In the martial arts academy, there were many disciples who were practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
For beginners, they would learn the Iron Wood Standing Skill. As for those who had a certain level of strength, they would be taught the Thirteen Forms of the Iron Fist. After that, they would learn the Iron Skin Technique, followed by the Diamond Seal Jade Art.
Chen Shaojun entered the martial arts academy and followed a group of beginners. Then, he executed the Iron Wood Standing Skill.
Fifth Senior Brother Mao Qiuyang was in charge. When he saw Chen Shaojun arrive, he deliberately came over and gave him pointers. He also transmitted his strength through the air to let Chen Shaojun experience the growth and changes of his strength.
Regarding this, Chen Shaojun could only restrain his aura and pretend to have gained a great deal from this training.
Fortunately, martial artists in the Body Tempering Realm did not have a qi ocean or essential qi. Thus, if they did not take the initiative to release their qi and blood, it would be extremely difficult for ordinary people to discover their opponent's realm.
That was why he did not reveal his true strength.
When the sky turned dark, Chen Shaojun finally left.
It was currently his third consecutive day of coming to the martial arts academy. It was also on this day that he deliberately spoke to the Fifth Senior Brother about the fact that he had already 'nurtured' his strength. He also conveniently mentioned that he would stay at home to cultivate and would not frequently come to the martial arts academy.
Regarding this, Mao Qiuyang naturally wouldn't say anything. He only instructed some things to take note of when practicing martial arts before allowing Chen Shaojun to leave.
Back at the pawnshop, Chen Shaojun realized that the backyard of the pawnshop was especially lively.
After asking about the situation, he finally understood.
The newcomers had arrived.
This time, the Lin family had sent over twenty newcomers. Most of them were here as apprentice pawnbrokers.
All of a sudden, the backyard was almost full.
Even the few empty beds in Chen Shaojun's room were occupied by the newcomers.
"What's going on? Business at our pawnshop isn't too good. We shouldn't need so many apprentice pawnbrokers, right?"
Chen Shaojun found a few familiar apprentices and asked them curiously.
Previously, he had indeed heard that there would be a batch of apprentices coming, but he did not expect them to come so quickly.
If it was in the past, he would not have cared too much.
However, he was now certain that he needed to appraise treasures in exchange for rewards to raise his foundation.
With so many apprentice pawnbrokers coming over, they would snatch his appraisal resources.
"It's because the annual Treasure Gathering is about to begin in Shengjing City."
Someone said faintly.
It was Ah Yong.
He was one of the longest-serving apprentices in the pawnshop, so he knew the most.
"The Treasure Gathering?"
The others were stunned.
"Can you elaborate?"
Chen Shaojun was interested.
"The Treasure Gathering is actually not a very impressive gathering. Only the Heavenly Treasure Gathering that is held once every ten years can be considered a great event with a large audience. Furthermore, a wide range of heavenly treasures can be found there."
"However, the Treasure Gathering is organized by the government, along with the five major trading unions in the capital. Countless rare treasures from around the world are brought together at the gathering."
"Some of the treasures can be called the treasures of heaven and earth. They are treasures that countless people would fight for with all their wealth."
"However, with more treasures present, more pawnbrokers are also needed to appraise them."
"After all, many treasures are born with a baleful aura or have accumulated a baleful aura. If the baleful aura cannot be cleansed, no one would dare to use the treasures rashly."
"Thus, practically every single pawnbroker would receive an invitation to join the Treasure Meeting and cleanse the treasures."
"Apprentices like us are no exception. We will be brought into the Treasure Gathering to appraise treasures."
"As a result, to a certain extent, the Treasure Gathering is also a grand gathering for pawnbrokers."
"Of course, for us, this is a banquet of life and death."
Ah Yong sneered and sounded pessimistic. Then, he looked at the newcomers with pity.
"How can that be?"
Zhao Hu was shocked by his last words and asked in surprise.
"The 'raw materials' that we are appraising now have actually all gone through a selection process by the official pawnbrokers."
"Thus, most of the treasures that we receive for appraisal don't have a large amount of baleful aura. Only when we are occasionally unlucky will we obtain treasures with a greater amount of baleful aura."
"At that time, we can only rely on ourselves."
"However, there are too many treasures at the Treasure Gathering."
"The official pawnbrokers don't even have the time to choose treasures. Thus, the chances of us appraising a treasure with a heavy baleful aura will be much higher."
"If we are lucky, we will just fall seriously ill."
"However, if we are unlucky, the baleful aura will enter our bodies and kill us."
"Every year, countless apprentice pawnbrokers will die during the Treasure Gathering. In fact, many official pawnbrokers will encounter misfortunes and inevitably lose their lives."
"That's right. All of us have at least six months of appraisal experience. Thus, even if our mastery of the Divine Vision technique hasn't reached a profound level, we're actually not too far off compared to the official pawnbrokers."
"The new apprentice pawnbrokers are the ones in the most danger."
"I estimate that there will be no more than five out of 20 new apprentice pawnbrokers who will return alive."
Ah Yong lowered his voice as a hint of fear appeared in his eyes.
"Hiss…"
Everyone gasped in shock.
According to Ah Yong, the new apprentices were in more danger and had a higher chance of dying. However, they did not think that 'veterans' like them were much better than the new apprentices.
Whether or not they could return alive depended on their luck.
"Of course, although this Treasure Gathering is dangerous to us, it is also a chance."
"After all, not all of the treasures that we need to appraise will contain baleful auras."
"Some of the treasures could contain spiritual energy, essential energy, or even origin energy or auspicious energy… If one is lucky enough to appraise such a treasure, then one's Divine Vision technique, mental strength, and even physique would be greatly enhanced."
"Therefore, almost every year, there will be apprentices who would use this opportunity to stand out and be promoted to official pawnbrokers."
"Even if they couldn't advance to become official pawnbrokers, their appraisal skills would still be significantly enhanced."
"If one is lucky, some big shots might even take a fancy to them. Then, their future would be limitless."
Then, Ah Yong spoke with a hint of longing in his eyes.
"Can we really become official pawnbrokers?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Before this, everyone felt a little gloomy because of Ah Yong's words.
However, when they heard that some people were able to use this opportunity to stand out and be promoted to an official pawnbroker, they were instantly moved.
Everyone trusted their luck and always believed that they were the only ones who would be lucky enough to succeed.
If this Treasure Gathering only brought them death and injuries, many people would probably retreat, or even… flee.
However, if they could really make use of this Treasure Gathering to promote themselves to an official pawnbroker, then everyone would be tempted.
What if?
What if they succeeded?
Which of these apprentice pawnbrokers didn't want to become an official pawnbroker?
After all, this usually represented the difference in their status, strength, status, and treatment.
Even Chen Shaojun was extremely desperate to get out of his current situation.
It was not easy to live in a large store with twelve people and the identity of a servant… They had to be very cautious and observe the mood of others. Such a life was truly not easy to live.