Chapter 346 (1/2)
”Good day brother Yong.”
”Greetings brother Ma, you're in a good mood today.”
”Why wouldn't I be? The first spot is as good as mine.”
”Hah, not if I have something to say about it!”
The young men with fans looked at each other while chuckling. There were in a large room with many strange items on small display podiums. There were large and small weapons, armor stands, pills, and even herbs.
Around these items many people stood, young disciples, while also some older men with white beards.
”Who do you think will win this competition, Elder?”
”I feel like little Yong might be victorious this time, he did study up on all those pills, it was his weak point in the last year's contest…”
”Yes, there are many various pills on this day but not that many weapons, what a keen observation!”
Two other people were dressed in more ceremonial robes and talking. They had armbands with the words 'Judges' written on them.
This was one of the first competitions of this year's outer disciple contest. Apprising was done here, the young men and women would be given pen and paper. They would then be able to wander around the large hall and look at the items presented there.
It was already hard to precisely gauge the true nature of the weapon from the outer appearance. Getting the correct price would require putting the items against other ones and decide where they stood on their own.
There were also dummy items placed to fool some of the young appraisers. Pills that looked and smelled almost exactly like their more pricey counterparts. Dull-looking blades made from precious metals and even gems that weren't actually what they seemed.
”I am Elder Hu, I will be the main judge for this competition. Remember juniors, you may not touch any of the items on display, use your eyes and other senses to ascertain the true nature of these treasures!”
The elder listed all the rules for this competition which forbade anyone from touching the items. There was not enough time for everyone to look at the items separately so if anyone was spotted looking at the answers of the others by the judges they would be instantly disqualified.
The main judge here was a Martial Grandmaster level of expert. With this much no junior would be foolish enough to peek, everyone was too afraid to get kicked out. Cheating in a competition like this could even get you banned from the sect. It was not worth the risk.
”With this, the competition starts now, remember you have limited time!”
The elder said while lighting up a somewhat longer incense stick, this would make the competition last about an hour.
The young sect disciples rushed into the open hall and started taking notes. While they were busy with the competition the elders decided to have some tea. They didn't expect anyone to return for a while as the time needed was quite short.
”Don't you think that we should extend the time slightly? We have never had anyone fully finish the appraisal before.”
”Then we would have to be stuck in here for even longer, they must also learn how to save time and choose their battles wisely.”
The other elder sat down while taking the cup into his hand and giving it a sip.
”That is true.”
From this elder's perspective, the winner would be the one that could fully utilize their gift. Some of the appraisers were quite stubborn, they would keep examining one item for long periods of time before coming to a conclusion. There was no time for such a thing, they needed to be swift and also know how to focus their expertise.
”Oh… who is that?”
The main judge narrowed his eyes while looking to the hall where the disciples were looking at the items. It seemed that he was even scoffing and frowning.
”Who do you mean elder?”
”That young man… is he wearing the trial disciple robes? Who allowed a trial disciple to take part in this competition?”
The man spotted a certain youth with long hair scribbling on the paper. He was going from one display case to another and quickly writing something down as if he instantly knew the answer to the question.
”That young man… I have no idea… he must have paid to participate… probably still an inexperienced youth that doesn't know his place, should I go and take him away, Elder?”
The side judge asked while standing up, if the main judge wished for it he would remove the impudent trial disciple. There was no rule against not allowing them in, but they would really have to be from some prestigious clan for that to happen.
”No wait, let us see him make a fool of himself, we can scold him after the event is finished.”
The main judge waved his hand around while going back to sipping the tea. From his standpoint, this would be a good learning opportunity for the other young appraisers. He could show how inexperienced this young fool was and make the other youths take it more seriously.
The minutes continued to pass but the main judge's eyes were drawn to this young man. He was a strange one, he went from one stand to another and quickly started writing. It was as if he knew the answer instantly and there was no chance of being wrong.
This annoyed this old man quite a bit. He might have not been the greatest when it came to cultivation but appraisal was his main profession. To him, it seemed that the youth before him had no respect for this sacred occupation.
It looked like the youth just wrote whatever came to his mind and continued to the next one without examining it further. Even the other participants started to notice him as his feet were shuffling on the wooden floor quite loudly.
Before the incense stick could burn to the half mark the youth was at the last item. The young disciple stopped for a prolonged moment before scribbling down something. The item he was looking at was a somewhat useless pendant.
”Is he really done?”
The side judge commented while looking at the young man. It didn't take him long to spot the side where the judges were. The next thing seemed a bit disrespectful as the young man spotted the elders and started strutting towards them as if he owned the place.
”Greetings elders, I would like to present my answers.”
The young man held out the piece of paper in front of the side judge while the main elder's eyebrows were quivering.
”You have finished?”
”Yes, Elder.”
The young man bowed his head while clasping his hands. The main judge didn't speak out yet but it was clear that he was a bit maddened by the fact.
”Are you taking the Appraisal occupation lightly?”