.

For example, the Shushan Sword Alliance probably wouldn’t be happy if, after all their efforts, the treasures behind the nine gates were taken by someone else. There were also those enraged solo players and other factions who gained nothing.

“Appraise these.”

Ye Rong first handed over the two Dao Scrolls. This appraiser was different from the white-haired, elderly masters at other counters. She was an elegant, mature, and voluptuous middle-aged beauty. The thin gauze she wore couldn’t conceal her stunning figure. Even the simple act of reaching out to take the Dao Scrolls made her chest jiggle noticeably.

Strange, why wasn’t there any business in front of such a beauty? Her appearance was exactly what those players who loved flirting with attractive NPCs would adore. How could they pass her by?

Although there were strict protective mechanisms—unless a female NPC’s Favorability Level reached a certain point, any intimate contact would trigger a System attack—there were always players who liked pestering beautiful NPCs all day.

With just one touch over the two Dao Scrolls, the appraisal was complete. The obscure, hard-to-read writing now seemed clear.

“Two Dao Scrolls, five hundred fifty taels of silver.”

The mature beauty looked up in surprise. It was rare for two Dao Scrolls to require such a high appraisal fee.

“Kung Fu Panda! That’s so greedy!”

If it weren’t for the payment from the Herbal Hall, he might not even have enough to cover the appraisal fee.

Ye Rong obediently paid the fee, took back the two Dao Scrolls, and then handed over the two flying swords. They looked like clear, transparent pools of water. Their similar appearance suggested they might be a matched pair. Placed side by side, they complemented each other nicely.

“Huh?”

The mature beauty pressed her hands on the two swords, but there was no reaction. She made a surprised sound.

A trace of panic flashed across her face. She tried again, this time with two dazzling, beautiful lights glowing on her hands. She wiped them forcefully over the flying swords, and a series of short, crisp cracking sounds erupted.

“Little Taoist, you’re not simple. These two flying swords rank among the top three I’ve ever appraised in my life.”

The mature beauty gazed deeply at the two flying swords, seemingly reluctant to let go. After a long while, she spoke.

“Nine hundred taels of silver!”

Ye Rong didn’t even have time to be shocked by the high appraisal fee for two swords. He took the swords, stuffed them into his Universe Pouch, and headed out of the Golden Pavilion. The high fee seemed to attract the attention of several nearby players, who turned to look at him—

It was common knowledge that the higher the value of an item, the more expensive the appraisal fee.

…

Deshun Restaurant, third floor.

Ye Rong jogged all the way, taking a couple of detours before finally shaking off the few players who had been following him.

The Long-Legged Lady had already reserved a private seat here. It was the meeting place they had agreed on via Flying Sword Message.

“Yijian, come quickly! I ordered some Chang’an snacks. They’re very different from Jiangnan flavors. Come and try them.”

In front of her, many small plates were already laid out, filled with various pastries, along with a pot of light tea.

“Let’s see what we got this time.”

Ye Rong took out the two Dao Scrolls and the two flying swords, placing them on the table.

He really wanted to see what high-level items had cost him so much silver in appraisal fees—

The two Dao Scrolls were thin, only a few pages each. One was dark green, the other deep blue.

Liuchen Divine Illumination Dao Scroll, illuminates all things under heaven, can recognize immortal treasures;

Tianzhao Mingzhao Dao Scroll, illuminates all things under heaven, can recognize immortal treasures.

“What does this mean?”

“Appraisal skill! This must be the appraisal skill!”

The Long-Legged Lady was stunned for a moment, then suddenly overjoyed. She grabbed Ye Rong’s arm and shook it wildly.

“Your luck is too good! You actually got the appraisal Dao Scrolls. These never appeared even by the end of the Closed Beta.”

“Really? Appraisal skill Dao Scrolls?”

Ye Rong couldn’t believe it. The appraisal skill was something countless players envied. Who wouldn’t want to have that ability?

But up to now, no one had ever heard of any player learning the appraisal skill. It was the ultimate golden path to wealth—what treasure could compare?

“Let’s each take one and learn it now!”

“Okay!”

Ye Rong took the Liuchen Divine Illumination Dao Scroll, and the Long-Legged Lady took the Tianzhao Mingzhao Dao Scroll. Each slapped theirs to confirm use.

System Notification: You have successfully become an Appraiser. You have learned the Liuchen Divine Illumination Technique.

Liuchen Divine Illumination Technique: Can appraise flying swords and magic treasures. Has five layers. Currently at the first layer, can appraise flying swords or magic treasures of the third rank or below. Daily limit: five items. Experience required for upgrade: 0/1000.

“What? I became an Appraiser just like that?”

Ye Rong was bewildered. He had just used up his remaining Life Profession slot to become an Appraiser.

Moreover, the Liuchen Divine Illumination Technique had restrictions. It couldn’t appraise clothing equipment; it could only appraise flying swords or magic treasures. It couldn’t appraise items above the third rank, and there was a daily limit on the number of appraisals.

It seemed that only by leveling up later could he appraise high-rank flying swords and magic treasures.

He just hoped that as the layers increased, the daily number of appraisals would also increase.

“Dream Butterfly, how about you?”

Ye Rong set his Liuchen Divine Illumination Technique to display, so she could see it.

“Basically the same. I also became an Appraiser. But the effect is much worse than yours.”

A look confirmed it. Even with the same Appraiser profession, the importance could vary greatly depending on the functional direction.

Tianzhao Mingzhao Technique: Can appraise clothing equipment. Has five layers. Currently at the first layer, can appraise clothing equipment of the fifth grade or below. Daily limit: ten items. Experience required for upgrade: 0/2000.

The difference between flying swords and magic treasures versus clothing equipment represented the difference in importance between the two types of Appraisers. The former were special talents any faction would desperately recruit, while the latter were nice to have but not essential.

For solo players, becoming an Appraiser was even more important, especially for those super experts.

They frequently ventured into various dungeons and dangerous secret realms. If they possessed the appraisal skill themselves, it would naturally be much more convenient.

As for the two flying swords, one was the Xingyao Sword. Its blade was semi-transparent, as if formed from countless tiny starlights. The hilt was engraved with seven bright stars. The other was the Yuexuan Sword. It was entirely crystalline white, emitting a cold moonlight. A crescent moon was carved on the blade.

Xingyao Sword, Seventh-Rank Divine Weapon. Attack: 650-680. Flight Speed: 600-660. Attack Speed: 550-580. Included Spells: Starlight Guidance, Yaoguang Protection.

Starlight Guidance: Draws starlight from the heavens into the body, tempering the flesh. Experience absorption speed increased by 100%. Duration: one day. Cooldown: seven days.

Yaoguang Protection: Draws light from the Yaoguang to form a brocade robe, impervious to all evil, can block all attacks. Defense Value: 6000. Activation cost: 2000 True Qi. Cooldown: one day.

“Great flying sword! It’s actually a Seventh-Rank flying sword!”

The Long-Legged Lady praised sincerely. Even someone like her, who possessed multiple treasures, was impressed, showing that the Xingyao Sword was indeed extraordinary.

It had two included spells. Starlight Guidance was like using a Diligence Jade Talisman for the wielder, usable once every seven days. Yaoguang Protection was a pure defensive spell, no less effective than a high-level defensive magic treasure.

For a player like Ye Rong, whose Level was relatively low, this flying sword was even more tempting and attractive.

“As expected of the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb! A Seventh-Rank flying sword appeared even in the first layer!”

Now, the other one—

Yuexuan Sword, Seventh-Rank Divine Weapon. Attack: 660-700. Flight Speed: 650-680. Attack Speed: 600-620. Included Spell: Moonlight Glowing Explosion.

Moonlight Glowing Explosion: Absorbs lunar energy, gathering glowing particles into a sphere. Released from the wielder as the center. Attack range: one hundred zhang. All living things turn to dust. Attack: 800-880. Usable three times daily. No cooldown, but there is a usage interval restriction.

“Another Seventh-Rank flying sword!”

The two looked at each other, gasping in astonishment. They felt like they had hit the jackpot.

“Two appraisal Dao Scrolls, two Seventh-Rank flying swords… Did we snatch the most valuable altar in the treasure vault?”

“Possibly. Even in the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb, it shouldn’t be possible for Seventh-Rank flying swords to be everywhere in the first layer, making them so cheap.”

Ye Rong grinned brightly. The altar behind the central gate had the highest quality treasures. What a coincidence. If those factions still fighting desperately inside knew about his gains, they would probably send people to hunt him down in a rage.