Meeting Rocco: Appraisal and Expectations

  Huang Di was led by the young receptionist, who introduced herself as Cecília, as they walked through the bustling establishment. Cecília was a third-level Profound Rank cultivator, around twenty-three years old, with fair skin, green eyes, hair as black as night, a slender nose, and small pink lips. Her charming, friendly personality stood out as she guided Elder Claudio, pointing out the many display panels showcasing a wide variety of treasures.

  Those treasures ranged from protective, offensive, and support equipment to skills, pills, runes, talismans, and jewelry of every kind, from dimensional rings to elegant necklaces for women. With a sparkle in her eyes, Cecília seemed especially enchanted by the jewelry. Seizing the moment, Huang Di asked about the people who could appraise his treasures.

  Cecília replied:

  "There’s Madam Xue, the one you mentioned, but she’s very busy with pending appraisals. However, we also have Manager Rocco, who recently returned from vacation and has fewer commitments. Maybe I can get him to appraise you. But for that, I’ll need a commission. How about fifty large stones? A bargain, don’t you think? Half now, and the rest after the transaction is complete."

  Huang Di understood Cecília’s intentions. Trading Rank 6 treasures usually involved perfect stones, each worth ten thousand large stones, which made her “commission” a modest sum for those dealing in such wealth. However, for Huang Di, who did not possess a single perfect stone, it was significant. Even so, he decided to take the risk and handed over fifty large stones, which made Cecília beam.

  Even though paying for a service that should have been included in the auction house’s operations irritated him, Huang Di moved on, determined to avoid unnecessary trouble. He and Cecília headed to Manager Rocco’s tower, where they found a short line. Efficiently, Cecília pulled Huang Di to the front and announced loudly:

  "VIP coming through. Please make way."

  To Huang Di’s surprise, the people, though displeased, stepped aside.

  At last it was Huang Di’s turn. He entered the room with Cecília, who, after delivering him to his destination, thanked him and left with a broad smile. The room was occupied by an elder with a long beard, Rocco, who was studying a catalog while an unusual item rested on the table. Huang Di recognized it from Scarlet’s memories: a summoning crystal, common in his world of origin, but extremely rare here.

  Noticing Huang Di’s interest, Rocco commented:

  "Welcome, my client. I see you’re a VIP without a card. I understand. What have you brought for appraisal?"

  Huang Di noticed that Rocco was guarding the crystal with care, but he decided to get straight to the point. He produced a ring containing the items he intended to sell or auction, depending on the opportunity.

  When he examined the ring’s contents, Rocco almost stumbled backward at the sheer volume of items. Huang Di had to suppress a laugh at the manager’s stunned expression. Regaining his composure, Rocco asked:

  "My dear friend, what is your name again?"

  "I never said," Huang Di replied with a smile. "But since we’re among elders, you may call me Cláudio, the Sixth-Order Alchemist."

  Surprised, Rocco explained that appraising everything would take weeks, which would make Huang Di miss the next auction. As an alternative, they could divide the items into lots and sell them at the market average or auction them depending on demand. Rocco emphasized that the most valuable items were crafting materials and jewelry. The equipment, while high-rank, was less sought after because it was old.

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  Huang Di agreed, and Rocco suggested a twenty-five percent commission. However, if Huang Di shared his opinion about the summoning crystal, Rocco would reduce the commission to fifteen percent, granting benefits between silver and gold clientele. A good deal, without question.

  "About the crystal in your hand?" Huang Di asked.

  Rocco smiled, surprised.

  "You’re very perceptive, Sixth-Order Alchemist."

  "What you’re holding is a summoning crystal. I believe you’ve been trying to connect with the beast sealed inside it, without success," Huang Di explained. "To do that, you first need to release it from the crystal, defeat it, and then perform the seals necessary to tame it. Given your interest, I suspect it’s a flying-type beast, the rarest and hardest to tame because of its high escape potential."

  He paused, then concluded:

  "But I have a counterproposal. I help you tame the beast, and you grant me gold-client benefits and a golden card after my items are sold at your auction. What do you say? Easy, isn’t it?"

  Elder Rocco went momentarily catatonic. The explanation about the crystal was precise, even beyond his own knowledge. It was impressive, but was it worth the trade? That was a decision he would have to weigh carefully.

  Negotiations and Plans: The Alchemist in Action

  The air was tense. At first glance, Huang Di’s demand for what sounded like “simple help” seemed irrational. However, for someone in Rocco’s position, meeting that demand was not impossible. The real question was whether Huang Di could truly uphold his end of the deal.

  Studying Elder Claudio’s appearance, Rocco could not identify anything overtly wrong, yet instinct told him what he was seeing was not the full truth. Still, he knew many who conducted large transactions without backing used disguises, and he was familiar with most of them. Huang Di’s disguise, however, was different, unsettling in its elegance.

  As one of the city’s most powerful cultivators, at the peak of the Rank Sky and responsible for the Boom Auction, Rocco had traveled widely and met many notable figures. Yet he had never encountered an ability capable of deceiving his perception so completely. Deciding to set that aside for the moment, he asked:

  "I understand you know this is a summoning crystal, and that isn’t secret or restricted knowledge. But how do you know it contains a summon, and that it’s a flying type?"

  Huang Di smiled enigmatically.

  "As you know, everyone has their own abilities, but no one reveals their secrets easily. Just as a magician never explains the tricks behind his act, a cultivator guards his techniques, especially in front of strangers. Still, if we’re going to establish a good relationship, I’ll share a little. Because of certain circumstances in the past, I acquired an ocular ability that lets me see beyond the surface. It allows me to view what’s inside the crystal. And from what I can see, it appears to be an egg from a creature of the dragon bloodline. The markings and traits suggest it’s an ancient beast."

  Rocco realized Huang Di was using some kind of unknown detection or spiritual technique, but the accuracy of the description of an ancient-beast egg only made him more curious about the origins of this mysterious client. Determined to win his trust, Rocco proposed an offer that would surely appeal to an alchemist.

  "My friend, it seems we’re in sync. Here’s my proposal. Whether you can help me establish a link with that beast or not, I will buy the items in your ring at the market average and pay you now, without even appraising them in detail. I might profit far more at auction, or I might take a loss, but I’ll assume the risk. What do you think?"

  Interested, Huang Di asked:

  "How much are we talking about?"

  After a few mental calculations, Rocco replied:

  "To be precise, we’re talking about ten thousand two hundred forty-five perfect stones, eight hundred thirty-one large stones, one thousand sixty medium stones, and twenty small stones. Whatever I earn beyond that will be mine. If I lose money, that will also be mine."

  Huang Di knew Rocco would not make such an offer unless he was confident he would come out ahead. Still, Huang Di needed immediate capital to invest in a venture that could multiply his returns. Without hesitation, he accepted. After confirming the terms, Rocco transferred the items from the ring and delivered the payment. Huang Di checked the contents and confirmed receipt.

  With the deal closed, Huang Di asked:

  "Do you still want my help with the summoning crystal?"

  Rocco explained:

  "I need some preparations. Also, with the auction approaching, I can’t be absent right now. Can we schedule it for next month?"

  Huang Di nodded, satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. He took his leave, carrying what he had come for.

  As he left the Boom Auction, he reflected on his next steps. He needed to find a suitable location and reliable suppliers to meet the demand for resources required to produce pills. With that in mind, he headed for the city hall to rent a commercial space, determined to reveal his talent to the world and cement the name of the alchemist Elder Claudio.