Chen Guo didn't bother with formalities with the shop assistant and confidently strode into the pawnshop.
The pawnshop was split into two sections: one for purchasing items and the other for pawning them. Pawning could involve either 'dead pawns,' where items were sold outright and fetched a slightly higher price, or 'live pawns,' which allowed for the possibility of redemption by a certain date, usually at a lower price and with added interest. This latter option served as a quick fix in times of need, much like a collateral loan.
The purchasing section featured items that now belonged to the pawnshop. Some were destined to be sold offsite, while others were displayed for sale within the shop itself. The inventory was extensive, ranging from ceramics and paintings to antiques, jewelry, and even rare pills and cultivation techniques. While most items were available for purchase, the truly unique treasures were not on public display.
Such rarities were considered the crown jewels of the pawnshop, reserved for VIP clientele who alone were privy to their existence. Acquiring these items, should one wish to, would likely prove to be quite the endeavor.
In the pawning section, three tall counters stood, each inscribed with one of the characters: Heaven, Earth, and Man.
"Customer, are you here to buy or to pawn?" the assistant inquired with a warm smile.
"I'm looking to pawn something. Can you tell me about the significance of the three counters?" Chen Guo asked.
"Each counter is overseen by a different manager," the assistant explained. "The Man counter, managed by our third manager, deals with more common goods—everyday items that the average person might need to pawn. The Earth counter, under the second manager, handles more valuable items, such as books, artwork, and jewelry."
"The Heaven counter, however, is where our head manager presides. It's reserved for pawning only the most exceptional items. Rest assured, our managers have a keen eye for quality, and no true gem goes unnoticed."
"May I ask which counter you'll be using for your pawn today?"
The assistant's underlying question was clear: he was probing to gauge the level of treasure Chen Guo intended to pawn.
Chen Guo chuckled, "Naturally, I wouldn't pawn any old rags. The item I'm offering is a rare treasure indeed. Please, could you summon your head manager to take a look?"
The clerk replied, "Talk is cheap. Let me have a look first, then I can decide whether it's worth disturbing our head manager. He's currently resting, and if I bother him for no good reason, it might just make him angry. It's one thing for me to get in trouble, but losing face in front of a customer like you would be quite another matter."
Chen Guo mused at the clerk's high emotional intelligence, clearly dealing with a real, live person, not just a simple NPC. He offered a faint smile and said, "Well, since you put it that way, I suppose I should give you a glimpse."
With that, Chen Guo pulled out an object—a glass bead the size of a fist, exceptionally smooth and round. However, it wasn't clear; inside were faint silver threads.
The bead was actually a light fixture from the housing system, solar-powered and used for illumination after upgrading to a newbie villa. Chen Guo found it quite effective and had kept it as a spare flashlight in his system space.
After all, the light fixture could be exchanged for a mere five loyalty points; it was virtually worthless, akin to the glass beads found on Blue Star.
The clerk glanced at it and remarked, "Such a large glass bead is indeed uncommon. But it's a shame it's not clear and has impurities inside. I'm afraid it doesn't qualify as a rare treasure that would warrant disturbing our head manager. Perhaps I could fetch our assistant manager to have a look?"
Chen Guo shook his head, still smiling, "Do you honestly believe this is just a glass bead?"
The clerk, with a decade of experience in the pawnshop, confidently said, "I may not be an expert in appraising treasures, but I know a glass bead when I see one."
Chen Guo insisted, "But this is no glass bead."
Puzzled, the clerk scratched his head, "If it's not a glass bead, then what is it?"
Chen Guo declared emphatically, "It's a Blazing Night Pearl!"
The clerk gave Chen Guo a skeptical look, as if to say, "Don't take me for a fool," and countered, "Please don't try to deceive me. I've seen Blazing Night Pearls before, and they don't look like this!"
Chen Guo chuckled with a sly grin reminiscent of Sun Wukong duping a clever spirit, and announced, "Take a good look—this Night Pearl is a Sovereign Immortal Technique Night Pearl, not at all like the ordinary ones. Prepare to witness a miracle!"
With that, Chen Guo lightly rubbed the bottom of the glazed pearl. No switches were needed; a simple wipe was enough to turn it on, and another wipe would extinguish the light. Incredibly convenient, it was an essential for home, travel, and even more nefarious activities.
The pearl erupted in intense brilliance, like a miniature sun, filling the entire room with light as bright as day.
The spectacle astounded many.
"A treasure, indeed a treasure! This is a rare gem, a rare gem!"
"As bright as daylight—is this really a Night Pearl? Or could it be a Golden Crow?"
"What a marvelous find!"
Others in the shop were equally stunned and gathered around to gawk. They were convinced that this light was nothing short of a rare treasure.
Imagine the awe of someone seeing an electric light for the first time. When the light bulb was first invented, it was a marvel that could be showcased at a World's Fair, even used by kings to flaunt their wealth.
To these locals, unaware of the workings of an electric light, it seemed utterly magical.
"Shopkeeper, Shopkeeper, come quickly! A rare treasure has been found, a rare treasure indeed!"
The clerk, foregoing all manners, roused the dozing shopkeeper from his slumber on the counter. The shopkeeper, bleary-eyed, was immediately captivated by the glow of the light bulb. He strode over to Chen Guo, his eyes filled with wonder as he beheld the light bulb in Chen Guo's hand.
It was as if a glutton had spotted a feast, or a cat had caught the scent of fish—their primal cravings were unmistakable.
"What is this?" the shopkeeper inquired.
"Night Pearls," replied Chen Guo.
"To think such a bright Night Pearl exists in this world, turning my room as bright as day," the shopkeeper murmured in awe. "Holding this Night Pearl, it's as if you've captured the sun itself in your hand!"
Chen Guo spoke with earnest absurdity, "Of course, this is a night pearl, but not just any night pearl. This is the celestial Night Pearl of the Universe, a treasure nurtured by the cosmos itself. It has the power to draw in the essence of both the sun and the moon, radiating light. What's more, this light is under your command. A gentle swipe, and it ceases to glow; another soft touch, and it shines brightly once more. Isn't that magical?"
While explaining, Chen Guo deftly wiped the lamp, showing the head shopkeeper how to switch the lights on and off. The onlookers were astounded, as if they were witnessing a small knife slicing open a new perspective.