Chapter 919: Chapter 916: Another Kind of ’Clash at the Pinnacle

"So it’s a top-grade red crystal stone."

After hearing Yang Wanyi’s words, the representatives of the Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance and Black Wind Commerce Alliance looked at the red crystal stone rotating in mid-air, and nodded with a look of realization.

The gaunt elder representing the Heavenly Position Business Line had a drastic change in his expression.

At this moment, the silver-haired elder on the jade platform gestured, retrieving the red crystal stone from mid-air.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the ten breath-time is up."

Yang Wanyi shifted her gaze toward the silver-haired elder and smiled, "Senior Diao, I wonder whose answer was more accurate, mine or Li Chuanchang’s."

Upon hearing this, the entire Business Alliance Hall fell into silence, all eyes fixed on the silver-haired elder.

In the center of the jade platform, the silver-haired elder, smiling, said loudly:

"I have personally appraised this red crystal stone. The black marks are indeed exceptionally pure wood Yuan Qi, making it a top-grade red crystal stone. Yang Wanyi’s analysis is very accurate. This round goes to the Dayang Commerce Alliance."

Wow!

After the silver-haired elder spoke, a commotion erupted within the hall. Since Senior Diao himself appraised it, there was, of course, no doubt.

"What was Li Chuanchang thinking, isn’t he Azure Sky City’s top auctioneer!"

In the Heavenly Position Business Line’s private room, Zhouyan sat on a soft chair, clenching his fist tightly, face gloomy.

The black-robed elder standing beside him said, "He probably wasn’t serious yet."

In the center of the hall, Li Chuanchang’s face was equally ugly, his eyes fixed on Yang Wanyi, he said solemnly, "I was careless this time, but in the remaining five rounds, you won’t stand a chance."

At this moment, Li Chuanchang also regretted, had he not been too eager for success and had only made a cursory observation, he might not have been so decisively defeated.

"Oh, I hope so."

Yang Wanyi replied coolly and expressionlessly. Seeing Li Chuanchang’s iron-blue face, the representatives from Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance and Black Wind Commerce Alliance felt quite pleased inside.

As the sounds within the hall began to settle, the silver-haired elder nodded towards the back. Immediately, a graceful maid carried a gold-framed tray and placed it on the jade platform in front of the silver-haired elder.

Swish!

The red silk covering was lifted, and all eyes turned to it.

The treasure in the wooden tray was half a saber blade, apart from the hilt, only over three inches of blade remained, very broken, dusky in color, with fine cracks, under the gentle glow of the Luminous Pearl, faint streams of dark light could be seen flickering at the break.

The silver-haired elder cleared his throat and announced loudly:

"Next is the second round of the appraisal conference. Again, within ten breath-time, determine the blade’s age and grade. The first to reach the most accurate answer wins."

"So it’s about determining the age and grade of a broken Spirit Weapon. This year’s appraisal conference is really challenging."

"Hmm, it seems this was deliberately arranged by Senior Diao. With Li Chuanchang and Yang Wanyi here, ordinary treasures would be hard to distinguish."

"This broken treasure blade has already lost its spirituality. How can you determine its grade? Can you tell?"

"You’re overestimating me. If I could tell, I wouldn’t be sitting here."

Seeing the broken treasure blade in the wooden tray, the audience erupted in discussion.

Hearing these voices, the silver-haired elder smiled bitterly in his heart. The six treasures chosen for this appraisal conference were indeed his last-minute change, specifically to increase the difficulty.

"This blade’s aura, although its spirituality is gone, its aura is quite similar to that of the Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber. It should be a mid-grade fifth-tier Spirit Weapon."

In the private room, Luo Feng looked at the half-blade on the jade platform, the brilliance in his eyes flickered slightly.

His soul power was strong, allowing him to sense things others could not. Although the blade had lost its spirituality, its depths still retained its original aura. Compared to the Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber, he quickly deduced the answer.

Gazing at Yang Wanyi, Luo Feng furrowed his brows, contemplating whether or not to transmit the answer to her. After thinking it over, he ultimately decided against it.

Though Yang Wanyi usually acted unruly, she had her principles. She certainly would not want to win by such means. If it were Luo Feng himself, he would not want it either, lest he feel uneasy inside.

"This blade originally should be a mid-grade fifth-tier Spirit Weapon, already three hundred years old, with an age discrepancy of no more than five years."

As Luo Feng made his decision, a soft and alluring voice resounded in the hall, the speaker being Yang Wanyi.

"That’s too fast, barely two breath-time have passed, and Yang Wanyi already gave her answer."

"Isn’t she afraid of repeating Li Chuanchang’s mistake? Li Chuanchang was too hasty and got the wrong answer earlier."

As Yang Wanyi’s voice fell, the whole hall erupted with the sound of inhalation.

It’s widely known that judging complete treasures is relatively easy. But to assess broken treasures is ten to even a hundred times more difficult. To reach a conclusion so quickly seems overly hasty.

"Such impatience, you’re still too green."

On the other side, Li Chuanchang glanced at Yang Wanyi, his lips curling into a faint sneer, his eyes carefully scrutinizing the half-blade.

Learning from experience, this time Li Chuanchang was extremely cautious, and after another five breath-time, he withdrew his gaze, glanced at Yang Wanyi, and then declared aloud:

"This treasured saber is a mid-grade fifth-tier Spirit Weapon. Although it has lost its spirituality, the blade still retains a sharp intent. It should be only over two hundred years old, not surpassing two hundred and fifty years."

Upon hearing the voice, everyone inside the Business Alliance Hall was visibly stirred, their eyes showing urgency.

At this moment, most people were already viewing this appraisal gathering as a duel between Yang Wanyi and Li Chuanchang. Although this duel did not have the stormy intensity of a martial contest, its unpredictability was no less, providing a peak competition of another kind.

"Also a mid-grade fifth-tier Spirit Weapon..."

Luo Feng furrowed his brow slightly, as both parties judged the saber’s grade similarly. Thus, the age of the treasure would decide the victor.

Feeling the atmosphere in the Business Alliance Hall, the robust man from the Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance and the bun-wearing woman from the Black Wind Commerce Alliance exchanged a glance, both showing a bitter smile.

Although both had determined the grade of the broken saber, they were completely clueless about the saber’s age. Among those present were individuals with sharp vision. Giving a random estimate for the age would only create mockery.

The robust man turned to look in the direction of a private room and spoke:

"For this appraisal gathering, the Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance abstains."

"The Black Wind Commerce Alliance also abstains."

The bun-wearing woman’s charming voice followed.

With these words, the two retreated to the edge of the jade platform.

"Who do you think will win this round?" The robust man, arms folded, watched over Li Chuanchang and Yang Wanyi’s figures, asking.

The bun-wearing woman gave a bitter smile, shaking her head: "I wouldn’t know. I can only determine that the saber is over a hundred years old. To reach a more accurate answer, I need to study the treasure closely."

"I’m about the same. These two are indeed formidable. However, Yang Wanyi reached a conclusion so swiftly. She was somewhat rash. She should observe more. After all, the Dayang Commerce Alliance already lost once. If they lose this appraisal gathering too, they can kiss the first commerce alliance position goodbye," the robust man frowned and said.

"Hmm."

The bun-wearing woman nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Yang Wanyi, suddenly raising her eyebrows, and murmured lightly:

"What if this answer is correct?"

Sss!

Both took a breath at the same time.

If one can accurately judge the grade and age of a broken Spirit Weapon within two breaths, it would be terrifying.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Li Chuanchang and Yang Wanyi. The simultaneous abstaining of the two major commerce alliances didn’t cause much commotion.

Ten breaths passed quickly, and the vast Business Alliance Hall fell silent, so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping. Everyone’s eyes widened, waiting for the silver-haired elder to announce the result.

"Hurry up and announce the result."

Li Chuanchang stood proudly, confident in his answer.

The silver-haired elder exhaled lightly, picked up the broken saber, and spoke:

"This saber is a mid-grade fifth-tier Spirit Weapon, forged by a strong person from the holy ground three hundred and three years ago."

"Three hundred and three years!"

As the silver-haired elder spoke, the Business Alliance Hall was suddenly filled with the sound of sharp inhales, countless shocked gazes directed at the alluring figure in the hall.

Earlier, Yang Wanyi said that this saber has a three-hundred-year history, within five years of the correct answer, extremely close, incredibly precise.

"Impossible!"

Suddenly, a shout erupted in the hall, Li Chuanchang stared at the broken saber, firmly saying:

"This saber is forged from Black Yuan Crystal Ore. Spirit Weapons made with Black Yuan Crystal Ore grow dull over two hundred years. After three hundred years, the Black Yuan Crystal Ore turns into Black Yuan Crystal, and the Spirit Weapon will break. This treasured saber shows no signs of turning into Black Yuan Crystal Essence. Its history cannot surpass three hundred years."

The silver-haired elder frowned, his sharp gaze shooting forth: "Are you questioning my vision?"

Locked by the gaze, Li Chuanchang felt as if he had fallen into an ice den, a chill in his heart, only realizing now that he was in front of the Business Alliance Hall Master, a mighty person near the Yuan Sea Realm, not someone he can offend; yet, to admit defeat like this, he was unwilling and reluctantly said:

"I am merely voicing my doubts, as I expect everyone present feels the same."

The silver-haired elder glanced at Li Chuanchang, then turned his gaze to Yang Wanyi, asking: "Yang Wanyi, can you tell him how you determined this treasured saber has a three-hundred-year history?"

"Of course."

Yang Wanyi smiled and nodded, her alluring eyes resembling autumnal water, glanced lightly at Li Chuanchang, her red lips parting:

"It is true that Black Yuan Crystal Ore exposed to air will turn into Black Yuan Crystal Essence over three hundred years. However, there are special circumstances, such as when a Spirit Weapon falls into water, this time is greatly extended."

Upon hearing this, Li Chuanchang’s face twitched, his complexion turning a shade paler.

Yang Wanyi continued:

"This broken saber’s fracture shows cloud stacked patterns. If I’m correct, it’s the very famous Thousand Clouds Forging Method from long ago, created by the Wandering Yunyou, a forging master from three hundred years ago. The cloud stacked patterns on this saber are rather coarse. It should have been forged when Wanderer Yunyou just created the Thousand Clouds Forging Method. Three hundred years have passed since Wanderer Yunyou created the Thousand Clouds Forging Method."