The man in elegant attire, upon seeing someone interrupting the elderly white-bearded man, looked up and sarcastically remarked, "Mr. Lu, it seems like anyone can come up to the Celestial Martial Tower in your Treasure Pavilion."
The man in elegant attire was clearly a regular customer of the Treasure Pavilion, and Mr. Lu respectfully replied, "Apologies for the interruption, Mr. Ye. This person claims to have a Celestial-level martial technique, and I wasn't sure if it was true or not, so I brought him up here to seek Master Gu's assessment."
Master Gu's eyes lit up. Celestial-level martial techniques were usually kept for personal cultivation, and it was rare for someone to exchange them, even within the Treasure Pavilion.
"This sword has good material quality and possesses some special attributes. It can release Wind Blades when used for attacks. It can barely be identified as a Celestial-level lower-grade," said Master Gu, handing the ancient sword back to Mr. Ye. He then said to Mr. Lu, "Bring it over and let me have a look."
Mr. Ye, who was initially quite pleased with the sword being identified as a Celestial-level lower-grade, became displeased upon seeing how concerned Master Gu was about Jiang Yun's martial technique. He said unhappily, "Master Gu, you're overestimating certain individuals. Look at him, does he seem like someone capable of possessing a Celestial-level martial technique?"
Master Gu looked at the names of the three martial techniques on the manuscript: Dragon Claw Technique. With a dissatisfied expression, he glanced at Mr. Ye and replied, "Assessing is my job, regardless of whether it's true or not. I have to see it before making any judgments."
Master Gu's words were already a reprimand to Mr. Ye, emphasizing that one should not speak without proper investigation. However, as Master Gu was the best appraiser in the Treasure Pavilion and even in the entire Kingdom of Dayan, Mr. Ye dared not direct his dissatisfaction towards him. Instead, he shifted his resentment towards Jiang Yun.
"I don't believe this poor boy can produce a Celestial-level martial technique. If it's truly a Celestial-level martial technique, he must have been secretly cultivating it at home."
To be honest, Jiang Yun's appearance, though not that of a wealthy individual, was neat and refreshing. Mr. Ye's constant mocking and derogatory remarks calling him a poor boy made Jiang Yun a little angry.
"How about we make a bet, Mr. Ye? If this Celestial-level martial technique of mine is fake, I'll give it to you directly. But if it's real, how about you give me that sword in your hand?" Jiang Yun proposed.
"Hmph, do you think I'm a fool? Who knows what grade your martial technique is? This sword in my hand is a Celestial-level weapon," Mr. Ye replied after contemplating for a while. In his heart, he cursed Jiang Yun for being shameless, trying to use a martial technique of unknown grade to trade for his sword.
"Oh, so Mr. Ye also thinks that my martial technique might be a genuine Celestial-level technique. Could you kindly shut up then, Mr. Ye?" Jiang Yun provoked him.
Seeing Mr. Ye's hesitant expression, reluctant to admit the possibility yet unwilling to give up his precious ancient sword, Jiang Yun secretly chuckled. People like Mr. Ye, who held themselves in high regard, were definitely susceptible to provocation.
Sure enough, Mr. Ye clenched his teeth and begrudgingly said, "Let's bet then! I, Ye Yu, don't believe you can produce any Celestial-level martial technique. But I can still part with a Celestial-level lower-grade weapon."
Once Mr. Ye uttered those words, he regretted it. To be honest, the entire Ye family couldn't produce two or three Celestial-level weapons, and this ancient sword was one he had stumbled upon himself. But since the words were already spoken, he couldn't go back on them. He could only give Jiang Yun an resentful glare, knowing that it was a futile gesture.
Jiang Yun smiled mischievously and ignored Ye Yu, focusing solely on Master Gu.
Since picking up Jiang Yun's manuscript, Master Gu hadn't put it down and his brow had been furrowed the entire time. After a while, he finally set down the manuscript and spoke, "What do you want to exchange with this martial technique?"
As soon as those words came out, Ye Yu felt a sense of unease. Could it be that this kid really did bring forth a Celestial-level martial technique? But if it were true, how could he bear to exchange it?
Jiang Yun replied, "I wonder if the Treasure Pavilion has any Celestial-level cultivation techniques?"
Initially, Jiang Yun had two options in mind. He knew that just like martial techniques, very few people would be willing to exchange their cultivation techniques if they possessed any.
However, with Master Gu's remark, it was undoubtedly an acknowledgment that this martial technique was indeed a Celestial-level technique. Therefore, Ye Yu would naturally have to give him the ancient sword, and with a weapon in hand, Jiang Yun had no choice but to choose a cultivation technique.
Master Gu looked a bit troubled and said, "A Celestial-level cultivation technique? That's difficult. How about this, wait here for a moment. I will discuss it with Manager Lu."
Jiang Yun nodded and said indifferently, "Alright, I'll wait here."
Master Gu and Manager Lu went into the inner room to have a secret discussion. In the living room, there were only Jiang Yun and Ye Yu. Jiang Yun smiled at Ye Yu and said, "Mr. Ye, I assume you're a man of integrity. You lose the bet and the sword is now mine."
Of course, Ye Yu was reluctant to give the ancient sword to Jiang Yun. But now that the words were spoken and both Manager Lu and Master Gu from the Treasure Pavilion were there as witnesses, he had no choice. He pretended not to care much about a Celestial-level lower-grade weapon and said, "This young master will naturally not go back on his words. It's just a Celestial-level weapon, nothing extraordinary. A poor boy is still a poor boy, never seen anything good."
After saying those words, Ye Yu didn't wait for Jiang Yun's response. He angrily tossed the ancient sword to Jiang Yun and left the room with a heavy heart.
When Ye Yu approached, Jiang Yun was standing at the staircase. Ye Yu seemed like he wanted to say something but hurried his steps, not wanting to see Jiang Yun holding his weapon again to avoid the heartache.
Jiang Yun was about to speak up to remind Ye Yu that his robe was caught on a nail at the corner of the stairs. However, to his surprise, Ye Yu walked even faster.
"Thump, thump, thump, thump."
With his clothes caught, Ye Yu lost his balance and rolled down the stairs, then quickly got up, covered his face, and ran away in a hurry.
Jiang Yun burst into laughter at Ye Yu's embarrassed state, not noticing that Master Gu and Manager Lu had already come out.
"Ahem," Master Gu coughed lightly as a reminder. After Jiang Yun turned his head, Master Gu said, "Young sir, here's the situation. Our Treasure Pavilion no longer has a Celestial-level cultivation technique to exchange with you. However, I personally have a Celestial-level lower-grade cultivation technique. I wonder if you're willing to exchange for it?"
Jiang Yun looked at Master Gu skeptically, noting his flushed face. He thought to himself, "Is this old man trying to deceive me? Otherwise, why does he look so guilty?" Jiang Yun said cautiously, "Let me have a look first. If it's not a Celestial-level cultivation technique, I won't make the exchange."
When Jiang Yun received the tattered piece of parchment handed over by Master Gu, he understood why the old man had that guilty look.
It turned out that the cultivation technique was a severely truncated version. Its grade was undoubtedly Celestial-level, and it might even be higher, but the key was that the technique was incomplete.
Master Gu nervously watched Jiang Yun's furrowed brows and apologetically said, "I'm sorry. The Treasure Pavilion really doesn't have any other Celestial-level cultivation techniques to exchange with you. How about this? You take back your martial technique for now, leave an address, and we'll inform you when we find a Celestial-level cultivation technique?"
Jiang Yun, interrupted by Master Gu, suppressed his inner excitement and said, "No need. I'll take the trade."